The City of Angels.

Friday morning arrived in the blink of an eye. I had booked Friday and Saturday off work. So this time I could sleep through my hangover. Austin told me the night before that the band had decided not to attend. One member from the band would be enough to represent them. He said that a few of his own friends outside of the band should be in attendance, however.

The first order of business was to collect my dress and Austin’s suit as he would be in the studio all day. Austin had been kind enough to set up a styling for us both with his favourite stylist in LA. His name was Jean. Austin would have him style himself and the band any time they made a music video or went to an event. Jean seemed to get Austin and always made him look great.

Jean had advised me on many different dresses, but there was one dress we had both fallen in love with the second we saw it. It was late March in LA and the weather was starting to get warm. So luckily the dress we had both fallen in love with, wouldn’t even require a jacket. I could show if it off just as it was supposed to be shown off. It wasn’t a black tie affair, but Jean advised Austin and me to dress up in order to impress and to be memorable.

Austin was surprisingly helpful in deciding on a dress. He was more involved that I could have imagined. Jean advised me on jewellery, hair and makeup and with 3 taps of his phone he told me a styling team would be at Austin’s house on Friday evening at 6pm to work some magic. I was so grateful. I knew I could never manage this alone.

After I had collected my dress that morning, I stopped by a quirky little store I always passed on the way to work. I wanted to pick up something small for Austin. Just to say thanks. Not only for the invite to a party where I could be meeting some really influential people, but for all the help and effort had he put in to ensure I would feel great attending the event. I spotted a small bracelet making kit. Friendship bracelets were one of my favourite things to give out and receive as a kid, so I thought it would be the perfect way to say thank you. And to keep myself occupied while Jean’s styling team worked their magic.

I arrived back at Austin’s loft where he had left a key out for me at around 2pm. I decided to put on some music and make dinner for us ahead of time so as to avoid us running around later on. After placing Austin’s suit on his bed and my dress in his walk-in wardrobe, I threw my hair up on to the top of my head, placed my glasses on my nose and got to work. I made us homemade pizzas. It was one of my favourite things to make. I had gotten the groceries at a nearby market so they were fresh and delicious.

Once the pizzas were cooked and cooling in the oven, it was 4pm and time for me to shower. I took a long shower, soaking under the water, trying to calm the nerves that were really starting to bubble in the pit of my stomach. I shampooed and conditioned my hair twice so it would be soft and shiny. After I got out of the shower I popped a towel around my head and found a large Slipknot t-shirt belonged to Austin sitting at the end of his bed. Being so used to wearing Tadhg’s clothes, I threw it on without even thinking. It fell to the middle of my thigh.

I was pottering around Austin’s bedroom laying out my dress when I heard him come into the bedroom.

“Well now. I could get used to coming home to this!” He said with a laugh as he placed his laptop bag down at his dresser.
“Hope you don’t mind!” I said as I signalled to the shirt.
“Not at all. Looks better on you anyway!” He said, smiling. “Thanks for picking up my suit by the way. I didn’t get a chance to leave the studio all day. I’m starving!” He finished.
“You’re most welcome. It was the least I could do.” I said in a half bow. “Also, there’s dinner ready whenever you want to have it. We have about an hour before Jean’s magic team arrives!” I said with a laugh.
“Well shit, haven’t you been quite the busy bee today!” He said as he picked my hand up and spun me around.

Austin and I ate our pizzas outside on his lawn furniture. I was still wearing just his Slipknot shirt but I had brushed my hair out to allow it dry naturally in the LA evening heat. I had also applied moisturiser to my face, hoping Jean’s team wouldn’t hate me for doing so.

“Excited for tonight?” Austin said as we munched in happiness.
“Excited. Anxious. Shitting myself. Pumped. All of those things really.” I replied, looking right at him.
“Why are you shitting yourself?” He asked me with a laugh. “You have nothing to be nervous about.” He finished.
“I’m a small, average Irish girl. With a regular job. With regular pay. With well-known friends. I don’t belong on a red carpet!” I said with a laugh, although being honest.
“First of all, you’re above average and you need to stop telling yourself that you’re not. Second of all, you belong on that carpet more than half the people that attend these things. You’re going to be a huge fashion designer one day, Fi. May as well start getting used to the lifestyle now!” He said, looking right into my eyes, sincerity written all over his deep ones.

