Baby, This is Paradise

•13•

Claire's POV

The elevator doors closed.

"Alex! You are going to get us killed!"

"They're just girls, chill."

"They are particularly intimidating girls who happen to hate me."

"You've been in this city for four hours and you already have enemies here? I've taught you well."

"Alex. This is not funny."

She gave me a side glance and slid her sunglasses on.

"Operation Fight a Bitch is a go." Dork.

The elevator doors slid silently open and we started down the hall.

"Jaime told me about Vic's tragic breakup with her.", said Alex. "He said you're the only girl that's been able to really get through to him for months now. Claire, in all seriousness, I think you're really special to Vic, even though it hasn't been that long."

I nodded. I was the only one? Surely there were other girls. I wasn't ready to believe I was that special yet. We entered my hotel room and I flopped down on the bed, staring at the ceiling.

"Alex, do you think I look like I'll fit in tonight?"

She laughed.

"What?" I asked, a little offended.

"You'll look like a flamingo in a flock of crows."

"Nice metaphor."

"Thank you. Anyway," she said, pulling me up. "No. I'll be your stylist this evening." She pulled my hair band out and steered me into the bathroom, pushing me down on the toilet seat.

"Stay here." She turned and strode back into the other room and I heard her rummage through a suitcase.

I turned my head to face myself in the mirror. Alex was right, I'd look so out of place.

Alex returned holding... a lot of black.
Black jeans, black shirt, black earrings, black converse.

"That is a lot of black."

"It's also your outfit for the evening."

I sighed. No use arguing with hard-headed Alex.

"Well? She asked. Go put it on."

I walked back to the bedroom and changed into the outfit, tucking the shirt into the high-wasted jeans and putting black stud earrings in.

When I returned to the bathroom, Alex had set out about a bajillion makeup products on the counter and was playing a playlist from her phone that mostly consisted of Pierce The Veil. She pushed me down on the toilet again and immediately began doing my makeup and hair.

"Is this necessary?"

"STOP TALKING I'M GOING TO MESS UP THE EYELINER"

"Wow, fine"

After what felt like an hour, Alex finally stepped back to admire her work.

"Once again, the master has made Claire look hot as fuck. Look at you!"

She shoved a handheld mirror in my face. Holy shit. I did look good. My hair was twisted back into a bun and my makeup was perfect; my eyeliner was expertly winged and my skin looked flawless. My lips were a dark crimson.

I stared in awe at Alex, then glanced, dumbstruck, back at my reflection. Damn.

She surveyed my outfit, shaking her head at my shoes. "Pumps, definitely pumps." She mumbled to herself as she returned to her suitcase and handed me a pair of black heels.

I waited patiently on the bed while Alex got ready. My phone buzzed and I looked at the bright screen expectantly. Vic.

Hey hey when are you gonna be here?? xx

I looked at the time. 5:46. The show started at 7, but the boys wanted us to be there early. I typed back quickly:

Getting ready to leave. Be there in 20?

Vic texted back fast.

K. See you here babe. xx

•••

At the venue, we were ushered through a secluded back door so we could safely reach the boys without being trampled by a herd of rabid teenage girls. Who could blame them, though?

When we reached the boys, they were warming up with stretches and jumping jacks.

Vic turned around to meet me and his jaw went slack. His eyes grew as he scanned my from head to toe.

"Damn..." He whispered under his breath before stepping forward to hug me.

"Hi" I said, smiling shyly. "Missed you today."

Vic was still checking me out in awe. Tony walked over calmly and smacked him in the back of the head.

"Wha- ow! Claire- you look gorgeous- I-" Tony was smiling at me and dragging him away now. "I'll see you in a little bit! I have to... You know..." He pointed in the direction of the stage. "Yeah"

I laughed once he was gone. It was then I decided that I loved Vic Fuentes.