She's No Longer With The Band

Thirteen.

Nate's Point of View:

Backstage at the award show

Aubrey snubbing me in front of thousands of people in the crowd, and millions on TV didn't make me feel embarrassed at all. I actually found it to be adorable.

The five of us started to walk off the stage as the host began announcing whatever act was going to occur next. I was the one who was holding the award and I was studying it in all its glory. Smooth, silver, and perfect. Looking up from the silver trophy I watched as Aubrey was strutting off far ahead, not wanting to spend another moment with any of us.

Dean leaned in close to whisper something to me. "She looks happy,"

I snickered and shook my head while holding the award carefully, protecting it with all my life. "Extremely,"

Once the five of us walked through the curtains, Aubrey obviously continued walking. That was until to my great surprise, Jackson got her attention.

"Aubrey," He called out, everyone backstage still busy with their tasks. 

Aubrey slowly turned around, looking more than vexed. Truthfully, I don't even know why she turned around but to my surprise she did. Her fists were balled up and her face was red. She looked like she was trying to control her breathing and I felt somewhat bad, but I couldn't help the smirk tugging at my lips. Like she just looked so angry.

"What do you want," She questioned carefully, her jaw clenched the entire time.

I took a step forward, cutting Jackson off. "Can we talk?" I asked while glancing down at my award. "I have to ask you something..." I trailed off.

Somehow, my calm tone and gentle voice eased her lightly. The redness was beginning to leave her cheeks and her fists weren't balled anymore. She still looked suspicious as she should be, but she didn't look like she wanted to kill me at that very moment, and I have to say I felt really grateful for it. She swiped some hair behind her ear and swallowed while nodding.

She pressed her glossed lips into a line and raised her hands lightly. "What're you gonna try and kidnap me again?" She questioned as I snickered and shook my head.

"No," I answered, looking down with a smile. "That didn't work out too well for me last time, did it?"

She looked to the side and around the backstage area. I don't know if she was looking for Brady or anyone specific but she seemed to be searching for someone, or maybe she was trying to see if anyone was noticing our interaction. After a moment of scanning the scene, she turned back to me and set her jaw straight. 

Tilting her head up lightly at me she replied. "Fine, five minutes,"

I fought my hardest to bite back the pleased smirk but ultimately failed. I handed Jackson the award and he shot me a look. A look that basically said, "Don't do anything stupid."

And I plan on doing something stupid.

I walked ahead of Aubrey and we walked backstage until I found an empty storage closet. I opened the door and motioned for her to go inside. "Ladies first,"

Again to my surprise, she walked right in. No questions asked.

I shut the door behind me and flicked on the light. The closet was spacious but nevertheless, it was still a closet meaning that it wasn't exactly the biggest space. There were multiple racks filled with different kinds of strange supplies and liquids and a mop and vacuum in the corner. There were some empty plastic buckets and it almost felt like we were in a janitor's closet.