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[Charlie's POV]

Last night was the longest night I've had in weeks. I slept for maybe three hours before I just laid there wide awake staring at the ceiling. Sure it wasn't a headlining tour or anything, but it would be the first time I would be leaving the safety of my LA apartment to travel the country. It also might have been the fact that I would be seeing Ashton for the first time in almost three months and by the way we left our last conversation, I knew things were going to be different.

My alarm went off around 7am but I was already up and making a fresh pot of coffee. When I finally got to my phone and shut off the alarm I saw I had two texts from Ashton. My heart fluttered and I couldn't seem to wipe the smile off my face as I read his texts.

'Been up since 5. Can't sleep.'

'Probably because I get to see you tonight :)'

Yup, things were definitely going to be different. I really hoped that having him come to this show would bring him some relief from everything else going on in his life at least for an hour or two. By 9 o'clock I was showered and dressed in a pair of sweat pants and a tank top, knowing that I would be going straight into hair and makeup when I got to the venue.

After opening for Ariana Grande a month or so ago I was asked if I would like to tour with her and Rixton for the US leg of her honeymoon tour. Of course, I had said yes. I have always loved both artists' music, so now being about to open for them felt like a dream.

The venue was in an uproar as crew and stagehands hustled around me like busy worker bees. My eyes were glued to the ceiling as I stared at the massive arena I would be performing in, in just a few hours. Within minutes of stepping into the arena I was pulled backstage by my manager, Kristen, who was yapping about something that didn't really matter. Every couple of minutes I would check my phone to see if I had gotten any new texts from Ashton. I just had to remind myself that he was probably driving and would text me when he had the chance.

Doors to the venue opened at six and as I checked my phone once again, I saw that it was already half past. My leg bounced up and down nervously the closer it got to show time. I was on at 7:30 and was now just getting my hair and makeup done. To say we were a bit behind would be an understatement. As the minutes ticked by I wondered why Ashton and Michael hadn't gotten here yet.

I practically jumped from my seat when my manager walked back into the room with two familiar boys following after her. Unfortunately, I was forced back into the chair so my stylist could finish what she was doing to my hair.

"I know you two are friends, but please try to stay out of the way." My manager spoke harshly only because she was already stressed.

I fidgeted anxiously in my seat as I stared back at Ashton through the mirror in front of me. His eyes were on me as well, Michael mumbling something quietly in his ear. A smile tugged at his lips the longer Michael spoke eventually a full-blown laugh erupted from inside him. I smiled happily at the noise as I bounced in my chair.

"Sit still." My stylist, Jennifer, had an amused but knowing look on her face. She knew all too well who Ashton was, seeing as I could never shut up about how great I thought he was.

"Yeah, Charlie," Michael joked, "I know you're excited to see me but you hair isn't done yet."

Ashton let out a tiny giggle before glancing up at me shyly. Even though Ashton and I have spent little time in each other's presence, we still talked on a daily basis. We know things about each other that others didn't and that was important to me. I knew before I left Arizona I had said we would just be friends, but seeing him now after all this time made that idea seem virtually impossible. I wanted him to be mine.

Just as the last bit of product was put in my hair I was up and out of my seat. I b-lined it straight toward Ashton. Within seconds I was scooped up in a tight embrace, Ashton's arms lifting me up so I was balancing on my tip-toes and I just leaned into him further. As the seconds past by, I still had no intensions of letting go until someone cleared their throat loudly.

I huffed and turned toward Kristen, "We need to get you dressed now."

"Right." Ashton's hands detached from my hips and I quickly gave Michael a hug before I was led over to the rack of clothes that had been preselected for me.

"Boys, can you please step out for a moment while she changes."

I was about to protest not really caring, when Ashton quickly nodded his head and pushed Michael toward the door, "That's no problem at all."

I involuntarily smiled at the sound of his voice forgetting how great it sounded in person. As the door shut behind him I quickly shot my manager a look, "You don't have to be so rude to them."

"I said please." She had an amused smirk on her face as she handed me my outfit for the night.

"You need to give me five minutes alone with him." I spoke as I took off my sweats.

"We don't have five minutes." She instantly disregarded me.

I stopped what I was doing and just stared at her, "Please."

Her hard stare faltered the longer I looked up at her with desperate eyes. She checked the time on her phone before she sighed heavily, "Fine. But don't just stand there anymore!"

I hastily pulled the high-waisted booty shorts up over my hips before I put the black lacey crop-top on over my black bra. It took only a few more finishing touches before I was ready for the show.

"Let him in," I spoke eagerly.

Ashton and Michael stood from their sitting positions against the opposite wall as the door opened. Michael made no move to follow Ashton as he stepped into the room and my manager stepped out.

There was a good couple of feet between us as we just stood there staring at each other. Now that I had him all to myself I seemed to be at a loss for words.

"You look pretty," He spoke quietly.

I scoffed as I stared down at my skimpy attire, "I look like a slut."

"Hey." His hand grabbed mine and I looked up to see how much closer he had gotten in that split second, "You look gorgeous in everything."

"Ash-" My words caught in my throat as he stared down at me fondly. I could feel the heat already rising on my cheeks as I tried to slow my racing heart.

He smiled and leaned toward me slightly "Wasn't there something you were supposed to say to me when you saw me next?"

Ashton playfully tapped his chin in fake thought but I just stared up at him dumbly. It was so strange seeing him acting like normal when I knew he was probably crying on the inside because of his grandmother's worsening health. Those sad thoughts were wiped from my brain as he squeezed my hand lightly.

I sighed, happily giving in to him, "I like you so much, Ashton."

His lips met mine instantly as he wrapped his arms securely around my waist and pulled me into his chest. Ashton sighed into the kiss as I ran my fingers through his hair. Our lips parted just as a knock was heard on the door. We stepped away from each other quickly as Kristen wasted no time barging into the room.

"Wipe that goofy grin off your face. You're needed at the stage." She rolled her eyes in my direction.

Without warning I was pulled completely from Ashton's grasp and toward the exit. Michael stepped around us and quickly gave me a wink and a thumbs up.

"Don't go anywhere, Ash." I spoke loudly almost out the door.

"Wouldn't dream of it!" He called after me as I snuck one last look at him.

[Ashton's POV]

No one could wipe the smile off my face. After years of thinking I never had a chance with this girl she finally took notice of me. I'm glad that we didn't really know each other in high school because it made getting to know her now so much better. Even with my grandmother still in the hospital I felt like nothing could tear me down in this moment.

Michael teased me the whole rest of the night, but I didn't care because I knew he was happy for me. Getting here had been tough, honestly I didn't think I was actually going to make it if Michael hadn't drag me from the hospital this morning. But by the time we got here I knew it had been the right decision. Not seeing Charlie before she left for her tour would have been a mistake. I wouldn't have been able to last that long without seeing her.

The rest of the night flew by in a blur. After her set we watched Rixton play, but it was more like her watching and me watching her. Michael played the third wheel with no shame, trying his hardest to get Charlie's manager to go on a date with him. My hands were on Charlie at all times, thinking that if I let her go for even a second she might change her mind about the way she felt about me. But by the way she would turn toward me and give me her full attention whenever I spoke I knew she wasn't regretting her choice in liking me.

As much as I tried to pay attention to the conversations around me, there was only one thing running through my mind. I finally got the girl.

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A/N: Yaay!! Good stuff, good stuff. This chapter was cute, which I think was needed cause these last few chapters are going to get a little drama filled. I think there might be like five or six chapters left, maybe. I don't know, we'll see.

Hope you liked it! Vote? Comment? Love.