Imagines (5SOS and 1D)

Mystery Dates Part 14 (A.I)

ASHTON

She loved me?  Had I heard right?  Was that was Hope had meant?  I knew I shouldn't have been listening, but it just so happened that I'd found the perfect suit and wanted to try it on at the same time as she wanted to try on her dress.  I leaned back against the large mirror and sighed.

The words Hope spoke were something I should be telling myself too. It was like she was speaking to both Y/N and me.  My own heart was caged for my own protection, but wasn't my happiness the most important thing?  We were both denying feelings that were stronger than any we'd ever felt before and that meant our happiness was being put second best.

The curtain of her changing room opened and I held my breath as she walked away.  I wanted to chase after her, I wanted to tell her that I'd heard her, that I was feeling similar feelings.  I was breaking myself leaving her in the dark about my feelings and that wasn't fair to either of us.

As I stood contemplating my next move, I knew I was too late.  She'd gone and I'd wasted the perfect opportunity.  I wouldn't see her again until tomorrow and I wasn't sure I was ready to tell her in front of everyone.  When I finally proclaimed every feeling that was deep within, I wanted to be alone and I wanted to keep what we had between just us two for the time being.

"Ashton?"

The curtains slowly opened but stopped halfway.

"You're not naked are you?" Hope asked.

I reached for the curtain and pulled it open to see Hope stood there wearing the dress I'd picked out.

"You look amazing," I told her.

She smiled gratefully and span around.

"It's perfect Ashton!" she gushed.  "You picked a great dress."

"Thank you."

She frowned suddenly and looked over her shoulder.

"I know you heard," she scolded.

"I didn't mean to, I swear," I promised.

She nodded in understanding.

"How did that make you feel?" she questioned.

"Honestly?"

She nodded.

"Heartbroken," I whispered.  "We're creating our own unhappiness and making ourselves believe that's what we want. This isn't what I want Hope!"

"I know," she assured me.  She reached for my hand and gave it a squeeze.  "And neither does she... want this unhappiness. So stop giving her a little, and give her it all Ash. Give everything you have to her and stop being scared. She wants you. She won't hurt you."

She softly rubbed the pad of her thumb across the back of my hand, then turned and left.  She was right.  She was always right.  Everyone had been right.  Liam had been right and I'd turned him away.

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