Left Out

Chapter One: Left out

-It's my birthday today-
softly giggled Brad with a bouquet in one hand and a champaigne bottle in the other while everyone was recording him (for the gram).

As Tris was taking a video and Connor was making jokes and laughing, James was standing in the corner of the room, a poker face expression on his face, without saying anything. Observing. He wasn't really thinking about anything. He wasn't even listening to what happened around him. He was in an oblivious state of mind. Then he heard a very loud pop that made him snap back to reality. Brad just opened the champaigne bottle.
-Hey James!-
He heard a familiar voice say.
-James! What the hell are you doing? Come here...unless the corner you're standing in is having a better party than we are...haha-
It was Connor, calling out to him so he could join.
James just shrugged and walked over to Connor.
-What were you thinking about so seriously? Is something on your mind? You know it's almost six years we're a group...you can tell us anything.- said Connor, slowly lowering his tone as if getting more serious as every word came out of his mouth.
-N-no...don't worry...I was...I really just zoomed out- he said, trying to remember what happened himself and keeping his head facing the ground.
-Ok well, zoom back in and don't miss out on Brad's birthday- said Connor trying to cheer James up.

As the champaigne came to an end Brad and the guys headed to Medieval Times to keep celebrating.
James just put aside the fact that he was kinda off that day and tried to make one of his best friend's birthday one of the best.
Although he felt like something really was odd inside him.

As the days went by, though, James felt almost left out in some occasions even though he didn't know why. For example the 1st of August The Vamps had a meet up with fans.
As Brad, Tris and Connor were getting sucked in the crowd walking behind them for autographs and signatures, James was talking to their manager in front of the crowd. Some fans were calling him out but he just couldn't hear them.
-JAMES!-
He heard all of a sudden.
-JAMES! Tell me what the hell you're doing there. Fans are calling you!-
It was Tris and Brad.
-Get over here. NOW.-
James saw how Connor, Tris and Brad care about him...so do the fans... Then why does he feel left out?

-Stop-
Said Brad as they were hanging at his place.
-Stop what?-
Replied James, playing dumb.
-Stop acting like we're leaving you out-
-I'm not-
Said James defensively
-Yeah, you are-
-No, I'm not-
-Oh lord James. We all noticed how you acted at my birthday.-
-Listen I was just really tired, ok? I just...didn't really feel like partying-
-If you say so... But how do you explain the time at the meet up?-
-Joe was telling me something very important-
Mumbled James
-Oh yeah? What was it? He sure didn't tell me...-
Said Bradley in a provocative tone.
-Uhm...I don't remember. I guess it wasn't THAT important.-
Replied James coldly without caring much.
-If ya say so-
Whispered Brad
-Hey, James?-
Called Brad
-Hmhm?-
He answered nonchalant, looking at his Instagram
-Have you ever thought of maybe...uhm...leaving the band?-
James's heart dropped. His mind went blank and his eyes widened.
<Does he want t-to...kick me out? Oh God...> he thought to himself as his heart thumped in his chest.
-Wh-what? NO! I-I mean, no... Wh-why? Sh-should I think about it?-
-Oh no!-
Answered Brad sweating but smiling, trying to keep it cool.
-I-I didn't mean...like don't think that we...you...no.-
James calmed down although still a bit suspicious.
-Listen James.All I want you to know is that you can count on us. You can tell us anything. A-N-Y-T-H-I-N-G.If something's wrong tell us. If there's a problem tell us. Okay?-
-Y-yeah-
Answered James, still a bit under shock and with his heart still thumping.
-Hey, James?-
<Oh God not again> thought James
-Yeah?-
-Have you ever wondered...-
-What?-
-What would have happened if we never met?-
-Huh.-
Said James
-What?-
-It's just that...I actually never really thought about that-
James was now wondering what WOULD have happened.
He probably would be somewhere else doing domething else. But what?
Playing Fortnite?
Working in some scrappy fast-food restaurant?
-Well...-
Started James
-Tris would probably still have the slicked back haircut he used to have... Hahahaha-
-Hahaha-
Laughed along Brad
-...-
Nobody knew what to say anymore.
-Why are you even asking so many questions?-
Asked James suspiciously
-I don't know...just wanna keep the conversation going-
-Ah.-
-By the way...-
<Oh lord here he goes again>
Thought James
-What would you do if we split up or if you left the band?-
-BRAD!-
Yelled James
-What the fuck?!?!-
Said James throwing a pillow at him
-Sorry! Sorry!-
Laughed Brad while shielding himself with his arms
-I'll stop.-
-Good. You're pi$$ing me off-
-Ok but seriou-
-BRAD-
-Ok.-

-Connor!-
-Huh?-
Connor turned around to see James running up to him
-Connor!-
-Hey James-
-Co-Connor *cough* *pant*-
-Hey-Hey dude. Breathe in, breathe out-
-Connor can I ask you something?-
-Of course James, but first: breathe-
-*inhales* I'm kinda embaressed to say it-
-Unless you killed someone, there is nothing to be ashamed of hahaha-
-haha-
-So. What is it that you want to tell me?-
-I...I-
-Hey James you can do this, you are a grown man.-
-I need you to tell me-
Said James
-mhm-
-if you know why Brad has been asking me such weird questions.-
Asked James
-Weird questions like?-
Asked Connor, confused
-Like "Have you ever thought of leaving the band"-
-I don't know why... Could be that he saw you being weird at his birthday and got suspicious. I wouldn't have other explanations-
-But I feel like-
He was interupted by Connor
-Hey hey. He can't be wanting you out of the band. It's Brad!-
-Yeah...you're right.-
-Ok bro. Let's go now-

Thanks for reading the first chapter. It might be lame but...it's my first book ever! Don't expect much from me... I'll do my best.