“We’re going to be late!” Ashton yelled from downstairs, drawing out the last word in an adorable way that you loved.

           “Be there in a second!” You screamed back, running your mascara brush over your eye lashes. You had taken a shower, maybe a bit too late, and you were standing in front of your mirror in jeans and just your sports bra, hoping to finish as soon as possible but knowing that putting on make-up took time.

           “I’m going to leave without you if you don’t hurry up!” Ashton called again, this time sounding like he was at the bottom of the stairs.

           “Calm down you dork!” You responded after accidently marking your face with the mascara brush because of Ashton’s outburst. You dabbed a Kleenex with make-up remover and quickly got to work at fixing the spot, knowing he wouldn’t do as he said. He was too nice to leave you alone, “I’ll be down in one minute- oh hold up! This is my jam!”

           The beginning notes of your favorite song started playing from your speaker, and you instantly got up and started dancing around your room, moving your hips to the rhythm of the music.

           “I didn’t know you could dance like that,” The sound of someone’s voice suddenly coming from behind you made you squeal and turn around quickly to see who was there. Your eyes slowly looked from the familiar dark skinny jeans, to the muscle-T shirt, and finally, to the bright hazel eyes of Ashton. He was leaning one shoulder on the doorway with his arms crossed over his broad chest, and a stupid half grin on his face as he stared at you. You were at a loss for words, partly because you were scared out of your wits from the surprise and partly because you couldn’t focus on anything else but the weird look in Ashton’s eyes as he quickly scanned your body, lingering for a brief second on your chest area. That’s when you finally noticed you were still in only your sports bra and jeans and nothing else. A furious blush heated your cheeks and you looked to the floor, crossing your arms over your chest instinctively.

           “Ashton, stop looking at me like that!” You said finding you were too flustered to do anything else but stand there awkwardly and try to cover yourself up. Ashton laughed loudly at your embarrassment, and you groaned.

           “Why’re your cheeks so red Y/N? It’s just me.” Ashton asked with a cheeky smirk still on his face. He knew he was making you uncomfortable and you were sure that was the only reason he was still standing there and looking at you like that.

           “Shut up Ash!” You yelled, this time slapping your hands over your face to the place where he indicated.

           “Hey wait, don’t do that,” Ashton’s voice sounded different this time, almost apologetic, and you peeked out of your hands to see him moving swiftly towards you. He stopped only when he was so close that there was almost no room left for your imagination about how his body would feel against yours. Without another word, Ashton timidly reached to grab your hands from your face, and slowly brought them down, but you noticed that he didn’t let go even when they were hanging loosely at your sides.

           “Don’t do what?” You whispered after a few moments of silence passed between you and Ashton where it looked like he wanted say something, but didn’t. He looked into your eyes and a small, gentle smile spread over his face.

           “Don’t cover yourself up.” He finally spoke up and his words were so simple and said with such tenderness, that you were actually taken aback.

           “What?” You breathed. Ashton tightened his grip on your hands and pulled you closer, closing the almost nonexistent gap that had been between you. Your stomach leapt to your throat when he bit his lip and looked down at you. You hoped he couldn’t feel the quick beating of your heart, but you were distracted by something that flashed quickly in his eyes before he decided to speak again.

           “You don’t need to cover yourself up, or hide anything, or whatever. I think you’re the most beautiful when you look like this,” Ashton said, releasing one of your hands to brush his fingers through a small strand of your messy hair, “Because this is you Y/N. The real you.”

           You could feel unexpected tears suddenly threatening to spill down your face, but you did your best to hold them back, not wanting Ashton to see you cry. You knew that if you did, it would give away your secret. The one that would let him know you had actually been very insecure about yourself recently because of some jerk at a bar who called you fat for no good reason.

           The whole situation seemed so impossible to believe. Was Ashton really this close to you and telling you the things that you had only dreamed of hearing him say? No… it was too good to be true and you knew it. What you saw in his eyes, and what you heard in his voice, must have been your imagination. There was no way he could ever love you the way you loved him.

           “Why are you telling me this?” You asked almost afraid of the answer. Ashton blinked a few times, as if realizing what he was going to say for the first time himself. He tried to speak, but caught himself a few times before he finally found what to say.

           “Because I care about you. You’re my best friend.” He whispered gently pushing you into his chest and laying his chin on top of your head. You couldn’t help but notice the way he called you his ‘friend’ and your heart twisted in a different way than before. Why was he doing this to you? Letting you believe he could actually care for you… it was evil.

           “Ash… why?” You asked again as a single tear slid down your cheek.

           “Can’t you just accept my compliment, Y/N?” Ashton laughed, pulling you back to look at your face as his hand stroked the back of your head comfortingly.

           “I just don’t know why I should believe you,” You whispered still trying to keep yourself from crying.

           “Maybe this will convince you,” Ashton smirked, and before you could say anything else, his lips were suddenly pressing against yours. You stood frozen and wide eyed as the very thing that you felt like you had waited for all of your life was happening. Ashton Irwin. Ashton freaking Irwin was kissing you! The realization of the situation finally sunk in and your eye lids fluttered shut as you let yourself relax into his embrace and wrapped your arms around his neck. His went instantly to your waist and he pulled you impossibly tight against him, making you smile into the kiss. His hands felt around the still bare skin of your back and you ran your fingers through his curls, something you had fantasied about doing from the moment you met him.

           Ashton finally released you and you both stood in each other’s arms feeling the up and down movement of your chests as your lungs gasped for lost air.

           “Alright, I believe you.” You giggled giving Ashton a shy smile as another blush creeped onto your lips.

           “Are you sure?” He asked with a mischievous sparkle in his eyes, “Cuz I think you may need some more convincing.” Ashton winked and you laughed out loud this time.

           “We’re going to be late for band practice, remember?” You said swatting his chest playfully, but he grabbed your hand before you could pull away and kissed your palm sweetly.

           “It can wait,” He muttered and you were still so close that you could feel his body rumble with every word.