-Chapter 15-

      "Thanks for today, by the way," Luke thanked Ashton for driving Ana earlier today.

      He was sitting next to Luke on the couch, flipping through the channels on the television.

      "Yup," he said popping the 'p' and leaving the conversation bare.

      He put another piece of popcorn between his lips and chewed with his mouth open, irritating Luke to the fullest extent.

       "You okay mate?" Luke grimaced at him, concerned with his friend's attitude.

       Ashton frowned while nodding his head  'yes', which just confirmed Luke's question even further.

       "How come when I lie it's wrong, but when you lie it's allowed?"

       The blonde boy pursed his lips and crossed his arms, giving a motherly look.

       Ashton sighed, "I just don't like the way you and Calum are fighting," he confessed while  placing the bowl of popcorn on the coffee table.

      "Me and Calum always fight," Luke retorted.

       It was irrational to think that was his reasoning for being rude. Calum and Luke argue over the last bit of Vegemite, FIFA, remote, the two fighting was definitely not anything new.

      "Do you realize how terribly this fight has affected everyone?" He scoffed accusingly, "Calum and Michael aren't speaking as of today, and I'm helping you sneak around and get in his girlfriend's pants!", he yelled.

      Unfortunately, Luke had not considered all those situations. Although, Michael and Calum arguing isn't exactly Luke's fault, he understood Ashton's concern for their fellow band mates.

      He scanned the floor for answers, "I had no idea Ash," Luke admitted, "I'm sorry man."

      Ashton nodded, getting up from the sofa and exiting the room, "Goodnight Luke," he added before disappearing into his room.

      Luke slouched on the cushion, taking in his friend's words. No girl was worth eradicating  your friendship or business partners. He desperately needed to fix his mistakes and make thing right. It would be impossible to live with himself if he was the reason his friends were separating. Patiently, Luke waited for Calum to arrive home. Three hours passed before he stepped through the front door. Luke immediately stood at his attention, shoving his hands awkwardly in his pockets.

      "Hey," Luke greeted him uncomfortably, unsure how to correctly arrange the words.

      "Uh, hi."

       The startled boy dropped his keys on the counter and walked instinctively to the fridge. While every human being has a capacity for love, it's realization is one of the most difficult achievements. It was now or never. Luke would sacrifice his feelings for the band.

      "You win."

      He pressed his lips together firmly letting his lip ring almost disappear. Calum eyed him from across the island counter top.

      "Serious?" He questioned.

      Luke nodded.

      "Yeah, I mean it, make Ana happy."

       "You're giving up?" His voice held disbelief, "Why? Because of earlier?"

       The relative term, 'Bros before Hoes' applied here, and Luke wanted it to be enforced.

      "I'm tired of fighting with you mate," he lied.

      "It's only been a week."

      Calum was right, it had only been a week, but Ashton was right too. This did need to end.

      "Just nod your head, saying you understand," Luke ignored his pestering, "Night," He said, leaving Calum in the kitchen.

      Pressing his back against the closed door, he mumbled swears to himself. This was for the best. Luke repeated the phrase to himself, attempting to ease his heart rate. It was for the best. However, Isabelle told him to win Ana's heart. Anastasia. A beautiful name for a beautiful girl. Her big almond shaped blue eyes made the ocean seem dark. Her long honey hair draped over her back wonderfully, like a silk blanket. Luke groaned at the memories. He forced his mind to think of something else. Anything. Then it came to him—the tour.

      It started In a few days and he almost forgot. The boys were touring with One Direction. They already started the tour, they were in England. 5sos were supposed to meet them in the states, then continue the tour to Australia.

-.-

      Anastasia glided along the freshly trimmed grass and newly bloomed flowers with a glow of light from within. She was light on her feet as Molly guided her through the park. They hummed along the sidewalks, eventually straying from their path into a meadow surrounded by Bachelor Buttons and Magnolias. The gravitating scents lifted Ana's thoughts away, all she held close was her beloved companion and a quick heart beat.

      Luke was on her mind; his smile made her fly. It didn't bother her when Calum came, he is her boyfriend after all. However, the giddy feeling she got around Luke was incomprehensible. She tried to make sense of it herself, but it was impossible. She didn't want to like him, she liked Cal, but Luke payed more attention, and listened better, and was much easier to talk to like a normal person. With Calum it was all sex appeal. That's what happened after Luke left. Calum and Ana had sex almost instantly, like she didn't have a say. She would have rather Luke stayed and they hung out more - he was a great friend.

     Molly barked at a nearby squirrel, causing Ana to almost scream.

     It's different, when you have someone but you feel better with someone else. With your partner there's trust (should be) and a motive to find yourself in a relationship; with a friend, you can be yourself, and feel overall, better. One shall not let the behavior of others destroy inner peace. There are very few chosen to allow you to laugh a bit louder, smile bigger, and live a bit better. After close thought, she realized if she treated Calum the way he treated her, he would hate her. Ana was waiting on something that wasn't going to happen.

      After finishing their long, thought filled walk, Molly resided to her balcony and Ana got ready for her afternoon Human Studies class. She had made a decision. She was not going to allow people to walk all over her. Not after her sister. She was done being invisible.