I Depend On You ~Zach Herron~

47

Iris's P. O. V.

"California, I missed you!" I shouted as we stepped out of the airport and into the beaming sun.

"California missed you too." Jack laughed after he stepped away from a fan wanting a photo.

"I'm so excited to get back to work," I said walking to the uber I had called for us.

We drove back home, but it was pretty early so the guys were still asleep. They had flown in just before us, but I knew they'd fall asleep as soon as they got home.

Zach and I went up to his room and began unpacking.

"Rose!!" I shouted as we opened Zach's door and saw her pawing against her crate door. Just like last time, Ayla came and checked on her every day we were gone.

I unlocked her cage and brought her out, holding her to my chest. My mom didn't want me to bring my dog to Pennsylvania, so sadly she had to stay in California.

She yipped and barked in a high pitched tone as she licked all over my face.

"She missed you so much. Every night she would sleep on your side of the bed. And I guess she took one of your old shirts because I found it in her bed." Zach laughed sitting next to me on the floor.

"I missed her, too. I can't tell you how much easier it would've been for me if Rose was in Pennsylvania with me," I said petting her back.

We finished unpacking, and by then all the boys were up.

"We're all finally back together in California. This is a big moment," Corbyn said acting dramatically.

"What should we do?" Jonah asked.

"I've always wanted to hike up to the Hollywood sign," I suggested. "But let's wait until later so we can see the sunset."

We hung around the house, playing video games and stuff. Later, we all gathered in the living room, ready for our hike.

"Let's go!" Zach pumped his fist in the air. We all grabbed our necessities and got in the car.

"Daniel, when's the next time Kayla's flying out?" I asked from the front seat next to Zach, who was driving.

"I'm gonna see if she can come during her spring break," he told me.

"Three months? You should go visit her. Meet her family, so they actually know the guy who she keeps running off to." I laughed.

"Maybe I'll go for Valentine's Day."

"That'd be sweet," I said imagining Kayla's reaction to Daniel standing at her door to surprise her.

"We're here!" Zach said putting the car in park. We all hopped out and began walking along the path.

We made it to the top just in time. The sun was setting low, and it was absolutely beautiful. Zach pulled out his phone and recorded on snapchat. He made the joke "she thought the view was pretty, but I thought she was prettier", which made all the guys laugh.

I leaned up against a rock and looked over the city as the sun reflected off of the buildings. The guys were messing around with each other, but Zach came and stood next to me.

"What you thinking about?" He asked.

"What do you mean?"

"You look like you're thinking about something."

"Oh. Just thinking about life I guess. How things turned out for me. Things that I never expected. How one little thing could've changed it all."

"It's crazy. Like you said, how one thing can change everything from then on."

"Sometimes, it's overwhelming."

"You just have to forget about the past or the future. Focus on the now."

"It's hard to do that, but easier with you by my side. When I look at you, I'm home." I turned and smiled at him.

Instead of responding, he leaned in attaching our lips. I put my hands in his hair, holding a grip, and gently pulling him closer. His hands held my waist, keeping our bodies together.

"I love you so much," he said breathing heavily. I didn't answer, I just put my lips back on his. The feeling was absolutely amazing, I didn't want it to end.

"Guys, if you don't hurry up, we're leaving you here," Jack said from a distance.

I pulled away, sighing. Zach took my hand in his and walked me back to the car. Zach drove back home with one hand on the wheel and the other holding my hand in my lap.

***

"Iris! I'm so glad you're back!" I heard these words as I stepped into Meghan's office.

"I'm back, and ready to get back to work," I told her.

"Great. I'm assuming you have songs?" She asked.

"Two. One is called 'Open Your Eyes' and the other is 'Paper Doll'. They both really mean a lot to me," I said handing her the music sheets.

"They look like it. So, how was Pennsylvania?" She asked.

"Okay, I guess. I'm just glad to be back." I smiled.

"That's good. We should start with more interviews I guess. I've seen a lot on social media saying they've heard your songs on their radio stations. We'll get you a few gigs at some places, I've heard about a few musical festivals. How does that sound?"

"Perfect. I want to get back to work as soon as possible."

"Great."

*****

A/n

Hey, sorry it's been a few days. I feel so bad, I keep forgetting. I'll try to get back on track. It's just been a busy week, so again I'm really sorry.

I say this in like every chapter, but the numbers grow so fast I feel like I need to. 26.8k!??!!?! I can't even process that many reads, it's so many. That k you so so much. Love you all