forever// 5SOS

69

Ashton

I picked Ava up from therapy, and decided to treat her to a McDonalds. I knew we were having pizza this weekend but... she'd had a tough week, and I didn't want to cook.

"Lucy gave me a birthday card," she beamed, climbing into the car.

"That's nice of her, did you say thankyou?"

"Yes,"

"How does a McDonald's sound?"

"Good,"

She smiled and looked out the window, holding the envelope. At first, she came out of the sessions gloomy and stressed- now she was upbeat and happy.

"Ava, I know it's all private and you don't have to say, but what sort of things do you talk about? You used to come out so upset,"

"That was because I didn't understand what was going on, or how to use the things around to make things better. Now, we can talk about things I like, as well as how I'm doing, and what I can change. I don't know, I guess it's just happier things,"

"I'm glad," I smiled, "and now we have a week together,"

"And my birthday. I've never had a birthday,"

When she said that, it hit me right in the heart. I wondered if she would've known it was her birthday without me saying, or even worse, she had spent years hoping for a cake with a candle to blow out.

"Well, this will be your best one yet,"

"Calum said I can decide what we do,"

"To a certain extent," I chuckled. It would be him to print that idea in her head, knowing it would annoy me.

"And please can all the dogs come over,"

"Ava," I sighed, "how do you expect us to host three grown men and three dogs in our tiny apartment?"

"Me and you in your bed, the other three in my bed, the dogs just flop wherever they want,"

She looked up at me innocently, and I felt bad for not immediately saying yes. This was the first time she'd ever had this, and honestly, asking for my friends to come round wasn't a big hassle.

"Why don't we invite your friends round in the week too?" I said, parking the car and climbing out.

"You're avoiding the question,"

"Yes, everyone can come round, but I don't think they'll all fit in your bed,"

"Then me and you on my bed, and them on your bed,"

"I reckon you and Calum will pass out on the sofa anyway,"

"Then you carry me to my bed, and stay there,"

I laughed and took her hand, going to one of the screens to order. I ordered a Big Mac, while she had chicken nuggets.

"Did you have a good week, even though I wasn't there?"

"It was okay,"

"I would've loved your week poppet,"

"I know, but you're more comfortable around everyone. I am comfortable, but if I'm not in the best mood then it makes me tense,"

I grabbed a table stand and found us a seat, waiting for it to be brought to us.

"What are we doing tomorrow?"

"Relaxing, properly relaxing. Just the two of us,"

She nodded and smiled, perking up as our food came.