Second Shot (Bastille)

3: Of all the musicians, it had to be the one I hooked up with

*Freddie's POV*

I got up the following morning feeling like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders (but I wasn't entirely sure why). With a travel mug full of coffee in my hand and my camera slung over my shoulder, I headed off to my first day of work.

Arriving at the studio, I met Sam in the break room; she was still wearing the tight skirt and tank top from last night but her face was bare, showing off the dark bags under her eyes.

"Had fun last night?" I teased as she swallowed a couple of Paracetamol.

"Sooo much fun, honestly Fred it was amazing... But I feel bad because I had to leave before he got up," Sam explained guiltily. I cooed sympathetically "Anyway what about you, how was your night, did you get his number?"

"Maybe..." Sam giggled excitedly before wrapping her arms around me.

"Come on, tell me all about it" But before I could begin to talk, a man in a tight suit wandered in and told us they were ready for us to start the photoshoot. "We'll talk later missy" Sam and I grabbed our cameras and walked in the adjoining room.

The room was packed full of equipment; a brilliant white screen, two towering lights and a number of tripods. Stood to the side of the room was a group of people, mostly guys, who were chatting and laughing. As I quickly scanned my surroundings, I caught sight of something familiar.

A pair of dirty white converse.
A grey hoodie.
A styled, messy quiff.

"Oh... Fuck." Everyone in the room turned to the source of the sound. Everyone turned to Sam; her mouth was gaping open and she had put her hands over her face. After a minutes silence, Sam snapped out of her thoughts and she glanced at me. "I uh, I think I left a memory card in the back, Freddie, help me find it." We rushed into the back room and Sam flung her arms in the air. "What kind of bloody coincidence is this?! Of all the musicians we could photograph, it had to be the one I hooked up with"

"Maybe it's the universes way of saying he's not just a hookup" Sam gave a sceptic look "What? You should go to lunch with him, get to know him. He looks like a nice guy." Sam shrugged uncertainly and it amused me to see her so nervous about a guy. She was supposed to be the extrovert. "Come on, we better head back" We went back into the studio and started the shoot.

Despite my efforts, I couldn't stop glancing over at Dan. He was wearing pretty much exactly the same as he was last night, except he had changed his shirt for a baggy black t-shirt and he wasn't wearing his glasses but now I could see his eyes more clearly; they were a stained-glass blue and drooped slightly at the outer corners. During the shoot, I noticed Sam and Kyle eyeing each other up flirtatiously, not saying a word to one another. Once we were finished, I was balancing on my tiptoes, trying to disassemble one of the lights when someone stepped up behind me and took hold the light head.

"You know I was joking about you doing this photoshoot, right?" Dan joked playfully. I chuckled quietly and turned to face him. Last nights assumption was correct; he was tall. I just about reached his shoulders and I had to crane my neck to see him. "Pretty bizarre coincidence huh?"

"Bit more bizarre for Kyle and Sam" I nodded over to the couple who were talking quietly amongst themselves, we watched them for a minute.

"You uh, busy, after?" I glanced at Dan surprisedly, he was scratching the back of his neck nervously.

"Actually I am yeah sorry, I said I'd help my mum, maybe another day?" Dan nodded and continued to help pack away.

-X-

"See you in a bit Freddie" Sam called as I wandered out of the studio. She had finally decided to ask Kyle for lunch so she was hanging back to wait for him. I waved goodbye to Sam and made my way to the familiar café which was basically my second home.

The bell tinkled cheerfully as I pushed open the door. Mum's head appeared from behind the counter and she beamed brightly when she saw me.

"Ah Freddie darling, just in time. Do you mind working the till for me? There's been a mild problem in the kitchen and I need to help the girls." I nodded and took my place behind the till. The cafe was a rustic styled bistro with wood panelled walls and hardwood floors. Mellow piano music was playing quietly in the background and the smell of freshly baked cakes drifted from the kitchen. The cafe had been started by my grandparents; designed and set up from scratch and like I said earlier, it was practically my second home.
It was quite busy today so I was quickly darting round, taking orders, collecting empty cups and plates and working the till, I almost didn't see Sam walk in with Kyle.

"Freddie! I didn't realise you were helping your mum today" That was a lie. I tried to come in every Sunday and Sam knew that. But I played along.

"Yeah, she's a bit short staffed today, go and get a seat and I'll come see you in a minute" Sam guided Kyle to a table next to the window and I shook my head: she must have been really into Kyle, she never needed me for moral support on dates.

"Oh is that Sam?" Mum asked when she eventually emerged out of the kitchen. I nodded, still watching Sam and Kyle. "Who's that with her?" I explained last night to mum, keeping out the details about Dan for now. "And where's your fella?" Mum quizzed, nudging me gently.

"I don't have a 'fella' mum-"

"I'm afraid Freddie maybe lying to you there Maria" Sam's voice rang out behind me, her tone mischievous and teasing. I turned to see Sam smirking proudly before she started talking to my mum and introducing her to Kyle.

"So, who's this guy Freddie's got her sights on then Sam?" Mum quizzed after chatting for a while, leaning on the counter inquisitively.

"I don't have my 'sights on him' I just talked to him for a bit last night while these two went gallivanting" I butted in defensively.

"You got his number Freddie. And you were getting all up close and personal at the shoot" Sam added contradictingly.

"I got his number because you nagged me to, then today he was helping me take down a light, at least we weren't eye-fucking across the room the whole shoot like you two"

"Dan's a nice guy, you should let him take you out sometime" Kyle jumped in, his voice was soft and complimentary. When mum heard this she squealed excitedly and clapped her hands together.

"Can't wait to meet him Freddie" She grinned and disappeared back into the kitchen. Rolling my eyes, I picked up my handbag and wandered out the café with Sam and Kyle.

"Well I'm gonna go home and start editing those pictures, see you in a bit Sam" I left her and made my way back to the apartment.

The elevator pinged loudly and the doors opened, letting me step out onto my floor. As I moved into the hallway, I noticed a pile of moving boxes stacked up outside the door across from me. 'Welcome to apartment 16B new neighbour' I thought to myself before turning to my own front door and putting the key in the lock.