Pretty Girls Lie

That same day, at 11am Ashton and Luke were sitting in the living room on their phones. Hope was upstairs, pacing up and down in her room, debating whether she should go downstairs. After a few minutes she made her decision. She went downstairs. She was wearing an oversized dress shirt, just like the one she wore a few hours before, only this one was in army green and had more buttones done. On her long legs she had knee lenght, nude, lace up heels.

- Good morning. - Ashton said cheerfully after noticing Hope.

- 'Morning. - Luke said as well to which she replied the same way.

- Where are Michael and Calum? - Hope asked as casually as possible, trying not to be too obvious, but she didn't seem to fool Luke.

- Mikey is sleeping and Calum is... - Calum came into the living room, stopping on the opposite side of the room from Hope. - Here.

- Good morning. - Calum said quietly.

- 'Morning. - She replied.

Ashton didn't seem to think anything of their looks towards each other.

- Did you know your sister can sing like hell? - Luke broke the awkward silence that overtook the room.

Hope and Calum were still standing, Hope trying to avoid his gaze.

- And play guitar. - Luke added.

- Seriously? - Ashon asked looking at Hope.

- How do you know? - Hope looked at Luke alarmingly.

- I heard you and Calum last night. - Luke said matter of factly.

- You and Calum? - Ashon asked this time looking at both of them, with a grin on his face.

Calum was looking down while Hope's eyes were still focused on Luke, seemingly trying to tell him to stop talking, but he didn't.

- Yeah, I have a video. - Luke said causing both Calum and Ashton to look at him.

After a few moments Calum and Hope were standing behind the couch while Luke showed the three of them the video.

- Why did you film this? - Calum finally spoke.

- You looked cute and you sounded good together. - Luke told him.

- Holy shit. - Ashton said after Hope started singing in the video.

Calum and Hope looked and each other but quickly turned back to the video.

- What are you looking at? - Michael woke up.

- Hope and Calum singing. - Ashton said, not looking up.

Michael joined Hope and Calum behing the couch.

They continued watching the video in silence, the boys blown away by Hope's talent.

After the video ended all eyes were turned to Hope, but Calum's were the ones making her the most uncomfortable.

- Why didn't you say you can sing and play guitar? - Ashton asked her.

- Because I'm not that good to brag about it. - Hope said, still not realising what all the fuss is about.

- Seriously? Luke asked. - You're better at acoustic than Calum.

- He's right. - Calum said quietly and half smiled after Hope looked at him, but she didn't keep her eyes on him for long.

- If Luke posts this you could get pretty famous, kiddo. - Michael told her.

- Have you ever thought about singing professionally? - Ashton asked her.

- Or in a band... The guys are still looking for a lead singer. - Luke said, looking at the boys for the second part.

- I don't know, I...I've never thought about it. - Hope was confused. - Come on, I'm not that good.

- You really have to stop being so modest. - Michael said. - You're unbelievably incredible.

- How did you learn how to play? - Ashton asked curiously, changing the subject a little, but still keeping it on Hope.

- An old friend thought me a few years ago. - Hope said. - I haven't played it in a long time, until...

She looked at Calum, who was already looking at her and wasn't even trying to hide it.

-Do you want me to post the video? - Hope and Calum looked at Luke who asked the question. - Both of you.

Calum didn't say anything, he just looked at Hope, expecting her to decide, she looked at him briefly than looked back at Luke.

- I really don't care... Do whatever you want. - She said.

- I won't post it unless you want me to. - Luke said.

- It's your career, your fandom and your video. Do whatever you want. - She said once again.

- Alright, I'll post it. - Luke said after a few seconds.

After a few more seconds he was done.

- It's up. - Luke said.

Not even a quarter of minute has passed when Luke's phone started vibrating like crazy.

None of them have moved from their positions while Luke was looking at the comments under the video he posted on both Twitter and Instagram.

- What's going on? - Ashton asked. - What do they say?

