The library

December 5th 2003

I placed my suitcase on the rack above the seats we picked out before slumping down into them with a loud sigh. Luckily, the carriage was empty but that being said there was still ample time until our departure.

Alex put his luggage up before sitting down opposite me and smiling unsurely.

"So... do you know the journey plan?" I inquired with a raised eyebrow.

Alex furrowed his eyebrows and gazed up to the ceiling as he tried to recall anything that would pass for an answer. I studied Alex's face quickly. His hair was longer than what it had been for a while as it flowed down to the midpoint of his neck. It was a manageable length, I thought to myself.

"We're going to... King's Cross right...?" He spoke with a tinge of uncertainty which made me chuckle.

We were going to take this train up to Doncaster then take another train from there down to London, getting off at Alexandra palace before walking to our hotel in preparation for the gig tonight.

"Just follow me." I smiled and shook my head.

I looked out the window but I could sense Alex's lingering stare on the side of my face until he copied my actions a few seconds later.

*****

The loud screeching and wallowing of the London Underground surrounded us as me and Alex stood next to each other by the doors of a carriage crammed beyond recognition. We had gotten into London just as Friday rush hour hit and now we had to deal with consequences.

Earlier as me and Alex weaved our way through the busy St Pancras International with our bulky suitcases, Alex fumbled with his feet and end up bumping into a tall man in a suit who towered about half a foot above him, making him drop his briefcase which subsequently made it spill its paper contents.

"You stupid little shit." The man practically growled at Alex while the seventeen year old stumbled with what to say, constantly glancing at me for help. So I stepped in.

"Excuse me could you please watch your language?" I frowned as harshly as I could at the businessman, "Accidents happen."

The man huffed loudly as he fell to one knee and began scooping the loose documents into the smart black briefcase. Alex did the same opposite the man and began picking up the rogue paper.

"Just leave me alone!" The man snapped at him which startled Alex. He continued trying to help until the man spoke again. "I said leave me alone." His baritone was enough to convince Alex as he shakily stood up, grabbed his suitcase and gestured for me to continue leading him to wherever we needed to be.

I shook my head and rolled my eyes. "Git." I said simply and caught a glimpse of Alex cracking a smile as I turned on my heel and carried on through the swarms of commuters.

*****

Alex jumped onto his bed with a loud sigh, holding his hands behind his head and grinning at me as I stood at the door, taking the room in.

I don't know what I was expecting but it didn't quite live up to it. The room was small. Not in a cosy way. More in a cramped sense. There were two beds separated by a wooden nightstand on the wall facing the door. There was a small television in the corner which was sat on a chest of drawers. The ensuite bathroom was pleasant, still small, but nice. I noticed it had no natural light coming in from anywhere.

I set my suitcase down on my bed and opened it.

"I'm gonna change," I threw a glance over my shoulder to see Alex sat cross legged on the bed like a little schoolboy, remote control in his hand, gazing at the television, "I feel disgusting after being in that stuffy tube." I shuddered at the memory of being packed like tuna into the underground train. "Turn around Turner." I smiled slightly as I picked out my clothes.

"Why?" Alex whined and I could almost hear the pout on his face.

"Because I'm gonna change." I shrugged before turning to face him.

"I don't have to turn around. I've already seen you naked." Alex shrugged back at me.

I frowned at his words. "Alex are you hearing yourself right now?"

"Yeah that was a pretty stupid argument." Alex said quickly before shuffling so that his back was to me.