never be » lrh book one

Chapter 33

C E L E B R A T I O N + F I N A L E

Sam's POV

A week later, the boys get another email from Modest. A few days ago, they signed with the management. Today, they were asked to tour with One Direction in Europe. The boys decided to throw a party at Luke's since his parents were out of town. He says they would've said he could anyway because they were proud of him.

It just so happens that the same day they're having the party, is the same day of my anniversary with Luke. Sure, we broke up for a little bit but then we got back together. I just think of it as a little bump in the road or something.

Luke, Michael, Calum, and I stand around Luke's kitchen, making snacks and getting the drinks ready. We ordered 12 pizzas and people are brining drinks, along with the ones we already have. Ashton is coming soon, apparently with a little surprise for all of us. I have no idea what it could be, but he seemed really excited about it when he told us.

Just as I'm cleaning up Luke's livig room to make it look presentable, the doorbell rings. The three other boys and I race to the door. Calum's the first one there and rips open the door.

"Ashton!" Calum says, his jaw dropping a little. "Who's this?"

I walk next to Cal, Michael and Luke trailing behind me. Beside Ashton is this girl who's got her hand in his. She looks to be around our age, maybe older. She's skinny with blonde hair and brown eyes. Shortish, close to my height.

They walk in, Ashton shutting the door behind them. "Guys, I want you to meet my girlfriend, Carla. Carla, this is Luke, Calum, Sam, and Michael." We all exchange a greeting.

A part of me worries for Ashton as we take them into the kitchen and everyone gets drinks. Periodically, the doorbell will ring and one of the boys will answer it.

I watch Ash, trying to see if this is legit. I worry that she's only with him because he's in a band and probably about to get super fucking famous. Not saying she would do that, I'm just worried. This all happened so fast. I hadn't even heard about Ashton talking to anyone else? Then again, we don't talk much anymore. That makes me so sad because he was the one who introduced me to Luke, Calum, and Michael.

Either way, we all go off. The party is great. I don't think there's been a time where we've all been so happy. Their career is taking off. Everything is fucking amazing, right?

No.

* * *

That night, when Luke and I arrive home, there's a car in my driveway. Last time some weird shit like this happened, a man pointed a gun at Luke. I squeezed his hand as we both thought the same thing, flashbacks appearing in our minds.

We got out of the car and approached the three people standing on my porch. I didn't recognize them, but the second they turned around; I knew it.

There stood my mother, father, and sister. They did not look happy. "Samantha," My dad's voice boomed through the yard as he walked down my porchsteps and up to me. Luke tensed beside me.

"What, dad?" I snapped, glancing at Luke in an attempt to gauge his reaction. He seemed stunned. I looked back at my father, meeting his bright, yet tired gray eyes.

"We're going home. I don't know who gave you permission to move across the fucking world, but we're taking you back to New York tomorrow and sending movers to retrieve all this shit so we can sell it. Wasting our fucking money. Stupid." He nearly yelled at me, my hand gripping Luke's.

"Don't talk to her like that." Luke said from beside me, his voice cold.

"I will talk to my daughter however the fuck I want." He grabbed my arm and ripped my hand from Luke's. "We're going inside, say bye to whoever this is."

I look at Luke, our eyes meeting. I'm not sure if this is the last time I'll see him before I'm taken back to literal fucking hell. But he reaches out for my hand and next thing I know he's pulling me close and kissing me on the lips.

A grunt from my dad breaks us apart, my mother and sister standing behind him quietly. Reluctantly, I walk with my family back up my yard and through the front door of a house that will no longer be mine.

* * *
T H E N E X T D A Y

I spent my whole day packing last night. I'm so damn tired, but all I can think about is Ashton, Calum, Michael and most importantly, Luke. I'm going to miss them so much. Back in New York, I didn't have any friends. They're all I have anymore.

Luke texted me that we would figure things out. It's only two years till I can leave. Since I'm sixteen, I could even try to be emancipated. Either way, things would work out.

Today though, I have say goodbye to it all. Michael and Calum arrive first. I'm waiting outside for them while my parents load as much as they can into the empty suitcases they brought. They pull up in Michael's car, and it makes me sad.

Calum is the first to run to me and wrap his muscular arms around my waist while Michael hugs me from behind. It's kind of like a sandwich. Tears prick my eyes and I grip onto them both as tight as I can. The only words that leave my mouth as the tears fall down my cheeks are, "I'm sorry."

Eventually, Ashton shows up. He's clearly upset. It's always obvious on his face when he's upset. He walks up the driveway, leaving Jet Black parked in the road. I run to him and we embrace. I feel him shake, signaling he's crying as he hugs me. "I'm so sorry, Ash," I whisper.

"It's okay, it's not your fault. We'll see each other again." He responds quietly.

Just then, Luke walks out of his house, looking like he's been crying for hours. There are bags under his eyes. We stayed up all night on facetime. He didn't sleep. Neither did I.

I detach from Ashton and sprint across our yards to Luke. We immediately wrap our arms around each other. His grip on me is so tight I can barely breathe. I'm sure mine is the same. Right away, we're both nearly sobbing into each other. I know I'm a wreck. Soon, we're surrounded by the other three boys.

That's when my father's voice interrupts our moment. "Samantha, it's time to go." He informs me. "Now." He quickly adds.

I let go of Luke after giving him a kiss. One last kiss. "Bye, guys. I love you." I look at each of them as I turn my back and walk to the car, getting in and buckling up. I can't look back up at them. I only look once we're in the road. I see all the boys looking at me like they've lost something, and I must admit, I certainly have. Things will never be as good as they were.