I tried to choke back the tears as we drove to the airport. It had all happened so fast, and I didn't want it to end. But it had to. And it was all almost over. I was probably never gonna see any of them again, and what if this relationship with Ash didn't work out? What if he found somebody else, somebody better than me? What if...

"Babe, what's wrong?" Ash asked, wrapping his arm round my shoulder and pulling me closer to him.

"Nothing. I just don't wanna go, that's all," I said, resting my head on his muscular shoulder.

"I don't want you to go. I want you to say here, with me."

"Ash, I've told you that I can't, not yet."

"I know, I know. But I just can't see you leave. I don't know what I'm gonna do till I see you again," He said, playing with my hair. I snuggled into him, burring my face in his thick black hair. He wrapped his arms around my back, and ran his fingers in circular motions over my skin. He knew perfectly how to make me feel more calm and relaxed, and I didn't realise how close we were to the airport until Ash told me that we would be there in five minutes. My eyes filled up again. Shit, I had to get these emotions under control or else I'd be sobbing on the plane home, all mascara and eyeliner down my face. I looked up at Ash. He smiled and leant towards me, locking his lips onto mine. I pulled him in closer, running my hands through is hair and down his neck. I groaned as he pulled at my bottom lip with his teeth. I kissed along his jaw and down his neck, but he pulled away from me. Confused, I sat back and looked at him.

"What? Did I do something wrong? You seemed like like that before" I said, pushing my hair back from my face.

"No, no you were perfect... It's just that we're at the airport," He said, the disappointment clear in his voice. I sighed, slumping back in the leather chair. The cab pulled up to the entrance to the terminal. I looked to Ash, suddenly wanting to accept his offer, not wanting to go home.

"Come on then, lets get you home," He said, kissing me lightly and getting out of the car. I stepped out into the humid and clammy air, and got my suitcase from the driver. Ash paid the cabbie and wrapped his arm around my waist and walked me into the cold, air conditioned airport. We walked over to the check in desk, joining the back of an already lengthy queue.

"And this is why I hate airports," I mumbled, pushing down my suitcase handle. "You know what, I might take you up on your offer. I might come live with you," I said, turning to face Ash.

"No, you want to go home. I can wait. I don't want to wait, but I can for you," he said, rubbing my shoulder.

"Pleeeaaaase Ash," I whined, pulling the 'puppy dog eyes' I knew that he couldn't resist.

"Noelle, you're going back to England. I don't care how adorable you look, you are going home," he said, laughing as he kissed my forehead.

"Fiiiiine," I said, pulling him in for a cuddle.

"OOOH MY GOD!" somebody screeched behind me. I turned round to see a pair of girls staring at us. They were obvious Black Veil Brides fans, their band t-shirts and wrist bands were a tell tale sign. "It's Ashley freaking Purdy!" the one on the left breathed, shock and happiness spreading across her face. I felt Ash hide a laugh as the girls squealed.

"Hi girls," he said, stepping towards them. I wasn't sure if I should follow or wait. I wasn't very good with meeting people, especially fan girls. Ash posed for photos with them and signed some stuff. I saw him smile and nod at something they asked, before more squealing and screeching from the girls. Ash said goodbye and walked back over to me, pulling me into a hug.

"What did they ask?"

"They asked if you were my girlfriend. They'd seen it on twitter and wanted to see if it was true."

"And you said...?"

"What do you think? I said yes of course. And they said that you were really pretty and gorgeous aaaand that we make a great couple," He smiled, biting his lip as I blushed.

"I love you, Ashley Purdy," I said.

"I love you too, Noelle Clarke," he said, brushing my fringe back from my eyes.

We finally reached the front of the queue, and after getting rid of my suitcase, we headed for a Starbucks to get a coffee before I left. I never understood why you'd go on a date to a coffee shop, you'd end up with coffee breath and nobody wants to kiss somebody who's breath smells and tastes like that.

"How long is your flight?" Ash asked, sipping from his mug.

"Ten hours I think" I said, sighing at the thought of it.

"Wow, that sucks. Ten hours from hell. I'm sure you'll be fine though," he said, smiling reassuringly.

