Camping Trip

Rachel's P.O.V.

I took Ashton's hand quickly and let him lead me away towards the water, eager to get away from the tension that had set over the group at Sasha's outburst. Though I was very surprised at her I was insanely impressed. Sasha didn't shout so that was pretty crazy.

Once we were far enough away that no one could hear us Ashton plopped down and I followed suit sitting beside him. I wrapped my arms around my knees as I was suddenly a little nervous, unsure of what to say for once. Ashton made to out an arm around me but seemed to think better of it then and didnt.

"So I em- about what happened back there.. " he began after clearing his throat.

He was obviously nervous and I felt a pang of guilt at that. I didnt want to make him nervous. Honestly I was just shocked by the whole situation. When Ashton had admitted that he liked a girl here back in the circle I had freaked out just a tad. Him liking a stranger was one thing but him liking one of my close friends was another.

Then I had been dared to kiss him and I just didnt know what to do. It was weird really, my head was screaming not to but ever inch of me wanted to crash my lips against his and the thought scared me.

There was no way I could like Ashton. Not that Ashton wasnt great because he was. It really wasnt hard to fall for him. He was funny and goofy, he was so good on the drums it was unnatural and honestly he was gorgeous. But he was one of my best friends and I certainly wasnt his type.

I wasnt tall and slim with long shiny hair. And I couldnt play any instrument or even sing very well. Nor was I a fantastic chef. Heck I couldnt make ice.. And it was then that I realised that the only reason I hadn't admitted to myself that I had feelings for Ashton was because I knew that I wouldn't stand a chance. I wasn't the kind of girl he wanted.

"Rachel?" I was drawn out of my thoughts by Ashtons worried tone.

"Yeah, sorry I was just thinking. Ash, back there when Sash said that it was me you liked...?" I trailed off, hopibg for him to clarify.

He took a deep breath before nodding.

"She wasn't wrong Rach.. I'm so sorry, you probably feel so uncomfortable right now. I mean fuck, we've been sharing a tent and ive been feeling like this and I know I should've just told you but I couldnt. I was just so scared that it would ruin things between us and I just couldn't let that happen. You honestly have no idea how much you mean to me Rachel. And i know that now you probably feel so awkward and maybe you dont even wanna be my friend anymore-"

"Ashton-" I cut in, about to tell him he was delusional for thinking that I'd just abandon him but he interrupted me.

"Rach can I please just say this cause if I dont now I might never be able to" he looked away from me, glancing out to the water.

I nodded however, not trusting my voice at the moment. When he met my eys again his gaze was so intense that I was literally frozen to the spot.

"Rachel, I love you. I'm pretty sure I always have - since that first time we met when we were kids and you were the only girl who'd let me cut your hair. I love the way you get so engrossed in a book that the characters are real to you. I love the way you twist your hair around your fingers when your nervous - like your doing now. I love the way thay you mutter in french everytime you get angry or upset. I love the way you can tell different brands of tea just by smelling it. I love how you're never afraid to be yourself no matter what. I love how you cry at pretty much every Disney movie, simply because your overwhelmed by how much you love it and I just love all the little things you do that make you the interfering, stubborn, crazy person I fell in love with. I love you Rachel and I understand if I've just made a total fool of myself but I just needed you to know. I needed you to know how I feel" he finished softly.

At this point his gaze had dropped to his hands and mine was firmly focused on him though my vision was slightly blurry as my eyes had now filled with tears. No one had ever said anything like that to me before. Honestly no guy had ever told me he loved me before and I was so shocked that I wasnt sure how to respond.

"Ash.." My voice came out as barely more than a whisper.

"Its okay, i know what your gonna say. Your flattered but you think we'd be better as friends.. Its fine, seriously. Don't worry about it. Its probably-" he began rambling but i interrupted.

"Ash, you're an idiot. I love you too. Of course I do.. Even though you cut my hair so badly that i had to have it cut up to my chin. I love you. I love how much you care about everyone and everything. I love how you just lose yourself everytime you play your drums. I love the way I can come to you with anything, anytime and you're there for me. You always have been Ash and I dont know how the hell i didnt realise it before but I love-"

It happened then. So quickly that I wasnt fully sure if it had actually happened. He had leaned in and swiftly pressed his lips to mine so softly that it couldnt really have even counted as a kiss.

"You" I finished my sentence softly, meeting his eye.

Before he had a chance to say anything else, I closed the distance between us once again, letting my lips meet his. He was momentarily shocked but his lips soon began to move against mine. His tongue flicked across my bottom lip but I kept my mouth closed, deciding to tease him. However when he bit down on my lip softly I gasped, giving him the oppurtunity to slip his tongue into my mouth.

I was almost certain everyone was in bed at this point but even if they werent I wouldnt have cared. The only person that mattered to me right then was Ashton.

He pulled me closer to him as we got more engrossed in the kiss until i was practically sittin on him, one leg on either side of his hips.

His hands ran through my hair, pulling it lightly before sliding down my body to my hips. Once there, he began tugging at the hem of my shirt, pulling it upwards to reveal my skin. I gasped slightly as his hand came in contact with my bare stomach and I broke the kiss.

I raised my eyebrows and he instantly flushed red.

"Shit Rach, sorry. I just got a bit carried away" he mumbled.

I giggled at him, nodding.

"We should probably go to bed anyways Ash.. This has been quite the evening" I told him.

He still looked worried that he had overstepped the boundaries before so I pressed another quick kiss to his lips

"Relax Ashton. Just at least buy me dinner first, yeah?" I joked an he noticably relaxed.

"Dinner? Is this your sly way of asking me out on a date?" He teased back.

I rolled my eyes, poking his stomach.

He just chuckled and kissed my lips once again.

"You have no idea how long ive wanted to do this" hd mumbled as his hand reached the crook of my neck as the other rested on the small of my back.

I melted into the kiss immediately. Maybe a few more minutes outside wouldn't kill us...

Notes