Cut To Pieces [Complete]

Surprises

I walked the corridor of LAX with my suitcase trailing behind me. I had no idea who was collecting me and wasn't exactly sure where I should be going. I rounded the corner into the arrivals lounge and smiled when I saw the familiar sight of a blonde quiff surrounded by teenage girls. Luke. I walked over to the mob and cleared my throat. The blonde whipped around and I crunched my forehead when the eyes that met mine were not the ones I was expecting.

"Niall?" I laughed and he nudged his way past the girls so he could give me a one armed hug.

"I am you chaperone." He smiled and waved goodbye to the girls before grabbing my hand and starting to run. "I saw one tweet. We have to move fast or we'll never get out of here alive." I giggled as he took my suitcase and carried it out of the terminal, never letting go of my hand and piled into the waiting car.

"Why are you picking me up?" I laughed, still pumped from the dash to safety but also utterly confused by the collection arrangements.

"They have to perform in half an hour, don't they? I don't. So I snuck out, and here I am." I smiled as I watched the city out of the car window. "So basically, if my mic sucks tonight and the sound goes nuts, it's your fault. I missed half of soundcheck for this." I nudged his shoulder appreciatively and continued to smile at the scenes flashing past.

"LA is so pretty." I whispered as we wound through the streets to reach the venue. Niall nodded and took out his phone to send what I assumed was a confirmation of my arrival to the boys.

"Lou is waiting for you." He smiled to me and I raised an eyebrow.

"Why?" I dragged out the sound and Niall zipped his lips.

"You'll find out. It's all been planned." He grinned wickedly and I groaned. I hated surprises unless I was in on them. "It's not for you." Niall sighed, catching on to my feelings. "It's all for Michael. He doesn't know you're here." I cracked a smile as the image of his face flashed across my mind.

"Why do I need to see Lou then?" I whined and Niall gave me a playful shove.

"So you look pretty." I rolled my eyes and turned to see the car pull up out the back of the venue. Why the hell did I have to look 'pretty'? I jumped out the car and refused to let Niall carry my suitcase and trailed it behind me. I followed Niall through security, picking up a laminate on my way, and into the boys dressing room where a snow blonde haired woman stood beaming.

"Hey, Allie." Lou winked.

"Hey, Lou." I smiled as she pushed me onto the seat in front of the mirror.

"I have fifteen minutes to make you the envy of every single girl in the 5 Second of Summer fan base." I raised and eyebrows and she simply shook her head. I knew I wouldn't get it out of her if I tried. I leaned back in the chair as she brushed god knows what across my face and curled my hair into soft waves. "I'm done." Lou stated proudly as I sat up and opened my eyes. Wow. I had no idea what she had done but I looked exactly the same, just... better. My eyes were huge and popped and my cheeks were a soft pink. I grinned up at Lou who threw me a wink before pointing me to the door where Niall was standing impatiently. I jumped up and gave Lou a quick hug and a thank you before running after Niall. I didn't see what all the effort for my face went to when I was still wearing my old purple skinny jeans and a cut-up Green Day shirt. Niall stopped me just before we reached side stage and waved to someone I couldn't see. Louis bent around the corner and waved to me before waving to someone onstage. Niall held my shoulders in his hands and walked behind me, making sure I didn't get too close to the side of the stage. I heard Luke wind the song they were singing down to a close and could just see him nod to Ashton and Calum, a grin plastered across his face. Ashton's head snapped to find me and he beamed when we made eye contact. I couldn't help but grin back, I had missed them.

"Okay, guys, we're doing something a little different today." Luke announced to the audience.

"We are?" I heard Michael question and I could imagine the total confusion etched onto his face. Niall let my shoulders go and pointed towards Louis and I finally clicked. I snuck over to the boy's side and waited where I was in view of everybody except Michael. "I'm so confused!"

"Mikey's been a little grumpy for the past couple of days." Calum laughed into his mic, earning a scowl from Michael. "So we brought him a present." Michael's face got even more scrunched up in confusion and Ashton was bouncing on his stool like an excited child.

"Michael Gordon Clifford." Ashton began from behind his drums. "You have been an asshole for three days straight."

"Have not!" Michael defended and I could see in his eyes the glint of suspicion.

"Yes. You have." Ashton confirmed. "So we pooled our resources and imported something super cool." Louis nodded at me and I slowly snuck around the back of the drum set, giving Ashton's hand a small squeeze along the way and prepared myself to run full speed at the confused guitarist. "It's small." Ashton had put on his most dramatic advertisement voice. "It's funny and it's imported all the way from the United Kingdom!" I took this as my cue and jumped out from where I was crouched behind the amps and ran at Michael's back. He turned as the crowd started to erupt and I jumped on him just as he swung his guitar around his back.

"Allie!" Michael screamed, wrapping me in his arms and squeezing me. "Oh my god!" I giggled as I pushed my face into his neck and wrapped my legs around his waist.

"Aren't they the cutest best friends ever?" Calum cooed into his microphone, causing the crowd to cheer louder.

"No, that's us." Luke replied and I could imagine their faces. I climbed down from Michael and tuned out the rest of the boys stage banter as I smiled up at Michael.

"Hi." I beamed and he pulled me back into a hug.

"I can't believe you're here." Michael muttered into the top of my head and I heard the faint sound of camera shutters. Ah. I pulled away from Michael, not wanting my face all over the internet and ran my fingers through his fringe.

"I was specially ordered." I winked as my arm was caught by another body and I was yanked backwards.

"She's here to share!" Luke announced as he gave me a one armed hug. I gaped at the massive audience as Luke turned me to face them and introduced me. "Guys' this is Allie, our friend from England. She's Michael's surprise." I half-smiled and shot a look back to Ash. I was out of depth. Being on stage was not my thing.

"Allie's here to make sure Michael doesn't mope around." Calum laughed and Michael poked his tongue out at the bassist. I looked up at Luke with pleading eyes and hurried past Michael, giving him another short hug, and off stage. I was pulled into yet another hug, this time by Harry and Liam, and turned to see the boys launch into their last song, Michael's face was completely alight.

"I got it all on camera." Liam looked proud of himself as he held up his iPhone. "His face was priceless."