Through The Dark

Ashton's POV

The bright California sun light streamed in through the windows and hit me right in the eyes.

I groaned and rubbed my eyes. Turning over, I bumped into someone.

"Oops! Sorry." I whispered.

Sophia rubbed her head where my elbow hit her.
"It's okay." She mumbled, half-asleep.

I chuckled, looking around the room.

Michael was sprawled on the couch,
Luce was curled up on the floor, her arms tucked in her shirt.
Eric lay on his stomach, completely knocked out.

"Dang. We must have fallen asleep ." Sophia grinned.

Her hair was curly and tousled. She saw me look at her hair and she covered her head with a pillow.

"Stop looking at my bed head!" She hissed.

"Never!" I said, tackling her and beginning to tickle her.
As soon as she let her guard down, I pried the pillow from her hands and ran my fingers through her hair.

"I think I found a nest." I teased.

She slapped my arm.

I cursed. That girl had a string hit.

"Oh. Sorry." She said, rubbing the site spit.

I stood up, brushing her hand off before chuckling.
"It's alright." I smiled and helped her up.

I sat on the couch and scrolled through the social media.

Sophia had woken Luce up, and the two went to the kitchen to begin making breakfast.

Michael slowly opened his eyes, then shut them as the sun light hit his eyes.
"God that sun is bright." He muttered.

"You get used to it. By the way guys, your security guard out your bags by the door. Luce and I can take the rest." Eric said, walking to the kitchen.

Sophia walked out of the kitchen.
"Your guys' rooms are upstairs. Shampoo is in the cabinet."

"Thanks." I said.

She picked up her bags and headed off to her room.

•••
Half Hour Later.

I went down the stairs, two at a time. Michael followed me.
We were pretty hungry.

Sophia entered the dining area at the same time we did.

"Re-good morning." She said laughing.

"Soph. We've talked about this. You're jokes aren't funny."
Luce said with a serious tone, placing a hand on her shoulder. She lost her expression and bust out laughing.
"But seriously."

We were seated around the table, fresh orange juice in tall pitchers, hot waffles on plates, fruit cut up in bowls, and scrambled eggs.

"Oh goodie. I'm starving." Michael said, sitting down and beginning to serve food.

Sophia sat at the head of the table, Luce and I beside her, Michael and Eric beside us.

"We should go to the beach." Sophia said.

"Yeah. Weather is perfect, waves are nice." Eric said.
"You guys surf? Or swim?"

"Yeah. We live in Australia." I teased.

He laughed. "Oh yeah..."

"So how is Sydney?" Luce piped up.

She realized she revealed she knew where we were from.
She blushed. "I mean Melbourne? Right?" She stammered.

Sophia patted her arm.
"Honey, we know you know everything there is to know about 5sos. You can cut the act."

Luce blushed.
"Was it that noticeable?"

Mikey laughed.
"Yeah. But it was adorable."

"So. Back to the beach." Eric said, grinning.

"I'm up. You two?" Sophia said, beginning to clear the table.
She excited the room and into the kitchen.

"I'm game." I said, standing up and getting the glasses.

"Oh! Thanks for the help." She smiled. She was halfway up to her elbows in soap, washing the dishes.

I grabbed a towel and began to dry the finished dishes.

"So. How are you guys friends?" I asked.

"Luce and I were roommates at the school we went to. Middle school through high school. Eric came to our school freshman year." She explained.

"Boarding school?" I asked.

She nodded.
"Our parents, um were wealthy."

"Oh. You never seemed like a rich girl, no offense." I said, setting a glass down.

"Really? That's what I was hoping for. My dad would always offer for him to grant some producer money in return for a record deal. I left after senior year. If I was going to make it in the big world of music, I needed to earn it. Not have it bought."
Sophia explained.

"That's great. And look how far you've gotten. " I said.

"Yeah. Eric and Luce bought this place. They both go to university. Keeps them busy." She said.

She dried her hands. Luce skipped into the kitchen.

"Beach time! Chop chop! We need a good spot." She said.

Everyone changed into swim wear, and our security guard, who was staying in a spare room as well, drove us off to the beach.

The waves sparkled a brilliant blue. A rainbow of umbrellas spanned over the sand, a carpet of towels everywhere.

We our sunglasses on.

"Marvelous!" I exclaimed.

"Wait till you get to the water." Sophia winked.

We set up our umbrellas, laid out our towels and lathered up some sun lotion.

"Ready?" Michael asked, turning to me.
"You know it!" I yelled. Eric nodded.

Eric grabbed Sophia's left arm and leg, I grabbed her right limbs, as well as Luce's left limbs, and Mikey held her right.

We ran to the shore, ignoring the girls' shrieks and yelps.
The waves washed over everyone.

Sophia popped up from under the surface, smoothing her wet hair back. She spit water at me. "Meanie."

"You know it was fun." I replied, sending a wave at her.

"Not as fun as this!" She yelled.

Together with Luce, they pushed me down under the water, and Luce pulled me up.

Sophia and Luce had climbed onto my back.

"Go sea-horse!" They cheered.



TBC

Notes