"Don't ever leave," she said to me - A 5 Seconds of Summer story

Chapter six.

I woke up the next morning slightly dazed and extremely tired. I sat up slowly. My head felt heavy and my shoulder ached from where I'd been lying on it funny. I rubbed my eyes, looking around the unfamiliar room. It took a minute for me to remember where I was. Ashton's house. Australia.

I swung my legs over the side of the bed, stretched, pulled on my hoodie, and made my way downstairs. As I opened the door of "my bedroom", I noticed Ashton's already wide open, his room empty, meaning he must already be downstairs.

I walked quietly down the stairs and into the kitchen, where I could hear Ashton humming quietly. As I stood in the doorway, I noticed that he was only in shorts. No top. I couldn't help but stare, and when he turned around, it caught me by surprise.

"Ah Sophie!" He smiled.

"Morning." I muttered, looking at my feet, feeling my cheeks heat up.

"Did you sleep well? Was the room okay?" Ashton looked nervous, but surprisingly chirpy, despite the jet lag I knew he must be experiencing.

"I slept well thanks, I don't think I've ever been that tired!" I chuckled, and so did he. "Your sisters room is really nice, and thank you again for letting me stay!" I smiled up at him.

"It's not a problem." He replied. "And I, uh, made breakfast." He rubbed the back of his neck. "It's not much, and I didn't know what you liked, or if you'd want anything..."

"You didn't have to do that." I cut him off, to save him the awkward explanation. "You've already done enough! But thank you, whatever you've got will be perfect." I smiled at him, walking forward into the kitchen and resting my back against the counter.

Ashton had laid out three different varieties if cereal, some toast and some fruit on the table, along with tea, coffee, water and fruit juice.

He chuckled nervously again once he'd finished setting things out, "no ones been home, so there's really nothing in the cupboards. I think we may need to go shopping."

We?

"Hm, I think you may be right!" I smiled playfully.

He walked round to the table, and pulled out a chair, gesturing for me to sit down.

"M'lady." He said, standing back after pushing in my chair. "Why thank you, kind Sir!" I said, giggling.

We ate breakfast predominantly in a comfortable silence, with Ashton breaking it every now and then to ask if I was okay, or if I needed anything.

After we'd both finished, Ashton cleared the table. "I'll just wash up, you can go watch tv if you want, or have a shower or whatever." He said, gesturing towards the lounge room.

"No, no let me wash up, it's the least I can do!" I protested, walking over to the sink and grabbing a cloth.

"No Soph, you're the guest!"

"No Ash, I want to help!"

I smirked, as he pouted, finally giving in.

"Fine. You can dry." He tried to keep a straight face, but I saw him smile as I turned away to start drying the plates.

Suddenly, something hit my cheek, making me jump. I turned to see Ashton looking at me innocently, his hand covered in bubbles. I smirked, scooping up a handful of bubbles from the sink and blowing them into his face. He looked at me, shocked, and I continued drying dishes, like nothing had happened. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed him scoop another handful of bubbles, ready to blow them at me, but instead I turned, and blew them back in his face before he had a chance. I laughed, watching his wet hair, curl, and stick to his forehead. He looked at me, advancing quickly. As I backed away, my back came into contact with the counter, meaning I could go no further. I was trapped. I blew the few remaining bubbles at him, and ducked under his arm, but before I could run away, I felt a pair of arms wrap around my waist, spinning me round off the ground.

"Put me down! Put me down!" I shouted in between laughs.

Ashton placed me on the ground, facing him. I didn't realise how close we were. I could feel his breath on my cheek, and my heart fluttered, as he moved a strand of hair from my face. I looked up into his eyes, but they were unreadable. I unconsciously took a step forwards, as he moved his head down slightly. In the space of a few seconds, the temperature in the kitchen seemed to have risen drastically. I could hear my heart beating, and I wondered if it would actually burst from my chest. I lifted my hand to his face, and slowly wiped a few stray bubbles from his cheek. His eyes closed briefly, and he gently turned his head into my palm. He looked at me again, and I looked at him. My hand lingering on his cheek. He leaned in slowly, and I began to stand on my tiptoes, edging closer to his lips. There was a quiet thud from the hallway, as the morning post landed on the mat. I coughed awkwardly, and stepped back, breaking the moment.

"I, um, can I, uh, use your shower please?" I stuttered, looking at my feet.

"Yeah", Ashton cleared his throat. "It's the second door on the left."

"Thanks." My voice was weak, and almost inaudible. I turned around, and headed out if the kitchen. But, I turned around as I got to the door, to see Ashton with his head in his hands, resting his elbows on the counter.

My cheeks were flushed, and my heart was beating a hundred times faster than normal as I made my way into the bathroom. I closed my eyes under the hot water, and couldn't help the smile that tugged at the corners of my mouth. We'd almost kissed. Ashton had actually wanted to kiss me. Would he have, if we hadn't been interrupted? I giggled quietly to myself, tracing a finger absentmindedly over my lips.

When I'd finished in the shower, I walked back towards the room I was staying in, wrapped in a towel. As I turned, I bumped, head first, into a shirtless Ashton.

"Sorry." I smiled weakly, trying to avoid eye contact.

"No, I'm sorry." I looked up at him, confused.

"About before, in the kitchen, I, um, yeah. Sorry." He stuttered, shifting his feet.

"Hey." I said, lifting a hand to his cheek, and lightly brushing it with my fingers. "Don't be sorry." I smiled, making to drop my hand, but instead Ashton caught my wrist, bringing the back of my hand to his lips, kissing it lightly. I blushed, as did he.

"Do you want to do something today?" He asked, letting go of my hand.

"I'd love to." I smiled. "But only if you don't have plans."

"I don't." He smiled.

"Okay, I'll get dressed then."

I walked into my room, and closed the door, letting out a breath I didn't know I'd been holding. I'd known Ashton for two days now, and already I knew i'd fallen for him. Never before had I developed feelings for someone this quickly. But, as I thought about Ashton, I felt like I'd known him for years, not days. And if I was honest with myself, I'd fallen for him, the moment I met him. However, as I smiled to myself, letting the realisation that I liked Ashton wash over me, I couldn't help but wonder what would happen in four weeks, when I would have to go home. 10,000 miles away.