Pretty Girls Lie

- Hold up. We've been gone for an hour, when did you get a sister? - Michael asked lively, joining the conversation. - Well, welcome to the family.

Hope smiled weakly.

- That's Michael, you've met Luke, and that peanut over there is Calum. - Ashton told his sister.

- Thanks man. - Calum said acting offended, and than chuckling with the other guys. - Pleasure to meet you, Hope.

- You too. - She answered shortly and shook his hand.

- So how about some tea, the weather's right for it? - Ashton offered everyone, and everyone said yes except his sister.

- I can't, but thank you. - Once again her husky voice was barely reaching their ears.

- You sure? I don't want you to catch a cold from the rain. - Ashton jumped right into the concerned brother role.

- I'm fine, really. - She once again reassured him.

- Alright, then at least have a seat and make yourself at home while I prepare some tea. - Ashton was surprisingly calm about everything.

Hope just nodded and along with the guys took a seat in the living room, while taking off her cap, putting it in the bag, and showing them her curls and a beautiful face. Luke was sitting in a chair alongside the couch with Hope, Michael and Calum on it.

While Ashton was preparing tea the guys were trying to be welcoming and were making small talk.

- So how old are you? - Michael seemed the most lively of all.

- 18. - She was quiet and didn't say more than necessary.

Surprisingly she didn't seem fazed to be in the company of someone as popular as they are.

Seeing that she still isn't in the mood for small talk they stayed quiet until Ashton returned.

- Here. - He said putting the tea cups on the table for the guys and himself. - I'll be right back.

He left the room, but soon returned, holding a piece of clothing in his hand.

- Here, you can put this on. It's a bit big but it beats being in a wet shirt. - He said politely and handed her the shirt.

- Oh no, that's fine...I'm fine. - She politely declined.

- Come on, it's just a shirt. I'm not taking no for an answer. - Ashton smiled.

- He really means it. - Calum added.

- Alright, thank you. - She stood up and took the shirt. - Where can I change?

- Just go left here and the bathroom is at the end of the hall on the right. - He said, showing her the way. - You can leave your shirt there and I'll dry it later.

She gave him a half smile and with that left the room.

The five of them were sitting in the living room in silence, Ashton sat on a chair opposite of Luke and was sipping his tea, just like the guys.

- Can I ask you something? - He put his tea on the table and looked at Hope.

- Sure. - She said sure, but she didn't really seem sure if she wanted to be questioned.

- Why now, why did you just come and find me now? - He was staring intensely.

- Because I only found out about you a few days ago. - A few tears could be seen in her eyes, but she didn't let them escape, and it didn't seem like the guys have noticed.

- Why didn't your mom tell you earlier? - He asked confused.

- She didn't want me to have anything to do with your family. Her and your father weren't exactly going steady when I was conceived.

- Does my father know about you?

- No, she never told him.

- So why did she tell you about him now? What made her change her mind?

- She wanted me to know who he was and who I am before she died... - The tears were still in her eyes, but now the guys could see them.

- I..I'm sorry. - He said his condolences and so did the guys. - What happened? I'm sorry, you don't have to...

- It's alright. - She cut him off. - She had cancer.

- I'm really sorry for your loss. - He said and he really meant it.

She smiled weakly and tried to fight the tears. Ashton got up from his seat and sat down between her and Michael.

- Are you alright? - He asked in a sweet tone with his hand on her back.

- Yeah, I'm fine. - She lied. - Is it alright if I use your bathroom?

- Yeah, of course. - He smiled hoping she would too.

- Thank you. - She got up, took her bag and went into the bathroom at the end of the hall.

She washed her face and with that washed away her tears. She looked at her reflection in the mirror.

- What the fuck am I doing? - Hope asked herself rhetorically.

She took of the shirt Ashton gave her and changed into hers which was next to the sink. She folded his shirt and left it where hers was seconds ago, she put on her NY cap and left. She came back to the living room in a hurry.

- Hey, why did you...

Once again, for God know which time today, Hope cut him off. - I'm sorry, I have to go.

She headed for the door, while Ashton got up and went after her.

- Wait. - He took her arm before she opened the door. - Why are you leaving again?

- I told you, I shouldn't have come here in the first place. I just messed everything up for you, I have to leave.

- No you don't. - He reassured her.

- Let me go. - She said firmly, but not threatening.

He let go of her arm but he still wouldn't let her leave. - Let me at least give you a ride home.

- There's no need for that. - She said without looking at him and walked out, he followed.

- Come on, can you at least tell me where you live? - Ashton pleaded. - You're my sister, I wanna see you again.

- We've just met. - She turned around to look at him.

- So what, you're still my sister... Come on, where do you live? - He approached her.

- I... - She looked down from his dark green eyes, same as hers. - I don't know.

- What do you mean?

- It means I don't know. I've spent the last three months in the hospital with my mom, and I couldn't pay the rent so they kicked me out. This... - She looked at her clothes and her bag. - Is all I own.

- And where are you thinking on going?

- I don't...I'll figure something out. - She walked backwards a few steps. - It was nice meeting you...bro.

She smiled at him, showing her dimples, turned around and headed for the elevator.

- Wait, Hope! - He once again called after her. - You're gonna stay here, with me, well us.

- No, I can't. - She refused and called the elevator.

- Yes, you can.

- No, I can't.

They really did sound like brother and sister.

- Yes, you can, and you will.

- No, I won't.

- We're already starting to sound like real siblings. - He chuckled, so did she.

- Yeah, but I'm still not staying. - She said and walked into the elevator which has arrived, but he walked in after her as well.

She pressed the button for the ground floor while he pressed for the 89th floor on which they were currently, and with that kept them there.

- You know, I can take the stairs. - She stated.

- We're on the 89th floor, I doubt you will. - She just stared at him. - Alright, alright, I'll let you go.

He backed away from the buttons and let her press the ground floor, and soon they started going down. But now for long, in a second Ashton pressed a button and stopped the elevator.

- Oh come on... Seriously? - She couldn't believe him. - How old are you again?

- 21, but my soul is still one of a young child. - He said in a childlish voice, along with a goofy smile.

Hope laughed. - You're unbelievable.

- Thank you. - He bowed down and pretended he was taking off a hat.

- How long are you gonna keep us trapped here?

- As long as it takes for you to agree to move in with us. - Come on, we have two extra bedrooms, there's plenty of room for you.

-I appreciate that, but no. - She said. - We barely know each other, I can't just move in with you.

- So you don't trust me? - He pouted.

- It's not that... I just can't impose like that. It's too much.

- Oh come on, you wouldn't be imposing, I wouldn't invite you if I didn't wanted you there. - Ashton said. - So, what do you say?

- What about your friends?

- You seriously think they would mind having a beautiful girl live with them? - She raised her eyebrows. - That sounded wrong, but you know what I mean.

- I don't know...

- Sure you do, you're moving in!

- Ashton...

- Come on, at least for a few days, and if you don't like it, I'll be more than happy to help you find a place. - He proposed.

After a few seconds of thinking she answered. - Alright, just for a few days.

- Yes! - He exclaimed happily. - But trust me, you won't want to leave after a few days.

She laughed and Ashton pushed another button and soon they were moving again.

Notes

I know Ashton just turned 22, but I wrote this chapter while he was still 21 so I don't want to change it.

I hope there aren't many grammar mistakes.

Thank you for reading and if you have anything to say and if you like it so far please leave a comment, any feedback is welcome.