With that, the doorbell rang and 3 women infiltrated Austin’s loft. I gave Austin a confused look while they pulled me away, making faces at the sight of me eating a pizza. Austin laughed and shooed me away telling me he would clean up and to relax. One of the girls started on my nails. I took pity on her considering she didn’t have much to work with. I’ve always been a nail biter. Another one of the girls tutted when she saw that my hair was half wet and half dry. She pulled out what I first thought to be some sort of weapon and began drying my hair. The third girl opened up many palates on the table in front of me. Each with every colour under the rainbow. She began on my makeup.

After my nails were done I started on Austin’s friendship bracelet. Much to the dismay of the lady who had done my nails. I made the manliest one I could muster up, hoping he'd like it.

After my hair and makeup were done and the correct jewellery was applied it was time to slip into my dress. The second I zipped it up, I felt a million dollars. I took a look in the mirror and barely recognised myself. It wasn't an expensive dress by any means, but it could have been worth 3 million dollars the way it looked. I turned to the styling team and gave them a genuine smile of thanks. I didn’t know what to say.

It had taken 2 hours but I was ready to show Austin the finished product. I walked into the sitting room where he was drinking a beer and watching a basketball game as he waited for me. He had gotten ready within 30 minutes.

“Any beer for me?!” I asked as I laughed at the sight of him watching a game, entirely suited up.
“Holy shit, Fi!” he replied laughing while he got off the sofa and came to get a closer look. Again, he took my hand in his and twirled me around. “You look insane!” he said, taking every part of me in.
“You look great too!” I said as I rubbed the facial hair he had perfectly groomed, while his hands sat on my waist. “I have something for you. It’s really not much. It’s just a little thank you…” I trailed off. “Here you are!” I said as I handed him the friendship bracelet.
“No way, a friendship bracelet!! I used to love these!” he chuckled as he began tying it around his wrist.
“You don’t have to wear it if it’s going to ruin your look!” I said, blushing.
“This” he started as he held up his wrist with the bracelet now on him “is never coming off!” he finished with a huge grin. “I actually have a little something for you too. Call me old fashioned but I think a gentleman should always have a present for his date.” He said as he went into the kitchen to retrieve something.
“Austin!! They’re so pretty, thank you so much!” I said with a smile as he approached me with a bunch of roses. “Roses are my favourite flowers, thank you!” I finished.
“You’re more than welcome. A little thank you for saying yes to being my date!” He smiled as a knock at the door told us that our ride was here.

Austin had the driver of the car that was sent for us take a photo of the two of us outside where we had dinner earlier before we set off. He slipped his arm around my waist and I reciprocated, placing my free hand on his chest. Both of us flashed a huge, cheesy grin for his camera. Not long after Austin sent it to Instagram with the caption;

“@austincarlile: somehow managed to score the beautiful @FionaIrishThreads as my date for tonight’s Young Hollywood party. Rock & Roll!”

I laughed at his caption and took a photo of us on my front camera in the car. Austin placed his head on my shoulder and flashed a toothy grin and I pursed my lips in a small smile. I posted the photo with the caption;

“@FionaIrishThreads: I’ve somehow found myself on the arm of @austincarlile in a fancy car on the way to a fancy LA event in an even fancier dress. #TwilightZone”

Austin and I laughed at the comments we were receiving on both of our pictures when we arrived at the venue hosting the event. The sun was very low in the sky and the breeze was the most beautiful feeling.

“You ready?” Austin asked as he put his hand on my thigh, giving it a light squeeze.
“As ready as I’ll ever be!” I said as I blew out a shaky breath.
“Just stick by me. You’ll be perfectly fine, I promise.” Austin said with a smile. “Here we go!” he finished as the driver of the car opened the door and Austin climbed out.

Once he was out of the car, Austin turned to me instantly and put his hand out for me to take. I smiled in gratitude as he laced his fingers with mine. I don’t know if it was his act of intimacy or the crowd that began looking and shouting our way, but my heart began to bang in my chest. A lady with a clipboard and an ear piece came straight over to us informing us to walk the length of the carpet for photographs and then to come back around for interviews. I sucked in a breath and walked to the first set of photographers, Austin leading the way.

