She's Not Afraid

Chapter 1 - Ryley

She’s Not Afraid

“We did it!” I say excitedly, jumping on David’s back.

“Yea we did! One more round baby!! WHOOO!” He exclaimed, shouting at no one in particular. I laugh as he spins in a circle, arms outstretch.

“Americans.” Dani says, rolling her eyes, a sarcastic smirk planted on her face. But you can’t know Danielle Peazer without knowing that she speaks with her eyes. Right now they say, “You guys are crazy! Calm down before your asses kicked.” Of course she’s British so it would sound more like, “You blokes are bonkers! Calm your knickers before you get your arse beat!” Or something like that. I only speak a little British.

“But you GOTTA admit Dani, we KILLED that stage.”

“I don’t know how you do it across the pond, but its bad luck to talk about your performance backstage.” Dani informs us sternly, her eyes still sparkling with mischief.

“It’s like that in the U.S. but that’s only BEFORE the performance. See, we’ve ALREADY kicked serious booty so we don’t need to be superstitious.” David explains, still twirling me on his back. Dani isn’t listening anymore. David stops spinning and I get off, walking like a drunk and bumping in to the random backstage dwellers. Dani furrows her brow and keeps reading the screen of her iPhone. Eventually I gain enough balance to snatch the phone from her and read it.

LEEYUM <3 <3

Hey baby girl wanna come over for a movie night?

LEEYUM <3 <3

Oh and bring a dancer mate or two xxx

I look at Dani long enough to see that she’s frustrated.

“Why the long face? Sounds like the dude just wants you to come and cuddle.” She mutters something inaudible that sounds A LOT like, “Poor Ryley’s face.”

“Sorry WHAT?” I ask

“I said, no smiley face. He didn’t put a smiley face at the end OR stretch out one of the letters. Something’s wrong.”

I shrug, “Maybe he had one of the other boys text it for him.” She bites her lip.

“He usually texts me himself… but obviously Niall sent the last one.” I open my mouth to ask how she knows, “He always puts x’s on the end.” I nod slowly, not entirely comprehending this amazing well of knowledge she has about the members of One Direction. I check the clock,

“Well show’s almost done, and personally I don’t give a damn how it ends so why don’t we zip over to his place?” She nods absently, beginning to pack up her bag. I do the same and so does David. I frown at him,

“You’re not coming.” He looks at me like, ‘Why not? I’m a dancer mate, and your two.’ “I just mean that you’re probably not what Niall meant. He might have wanted a sexy GIRL or two to cuddle with, not a dude.”

“But I’m still sexy!” He protests, giving Dani the puppy eyes.

“Sorry David, Ryley’s right. The only reason Niall would want me over is to pick up Starbucks or one of my single friends.”

“Oh well, I guess I’ll just watch BBC all night.” He sighs, trying to guilt us into letting him come.

“C’mon David. You said it yourself, you’re a sexy guy. We’re in LONDON for Pete’s sake. Hit a pub, meet a girl, get drunk and have some fun!”  I say, shouldering my bag. “The X-Factor won’t last forever.”

“Well it kinda DOES. I mean we’re either doing the one here or the one in the U.S.”

I bob my head from side to side, “Yea... that’s true.”