Rachel's P.O.V.

After just chatting with Ashton for a while about the randomest nonsense, I could tell he was feeling better. There was no way I was leaving without cheering him up first. I honestly couldn't believe that he felt that way about me. I guess Louis had been right after all. I mean Ashton was amazing. He really was such a lovely person and I found it so easy to hang out with him, but I had Louis. We had only recently gotten together and although things right now might not be as good as they could be, I liked Louis. I liked him a lot. But the question was, how exactly did I feel about Ashton?

I was so sure that we were just friends. But now I was questioning everything. Maybe me and Ashton were just better off being friends for now. Especially when I had Louis. I really wouldn't want to do anything to jeopardise what we had.

In all honesty, the whole situation was giving me a headache.

"Hey Ash, I'm gonna head back to my place now, okay? I'll see you tomorrow" I decided finally, rolling off of his bed.

He nodded.

"Okay.. I'm sorry about, you know, kissing you" he mumbled softly, blushing ever so slightly.

I shrugged, giving him a grin.

"Don't worry about it. Let's face it, I'm hot. I would've kissed me too" I winked at him, causing him to burst out laughing.

"Yeah, yeah.." He rolled his eyes.

I laughed along with him.

"But really Rach, please don't mention it to anyone. Tomlinson in particular. I really don't want him picking a fight again" he added, in a more serious tone.

I sighed.

"I'll sort it out with him, don't worry" I promised.

He nodded.

"So, you two?" he asked, raising an eyebrow inquisitively.

I bit my lip, nodding slowly.

"Yeah.. Us two" I replied softly.

He seemed unsurprised by my confession but a little hurt at the same time.

"Well bye Rach" he gave me a small wave as I took off.

When I walked out of his room I noticed Skylar had left. She'd probably just gone back to our room. The other three were sprawled across the couch.

"So what happened?!" Calum asked as soon as he saw me.

"Is he okay?" Michael added.

"Is he feeling better?" Luke pressed.

I rolled my eyes at their gush of questions.

"Well we- em- we just talked. He's feeling better now.. He's not injured too badly" I started off.

Calum nodded.

"So what exactly were the fighting about?" Luke asked. He had been too distracted by Skylar when they had first started.

I shrugged, feeling my cheeks flush.

"Rachel" Michael answered simply.

My blush deepened.

Luke raised an eyebrow.

"You and Louis?" he seemed surprised.

"You and Ash?!" Calum added.

I shook my head quickly.

"No - I - it was just a big misunderstanding, okay?" I said, unconvincingly.

Michael rolled his eyes.

"We're just gonna ask Ashton about it you know" Calum told me, folding his arms.

I narrowed my eyes.

"You do that" I replied.

Luke groaned.

"C'mooooon Rachell! Just tell us whats going on with you and Ashton!" He pleaded.

"There's nothing going on" I replied firmly.

It was obvious none of them believed me.

"I'm just gonna ask Skylar" Luke told me.

I instantly saw an opportunity.

"Oh really? So young Hemmings, what exactly is going on with you and Skylar?" I asked.

All the boys suddenly drew their attention to him.

"Whatever do you mean?" he asked, feigning innocence.

Michael rolled his eyes.

"Please! You were moping around like a lost puppy up until you saw her today" he teased.

Luke blushed scarlet.

"Well I'm pretty sure that we weren't talking about Skylar! We're talking about Rachel and Ashton" he said quickly, instantly starting the boys off again.

I stuck my tongue out at him.

"I'm going home" I told them, not wanting any more questions.

They continued to whine and shoot questions at me but I ignored them, heading out of the door. I was only out the door, when I felt a hand on my arm. Turning quickly, I was faced with Michael.

"Hey?" I was a little confused as to what he wanted.

"I'll walk you home, I kinda need to talk to you" he explained quickly, letting go of my arm.

I shrugged.

"Right, what's up?" I asked, as we began walking.

He sighed loudly, obviously not knowing how to start.

I raised an eyebrow.

"You okay?" I added.

He nodded.

"Okay look Rach, I just- I'm worried" he started.

I gave him a look, willing him to continue.

"About Ashton" he finished up.

I felt my stomach drop slightly.

"Oh.. really?" I asked after a minute of silence.

He sighed loudly.

"Yeah Rach. I mean, there's no way you don't see it now. I'm pretty sure that he's in love with you. And you with Louis.. I mean, you're obviously trying to keep it on the downlow - I assume because of Harry - but we can all tell theres something going on there. And with you and Ash hanging out so much.. I'm just worried that's he's going to get the wrong idea about you and him" he explained.

It took a minute for me to process what he had said. There was a long silence, which I finally broke after taking a deep breath.

"He kissed me" I admitted.

Michael's eyes widened.

"He what?"

"He kissed me" I repeated.

"And eh, what did you do?" Michael asked.

I shrugged.

"Nothing really, it was so quick I wasn't given a chance to react. He said he was sorry afterwards and that he knew nothing would ever happen between us.." I confessed.

Silence took over as Michael nodded slowly.

"Oh. So he knows then that you don't feel the same.. I guess that makes things easier" he mumbled after a minute.

I nodded.

"You know I'd never do anything to hurt him intentionally Michael. His friendship means a lot to me" I told him seriously.

"I know" he agreed.

"Good" I sighed, coming to a stop. We were outside my door now.

He ran a hand through his hair awkwardly.

"Make sure he's okay please. And thanks for walking me back" I gave him a smile, which he returned warmly.

"No problemo! You know other than the fact that Louis and Ashton beat the shit out of each other, today went pretty well. You're a pretty cool friend to have Rach. And you have awesome taste in movies" he told me, winking.

I laughed at that.

"Right?! How did Ashton not love that movie? Seriously?" I ranted.

He chuckled.

"I know. He's sucha weirdo" he said fondly.

I nodded in agreement.

"Right well good night Rach" he gave me another quick smile before turning to walk off.

I called out a goodbye after him.

Opening the door to my room, I was met with an unexpected sight. Louis was sitting on my bed, chatting away to Tricia.

"Umm, hello?" I asked, once I had walked in, causing them both to look at me.

"Oh hey Rach, Louis wanted to talk to you so I let him in. I'm just gonna grab a shower" Tricia said, quickly heading off to the bathroom before I even had a chance to respond.

Once she had the door closed, Louis turned to me nervously.

"Hey.." he started weakly.

I rolled my eyes.

"Hey?" I asked back.

He sighed loudly.

"Look Rach, I'm really sorry about what happened today with Ashton. I just don't really know how to deal with jealousy. I mean lets face it, I've dated a lot of girls, but never have I gotten so protective of them and honestly it scares the shit out of me. Things have always been so easy when it came to dating, but with you.. It's like I'm constantly worried that your just gonna decide I'm not good enough or something" he said softly.

My eyes were wide at this point.

"I-wow" I mumbled out.

"I know" he replied.

"Louis, as flattered as I am, it doesn't give you an excuse to go starting fights with my friends. You really need to talk to him and apologise, okay?" I asked, though I was no longer angry.

He wrinkled his nose, obviously not liking the idea.

"Well I-" he began but I cut him off.

"Okay?" I said louder.

He sighed dramatically.

"Right, okay" he agreed.

I leaned down to kiss him softly.

"Great, now you better go before Skylar comes and sees you here. Honestly this is the worst kept secret ever" I mumbled, referring to our 'relationship' of sorts.

He grinned, pressing another quick kiss to my lips before standing up.

"Yeah, okay. I'll talk to you tomorrow" he told me before heading out the door.

I then collapsed onto my bed.

What the hell had happened today?

Notes