Oh Darling (l.h)

Chapter 17

I sighed. The girls had insisted we go get coffee and take sometime outside the house. We had just finished our drinks were heading outside so we could go to the park across the street. To my dismay Bono could not join us. We headed outside and stood at the cross walk waiting for the light to change. The Lia made a strange noise like the hair had been hit out of her. I followed her eyes to see the boys across the street.

"Oh no." Liana muttered.

"No. We are going to the park and we are going to have fun. We can't let them ruin us." Aria breathed.

"Okay." I said letting out my breathe. I looked down at the street as we crossed. I avoided any eye contact.

Sadly I had to take one glance at the boys as we passed them. Aria was behind us and Liana was next to me. I heard Liana suck in her breath so I looked up to see the boys watching us.

"Crap." Aria muttered. She was looking across the street at a little old lady who was having trouble crossing the street. "Ill meet you guys there."

We kept walking passed the boys and through the gate. When we turned we saw Aria finish helping the lady. She the turned, suck in a breath, and walk passed the boys with total confidence and carefreeness. I watched Michael's expression as she passed bye and I swear I saw a tear tumble down his cheek.

Aria approached us and we sat down in towards the middle of the park.

"So." Aria sighed leaning back into the grass.
Liana pulled out her guitar and hummed a few notes. "Aria why don't you ever sing? Ashton told me once that you're pretty good."
"Yeah! Sing!" I squealed.
"No! I hate singing in front of people!" Aria cried covering her face.
"How about we each get over a fear of ours. We are starting over. Clean and fearless!" Liana said . "Starting with you, Aria."
"Fine. What do I sing." She sighed.
"Um I don't know." I shrugged. I then turned to a kid near us. "Hey! She is going to sing. What should she do?"
The kid studied Aria intently. "Sing Fight Song by Rachel Platten. You look upset and that song always inspires me."

Aria nodded and stood us shakily. She walked over to the stage in the park and grabbed the mic. People started looking and Aria mumbled the song to the DJ dude, who I had to admit was rather attractive. The song started and when it was time she started.

"Like a small boat on the ocean." Aria sang and I gasped. She had a beautiful voice. She was timid and shy onstage. Then the kid, who I asked for song advice, got up and walked over to the stage. He plucked Aria off the stage and she sang and set her on the grass. He twirled her and made her dance along to her voice. Slowly Aria got comfortable with herself and started to dance and spin.

"'cuz I've still got a lot of fight in me." Aria sang strong and bravely.
"She has been keeping this from us!" Liana gasped.

I turned to look at the boys. Luke and Calum had looks of pure shock on their faces. Michael looked shocked and in extreme pain. Ashton was smiling and clapping along.

Then the song ended and the people around the park chanted for her to sing again. She told the DJ her song and I instantly recognized the song. It was Unbreakable Smile by Tori Kelly. Aria sang with beautiful confidence.

"YES ARI!" Ashton hollered across the park. I always forgot that Ashton and Aria were childhood friends. Ashton smiled like a proud older brother. Aria smiled back at him. She was gorgeous and had the attention of all the guys.

"Maybe I can sell out shows without taking off my clothes. God made me sexy I don't care if only I know."

Aria was fearless and I couldn't have been more proud. When she finished she rejoined us on the grass. She was flushed but she had pure happiness radiating from her face.

"That was." She breathed with a smile.
I slapped her on the arm.
"Ow!" She shrieked.
"That's for not telling us about your voice!" I laughed.
"Who is next?" Aria asked.
"Um me." Liana said shakily.
"Are you okay?" I asked. She nodded.
"Okay my fear is being rejected and like dying alone and-" Liana sobbed.
"No Lia I get it. Your afraid that if you don't get over Calum you will die alone. Well I think you should march up to him right now and tell him he has to stop being on your heart and mind because you want a future!" I exclaimed.
"You're right! He can't control my life if he doesn't want to be in it!" Liana growled getting up. She confidently strode over to the group of boys and started to talk.
"Oh jeez I hope this goes well. Luke looks like a time bomb waiting to explode." Aria muttered getting in a position that allowed her to get up swiftly.

Then we heard loud shouts and it looked like things were going badly. Aria gave me a look before we both jumped up and walked swiftly over to a fuming Luke, an angry/scared Lia and then 3 terrified/ pain stricken boys.

"YOU ARE A HORRIBLE HUMAN! SHE COULD HAVE DIED!" Luke screamed.

So this wasn't about Lia's confidence it was about her decision to defy him and support me.

"IT WAS HER DECISION NOT YPURS!" Lia fired back.

Luke balled up his fists and raised them like he was going to punch her. That's when Aria fearlessly stepped in.

"Woah!" She hissed. Immediately Luke snapped his attention to her. "Luke I am so sick of you. First you ruin my life and my friends. Then you blow up! YOU NEED TO RESPECT THAT WE ARE HUMAN BEINGS NOT YOIR FREAKING PUPPETS! WE AREN'T PUPPIES WE ARE INDEPENDENT GIRLS AND IM SICK OF YOUR CRAP! IF YOU HAVE ANGER THEN DIRECT IT AWAY FROM US BECAUSE IM DONE! WE ARE DONE!"

Luke looked taken back and I could tell Aria was fighting back tears but everything that came out of her mouth way true. Her pent up emotions were woven into her words.

"Aria." I whispered. I touched her shoulder and when she looked at me her expression softened. She nodded and grabbed Liana's hand and pulled her away.
Taking a deep breath I looked directly into Luke's eyes. "Please stay away from my friends and I. I am not saying please because I am weak I am saying it because I am still human."

With that I turned on my heel. I could feel the boys' gazes burning into me. I glanced behind me once to see Luke running his hand through his hair, Calum was rubbing his temples, Ashton looked pained, and Michael looked like he was about to cry.

So many people had gotten hurt because of me. I hated that.