The Tour

20

"What do you think of this one?" I asked Kensie holding a short black dress against my body as we stood in a brightly lit H&M in Westfields shopping centre

"I think you have one that looks exactly like that at home" she laughed as I rolled my eyes at her getting more and more frustrated at my sudden inability to buy clothes

We had been wondering around Westfields for almost 3 hours and not one piece of clothing I tried on or saw was screaming out to me to buy. Although I didn't necessarily need new clothes I wanted something cute and new to wear to the bring me the horizon show on Friday but I also didn't fully know what the vibe was or how I should look.

I also didn't know if my outfit needed to be versatile and used for an after party as well. The communication between myself and Oli hadn't been great in regards to planning me going to the show.

"This is a disaster" I muttered putting the dress back down

"No it's not Nicky you're just stressing because you want to make a good impression all the time. He already clearly adores you so stop stressing" she said as I nodded in response and began walking to the shop exit

She was right. I was stressed and wanted to make a good impression. But not just to Oli. At this show I was meeting his band mates. His friends from home. Possibly his family and there were also going to be fans there and there was the possibility people would recognise me. That was the scariest part. Being seen and having gossip thrown around social media.

"Have you planned what you're wearing to the gig?" I asked Kensie as she nodded

"Something comfortable just some cargos and a top probably. You have so many options at home Nicky" she explained as I nodded

"I wish I didn't overthink these things" I replied as she nodded

"You'll honestly be fine please chill out"

•

"Hello hello hello" I shouted walking through the front door of my childhood home, the small patters of my dog Steve running towards me instantly filling me with joy as he entered the hallway to great me excitedly

I rarely came home however nothing made me happier than seeing the same light brown walls covered with photos of me, mum, dad and my brother James showing almost all of my favourite memories.

"Nicola?" A confused voice clearly my mums shouted before she appeared at the top of the stairs and screamed "I told you she'd be home soon David" she shouted to my dad who was clearly in his office upstairs

"Well are you going to come give me a hug?" I laughed as she began running towards me before engulfing me in the biggest hug

"You're not allowed to leave for that long ever again" she laughed wiping away a tear from her eyes before pulling me into the living room

The truth is I'd been home multiple times since I'd lived with Luke in LA but most of the time when I was in England I would never tell my parents of brother I was home. Every time I left the pain of going got harder and I know it drained them more and more to see their child leave. Although I was chasing my dreams and they had nothing but pride and support for the career I had chosen I know there was a part of them, especially mum, that wished I could stay in England.

"Oh Nic I've missed you so much" mum said as I smiled

"I've miss you too! I've missed all of you" I explained as I saw my dad walk into the room quickly engulfing me in a tight hug. Similar to one that mum gave. An I don't want to let go of you hug.

"Why are you here? Why didn't you tell us you were coming" my mum asked still clearly in shock

"I wanted to surprise you! We have a week off tour Luke is ill so I decided to come home" I explained as the both nodded

"That's a shame it would have been lovely to see the lad" dad said as I hummed in response.

Annoyingly to my family Luke was perfect. He was beyond an angel in the company of my family and even is own. No arguments. No disrespect. Nothing that made him look bad. He used to go to the local pub with my dad and James, help my mum cook dinner and set the table and almost always invited them to any London 5sos show as if they were is own family.

"You should have stayed with him if he's ill" my mum said as I looked at her in disgust forgetting that she didn't know the half of the stuff he had done or put me through

"Not after the way he's treated me" I quickly snapped as they both suddenly looked at me confused and concerned "We broke up" I blurted as mum gasped as if I'd told her he was dead

"Was a mutual decision but now he's not talking to me" I explained not wanting them to hate him. Although I hated him and shouldn't protect him I just didn't want their views to change. He may have treated my like a piece of crap but there was no way I was letting him get my parents down as well

"Oh honey I'm so sorry. Maybe you're both just a bit stressed at the moment maybe just a bit too much time in one another's pockets on tour" mum said I nodded in response

"Yeah possibly" I replied bluntly feeling awkward wanting to actually tell them that it was because he cheated on me

"Where's James?" I asked wanting to divert the conversation to the other perfect boy in my parents life, my brother.

"Oh he's at work he's never home on time" dad explained as I nodded. I'll always respect my brothers work ambition and drive but never quite understood how he could spend his whole life in an office. But then again he never understood my way of life or want to become a singer either.

"Give him a ring Mary get him back tell him we have company" Dad said hugging me again tightly holding me so so close "we've got to make the most of my little girl being home before she jets off again"