I sit across from Athena, sticking my tongue out at her when the boys aren’t looking. She copies me, a small laugh passing from between her lips. We both sit at the table, despite our protests for a booth. I mean-really? Who chooses a table over a booth?
I pull my clover honey colored hair into a ponytail as we sit back.
The restaurant is busy, despite the 9:30 AM time.
“You seem entertained.” Mahogany laughs from beside me, setting her phone on the table. The bear shaped phone case is face up on the wooden surface. Her usual curly hair is straightened.
“Oh, sorry.” I realize I was staring blankly at the table. I have a horrible habit of staring off. I sit upright in my chair, tugging up the plaid button up on my waist. “I’m just tired.” I shrug, laying my hands in my lap. I begin to fiddle with a loose string on my faded jeans.
“I’m sure.” Athena winks suggestively. “You and Sammy were gone for a long time.” She hints and Mahogany clasps her hands over her mouth in surprise. A smile spreads across her face like butter.
“Oh my god!” She laughs, glancing between us. Sammy’s back is to us as he and the boys are playing some sort of game to see who pays when we leave.
“What the hell?” I’m distracted as I notice a particular teenage girl glancing at our table. I feel my heart skip a beat before rocketing down in my chair, hiding under the wooden table. I mumble assorted cusswords as I hide.
“You okay?” Ryan Beatty asks as he notices where I’m residing.
“Yeah, I just..dropped my fork.” I messily excuse.
“We haven’t gotten forks ye-“ Athena kicks his shin and he shoots her a look, closing his moth immediately. I watch the Nike sneakers pass on the floor and hesitantly sit up, just to shoot down again.
“Pretty early to be under the table there, kitten.” Nash mocks, turning the table’s attention to me. I raise only my arm above the table and flip him off as I scan the room again.
Sam breaks from the game, leaning in towards me. He rests his hands on his knees, entertained by my antics as I continue to sit on the floor.
“What are you up to?” He casually asks.
“Oh you know, enjoying the weather down here.” I nod.
He smiles at my response.
“So how is it?”
“Um…A little claustrophobic.” My voice raises an octave as I glance around for the sneakers again.
*ATHENA POV*
We wrap up breakfast and Sam ends up paying despite his protests that he was distracted during the final round. He shakes his head in disagreement as he draws out random bills from his wallet, placing them with the check.
“Oh, so I’m a distraction now.” Kittie rolls her eyes, speaking to me.
“You’re beautiful, can you blame me?” Sam mocks as he places a light kiss on her cheek, leaving behind a pink tinge to her skin.
“Let’s go before my breakfast makes a second appearance.” Taylor speaks up, standing from his seat. Everyone follows as we pile into two separate vans. I end up sandwiched between Jack G and Jake the entire ride.
We can hear the screams from downstairs as we walk towards the entrance. A couple of passing fans take pictures before a small stampede gather around the crew. Danny is towards the front of the semi-circle, the bigger guys outlining, and the girls in the middle.
We race up the escalators and rush backstage as the guys separate for the pre-show meet and greets.
“You’ve officially experienced your first mobbing.” Mahogany laughs as we hep her set up her DJ equipment. “How was it?” She peaks up at us between moving the soundboard.
“Awesome.” I smile.
“Crazy.” Kittie retorts.
“It gets crazier.” Lox laughs as her mom enters the room, giving her a quick hug.
“Oh, special guests?” She directs the question at us.
“Oh, no.” Kittie shakes her head. “We’re not really..”
“Half the boys are crushing on them.” Mahogany playfully informs, attention aimed at us.
“Be careful.” Her mother laughs. “Every single one of those boys is trouble.”
“We’ve noticed.” I assure, recalling the last night.
“Well, I leave you guys to prepare. I’ll be with Aaron’s mom.” She places a small kiss on Lox’s head before waving to us and walking off.
“If you guys want any water it’s back there.” Mahogany points to her right. I follow Kittie as she nods before heading off in the direction. Kittie and I wander through the empty, upper level. The VIP crowd has just really started lining up downstairs and there's only a half hour until the show time.
I sit on near the vending machine with Kittie as we wait for the guys to wrap up their pre-show meet and greets. I sip on my coke as Kittie scrolls on her phone. "Whatcha doing?" I ask as I peak over her shoulder. I see Jack Johnson's name on the message before it returns to the home screen.
"Nothing really." She nonchalantly speaks, playing with her hair.
“Mhmmm.” I skeptically speak.
“Rich, coming from Mrs.Gilinsky.” She wiggles her eyebrows at me.
