She's Kinda Hot tho

Chapter 42:Believe it or Not

LUKE'S POV:

"Where are we going?" Ashton muttered darkly, glaring at me in the passengers seat.

"Just keep going straight." I mumbled.

"Well mr. mystery, if you would just tell me where we were going-"

"We're here." I shouted, sitting up abruptly. "Just park." I snapped. With a dramatic eye roll, Ashton slammed the car into park and we all filed out.

"If you would've just told me we were coming to the down town mall I could've gotten here so much faster." He sneered.

I ignored him and led us through the labyrinth of the outdoor mall.

"So I had been drinking.." I began wistfully as we finally settled down into a small semi circle in the center of the mall. We were surrounded by constant waves of people who were window shopping, on a date, taking an evening stroll, etc. They seemed to be respecting us- for now. It usually only takes one loud fan to ruin everything.

"And?" Ashton coaxed.

"And I wasn't thinking straight." I continued slowly.

"Oh get on with it, mate." Calum whined. With a heavy sight i blurted out my biggest mistake thus far.

"Someone shoved a laced joint in my mouth and next thing i know i'm rolling in the hay with Emma and I woke up and I couldn't remember everything..."

Shock. That's what the boys all had in common. None of them spoke. Other than a slight glance between each other there was no proof they'd even heard what i'd said. I slumped back into the bench and wanted to crawl into a hole and never emerge.

"Well." Mikey began slowly. "I'm sorry, mate."

I just started shaking my head. "No." I said. "I didn't bring you guys here to talk about this."

Ashton cleared his throat and i glanced up at him. We made eye contact and I knew it was his way of saying 'i'm sorry, I was wrong.' but of course he wasn't about to admit that allowed. A nodded curtly. A silent understanding passed between us. And I honestly forgave him for his prior coldness.

"Then why did you bring us here?" Calum questioned, eyeing the suspicious crowds passing us by. People were starting to recognize us...

"Ash, do you have the equiptment in the trunk?" I asked.

"Always." He grinned his award winning grin. We rushed back to the car and before anyone could stop us or realize what we were doing, Ashton plugged in an amp and we began playing right in the middle of the mall.

"Everybody's got their demons, either wide awake or dreamin'-" I heard myself belting out the first line of Jet Black Heart and people were already gathering. Fans, curious by standers, etc. I felt that familiar zing of people wanting to hear us. People actually liked us. That buzz never wore off.

My heart was bounding and leaping for joy. This is what I loved to do. This was my life. These boys, these familiar music notes, the gathering crowd, the light in my eyes... this was all i ever needed.

Then I saw her.

In the crowd, I wasn't sure at first. But that unmistakable brunette hair and soft pale skin. Her eyes were alive with some kind of emotion, from far away she appeared to be smiling. My Sheila was smiling.

Even though I was a nervous wreck, I kept singing our favorite tunes. After 4 songs and a bucket of sweat later, Mikey cleared his throat and said;

"If you don't know us, we're 5 seconds of summer."

A few screaming girls interupted him but he was calm and continued once they quieted down. "This, Sydney, is our hometown. We've been to America, Greenland, the UK, Ireland... but not matter where we are or where we've been. This will always be our home. Our first fans will always be out first loves." He smiled brightly. "Thank you." He whispered.

People started cheering and we started packing up. Countless people dashed at us for autographs and hugs- and even kisses. And i have to admit, it was hard to handle them all without the gates or security guards we were used too.

I glanced up and realized Sheila had been swallowed up by the storm of fans. She'll find me. I convinced myself. After a while, people dispersed.

"What are you waiting for, mate?" Calum quizzed.

"Sheila." I answered, beating mindless beats onto the amp i was sitting on.

"Uhm. Sheila?" Calum asked. "Is she coming or something?"

"She was here." I explained. "In the crowd."

"We'll wait for you in the car." He said, looking at the other guys like I was crazy. I just nodded and went about my business. Honestly, I wasn't sure of what i saw. Glancing out at the now empty center felt bizzare.

A few moments passed and i decided I was criminally ill and began to drag the amp behind me. "Not so fast." Her voice kissed my inner eardrum. I spun so quick I almost tripped myself.

"Sheila." I breathed. And there she was in all her beauty. "What are you doing here?" I Asked, pacing towards her. She put a hand out as if to stop me.

I realized now that she wasn't smiling because she was happy, she was smiling that sickly smile that wasn't warm or welcoming at all. But brutal and cold. I was confused.

"I just wanted to show you something." She answered in a flat tone. She walked towards me, but i noticed the distance she kept. She unlocked her phone and in the meanwhile said;

"You know, I was actually on my way to come see you. I was thinking about telling you the truth about everything that's been going on with me. I was going to ask for your forgiveness and get back with you-"

Her rambling was tying knots in my stomach, a sheen of sweat had dappled my skin and i kept thinking, "this isn't going to end well."

"But then i got this texted to me."

I lean towards her phone and its a picture. Of me. Naked in Emma's bed. There was a text under the picture that read 'thanks for letting me take him for a spin. -Em'

I tried to grab her phone but she snatched it away. "No." She was shaking. "Don't touch me."

"Sheila." I breathed sadly. "I can explain, I swear."

She was shaking her head and her eyes were watering. "I just thought you should know that I know."

With that she headed off into the dark. You let her go once, Luke. Don't let it happen again. I made a step towards her but she anticipated this too. "Come any closer to me, try to contact me or my mother i will call the cops Luke. Stay away."

Then i had to let her out of my sight. Then I had to accept the fact that she had slipped through my fingers. I had to accept... it was over.