Fading Echoes (OCxArianaGrande) [Being Re-Written]

Chapter 8 (Re-Written)

**DON'T FORGET TO VOTE!!**

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Van Nuys Airport (VNY)
Los Angeles, California

Benny's POV

Tarmac's lit up like we're on set. Overhead lights hum low, throwing sharp shadows across the pavement. The jet's parked clean under the hangar, steps already down. Two black SUVs backed in, doors open, bags getting yanked out one by one. It's quiet—not silent, just tired. Everyone moving slow, cold air biting just enough to wake us up.

Today's the day.

Me, Fallon, Amelia, Bowie, Damon. Jenny and Sky. Our glam teams. Stylists. The whole damn circus, packed and standing under LEDs before sunrise, about to board the jet for London.

I climbed out of the SUV, cracked my neck, adjusted my hat—black, backwards, same one I've had for years. I don't dress up to get on planes. I was in loose black cargos, worn in soft. Cropped black tee barely meeting the waistband. One of our old NorthSide Bound zip-up hoodies over it—logo faded, cuffs frayed, but it still hits different. Got that tour history stitched into the seams. I don't care if it's falling apart, it comes with me.

Fallon stepped out right after me, guitar case in one hand, hoodie up, face deadpan like she hadn't spoken since midnight. Amelia was leaning against the second SUV, talking with one of the makeup girls, her duffel bag open at her feet like she couldn't be bothered to close it. Bowie had his hood pulled low and was already checking off bags with Sky, lips tight like he was two espressos deep and still not awake.

I looked over my shoulder—and there's Damon.

He was climbing out of the Rover, smiling. And standing next to him, like something out of a backstage dream? Debby Ryan.

Hair clipped up. No makeup. Wearing Damon's hoodie like she's been doing it for years. Soft voice, casual presence, but everyone feels it when she walks up.

He kissed her goodbye, and I couldn't help but grin. Still wild to me that our Damon is dating the Debby Ryan.

I walked over, nodding. "Hey, Debs."

She turned and smiled, warm like she wasn't freezing in the dark at 3 a.m. "Hey, Benny."

I stopped next to the Rover. "You're really out here dropping him off? What, he forget his passport again?"

She laughed. "I don't trust him with morning flights."

I nodded, dead serious. "You're right not to."

She leaned against the SUV door. "Plus, I've got an early call time. Hair and makeup in three hours, then I'm flying to New York for a promo run."