In Color. {l.r.h.}

him || then

Empty, dented energy drink cans littered the floor where Luke Hemmings sat amongst his friends. They'd all been awake for at least thirty hours, coasting off of guzzled-down caffeine and anxious thoughts.

Ashton scratched the back of his neck, stress quite obviously mangling him. "Boys, I know this is a big deal, but we need to make a decision. I mean, One Direction is one of the biggest bands in the world."

Michael grunted. "Yeah, boyband. If we go on tour with a band, we'll be associated with that band for the rest of our career. Are we all sure we want that label plastered to us?"

Calum winced at the word "label" and the harsh tone Michael covered it in. He rubbed his eye with the back of his fist.

Luke glanced down at his phone. It read December 23, 3:34 AM. They'd spoke of nothing but this huge decision for a solid day now, and he was about sick of it. Louis Tomlinson invited their little garage band on tour with One Direction. Take it or leave it.

This was too much pressure for an eighteen year old. He just wanted to sleep.

Ashton clasped his hands together. "Should we vote?" The boys nodded.

"You know what," Calum said, clearing his throat, "I trust you guys. Whatever you all decide, let's do it. No regrets. All in."

Ashton leaned back on the dirty sofa where he sat. "I think we should go for it. This is way beyond us."

Michael frowned. "I vote we don't. This is way beyond us. It's too soon. When our band is ready, we'll know. And we can do this thing on our own."

Ash rolled his eyes. "Oh come on, mate. Aren't you sick and tired of playing acoustic in Central Park? When no one's listening? Don't you want something from this?" Luke widened his eyes. Ashton never raised his voice, especially not at the boys.

Michael had no trouble at all yelling back.

"Don't you want to be our best when people do hear us? Don't you want us to be more than just 'good for their age'? I think we deserve to do this when we're ready. And I don't think we're ready."

Calum spoke up next. "Okay, looks like Luke's got the deciding vote." All heads were turned onto Luke, and all eyes were on were on the blonde boy who hated big decisions. Or any decisions, for that matter.

The tension was far too thick for a sleepover with his best friends. He wanted out. "I'm... I agree with Michael."

A triumphant boy with bleached hair grinned as Ashton mumbled a nearly silent, "Of course you do."

"I'll tell the One Direction boys thanks but no thanks." Calum wrapped his arms around the grumbling trio and pulled them into a tight embrace. "I love you guys."

"Love you guys."

"Me too."

"Me three."

Luke smiled slightly, his stomach still doing jumping jacks on the inside. You did the right thing, he told himself.

And yet, he still couldn't help but wonder if his decision had doomed his little garage band.

Michael interrupted his racing thoughts. "This sucked. Let's get pizza."

"Oh God, I'm glad we agree on something."