Falling At Your Feet

I had just finished drying my hair after a shower whenever my phone rang a few nights later. It was Jesse.
"Hey, what's up?" I asked. "Where are you guys at?"
"We're on All Time Low's bus. Come over here!" He replied.
"What are you doing over there?" I asked, confused.
"A bunch of us are hanging out. Just come on, we miss your face." He said impatiently.
"Okay, I'll see you in a minute." I said, hanging up and sliding my shoes on, running my fingers through my straight hair.
"Thank you for finally gracing us with your presence." Jaime called when I walked onto the bus.
"I'd tell you not to be an asshole but I understand how hard that must be for you." I laughed, sitting down with everyone.
"V, I was just about to tell Austin and Alan and Tino about the time we were at Bokan's wedding and you were a bridemaid and-" Vic started.
"I'd rather you didn't." I said, lighting a cigarette and glaring at him.
"-and she was really trashed and at one point she was in the bathroom crying about how everyone was getting married except for her, but the best part of the night was when she danced on a table to Biggie." Vic said.
I sighed. "Why do you do this to me?"
"Because I love you."
"Why do you put up with him?" Alan asked me, laughing. "Great story, by the way."
"Mostly because he cooks really well." I shrugged. "He's good to have around when you're hungover."
"I tried to wife her but she's too much of a free spirit." Vic sighed.
I laughed. "Nah, I'm just into men that are actually taller than me."
"Ouch. That was a low blow." Rian said, laughing.
"Brutal honesty. It's kind of my thing." I said. "Gentlemen, as much fun as this is, I think I'm going to get back to my own bus. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Oh, I'll walk with you." Austin said, standing up.
I raised an eyebrow. "Come on then."
"Bye, you two!" Alex called, sending a wink in our direction. I rolled my eyes as the guys laughed.
"Wow." Austin rolled his eyes. "Do you always get that from them?"
"What, the overzealous and obnoxious remarks every time I speak to someone who happens to be a male? Yeah, usually." I shrugged. "It's all part of living in a patriarchal world, I presume."
"The way you speak is just captivating." He said, glancing over at me. "I love it."
I smiled. "I love reading. At my house in LA, I've got a whole room just full of books. My own little library."
"You'll have to show me sometime." He said.
"Oh, I have no doubts that I will." I smiled. "Would you like to come in? We've got a while until bus call."
"Sure." He followed me onto our bus.
"Hello, everyone. This is Austin. Austin, this is our merch crew, Lizzie, Mike, and Audrey, and our managers Josh and Jimmy." I said, sitting down at the table. "Oh, my sister called. Damn, I really hate missing her calls."
"Sister?" Austin asked.
"I've got a younger sister and brother, and an older sister as well as brother. I'm right in the middle." I laughed. "We're all very close. I couldn't live without them."
"I've always wanted siblings. I'm an only child." He said. "Just me and my dad. Love him to death."
I'd heard about his mother- who hadn't? - and proceeded with caution. "Funny. I've wished at times that I was an only child, but of course I never really meant it."
"Boyfriend? Girlfriend? You seem like the type of girl who's got a lot of men at her beck and call." He said, laughing.
My face, however, fell. "Uh, no. Not really. It's been a while for me." I prayed that he wouldn't push the subject any further.
"Yeah, I know the feeling." He said genuinely. "Can I ask you something?"
"You sure can."
He looked as if he was going to ask something deadly serious and my heart pounded. "What's your favorite color?"
I laughed out of pure shock. "Lavender."
"It's getting late. I'll get out of here so people don't think we're sleeping together." Austin said, his eyes twinkling. Goodnight, Valentine. I'll see you tomorrow?"
"I daresay you will." I bit my lip to keep from grinning like an idiot as I walked him out.
"You guys are cute together." Lizzie said to me as I got into my bunk.
"I met him, like, five days ago." I laughed softly.
"He likes you." Audrey assured me. "Right, Matt?"
"Oh yeah. Totally."
I laughed again and drifted off to sleep, Austin Carlile on my mind.

Notes

Title lyrics: Heart Attack by Man Overboard