Stronger Than Ever (A Sawyer Fredericks Fanfiction)

Chapter 1

Alice's POV:

"Alice?"

I lifted my eyes from my phone to meet Sawyer's baby blues.

"Does this look okay?"

I looked him up and down. He was dressed in an olive green, long-sleeved T-shirt, light-washed blue jeans with a small rip in one knee, and black Converse. I was the one who'd convinced him to buy Converse in the first place. For once, he wasn't wearing his infamous bowler hat, but instead a black beanie. He just got a haircut two days ago, and his long, golden locks were now three inches shorter, though it was still pretty long.

"Sawyer, we're just going to the mall," I giggled. "Why are you so concerned?"

"Don't you remember? I have an album signing today," he tugged at the collar of his shirt, something he always did when he was anxious. "I don't want to look sloppy."

"Since when have you cared about your appearance?"

"I just don't want my fans to think I don't care."

"Well, you look great," I smiled and stood up, adjusting my ponytail. I wasn't too dressed up myself, wearing only a plain white T-shirt, a black miniskirt, and thigh-high black velvet boots. I didn't have any makeup on, either. "Stop worrying."

Sawyer shrugged and checked himself in the mirror. "Do you think I should change? Maybe I'll be too hot in this shirt. Would it be weird if I wasn't wearing my bowler hat?"

"Stop it," I wrapped my arms around his waist. "I promise, you look great. If you want to change your shirt, go ahead. But stop worrying."

"Fine," Sawyer slipped off the long sleeves and put on a black T-shirt instead. Then we went into the living room and told Kirsten we were ready.

As you may have guessed, today was the day A Good Storm was being released in stores, so we were going to NYC to do press and an album signing. I didn't think Sawyer would be this anxious since he had done press before, but I guess since this was his first full-length release, his nerves were at a new level.

The car ride took maybe less than an hour, and before long, we were at the F.Y.E. in New York City. From the backseat, we could see the line stretching out the door and around the corner.

"Wow," Sawyer's eyes widened. "Are they really all for me?"

"All for you, baby," I grinned and squeezed his hand.

"Oh, man," Sawyer's face went pale. He leaned forward and clutched his stomach.

"Babe, relax," I rubbed his back. "Just breathe. Don't you love doing meet-and-greets?"

"Well, of course," he straightened up and gave a weak smile. "Believe me, I'm not nervous about that."

"Then what is it?"

"It's just..." he took a breath. "What if they pick on you?"

"Huh?"

"What if they're mean to you? Like, you'll be sitting with me the whole time, so if they say anything mean..."

"Sawyer, I can handle it," I said. "I really can. I've been yelled at my whole life, so one mean comment won't faze me."

"You sure?"

"Yes."

"Okay," he said. He looked out the window one last time and gripped the door handle. "Okay, let's go."

The meet-and-greet went surprising well for the first half-hour. Sawyer's fans were so kind and sweet, asking for selfies and all that. Nobody said any mean things, either! At least, until close to the end.

"Hi, Sawyer," this girl, Paige, smiled at him. "I'm so happy to finally meet you! The album is awesome. I can't wait to see you on tour!" She paused and looked to his left, where I was seated. "Um, who's the tramp?"

"That 'tramp' is my girlfriend," he retorted. "And don't talk about her that way."

"Sawyer, it's okay. I can take it," I said.

"Shut up," Paige practically yelled. I had almost forgotten she was there. "You don't deserve Sawyer. Go back to that Tyler guy you were fucking."

"We didn't fuck," I said, then shut my mouth. She could say whatever she wanted, but this was Sawyer's day. I wasn't going to let her get to me.

Paige got her autograph and a picture with Sawyer, and I sat back in my chair. I was just about over our little ordeal when Paige looked me straight in the eye and said one little word that sent me in tears.

"Slut."

~a/n: hey guys! hope all is well!!! instead of starting from scratch and writing a new fic, i decided to make a sequel to my previous one! so i hope you enjoy!~