Circles - Post Malone

Sixty Six

"Ok, the twins said he is in a press conference at the Malone hotel," Edward says putting his phone in his pocket. "Ok, so what? We meet him after somewhere?" William asks. Edwards shakes his head, his face streaked with worry. "What is it? What did they say?" Dahlia asks. "Dahlia you pissed everyone off when you shut your phone off. Gina has been freaking out, the twins say it's lucky she had her boyfriend, Harry by her side," Edward says giving Dahlia a pointed look. Dahlia buries her face in her hands. How had she been so fucking blind? For Gina it had always been Harry - never Austin. Fuck! How had she been so fucking blind?

"The twins are also hurt. But they said that Austin does not want to see you."

"So they told him I was here? That I want to see him?"

"No. They did not need to. They said Austin had made it very clear when they all left New York. He never wants to see you again and refuses to enter into any conversation about you. " Edward explains. Dahlia shakes her head. "I need to see him. Even if he turns me away. I need to tell him how I feel and then I will be on my way. Please," she says. William sighs and then leans forward, "take us to the Malone hotel please," he says.

Dahlia sits back and looks out the window at the buildings flying by. She may be too late but she would never forgive herself if she does not at least try. She has no idea what she is going to do once she gets there or what she is going to say. But she can't just not do anything. She was stupid and blind and hurt Austin at the very least she owes him an apology and if that's all he accepts from her - she will accept that. She hopes though that he will accept more than an apology from her. She will also make it up to Gina and the twins. She has no idea how, but it must be done.

It's pandemonium at the Malone Hotel. There are guards at every entry and a crowd of what looks like a few hundred people. "Are those fans?" Dahlia asks shocked. "Have you been living under a fucking rock?" William asks. "No. In Italy with no fucking social media," Dahlia snaps back at him. "Oh yes, I forgot about your tantrum. Running off to Italy and hiding from the fucking world. The band released a single - fucking broke the music industry records and shit," William says. "What's the single called?" Dahlia asks. "I fall apart," Edward answers. Dahlia shakes her head. "I know all Austin's songs. That's not one of his songs," she says. "This song was written after he left New York. I suggest that you do not listen to it," William explains.

"It's that brutal?" she asks, but she is not suprised to be honest. "It's scathing, you did hurt him very badly, Dahlia," Edward answers softly. "I have to see him," Dahlia says opening the cab door and trying to get out but Edward pulls her back. "We need a plan. Look at this place it's like fucking Fort Knox. You are not getting in there without a pass," William says. "Look," Edward says pointing to a media van a few cars away. "They would have a media pass and that lady has black hair just like you."

William leans forward and taps the cabby on the shoulder. "How much would it cost for you to create a diversion?" he asks. "Five grand," the cabby says. "Deal. Dahlia, while we are busy you sneak off and get that lady's media pass," William instructs. The cabby the whoops, goes full cowboy and puts his foot on the gas pedal slamming into the back of the media van. Two men and a black-haired woman jump out at the same time as the cabby does. The cabby flings insults and a fight ensues. William joins in just for fun and Edward keeps watch as Dahlia sneaks to the van and finds the lady's media pass on the front set.

Dahlia makes it to the front door of the Malone Hotel. She hands the guard her pass and holds her breath as he insects it. After a few seconds, he seems satisfied, nods and hands it back to her then waves her through. She follows the signs and eventually lands up outside a set of double doors. Austin is on the other side of these doors. Her heart skips a beat and she takes a deep breath and then slips in. The conference room is huge and very full. Dahlia's stomach flip flops when she sees Austin along with the band, including Harry sitting up on stage. She has no idea what she is going to do or say. She had no plan.

She slips into an empty chair and tries to take in what's going on. Names are being called out and then a microphone is given to whoever claims the name. The recipient stands and asks a question. The questions are stupid like what brought them together? What are their hobbies? What are their passions? It's all the same fucking answer - music. Harry does a good job of answering most of the questions while the rest of the band nods along and laughs at any quirky comments he makes. Austin laughs too but Dahlia can see it's fake. It's all fake. The way he smiles at random reporters, the way he answers the odd question - his answers are robotic and fake. This was part of his dream but it does not look like he wants to be up there.

What is her plan? Fuck. She will just wait till the conference is done then make her way up to the stage and out whatever door Austin disappears into. She suddenly gets elbowed in the side, "hey that's you," the girl next to her whispers. "What?" Dahlia asks confused. "The name being called. Janet Howel," she says pointing to Dahlia's name tag. Oh shit. She has no idea what to say. But she has to take the chance. She could wait till it's over but what if she can't catch up to Austin? No. It's now or never.