Beside you [5SOS/Ashton Irwin]

Chapter 23- I-I think I love you

As we walked back to the hotel, it started to get chilly, so I tightened my jacket around me. 

"Are you cold?" Ashton asked.

"A bit" I replied.

He tugged me into yet another coffee shop.

"Ash, it's not healthy to drink too much coffee. I had one not too long ago" I told him.

"I'm getting you hot chocolate" he replied. 

"I can pay for it"

He gave me a look that said 'don't push it' so I just went over to a table and sat down. Luckily there's heaters on in this place, otherwise I would be freezing.

A few minutes later, Ashton came back with two hot chocolates.

I smiled at him.

"Thanks"

"Your welcome" he smiled back.

I grabbed my cup and brought it up to my lips. Before he could warn me about it being too hot, I drank it, automatically burning my tongue.

"Ouch!" I screamed spitting it out, getting it onto Ashton's shirt.

Shit.

"Oh my gosh I'm so sorry!" I panicked, rushing over to the counter to get some napkins.

"Brooke it's fine, I should've warned you" Ashton sighed as I tried wiping the coffee off of his shirt.

"Brooke your going to smear it" Ashton groaned, removing my hands from his shirt.

"I'll buy you a new shirt"

"Eh, it's fine. I didn't really like this shirt anyways" Ashton replied, blowing on his hot chocolate before drinking it.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah its fine"

We sat in a comfortable silence for a while, just enjoying each others presence and the hot chocolate.

I looked up at Ashton and smiled. I've always fancied him, but never really said anything. Maybe because I'm afraid? 

Nah, what could I possibly be afraid of?

Rejection, a voice told me.

I've never really gone through that. I mean, every boyfriend I've ever had, I didn't exactly like back. It was just a random guy that liked me, asking to be my boyfriend. Being the kind person that I am, of course I never say no. But I've never told anyone of my crushes that I liked them. I'm not strong enough for that. I'm not strong enough for rejection.

Ashton waved a hand infront of my face.

"You ready?" he asked as I finished the last sip of my drink.

"Yeah" I replied, grabbing my cup along with his, and throwing them out. 

He held the door open for me, and we began our journey back outside.

It got even colder outside.

Great.

Note the sarcasm.

As we were walking, I decided that I would tell Ashton how I feel about him.

"Hey Ashton, I just wanted to tell you that I think I love you"

No, that sounds a bit stalkerish.

"Um, I've liked you for a while, and I was wondering if you feel the same?"