Rachel's P.O.V.

Once in the bathroom I changed into a pair of high-waisted denim shorts, a white top and a maroon cardigan. I pulled my hair back, twisting it in a way that it came out as a messy ponytail. I added a small white bow and just decided this was as good as I was gonna get.

I could hear voices in the room and got curious.

I flung the door open and saw Harry and Skylar kissing.

"What the hell?" I demanded, my eyes widening.

They sprung apart quickly, both facing me with wide eyes.

"Oh..Hey Rach" Harry mumbled, rubbing his neck awkwardly.

I narrowed my eyes.

"What's going on here?" I asked suspiciously. I mean, let's face it - it's not every daw you walk in on your best friend kissing your brother.

Both of them were now avoiding my eye.

I sighed.

"What about Ashton? Or Luke?" I directed at Skylar.

I noticed Harry's jaw tighten at the mention of Luke's name.

"Look Rachel, I have to go. Can we just talk about this later?" he asked quickly.

I just nodded, giving him permission.

"Thanks, I'll find you - or you find me, I guess" he seemed very eager to leave and within a few seconds was gone.

It was then that I turned to Skylar.

"Okay Sky, I'm totally not judging or anything, but what the hell? First you're going out with Luke. Then you're making out with Ashton and now I find you kissing Harry? You really need to get your shit together" I told her with a playful eye-roll.

She just grinned sheepishly.

I bit my lip then, getting a little more serious.

"Hey, can you do me a favour though? If you're not into Harry, please just tell him. I mean I know he acts like he doesn't care but when it comes to girls he can be pretty sensitive. And I can tell he likes you" I explained.

She sighed, nodding.

"Thanks" I replied.

"So what's this?" I continued, pointing to the stuff on the bed.

Skylar explained all about how the boys wanted us to promote the band and stuff. And so, before heading out I put on the bracelets and necklace.

I wasn't really sure where I was going - I just needed to go for a walk, clear my head about everything that had happened yesterday at the party. Things with me and Louis had gotten pretty heated. Skylar had made out with Ashton. I really had no right whatsoever to be bothered by that but I still was.

I sighed, continuing on walking, past the fountain and to the little café that I had gotten to love.

I walked through the doors, heading straight to the counter. I really wanted some pancakes. Honestly, they always cheered me up. I ordered, and as I glanced around for a place to sit I heard someone call my name.

Spotting the source instantly, I sighed.

Michael, Ashton and Calum were sitting in a booth in the far corner.

"Come over and sit down!" Michael yelled.

I walked over to them slowly, avoiding Ashton's eye.

"Where's Luke?" I asked, sitting next to Calum.

He shrugged.

"He's pretty tired after last night so he's just having a lazy day" he explained.

"Though I don't know how this one isn't exhausted. Him and Skylar stayed up all night talking" Michael added casually, nudging Ashton.

I bit the inside of my cheek, glancing up at Ashton.

"That's cute" I tried my best to smile encouragingly - but it was just too weird. The idea of them as a couple.

Ashton looked a little confused before his eyes widened.

"We-We're not a couple or anything you know, me and Skylar" he told me quickly.

Michael chuckled, while Calum just looked confused.

"Well duh, you dork! Skylars with Luke. Why would Rachel think you two are a couple?" Michael asked rhetorically, rolling his eyes.

I just looked down.

So I guess they hadn't seen Ashton and Skylar kissing. Were they keeping whatever was happening a secret?

"So, I see your wearing our merch" Calum added, turning my wrist around to look at the bracelet.

I grinned.

"Your merch?" I teased.

Calum blushed ever so slightly but Michael just smirked in response.

"That's right! Don't worry Rach, we wont forget you when we become mega famous" He joked.

I couldn't help but giggle at him.

"I shall remember that Mikey" I chuckled.

My pancakes were delivered then and I was delighted that they had included a little tub of nutella. Nutella was basically my life.

I began eating slowly. Calum and Michael were still chatting about what they would do if they ever became famous and the silence between Ashton and I just got worse.

Eventually I decided I needed to break it.

"Hey Ash, you want some? These are really delicious" I told him, meeting his eye.

He bit his lip, which I just rolled my eyes at, pushing my plate closer to him.

He smiled shyly, pulling a piece off of my pancake.

"Thank you" he replied softly, which I just returned with a smile.

"Hey! What about us?!" Michael interrupted, mockingly glaring at Ashton.

I rolled my eyes, chuckling.

"Feel free to help yourselves" I added.

"Oh we will" Calum replied, digging in.

Safe to say, all my food was gone in les than ten minutes. I didn't mind though - the awkwardness between me and Ashton seemed to have fizzled out, thank god.

It was nearly twenty minutes late when I felt my phone buzz in my pocket. I took it out quickly, seeing a text from Demi:


'Hey Rachel! Me and El are planning on going off of campus shopping today. You wanna come? We haven't chatted in a while! Let me know soon! :)'


I sent her a quick reply saying that I'd love to. Maybe a bit of girl talk with people who knew nothing about the whole situation would be good for me.

"Hey guys, I've to get going now but I'll catch up with ye later, yeah?" I told the boys, standing up, quickly after Demi said to meet at the fountain in 10 minutes.

The boys all said they're goodbyes and so I headed out of the café.

However was only just out of the door when I felt someone behind me.

"What's up Ash?" I asked, once turning around and seeing that it was him.

He sighed.

"We're okay, right? I mean what happened at the party last night-" he began but I cut him off quickly.

"We're okay Ashton" I told him, not wanting to talk about the party.

"Really?" he asked, running a hand through his hair nervously.

I nodded, pulling him into a hug. I felt his arms wrap around me and sighed slightly.

"We're great Ash. I'll talk to ya later" I gave him a smile once we had parted and he smiled in return.

And so I headed off to the fountain. Yep, some old-fashioned girl talk was definitely what was needed here. I sent Skylar a quick text inviting her. She had never actually met Demi and Eleanor before but I was sure she'd love them. Well, Demi at least. I mean Eleanor was great now that I knew her but when I first met she was a tad unwelcoming. I knew Skylar would hate that.

I felt my phone buzz in my pocket, a message from Skylar. I quickly opened it, wondering whether or not she was coming.

Notes