R5 Imagines and Preferences

Ratliff and Taryn: Met at Disney World

Taryn’s Point of View

I was at Disney World, spending the day with my best friend and she hadn’t gotten here yet. I stood around, wandering into store near the entrance in case she came looking for me. My cell phone rang, “Hello?” I answered. “Hey, Taryn,” said my friend on the line, “Where are you?” I asked, “I’ve been here for almost an hour,” She sighed into the phone, “I know, I know, I got called into work last minute. I have to cancel, I’m so sorry.” My heart sank. “Oh,” I looked around, “It’s okay, and it is Disney! I’ll find someone to come meet me or someone to hang out with.” “Are you sure?” She asked, sounding guilty. “I’m positive!” I said, quickly saying goodbye and sitting on a bench.

‘I’ll just go have some coffee and think of someone to invite.’ I thought, walking to the nearest restaurant. There were an abnormal number of teenage girls here today I realized, they were walking around, phones in hand, as if ready to text or phone call or take pictures if they needed to. I walked inside to the cool air conditioning and sat down. “Can I take your order ma’am?” I nodded, “I’ll just have an iced coffee.” “Coming right up,” He sped off to the kitchen. The door opened and walked in 6 or 7 fabulous looking people. A few teenage girls were right behind them, asking for pictures. ‘They must be famous.’ I thought.

They pulled up chairs at the table right next to mine and one of the boys bumped into my chair, “Oh,” He said, turning around to see me, smiling, “I’m sorry I hit your chair with my butt.” He laughed. “It’s okay, if I were one of these girls it’d be an honor I guess?” He chuckled, “So is it not an honor?” He sat down, saying something to one of the other boys and turning his chair to face me. “Well, I apologize stranger, but maybe if I knew who you were I would be more honored.” I replied sassily. “Oh, I see here,” The brown haired beauty said, shaking his head. “Allow me to introduce myself,” He stuck out his hand, “Ellington Lee Ratliff, drummer of the wildly popular rock band R5,” My eyes widened as I stuck out my hand, “Taryn, of the wildly unpopular workers behind cubicles band.” ‘I know R5, how did I not recognize these people, oh my god!!’ I thought, ‘What do I do?’

He smiled at my comment and my heart raced. “So, if I may ask Mr. Ratliff,” He nodded to me. “Why are you all, an LA based rock group, here in sunny Florida?” He nodded again, “We play a show tomorrow night, Plus our singer Ross is on Disney Channel so we get in discounted,” He looked over my face and my waiter brought my coffee to me. “Thanks,” I replied, paying him. “So, Taryn of cubicle workers, what are you doing sitting alone?” “That’s quite personal!” I sassed, pausing and rolling my eyes, “My friend cancelled when I was already here and I didn’t feel like leaving the happiest place on earth just yet.” He made a frowny face, “You know,” He began, “You’re too pretty to be having coffee alone in Disney world,” He smiled.

“I am?” I asked innocently, “Yes,” He smiled, “So I hereby ask for your hand in joining our table over here.” He pointed behind him. I blushed, “Ellington, I can’t intrude-” “Call me Ratliff,” He winked, turning his chair around. “Taryn, it’s very difficult to speak to you when I can’t see you.” He yelled from facing the other way. I rolled my eyes, giggling and pulled the chair up next to his. Everyone introduced themselves to me and we sat talking in the coffee place for a while, before they decided to keep going.

“It was nice to meet you all,” I said as they got up. Ratliff looked confused, “What do you mean?” He pulled my arm, “Taryn, you’re coming with us!” He smiled, pulling me again. “I can’t do that to you guys,” I said, staying seated. “No!” One of the boys, Ross I believe, said. “You can of course come with us,” “It’ll be great!” said another one of the boys. I looked to Ratliff, who looked hopeful and I nodded at him, “Okay, I’ll join you,” I smiled at him. He took my hand and helped me up and grinned, “Yay!” He cheered.

We walked around for a while in Magic Kingdom, riding on Dumbo the elephant and then the teacups ride. Ratliff made it spin really fast. We got in line and waited for a long time to ride on Space Mountain, his favorite roller coaster. We got turkey legs and mouse ears later in the day. We got to see Finding Nemo the live production. We stood in line and all of us got pictures with Peter Pan and Tinker Bell. By dinner time, we were all exhausted and I was ready to go home, but Ratliff begged me to stay for fireworks, so I happily obliged the band member.

We got good spots standing to see the fireworks and Ratliff and I talked about the band’s tour. “We’re almost finished; you should see our show tomorrow night!” He thought out loud. “Do you have any plans?” He asked excitedly. I thought for a moment, “Actually I don’t!” I smiled at him, “Great!” He said, “Mark we can give her a ticket right?” He asked someone next to him, who nodded, waving at me and I waved back. “You’re all set!” He said, smiling at me, “Yay!” I cheered.

Mickey Mouse came out and began talking, directing our attention to tinker bell, who flew down and started the fireworks celebration. It was magnificent and colorful. Ratliff shifted closer to me to whisper in my ear, “Did you see the mickey?” He asked. I nodded at him, “Look at that one!” He said pointing and laughing. “They’re so pretty,” I said, shifting closer to him than before. He reached carefully for my hand and I looked at him smiling, putting my fingers through his and he breathed a sigh of relief. “You know,” I said, “For as sucky as this day started, I’d say it went fairly well, and it even better,” I smiled, leaning my head on his shoulder. “I’m just happy I got to spend it with you,” He said, kissing my cheek, and we stared off into the fireworks.