***COMPLETED*** Around the World and Back [A Patty Walters Story]

Chapter 4: "I'll see you after the show."

June 23, 2018
Mountain View, California

When I woke up this morning, I discovered there was a gas station across the street. I decided to sneak off the bus to go see if they had a cheap little cell phone I could use until our next day off. Josh has been calling me non-stop since he decided to end things, and I was getting pretty annoyed.

To my surprise, they had a decent selection. It was no iPhone, but it was gonna do. I sat on a bench outside and set it up. I had Patty's number memorized, so I decided to play a little game.

Me: Hiiii handsome. Thanks for last night ;)

Patty: What? Who is this?

I laughed to myself as I stood up, putting the stuff that came with the phone in my purse.

Me: What? You forgot? We had such a great time. Xo.

Patty: I literally don't know who this is. Is this Avery?

Me: Who's Avery?

Patty: My best friend. The most beautiful girl in the world.

I blushed, biting down on my lip. When I got to the bus, I quietly unlocked the door and stepped back on. Everyone was still in their bunks asleep.

The phone vibrated in my pocket again.

Patty: Well, I don't have a name. Do you mind telling me who you are?

I bit down on my lip to keep from laughing as I put the phone and my bag in my bunk, quietly turning around and standing in front of Patty's bunk as I gently pulled the sheet back, climbing in next to him.

"Hey, handsome," I said with a giggle. "Thanks for last night," I laughed as he rolled his eyes.

"I knew it was you," he said as he poked my side over and over. I shrieked softly and slapped his hand away. "Where did you find a phone?"

I laid down and got comfortable, pulling up the covers to my chest as I looked up at him. My eyes kept flickering to his lips, and I hope he didn't notice.

"There's a gas station across the street," I said quietly. "I peaked outside when I woke up, so I threw on some clothes and went over there. They actually had a lot of them to chose from," I said as I moved his hair out of his face, running my fingers through it.

He nuzzled into my hand and moved closer to me, making my heart skip a beat. Or 20.

"What'd you do with your other phone?" He hummed, draping his arm over my hip. "Don't you need to turn it in when we go to the phone store to get a new one?"

We used to cuddle like this all the time, and I never thought anything of it, so I don't know why I'm acting like I'm out here falling in love with Patty all of a sudden.

"It's in my bag," I said as I looked at him, placing my hand on his arm that was around my hip. "I turned it on silent. I didn't wanna shut it off completely in case my mom or Brit need to call me. But Josh is still calling non-stop."

He squeezed my hip gently and leaned up, kissing my forehead.

"You're safe here, Avery," he whispered. "Not only do you have me and the guys, but you also have tons of other bands and so many security guards."

He laced our fingers together and squeezed my hand. I bit down on my lip as I watched him, my eyes flicking back up to his lips. Without a second thought, I leaned forward and kissed him, resting my hand on his chest as I pulled away.

"Patty," I breathed as I started to get out of his bunk. "I'm sorry, I-"

"No, it's okay," Patty said as he put his hand on my hip again. "Don't go, please," he said with a slight frown. "It's okay, Avery, really."