Chapter Seven

Michael's POVWe set off to find the car park that Ashton had left his car in. It wasn't too far, but me, Luke and Calum decided to hang back a little bit to give Ashton and Aria some space. We watched as they were asking different questions about each other finding out more. I watched as Ashton took off his jacket and put it around Aria's shoulders and pulled her into him to keep her warm. It didn't take long to find Ashton's car and once we did, we set off to find somewhere to eat. We settled on a McDonald's as it seemed to be the only thing still open at this late hour. Me, Luke and Calum said we'd get the food while Ashton and Aria found us somewhere to sit. When we were waiting in line I heard my phone go off. It sounded like a tweet I briefly looked at it to see what it was, I didn't pay too much attention to it because it seemed to go off an awful lot lately, the tweet read

'@Aria_Poynter3011: Having an amazing birthday with @Ashton5SOS @Calum5SOS @Michael5SOS and @Luke5SOS. Thank guys and @DougiePoynter xx' followed by one of the selfies of all of us taken early. I laughed to myself and then put my phone away.

Aria's POVAshton had just got up to go to the toilet, so I whipped my phone out and sent a tweet to my followers

'Having an amazing birthday with @Ashton5SOS @Calum5SOS @Michael5SOS and @Luke5SOS. Thank guys and @DougiePoynter xx'

I attached the selfie of us all posing earlier and put my phone away. It buzzed a few minutes later as Ashton was walking back over, I pulled it out of my pocket to quickly see what it was. Four new followers...

'Haha, that is a great photo' Ashton commented as he sat back down, while looking at his phone.

'Yeah its my favourite' I smiled at him.

'So earlier you mentioned you write songs.' Ashton said slowly.

'Yes I do. I just write for me really, to get things off my chest. Personal things you know. No one has ever actually read or heard them, so they aren't great or anywhere near as good as the ones you write.' I explained to him, trying to get away from the subject.

'Do you mind if I judge that for myself?' he said with a cheeky smile.

'You can but you're talking as if i'm gonna show you my songs, and that is never gonna happen.' I said bluntly. Ashton held his mouth open feigning shock, trying to bring some humour back into the conversation realising he may have hit a nerve.

'Oh come on Aria, you've heard my songs' he said jokingly.

'Yeah so have millions of other people' I retorted.

'I'm sure i'll hear some at some point' Ashton smirked.

'Oh so are you planning on sticking around?' I asked a little taken a back. Just as I said that Calum, Michael and Luke came over with the food, pushing the conversation aside.

Calum's POVI took the seat next to Aria and started digging into my Big Mac. I could tell we had interupted something because they both suddenly fell silent.

'So what we talking about?' I asked trying to find out what was going on.

'Well Aria was just telling me about her song writing.' Ashton replied, smiling cheekily as he looked over at Aria who was glaring at him.

'So you write too?' I question interested.

'Yeah, but only really for myself. Nothing that anyone is ever going to see or hear.' She said, emphasizing the word 'ever' while still glaring at Ashton.

The table fell silent as they felt the tension rise between Ashton and Aria. He soon realised that song writing really wasn't a joke to Aria and I could tell that Ashton felt bad as he'd pushed the subject to far.

'Please excuse me, I think I need some air.' Aria said as she walked up from the table towards the door. Ashton suddenly looked at me for advise.

'Ash what is wrong with you? You are usually so cool with the girls.' I quizzed almost in disbelief.

'I really don't know mate. There's something about her that just makes me... I don't even know how to put it.' Ashton attempted to explain.

'Why are you still sat there babbling? Go after her Ashton' I encouraged. With that he slowly got up, grabbed his jacket off the chair that Aria was sitting on and headed to the door.

Ashton's POVI got out the door and looked around. I found Aria sat on a bench just outside, she was shivering in the thin long sleeved black top she was wearing and had her head burried in her hands. I sat silently next to her. She obviously felt someones presence because she looked up. She'd been crying because the little make up she was wearing had smudged underneath her eyes. I gently draped my jacket over her shoulders, I felt really bad and held back the urge to hold her and never let her go.

'Aria? I'm really sorry I never meant to upset you' I started as soon as her gaze caught mine.

