Until We Fall (A Before You Exit Fanfic)

CHAPTER 2

CONNOR'S POV

We arrived in New York yesterday and all we did was roam around the city. But later on, we have to go to the set to film our music video. All of us are excited because we've been waiting for a long time to film for this song. Heart Like California has always been one of our favorites and we can't definitely wait for our fans to see what we've been up to for the past couple of weeks.

"You excited, Connie?" Riley asked me after turning off the TV.

I rolled my eyes while browsing my instagram feed. Riley knows how excited I am upon seeing Bianca this afternoon. He knows I have a little crush on her and I can tell he's using every opportunity just to tease me.

"Ha ha. Very funny." I replied. "I'm sure you're excited as I am."

I can see Toby smile from the corner of my eyes. "I know yours is a different kind of excited." Toby grinned.

"Whatever guys. I'm just stoked about shooting this video. Nothing more." Both of them gave me a wide smile while shaking their heads. I ignored them and just continued using my phone.

After a few more minutes, our Mom came in to our hotel and told us we should get going to the venue. We immediately prepared our things and head out of the hotel. The venue of our video shoot will be near Central Park which is only around 25 minutes away from our hotel.

"Hey, Bianca! We're on our way to the location of the video shoot. Can't wait to see you!" I sent her a text, ignoring Toby who is practically looking at my phone the whole time.

Once we arrived at the venue, we immediately got our things at the back of our van and ran towards the exact location, where cameras are being set up. I can see our director a few feet away from us talking to someone but I can't see who it was. She has her back turned against us so I can't see her face, but I'm assuming it's probably her.

I set my things down near our tent and walked towards them avoiding to look really excited.

*Ding, Ding* 1 new text message from Bianca Adams

I looked at my home screen as I was already a few steps away from them. I looked at Bianca and noticed her phone is hanging at the back of her pocket. How could she have sent me a text? Anyway, I ignored it and rushed to them immediately.

"Hey, Rick!" I said, waving. He looked at me with a smile on his face. "Hey Bian-" I stopped when the she turned around. Apparently, she wasn't the one I was waiting all day to see. "Oh, um. Sorry. Hi. I'm Connor." I said, reaching my hand out for her to shake.

She's a bit hesitant, but she shook it after letting out a slight smile. "Hey, I'm Alex."

I looked straight to her eyes before letting her hand go. "So, uh. Connor, can you call the guys over here?" Rick asked, pointing to Riley and Toby who are seated near our tent.

"RILEY! TOBY! Come on over here, now!" I shouted which apparently caught the attention of the whole crew. "Oh, sorry." I followed.

Riley and Toby rushed towards us, smiling immediately when they saw Alex beside Rick and I.

"Hey, what's up?" Riley asked, looking at all three of us.

I moved towards Riley and Toby so I can stand beside them, facing Rick and Alex.

Rick let out a sigh. "So, you might be wondering where Bianca is. Apparently, she has an immediate casting to go to so she just found us a replacement for the shoot." He said, motioning towards Alex who has a worried look on her face.

"WHAT?" I nearly shouted, forgetting how offensive it may translate to both Rick and Alex. Riley and Toby shoot their eyes towards me, with a confused look on their faces. "Sorry, uhm, what?" I asked again, lowering my voice this time.

I can see Alex slouch from the corner of my eyes. "Sorry it's short notice. Bianca's actually my best friend, and she called me last week to inform me that she can't be in the shoot, and that I have to replace her." She said, looking at the three of us unknowingly.

"Well um, forgive him." Riley said, pointing towards me. "He's clearly excited to be with Bianca that he can't practically wait the whole day. You know what I mean." Riley said, which earned him a punch on his shoulder from me. "Aww." He said, looking at me with a grin. "Anyway, it's cool. I'm sure she asked you for a reason. And that she wouldn't recommend you to us if you weren't great so yeah, welcome to the Heart Like California video shoot!" Riley said excitedly, giving Alex a high five.

"Yeah, Alex. It's fine, we can't wait to work with you." Toby said, shaking her hand after.

Both of them gave her a final wave and walked back towards the tent. "I have to fix something." Rick said, leaving immediately, which resulted to an awkward silence between Alex and I.

I looked at her with a smile. "Sorry for how I acted earlier, Alex. It's just that, I, uhm-" I can't find the right words to say.

She gave me a smile back. "I understand, Connor. I can tell you're just really looking forward to see her. It's cool." she replied. "I'll just go there for a while." She added, waving at me and walking towards the tent where Riley and Toby are sitting under.

I just gave her another smile and waved back, not moving an inch. I sighed and checked my phone again, which opened up to the text Bianca sent me awhile ago.

"Hey, Connor. Uh, sorry, I wouldn't be able to be there for the shoot. It's just that there's a really big opportunity waiting for me in LA and I just can't turn it down. I hope you can forgive me. And I'm sure you'll like the girl I sent as my replacement. She's a great girl, beautiful too. Get to know her for me, okay? I'm sure you'll like her eventually. Say hi to Riley, Toby, Joan and the rest of the team for me. I'll see you all soon." I hope so. I hope I could like her the same way I like you.