Under His Streetlight

Get Higher

Okay, okay, I updated when I could. This is as soon as my parents would let me on my laptop, so this is what you guys get for now. So deal with it. I'm sorry for being so late, I'm just super depressed right now and things are just difficult, so please bear with me... Anyway, fellow members of the Royal Council, here's the newest chapter of Under His Streetlight!
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My mouth went dry and I swallowed nervously, suddenly wishing Andy or Abby were here. They would help me out.

I shoot a pleading look at Juliet and turn to look back at Remington.

"W-what do you need...? "I stammer, staring up at him.

He raises an eyebrow. "What? I can't get to know a beautiful girl?" He smirks devilishly, a sparkle in his brown eyes.

I swallow again. "B-beautiful....? H-hardly... " I say, looking down at my thin body.

Suddenly, another male came up behind him. I noticed him from earlier, the guy in the velvet jacket. He muttered something to Remington before looking at me, smirking, and walking away.

I frown slightly.

"Don't worry about Sebastian, he's just being moody. Seb! Where's Emerson?! " Remington calls, listening to Sebastian's barked reply.

"Setting up his drums my ass, he's screwing some girl somewhere, I'm not stupid... " Remington mutters, shoving his hands in his jeans pockets.

I watch him nervously as Juliet clears her throat, drawing Remington's attention.

"You guys are up first. Go get warmed up. " she says sternly.

Remington visibly paled at the look she was giving him before turning and walking away.

I look at her. "Y-you... How? " I say softly, lowering the ice pack I had pressed to my forehead.

Juliet shrugs and looks up as Andy comes over to us, running a hand through his inky black hair. I swallow and set the ice pack down with shaking hands, watching him.

He notices my hands and his eyes trail up my arms, taking in my scars and bruises, eyes visibly filled with pain.

"Aliyah.... Who did this to you...? " his voice was soft. Almost like he cared.

I look at him. "I'm very accident prone... " I mutter, to which he shakes his head.

"I know the difference between self inflicted wounds, and bruises by accident and on purpose. What's going on?" His voice was so gentle, so... So different from what I usually heard from anyone.

Tears welled in my eyes. Juliet gently places her hand on my knee, squeezing reassuringly. I take a shaky breath and meet Andy's gaze.

"My parents abuse me, and I used to hurt myself...." I whisper, cowering slightly. I admit, I thought that he would be mad at me, tell me I deserve it, just like everyone except Abby. 

Instead, he reaches out and pulls me into a hug. My eyes widen and I stiffen before breaking down and clutching onto his shirt, all the pent up sadness escaping me.

He gently picks me up and sits down, letting me cry.  His body was warm, so warm, and he had slowly begun rocking and singing, his baritone voice rumbling through his chest and I soon found myself relaxing into him, feeling Juliet's hand in my own.

I look at them. "T-thank you... " I stammer.

"No problem at all, Aliyah..." Juliet replied, sharing a look with Andy.

"How would you like to go on tour with us and then eventually come to live with us permanently? " Andy asks softly.

I blink. "W-what? I couldn't... I don't want to be a burden... "

Just then, the guy from earlier, the one with the shaggy brown hair and the hat, comes jogging over. "Hey, sweetness. Remington would like to speak with you for a minute."

I swallow and nod, giving Andy and Juliet a small smile. "I'll be back... " I stand and follow the man, studying him.

"I'm Emerson. Remington seems really taken with you,  which surprises me. Sebastian on the other hand, understands. He was the same way when he met Stephanie." The guy- Emerson-says.

I nod half-heartedly and look up to see Remington towering over me.

"Hello, ma Cherie... " his voice rumbles.

"Umm... My name is Aliyah... " I say softly. "I am not your love. " I add, to which both males look surprised at. "I'm taking French. Nice try though." It feels good to joke, even if it's not going to last long.

He swallows and nods. "Well... " he clears his throat and looks at me. "Have you heard of Palaye Royale?"

I nod reluctantly. "My friend showed me who you guys are... She made me listen to your album on repeat, so... Yeah... "

Remington's eyes sparkled suddenly. "How would you like to sing a song with us?" He says softly.

I freeze. "I... I don't know.... I'm not really good at singing..." Okay, maybe that was a lie, but I hardly knew the guy, and if I went on-stage with him, no doubt rumors would swirl about me being a "secret girlfriend" or something.

He pouts, suddenly looking like a puppy that had made a mess and was getting scolded. I sigh, slumping my shoulders.

"Fine. But you have to be very very clear that I am not your girlfriend, just a girl who you asked to sing with." I look up at him, squaring my shoulders and planting my feet firmly.

He grins. "Sweet! Robbie, get her an in-ear system!" He calls to a guy, who runs off and returns, helping hook me up.

"One-two, one-two, can you hear me, ma Cherie?" Remington's voice rumbled in my ears, and I gave him a thumbs up, trying to keep my shaking hands from showing too bad.

Remington grabbed my hand and jogged to the side of the stage. "You ready?"

I nod and stare at his hand, so big and warm in mine, before meeting his warm brown eyes and smiling.

As much as I hated to admit it, he was beginning to grow on me.