Meant to Be... l.h.

10

"Okay first up we have, Calum Hood." Calum stands up and walks over to me. He cracks his knuckles dramatically before wrapping his arms around my back and legs and picking me up bridal style. After a few seconds he places me down.

"Next is Louis Tomlinson." He does the same thing and walks over to me. He steps behind me and places both hands on my hips before picking me up like Simba from the lion king. We laugh and he places me down.

"Sir Harold Styles." Harry smirks at me before bending down and placing his arms around my hips. When he stands up it causes me to flip over so he is now holding me upside down. I let out a squeal and he places me down.

"Michael Clifford." Michael stands behind me and wraps his arms around my knees and stands up straight causing me to be lifted off the air.

"Liam Payne." Liam scared me by grabbing my hands and bending down that way I was sitting on his shoulders like a child at a theme park. After a few seconds of me panicking and yelling at him not to drop me he finally places me down gently.

"Okay, Ashton Irwin." Ashton stands in front of me and places his hands on my hips lifting me off the ground.

"Luke Hemmings." Luke out one hand on my back and one behind my knees. He told me to fall backwards and I did. He ended up holding me like a barbel in his two hands. Pretty impressive if I must say so myself.

"Last but not least, Niall Horan." Niall stands in front of me and squats. I jump on his back and he stands up doing a turn. After he put me down everyone looked at me.

"Soooo. Who's the strongest, order us from strongest to weakest?"

"Well strongest is Luke, then Harry, Ashton, Liam, Calum, Louis, Michael and sorry Niall."

"Come on! I did a turn." Niall yells flailing his arms around like a child causing me to laugh.

"Sorry Niall. You can still be my friend." I say giving him a hug.

"Good." He mumbles into my hair. As we pull apart I notice Luke giving him the same glare He Gave Harry yesterday. What is up with this dude? I walk over to him.

"Congrats in being the strongest!" I say giving him a hug too, which seemed to make him happier than he was 20 seconds ago. I have to admit, it is nice to see him smile. He has a very handsome smile and the lip ring accents it perfectly. What the hell am I saying? As we pull away from our hug which probably lasted to long I felt my cheeks heat up as I saw his did too. I cleared my throat before turning to Ashton, who had his arms crossed and was smirking at us.

"Okay, Well now that that's settled, everyone get the fuck out of my apartment." He says with a humorous tone. Everyone says goodbye. I began walking to my apartment.

"Not so fast King." I turn around and meet Ashton's eyes.

"What's up?" I ask taking a seat across from him on the couch.

"You like Luke." He states matter of factly.

"I do?" I ask.
"How come I wasn't informed on this?" I ask with a smirk.

"Skylar. Don't play stupid."

"Ashton, I don't know what your talking about. Luke is just my friend." It's true I don't like Luke that way. Right?

"You may not see it Lar, but I do."

"Alright Ashton well you have fun with your imagination, I'm going to go to my apartment." I say walking away. I got to my bedroom and flopped down on my bed while reading a book. I read about five chapters when my phone began ringing. I looked at the caller ID and it read 'Mama Irwin'. I always called Anne mom because she was more of a mom to me than my real mom. I answered.

"Hi mom." I said cheerfully.

"Skylar! How do you like America so far?"

"It's fun. Ashton introduced me to his friends and they are all really sweet."

"I'm so happy to hear that sweetie. Um, I actually called to tell you something."

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing really. Just Lauren has been acting really weird lately and she won't open up to me. I know you guys have a close relationship still so I was wondering if you could try talking to her."

"Of course! Put her on." Lauren was Ashton's little sister. She was only around 8 when I moved in and she and her little brother Harry became very attached to me. I talked to them a lot during my trip but haven't seen her since she was 11 years old. She's now 13 and I know that's a difficult age for a young girl.

"Skylar?"

"Hey Lauren! How are you!"

"I'm okay."

"You don't sound okay. Is something bothering you?"

"No."

"Lauren please tell me what's wrong."

"No one understands." She says in a low whisper.

"What?"

"No one understands me or even cares."

"Lauren I do. I care about you so much. And so does Ashton, Mom and even Harry. I may not understand what your going through but you never know unless you tell me. And I promise that no matter what I will babe here for you."

"That's the problem Skylar!" Her voice is breaking like she is about to cry.
"I miss you SO much. I know you needed to go on your trip and I'm happy your better but I don't like living without you. First you leave, then Ashton. I can't be the oldest, I'm not ready for that, I need my big sister back." By now we are both crying.

"Lauren listen to me. You do NOT need to take over a big sibling role. Ashton and I are here for you guys no matter what. I know we are far away but we are only one phone call away. I miss you so much every single day and I'm sorry I had to leave. But please Lauren please promise me you will stay strong. You know what Ashton ad. I have gone through. Don't follow our footsteps. Be your own person because that's what we love you." I wipe the tears running down my cheeks but it's no use as they just keep pouring out.

"I'm sorry Skylar I'm being so selfish."

"No! No your not! You are a teenage girl who has gone through so many changes the passed two years. Listen I'm going to come see you."

"Really?" She whispers.

"Yes. But until then I need you to stay strong. Okay?"

"Okay. Thank you Skylar."

"I'll see you soon Lauren. I love you."

"I love you too." With that we hung up and I wipe my tears before running to Asher's apartment. Michael,
Luke and Calum are there again. When they see me they begin asking me why I am crying but I walk right passed them and straight to Ashton. He hugs me tight.

"What happened Skylar?"

"Mom called."

"Is everything okay?" He asks panicked.

"Lauren needs us." I take a deep breathe.
"We need to go home."