Fame // Michael Clifford

2.

For the rest of the evening, Angelina and I listened to Michael, Ashton, Luke and Calum rehearse almost every song they had picked out for their ROWYSO setlist. They all seemed so excited about it, mainly because it was the first tour they'd be on where they would be the main event. Everyone in the stadium would be there to see them.

"It's actually kind of overwhelming," Luke said between songs, and the three others agreed. "It's a lot of pressure to know all those people expect an amazing show. Everyone's there to see you do something incredible. If you don't succeed, you're not just failing one person. You're failing thousands."

"Yeah, but you guys are incredible performers!" Angelina said, beating me to it. Normally, when the boys were discouraged or worried, I was the one to perk them up, so this caught me completely off guard. "You have absolutely nothing to worry about, I promise! Besides, I'll be there cheering you on once your summer shows start!"

My breath hitched in my throat at her statement and I swear to God, I could hear my own heartbeat pounding in my ears.

"I'll be there cheering you on once your summer shows start!"

Had she been invited to go with them? Was she assuming, or was it just an "I'll be with you in spirit" type deal? I could have freaked out asking about it and seem like a panicking, invading bitch, but I knew that would only result in an awkward atmosphere until Angelina left, and then Michael would probably be mad at me for handling the situation so poorly.

I could wait until she left to bring it up again.

We were silent as the boys began playing Beside You, one of my favorites. I remember hearing it for the first time and being amazed with Calum's insane song writing talent. The lyrics had such powerful meaning and were filled with emotion. He had poured his heart and soul into the song. I always had to wonder who he had written it about. A song like that couldn't just come to you with absolutely no inspiration.

When Michael's guitar solo approached, he played perfectly, his fingers plucking and strumming the strings flawlessly. It amazed me how far he'd come. I remember how he used to play Guitar Hero every damn day, and when I showed up at his house when he didn't expect it, I'd catch him going crazy on the air guitar with his bedroom door cracked open just enough for me to spy until I was caught giggling. Now, he played guitar like he'd been doing it since the day he was born. He was a natural. It was insane.

"Michael's improved so much on guitar," I told Angelina. "I'm really proud of him."

Angelina glanced up from her phone screen, flashing her pearly whites.

"Yeah, he's really good." Was all she said, and I slightly frowned. Just 'really good'?

"Okay, okay," Ashton laughed once the song was over, standing up from behind his drum kit. "These two are going to have to see the rest live. I'm sweating so much, its damn hot in here."

I nodded in agreement. I hadn't even been doing anything and it was warm in Michael's basement.

"Ash, go take a shower. You smell." Calum teased. Ashton frowned but ran upstairs anyways.

"Mike, can I use your shower?"

"Sure." Michael said, setting his guitar down and walking over to us.

"That was great, Michael! I'm so proud of you guys."

"Thanks," Michael responded, but he walked right past me and walked to Angelina, wrapping his arms around her. "Did you like it, beautiful?"

"Of course, Mikey," Her lips pecked his quickly, but I looked the opposite way anyways. "You did amazing. I'm so excited to see it for real! The lights and everything. You'll do incredible, you have nothing to worry about," She paused, her phone dinging in her back pocket. "My mom keeps texting me, I've got to get home."