The Runaway 2 - N.H.

[37] Get down

Ashton's POV

"Soundcheck guys." Niall mumbles with his guitar in hand as he walks into our room.

"Niall there's something we need t-" I start before standing up.

"Fuck why don't you just put it on twitter too while you're at it." Michael spits and walks out bumping Niall's shoulder on the way.

"What was that?" Niall scoffs and looks back to Michael.

"We saw her." Luke whispers so low Niall hardly hears.

"Who?" He asks and steps forward.

"Bee." Luke whispers just as low.

"What? When? Where? Did she see you? What did you say? Is she okay?"

"Woah calm down." I say and almost laugh. Almost. "We saw her from across the street and when she saw us she just got up and left."

"She had red hair." Calum says.

"And a nose ring." Luke adds.

"Did she?" I gasp but Luke just nods.

"She... She always wanted one because... Because Perrie has one." Calum stutters and Luke just nods like he already knew.

"Wait... She was here, in San Fran Cisco? Did she ever talk about coming here like she did with Boston?" The three of us shake our heads. "I'll tell Louis and we'll see if we can find her. Time for soundcheck."

"She's not a lost animal." I mutter and I know they all heard but none of them say anything.

We walk into one of the back doors of the room because there's still someone practicing so we can't use the stage entrance.

The three of us are just outside the door when we hear faint music. "You think she's okay?" Luke asks without looking up.

"If she wanted us to know, she'd have told us." Calum grumbles and pushes open the door a little too forcefully.

We walk in and hear singing.

"I hate you, don't leave me.

I feel like I can't breathe,

just hold me.

Don't touch me.

And I want you to love me,

but I need you to trust me.

Stay with me.

Set me free."

The voice seems so familiar... What song is this?

We walk in and see Mikey crouching down on the floor behind some chairs.

"Mikey?" I ask and walk ahead of Luke and Cal.

"Shh. Get down." He growls and pulls me down by the sleeve.

"Confused and scared I am terrified of you." The girl keeps singing. No.

"Mikey please lie to me." I whisper and squeeze my eyes shut.

"Oh god." He whispers and I open my eyes to see his squeezed shut but a tear has somehow escaped and is rolling down his cheek. "You were right, Ash. She would have stayed if I wasn't there."

"Mikey don-"

"Braeden, stop. You obviously don't want to do this right now, what's up?" Someone asks and I look up just enough to see it was the girl with Braeden we saw earlier.

"Don't worry Scar." Braeden mumbles.

"No, I'm worried. Is it about those guys? Who were they? I swear they looked familiar."

"Just... Don't worry, honestly I'm okay." Braeden tries to assure her but I can hear her shaking from here. "We should keep practicing your dad'll get pissed again if we are just talking."

"Yeah, you're right." The girl mumbles.

The music starts playing again and I look up slightly to see Braeden strumming an acoustic guitar as she continues singing. "I have been here too many times before."

I look over to Michael and he looks as shocked as I feel. I didn't even know she could sing let alone sing like this.

"Is someone there?" Braeden's English accent chimes as she stops playing.

I glance up to see Luke on his feet and walking towards the stage. I look back over to Calum and his face is bright red and his hands are balled into fists.

"L-Luke?" Braeden stutters when she gets a clear look. Even from here I can see her shaking. Now the three of us are standing and staring at her.

I can't help but notice all the differences. Her hair is a bright red, she has a small nose ring - a lot like Perrie's - she's put on weight but definitely in a good way, now she's curvy. But the thing I notice the most is the dark bags under her eyes and the terrified look that has crossed her face from seeing Luke.

"Braeden... Hey." He says and stops just before the stage.

"I have to go." She whispers so low without the microphone I doubt even her friend - Scar was it - would hear her.

"I'm Scarlette." The girl introduces herself and waves to Luke but he hardly notices.

"Oh, hey. Braeden please."

"Please what?" She growls and steps forward. "What could you possibly want from me Luke?" Luke seems to think about this for a second but before he has time to answer we hear a laugh erupt and a door squeak open.

Everyone's eyes turn to see Niall, Louis and the other three walk into the room all laughing but as soon as their eyes land on Braeden, they look mortified.