Never Give In, Never Back Down

"Don't you think that was a bit harsh Andy?!" I said as I slammed the door behind me.

"No, I don't, I thought he was my friend and he goes and pulls something like this! It wasn't harsh." I knew he was saying it as
much to comfort himself as to make himself believe he did the right thing. He's really stubborn when it comes to things like this. I sighed
walking into the bedroom to get a shower, then I did something I have never done to Andy, I locked the door.
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It had been about an hour since Ash went to get a shower, and it was still running. "Maybe I should go check on her, I'm sure
she's upset, he was her best friend after all." I walked over to the bathroom door, surprised to find it was locked, she never locks the door
on me.

"Ash! Baby, are you ok?" I knocked on the door and waited for a response; when I didn't recieve one I started to panic. "Ash! Ash!" I
spoke louder, pounding on the door.

A sense of relief ran over me as I heard the lock click. Ash opened the door wrapped in a towel, her semi-wet hair falling across
her shoulders. I pulled her into a tight hug, and that's when I saw it; a small dot of blood quickly smeared across the counter in a hurry
to clean up. Shocked I put Ash arms length from me, tears were springing to her eyes. Softly grabbing her wrist I met resistance but, she
gave up quickly allowing me to look at her arm. A labryinth of fresh-made cuts, deep ones at that, lined her arms.

"Why would you do this Ash?" I whispered in her ear, pulling her into a tender hug.

"Everything goes wrong when I'm around..." She trailed off a sad expression took over her beautiful face. "He was my best friend,
I don't think I love him like that but, I do love him, I just don't want things messing up again....if I wasn't here then you would all be fine."

No. Don't think like that. It's not true.

"Ash you know that's not true, we all love you to death, you didn't bring any of this down on us, ok?" She gave me a soft smile,
gently nodding her head. "Well, lets go get you cleaned up." I took her hand softly and lead her into the bathroom.
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"What are you guys going to do about a bassist?" I questioned. Andy sat behind me brushing my hair and the others were all
lounging around in the living room.

"Well...." Andy looked at the guys, all of whom nodded vigorously. This can't be good. "We want you to be the new bassist."

I looked around shocked, " You can't be serious! That's insane, I can't replace Ashley, I don't know that much all I know is how
to play simple things and your music..." When I looked up, tears in my eyes, the guys had a looks of love and comfort on their faces.

"You can do it, and you are the only one we want to replace Ashley." Jinxx smiled in my direction and patted my leg.

"I guess...If you are all absolutely positive." They all nodded in unison. A feeling of pride and love swelled up inside me as I
looked around the room. "So....when's the next practice?"

"Tomorrow, we have a show in a week." Andy pushed his hair away from his eyes to take a better look at the calendar on his
phone.
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'Hey, can you meet me at Tierra Mia in 20? ~BVB babe'

'Sure, what's up? U ok? ~Swift Purpose'

'Ya....I guess....see you soon! ~BVB babe'
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"Hey!" Walking through the doors of the coffee shop I suddenly got tackle hugged by a rabid girl. I wrapped my arms around
her, ruffling her hair and sending her shooting backwards. Man, she's really protective over her hair; I pulled my brush out suddenly self
-conscious about my own hair.

"So what'd you need me for Ash?" I've only known her a few days but we've quickly become good friends; we may not like the same
things but, we understand each other and have interesting conversations. She has been through a lot in her short life but, despite it all
she's come out stronger, always making something interesting out of every conversation whether it be by text or call or even social networks.
I admire her in a way because, she speaks her mind and doesn't care who's listening or if they want to hear it; sometimes I wish I could be
like that.

"Well, after the concert a few days ago Ashley was acting really weird so I decided I was going to ask him if he was ok; I was real
worried about him, you see? We went out into the hallway and I tried to talk to him but he wasn't having any of it so I started walking
back into the restaurant we were at and he says 'i'm not ok' and then kisses me! I don't know how I feel about this because, of course I like
him but I don't know if it's in the way he does. He seems to love me, I mean I'm really happy with Andy and he makes me smile but I have
a lot more in common with Ashley. I just don't know what to do about it, I feel helpless, but, that's not the worst part...Andy proceeded to
kick Ashley out of the band after he saw Ashley kiss me, he hasn't texted me at all and I've been so worried about him. The guys asked me
to be the new bassist of the band and I already feel really bad about getting Ashley kicked out of the band much less taking his place
after he's gone. I really don't think I'm ready for it either, I mean I don't play anything but simple songs and BVB songs, you know that!

What should I do? Adam, please help."

We grabbed our coffee and headed to an open table close to the door. "I think you should 'fill in' for Ashley for now and see how
things go, you're a good bassist, he taught you well." Reaching across the table I took her hand in mine, that would have been awkward
if it was anyone else but Ash is a really touchy person and it makes her feel more comfortable to have physical contact with people. "I do
understand why you feel bad about all of this happening, Ashley is....or at least was...your best friend, but, you have to remember it's not
your fault. Ashley feels this way about you and that's what got him into trouble with Andy and kicked out of the band, not you. You are
not at fault here, Ash, I'm really sorry things have been so bad for you these past few days."
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"It's ok," I genuinely smiled at the sweet man sitting across from me; "How are you and your boyfriend?" He glanced around
quickly before answering.

"Well, we've been going through a rough patch, my parents still don't accept that I'm gay so they are doing their best to keep me
far away from my boyfriend."

"Aww, Adam, I'm so sorry." I laced my fingers with his squeezing gently, letting him know I was here for him and I care. "They
just don't understand, hun. Is there anything I can do to help?" He shook his head no as I sighed, I really wish I could help him somehow,
they are so happy together I don't know why his family doesn't see what I see.

"Oh, I almost forgot, these are for you!" I pulled out two tickets and backstage passes to the concert coming up in a few days. "I
really hope you and Miya can come! I would love to meet your infamous boyfriend." I stuck my tongue out at him, smiling jokingly. "It's
the first time I'll be playing live, or in front of people other than the guys, I'd like you to be there."

"No problem Ash." Adam stood smiling at me for a moment before tossing his trash, telling me goodbye, and strutting out the
door in a way only Adam could muster.
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Notes