Why not ?

Things are getting better

The next morning, you wake up first and go down to the terrace to have breakfast.
Payton comes downstairs a few minutes later. He joins you outside.
Payton : « hi »
You give him a look then continue to eat.
You are still a little mad at him but you also want to know how he is doing.
You : « ...are you feeling better ? »
Payton : « yeah, ...thanks » smiling a bit.
You : « why are you smiling like that ? »
Payton : « for nothing » still smiling.
He is happy to see that you care about him.
You raise your eyes.
You : « okay well, are you gonna tell me what happened last night or... ? »
Payton : « ... »
You : « Payton »
Payton : « we fought »
You : « oh thanks, and can I ask you why ? » raising your eyes.
Payton : « he meddles in what doesn't concern him »
You : « like ? »
Payton : « like nothing, it's okay »
You : « well » getting up, about to leave.
Payton : « wait, where are you going ? » grabbing your arm.
You : « I'm gonna get dressed, can I ? Since you obviously don't wanna talk »
Payton : « please, stay 2 seconds »
You : « why ? »
Payton : « why are you mad at me ? »
You : « for many reasons » raising your eyes a little, about to leave.
Payton : « no but rn »
You : « ...I was scared »
Payton : « of me ?.. »
You : « no, that something happens to you » leaving.

A week goes by, you have not seen Liam again, despite the fact that he keeps texting you to apologize.
But you start to talk to Payton again a little. Pictures of you together (with others too but still) came out and the fans are so happy to have content from you guys again.

Today, there is a meet and greet planned. It is your last day in Dubaï. Tomorrow, you all go back to the United States. So you are getting ready, you are a little sad because you know it is almost over.

Once everyone is ready, you get on your bus.
Madi : « I'm excited but sad at the same time, it's weird »
Cynthia : « yeah me too.. »
Jackson : « girls, we're gonna enjoy this last day here together, and then we'll see each other in America anyway »
Madi : « yeah.. »

You arrive in front of the meet and greet room. There are already a lot of fans out there. They are very excited and shouting from everywhere. They get as close to the bus as possible so they can talk to you and see you up close.
It still feels weird for you to see so many people there to see you.

Your bodyguards create a way to the entrance. As you get off the bus, the fans start to get even more excited and shout your names to talk to you. You hear some of them talking about you and Payton and wanting to know more, but you do not say anything and walk to the entrance.

You guys manage to get in and once you are all inside you start setting up the merch booths and preparing everything for the stage. You and Cynthia go check the microphones together. You take the opportunity to talk to her a little.

You : « did you see how the fans have already started talking about Payton and I ? »
Cynthia : « yeah but, don't pay attention to it. Let them talk, they're just curious »
You : « yeah but what if they start asking me questions ?.. » 😬
Cynthia : « ...well, if you wanna talk to them about it, do it, but you don't have to, okay ? It's your life, not everyone needs to know everything. Just be honest with them »
You look at Payton in the distance.
Cynthia : « ...I mean, be honest with yourself first » 😌
You : « what ? No, it's- no.. » smiling a bit nervous.
Cynthia : « you want me to tell you what I think ? » 😌
You : « no it's fine » 🙂
Cynthia : « he is just waiting for it. So you should go talk to him »
You : « mmh, no »
Cynthia : « why ? Go talk to him, girl »
You : « no cause- okay, he loves me, and I love him but- »
Cynthia : « wait, what ? You what ? » teasing you.
You : « Cynthia.. » raising your eyes.
Cynthia : « who do you love ? » smiling a bit.
You : « stooop » smiling a bit shy.
Cynthia : « just tell me »
You : « nope »
Cynthia : « please, tell me, I just want to hear it »
You raise your eyes laughing a bit.
Cynthia : « y/n, pls pls pls pls pls- »
You : « Payton. Now shut up » in a low voice.
Cynthia : « who ? Sorry but I didn't hear anything »
You : « Payton, stupid » a little louder, smiling.

But at the same time, Cynthia turns on all the microphones, including the one in your hands. So, everyone heard you.
You open your mouth wide, shocked but also trying not to laugh. For her part, Cynthia holds back from laughing as best as she can.

You turn your head and see the others looking at you. You also see Payton looking at you with raised eyebrows and a little smile.
Suddenly, Cynthia bursts out laughing.
You : « you're such a bitch Cynthia » turning off the microphones, laughing a bit too.
She is still laughing.
Cynthia : « we had to check the mics, now we know this one works »
You : « I-... » smiling a bit.

Payton is walking towards you guys.
Cynthia : « oh shit, he's coming this way » 🤡
You : « no ? You're kidding ? » looking at her, not daring to turn your head.
Cynthia : « I swear » laughing a bit.
You : « it's your fault- »
He arrives near you.
Payton : « what's going on here ? » 😌
You : « Payton ! What a surprise ! » 🤡 turning your head towards him.
Payton : « uhum » smiling a bit.
You : « ...you want something ? »
Payton : « idk, wbu ? You called me, so... » 🤷🏻‍♀️😌
You : « me ? No.. we were just checking the mics »
He looks you in the eyes.
You : « well, you can go now » looking away.
Payton : « what if I don't want to ? »
You : « well.. stay, but help us »
So he decides to sit with you and help you.

You talk about everything and nothing while checking some last few things. But soon, Cynthia decides to leave you two alone.
Cynthia : « well, I'm off » getting up.
You : « what ? Where ? »
Cynthia : « idk but I have to go »
Payton shakes his head, smiling.
You : « great » 🤡
Cynthia : « I'm sure you guys have a lot of things to talk about » leaving.