Fluorescents

11

" It feels like I only go backwards baby
Every part of me says "go ahead".
I got my hopes up again, oh no... not again.
Feels like we only go backwards darling"

The familiar tone rings through my ears and I rustle in my bed but sooner than I expect I run out of room and fall to the ground, a loud thud accompanying what I am now aware is my ringtone. I look around and gaze at the slightly familiar environment surrounding me. I wasn't on my bed, I fell asleep on the small couch inside the tour bus. I look down at the floor and my eyes quickly land on my ringing phone. I reach towards it and flip it over in order to gaze at the caller ID but before I can, the call ends and I'm left wondering who was contacting me. Shortly after my wonder is butchered when the caller calls once again. I roll my eyes to try to seem annoyed but I subconsciously let out a quiet yet excited giggle.

" Hello?" I sing song to the other person on the line.

"Good morning pumpkin." Matt chirps in a hoarse yet sweet tone. He's for sure still in bed and my heart flutters with the thought that he took the effort to call me the second he woke up. My best friend is the best.

" Good morning." I say in an equally sweet tone. I'm so glad he called me, I've been so stressed lately with work. Last night was so overwhelmingly stressful but I'm glad that- oh dear god. I look around the bus and quickly lift myself up to check out the window. We aren't moving and I'm not even aware what time it is. When I look out I see a giant building but I'm unable to tell what it is. I hear Matt speak through the phone and I quickly respond while awakening my phone. "Wait a second please." I tell him and he responds with an ok. I look at the clock on my phone and sigh shortly after. It's 6:23 and we're not moving. Hopefully we already arrived at the hotel and dropped the bands. I look down at my phone and bring it to my ear.

"Everything good?" Matt asks when he hears me breathe heavily through the phone. I make my way to the front of the bus and step out of it. Right now I need to find anyone that will inform me of anything. I didn't sleep much so I rub my eyes at the newly exposed brightness and look around before answering Matt.

" Yeah I've just been dealing with a lot of stress." I laugh to cover over my current misery.

Matt laughs and yawns through the phone and I feel guilty for being the cause of his early wake. I informed him yesterday that I was planning on waking up early in order to help with the bands drop off and he went to the extent of calling me in order to make sure I am awake. I'm so grateful to have him as a friend. If it weren't for him I would have waken up hours late.

" Hey if you want we can talk later, you sound kinda busy right now and I don't wanna get in the way." He suggests before I agree and we decide to hang up. Hopefully I didn't mess up his sleeping schedule and he gets some rest.

When I make my way around our bus and finally see the bands' buses I let out a heavy sigh of relief. The building is the hotel and only several people are walking around. I catch the attention of a man and he walks towards me when my confused demeanor catches his attention.

"Hello." He says before sticking his hand out for me to shake. He seems to be around his late twenties and has a sweet yet chill demeanor, while still having a strong and built stature that makes him sort of intimidating. "I'm Derek, the tour manager." He informs me and I smile at him while still shaking his hand. He looks down at our still shaking hands and I laugh awkwardly before removing my hands from his. He has short and messy brown hair that he pairs with a subtle brown beard. His eyes are a dark brown color and I can't seem to peel myself away from them.

" I'm uhm I'm uh Jocelyn." I say, mentally face palming myself. He gives me a content yet slightly confused nod and I quickly realize what I forgot to inform him of. " I'm the stage manager." I blurt out, too late. He laughs lightly and gives me a more confident nod before taking a sip of the coffee in his hands. I gaze at it as he brings it to his lips and instantly find myself craving it. The coffee. Not the man's lips. What is wrong with me? He's immensely attractive and I can't seem to look away from him.

" Well follow me." He tells me before turning around and beginning to walk away. I quickly follow him as he leads me towards the bands bus. " We just got here." He states as a matter of fact and I let out the breath I was holding in. Thank god we weren't extremely late." I just finished talking to the bands managers, who talked to the hotels front counter. Sooo all we need to do is help them settle in." He informs me and I nod along even though his back is facing me and he's not aware of it.

" Do you guys need any help with the bags?" I ask and he turns towards me with a humorous smile clearly pulling at his lip. What was so wrong with my question? I can handle this. I don't need anymore people questioning my authority or willingness to work.

" Uhm, no we have some of the male crew doing that. Wouldn't want you to get hurt." He tells me before turning back around. I scoff at his sexist comment and he turns towards me once more. " Did I say something?" He asks with a smug yet playful smile and I roll my eyes as his gaze bares into me.

" I think I can take care of myself." I say before patting his shoulder and heading towards the back of the bus where the bags are. I can feel his eyes burning into the bottom of my back side but I ignore him and continue towards the back of the bus. When I see Jack hauling a large luggage from one of the buses I rush towards him. We both exchange an embrace before speaking.

"What are you doing up so early?" He asks me and I smile at him before rolling my eyes playfully. Why is everyone so keen on keeping me safe? I'm a young girl not a helpless child.

" Just wanted to help." I say and he laughs lightly before reaching for something and handing me a small carry on. I roll my eyes and shortly after hand it back to him. I reach for the large luggage in his other hand and begin to haul it towards the hotels back entrance, using only one hand. Jack is much more muscular than me and obviously can do a better job at hauling the enormous bag (no not bag, monster) but my pride doesn't let me fall into their sexist beliefs. When I'm finally out of Jack's view I set the luggage down and rest my hands. I gaze down at the leather and clearly expensive luggage and read the tag placed on top of it. The words "Alex" are spread across it and I roll my eyes at his need to over pack. This probably isn't even his only bag.

I take a deep breath before continuing my challenge with the bag, this time using both hands. When I reach the small steps that lead into one of the back doors of the hotel I groan loudly before gazing down at the enormous challenge I've placed on myself. I place both hands around it and try my best to lift it up but fail miserably. It's extremely heavy and I mentally curse at Alex for deciding to put whatever the hell he put inside of his luggage.

" Hello there, sweetheart." Speak of the devil and he shall appear.

A/N: I imagine Derek looking like Nick Bateman aka the guy on the side or the top, he's hot.