Life Has Its Up And Downs

Chapter 1

Age four

I walked into the brightly coloured classroom, still holding my mommy's hand tightly. Why did I have to start school? I was happy to play with other boys and girls, but my mommy wasn't going to be there. What if I fell and got a booboo? Who would kiss it better?

The room had pictures of animals plastered on the bright orange and red walls and had toys and books scattered all around the room. The bright walls mended in well with the different colour carpets. It was like a big, colouful, learning playground! I had completely forgot about all my worries once I saw all the other kids! I've never been around so many kids in my entire life!

"Hello Ashley, I'm your teacher, Mrs. Kingston" A pretty lady smiled as she walked up to me.

Her blonde hair was very curly, just above her shoulders and she had bright blue eyes. She towered over me just like mommy did. She was wearing a bright, baby blue blouse and a black pencil skirt.

She was very pretty. Almost as pretty as my mommy, but no one can top MY mommy.

"I have to go now" Mommy said to me with a sad smile.

I nodded sadly and gave her a hug. I wish that she could go to school with me...

"Have a great day at school baby. I love you" She smiled before walking out the door.

"Hi" I mumbled shyly to Mrs. Kingston.

I kept my eyes at the ground. I was always the shy type.

"You have a very lovely dress" She smiled causing me to look up for a second.

"Thank you" I blushed, looking at the bright red carpet.

I was wearing my favourite pink summer dress with purple butterflies on it with my basic black flats that had a black bow on them. Quite the show stopper if I do say so myself. My wavy blonde hair was tied up into a ballerina bun with whisps of hair framing my face, the way I liked it.

I looked back up at my teacher who was still smiling sweetly at me.

"We're starting the day off with free time. Go join the other kids on the purple carpet" She grinned. I nodded and walked over to the crowded area full of other kids my age.

I tripped over something and fell right on my face.

Someone helped me up and I stumbled in front of little boy playing by himself.

"Hi" A little boy with brown hair said looking up from his dinosaur toy.

He was just a little taller than me but I didn't mind. He seemed nice, and thats all that matters to me.

My mommy always said that you should love someone no matter what size, shape, or colour they are. If they love you, and you love them, its meant to be.

My daddy said that love is a big word, and that I should only say it when I know its real.

"Hi" I smiled brightly at him.

"I'm Liam, what's your name?" He asked.

"Ashley" I replied simply, shrugging my shoulders slightly.

"Um, want to play with the blocks with me?" He asked, genuinely wanted me to play with him, out of all the other little boys and girls. 

He picked me.

Does that mean I'm special? I laughed in my thoughts, a smile seeping through my lips.

"Okay" I giggled before dropping to my knees and picking up a large dinosaur toy and battling Liam's block castles.

~*~

"Mommy! Mommy! I made a friend today!" I told her when I came home that day.

"Whats her name?" Mommy smiled at me from the plate she was washing.

"His name is Liam!" I chirped.

"That's a nice name" She smiled to herself.

"He loves Toy Story, hot chocolate and only has one kidney! Whatever that is" I told her with excitement pouring out with every single word.

"Well we'll have to have your new friend over quite soon" She laughed

"Yes please!"

Age Twelve

"Have you ever kissed anyone?" Liam asked me as we sat on the backyard porch together, very closely.

I shook my head "No"

"Neither have I" He shrugged.

"I thought you kissed that girl Mikyla?" I said gazing at him.

I hated to admit it but I was extremely jealous that he had his first kiss and I haven't... Especially with that girl. Ugh. She just so wasn't right for him. I mean, she's just so.. Ugh.

"She told everybody that to look cool" He rolled his eyes, looking down to the ground.

"Oh" I said looking down with him.

I felt my chin being lifted and my eyes connected with Liam's.

He leaned slowly and so did I.

Something was just pulling us towards each other. It felt so right.

That day I had my first kiss with Liam Payne,

And it was magical.

Age Thirteen

"Spoons?" I asked raising my eyebrow

"Yes" He blushed

"Well everyone is scared of something" I smiled, trying to make him feel better about his strange phobia.

"What are you scared of?" He smirked, changing the subject.

"You!" I laughed while sticking my tongue out at him.

"Then come here! GRRRRRRRR" He shouted and growled as he lunged at me

I dodged and ran from my boyfriend.

"You'll never catch me Payne!" I exclaimed, smiling at his adorable face as he sprinted up to me. I turned and continued running until I reached the local park.

I looked behind me and saw he was catching up quickly.

Darn.

He was always a fast runner.

I felt Liam pick me up and swing me over his shoulder.

He rolled me onto the grass in the park.

He laid beside me in the grass and stared into my eyes.

I never told him this, but they just make me melt.

"There's something I have to tell you Ashley,"

"What?"

"I think I love you" He blushed

My breath hitched and my heart bested faster

"Ashley?" He said as he waved a hand in front of my face

"I think I love you too" I blushed

"Would you.. Be my..-"

I cut him off with a kiss

"Yes" I smiled

Age Fourteen

I sat in the crowd anxiously as the talent show continued. All the talking was so loud, I could barely hear myself think.