"Yea, maybe. I'm not good at flying. I get slightly paranoid that we're all gonna die," I laughed half heartedly. I hated the thought of getting on that plane and feeling the surge of panic race through my body. I shuddered.

"Yea, I don't like it either. I hate the feeling of taking off, and I'm sure that when we land the plane will spin out of control and..." he saw the look of panic on my face. "Sorry, I'll stop now. I'm sure that that wasn't particularly helping."

"Its ok. But yea, I'm not feeling much better for that."

"Sorry. So what you gonna do when you get back to the UK?"

"I dunno, get home, see my friends, avoid my family, the same old stuff."

"Avoid your family?" Ash asked, puzzled.

I inhaled a deep breath. I'd never really told anybody about my family. I was about to unload all my troubles onto this one guy, and I wasn't sure how he'd take it.

"Yea, my family are kind of fucked up. My dad was cheating on my mum, which was bad, but things got worse when she found out. She went off the rails, started drinking more, trying to drown out the hurt she was feeling. Dad didn't care, he'd encourage her and buy her vodka and gin and practically make her drink. Mum would get drunk everyday, and sometimes she'd end up in hospital having to have her stomach pumped. But when she's at home, she needs to take her anger out on something. It started with our dog, she'd hit him and beat him. I'd try to stop her but she'd start to hit me. There was nothing we could do. My sister would hide in my room with me, and I'd give her my ipod so she didn't have to hear anything that was going on. But then mum moved on from the dog, and started hitting my little sister and throwing stuff at her. She'd film it and watch it over and over. I didn't want to tell anybody or call the police cos I couldn't live with getting my own mum put in prison. But I ended up getting the police when she started abusing my sister. And she's in prison now and we're not allowed to see her. But dad still sees us, with his new girlfriend and their kids. I hate him for what he's done. I never imagined that the people who are closest to you could do something to hurt you so much." I stopped, staring at the table, the tears threatening to flood from my eyes, but the relief of telling somebody something I'd hidden inside kept the tears at bay. "My sister was taken in by my aunty, and I have my own apartment," I said, still staring at the table. I looked up to see Ash almost on the verge of tears.

"Noelle, I'm so sorry. Nobody should have to go through that."

"I'm fine." I said.

"You don't have to pretend that you're ok. Nobody should have to deal with that." He said, standing up and moving round to pull me into a hug. And for the first time, I let the gravity of my memories wash over me, and the tears came flooding out in sobs. Ash tightened his arms around me. I shook as each sob escaped, my body shuddering.

"I'm so sorry." he whispered. When the sobs finally subsided, Ash pulled away slightly and looked at me. "You are the most brave, beautiful girl to ever come into my life. I never, ever want to loose you. You are so strong, Noelle. I love you so much, I'll always be here for you whatever happens, ok? I love you." He cupped my face with his hands and kissed me, his lips slowly moving over mine, his hands trailing along my jaw and down my neck, until they rested on my shoulders. Ash pulled away when somebody coughed at us to break it up. I blushed, realising that I'd just tongued my boyfriend in a crowded café.

"Just a suggestion, but how about a fuck in the toilets?" Ash said, running his hand down my arm and raising an eyebrow.

I laughed. "Just a suggestion, but how about you walk me to customs, cos I need to get through there or I'll miss my flight."

"A fuck in the toilets sounded much more fun, but ok. Lets go" Ash said, kissing my cheek and getting up. We walked to customs and joined the line. Thankfully, we didn't have to wait long. However, this was goodbye.

"I guess this is it," I said, squeezing Ash's hand.

"I'm gonna miss you," he said, looping his arms around my waist and pulling me into him. I took it in- his strong arms, toned body, even the way he smelt. I was gonna miss this.

"I love you," I said, looking into his deep brown eyes.

"I love you too," he replied, a single tear escaping his eye and running down his cheek. I pressed my lips against his, running my fingers through his hair, letting them become trapped in his black locks. He ran his hands down to my lower back, clutching at my shirt. I moved my lips slowly over his, my tounge running over his. He let out a quiet, deep moan I deepened the kiss. But then I remembered where I was, and how many people would be watching. I drew back from him and looked at him, before turning to leave. I couldn't look back. I knew I'd break down if I did. I walked away, hoping that I hadn't just my last kiss with the man I loved with all my heart.