Angry wasn't even the word to describe how I felt, Ella had pushed too far this time and something drastic needed to be done. Hayley's plan for death really did sound like a good idea right now, but I didn't fancy a murder charge hanging above my head: so we needed to get creative.
I had perched myself at the breakfast bar in my apartment, gnawing at the end of a pen as I stared blankly at the notepad in front of me. Ashton was over, he sat on the couch watching TV waiting for my eureka moment, but it never came. "I thought Hayley had a master plan?" He questions, looking over his shoulder to look at me.
"She has a plan, I don't think it will be something we can carry out" I sigh, placing the pen down on top of the notepad, before resting my head in my hands.
"And why is that?" he asks again, this time getting up from the couch, wandering over to embrace me in a hug.
"It involves breaking a couple of rules" I shrug, turning my head slightly to look at him, who's already looking at me: our lips inches apart.
"We're breaking all of the rules anyway" he smirks, planting a loving kiss on my lips.
"Oh shush you" I smirk back, kissing him again.
"When are they coming over? I'm a little nervous being here if Hayley and Cassie are bringing their boyfriends" His devious smirk turned into a frown, I knew this would be a big step for him. Although I knew that Luke and Calum wouldn't breathe a word, if they did most people would more than likely brush it off.
"In about ten minutes, they are bringing pizza, I have to let them in" I giggle, his eyes rolling at my remark.
"If I knew that pizza was the way to your heart I would have bought you one sooner" he chuckled contently to himself, this time my eyes roll at his comment.
"You should really change, you don't really want to look like a university lecturer do you?" he lets out a sigh, looking down at his shirt and trousers. "I mean you look ridiculously hot dressed like that. But you might feel more comfortable in normal clothes" my eyes almost pleading with him, he takes a step back and paces around the breakfast bar.
"I don't know Ally"
"Stop being Mr Irwin for the night, and just be Ashton. They will love you just as much as I do, plus we are all doing this because Ella is ruining all of our lives, including yours." I force a smile at him, knowing he needed to loosen up.
Ashton stood there for a moment taking his phone out of his pocket to check his notifications, clearly contemplating if he were going to stay or go. His gorgeous curls slicked back and eyes fixated on the screen in front of him, curious I peer over to see what he is looking at. I hoped it wasn't anything from Ella.
"What are you looking at?" I ask, his eyes darting up to look at mine, he turns his phone around so that I can see what he is looking at.
"It's us" he pauses, waiting to see my reaction "I've risked so much to be with you, trod on eggshells every second, kept us hidden from the world like it was forbidden. I changed this yesterday, the lock screen on my phone, I don't care anymore. I want to fight for us" He smiles at me with a loving look, one that gave my stomach butterflies. "I won't be long" he states wandering through to the bedroom to get changed.
I smiled contently to myself, things now were surely going to work out for the best. Ashton wanted to fight for us, he wanted to be involved with my friends even though he could get into some serious trouble. It wasn't long before the front door went, Hayley hollering as she entered the building, the scent of pizza washing the apartment.
Hayley was followed by Cassie and Luna? I wasn't expecting her here tonight why would she be here. Luke, Calum and then Michael followed, again I didn't quite know that Michael was invited, but then again what do I know.
"Hey!" I greet Hayley, Cassie and Luna in the hallway. The boys standing awkwardly behind them in the doorway holding a couple of pizza boxes between them. "I wasn't expecting so many people" I smile looking at Hayley with an awkward glance.
"Yeah, hey. Before you say anything there has been another development with Ella." Her eyes widening and glancing over at Luna. Obviously Ella had now infiltrated aspects of Lunas life also.
"Is your fancy man here?" Cassie giggles, causing my eyes to roll.
"Yes of course" I smile back, trying not to draw too much attention to Ashton.
I escort the large group through to the living room, where Ashton is sitting on the couch, shifting uncomfortably now wearing black skinny jeans and a black t-shirt. I had to admit that even I had begun to feel nervous, Michael and Luna's appearance had startled me and Ashton may freak out especially after the run in he had with Michael a few weeks ago.
