PLASTIC HEARTS | shawmila

four.

Camila walked up and down the empty rows of seats in the arena, unable to stop thinking about how in just a few hours, they'd be jam-packed with fans ready to see the first show.

Up near the stage, the crew was still putting together final touches of lighting and other equipment. Camila didn't want to get in their way, but she'd always enjoyed the surreal feeling of seeing the stadium in the exciting hours just before the show.

She'd spent all of yesterday packing, deciding what to take with her on the tour and what she could live two months without. She didn't want to overpack, to look like the annoying new girl who was demanding a ton of space, but after all this time with the band, she was starting to feel like she knew they wouldn't give her a hard time for that—or at least, not seriously.

The bus was parked out back, loaded and ready for their departure after the show. Camila locked her apartment when she left that morning, knowing she wouldn't be coming back. She told Lewis as much and he wished her luck on tour, promising to watch her Twitter and Instagram for updates.

She took a picture for social media now, climbing to the very back row and taking one of the stage in the distance. She posted it online, writing a caption about how excited she was for tonight.

She walked towards backstage now, her heart racing and the butterflies in her stomach. She was still just in lounge clothes and tennis shoes. Greta was putting together her outfit now and Camila pictured it as being tight and elaborate, and would rather wait to get dressed in all of that.

"Hey, Camila!" Someone called. Camila looked up, seeing a stagehand on a ladder. "Good luck tonight!"

"Thanks!" She smiled. "Thanks for all your help, too—"

She trailed off, catching sight of Roger talking with someone vaguely familiar. After a second, Camila realized it was Mr. Michaels, the lawyer who'd looked over her contract. She'd completely forgotten he'd be at the show, just one of the hundreds of watching them tonight.

She felt her heart somehow racing faster.

The pictures of her and John on the Ferris wheel had come out a couple of days ago, and Roger had seemed elated at how well they were received. Even Camila was surprised at just how much everyone loved them. It was the perfect real confirmation on her and John's relationship, but tonight was the first real test in her opinion.

She'd almost forgotten about that. She'd been so excited for the show, trying to warm up her voice and memorize the setlist, that she'd almost forgotten she'd have to flirt with John on stage in front of all those people. But somehow, that didn't feel as weird having to do it in front of their friends.

Greta had been teasing her ever since the pictures came out, and Camila had to play it up, blushing and smiling. But it surprised her how much she'd been worried about the others' reactions, particularly Shawn's.

Connor had just jokingly asked them not to suck face during rehearsals. Camila agreed and rolled her eyes, though it took all her willpower not to point out that he and Greta were always sucking face when they thought no one was around.

Only Shawn didn't mention it, which she was honestly glad for. She really liked Shawn's funny personality, but if he didn't want to joke at her and John's expense, she wasn't upset in the slightest. She wasn't sure she could take it. She appreciated the level of professionalism, even if it did mean he was extra quiet.

He hadn't said much to her in rehearsals, not just about her and John, but really at all. He just kept his eyes down on his phone. She wasn't sure why it disappointed her, but she hoped it was just nerves about the show, and he'd be back to smiling at her by tonight.