Fragile Bird 》5SOS AU

twenty five

MICHAEL

"He came along and showed me how to let go. I can't remember where I'm from. All I know is who I've become. That our love has just begun like ohhh."

It was lunchtime when the boys and I walked into the music room. Della was supposed to meet us there.

She hadn't seen or heard us walk in. She was sitting on the piano bench writing in her notebook, earbuds plugged in and singing softly.

As I started walking towards her, she sang another line. I realized it was from Hold Each Other by A Great Big World

"Something happens when I hold him. He keeps my heart from getting broken."

I leaned on the piano and sang the next verse, receiving a shocked look.

"When the days get short and the nights get a little bit frozen, we hold each other. We hold each other. We hold each other, mmm."

Della smiled shyly and removed her earbuds. "Hi." She squeaked and I chuckled. I leaned down and placed a light kiss on her lips. "Hey angel." I greeted her, grinning.

"Okay, enough with the PDA. There's a minor in the room." Calum exclaimed.

"Hey! I'm legally an adult, you asshole." Ashton said pouting. Calum shook his head. "I was talking about little Lukey here." He said patting Luke's head. Ashton giggled. "Oh."

"Hey guys!" Greeted a cheerful Londie as she skipped into the room and kissed Ash on the cheek.

"I hate you all." Luke said exasperated as he sat down on a chair.

"Woah, what did I do?" Londie said, confused.

"Nothing, Luke's just on his man period." Calum said, shrugging and sitting beside Luke, who smacked him upside the head. A dramatic 'ow' came from Calum and everyone laughed.

DELLA

"Hey Della, how was your morning?"

"Fine. Except for English. Mrs. Reece wants us to write an essay about our thoughts and feelings on something we love." I sighed and Londie tilted her head in interest.

"Write about Michael."

I looked at Londie. "What?" Then I looked at Michael who was simultaneously tuning a guitar and eating a sandwich while laughing at Luke.

"I said, write about Michael. You love him. So write about him." Londie said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"What do I say? I mean, I love him and he makes me happy but how I do I turn something so simple into a heartfelt essay?"

"Talk about how he makes you feel when he looks at you and vice versa. Talk about the way he smiles and you can't help but smile because you can't think of anything more beautiful than his lips curving upwards. Write about how he's basically your entire universe and you'd rather be sucked into a black hole then live without him. Write about how you love him."

I stared at Londie and blinked a few times before actual words formed on my tongue.

"Did you read a Stephanie Meyer book recently cause you sound like a vampire loving teenage girl. Frankly, I'm a little concerned."

Londie smiled shyly.

"It's Ashton." She said as if that explained her sudden poetic monologue. I looked at her questioningly. She chuckled lightly.

"It's Ashton. I know it's so soon, maybe too soon. But, I'm in love with him. I've fallen so hard, so fast for him. I.....I love him."

"You love me?" An all too familiar voice asked.

Ashton sounded confused. Londie gasped quietly. I took that as my que to leave with the hope that he loves her too.

LONDIE

"I...um. Hi."

Ashton stared down at me and I was afraid he wouldn't want to be with me anymore.

"Hey."

I looked down at my hands, my fingers splayed across my lap and I had willed them to stop shaking.

Everything was quite on our side of the room. Della and the boys were playing around with the instruments.

"Londie?" Ashton asked, waiting for me to explain.

I opened my mouth to say something but he cut me off. "Do you mean it?"

"What?"

Ashton sat down in front of me and sighed. "Did you mean what you said? Do you really love me?" He asked with a desperate look in his eyes.

I was terrified but I looked up at him anyway and placed my hand on his knee.

"Yes." I took a deep breath before continuing. "Yes I mean it. Ashton I love you. I'm in love with you."

Ashton opened his mouth but I needed to get my feelings out.

"No. Don't say anything yet. Ashton I'm scared. I didn't mean for you to hear my confession, mainly because I wasn't ready to tell you. I thought it was too soon. I was scared that you wouldn't feel the same. I mean I hope you feel the same but if not, I can take it."

I bit my lip as I waited for Ashton's reply. A few moments passed and I couldn't look at him anymore. I knew I said I could take it, but it was still painful.

I was taken aback when a pair of large but soft hands cupped my face. Ashton's forehead rested against mine and I couldn't breathe.

"I love you too Londie."

Then he kissed me and I felt it in my bones. He was telling the truth and I was oh so grateful that he felt the same.

"Hey! Calum said no PDA!" Della yelled suddenly and I pulled away from Ashton and gave her the finger.

"Come on lovebirds, class starts in five. Let's not get detention okay." Luke said and gathered his books.

The Hoods and Michael followed suit while Ashton and I sat for a moment longer. When the four had left the room, we shared a short kiss and laced our fingers together.

Ashton squeezed my hand and I smiled.

It felt right and I was happy.

Obsessed with Hold Each Other by A Great Big World.