Friday rolled around faster than expected. I got out of school on Friday at noon and was already worrying about that night. I really didn't want it to turn into a big disaster. I was rushing around the apartment, cleaning in my free time, when Oli got home from recording.
"Hey, love. Why in such a rush?"
"Oh, no reason. I just felt like cleaning, you know?"
"No, not really." He laughed and picked up the vacuum.
"No, what are you doing? I can do it myself!" I took the vacuum out of his hands and began getting the edges of the room.
"Woa, calm down. What's the matter?" Oli rested a hand on my shoulder, and I calmed down a bit.
"Just stressed about tonight is all. Don't worry." I picked up the vacuum again, but he grabbed me arm and pulled me back down to the couch.
"I don't you not to stress about it. It'll be fine. Now get in the shower. I'll be there soon." He winked at me and retreated to the kitchen.

I went to the bedroom and stripped down. Once the hot water was running down my back, I felt a lot better, much less stressed. Soon after, I could hear Oli open the door, and then I heard his clothes fall to the floor. He opened the curtain slowly and stepped in.
"Mhhhh hi, baby." I smiled shyly at him seeing me naked other than when we're in bed. I wrapped my arms around him so he didn't have a good view of my awful stomach and thighs. I ran my nails over his shoulder blades and kissed his shoulders.
"No, I just want to shower with you. I know it sounds silly, but I like the idea...if that's okay." Oli looked down at me innocently.
"Yeah, sure."
He stroked my hair as we stood under the warm water that washed over us. I lathered up his back with soap, and he did the same for me. We washed each other's hair and laughed when shampoo suds ran down our faces. I kissed Oli's nose and got bubbles all around my mouth and on my chin, and it looked like I had a full beard. Oli smiled and wiped the bubbles from my face.
"You really are so beautiful, and I love you endlessly." He put his hands around my waist and looked me dead in the eye.
"I love you too...to the moon and back." I smiled back up at him.

****

By 7, we already had a drink in us each and some pre-party appetizers. I was in my new dress and some navy pumps I found in the back of my closet. Oli was wearing black skinny jeans and a black dress shirt. It was really cute when he tried to dress up.
"You look quite stunning. Are you excited for tonight?" He stroked my cheek.
"Yes, actually. I am now that we've gotten ready and all."
"Me too." He kissed me and grabbed his jacket off the back of the couch. "Let's go then."

We took a cab down to the pub even though it wasn't too far, but there was no way I was walking all the way there in these heels. When we got there, I saw Austin pulling up. I got butterflies, and I wasn't sure why. I pushed them back down with a hard swallow.
"Hi, glad to see you here." I forced a smile.
"You too." Austin winked. I pretended not to see.
"Shall we?" Oli motioned to the door, and we stepped inside.

We heard laughter from the downstairs room in the pub. Obviously people were already here. When we walked downstairs and ducked under the low ceiling of the staircase, we saw the Mariah, Katherine, a few friends from college, some people I didn't really know, and the rest of the band were already there. Surprisingly enough, Mariah and Katherine weren't all over them and neither were the other people there. They all seemed to just be chatting contently about whatever.

"Why don't you go talk to some of my friends? You did want to meet them, yes?"
"Yeah, sure. I'll go do that. Are you alright here?"
"Of course. I'll just go up and get some drinks."
"Sounds good, love." He walked over to where the band was talking with a few people, and I turned to go back upstairs.
"I'll come with you," Austin said and quickly climbed the stairs two at a time.

We got up to the bar and ordered a few beers and a couple plates of shots for those who'd want them. I went to get my wallet out, but Austin shook his head.
"I got this."
"Nooooo you don't. Put that away."
"Seriously, Charlotte. I got this." He looked at me sternly, and I was afraid for a moment. He handed the bartender a few bills and a tip and grabbed the drinks.
"So, do you and your friends come to this pub often?"
"Yeah, I guess. During the school year when we're all in the city."
"Fun." Austin nodded awkwardly, and I went to go back down the staircase.
"No, wait...can we sit up here and talk for a bit? It's so busy down there." He motioned to the chairs and sofa next to us.
"Ummm, I suppose." I sat down on the sofa, and he sat next to me: exactly what I was dreading. He put the drinks down on the small table in front of us and rested his foot on his thigh.

"I want to hang out more. It's nice not being on tour for a bit, but now we're constantly recording. I miss you."
I cringed.
"Yeah, I miss you too. It's been a bit."
"Yeah...it has."
"Look, Austin...it's nice talking to you and all, but we should get back down there. They're probably wondering why we're taking so long." I tried to get up, but Austin put a hand on my thigh.
"No, please stay."
I was hoping it was my imagination, but I could have sworn his hand lingered.
"Austin, come on. Stop being silly." I looked at him plainly.
"I'm being silly? You're the one who won't fucking admit that you're into me even though you quite obviously are!" And then he kissed me. Again. And I felt like punching him in the face, but for some reason I didn't. I let him kiss me. I didn't kiss him back, but when he pulled away, I looked at him.
"You really shouldn't have done that." I looked down at my lap, ashamed that I didn't stop him.
"Yeah, you really shouldn't have," I looked up to see Oli. "Because now I'm going to kick your ass."

Oli grabbed Austin by the collar, and the bartender must have seen the commotion because he walked over quickly.
"Break it up, or I'm going to have to kick you out." He pushed the two men off of each other.
"Come on, Oli." I tugged at his sleeve.
"Get out. Now!" Oli was staring down Austin.
"Fine. Text me later, Charlotte," Austin said as he walked to the door.
"There will be no texting later. See you around." Oli glared at Austin before turning to me.
"What the fuck?! Once was more than enough...why? Why do bad things happen when he's around?" Oli shook his head.
"I don't know. He's my friend, but he's fucking that up. I'm sorry." I looked at my shoes.
"Come on. Let's get back downstairs. We'll talk later." Oli grabbed my arm and the drinks and lead me back downstairs.

Notes

silly Austin