Ghost of You

40

Hi guys! I think this is the second to last chapter and then there will be an epilogue. Thanks for sticking with me :)

-Luke-

The crowd erupted in a cacophony of screaming and applause, but I couldn't hear a thing. All I could focus on were the bright green eyes of the love of my life. Her small hands rested softly on my chest, her body close enough so I could feel her heart beating in time with mine.

My trance was broken only by Ashton yelling "Thank you all for coming out tonight!" into the mic.

"C'mon," I smiled, taking Kennedy's hand in mine and leading her up to the front of the stage to stand with the rest of the boys and me. We took our bows and I couldn't help but notice how cute she looked as she tried to hide her beaming smile. She eventually gave up and just let her happiness shine through. As I looked out at the sea of people I couldn't help but think of how this moment was like the payoff for all that we had suffered through. The genuine joy that lit up Kennedy's face made it all worth it. All the pain and grief that we had faced together seemed like a drop in the ocean, because we were together.

We ran off the stage hands still clasped together. Behind the curtains I picked up Kennedy by her waist and spun her around. She laughed in pure delight.

"So what did you think?" I asked coyly as I put her down.

She gripped my arms. "Lucas Robert Hemmings," Her eyes were wide and her voice serious, "That was the sweetest thing anyone has every done for me. How am I supposed to top that?"

I just smiled and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "You already have."

"You're too much for me." She groaned wrapping her arms around my waist.

"Alright, we get it you're in love!" Calum shouted from the dressing room.

"Shut up Calum you're just jealous!" I yelled back playfully.

"Oof that one hurt, man." He replied stepping out of the dressing room so we could see him clutching his chest dramatically. "It's ok I have Ash."

We all laughed and Cal came out to talk to us. "You two better hurry up, we're having a meeting with management after this."

"The two of us?" Kennedy piped up.

"Yeah, I just forgot to mention it." I rambled trying to not sound overly suspicious.

Kennedy eyed me in confusion, but didn't question it. I was grateful that she didn't ask anything else. If she had I probably would've ruined the surprise.

The boys and I had sat down for a serious conversation about the future regarding the band and our musical direction. We could have never imagined, as teens making YouTube videos in our homes back in Australia, that our dreams would become a reality. Now music had become the air we breathe, and because of that our personal lives became entangled with our careers.

Part of the reason why I had spiraled so badly when the band became relevant was that I couldn't maintain a stable relationship with anyone. Sure I had Ash, Calum, and Michael, but it was hard to open up to them about how overwhelmed I was when they were going through the same thing. I felt like if I told them I'd seem like I was complaining when I should be grateful for all our success.

The next thing I knew we were on tour and I felt more lost than ever. A different city every night was exciting when we were younger, but as I grew I felt like I didn't really have a place in the world. All that anxiety about not knowing who I was kept building and the way I was able to tame it was by ignoring it completely. I went to parties to get lost under the neon lights and meet people I'd never see again.