180 Degrees- Completed

Chapter Fifty One

"There's a couple making out in the crowd down there which is so funny because these are not the most romantic songs." I laughed into the mic as the couple turned around and flushed red. "No you're good, carry on." The band laughed at me as I shook my head "Okay last one and then I'm going to go for the night." The crowd boo'd. 

"You suck Avery." I looked down at Izzy, throwing my head back laughing before giving her the finger. 

"Gee. Thanks Iz. Love you too." I took in a deep breathe and turned to the band. "Ready?" A quick nod from the guys and the beat kicked in. A good old cover I'd made them learn months ago. They hated that it was a Taylor Swift song but it wasn't country or pop. Not really so I'd convinced them pretty easy.  This was going to be intense. Buckle up. 

"I used to think one day we'd tell the story of us
How we met and the sparks flew instantly
People would say, "they're the lucky ones"I used to know my place was a spot next to you
Now I'm searching the room for an empty seat
'Cause lately I don't even know what page you're on." 
I could see Izzy in the crowd smiling. This is what she'd heard us rehearsing earlier this week. We'd performed it before and it was so much fun but part of me knew she wanted me to do this one specifically tonight with him stood beside her.

"Oh, a simple complication
Miscommunications lead to fall out
So many things that I wish you knew
So many walls up I can't break through

Now I'm standing alone In a crowded room
And we're not speaking and I'm dying to know
Is it killing you like it's killing me yeah
I don't know what to say since the twist of fate
When it all broke down and the story of us
Looks a lot like a tragedy now next chapter

How'd we end up this way?
See me nervously pulling at my clothes
And trying to look busy
And you're doing your best to avoid me." 

I caught him in the crowd, barely moving. Just watching as the girls screamed along beside him. He stuck out like a sore thumb in this crowd. Face covered in a deep sadness that he was masking with pride. I can't look at him for this. It was going to make me loose my place and fuck it up.

"I'm starting to think one day I'll tell the story of us
How I was losing my mind when I saw you here
But you held your pride like you should have held me

Oh, I'm scared to see the ending
Why are we pretending this is nothing?
I'd tell you I miss you but I don't know how
I've never heard silence quite this loud.

Now I'm standing alone in a crowded room
And we're not speaking and I'm dying to know
Is it killing you like it's killing me yeah
I don't know what to say since the twist of fate
When it all broke down and the story of us
Looks a lot like a tragedy now." 

I couldn't stand it anymore. He'd be gone soon and I needed to soak him in. I didn't care right now if it reset everything I'd worked for. I wasn't forgetting or moving on from him as it was. One minute more of singing at him couldn't hurt. I took a deep breathe and turned to him as Liam's solo finished. 

"This is looking like a contest
Of who can act like they care less
But I liked it better when you were on my side
The battle's in your hands now
But I would lay my armour down
If you'd say you'd rather love than fight

So many things that you wish I knew
But the story of us might be ending soon."

I turned away now, not wanting to make him feel uncomfortable. I mean it's not like anything was going to come of this right? I'd finish here and leave like I always did. Mason would stand outside with me for a few minutes, make sure I got in the cab safely and I'd go home. I'd never see him again. He didn't have a reason to come here. His hometown is an hour away. He would probably never show his face around here again. And I'd have no other choice but to settle for someone that would never be him. 

"Now I'm standing alone in a crowded room
And we're not speaking
And I'm dying to know
Is it killing you like it's killing me yeah
I don't know what to say since the twist of fate
When it all broke down and the story of us

Looks a lot like a tragedy now, now, now

And we're not speaking
And I'm dying to know, is it killing you like it's killing me, yeah
I don't know what to say
Since the twist of fate, 'cause we're going down.
And the story of us looks a lot like a tragedy now
The end." I sighed as the music cut out and the crowd applauded like always. "Thanks guys. Have a good night."  The stage lights went out and the club lights were back to normal as their music resumed, leaving us all to gather to the side of the stage. 

"That was a good run Vee." I nodded at Liam, handing him the mic. 

"Yeah it was fun. I'm gonna run. I don't want to hang around too long tonight." 

"Okay cool. Practice is Tuesday." I rolled my eyes, smiling as I walked down the right hand stairs. 

"I'll be there." 

Mason was waiting for me at the bottom as always, high fiving me as we walked out the door and out to the front of the building where he lit up a cigarette. 

"So you're joining them?" I chuckled, sitting on the wall beside him. 

"I mean, I was always going to wasn't I? I can deny it as much as I like. It was going to happen." He chuckled, handing the cigarette to me, letting me take a drag before he took it back. I wasn't a smoker. Not really. Only socially and I'd only really take a drag of someone else's never my own. 

Being on stage and doing music and dance had been a lifeline since coming back to school. It was a hard few months being back home. I really struggled to keep myself in line. I had started spiralling until Izzy came home for Christmas and I just had a full blown breakdown on her when I saw her again. I hadn't told her about anything so she was completely bewildered when I showed up at her door the day she got home and I was in tears. She left college not long after, agreeing with her parents to continue with me next year.

"Hello?" I shook my head as he waved in front of me. "In your head again?" 

"Yeah sorry." He moved, standing so he was leaning against my knees. 

"What's up? You've been in your head a lot recently. Are you okay?" 

"Yeah." I nodded looking up at him and relaxing my shoulders. "Just one of those weeks you know?" He nodded.

"Because of him?" 

"Hm?" 

"Because your ex was in town right? The girls introduced us to him." 

"Of course they did." I chuckled, looking down at my feet. 

"He seems nice." 

"He was." I pressed my lips together, giving him a faint smile. "It's fine though you know? He's done with school now probably so he won't be here for anymore games, he doesn't have a reason to pop up around campus. It's fine. Maybe I'll be able to clear him from my head." He sighed. "What?" 

"I just don't get why you're still thinking about him when I'm literally right here." 

"Not this again Mason. I really don't have the capacity for this argument again." 

"Then don't argue against it." I laid my head back. "I'm staying in Boston. I'm not leaving once I graduate next month. If that's what you're worried about." 

"It's not." 

"Then why can't I take you out?" I rubbed my temples, letting out a slow breathe through inflated cheeks. 

"Mason-" 

"Vee?" I snapped my head around at my name coming from an all too familiar tongue. Still as sweet as ever.

"I should go." I slipped off the wall around Mason, turning and walking away.