There was a moment of silence as everyone had entered the room, Luke and Calum didn't seem all too bothered at Ashton's presence, but Luna and Michael just had shocked looks on their faces, this didn't come much as a surprise.
Hayley tried to make the situation less awkward then what it already was, she walked passed me through to the kitchen to start preparing drinks for everyone. "Hi Ashton" she smiles at him, to which he reciprocates the friendly gesture.
"So, Ally and Mr Irwin are dating" Hayley begins, rumbling through the kitchen cupboards for glasses "he's a great guy for Ally and she's happy" she pops her head up "but Ella is making their lives hell, and that is why we are all here"
"To take the bitch down!" Cassie enthusiastically joins in, earning a chuckle from Luke
"Yep, and we have a plan to do just that" Hayley smirks at me.
I didn't even know why Ash was so nervous, he was getting on great with the boys, I think he forgets that he isn't as old as he thinks he is. Calum and Michael are just a year or so younger than he is, and they all had so much in common. It was nice to see us all getting along, eating pizza and talking about nothing for an hour, before the real discussion began... Ella.
"So, Luna, Michael. What happened with you two, and Ella?" I ask taking a sip of my coffee, all eyes shifted to them.
"Ella found out that Mikey and I were dating. My parents are rather strict and wanted me to date someone who, well isn't him. She posted pictures of me and Michael together in their mail." Her eyes dropped to the floor, as Michael took her hand in his to comfort her.
"They kicked her out" his tone harsh, looking around the room to gauge everyone's reactions "Her own parents kicked her out for dating me"
"Oh my god, that's awful" my eyes widen looking at them both, then to Ashton. He shifted in his seat not sure of what to say.
"She's doing all of this for no reason" Luna sniffs, looking at Michael for reassurance.
"Well there may actually be a reason" Hayley frowns, she too looked around the room. "I mean it's a reason, a shit one"
"What did you do?" Calum asks furrowing his eyebrows together
"Hey, it's not just me that she's causing issues with" she shrugs, her glance meeting mine, as she notices the confusion on my face. "I didn't tell you I'm sorry"
"Tell me what? What has she done?" I exclaimed, angry that she never told me sooner that Ella had been causing issues with her
"Do you remember the big party, the night before your essay was due" her tone hushed, as if almost a whisper. This scared me, I wonder what they haven't been telling me. Simply I nod at her, looking at her then to Cassie who looked scared also. "Ella was there, she lied to us all. She took pictures, of me and Calum having sex"
"What! Why would she do that!" My heart racing, how on earth could Hayley keep that from me. "When did you find that out?"
"She sent me a text today, with an attachment of the photos" her eyes now on the floor "She's jealous, all of us are in happy relationships, relationships we really shouldn't be in. She wants to make us suffer because she doesn't have someone to make her happy"
"So what do we do?" Luke asks
"Ella is failing everything" Ashton piped up, everyone shooting him a glance as he spoke "she's not as squeaky clean as she makes out to be. Trust me she'll be easy to silence"
Ashton looked at me, those eyes I could get lost in. I knew I could trust everything he said. Maybe this would be over soon, and Ashton and I could go back to not having to worry and constantly keep looking over our shoulders. I loved him with all of my heart and I didn't know what I would do if I lost him.
After the discussion, everyone began to leave in drips and drabs. Only leaving Ashton, Calum, Hayley and I on the couch, they were asleep on one and other and Ashton had my cuddled in close to his chest. The soft glow of the T.V illuminated the room as Ashton's fingers danced circles over my arm "babe?" He asks kissing my head
"Yeah?" I hum back, exhausted.
"I love you"
"I love you more" I giggle quietly, sleep evident in my voice as he presses his lips to mine
"Forever and always " He mumbles against my lips. As I snuggle my body into his, and in that moment everything seemed to disappear.