"Next up is Liam Payne" The girl my age who was hosting said, silencing the crowd.

Liam didn't tell me what he was doing but he said it was for me..

He stepped out shyly, pushing his hair to the side since it had fallen into his face.

"I'm singing this song for the most beautiful girl to ever walk this Earth" He said into the microphone, causing murmurs to bust out among all the students.

He smiled before singing his own cover version of "Here Comes The Sun" by The Beatles.

He made it slow and romantic. He earned a lot of "awwwwwws" from the girls around me.

I sat there, speechless and dazed by his amazingly talented voice.

I couldn't believe he was mine. He truly is my perfect prince charming.

"I love you" He whispered into the mic before hopping off stage with reddened cheeks.

Age Sixteen

I stood, looking over the crystal clear lake while he intertwined his fingers with mine, making my body tingle with warmth.

"I love you" He murmured into my ear, making me blush.

"I love you too" I smiled back.

"The lake is beautiful this time of year." He said as he swung our hands back and forth.

"I know. It's perfect" I said looking up at him.

"Just *kiss* Like *kiss* You *kiss*" He laughed as he kissed me.

"Don't make me blush Payne" I giggled.

"Oh but you are so cute when you do" He laughed in my ear.

"You're always cute" I said as I kissed his lips softly.

"EW PDA" My annoying brother, Todd, shouted from his spot in the sand.

I rolled my eyes and then an idea popped into my mind.

I put some water into my hands and started running towards him, Liam following my lead.

"You better not get this SnapBack wet! I'll push you in the lake!" He threatened.

"It's okay! I could use a swim" I laughed as I threw the water on him at the same time as Liam.

I hopped onto Liam's back and he carried me as he ran. "Hide under the dock!" I whisper yelled in his ear.

"Gotcha" He smiled before running out of sight from my brother.

"Now that we're alone" I whispered as I put my arms around his neck.

He smirked before giving me a long sweet kiss, like he always does.

I loved kissing Liam.

It was warm and gentle yet exciting, it made my heart pound at an incredible speed.

I pulled away to look into his deep brown eyes that just make me melt every single time.

My life is perfect. I cannot ask for anything more.

I have an amazing family, fabulous friends, and a perfect boyfriend.

I was gazing into those big, warm brown eyes as he gazed into mine when...

"Got you guys!" Todd yelled as a bucket of water drenched me and Liam.

"Way to ruin the moment mate" Liam rolled his eyes.

Age Seventeen

Liam and I decided to go to the place we first met when we were four. It was a few hours before the school would be starting, so we had to be quick. We don't want to disrupt the children's learning.

Liam held my hand as we walked to the small local school.

He dressed in a regular white t shirt and grey jeans with some running shoes where as I was wearing a floral summer dress with a light jean jacket and a pair of black flats.

"I love this place" Liam kissed my forehead.

"I love you" I kissed his cheek.

"I love you more" He planted a sweet kiss on my lips and I blushed.

We walked all the way to the old classroom where Liam and I met. It was still the same.

And there in the corner was Mrs. Kingston, who was still beautiful. She didn't look too different, she has a few lines on her face, but a far from that, she looked pretty much the same as she did years ago.

"Oh Liam and Ashley!" She came over to hug us.

"Hi Mrs. Kingston" We said in unison.

"Oh, I always knew you two would be together" She smiled at us.

Liam and I looked at each other and then back at her "You did?" We asked.

"Yes! Oh, I could tell. You guys spent every moment together! You guys were so close and always were there for each other, ugh, it was just destiny" She gushed as she held her hands over her chest.

"I am so proud of you both. You grew up to be fine young people, I know you will do very well in life, together" She said all teary eyed. 

"Thank you" I smiled as I hugged her, followed by Liam who hugged her as well.

"Well, I hate to be rude, but the children wil be here any moment now.." She trailed off.

She didn't want us to leave, but we kind of had to...

Suddenly, a little girl ran into the room.

"It's Liam! it's Liam!!!!" She shouted as she hugged Liam's legs.

Liam smiled at the little girl, "Yes, it is me" 

"Can I have a hug?" She begged.

"Of course" He said before hugging her.

After Liam finished hugging the little girl, we left in a hurry. We didn't want any little girls and boys creating a mob over 1/5 of One Direction.

We went home and spent the day eating ice cream and watching cartoons.

Age Eighteen

I watched the gossip channel and cried while my heart ached with every bit of power in me. I was sure that my teal eyes were bloodshot and red.

I grabbed another tissue and blew my nose hard as the tears slid down like a waterfall. I couldn't stop them.

The pain in my chest grew, making it impossible to breath without gasping for air.

I choked and my breath hitched, making the sounds stop and leaving me in the quiet room with nothing but the TV playing.

I sat in silence until the gossip news reporter spoke.

"Liam Payne kissing Danielle Peazer after a steamy dinner date, this thing is, he's still dating Ashley...... Right?"