The cameras began to flash like crazy and Austin and I resumed the pose we had adopted at his house earlier. The farther and farther down the carpet we got, the more I relaxed. There were a number of times Austin and I would look at each other and laugh, or pull a face at our surroundings while the flashes were going off which really helped me to relax. He had cooed for me to relax in his ear each time he could feel me tensing up. I finally took his advice and began to try and enjoy the experience.

Once the red carpet was well and truly walked, Austin was told to go back to the start to do a few interviews. I looked to the lady to figure out where I was to wait while the interviews were happening but Austin grabbed my hand and brought me along with him.

“You said I only had to walk the carpet!” I said in protest as I walked behind him, his grip not easing.
“That was so you would come here. You want to be a fashion designer? You’ve got to start somewhere!” He said with a smile.
“Austin! Austin!” a lady with a press pass called, motioning for him to do an interview with her
“Hey, how’s a going?” Austin said back to her.
“You have to tell all our viewers who just love you, who are you wearing and WHO is that lovely date of yours?”
“I’m wearing Givenchy and my shoes are Paul Smith. This is Fiona, she’s a really good friend of mine. She’s actually a designer herself!” Austin said as he signalled to me. I made a small wave at the camera and the lady and then glared at Austin as he laughed at my reaction.
“Hi Fiona, who are you wearing?” she then asked me, shoving a microphone into my face.
“Uh-It’s just a Topshop dress and my bag and shoes are Coast.” I replied quickly.
“And you’re a designer yourself?” she asked, just when I thought all my vocal duties were done.
“Uh yeah, I’m just starting out my brand at the minute. Getting it off the ground, really.” I said quietly.
“She’s got some amazing stuff on her website. It’s IrishThreads.com. You’ll often see me wearing some of her clothes, actually. You should check her out!” Austin said as he pointed a finger at the camera.

I started to relax after the first interview. The rest of them went roughly the same way. There were a lot of “Are you guys a couple?” or “Is this your girlfriend, Austin?” questions, but we handled them well. A number of people had asked Austin about his friendship bracelet. I was elated when he would show it off proudly. Once all his media duties were done, we headed inside. I couldn’t get to the bar faster.

“You done good, girl!” Austin said as we sipped a glass of champagne each.
“That was the weirdest experience of my life.” I replied as Austin and I shared a laugh.

We stuck to ourselves at a little table and took in all the people and chatted about everything and anything for quite some time. We laughed and joked, comfortable in each other’s company.

“AUSTIN!” a loud shout interrupted us.
“Tal! Hey man, what’s up?!” Austin laughed, standing up and offering the man his hand to shake which then turned into an almighty bro hug.
“Good, man, good. It seems you’re doing well too by the looks of things!” he said with a smile as he nodded his head towards me.
“Tal, this is my good friend, Fiona I’ve been telling you about!” Austin said as he looked towards me. I gave him a confused look.
“Fiona, it’s lovely to finally meet you. You look fantastic.” He said offering his hand. “Austin has been telling me all about your clothing line. I have one myself so he figured it’d be cool for us to chat about it!” he said with a friendly smile.
“It’s nice to meet you too, thank you! You have a line too? That’s awesome!” I said and put my hand on Austin’s back, rubbing my hand up and down in thank you.

Austin, Tal and I were not long after joined by 2 more of Austin’s friends who I learned to be Ryan and Brody. We all spent the night getting to know each other, laughing and drinking. It was definitely not the kind of night I was expecting it to be. It was 700 times better. I couldn’t thank Austin enough for taking me.

There were many times throughout the night when we would lock eyes and just smile. I had never felt what I was starting to feel for him before. I had never felt it in my life, but I knew what was happening. I was starting to fall for him.

We left the nightclub around 4am walking arm in arm to grab a taxi back to Austin’s loft when we came across a left over paparazzi who started snapping us as we walked along the street.

"Austin are you going to introduce us to your girlfriend?" The pap asked.

I kept my head low and my arm around Austin's back.

"She's just a really good friend!” Austin smiled as he tightened his grip around me and lowered his mouth to my ear. "For now" he whispered.

Notes

It's a long one. Hope you like! x