On Tour

Chapter 28 - Victoria

LEXY

As I study the paper Daan gave us for what must be the hundredth time, I wish someone felt about me the same way he does about Gabriella. I wish her the best in the world because she deserves it, but I can't help to feel slightly jealous. 

It's been tricky to figure how to help Daan with this project. We've had to split the task at hand so that Gabriella doesn't find out. She's always busy with something, but has her eyes on us even then.

"I gave Alec a run-through on his part and shared the file with him. We need to figure out a way of doing this together," Joel says as he sits next to me on the farthest stadium seats. "I remember when we could only afford tickets in these seats. It's good that those screens are so large or people won't see a thing. Yet I have fond memories of seating in places like these and watching concerts trying to figure who was who on stage."

"Happy days indeed. Joel, are you sure she won't get suspicious that we are sitting here?" I ask as I look around for any eavesdroppers.

"Gabriella? I don't think so. We've sat before around the stadium when we want to have some time to ourselves."

"But you are with me now..."

"Best company," he smiles and I feel my insides melt.

My phone buzzes with a message, but I don't unlock it.

"Are you dating someone? You've been acting suspicious since we came back to the tour."

"Jealous?"

Joel opens his mouth, but says nothing and stares at the arena. I'm not dating anyone. In fact, what happened was something that I wasn't expecting. On the day I went to see Joel at his apartment and had the nasty encounter with Anna, I felt so awful that I ended up wandering around the city trying to calm myself. I knew that if I went back to my apartment I would break down in tears and I wasn't going to give her that pleasure.

Somehow I ended up in the neighborhood where I saw that cute girl many months ago. I thought I was losing my mind when not only I saw her, but realized she was the same person as the girl who catered the tour press conference.

"Lexy!" She said when she saw me.

"You know my name?"

"I do. Are you okay?"

My head was such a mess at that moment that I couldn't answer. It was a positive thing meeting the person I've been thinking about for a long time, but the feelings for Joel had not abandoned me.

"You don't look okay. Do you want me to call Gabriella?" She said while inspecting my face up close.

"Gabriella? You know her?"

"She's my sister. Why don't you come in?"

"Victoria... You are Victoria!"

She smiled then took out her keys to open the bakery.

"You had closed already. I can leave."

"You look like you need some sweets, and a friend."

I followed Victoria inside and she invited me to sit. "I think I have the perfect cupcake for this moment," she said while grabbing plates and starting a coffee machine.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" I asked, feeling as if I was interrupting her evening plans. 

"Anything for the people who matter so much to my sister. The coffee will take a moment, but I think these red velvet cupcakes will make you feel better."

And she was right. It wasn't like I forgot what happened, but it was certainly a better way to mope about it than walking around the city.

"Will you tell me what's going on?"