f i f t e e n

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by fletcher1975

by fletcher1975

"So why did you not tell me you could sing?" Michael answers Rose's call.

"I didn't think I was that good. Am I good?" She was already so self conscious, this didn't help.

"Babe, you're incredible. So are you playing opening night?"

"Well with Ashton helping I'm sure I have no choice. But I don't think I can play in front of a bunch of people."

"I have an idea. What time are you done at work?"

"3, why?"

"I'll meet you there! Make sure to grab your guitar!" The line goes dead. The bell above the door chimes as Ashton comes back with food.

"So I was thinking," he said as the sat on the floor and ate. "You should put that video on YouTube."

"No. I couldn't. I'd check it too much and I can't." She moves around her food with her fork.

"C'mon. What happened to the risk taker Rose I used to know?"

"She became an alcoholic and got scared."

"So? You're kicking it's ass right now. You are so strong you don't even know it."

"I'll think about it." They ate in silence, well Rose nibbled on a few things while Ashton inhaled his meal.

"You wanna know something?" She responded with a questioning sound. "I had this whole plan to get you back from Michael."

"Seriously?" Rose knew that he didn't like Michael but never to the point where he'd kick him out of the picture.

"Yea. I'm kind of still hung up on you." He confessed. "But I see that he makes you happy like I couldn't. I'm sorry." This side of Ashton was new to her, she never realized how much she meant to him.

"It's ok. I admire you for telling me that. And for not actually screwing up my relationship."

"Happy looks good on you, ok?"

The rest of the afternoon went fast and soon Michael was waiting outside. "So what exactly are we doing?" Rose questions as he tells her to park on the street. The LA sun is high in the sky, causing her to slip a pair of aviators over her eyes.

"We are finding you a spot to perform." He started walking and eventually stopped in a nice grassy patch a few hundred feet from the beach.

"Michael. I can't do this!"

"Of course you can. I'll be right here." She gave him an uneasy look but picked up her guitar and started to slowly play. A small group of people gathered to listen, captivated by the music. Some even dropped a few dollars into the open case. They politely clapped when Rose finished. She smiled and thanked them. "See? I told you!" Michael smiled proudly.

"Whatever. So why did you bring yours?"

"In case you wouldn't play on your own."

"Can we try playing together?" She wondered out loud. He responded by taking his guitar out and tuning it. "Do you know Drunk by Ed Sheeran?"

"Yea actually." Michael started playing the chords and Rose followed suit. "I wanna be drunk when I wake up on the right side of the wrong bed." She began to sing. "Maybe I'll get drunk again. To feel a little love." He harmonized, surprising her with his voice. Their eyes never left the others, emotions running high and a new bigger crowd had gathered unnoticed. More bills and coins collected in the case. At the end Michael leaned into Rose, minding their guitars, and kissed her lips. An aw erupted from the group of people. The couple thanked them as they dispersed.

"Thank you for making me do this. I feel really at home sitting here playing music with you, which is a new feeling." Her mom had made her old house cold and unwelcoming. Her apartment now was great but what made this moment feel like home was Michael.

so I imagine the record store renovation kind of like Tric from One Tree Hill but more coffee shop vibes and attached to a record store :) in case anyone was confused.

thoughts on Rose and Ashton? Rose and Michael? xo -Rachel