Who They Really Are

twenty-one

"You're such an idiot," Kat says, laughing.

"So I've been told," Noel says, giving her a dirty look through the computer screen.

They were currently facetiming after Noel's concert in Barcelona, just like they had everyday for the past couple of weeks. Since Noel had left the U.S. he and Kat had been texting and facetiming everyday, talking about Kat's shoots and all of Noel's many concert adventures. Tonight was definitely one of Kat's favorite stories so far though.

"How do you just fall off stage?" Kat asks Noel as she's still laughing uncontrollably.

Noel gives her another dirty look. "If you're going to be mean then I'm just gonna end this FaceTime right now," he says.

Kat rolls her eyes. "Okay, okay. Just tell me your story, I'll be good."

"It's not much of a story really. I was just really into the song we were playing and had my eyes closed and somehow ended up just walking straight off the side of the stage," Noel says.

"Did you land on people? Oh my gosh you probably crushed a bunch of crazy, teenage girls, didn't you?"

Noel shakes his head, and a small laugh escapes his lips. "Nope, I just fell into the aisle."

"And this big security dude rushed over to him and literally picked his scrawny ass off the floor and put him back on stage! It was hilarious," Liam yells from somewhere in the background.

Kat begins to laugh hysterically again at the thought of that, and watches as Noel throws something at Liam, which Liam then throws back hitting Noel on the side of the head. Noel responds by getting up and tackling Liam, and Kat smiles at the craziness she's watching.

"Okay, be glad you're not here," a voice says, and Kat watches as Addi sits down at the computer and enters the screen.

"I don't know, it seems like you guys have been having a lot more fun than me," Kat replies.

"I actually wish you were here. They've been insane and I really wish I had another girl with me," Addi says, sighing at the boys fighting behind her.

"I wish I was there too..."

"How are things with you and Noel?" Addi asks.

Kat smiles, a blush starting to form on her cheeks. "I don't know.. Good I guess. It's hard to know when you're in different countries. We're just now getting to know each other and he's constantly surrounded by other girls..." Kat trails off.

Addi nods. "I get it, 100%. But I'll let you in on a little secret: he talks about you all the time. Like constantly. He hasn't been paying attention to any girl but you these past couple weeks. And he's not normally like that unless he really likes a girl."

Kat grins, unable to hide her happiness at what she just heard. "Thank you, Addi. It means a lot to hear that."

"Addi, give Noel his girlfriend back before he kills me!" Liam yells from somewhere Kat can't see.

"Shut up. She's not my girlfriend," Noel says, walking back up into the frame as Addi moves out of the seat.

"Bye Kat!" She calls, and Noel takes his spot back.

"Sorry 'bout that," Noel says.

"It's fine..." Kat answers. "But I should probably get going. I have an early morning workout tomorrow."

"I thought you had a workout tomorrow night," Noel says, giving her a questioning look.

"I do. But I have one in the morning too. At like 7:00."

"Kat you seriously don't need to workout once a day, let alone twice. Is that even healthy?"

"It's just so I'll be ready for the fashion show. I have to be prepared."

"But that's in like way over a month."

"Exactly, so I need to start doing extra now so that I'll be good and ready by then."

"Kattttt," Noel whines.

"Oh, shut up. I'll talk to you later," Kat says, getting ready to end the call.

"Text me after your workout. That you shouldn't be doing, I might add," Noel says.

"You know I will," Kat says, giving Noel one more smile before turning off her phone for the night.

•••••••••
Kat instantly grabs her phone as she makes her way out of the exercise studio, making a new message.

Kat: I made it out alive

Noel Casey: yaayyyyy

Kat: what're you idiots doing today?

Noel Casey: we'll be on the plane today. heading to Canada for three shows.

Kat: then back home?

Noel Casey: does someone miss me?;)

Kat: how could I possibly miss you? we basically talk 24/7

Noel Casey: whatever. but yes, we'll be home on the 26th I think

Kat: :))

Noel Casey: my thoughts exactly

••••••
Kat had only done a couple shoots since Noel left so that she'd have more time to work out and prepare for the show.

This also meant she had extra time for Noel, and they'd spent a lot of the time learning everything they could about each other.

Kat had recently learned that the band planned to live in Chicago after they were finished with the tour, all together in an apartment with a recording studio so that they could start writing their next album. Noel was really excited about this, and Kat was just excited that he'd be back in the U.S.

She still didn't exactly know how she felt towards him still, but she did know that she really liked him and wanted to see where things went with. She was a little tentative to start a real relationship because all of her previous ones had ended quickly and badly, but she also really wanted to give Noel a chance.

And since Kat had been doing really well lately, Martha had agreed to give her the month before the fashion show off as long as she kept preparing for it and stayed out of trouble, and Kat planned to spend part of the time with Noel and part of the time with her family.

She was also planning on meeting Noel at the airport when he arrived next week, but he didn't know that. Addi was helping her plan everything, and Kat kept wishing that time would hurry up so that Noel would get back already. But all she could do was keep working out and bother Harold as she waited.