The City of Angels.

It was nearing the very end of March and Austin and his band mates had just a few dates left of their American Dream tour with Bring Me the Horizon. As they were busy travelling around, I threw myself into making more clothes for my line. I had expanded from tees and tanks and had begun making dresses and light pull overs for a summer line that I would be lucky enough to hold a photo shoot for.

Thanks to Austin and all out friends constantly advertising me, my sales had rocketed. I was shipping at least 20 packages a week. My website was getting hundreds and thousands of hits and my Twitter page had over 2,000 followers.

I still had my job at the record bar to keep my rent paid and to keep my feet on the ground. Tadhg had begun seeing a girl that he met on his birthday night out so he wasn’t around the apartment as frequently as usual but we were still best buds. I really liked his girl too, which made things easier. Kim and I had been spending almost every moment together since the boys returned to touring.

One night while we were watching a movie at my house Kim confessed to me that she had a thing for Alan. I went along with her confession, pretending it wasn’t obvious to anyone who was within a 10 mile radius of the pair. She laughed at the idea of him liking her back, completely oblivious to the fact that he would turn bright red and turn into a 15 year old girl any time he was around her.

The following day I was re-arranging some records at work when I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. I took it out and looked at the screen, smiling as I saw Austin’s name with a text message attached.

“From: Austin;
Just landed back in the US, USA. Canada ruled. Sold out show in San Diego tonight. You better be there. Have you and Kim on the guest list. Don’t let me down, Irish.”

I laughed at his message and got an idea.

“To: Austin;
I’ll be there on one condition. You help me hook Kim and Alan up… They’d make such lovely babies.”

I eyed Kim as I shot Austin my reply. She was wiping down the bar, staring into space. I was sure she was thinking about Alan. My phone buzzed within seconds.

“From: Austin;
Hahah, consider it done. I’ll plant the seed right now. See you around 6. The venue is called Soma. I’m sure Kim knows where it is. Xo”

I shoved my phone into my back pocket and ran over to Kim, biting my lip.

“What’s got you so chipper?” She asked, looking at me funny.
“We’re going to our first Of Mice show tonight.” I said, proudly.
“Alan.” She spat out instantly.
“What?” I asked her after a minor laughing fit at her outburst.
“Alan will be there, I mean.” She said, getting flustered.
“That’s the idea. He plays guitar… Are you okay?” I asked her, getting slightly concerned now.
“What the fuck am I going to wear?” She asked in a panic.
“Kim, it’s half eleven in the morning. We’ll figure it out!” I said with a laugh. “Also, can you drive? I’m still waiting to take my fucking test!” I said with frustration. My Irish driving license wasn’t recognised by the state of California.
“Yeah that’s cool.” Kim replied, although I couldn’t be sure she had realised she had just spoken.

The rest of the day went by painfully slow. I couldn’t wait to see Austin. It had only been a week and a half, but I had become accustomed to him always being nearby. We would text and face time any chance we got, but I was missing his arms, his kiss and his scent. We hadn’t shared many intimate moments, but the ones we did share would drive me crazy anytime I would re-live them.

“Have you and Austin but a title on what you are yet?” Kim asked me that evening as we were in her car on the way to see the boys.
“No, we’re just kind of going with it. He said he wants to woo me like a gentleman before we get serious. Apparently I deserve to be treated like a lady!” I said with a shrug and a laugh.
“That’s very sweet. Not many guys think like that anymore. You’ve got a good one there, you know!” She said looking towards me.
“I know!” I said with a giggle. “So are you excited about seeing Alan tonight?” I asked her as I straightened out my outfit.
“I’m so nervous about seeing him. Which is weird because we see each other all the time. We’re buds!” She said, confusion laced in her voice.
“Kim, I promise you he’s already crazy about you. Just be yourself. He already digs you!” I said, trying to calm her down.
“We’ll see!” She said as we arrived at the venue. “God I have the worst butterflies!” She said as she shut her car off.
“Me too!” I said with a giggle. “I can’t wait to see that lanky fuck! Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go!” I urged her as she reapplied some lip gloss in her rear view mirror.
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“Are you ladies on the list?” the guy on the door asked myself and Kim as we walked up to the VIP entrance.
“Should be!” came my reply. “I’m Fiona and this is Kim!” I finished.
“Here you are, enjoy the show!” he said as he handed us both an all access pass which we slipped around our necks. “Of Mice’s dressing room is straight down and second door on the left!” he finished as he motioned with his hand.

