𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐄𝐍 ( ROGER TAYLOR. )

𝐈𝐈.

It had been a week since the last time Reina went out to the pub with Mary. She had been gushing over the boy she met that night, Freddie. She couldn't get over his unique style and exotic look, as she liked to call it. Rumor had it that Tim left the band and Freddie was the new lead singer. Reina was happy for Mary, but tonight she had a mission of her own: land Roger Taylor.

Tonight, Mary's plan was to introduce the two after the gig. Reina thought she was full of shit. She overheard a girl in her art class talking about how she was going steady with him, and another girl in her maths talking about how comfy his van was to have sex in. There was no way he would be into someone like her. She didn't fawn over men like a teenage girl; she was in it to have sex, not to draw 'Mrs. Taylor' all over her notebooks like the rest of his women were.

The girls got new outfits from their work for the night. Mary wanted to look good to see Freddie's first performance. Reina just felt like adding something to her wardrobe. They put on their favorite coats and headed down to the pub for another Friday with Smile.

˙ ・⨯・˙

"I think I'm in love."

"Nonsense Fred, you just got your dick wet."

"Christ. Is now the time?"

The band was waiting in the van for their new bassist to arrive. Brian checked his watch every second, while Freddie and Roger discussed the woes of their love lives. Brian seemed to be the only one actually nervous for tonight, their first performance with two new members since Tim quit.

"She's coming to see us tonight." Freddie sighed happily, thinking about Mary waiting for him in the crowd.

"Is she bringing her friend too?" Roger smirked, elbowing him slightly. Brian glared at them both before peering out at the road for John.

"You're both idiots. Fred, are you sure you know the lyrics?"

"You know, if we just used my songs this wouldn't be an issue."

As it turned out, Freddie did not know the lyrics. Brian was freaking out the whole time, but thankfully John knew what he was doing. The audience didn't seem to notice any mishaps, discounting the whole microphone fiasco. Roger could care less. In fact, he found his gaze on the girl in the crowd.

Fred had mentioned her before. Mary's best friend, Reina. It wasn't the first time he had heard of her. Tim used to whine to them all the time about how beautiful she was, how good the sex was, and how she rejected him. Roger remembered rolling his eyes as clear as day. You don't ask a woman like that out. She oozed confidence and independence, you could tell as she walked down the halls of their uni. She didn't need to be held down by some wanker who couldn't write a love song to save his life.

After they played their last song, Doing All Right, the boys began breaking down their gear and moving it off the stage.

˙ ・⨯・˙

"Oh, he was totally staring at you the whole time." Mary gushed, leaving Reina to smirk.

"All men stare, and hardly any of them do anything other than that." The girl pulled her lipstick out of her purse, applying it in the mirror before turning to Mary. "How do I look?"

"Positively ravishing. Now get!" She ushered her out of the restroom. "If we get back there and they're gone, I'll ask Freddie for his address and force you to show up at his doorstep in your knickers."

The band was back there, surely enough, and Freddie running up to greet Mary with a giant hug was enough to prove it. Reina moved out of his way with a small laugh, stepping to the side of the happy couple. The rest of Smile was spread throughout the small backstage area. Brian was putting his guitar back in the case, John was having a pint, and Roger was sitting on the tattered couch next to the equipment. It was no surprise who caught her eye first; the blonde man throwing an inviting grin her way, a glint in his blue eyes that made her skin sing. Two could play that game. Reina thought, opting to ignore his flirtatious advances by turning to the new bassist.

"You did very lovely tonight. Your bass is phenomenal. If you don't mind me asking, is that a Precision?" Reina beamed, adjusting her purse on her shoulder as she peaked over John's Fender case. She had been a bit of a musician herself, her roots lying in guitar in piano mainly.

"It is. Do you play?" He seemed to be intrigued by her knowledge. Meanwhile, Roger watched the interaction like a hawk from his spot on the couch. While eavesdropping, he took the time to pull out a pack of cigarettes and light one up.

"Bass? Oh, no, but I do play guitar. Telecaster." She boasted proudly, which peaked Brian's interest, and earned a huff from Roger. Her gaze snapped towards him. "And I'm thinking about learning the drums, if you have any interest in a new member."

Roger couldn't help the grin that curled around his cigarette. It was not often that girls would banter with him, let alone threaten to kick him out of his own band without even talking to him first. The rest of the band laughed at his expense, Brian promising to hold Reina to her offer.

After everyone had settled down, she offered her hand to Roger. "Reina, by the way."

"I know who you are." He smirked, wrapping his hand around hers softly. "And I'd like to know you better. Roger."

"How about we get to know each other tonight?" She offered with a quirk of her manicured brow, red lips curling in desire. He took a long pull of his cigarette, blowing the plume of smoke away from the couch.

"Come to mine?" He offered, a soft smile encompassing his features, perhaps resembling something more innocent than his thoughts.

Reina rose from the couch, heading out the door without a word. She caught Mary's gaze as she made her exit, the two of them sharing excited expressions as Roger followed in suit.