The Jacket Snatcher

Chapter 24- The Video

After popping some popcorn and grabbing a few sodas, we make our way back into the living room. No one even turns around at our approach, obviously choosing to pretend that they didn't hear our blow up in the kitchen. Luke and I exchange a small, knowing smile before taking our seats on opposite couches.

After Luke's confession earlier, I decide that I'm not going to ice Calum out or anything, but I make a conscious effort to be less touchy. So when I sit down, I cuddle up to Lindsay instead. She leans down to whisper into my hair.

"What was all that about?" she asks.

"Later," is all I say, turning my attention to the movie.

When it ends, I stretch and sit forward. Lindsay mirrors my actions.

"Well, guys, it's been great meeting you. Thanks for letting me crash your hangout," she says, turning to smile at each of the boys.

"Um, you girls can't leave yet," Ashton says, standing to his feet.

"Why?" I ask.

"Because we still haven't showed you the thing! It's the whole reason we asked you over tonight!"

"Okay, well what is it?" I ask.

At Ashton's statement and my question, Michael suddenly flees from the room. He returns a few seconds later with his laptop in his hands. Projecting it onto the television, the still of a video pops up on screen.

"Is this--"

"Yep!" Calum says happily before I can even finish my question. Michael hits play.

The screen starts moving with a close-up of Michael playing the intro to Disconnected. Slowly, the frame pans out and reveals the whole band, Luke singing the first line as a crowd of girls cheers and sings along. As soon as he says the word "you," the video switches to a shot of me smiling in the crowd and swaying back and forth to the melody, staring straight up at the stage.

The next line opens on the scene of the "brain-dead" extras on the couch, all eyes glued to their phones or the television in front of them. The video cycles through a montage of me having a "moment" with Michael, then Ashton, and Calum walking me to the door during the chorus. When the next verse hits, I suck in my breath.

There, on the screen for everyone to see, are Luke and I cuddled on a bed, laughing together as he plays with my fingers. I feel my face heat up and literally can't look at anyone for fear of complete mortification, but I do hear Lindsay let out an awwwww from beside me.

The rest of the video continues to cycle through my scenes with the boys, them performing on the stage, and a few close-ups of them singing the words to camera.

The last chorus begins and it follows Calum and I on the front porch. The rain starts to pour and my genuine reaction of surprise and excitement comes out. We dance and then he pushes me up against the wall. I know what's coming next.

My breath catches in my throat, and I find myself in this bizarre position of watching myself kiss someone on a television screen. I risk a quick glance at Luke whose jaw is clenched tight as he looks down to the floor. Then his eyes come up to meet mine, and his face softens. He gives me a weak smile and a shrug. I briefly return the smile before looking back to the screen to watch the video end.

When it does, everyone cheers and high fives. Lindsay looks over at me with wide eyes. "You're in a freaking music video."

"Oh, my gosh...I am..." I say, just letting it set in.

"That is so awesome!"

I smile back at her, but to be honest, my heartbeat still hasn't slowed. "So people are going to like...see this?"