Fifty-Two Weeks

two

Scarlett

"If it's so easy why don't you get on the bar and try!" Ivy, an adorable blonde haired girl I have been coaching screamed at me. It's been a little over two weeks since the interview and a week since I've actually started. I loved it. Even moments like these, when frustrated little girls have tantrums, seemed to make my day.

"Sweetheart, settle down. I know you can do this, imagine your legs are glued together. When you land, they should be side by side." I coaxed, rubbing small circles on her back. Her competition was this weekend and I could tell she was feeling the pressure.

"Why do they even need to be together?" She grumbled, her lips forming a pout while her arms crossed over her chest.

"Because my dear," I pulled her into a hug, "They're best friends. The judges like it when your legs are together; it means their friendship is strong. You like being with your best friend don't you?" I poked her nose gently and she giggled.

"I guess so." She smiled and ran back to the bar to start her routine. "Miss Pierce?" I walked alongside her as she began.

"Yes Ivy?" I was cautious of her falling over; I'd seen it happen twice already.

"Do you like being with your best friend?" Her eyebrows knit together as she concentrated on her routine. A smile worked its way upon my face as I recalled the years I spent joint at the hip with Ashton. A pang of longing also found its way into my heart. Of course I liked being with him, that's why this was so hard. The skype calls could never substitute our late night movie marathons. The texts couldn't replace hearing his voice. I had never realized just how badly I needed him around. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

"Yeah, I do." My answer seemed to satisfy her enough. Her routine was coming to a close and I watched her tiny body tense up, she was determined to make this. She executed the landing perfectly, legs together and straight just like they needed to be. I let go of the breath I had subconsciously been holding and ran to her, swinging her in my arms.

"I did it!" She beamed, her smile missing some teeth. I hugged her tightly before setting her down again.

"Do it just like that at the competition and you're sure to score perfectly!" I grinned, ignoring the buzzing in my pocket.

---

Ashton

"Hi! You've reached Scarlett Pierce, leave your name and number and I'll call you back!" I listened to the cheery message for what seemed like the millionth time since I left. I hate time zones. I hate that when I'm busy, she isn't. I hate how I'm asleep when she wants to talk. Groaning I threw my phone onto my bunk, not caring if it smashed.

"Woah, Ash what's up?" Calum asked, his eyes wide.

"Scarlett didn't pick up." I groaned. I know it's not her fault but I needed something to blame for this feeling in my heart.

"What's the big deal? She'll call you back when she gets a chance." He didn't understand. None of the boys did. None of them confessed their love to their best friend of fifteen years before we left.

"How could I have been so naive? To think she would actually like me back was stupid. That's probably why she wasn't answering me now. Oh god, what if she regrets that night? Of course she did and now our friendship is ruined. I ruined it all." I rambled on to Calum, panic and sorrow overtaking me.

"Ashton, I'm sure none of that is true. What time is it in Sydney?" He asked, trying to calm me down, a cause that seemed hopeless. I looked at the time on my phone, we were in Philadelphia and it was just after 9:30pm. Sydney was a solid fourteen hours ahead of us.

"It'd be 11:30am there. Why?" I couldn't see the point in reminding me of how far away she was.

"Buddy, she has a job. She's probably at work right now; you know she can't answer there. Give it an hour. In the meantime, let's go watch a movie or something." Calum smiled, and flicked the switch revealing the backroom of our bus.

---

A little over an hour later I felt the familiar buzz in my pocket. The boys and I were partway through Anchorman but I knew they wouldn't mind my absence. Standing up, I quickly excused myself and went back to my bunk.

Caller ID: Scarlett<3

"Hello?"

"Ashton! I'm so sorry I missed you earlier, Ivy was having a little breakdown." She giggled down the line, my heart soared. I loved the sound of her laugh; it was so loud and carefree.

"It's fine! How's it going anyway? Is it hard working with little kids?" The smile on my face grew wider, I knew Scarlett loved kids.

"It's so lovely here. My hours are nice, and the children are so precious. Ash I swear if I was a few years older I'd kidnap one and raise it as my own." I couldn't help but laugh at her. I knew she was serious too, well maybe not the kidnapping. But she was definitely the maternal type. She was constantly worrying over the boys and me, making us dinner, and making sure we actually practiced instead of playing games.

"I know babe, I know." I heard her sigh down the phone. "Is everything okay?" I worried.

"You called me 'babe'." She pointed out. Shit, she didn't like me that way; of course she wouldn't like being called babe.

"I'm so sor-"

"I like it." She interrupted and I couldn't have been happier.

"Really?" I questioned, nibbling on my lower lip.

"It's cute. I like being your babe." She giggled. She just called herself my babe.

"You're my babe now?" I smirked, god I wish she could be here with me.

"I'd like to think so..." She trailed off and I just knew she was picking at her fingers. She always did when she was nervous or unsure.

"Scarlett Mae Pierce, are you admitting to being in love with me?" I gasped, acting overly shocked.

"I'm not in love with you, Irwin. But I like you. Just a teeny bit, don't let it get to your head." She tried to sound stern but I could tell she was serious. The girl I love admitted she liked me. If I wasn't thousands of miles away, I'd be swinging her around in my arms.

"So what does that make us?" I questioned. I couldn't keep calling her my best friend, but she certainly wasn't my girlfriend. We were something in between and I had no word for that.

"I'm not sure." She sighed. "You're just so far away. I-I miss you Ashton." She spoke so quietly, I could tell she was trying not to cry. Hell I was too.

"How about this, when we come to Sydney to play I'll take you on a date. A proper date. It'll have candles, music, food, you name it. Then we'll decide." The possibilities intrigued me and I couldn't wait to take her out.

"I'd like that." She mumbled.

"Scarlett, if we can make it through the next forty nine weeks, we can make it through anything."

---

Authors note:

For the love of god remember Ashton's last sentence, please.