As soon as we walked past the security guard I saw a camera flash. Once my eyes returned to normal I saw a bald guy laughing.

“Sorry, I was told to shoot everyone that comes through VIP!” the guys said offering us his hand. “I’m Adam. Tour photographer!” he finished with pride.

We introduced ourselves and he showed us to the guy’s dressing room. As we approached the door I could hear the music booming from the dressing room. I pictured Austin rocking out with his band mates and couldn’t get in there fast enough.

Adam opened the door and I followed him spotting Austin instantly. I didn’t waste any time. I ran straight to him and wrapped my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist. His hands rested on my bum and we were both laughing with excitement.

“I missed you!” he cooed into my ear. “I missed the smell of your hair!” he finished with a laugh.
“I missed your face!” I said in reply.
“Shit that looks awesome, Adam!” Aaron said to Adam, interrupting Austin and I.
“What looks awesome?” Austin asked, gently putting me down.

Adam walked over to Austin and me and showed us the picture dominating the screen. I smiled instantly. Adam had captured Austin and I being reunited. The photograph showed me in Austin’s arms, us looking at each other with enormous smiles on our faces.

“I want that for my bunk!” Austin said with a smile.
“I want that for my bedroom!” I said in reply.

The boys were due to go on stage within an hour. Austin and I had minimal time to try and hook Alan and Kim up.

“Fi, have you ever been to Vegas?” Austin asked me loudly, getting everyone’s attention.
“Uh no, I haven’t.” I answered, not sure where he was going with this.
“We’re playing a show there tomorrow night. What do you say you and Kim come along with us? You can stay with me and I’m sure Alan wouldn’t mind Kim bunking in with him?” Austin finished. I gave him a wicked smile which he returned with a wink.
“Well the record bar IS closed for the next four days…!” I trailed off looking at Kim whose eyes were wide. “What do you think?!” I asked her.
“Uh-I-Yeah, if that’s okay with you, Ala-?”
“That’s fine.” Alan said instantly.

I looked at Austin who was trying to hold back the laughter.

“Five minutes guys!” a voice said from behind the dressing room door.
“Let’s do it!” I heard Phil say and call everyone in for pre-show huddle.
“San Diego, rock and roll on three!” Alan shouted and we all obliged.
“Have a good show!” I said to Austin as we arrived at the side of the stage and he showed Kim and me where to stand.
“You know what will make it a good show?” He asked, slipping his arms around my waist. “A good look kiss!” he said with a smile as his face lowered towards mine.

I kiss his lips with a smile and it was just a good as the first kiss we shared. I internally wondered if I would see fireworks every time we shared a kiss. I broke apart from Austin as I could heard the band begin to play their first song.

“Go play!” I said, laughing and pushing him towards the stage.
“Yes ma’am!” He said with a salute.

Kim and I bounced along to every song. I watched Austin intently and the joy he was bringing to the audience. There was such a bond and mutual respect shared between the band and the spectators. It was the greatest thing to witness. Austin was the craziest guy on stage. He would climb up the sides of the stage, he went down to the kids on the floor at one point and he was constantly swinging his microphone around. I’d never seen this side of him before, but I loved it.

“This is our last one, San Diego. Thanks for coming out, we’ll see you next time! We’re Of Mice and Men! Thank you!!” Austin shouted into the microphone when the show was drawing to a close.

The boys came off stage, dripping with sweat and cheering for a show well played. I saw Austin walk towards me, a devilish smile on his face.

“DON’T. DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!” I held my hand out as I saw his arms open and he lunged for me. “Gross, Austin. So gross!” I said as he pulled me into his sweaty body.

We laughed together as we walked back to the dressing room, hand in hand. He told me that Kim could leave her car keys with security and they would arrange getting her car home while we piled into the tour bus that would allow us to make a quick stop at home to grab some things for Vegas and then take us to the airport.

We were all sitting around the bus with a drink in hand when Tino ran in from the bunks in just his boxers, a bottle of Jack Daniels in the air and screamed at the top of his lungs;

“VEGAAAAAS!”

Everyone cheered in reply.

“This is going to be fun!” Austin said into my ear as he left a kiss on my temple.

Las fucking Vegas, baby.

Notes

Hope you're liking it. x