Touring With The Strokes (editing + updating)

On The Road

"Nikolai, can you pass me my bag?" I asked while I packed the rest of my things. Today was the day The Strokes were going on tour.

"Sure," Nikolai said, smiling. He was super nice to offer and help me pack my things with me.

"So we'll put your things in the car, but we still have about a hour. Do you want to get food before we go to the studio?" He asked, quietly, while checking his watch.

I gave him a beaming smile, "I'm starving, of course I'd love to." I explained. We fixed up the apartment and put all my stuff in the car.

I said my goodbye to Summer. Luckily she had other friends and her boyfriend, Ezra, so she had company. I was definitely going to miss her.

I also quit my job. All I did was work at Papaya King, which was the lamest job and it was super boring. It was supposed to be my high school job, but I couldn't find another job, so I kept it.

"What are you in the mood for?" Nikolai asked, in a shy tone.

"I'm up for anything, how about pizza, or maybe sandwiches?" I exclaimed.

"Chinese." He simply said.

"Chinese it is then." I said, smiling as I accidentally hit Nikolai's hand, as we walked down the street. "Sorry," I simply said.

"It's fine." He says, giving me a toothy smile, and grabbing my hand, interlocking our fingers. I smiled as butterflies rush through my stomach.

We walk into the Chinese place, order our food, and sit down to eat.

"I'm going to miss New York for a while." Nikolai says, as he glances around the restaurant, before meeting my eyes.

"Yeah, it's going to be different for a little while." I say, as I eat my food.

Nikolai smiled at me, "You're amazing you know that?" He said, looking at the ground before looking up at me. "You've been an amazing friend...ah you know?"

I smiled, "Nikolai, you know I like you, right?" I said.

"Of course I know that." He said, dazing into my eyes.

"No, like, like-like you." I explain, feeling embarrassed, but this on and off flirting with him was annoying me at this point. I wanted to be more than friends, but I surprised myself with my confidence to come out and say it.  He let out a sigh of relief.  "What?" I asked.

"I thought I was going to have to say that, but you made it easier." He said, chuckling lightly.

"You're something, Nikolai." I said, laughing. He just smirked.

We walked back to the car, hand in hand and drove up to the studio, where everyone was meeting up to leave.

"Hey, hey, hey." Albert exclaimed when he saw me and Nikolai hold hands, as we grabbed our baggage to haul into the tour bus.

"Nice snatch, Nikolai." Fab said, as he smirked at me.

"Oh, shut up, Fab." I nudged him, as the four of us climbed onto the bus. Nick, Ryan, Julian, and a few others were already on the bus, ready to go.

Nikolai and I sat down in two seats across from Nick and Julian. I took out a book to read, but Nikolai was making it hard to focus.

Nikolai was kissing me and trying to play with my hair.

"Stop it." I playfully said, as he continued to laugh. Nikolai may seem shy and quiet, but he is certainly not when you get to know him.

"What's up with you two?" Nick asked, peering up from his guitar, giving Nikolai a smirk.

"Oh nothing." I quickly said, giggling as both Nikolai and I exchanged smirks.

"Doesn't look like nothing." Julian said laughing, when he looked up from some pictures he was looking at.

"I think you guys can put the puzzle pieces together." I explained, rolling my eyes at the both of them.

"Hey, who wants to play battleship?" Albert asks, as he moved up closer with Fab.

"I'll play." I said quickly, before anyone else could volunteer.

We set up the game on the table as everyone gathered around. We decided to do teams, so it was Albert, Fab, and Nick on Team A and me, Julian, and Nikolai on Team B.

"I'm ready to kick all your asses." exclaimed Albert, as he gave us all a creepy eye look.

Before we could really start the game, Ryan interrupted us, "Hey guys, get your crap we have to go quick through the airport so we don't miss our flight." He explained.

England here we come.