Assistant manager- [M.S]

8

"Maybe I would like you better if you took off your clothes"

How the hell do I respond to that?

He said it perfectly normal as well, no hesitation. Without a sarcastic tone. Like he meant it.

"Excuse me?" I nearly choke on my words

He averts his eyes away from me "nothing" he shrugs

"No you just sai-"

He stands up abruptly. "No that was not me, that was all Matty Healy" he says, pointing his finger in my direction. He turns around, grabbing the speaker in his left hand, his phone in the other before walking out the door "Now" he starts "If you'll excuse me, I have a show to put on"

I sit there in silence

Matt has such a.. I don't know how to describe it, just a unpleasant vibe to him, he's tricky to read. I don't dislike being around him but it's like a hit or miss. Maybe he'll make an inappropriate comment? Maybe he'll just sit there and keep to his self?

Eve returns with nick, I hadn't even noticed there arrival until I heard there voices

"Alyssa? You alright?"

I scramble to gather my things, trying to get out of there as soon as I run into another member of the triplets.

"Yeah- yeah I'm fine"

"You look really pale" nick says concerned.

"Well i haven't gotten much sun yet" i try and joke about the situation

"No you look like your sick" Nick pushes, he starts walking towards me but i take a step back for every step he approaches me.

"I'm fine!" My voice raises. "I just- I probably just need something to eat I'll go now" and before Nick or Eve could say anything, i dash out of the door.

I felt uncomfortable. The interaction Matt stays fresh (love) in my brain every time I try and think of something else. Maybe he makes jokes to irritate me? Maybe it's to ease the tension in the room? Although anytime he opens his mouth the tension seems to rise more.

I stop in catering and grab a apple, taking large bites to fill my mouth before tossing the remains in the trash.

This isn't my first time in the arena, my mom had toured here with many other artists however? I had only seen it when its empty. I have absolutely no idea how to get backstage to the main stage. I try to follow the screams of the fans but that just comes from every direction possible.

I settle on just sitting in a hallway, after waiting for about 5-10 minutes I was relieved to see my mom at the end of the hallway, i sigh in relief and start speeding up to her, trying to catch up before she disappears and leaves me stranded. The fast walking turned to jogging and when she turned the corner. Jogging turned to sprinting

A door suddenly swings open in front of my face, making me gasp and freeze in my place.

Chris, nick and Matt walk out. Matt with a guitar slung across his chest as Chris is adjusting the wires on him

"Woah!" Nick grabs both of my shoulders trying to slow down my heavy breathing "what are you running down here for?" He laughs

"Just have to catch up with my mom so I'm not lost here" i say as I take his hands of my shoulders, trying to follow.

Nick grabs my wrist again and turns my towards the corridor "look, just go to that door over there and it'll point out to the front side of the stage" nick points to where I need to go, i nod a 'thank you'