'Ashton it's not your fault, I'm just being silly. There is a lot in my lyrics that i'm not ready to let anyone hear.' She explained as another tear ran down her cheek. I lifted my hand to gently wipe it away.

'Don't cry beautiful, I really am sorry I didn't mean to push it. I should've known when to stop, please forgive me.' I begged.

'Of course Ashton, you did nothing wrong. It's just thinking about my lyrics brings a lot back and it hit me all at once that's all. I'm fine now.' She replied smiling through her tears. I couldn't take it anymore I pulled her into a hug, we just sat there for what seemed like hours in perfect silence. That was until Michael came out to check we were okay. I released Aria from my grip when he came over, I didn't want to let her go, I just wanted to hold her there forever and soak up all the pain I could see in her eyes.

'Hey guys, just checking everything is okay you've been gone 15 minutes' Michael explained looking worried.

'Yeah everything is fine Mikey, thanks. We'll come back in now' Aria replied, and with that we followed Michael back in.

Aria's POVI don't know what is wrong with me. Why did I have to do that? That reaction was so unnecessary. It all happened along time ago and the fact that i'm still writing songs about it is pathetic. I'm so angry at myself and now poor Ashton thinks he's upset me. It's not his fault I do it to myself. I walked back into the restaurant and took my seat next to Ashton once again. Everyone else had finished their food it was just me and Andy now. I could feel three pairs of eyes on me and Ashton. I don't like eating in front of people, it's just something I have never been comfortable with.

'Shall we take our food with us?' Ashton asked, looking at me. It's like he knew I felt uncomfortable.

'Yes, that sounds like a good idea' I encouraged. With that we all got up and walked to Ashton's car.

'Are you ready to go back home?' Ashton asked, looking a little sad.

'Yes I think so' I replied, not wanting to leave the guys yet. 'Okay then, but you'll have to direct me' Ashton sighed.

Once we got to the house me and Dougie shared, Calum, Luke and Michael bid me farewell and Ashton got out of the car with me leaving them sat in the car.

'Did you guys want to come in? You are more then welcome too' I smiled at Ashton cheekily. He looked back at me guiltily.

'I would love too but the other guys are moaning that they are tired so I think we best get home. We have a long day in the studio tomorrow and an early start' he replied sadly.

'Aria? I really am sorry about what happened...' I cut him off before he could say anymore.

'Ashton it honestly wasn't your fault. You did nothing wrong it's me and my mind. Please don't worry I've had a really lovely evening with you and the guys. Thank you it has been the bestest birthday any girl could ever ask for' I said pulling him into a hug.

'It was our pleasure. I'm glad you had a great night I did too.' he whispered in my ear sending shivers down my spine. He kissed me on the cheek and pulled away and look at me.

'I hope to see you again soon Aria' he smiled at me as he turned to walk away. By the look in his eyes I knew that he truly meant every word and I could feel my cheeks redden as I returned his smile and turned to head into the house.

'Ashton wait a minute.' I called after him. He turned and headed back towards me as I ran inside grabbed a piece of paper and scribbled my number on it. Realising I was still wearing his jacket, I took it off, slipped my number in the pocket and headed back out to the door where Ashton was waiting. I smiled at him.

'You forgot this' I said handing him his Jacket.

'Thanks' he chuckled, as he headed back towards the car.

'Ash?' I called once again. He looked at me as he was just about to open the car door.

'Check the pockets' I instructed. He looked a little confused but done as I said. I watched him as he pulled the piece of paper out of one of the pockets and read it. I could see a cheeky grin plaster his face, then he looked at me before getting in the car. I waited at the door watching until Ashton had pulled out of the drive. I waved goodbye and closed the door.

Calum's POVAshton opens the car door as I climb over to the passenger seat. I hear Aria call for him and he turns to look at her. He fumbles in his pockets and pulls out a piece of paper.

'Someone's happy' Michael says, as Ashton gets back in the car with a big grin plastered over his face. 'Am I not allowed to smile?' Ashton retorts, as he pulls out of the driveway.

'That's more then a smile mate. You're falling for her.' I reply smirking at Ashton.

'I've known the girl all of five minutes, please don't get ahead of yourself' Ashton denies.

'Ash relax, she clearly likes you too.' Luke encourages. Ashton fell silent for a few minutes before replying 'You really think so?'.