just keep swimming | l.h.

35

It was almost the end of the holidays when suddenly Ashton and Michael stood infront of Larry's door.

"We missed you" Michael said and Ashton nodded a little.

"Wish I could say the same about you" I groaned at Michael, who just sighed.

"I'm sorry for taking Luke's side back then. I just want you to be happy, Bella."

"I'm happy now" I snapped back a little too fast, resulting in Ashton stepping forward and hugging me.

"Luke's not though"

I groaned. I was just starting to feel okay with the break-up, I really didn't need Michael to remind me of Luke again.

"You better change the subject or get home right now"

Michael sighed. "Come on, Gabriella, stop being so rude towards me."

"Then stop being on his side."

"I'm not, he's just a friend of me aswell-"

"Guys stop" Larry interrupted and said that Ash and Michael could stay for a night if I was okay with that and I finally agreed and during the night Michael apologized for not being the best friend you could ask for lately and I accepted his apology as I actually did miss him quite a lot in the 10 days I had been gone.

"Will you come to our gig at the back to school thing?" Ashton asked and I shrugged.

"Will Luke be there?" I asked and Michael laughed a little.

"Obviously. He's still our lead singer."

I groaned and shrugged again. "Would you be mad if I ditched it?"

Ashton shrugged, looking pretty sad though and Michael pouted but quickly murmured:"Whatever, it's your decision."

****

A few days later, Jaime and Larry convinced me to see the boys perform at our school and both of my friends were coming along for me and as we got ready to go to school and watch the boys sing in the auditorium I repeated that I was just going to see my best friends perform - I was definitely not going for Luke.

As It was the first day after the break all we had to do was sit in the auditorium and listen to our principal and after a while the fun part began - the talent contest thing.

I hadn't spotted Luke in the crowd yet and Michael and Ashton were sat with us while Luke was probably with Calum, whom I hadn't seen aswell.

Luke, Calum, Michael and Ashton would be up last but after a smaller child tried singing "Over the rainbow", Michael and Ashton, who were really nervous, hugged all three of us and hurried down to get backstage.

Just as Michael and Ashton walked out of the room to get back in through the back entrace I spotted Calum, who was - as supposed - sat next to Luke.

I couldn't help but stare at the tall blonde boy, whom I hadn't seen for the whole holidays and my heart started racing when I looked at him nodding at Calum nervously and leaving the auditorium after our dark haired friend aswell.

I sighed a little and Larry squeezed my hand and gave me a small smile.

"I need to get out" I said, suddenly feeling sick.

"Bella, you really can't miss this." Jaime said and I shook my head.

"I can't do this" I said and stood up, just about to leave when I suddenly saw how the curtains opened again and the boys all stood on stage, smiling at the quite big audience nervously.