Vogue.

Forty Three

Celine

"So ladies, there's going to be a lot more security this time around. We're adding two more escort cars, thirty more guards in the venues, and lastly we're adding one escort on the bus for you."

Griffin is the security coordinator, he works along side Matty as tour manager.

"On the bus?" Mimi questioned.

"Yeah, I get the precautionary measures, and agree with them all, except for that." Aspen shook her head.

"Girls while on the bus the only security you have is the driver, and if driving what help will-"

"Then put security on the outside before we drive." Rylee scoffed.

"Matty, we're going to be touring, playing shows. Our outfits are picked for us, hotels are booked for us-"

"Hell they'd wipe our asses if we asked." Rylee added.

"The point is we deserve a little privacy." I raised my eyebrows.

"Privacy isn't a priority, safety is." Griffin told us.

"No." Mimi shook her head.

"What?" Matty asked.

"We have the right to disagree to this. What if we don't sign the contract?" She folded her arms over her chest. I leaned in, agreeing with her.

"Then your tour is off." Matty spoke sternly.

"Girls..." Ruth closed her eyes.

"Privacy is a priority." Aspen nodded.

I looked at the girls, we were all on the same page.

"Why don't we take a break..." Griffin sighed, pushing backwards in his chair, beckoning Matty.

They filed out of the door.

"They can't really call tour off like that, right?" Mimi turned to Ruth.

"Of course they can't." I answered. "It's already been announced, we have the first few shows booked and sold out already, they can't refund all of that." I leaned back in my seat. "Are you sure you girls want to risk that?" Ruth asked. The four of us looked at each other. No one objected.

"Aspen's right, it's a priority." Rylee shrugged.

Once Matty and Griffin returned they agreed to remove the unaccommodating agreements out of the contract. Then we signed it.

Once we were finished with the meeting the four of us went down to the bus.

"As risky as that was... I think it was vital we did it." Rylee spoke.

"I think it made a point to them; we have a voice in our career." Aspen huffed.

"It came a little late if you ask me." I tapped my password into my phone.

"Yeah, now you have to catch up on the writing process-"

"-No I don't." I cut Aspen off. "I have my songs written and the melodies recorded." I smiled.

"How?" Mimi asked.

"Harry helped me set up my studio in my room."

"Oh..."

I nodded and got up to fetch my laptop.

I played my finished recording of the acoustic melody I wrote.

"Hey, you still have to teach me how to play." Aspen reminded me.

New Years Eve

I hadn't heard from Harry since the week after he left. So New Year wasn't happening.

But today is Charlie's third birthday party and we're in Brooklyn. Aspen and I were sent to pick up the cake while everyone helped set up at Chuck E Cheese.

"Hi, we're here for a pick up." I told the lady. "Under Reid."

"ID please?" She asked, glancing from the desktop at me. I showed her my ID in my wallet and she excused herself.

"So what'd you get him?" Aspen asked as the door rand, signalling someones entrance.

"A set of his favorite TV series." I answered, drumming my fingers on my thigh.

"I don't know what to get him; I'm a horrible gift giver." She frowned.

"We still have an hour..." I shrugged.

"Okay, Ms. Reid..." The lady returned and I glanced between Aspen and I.

"Thank you." I smiled.

"I'll get it, we don't need Mel getting all mad at us because you pass out or something."

"Okay, we can go down to the mall and find a gift-"

"Can I make a suggestion?" I was interrupted.

I turned seeing muscles, height, tan skin, and man bun.

"Uh..."

"Why don't you get him a scooter, how old is he four?" The man guessed.

"Three, and someone already got him one." I corrected.

Aspen glanced over at me.

"How about Hot Wheels, or and RC car?" He offered.

"You look so familiar..." Aspen commented.

"Ms. Reid, as in Celine?" He asked me.

I furrowed my eyebrows and nodded.

"My niece listens to your band. My name is Brock-"

"Brock!" Aspen exclaimed.

"That's what he said." I chuckled.

"No, Brock O'Hurn, the hot model I always see on IG." She nodded.

"Thanks." He smirked.

He was hot.

"Hot Wheels then?" I raised my eyebrows.

"My nephew loves them." He shrugged.

I looked at Aspen and nodded.

"Can I offer you a ride down there?" He- Brock- asked.

"Yes, my feet are dying." Aspen groaned.

"Aspen." I scolded.

"What?" She asked.

"We don't know you..." I tried to be polite.

"If you want to carry that..." He shrugged.

"We don't... I don't, and you can't." She told me.

"Give me two minutes." He laughed.

He ordered whatever he got and let us follow him.

"So whose birthday is it?" He asked, after opening the passenger seat door for me.

"Charlie's, our Adviser's son." I told him. He helped Aspen then got in himself.

"So he's turning three?" He grinned. "My nephew's gonna turn three soon."

"You have a sister or brother?" I asked.

"My sister has him and just had another, but I have two brothers as well." He answered.

"I have younger twin siblings." I shook my head. "Sister and brother."

"How old are they?" Brock asked.

"Eighteen." I sighed, checking my reflection in the mirror above me.

"Ah give your mother my deepest apologies." He spoke, making me laugh.

"Yeah I wish that would help her." I shook my head.

"So, aren't you girls like starting to tour?" He asked.

"T minus 48 hours." Aspen smiled in the back.

"I want to get my niece tickets." He sighed, tugging at his beard.

"I mean you could ask... You do have half of the band in your car right now." Aspen offered.

"No, no. I couldn't do that. Thank you though." He shook his head, turning into the parking garage of the mall.