Deep Down Under (Ashton Irwin)

Chapter 9- Megan

Chapter 9

Megan

It had been two weeks since I last saw Ashton. I knew this, because Rosie was currently standing over me in my living room telling me so.

'You haven't left this couch in two weeks, Meg. Something's gotta give,' she said, plopping herself down next to me and looking at me with worried eyes. The rest of the girls had already been in and given me their speeches, and now Rosie was trying to cheer me up.

It wasn't working.

'I'm fine,' I said autonomously. The truth was, I was anything but. I had been a complete mess that night, even Kate hadn't been able to get any sense out of me.

'Yeah, and I'm the Queen of Sheba,' Rosie replied sarcastically.

'Sorry I missed your coronation,' I said, not taking my eyes off the television. I wasn't focused on it at all, but it was easier than looking into Rosie's eyes, seeing how worried she was about me, and breaking down all over again.

'Don't be a dick, Megan. We all know something went down with Ashton,' she said, raising her eyebrows as though challenging me to contradict her when my eyes flickered in her direction. When I didn't say anything she went on.

'Of course we are all worried about you, even Harry's been asking if you are OK-'

'Wait, Harry knows?' I asked accusingly. Rosie raised her hands in surrender.

'Not me. Apparently you aren't the only one moping around the place,' she said. 'Harry told me Ashton's not been himself either. Snapping at everyone, going off on his own, not joking-'

'Is this supposed to be making me feel better?' I asked, and Rosie shook her head.

'I don't know, Megan. If you won't tell us what's wrong, how are we supposed to make it right? We can't all spend our time walking around on eggshells hoping we don't say the wrong thing to you.'

Rosie leant in closer and her voice softened.

'Look, I know, we all know, that you aren't one for opening up and talking about your feelings. That's fine, we all still love you anyway for it. But-' she held up a finger when I tried to interrupt, 'there are some things that you just have to tell us, for the sake of the group. Whatever broke you and Ashton up can't affect us as well. It just can't.'

'You don't have to worry about that,' I muttered under my breath. Rosie didn't say anything but I knew she was begging to ask why. Finally I snapped, and realised I was tired. Tired of keeping it to myself, tired of feeling this overwhelming sense of guilt because I had broken this sweet, amazing guy who had liked me all because I had been too scared to let him in.

'It was the fans,' I said quietly.

'The fans?'

'The 5 Seconds of Summer fans.'

Rosie was quiet for a long time.

'What did they do?' she asked finally. I felt my cheeks heat up in embarrassment and couldn't speak for a few minutes. In Rosie's favour, she didn't push, just sat patiently waiting.

'They followed me around, and the- the things they said- It's stupid really, but-'

'Let me guess? They told you that you weren't good enough for Ashton? That he didn't really like you, that it was all for publicity?' Rosie asked shrewdly. I looked at her in amazement.

'How did you know?'

'Because...I went through the exact same thing when Harry and I came out to the public,' she said, sighing deeply.