XXII.

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the brighton show was over, but nobody left the stage. i had already gone backstage to wait for everyone. instead, i was met with them still on stage, gesturing for me to join them. i was confused, but i obliged. i walked to the stage, anxious about what the crowd would think.


"we need a photo of the whole group," will told me once i joined them. "you included," he continued, answering my unsaid question.

i nodded and went to prop my camera in front of us. i set it to ten seconds and joined the group. i stood between will and leandra, both of whose hands rested on my back, my hands mirroring theirs. once the picture was taken, we all cheered, and will went back to the microphone to thank everyone. i made quick work of gathering my camera and going backstage again, before waving at the crowd. everybody else followed once they had gathered their instruments.

"drinks?" joe suggested once we were done sharing hugs. everybody agreed, so we went to a pub, finally in the town we were so used to.



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(pretend tiana is in between will and leandra)

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(pretend tiana is in between will and leandra)

lovejoy <3

tagged: @lovejoy

comments>>

user56 best show ever

wilbursoot great time!

user833 why r they all so hot?

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"i wanted to ask you something," will said, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled between us. we were standing outside of the pub, waiting for my uber. i had said i was fine waiting on my own, but will had insisted. i averted my gaze from the road and focused on him.

"yeah?"

he hummed. "i was thinking we should go on a proper date, now that we're back in brighton, if you want to."

my eyes widened a little on their own accord, but a smile tugged on my lips. "i would love to."

he smiled. "great. how does friday night sound?"

three days. enough time to mentally prepare myself. "sounds great." my phone suddenly lit up with a notification saying that my uber had arrived. "i've gotta go, we'll talk about this more, yeah?" i said, embracing him in a quick hug.

he hummed in response. "text me when you get home, okay?" he said, softly, once we separated.

"okay." i smiled at him before turning around and making my way to my uber.

----

"how about this?" liam pulled out a light blue floral summer dress from my closet.

it was thursday night and i was panicking about what to wear for the date, so, i called liam for help. he came over with a take out bag and a brain full of advice.

"too casual," i responded from my spot on my bed. i was laying on my stomach, certain that i was doomed. "it would be fitting for a picnic, to be honest."

"definitely." liam hummed in thought. "wait," he said, eyes widening. "do you still have that black dress with the open back?"

i raised my head abruptly. "yes, it has to be in that pile," i said, pointing to a bunch of clothes that had been thrown to the bottom of the closet in previous fashion frustration. liam immediately started rummaging through the pile, in search of that one dress.

"yes!" he exclaimed when he finally laid eyes on it. he held it in front of me, waiting for my approval. "you have to wear this." i eyed it for a moment.

"are you sure it's not too much?"

"no! it's literally perfect," he reassured.

i sighed. "fine. i'm wearing it."

"yes! you'll drop his jaw to the floor." i smiled.

"okay, now make up. something crazy or just eyeliner? i feel like the dress is already 'wow' so i should do simple make up, what do you think?"

"simple, for sure. you're learning." i laughed.

"that's settled then."

"are you gonna get a jacket? it'll be cold. oo, wait, no, don't get one so he can offer you his," liam rambled.

i laughed harder at that. "you read too many books."

"okay? so do you!"

"i'm more of a realist, though."

"yeah, yeah, as if he wouldn't freeze so that you'd be warm," he waved me off. the thought sent butterflies to my stomach.

"well, i'm not gonna let him freeze. i'll get my leather jacket." i got up, making my way to my closet. i pulled the hanger where my leather jacket hung out of the closet and laid it on my bed, next to the dress that liam had left there.

"and i'm assuming docs for shoes?"

"obviously," i said, pulling those out too.

"alright, lastly, hair."

"ponytail?" i suggested. "we don't wanna hide the back," i explained.

"no, we don't!" liam agreed, smirking.

"right, i think i'm ready," i said, eying the look we'd created.

"my girl is growing up," liam said, pouting jokingly.

"shut up." i playfully pushed him, making him laugh.

"let's eat, i'm starving." he made his way out of my room and to the kitchen where he'd left the food he'd brought. i followed suit, getting plates for us, before settling on the living room couch in front of the tv. "f.r.i.e.n.d.s?" liam asked, once i had the tv remote in my hand.

"duh."

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