Voices • Jack Avery

12 • Shopping Trip

The picture above is the outfit Alex bought

Third Person Point of View

The next day, London and Alex decided to go shopping together. Ever since the Boston Calling Festival, neither of them had gotten the time to have a girls day together.

Alex still hadn't told London about what Bam Bam had said about her and Jack the day before. She thought that, if she didn't admit it out loud, maybe it wouldn't actually be real. She didn't have a problem with recording a new song with Jack, she just wasn't sure how their fanbases would react.

"I've missed this" London said, smiling at Alex as they walked into the Cheesecake Factory to eat. They sat at a table by the window and put their bags down. "Me too. We need to make time for this more often" Alex agreed.

They both ordered their favourite thing off of the menu and, just before they were about to leave, Alex's phone began to ring. She saw that it was John, their manager, and sent an apologetic look to London as she answered.

"Hey John, what's up?" Alex said, putting the phone to her ear. "Hey! So I talked to Bam Bam about yesterday and I think it's a great idea!" John exclaimed through the phone. Alex's eyes widened slightly. She knew that this was always a highly likely outcome, but not this quickly.

"Wait, what?" she eventually stuttered out. "I want you guys to record that song and release it. We can really get some good publicity out of this. We can even make a music video" John rambled, clearly excited by the idea.

Alex's mind began racing with everything he had just said, not being able to keep up. "I want to get on this as soon as possible, so I want both of you guys to come into the recording studio tomorrow to get to work" he finished.

Alex's eyes popped out of her head and she evan to choke on air. "Tomorrow?" she exclaimed in disbelief. Alex could see London sending her a questioning look from across the table, but didn't give her an explanation.

"Yeah, tomorrow. Look I've got to go. Be there at nine" John said before hanging up abruptly. Alex was stunned. She slowly lowered her phone and looked to London, not knowing what to say or do.

"What? What is it? London asked, slightly worried. Alex knew she had to tell London everything, but she didn't know how or even where to start. Knowing London, she'd blow it out of proportion.

Alex took a deep breath in order to psych herself up. "Yesterday, after I went to dry off, I found the guys' piano. I started playing Just Give Me a Reason, like I always do. Jack heard me and he sang Nate Reuss' part. It turned into a duet and Bam Bam heard us. He called John and now they want us to officially record and release it" she rushed out, never looking up from the plate in front of her.

London stared back at Alex, her mouth hanging open. After a few minutes, She finally seemed to recover enough to respond. "Oh. My. God" she said barely above a whisper.

"This is amazing! Everyone's gonna love this" she exclaimed, bouncing in her seat. Alex didn't know what to say. She definitely wasn't as excited as London was about this, but she wasn't exactly dreading it either.

"You guys are gonna be spending so much time together. My Jalex heart" London swooned jokingly. Alex shot her a glare. "There is no Jalex" she groaned, holding her head in her hands. London smirked back at her.

"Not yet. But I ship it. Hardcore" London stated. Alex simply rolled her eyes and smiled back at the girl. She knew there was no point in arguing with her.

"We need to get you a new outfit for tomorrow" London suddenly squealed, her eyes lighting up at the idea. Alex frowned at her, wondering why she needed a new outfit. London noticed this look and smirked at her once again.

"You need to look hot for Jack" she explained. Alex raised her eyebrows at her best friend, wondering if she was being serious. London simply smiled at the girl and took her hand, dragging her outside and towards a shop.

"Is this really necessary?" Alex asked as London picked up numerous amounts of clothes and piled them into Alex's hands. "Yes. Yes it is. Because I know you like him, even if you don't know it yet" London stated, continuing throughout the shop.

Alex sighed in frustration as she finally made her way to the changing rooms. She tried on countless numbers of outfits, each of which were rejected immediately by London.

"Nope" London said for what felt like the hundredth time. Alex groaned and collapsed on the chair next to her best friend. "I don't know how much longer I can do this London" she groaned, tired of trying on all of the different outfits her best friend had chosen.

"Come on, just one more, okay?" London pleaded. Alex sighed but agreed nonetheless. She looked through the clothes hanging in the changing room and decided to choose her own outfit rather than what London had chosen.

She chose what was comfortable for her; something similar to what she would normally wear. She pulled on a pair of blue skinny jeans that were ripped at the knees and black, high-heeled combat boots. Then, she took a plain white t-shirt And tied it up around her stomach.

As Alex was about to leave the changing room, something caught her eye. It was a simple, black leather jacket. She didn't know why, but she was drawn to it. Carefully, she slid it off of the hanger and put it on. It fit her perfectly and seemed to complete the outfit she had created. Smiling, she exited to show London.

"Oh my God. It's perfect. You have to wear that" London exclaimed, jumping out of her seat. Alex giggled at the girl, not having expected this after so many rejections. "You look hot. I don't know if Jack will be able to concentrate on the song" she teased. Alex rolled her eyes and lightly punched her best friend's arm.

"You're lucky I love this outfit. Otherwise, you would be a dead girl" Alex threatened. The two laughed at each other as Alex went back to change into her own clothes. The next day was becoming more of a reality for her, and she couldn't help getting a little bit excited.