Honey

13

This year has by far been the best birthday since I've been in Australia. The only downside is that Ruel is playing a show tonight in the opera house, so we won't get to do anything until tomorrow. I like that he doesn't put me first, and I would never ask him to. I know how much music means to him and how happy it makes him.

"Have you enjoyed your birthday?" Kate asks me as I sit down in the living room.

"I have, it's probably been my best birthday since I've been here" I tell her and she smiles over at Ruel.

He clears his throat and pulls out an envelope he walks over to me and hands it to me. I look up at him nervously and he smiles sitting beside me.

"Should I be scared?" I ask him and he laughs at me.

"Just open it" he coaxes.

I open the envelope and pull out a ticket to his show. I look at him weirdly, I've never been to one of his shows before nor have I really been interested. I like to stay out of his career because I'm afraid of ruining things for him.

"Ruel" I whisper and he wraps his arm around my shoulder.

"You'll be back stage in the wings with Coco and my mum but I want you to come, I know you don't like the idea of me mixing business and pleasure but I want you there"  he tells me firmly and I nod my head gently.

"Yay, omg Beau we should go and get a new outfit and meet Ruel and my mum there" Coco jumps from her seat excitedly.

"Are you sure?" I ask Ruel.

"Go have fun, I'll see you just before the show" he tells me softly and I nod my head.

Coco basically pulls me from my seat barely giving me time to grab my keys. We head out the front door and I drive the two of us round Sydney looking for cute outfits. In the three hours we spend shopping I manage to pick out a pair of blue baggy jeans and a sage green corset from Urban. Coco even forces me to buy a pair of new shoes, I buy a pair of chunky books.

By the time we get to the opera house it's six pm and the show starts at seven. The two of us rush in through the back door and she pushes me into a room where I can get changed. I frantically pull all the tags off and change from my leggings and one of ruels hoodies.

Once I'm changed I check myself in the mirror before heading out. Coco is stood in the hallway she's wearing a dress she bought, she grabs my hand and pulls me down the corridor.

"Coco slow down I'm gonna fall" I pant as she stops at a door.

She opens the door and the whole of Ruels team are inside, his mum is sat on one of the sofas talking to a girl who's tuning up a guitar. Kate immediately stands up when she sees me and Coco, she pulls me into a hug and tells me how beautiful I look.

"Ruel should be out in a few minutes he's just getting miccd up" she tells me with a smile and I nod my head.

A few minutes later Ruel walks through the door with wires hanging round his neck and small ear buds, he has a microphone in his hand. He's wearing a pair of cream dickies some blue converse and a white converse T-shirt. A short guy walks up to him giving him a pep talk before his eyes wander round the room.

He smiles when he sees me and immediately walks towards me. He pulls me from me seat and into his chest, he sways the two of us as he talks to a guy who's running him through the songs and his keys.

"Beau!" He yells and I look up at him but he's looking at a guy sat with the guitar girl.

"Ruely" he smiles walking towards us.

"Beau this is Beau" he introduces us and the guy smiles at me.

"It's nice to meet you" he smiles.

"Yeah you too" I smile and then he disappears.

"Beaus my manager, he thought I made you up because I was lonely" Ruel whispers and i laugh.

He clears his throat and everyone looks at the two of us.

"Everyone this is Beau, Beau this is everyone. Be nice to her it's her birthday" he warns everyone before he lets me go.

Everyone follows Ruel out of the room and Coco and I follow behind. When we finally get backstage Ruel jumps up and down a few times before shaking himself out. He looks back at me and flashes a smile. He fixes the pieces into his ear and suddenly all the lights go out and the music starts.

The whole place fills with screams and Ruel runs out on stage and immediately starts singing the lyrics to Face to Face. It's so strange seeing him on stage, it's almost like he belongs up there. He has perfect control over his voice and his body and it's honestly beautiful.

He seems so carefree up there, he shifts and dances so effortlessly like it's what he's meant to do. After all he's been doing this since he was fifteen it makes sense that he so used to this.

"Hello" his voice is carried round the entire room.

I watch as he sets the mic on the mic stand and looks out to the room. Coco disappears from my side and I watch him carefully.

"I'm sure everyone is aware that today is my girlfriends birthday" he says and the whole room erupts into screams.

"Unfortunately she couldn't be here" he says sadly and everyone boos him.

"I'm joking" he laughs and everyone cheers again.

"Hold on" he says quickly before running towards me.

He offers me his hand and I take it stepping over all the wires onto the stage, everyone in the crowd cheers and they dim the lights slightly. He takes us to the centre and he pulls the mic off the stand.

"Should we sing happy birthday?" He asks everyone and they cheer.

"Okay" he nods and the room goes black.

He and everyone else starts singing happy birthday, Coco walks out with a huge cake. Ruel and I face Coco as she walks towards us also singing happy birthday, I would feel overwhelmed right now but it just feels like it's the three of us in the room. Everyone finishes and Ruel looks down at me.

"Make a wish" he tells me.

I step forward slightly I close my eyes and blow out the candles. I wasn't sure what to wish for, I just wanted more of Ruel and I together. I'm not saying that I want us to last forever, all things come to an end but I wish to love him wholly while he'll still let me.

The crowd erupts into cheers and I step back. Ruel pulls me into him and hugs me tighter than he ever has before.

"Happy birthday darling" he whispers.

I smile up at him before following Coco off stage, he plays two more songs but his muffed voice from the back room seems strange. At this point I'm more interested in the cake, Coco and I sit with a slice each just enjoying the peace.

I think I want more of this, and I want much more of Ruel. Even if forever is a long time.