- Who is she? Is she the girl from the picture? She has an amazing voice. Are they making a song with her? Are the together? How long have they been together? What happened to Nia? Holy shit, they sound amazing together. I have my new otp. She's talented. I think I'm in love with her. - Luke read some of the comments. - So far no hate.

- Hope, there's a band we want to sign and they're looking for a lead singer, so if you want you could meet them and at least think about it. - Ashton told her.

- Seriously? - She was pleasantly surprised.

- Yeah, you'd go great with them. - He said. - But they are all guys.

Hope chuckled at the last part.

- So do you want to meet them? - Ashon asked.

- Um... I guess. - Hope said quietly.

- Great, I'll call them. - He said. - We could go for some drinks. You guys wanna come?

- I have a date with Arzaylea. - Luke said, expresionless.

- I have a date with my Xbox. - Michael said.

- How 'bout you? - Ashton asked Calum.

- I'm free... - Calum said. - Are you cool with that?

Calum once again looked at Hope.

- Yeah. - She said quietly.

- I'll go call them. - Ashton said and left the room.

Soon Michael and Luke left as well leaving Calum and Hope alone.

- Are you alright with all this? It is a little rushed. - Calum was the first one to speak.

- I don't really know what you all hear in my voice, but it won't hurt to meet them. - She replied. - And I got a feeling Ashton wouldn't stop talking about it until I said yes, so...

- That's true. - He said. - And come on, you really do have an amazing voice.

Calum's voice was low and seductive, sending chills down her entire body. She looked down and smiled at his compliment.

- Look, about la... - Calum began to speak, but Ashton came back and cut him off.

- They'll be at the cafe in fifteen minutes. - Ashton said and shortly after they left the apartment.

They were slowly making their way to the cafe, with Ashton constantly commenting on Hope's talent and Hope and Calum exchanging looks and then quickly turning away afterwards.

A male voice, not Calum's nor Ashton's, called out to Hope.

- Hope? - A young man was walking past them but stopped after noticing Hope.

All three of them stopped and looked at the guy. Tall, dirty blonde hair, cloudy grey eyes, or the color of cement to be percise, full lips and a perfect jawline with an ear piercing and a guitar case on his back.

- Jesse? - Hope looked at the guy in disbelief.

- Yeah, hey! - The guy, Jesse, said happily.

- Holy shit. - Hope said and hugged him tightly, he did the same. - I haven't seen you in so long, you look amazing!

- Thank you. - Jesse said after they broke apart the hug.

- So what's going on? Are you...

- Yeah, I'm cancer free. - Jesse finished Hope's sentance. - And have been for a year.

- Oh, that's great... I'm so happy for you. - Hope said and hugged him once again, genuinely meaning what she told him.

- Thank you... I missed you. - A smile was set on Jesse's face the entire time they were talking. - So, how's your mom?

Hope's smile slowly disapeared. - She's gone.

- I'm so sorry. - Jesse breathed out, worry and sadness replacing his smile, while reaching out to stroke her cheek. - How are you holding up?

- I'm alright... I mean, we knew it was coming. It was the fifth time it came back. - Hope's voice was quiter than usual.

- Still... - Sadness was in Jesse's eyes as well.

- Anyway. - Hope cleared all worry from her face and changed the subject. - Jesse, this is Ashton and Calum.

Jesse and Hope were now looking at the two of them, Jesse's hand no longer on Hope's cheek.

- I know who they are, I'm a fan. - Jesse said. - Look at you, hanging with the big shots.

- Hey, how you doin'? - Ashton and Jesse shook hands.

- Hey, nice to meet you. - Jesse politely said, trying to hide his excitment.

- What's up? - Calum offered his hand to Jesse, which he politely and enthusiastically shook.

After introducing themselves to one another Jesse spoke.

- So tell me, how did you end up hanging out with 5 Seconds of Summer? - Jesse asked Hope.

- Ashton is my brother. - Hope told him, leaving Jesse speachless.

After looking at Ashton for confirmation, Jesse looked back at Hope. - So, your mom told you about your dad after all?

- Yeah, a few days before she died she gave me my birth certificate and told me about my father. - Hope said. - But can we please not talk about that.

