Can We Fall In Love Now? [Nicole Row]

Chapter 28

I woke up slowly, begrudgingly. My phone sat disappointingly on my night stand, a picture of Nicole and I on the screen before it went back to my normal Brendon lock screen. '(1) Missed Call From Nicky' my phone read, and I shot up. I swiped, and the phone started ringing again. She picked up quicker than I expected her to, and she spoke first, "hello, Addy?"

"Nicole!" I grinned, "hey, uh- you called me earlier?"

"Oh, yeah. I was just wondering if you'd like to fly out, come on tour with us? One of the crew had to leave, and I miss you." I could practically hear the puppy-eyes she was giving me.

"Hmmmmmm..."

"Oh come on!" Nicole protested, "Please? I promise you won't be stuck doing anything boring, and you'll have me and Sarah and - you can meet Mike!"

"I already met Mike?"

"Okay meet him again!"

A voice from Nicole's line spoke up, muffled, "please Addy!"

"Mike what the fuck - uh, anyways. I'll think about it."

"Thank youuuu!" Nicole practically sang, and I smiled thinking of how she must look. The call ended and I sat up, leaning over to open my blinds. My phone rang again and I screamed, falling off the bed.

I grabbed my phone and answered it before it stopped ringing, "Jeez- uh, hello?"

"Adeline?"

"Oh! Brendon!" I grinned, pushing myself off of the ground and unplugging my phone.

"Yeah! Sorry, did I... did I interrupt you? You sounded busy."

"No, no, I just fell off my bed." I could hear his smile almost as clearly as I could Nicole's.

"Well, don't hurt yourself too badly. You are going on tour with us."

"I am?"

"Isn't that what you told Nicole?"

"I said maybe!" I protested, flipping through the pages of my binder. "I- I needed to record a few songs with the band before-"

"You can do that later, plenty of time to song write when you're out with us. And c'mon, the fans love you too!"

"Yeah, one of them stole my guitar!"

"With love!" Brendon protested, and I let out a long, hard sigh.

"Fine. When can I fly out?"

"As soon as possible, so like... 2 hours."
"Two hours?! I need to pack!"
"Packing is overrated."
"Brendon."
"Adeline."
"Fine but you better buy me all the stuff i forget to bring." I crossed my arms, pacing my room as I thought about what I could possibly bring. 
"Of course."
"See you then." I replied, and the call ended. "TWO FUCKING HOURS? THE AIRPORT IS AN HOUR AWAY! TSA IS LIKE ANOTHER HOUR! WHAT THE FUCK BRENDON!" I screamed at the wall, hitting it frustratedly only to bounce away, holding my fist, "owowowow!"
I sat on my bed, looked around. I grabbed a carry on, since I didn't have enough money to pay extra for a big one to get onboard, and then I started to pack it full of clothes.

My computer was suddenly on the bed and I bought one ticket to New York, for their Brooklyn show.

January 16. Barclays Center.

I grabbed my laptop and fled the room, suitcase in hand. Ugg boots were thrown on my feet (yes I'm well aware I'm basic) and I shoved my laptop and a few protein bars in my backpack before leaving, grabbing an uber.

Burbank Airport was achieved, and I rushed past the stowed bag check (didn't have any) to the tsa check (pre-check, no shoe taking-offing). I walked into the terminal with a little over a half hour left, charging my phone by the wall as I played games. Or, more accurately, scrolled through Instagram.

The plane started boarding, and I walked in with the second group. Brendon did offer to pay, why not go for Comfort? My bag was stuffed up top, and window seat status was achieved, and I politely asked for a water while unwrapping my protein bar. The height of luxury!

The plane took off, and then it was not. Service stopped (duh) and I was sat with nothing to do. I left my books at home. 

Mercilessly, tirelessly, the plane flew. A grueling however-long many hour flight finally ended and I got my bag again, the LA-New York flight finally over. I stepped off the plane and out of the airport, taking a moment outside to stretch.

The thing about different time zones is that, while you zoom ahead three hours it is still 7 for you, but now your brother and  only connection to New York is halfway through the show.

I got another Uber.

•~•~•~•~•

Nicole jumped around stage as boisterously as she'd done in the previous shows. Brendon's "warning" about Adeline had done none of them good, least of all Nicole.

The familiar feel, touch, vibration of her bass guitar kept her head far away from her shoulders, unable to focus on one thing or another. In other words: she couldn't think about Addy.

The strings on the instrument dug into even her calloused hands, and she focused on the chords, notes, rhythm she had to keep. Two more songs, one more song, and then Victorious was over.

The band walked off, Zach and Jake in close pursuit. Nothing unusual until they saw Brendon start sprinting towards a figure hidden by an alcove, and suddenly Adeline was hugging him and he was hugging Adeline.

They were smiling and talking and from afar Nicole could hear Adeline complain about "you're so sweaty!" In which case, Nicole resolved to give Adeline a half hug.

Adeline finally walked over to the band, giving everyone a high five and making small chat before Nicole pulled Addy into the half hug. The air weighed tense with the newfound knowledge of what could only be described as Nicole's schoolgirl crush. Adeline never seemed to mind, however, as she pulled Nicole into a closer  hug. "You're as sweaty as Brendon." The girl protested, burying her head in the fabric of Nicole's shirt. "Yuck." Nicole smiled, feeling again like Addy was her mermaid and Nicole was Addy's sunshine.

It was unfair that they couldn't be lovers. Brendon and Adeline would never allow it, leaving Nicole both star-crossed and friend-zoned with the only person she felt she liked in any romantic sense. She never did stand a chance with Adeline.

She instead focused on the feeling of the bass guitar strap around her neck, the pressure of the instrument on her side.

Adeline took no notice of Nicole's silent nature and looped arms with the girl, slipping away from the group. Nicole felt Brendon's eyes glaring at her from behind, and was tempted to run back to the group. She didn't, and Adeline dragged her into the bathroom.

"Oooh so secretive." Nicole joked, and Adeline cracked one of her smiles.

"Well, it's the only place I'll be able to talk to my Sunshine in private."

A/N
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