I had some help

Nineteen

The trio made their way to the bar, meeting Caleigh inside. They grouped up and walked over to the bar, ready to order. "A round of shots, please." Morgan called over Alex's shoulder to the bartender.

The bartender nodded and quickly lined up four shot glasses, filling them with a golden liquid. "Here you go." He said with a smile, sliding the shots towards them.

"To a great night!" Michael cheered, raising his glass.

"To a great night!" The others echoed, clinking their glasses together before downing the shots in one swift motion. The alcohol burned on the way down, but the warmth it left behind felt good.

Alex grinned, turning toward the group. "Alright, what's next? More shots? Dancing?"

"Dancing for sure," Caleigh said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "But first, let's get another round!"

The group laughed and agreed, ordering another round of shots before heading to the dance floor. The night was young, and they were ready to make the most of it.

Feeling the warm buzz of the alcohol, Alex grabbed Caleigh's hand and pulled her towards the dance floor. "Come on, let's show them how it's done!"

Caleigh laughed, letting herself be led. The two girls moved to the center of the dance floor, their hands up, hips swaying, and quickly drew the attention of the crowd. They danced with infectious energy, leading the crowd in a spontaneous dance party.

Morgan and Michael stood at the edge of the dance floor, watching with amused expressions. "Well, looks like they've got this covered." Michael said with a chuckle.

"Yeah, we're definitely not needed out there." Morgan agreed, shaking his head with a smile.

Alex and Caleigh continued to dance, their movements fluid and carefree. They spun each other around, laughing and singing along to the music. Their joy was contagious, and soon enough, others joined them, creating a lively and animated scene.

After a few songs, the girls returned to the boys, breathless and glowing with exhilaration. "Your turn." Alex said, nudging Morgan playfully before grabbing his hands to pull him into the center.

"Alright, alright." Morgan conceded, before mouthing "help" to Michael as he was dragged off, earning a hearty laugh from Michael. His laughter was short-lived as Caleigh grabbed his arm and pulled him into the center as well.

"You too, no getting out of this." Caleigh teased, her grip firm but playful.

The girls guided the boys into the middle of the dance floor, the crowd parting slightly to make room for the foursome. The music changed to a lively beat, and Alex and Caleigh encouraged the boys to move with the rhythm.

The group took a break from the dance floor, heading to the bar to get more drinks. They all sat down on the stools, talking. Alex's stool was closest to Morgan's, her head resting on his shoulder, looking up at him as he talked. They were all enjoying their time until an ear-piercing yell interrupted.

"MORGAN WALLEN!?!?!" A girl's voice screamed out. Alex jumped up onto her feet, not expecting anyone to yell. Everyone turned their heads, trying to get a glimpse of him.

A group of fans quickly made their way to the bar where the four had been sitting. Morgan put on a polite smile, preparing for the inevitable interactions. "Here we go." He muttered under his breath.

The fans surrounded them, excitedly taking pictures and chatting with Morgan. Alex, Caleigh, and Michael stood by, giving Morgan supportive smiles as he handled the situation with grace.

After half an hour of photos and conversation, the fans began to disperse, giving the group a chance to catch their breath. Morgan turned to his friends, "Ready to sneak out of here?"

"Absolutely." Alex said, grabbing her things.

"Let's make a run for it." Michael added with a laugh.

The four of them quietly slipped out of the bar through the back, blending into the crowd as they walked down the strip. They found another bar a few blocks away, hoping for a more low-key experience this time.

As they entered the new bar, Alex looked at Morgan, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Think we'll be able to relax this time?"

Morgan chuckled, "Let's hope so."

They found a cozy spot in the corner, ordering another round of drinks. The atmosphere was more relaxed, and they were able to enjoy their time without interruption.

Caleigh raised her glass, "To sneaking out and finding new adventures!"

"Cheers to that." Alex said, clinking her glass with the others.

Alex and Caleigh walked away from the boys, seeking a bit of privacy to catch up. Alex began recounting her recent experiences, starting with their romantic reunion when she surprised Bailey at his show. Caleigh listened intently, her eyes sparkling with interest.

"Michael wants me to write a song with him." Alex revealed, her voice a mix of excitement and anxiety.

"What are you gonna write about?" Caleigh asked, smiling encouragingly at Alex.

"A long time ago, I started to jot down lyric ideas, so I might use those. That's why I don't want Morgan there." Alex answered, grinning.

"What's it about?" Caleigh asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Well, have you heard his song '865'? I knew it was about me, so I thought of a response song. It's called 'No Caller ID,' and it's about him calling me late at night with no caller ID." Alex explained.

Caleigh's eyes widened with intrigue. "That sounds amazing! It's like you're telling your side of the story."

"Exactly." Alex said, feeling more confident. "It's about those late-night calls, where I'd answer and no one said anything. The longing, and the confusion."

The clock glowed 3:00 AM in bold, digital numbers, casting a dim light across Alex's bedroom. Wrapped in the comforting embrace of sleep, she was abruptly jolted awake by the shrill ring of her phone. Groggy and disoriented, she fumbled for it on her nightstand, squinting at the screen that displayed an unfamiliar number.

Heart racing, she hesitated for a moment before answering, her voice hoarse with sleep, "Hello?"

There was a moment of silence on the other end. No response, just the faint crackle of static. Instinctively, she knew it was him. Morgan. Even in the dead of night, his silence spoke volumes. Memories flooded back - the late-night conversations, the unspoken understanding between them, the scene of her walking into a packed up room.

"Morgan?" She whispered tentatively, almost afraid to break the fragile spell of the moment.

Still, silence. All that could be heard was faint breathing.

She could almost picture him on the other end, contemplating his words, battling his demons in the silent void of the night. And then, just as suddenly as it began, the call ended. The line went dead, leaving Alex with a mix of emotions swirling in her chest - relief, nostalgia, and a tinge of sadness.

She lay back against her pillows, staring into the darkness, knowing that despite his silence, their connection remained unbroken. In that brief, silent call, she found solace in the fact that some bonds transcend time and distance, even when words fail to bridge the gap.