- Yeah, sure...sorry. - Jesse said.

- So, how you've been? - Hope changed the subject. - Are you still working on your music?

- I'm great, finally... - He said. - And yeah...I actually have a little gig tonight, you should stop by.

- Yeah, definitely. - She said. - Where is it?

After Jesse told her the address and exact time, Hope spoke again, this time to Ashton.

- Ashton, Jesse is the one that tought me how to play. - Hope told him.

- Seriously? - Ashton asked. - Well, you've done a good job.

- Thanks. - Jesse chuckled.

- Can you please tell her that she has an amazing voice? - Ashton spoke again. - She won't believe us.

- I told her a million times, but she never believed me either. I even asked her to perhaps start a band together or something, but she always said no... - Jesse said. - Wait, is that you on that video with Calum?

- You've seen it? - Hope asked.

- Yeah, everyone is going crazy over that video. - Jesse told them. - They all wanna know who has an amazing voice like that and who is it that...Calum's with.

Jesse and Ashton grinned at the last part, while Hope and Calum awkwardly looked at each other.

- Perfect. - Hope said under her breath, but Calum, who was standing next to her, heard her.

- So is something going on between you two? - Jesse asked them with a big smile on his face.

- We were just singing, that's it. - Hope said, while Calum once again stayed quiet.

- Aha... - Jesse didn't believe her, smiles were set on his and Ashton's faces.

- Anyway, we have to go, but I'll see you tonight. - Hope said and half smiled.

- Alright, I'll be expecting you. - Jesse said with a smile and gave Hope one last hug.

Jesse said bye to the guys as well and they parted ways.

- How long have you two know each other? - Ashton made small talk on the way to the cafe.

- We met three or four years ago at the hospital. - She told him. - He always had chemo after my mom, so we would be outside waiting together.

- So how did that result in him teaching you to play guitar? - Ashton asked her.

- He always had his guitar with him, so once I mentioned to him how I wished I knew how to play he made it his mission to teach me. - Hope said.

- How long did it take for him to teach you? - Calum asked.

- About a month. - She told him.

- You learned to play guitar that good in a month? - Calum looked at her, impressed.

- I'm not that that good. - Hope said, being modest as usual.

- Cut the crap. - Ashton said to which Hope chuckled. - You're amazing.

- There they are. - Calum said as they got closer to the cafe.

The three of them approached the two guys sitting in the cafe's garden.

- What's up? - Calum was the first one to say hi.

After Calum and Ashton said their greetings they all took a seat. Ashton, Calum and Hope were sitting next to each other while the two guys were sitting in front of them.

- Alright, I told you we have a great singer for you... - Ashton spoke to the guys. - This is Hope.

- Yeah, we saw the picture and the video. - One of the guys said. - You have a good voice.

- Hope, this is Stephen King... - Ashton said. - Or just King.

He was wearing a white tank top with some black at the bottom and black skinny jeans. The tank top was exposing his tattoos which were covering his arms, entire chest and back and even a side of his head where his hair was shorter. The rest of his brown hair was slicked back and his eyes were the color of the morning sky. His nose was pierced and so were his ears, in multiple places. This guy had badass written all over him.

- Nice to meet you. - The guy said with a half smile.

- You too. - Hope replied and they shook hands over the table.

- And this is Blue. - One of the guys, Stephen, said, putting his hand on the other guys shoulder.

He was wearing a black, long sleeved shirt with a few holes in it, baggie black sweatpants and completely white sneakers. His complexion was pale, his platinum blond hair slicked back, his lips full-bodied and his eyes the color of the deepest ocean. He didn't seem to have any piercings or tattoos but for a ninteen year old he was pulling the bad boy look really well.

- Blue? - Hope looked at the guy.

- Yeah, my hair...anyways, Noah Davis, or Blue, nice to meet you. - The guy said and held out his hand.

- Nice to meet you, too. - Hope said with a smile and shook his hand.

- King is an amazing drummer, and that means something coming from me. - Ashton said trough a chuckle. - And Blue is a master of the rhythm guitar.

