Your Basic, Cliché Love Story (Completed)

~ Six ~

~ Six ~

"Tris!”

"Taz!"

The two names mingled as the two of us spotted each other in the crowded airport. I didn't even care that paparazzi were snapping a thousand pictures per second. I launched myself into the brunet's arms, smiling widely as he spun us around in circles. Eventually he put me down, but we stayed in a hug. My arms were wrapped around his waist and my head against his black hoodie.

The familiar vanilla smell wafted into my nostrils. It was the best thing about Tristan, apart from his eyes. There was always a slight vanilla scent to him. It didn't matter what cologne he was wearing, the subtle vanilla was always there. It was a comforting familiarity. 

"I wasn't even that excited to see Jordan," James teased, the red-head tucked under his arm. They would occasionally share glances full of love, it was quite sickening. And adorable.

"Yeah, but you saw her two weeks ago. I haven't Taz for a whole month," Tristan stuck his tongue out dramatically to his best mate.

"Yes, but you and Taz aren't dating." Marcus pointed out slyly. "Although, you might as well be."

I blushed a not-so-subtle red. I should be used to their teasing by now, after all, I had known Tristan for three years and his bandmates for two. We've endured the teasing since the beginning. 

It was the truth to their statements that made me blush; The fact that I wished we were dating. 

"Alright boys, get going," Joey, the band’s manager, herded them from the back. 

I said a quick hi to Joey, which he returned. The paps were shouting out question after question, a few about Tristan and I's 'relationship.' I rolled my eyes. I loved the fact that paparazzi thought they knew everything; they thought nothing could get past them. Little did they know, a lot went down right under their noses.

"We taking your car?" Tristan asked, arm slung around my shoulder. The group was drifting towards the parking garage. James, Jordan, Marcus and Marcus' girlfriend, Jeneva. Plus Joey and the security who kept anyone from coming to close. We were quite the large group.

"Yeah, I parked it pretty close. I thought you could take me out to a celebratory dinner since my book made it to the New York Bestsellers," I winked. Tristan halted where he was and turned to me with wide eyes.

"Are you serious?" He asked as James bumped into him from behind. James looked with interest between the two of us.

"A hundred percent, my dear sire." I grinned.

"Holy crap! Taz, that's amazing! Congrats! I was going to take you to dinner anyways, but now it's definitely going to be a celebration!" He exclaimed, pulling me into another bone-crushing hug.

"C'mon lovebirds!" Marcus yelped obnoxiously, since we were blocking the path. I laughed out a sorry. We continued to the outside where we all said a quick goodbye to everyone. Tristan and I chit-chatted on our way to my beat down Toyota. He slid into the passenger seat while I did the same with the driver seat.

"So how was the last show?" I made conversation as I maneuvered my way out of the parking garage. I kept my eyes on the road but could hear Tristan tapping his fingers against the door handle. It seemed as if he was nervous, but I was unsure as to why he would be nervous.

He was never nervous. He always had that self-confidence, something I sincerely lacked. It didn't matter if he was performing in front of thousands of people or meeting the President of the United States, he'd grin and take every little thing in stide. But for some reason, with his foot thumping against the floor and his fingers tapping against the plastic of the door, I felt like I might be seeing Tristan nervous for the first time.

"It was good, yeah. Crazy hype. United States is nuts, I'll have to bring you there sometime." Tristan babbled.

"I totally want to go there. My publisher wants me to head down to New York to do a signing." I said offhandedly as I switched on my blinker to head into the small Italian restaurant that was one of our favorites.

"We have a show coming up there, we should make it so we go at the same time." Tristan suggested.

"Oh, yeah, can you imagine it? Us running around New York together? We'd get arrested the first day." I joked as I put the car into park. He rolled his eyes at me as he undid his seatbelt. I followed his example and got out of the car, stretching my cramped muscles. 

Instead of walking towards the restaurant right away, Tristan told me to wait. He started ruffling around his bag and I leaned against the door of the car, waiting for him to grab whatever he needed. A white fuzzy head of a stuffed animal showed a bit. It made me smile that he remembered our tradition.

Whenever one of us left London, we had to buy a stuffed animal for each other. I had stuffed zebras, ponies, bears, giraffes, lions, etc. If you opened my closet, you'd think it was a little girl's haven. It was absolutely perfect.

Tristan handed me the animal and almost immediately I realized it was a penguin; My favorite animal. The penguin was holding a sign and peering closer, I was able to make out the engraving across the stomach of the penguin.

Taz, you've always been my best friend. Be my best friend and my girlfriend? Yours truly, Tristan xx

"What.. Is.. Is this.." I stuttered once my brain managed to figure out what the words said. I looked up at Tristan. He was chewing his bottom lip, eyes still twinkling and cheeks flushed a bit.

"Would you be my girlfriend, Taz?"

"Yes! Of course, Tris, I'd love to be your girlfriend." I managed to get out in a non-shaky voice. His face lit up like I had just given him all the red licorice in the world. 

"Okay, uh, that's good." He grinned before enveloping me in a large hug.

A moment I knew I'd remember for the rest of my life.