London Boy | Jamie Flatters

Thirty-seven

April 2023

   "Still nothing?" Bailey asks, frowning as I check my phone. This is the third time she's asked me this tonight, each time growing less hopeful than the last. Jamie's late, and not just a little late, probably just stuck in traffic late...

    No, he's really late.

    His flight got in hours ago, and even then, he hadn't messaged me to say. He'd sent me his flight information days ago, and it notified me when he got in. I didn't think much of it when he didn't text. He was probably exhausted and took a nap at his hotel. When the release party started, and everyone began trickling in, I texted him again, curious about where he was. 

    I feel obsessive, messaging him yet again, wondering where he is, but honestly, I'm getting a little worried. These past four months have been tough, communication getting harder as I worked on the album and he worked on a film, but this felt different.

    Something felt wrong.

     "I'm sure he's just asleep still," Trinity says, ever the optimist. She's wearing a baby pink dress, coordinating with my own, as are Bailey and Lilly. Even Jack dressed to match the theme of the album, wearing a pink jacket. "He's jet legged."

    I force a smile onto my lips, nodding my head, "Yeah, I'm sure that's it."

     As much as I want to spend the entire time worrying about Jamie, I also don't wanna ruin this moment. Jack, most likely being able to sense that nudges me, saying, "This party is insane." We're at some trendy spot in the heart of LA, the place fully decked out to match the theme of the album, with pink and gold balloon arches greeting guests as they arrive. On one table, there are themed drinks, while at another, there are goodie bags handing out my merch. I hardly

     Finally, there's a small stage set up, with a mic and my band's instruments, where we will be performing the album for the first time live. It dropped this morning, and already it's at the top of the charts, topping artists that I've looked up to for ages.

     "I know," Lilly squeals, squeezing her boyfriend's hand excitedly, "I've been fangirling all night. So many cool people are here. Did you guys see Luke Hemmings and Calum Hood from 5SOS by the photo booth?"

    Bailey's eyes grow wide as she slaps Lilly's arm, "Show me right now."

    All of our gazes follow Lilly's as she subtly nods toward to guys standing on the other side of the room, holding themed drinks in their hands as they talk, nodding along to the music. I'd met them earlier when Angela and Dan dragged me around the room, introducing me to guests. They were so nice, claiming to be huge fans of my music and sending word from Ashton and Michael, who couldn't make it. It took everything in me not to melt on the spot while talking to them, keeping my cool.

    What the hell is my life?

     "Oh my god!"

      "I know, right," Lilly gushes, her eyes practically shaped like hearts right now as she stares down the two guys across the room, "aren't they hotter in person?"

   Beside her, Jack's mouth falls a gape as he mutters, "Ouch." 

     Lilly turns to look up at the boy beside her, playfully rolling her eyes, "are you seriously jealous right now?" She asks, and it's clear by the look in Jack's brown eyes that he is. He nods his head, confirming her accusation. Pouting, Lilly props herself on her toes, kissing the curly-haired boy's cheek, "you have nothing to worry about," she reassures in a whisper that we can all still hear. Despite the dim party lighting, I can see the blush that begins to coat Jack's cheeks as he wraps his arm around Lilly's waist, tugging her closer to his side, "besides," she mumbles, snuggling into him, "they're taken anyway."