- And late as usual... - Calum said, noticing another young man coming to their table. - This is Cody Monroe.

He was wearing a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up and denim ripped jeans, he had on Ray Ban sunglasses and was holding a hat in his hand. He had a couple of bigger tattoos on his arms and a small cross tattoo under the corner of his left eye. He as well had blue eyes like the guys, and a perfect jawline and strong cheekbones like them as well. He was also channeling his inner bad boy.

- Hello beautiful. - Cody didn't acknowledge anyone but Hope.

- Hi. - Hope said shortly.

Cody took a seat right in front of Hope. After he put his hat on the table he held out his hand to Hope. She took his hand but instead of shaking their hands, Cody leaned in and kissed the back of her hand to which Hope embarassingly chuckled.

- That's Hope. - Blue said to Cody.

- Where have you been my whole life? - Cody said, just now letting go of her hand.

- I'd be carefull if I was you. - Calum said, and cleared his troat after realizing he said that out loud.

Everyone looked at Calum, including Hope.

- She's Ashton's little sister. - Calum quickly came up with an excuse.

They didn't really believe his excuse, but no one said anything.

- Wait, isn't you sister a lot younger than you? - Blue asked Ashton.

- Yeah, but Hope is my other sister. - Ashton said and saw three confused faces looking at him. - That's a story for another time.

- Tom, are you sure I should be careful just because she's his sister? - Cody asked him, implying that there's something between Hope and Calum.

- Tom? - Hope question before Calum had a chance to answer.

- My middle name is Thomas. - Calum said, he tried his best to keep a poker face.

- Seriously? - Hope asked. - Calum Thomas Hood?

- Don't hate on my name. - Calum said, half jokingly.

- I'm not hating...it just sounds wierd. - Hope said trough a chuckle.

- Oh yeah, what's your middle name? - Calum asked her, pretending to be offended.

Hope stayed quiet for a second. - Angel.

- Your middle name is Angel? - Ashton joined the conversation.

- Yeah.

Calum smiled at Hope, remembering their conversation at the club.

- I have a question. - Cody said after raising his hand. - Is there a story behind your names or was your mom just really into Bible?

- There's a story... - Hope said.

- Go on. - Blue said.

- I was born two months early and there were a lot of complications...and I was declared dead for five minutes. - Hope told them.

- Are you serious? - Ashton asked and Hope just nodded.

Noticing Calum's gaze Hope looked briefly at him and smiled.

- You two have good chemistry. - King said after seeing their glances at each other.

- Huh? - Hope said, turning to King.

- You have good chemistry...and you sound good together. - He repeated.

- Thanks...I guess. - Hope said and smiled shortly.

- Okay, I hate to be in the way of love, but we should go back to the reason we came. - Ashton said.

Everyone agreed, Calum and Hope pretending they didn't hear the first part.

- So, what do you guys think about Hope being your lead singer? - Ashton asked the boys.

- I'm down! - Cody said loudly to which everyone laughed a bit.

- Me too. - Stephen said with a half smile.

- It would be an honor. - Blue said and caused Hope to smile.

- Hope? - Everyone looked at her.

After a few seconds of thinking, Hope spoke. - If I say yes, would you guys be alright with having another member...besides me?

- That depends who you had in mind. - King said, leaning back in his chair.

- A friend of mine that tought me how to play... - She said. - He has a little gig tonight, we can stop by.

- Sure. - Blue said. - What time tonight?

- Eleven. - She told him.

- Alright, we'll go together. - Cody said with a smirk on his face.

- Okay, so, you're King, you're Blue, and...you don't have a nickname? - Hope asked, ignoring the looks he was sending her way.

- Well, you can call me your boyfriend. - Cody told her, a smirk still on his face.

- In your dreams, Romeo. - And that's how the nickname was born.

Notes

I hope you liked it...

Let me know what you think in the comments, I love hearing what you have to say, constructive criticism or just criticism in general, it doesn't matter, I would love to get your opinion.

Thank you for reading!