What The Heart Wants (Stereo Kicks/ James Graham)

Chapter 16

The boys and I decided to order ourselves some pizza and take it back to our room. I watched the boys play FIFA while we ate and I scrolled through my Twitter. While the boys were yelling and getting excited I was trying to keep my composure. I began scrolling through my mentions and was appalled by what these complete strangers were saying about me.

Ew. How can the guys even stand to look at her?

God, her voice is seriously terrible. How did she get put through?

Haha look at her nose. And her hair. Ugly ass American.

Wow. She's ugly and has no talent. Way to go X Factor. You're setting the bar real high.

I set my phone down and took a deep breath. I really had to calm down, but I couldn't help the tears that began forming in my eyes. "Aria? What's wrong?" Casey looked up from the TV and saw the tears in my eyes. I wiped them away and tossed him my phone. He read my mentions and I could see his face getting red. "What the fuck? Who says stuff like this?" He was pissed. "Let me see." James reached over and grabbed my phone. The rest of the boys huddled behind him and read over his shoulder. The looks on their faces went from curiosity to confusion to anger. "Aria..." James started. "Don't. It's okay." I wiped my eyes one more time, stood up and grabbed my phone. They were all looking at me with hurt in their eyes. I had to get out of there, so I walked out of the room and wandered around the house until I somehow ended up outside on the beach. The sun had just set so the sky was a light pink-purple color. It was breath taking. Nobody else was on the beach, so I just sat down and stared at the water, flowing in and out. For some stupid reason, I brought my phone with me and it started buzzing. I opened it and noticed that I had ten Twitter notifications. Curious, I clicked on them and couldnt help but smile.

@CharlieJones: @AriaSmith you're the most talented girl I know! xx

@JakeSims: @AriaSmith is probably the best cook I know other than my grandma!! :) x

@BarclayBeales: @AriaSmith has the cutest nose ever. xx

@ReeceBibby: why does @AriaSmith's hair always look so perfect? -_-

@ChrisLeanord: @AriaSmith is the best looking American I've ever seen! xx

@TomMann: EVERYBODY TALKING SHIT ABOUT @AriaSmith BETTER STOP. SHE'S FUCKING AMAZING!

I couldn't help but laugh. Leave it to Tom to say exactly what he feels. I read on.

@CaseyJohnson: @AriaSmith is beautiful. Me and the boys love to look at her! xx

There was another one from Casey.

@CaseyJohnson: Oh and @AriaSmith is the smartest, nicest, most talented person I have ever met!

Lastly,

@ItsJamesGraham: it breaks my heart to read all these terrible things about @AriaSmith she's perfect and you guys have no clue what you're talking about. We love you Aria xx

I smiled and composed my own tweet.

@AriaSmith: @CharlieJones @BarclayBeales @ReeceBibby @JakeSims @ChrisLeanord @TomMann @CaseyJohnson @ItsJamesGraham I AM THE LUCKIEST GIRL IN THE WORLD TO HAVE YOU GUYS BY MY SIDE! LOVE YOU GUYS <3

After my tweet was sent, I heard a beep from behind me. I turned and seen Casey walking toward me. He smiled and sat down next to me then pulled his phone from his pocket. He read my tweet and favorited and retweeted it. "Hey, don't listen to what those girls said. They were dead wrong about you." He looked at me. "Yeah, I know. It just sucks to see that people think such negeative things about me." I looked up from the water, to him. He nodded his head, "but you know why they said it right?" He asked. "Why?" I didn't know the answer. "They're jealous, obviously. I mean not to sound conceited, but you are the only girl in a band full of rather attractive boys." He said. That wasn't the answer I was expecting. "But you're also insanely talented and incredibly beautiful." He added. I felt my cheeks blush and had to look away from him. He chuckled, "I'm serious. I wouldn't lie to you." He smiled and wrapped his arm around my shoulders. Instinctively, I leaned into him and laid my head against his chest. "Thanks Casey." I said just loud enough for him to hear me over the roaring water. He replied by kissing the top of my head. It was nice. We both sat and watched the water for a while before we got cold. "You wanna head inside?" He released his grip on me and I looked up at him. Our faces were only three inches apart and I could feel his warm breath on my face. He looked down at me with his beautiful eyes and didn't break eye contact. I noticed him coming closer and look down at my lips. Realizing where this was going, I quickly pulled away and cleared my throat. "Yeah, we should probably head back." I stood up and wiped my hands on my shorts. He looked slightly embarrassed but stood up and walked with me anyway. We didn't say anything the entire walk back. When we walked back into the room, Jake jumped up and gave me a hug. The rest of the boys stood up and soon I was in the middle of a big group hug. "Thanks for sticking up for me guys." I said while I hugged all of them. "Of course. You're one of us Aria. We love you like a sister." Charlie answered. At that, I looked up at and noticed Casey staring at me. "Yeah. Just like a sister." He said, and only I knew he was being sarcastic. I tried to hide my smile but couldn't, and he smiled back. "Alright, alright, now who's ready to get their ass kicked at FIFA?" I sat down and grabbed an extra controller. They all laughed and sat down around me and grabbed their controllers. Casey showed me what buttons did what, and then James started the game over. We played the game until the time ran out and then decided to go to bed because we have to meet with the vocal coach tomorrow at 10am. It was already after eleven. Everyone got in their beds and I jumped into mine and Casey's bunk. We were in the bed above James and Jake. "Dibs on the inside!" I called. "You can have it." Casey smiled then got into bed next to me. The bed felt a lot smaller now that we were both in it. Nevertheless, I laid down and closed my eyes. "Night, Aria." Casey whispered. I opened my eyes and smiled. "Night Casey." I replied, then drifted off to sleep.

AAWW CARIA IS FINALLY BLOOMING!! :D WRITING THIS CHAPTER MADE ME LOVE CASEY EVEN MORE. I HOPE YOU GUYS LIKED THIS CHAPTER! AS ALWAYS, DON'T FORGET TO VOTE AND COMMENT. ♥