After a long day at Vidcon, I was deadbeat and exhausted. When we got back to our hotel room, Noen and I were immediately invited to an after party with all the creators. I yawned but nodded and brushed through my hair once more before pulling my mask up and joining Noens hand to go out the door and catch an uber.
"We didn't have to go, we could have just cuddled on our beds and watched a movie." Noen runs his hand through his hair as I fluttered my eyes back open, my head resting on his shoulder. Our Uber was almost to the party and Noen could see I was drifting. I couldn't help it, I was telling myself to stay awake but I would blink and my eyes would stay closed.
"As tempting as cuddling sounds, No. With a little excitement i'll be up and running again." I leaned up and kissed Noens nose through our masks as he ran his hand through my hair. "I promise." His eyes scrunch to which i'm guessing is his smile and I feel the car come to a stop. As I look out the window, Chase opens the door, grabbing my hand and pulling me from the car. Im a little disoriented but I smile and embrace him.
"It's about time you guys got here!" Chase picked me up, running up the steps to a business building, Noen behind me, running his hand through his hair and jogging to keep up. "First things first, Jacob and Lance are gonna get some pictures for the gram." Chase has finally put me down after opening the door and walking to the back of the open area. I saw a glass patio and the sunset hit the glass with a shine, making it perfect for pictures.
Chase, Noen and I had maybe 10 minutes of posing and filming before Lance and Jacob headed to their disclosed spaces to edit them. Chase then smoothed his hair out, fixed our masks and lead us to the elevator, pressing the 13th floor and smirking at us.
"What?" I question, looking at myself in the mirror behind Chase. He shrugged and placed his hand on Noens shoulder, winking at me. As the doors opened, I saw everyone in that giant space turn and start cheering. I ran my hand through my hair and walked out, feeling Addys arms wrap around me. I smile and hug her back, then Sterling.
"Rose come here bb," Chase motions for me, "I want you to meet some important people." Chase wraps his arm around my waist, a few people standing in front of us. "This is Payton, Anthony, Chase K, or we call him, Chaser, Yousif, Griffen, and Jaden." There was something about the last boy, Jaden, that made me draw to him. I didn't understand if it was his straight black hair that parted down the middle, or his eboy look, maybe it was his addicting smirk and eye thing he just did. Something was mesmerizing, that is, until Milo and Noen came up behind me, picking me up and throwing me over their shoulders. I had no idea what it was about me that made people think they could just pick me up, but it was starting to be a normal occurrence.
"And to this celebration we say goodbye to some of our favorites of Phase 1, Sam and Josh, but welcome so many more for Phase 2!" I hear Hootie, who I had met at Vidcon, on the stage, and automatically felt movement from Noen and Milo going up the stage stairs, seeing many faces in the space before me.
"Let's welcome Noen Eubanks, Rose Monterey, Milo Winter, Sterling Monett, Cynthia Parker, Bria Michelle, Brooke Blach, and Yousif Sabbah." Noen puts me down, grabbing my hand and slightly squeezing behind my back, obviously anxious, which made me anxious as well. The people took photos and after a few seconds the original Tour people joined us on stage, smiling and waving.
"Don't worry, you'll eventually get used to all the lights and cameras." Jaden comes up next to me, not looking at me as the words flow out of his smiling lips. "I can tell your nervous." He quickly runs his hands through his hair, side eyeing me for a second before we all start to walk off stage.
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"It's getting real late, I think it's about time we start heading out." Chase yawns, pulling his mask down, leaning his elbow on my shoulder.
"Yeah, I'm really tired." Noens voice is drowsy and deep, as it gets when he needs to get some rest. I nod and Chase starts to call an Uber. Noen follows him a couple paces away, yawning.
"Hey, lemme see your phone real quick." Jaden appears at my side again, his green eyes piercing mine. I raise an eyebrow and he motions for my phone again, making me roll my eyes and hand it to him. "You know, you guys look like the three Muske-boys." I giggled and Jaden held out my phone, his number inported as a new contact, a goofy picture he just took of himself as the header.
"Thanks." I smile and feel my cheeks slightly redden. "I read in our agendas that i'm centered with you, as well." Trying to change the subject, I look over to Noen and Chase who are still looking at Chases phone. I dread meeting new people alone, especially since I felt so awkward around Jaden in the first place.
"Yeah, I thought i'd introduce myself when I found you since you were the only one I didn't know, and then, what do ya know, Chase did the work for me." Jaden smirked and ran his hand through his silky black locks, his green eyes pondering me.
Just then, Lance appeared and held the camera out, snapping 3 quick shots of us. Jaden smiled and scrunched his face, leaning against me, and I pulled up my mask, side eyeing Jaden. Lance gave us a thumbs up and smiled, looking over the pictures and walking away.
"Well, I guess your gonna catch a ride home, I'll see you tomorrow for the plane to Boston." Jaden takes my hand, bowing in a slight manner and kissing it ever so gently, his eyes piercing mine.
"Till tomorrow." I nod, a smirk rising to my face. He smiles and does his eye thing one last time before walking into the rest of the people, allowing me to lose sight of him.
"Uber's here, lets go gorgeous." Noen grabs my hand, lightly pulling me from my trance and towards the car which Chase was already in. I could feel the tingling from Jadens kiss, still sizzling on my hand.
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I woke up quickly, my body hot and my face sweaty. Looking at the clock, I saw it as 3:12 am and let out a shaky breath. It was only 3 hours ago I showered, changed into shorts and a long shirt that was Dylan's, and put my hair into a messy bun, a pit in my stomach as I fell asleep. At the moment I didn't understand the pit but now, in the pitch black, I felt it as homesickness and anxiety. I took a deep breath, throwing my legs over the side of my bed. I looked up and saw the figure if Noen peacefully sleeping in the bed across from me, he hair over his eyes and his lips slightly parted.
I got up, walking to the bathroom, careful to not make to much noise, waking his precious soul. I stared at myself in the mirror, my face ridden of the makeup that made me gorgeously dark hours before. My figure hidden by the huge shirt. I pulled my hairs that had fallen out of the bun, behind my ears, running cold water down my face to cool the sweat and heat. Finally, drying off my face I walked out of the bathroom, staring into the darkness. I laid back down on my bed but felt scared and extremely uncomfortable so I stood up.
I looked at Noen again, a heat and peace rushing over me. I wanted to lay down next to him, to feel him against me, his peacefulness smothering me, but I also didn't want to wake him, so I just laid back down in my own bed, closing my eyes.
A moment later, I felt my covers lift, and I opened my eyes, looking over my shoulder to see a shirtless Noen lay next to me. I turned and he placed my head on his chest, heat radiating off of him and surrounding me. I felt so safe and calm, his hand running through my hair and his chest slowly rising and falling.
"Goodnight, Rose." I smiled and looked up at him, his eyes meeting mine. I let out a shallow breath before lifting my head slightly and meeting Noens soft lips with mine. And although that kiss was momentary before I laid my head back on his chest, his arms wrapping around me, I felt my stomach resume it's zoo again and I slowly drift off to sleep to the sound of his heartbeat against my cheek.
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Yes, I understand some of the people were not in the Lights Out Tour Phase 2, but, I needed them so I added them.
Enjoy the rest of your day and continue being gorgeous and loving.
By the way, Thank you all so much for the overwhelming support, comments, and votes which pushed us to 4.7 k reads. I truly love every single one of you. :)
