Always..

XVI

A/N- I've been working on 2 other works, i've you wanna check them out :)

It's been a few months. Thanks to my mum, a job in a high street store and a loan; i've managed to rent a small apartment that lets be honest needs a lot of work but I don't have time. I've sorted out the necessities: kitchen ware, sofa, tv, bed, drawers but that's all I need. It was difficult for mum to accept my leaving to hastily but I think she understands my reasons, I haven't heard from the boys and I must admit i'm slightly disappointed but I don't want to see Niall. I'm probably kidding myself. I've done one month of university and i'm loving the freedom... the slight freedom, i've been stopped in the streets a few times, unsubtle flashes of cameras but I mainly stay in my apartment. I've seen Scarlett a few times, she stays over often and it's nice to see a friendly face. We'd had more time together due to a week off of uni.

I heard around the boys were to perform at the 02 soon and I was debating going, I had become accustomed to their music and it would be nice to see them (excluding Niall) besides I hadn't been to a concert before. Me and Scarlett had talked it over but I didn't really have the money to spare with bills and all.

Sat in my little apartment waiting for Scar to get here so we could go and get some late lunch I was scrolling through my new social media accounts after de-activating my previous ones due to unwanted hate and spiteful comments. I had made amends with Jake both admitting the fake dating was silly and childish and may have caused tension in our friendship. My phone rang, I checked the time- 4, the time my mother usually checked on me.

"Ashlyn, you there?" Her tone was warming

"Yes, i'm always here, everyday when you call, I answer" It's sweet she's worried about me not living at home and how she phrases 'my silly decision for leaving without planning efficiently' but it leaves me feeling a little trapped.

--

Once my mother fills me in on what happened at work and how things at home she leaves me to get dinner, at this point i'm starving but Scarlett still has not turned up. I tried her phone but it rang out. I began distracting myself by organising my bills to pay and cleaning my bedroom and the kitchen, i hoovered and tidied up- it reached half 5 and she still wasn't here. I sat in front of the telly with my text books in hand studying.

Half an hour later she came running through the door practically knocking everything in her path out of the way.

"We need to go now" She was breathless and her cheeks were flushed. "Come on into the car, she abruptly began ushering me out the door" But she stopped. "No, go change now. Quick!"

"Into what!" I was confused and feeling panicked, we were going for lunch I thought my jeans and blouse would cut it but supposedly not. Without another word she sped into my room routing through my wardrobe throwing a ditsy floral dress and me with some white heels. As quickly as I could I put them on, clipping a section of my hair either side of my head up, the curls now loose from this morning but make up presentable. Scar took my hand pulling me out of the door once I collected my belongings and locking the door down to her car.

"We have an hour" She stated throwing herself into the car and switching on the ignition.

"Would you kindly inform me where we are going, i'm starving i'll have you know" I scowl but she smiles deviantly

"You'll see Ash and you'll thank me. Well you better because this is your treat" I groan and lean against the door watching the other cars go by on the motorway, they always make me sleeping the constant sound of rushing tyres along the tarmac- almost soothing. I rest my eyes until i'm shaken awake and pulled out of the car.

"Where are we going now" I yawn my legs trying to keep up with the pace of Scarlett's rushing . My eyes are barely open as I attempt to adjust my bag on my shoulder in the wind, my arms slightly chilly.

"Just come on" We continue across a car park and I feel illuminated by blue, when I look up the large '02' sign is glowing bright. She didn't. She couldn't have. Did she?

"This is a concert. A One Direction concert?" I quiz her as we rush to the right door.

"Yes it is and we're late so move it." My heart flutters, I was never a fangirl of boybands but being able to talk to and get to know the boyband kindles an appreciation more for what they do, and i'd never seen them perform.. seen Niall perform professionally. I hear faint music and attempt to move my legs quicker. A tall and muscular man stops us from running straight through the door.

"Ladies" He acknowledges with a kind smile. "Can I see your tickets please?" he holds out a hand expectantly. Scar hands them over, for a second i'm worried they're fake and he'll kick us out. "I'll show you to your seats" He opens the door and heat, screams and music dance out. I am prepared to sit right at the back and just listen, that's all Scar could have possibly been able to get at such short notice, but i'm thankful all the same. "This way".

I am lost in screams and lights. There is a mass amount of people, cheering and laughing. We carefully walk down the stairs all the way to the bottom. Scarlett leads me. I hear Harry and I look up at the stage to see him holding a microphone looking out on the audience.

"We want to thank you so much for being here and supporting us, it means the world" I look at all of them, they all look so happy and Niall- he looks so happy, this was his dream. We stop near the front and take our seats by the aisle. I look at Scar in amazement.

"How did you.." I try but I am filled with joy and adrenaline, this concert stuff is fun

"I'll explain later" She grins and points and Louis and Liam shooting each other with water guns, typical.

Throughout my eyes never leave the boys singing and thanking the crowd again and again- I laugh and cry and sing and i'm happy. I try to avoid Niall, as happy as I am I remember how unhappy he made me and I hold onto that. I hold Scarlett's hand until they end their final song, their first song that I had so much hatred for and walk off stage waving and smiling.

The end of the show looks like utter panic, hoards rushing out of all doors. We stay sat waiting for the crowds to disperse. I look around at the trampled confetti and left over signs reading a few and laughing. The same man who led us into the venue approaches us once again.

"Miss Scarlett, would you like to follow me" He gestures to a side door, the room is practically empty and I look over to Scarlett in bewilderment, had we done something wrong? Where is this man taking us?

"I wanted you to have a good night and this is part of the surprise." I don't trust her. She places a material blindfold over my eyes and takes my hand. I hope she's leading me to a meal- a nice big meal with lots of pasta and ice cream.. anything as long as it's food. I enjoyed the concert but I am still positively hungry. Wherever we're going all three of our footsteps echo as we walk but my thoughts consist of food and various meals i'd enjoy eating. A door is opened and there is various voices, I was being led to the food court in front of the 02? Why did I need a blindfold for this? We stop. "Here we are" She fumbles with the blindfold and I blink a few time adjusting to the light and surroundings.

Like de ja vu 4 boys faces are in front of mine and they do that stupid harmonising of my name, but I cry. They rush in all at once to hug me

"We missed you" Harry laughs

"Yeah, you left so suddenly" Liam squeezes me tighter

"You didn't even text me" Louis pokes me

"You didn't say goodbye" Zayn mocks a sad face

"I'm sorry" I snivel. I missed these guys and I can't help but wonder where Niall is. The door opens once again and I turn around.