Paper Moon

Chapter 44

"I hope you know, I hope you know, baby, you're not alone, you're not alone" I sang quietly as I brushed my hair. There was a small knock on the bathroom door, halting my singing and my hair brushing. I opened the door and saw Austin standing there.

He raised an eyebrow at me, "What happened to you staying there?" I flashed him a smile, "sorry?" He smirked, "repeating apologies." I felt a small blush creep onto my face. "You heard that?" Austin nodded and smiled, "You were quiet, but I could still hear you." I blushed a bit more.

"You ready yet?" I nodded and followed Austin downstiars then out of the bus. "How does IHOP sound? Good? Great cuase its the only breakfast place here." I followed Austin into IHOP. I looked around and took in all the details. There was lot of blue, but it was IHOP so that was natural.

"Come on Halo" Austin was a few feet in front of me. I guess I was too distracted to notice he moved. I followed him to a table where we waited for a waiter.

I looked at Austin and his band popped into my mind. Of Mice & Men, Austin, Tino, Alan, Phil, and Aaron. Aaron wasn't always in the band, neither was Alan. Alan came when Austin came back. Aaron came when Shayley left.

Shayley Bourget, I've never met him. His new band is pretty cool though. I'm not a big fan, but their music is enjoyable. He named his band after his middle name; Dayshell.

"Halo are you listening to me?" Austin waved his hand in front of my face. He was sat across from me, he had to lean over to get my attention. "Huh? Oh, sorry Austin I was thinking."

A small laugh escaped his mouth, "about? I called your name a good few times. Also the waiter's here," Austin pointed to the right of him. "Oh, sorry," a small blush from embarrassment lightly colored my cheeks.

"It's fine, what would you like?" She luaghed it off and held her notepad close to her. "Oh, um, French toast please." Austin looked at me wierd. "And to drink?" I said the first thing off my mind, "hot chocolate, thanks." She nodded and walked off.

Austin started at me, an amussed expression playing his features. "What?" I rose my eyebrows in confusion, what was so amusing? "You ordered french toast, at the international house of PANCAKES" he said emphasizing pancakes.

I shrugged, "first thing to come to mind." He smiled at shook his head. "And what was so interesting earlier? You looked deep in thought." Should I tell him I was thinking about his band or is that wierd? I mean I am weird- "Halo?" Austin snapped his fingers.

"Huh? Sorry" I smiled a bit before bitting my lip. "I was uh, thinking about your band." He raised his eyebrows, "really? Anyone in particular?" I shrugged, "I mean he's not in the band anymore but-" Austin quickly cut me off, "Shayley Bourget?" How'd he know? Duh he's in the band.

"Yeah," Austin smirked, "huh, nice to know." I squinted my eyes at him, "What ever your thinking Carlile, remove it from your mind. I know your kind." Austin started to luagh, "my kind?"

I couldn't help the smile, "yeah, you know, you meddling band memebers, always doing something to put me in an awkward position. Like when I told you guys that thing about Josh and you guys locked me in a room with him. Not to mention he was shirtless! That was not cool, I had to crawl through a window" I crossed my arms and Austin smiled sheepishly.

"Oh yeah." I rolled my eyes playfully, he would forget that happened.

"Here you go, pancakes for you, and French toast for you." The waiter placed out food in front of us along with our drinks. Austin and I said our thank yous before digging in.

"The guys don't know what they're missing out on" Austin said after swallowing a piece of his pancake. I nodded, "this is heaven" I agreed with Austin.