MISSING YOU; Bradley Simpson

13.

EVELYN

After finishing the q&a, we all head back to the bus. I decide to sleep for a bit in my bunk, knowing that our hotel rooms are already gone. I toss and turn, but can't seem like sleep will find me anytime soon. I sigh, checking my phone. I see a few messages from Brad.

Brad: How was your day?

Brad: You sure you're coming to the show?

I insantly start typing back. He's been waiting for my response for hours, but I couldn't take my phone out for a second today. It was surely a busy day.

Me: It was amazing.

Me: Yeah, of course I'm going :)

I sit up and check my purse if I still have the ticket he gave me for tonight's show. I smile as I take it out, seeing the band's name and picture on it, along with my seat and the arena's name.

Brad: Can't wait x

Me: Me neither x

I take my earphones out of my purse and put the ticket back, plugging them into my phone and putting on music. Maybe this will help me fall asleep.

--

When the timer on my phone goes off, signaling I have to get up and get ready for the show, I climb off of my bunk and into the bathroom. I check if my makeup is okay and brush my hair again. It got a bit messy from sleeping.

Once I step out of the bus, I notice we're actually in a gas station's parking lot. I guess we're staying here until tomorrow morning. Jess comes outside too and smiles at me.

"We're close to the arena," she tells me. "I'll walk you there, I know where it is."

I thank Jess for her nice gesture and we start walking. It's quiet dark already and I'm a bit afraid, but I ignore this feeling.

A few minutes later, I find myself in front of the big arena. A few people are in line in front of me. I decided to come earlier, since Brad told me they will let me inside backstage and I can hang out with them until the show starts. I thank Jess again and wait for the line to go on. Once they let me inside, I head down the aisle, finding Brad sitting on a chair in the first row. I walk up behind him, covering his eyes with my hands.

"Guess who it is," I grin.

"Hm, I don't know. James?" he says sarcastacially and the grin on my face disappears as I remember last night's events at the club with James.

"No," I clear my throat.

"Oh, it's Evelyn," he guesses and I take my hands off of his eyes, giggling. "Hey," he stands up and wraps his arms around me. "Come on."

Brad takes my hand in his and leads me towards their dressing rooms. I look around the arena, seeing a few people looking at Brad and I with furrowed eyebrows. They probably don't understand who I am to Brad, since we never actually made our relationship official on social media. Well, I made it official today.

"Evelyn, hi!" Connor hurries up to me and wraps his arms around me.

"Hi," I smile, returning his hug.

"Didn't know you would come," he pulls away and smiles.

"Trust me dude, she always comes," Brad jokes, winking at his best friend. I roll my eyes, but still laugh along with the two of them.

I greet Tris too, who is in his dressing room, but lets me in. I move on, walking past James' dressing room, debating if I should go inside or not. After what happened last night, I have a feeling it's going to be awkward, but I still go for it. I knock and once I get a 'come in', I open the door.

"Just wanted to say hi while Brad gets his hair fixed," I stand in the doorway awkwardly.

"Hey," James smiles at me, motioning for me to go inside. I do so, stopping next to the couch and sitting down on the handle.

"How are you?" I ask.

"Excited. What about you?" he's acting like nothing happened. Maybe this is for the best.

"Me too," I nod, smiling. I'm really excited for their show. I only saw them perform in small clubs before, this is a huge step.

"Come on, babe," I hear Brad's voice and I stand up. I glance over at James one more time, something in his expression changed. I decide to ignore it and walk into Brad's dressing room. I find him sitting on the couch, scrolling through his phone.

"There are still another thirty minutes until the show starts. Wanna do something fun?" he asks, grinning at me. I roll my eyes playfully and lie on top of him, taking his phone away and putting it on the floor. "You're tired, huh?"

"A bit," I admit, resting my head on his chest and listening to his heartbeat.

"So, how was everything today?" Brad starts playing with my hair.

"It was amazing. And a bit odd, because they asked about my personal life," I shrug.

"Did you tell them about our relationship?" he asks. "And Faith?"

"Yes. Is it a problem?" I tilt my head, looking up at him with a slight nervousness.

"No, of course not," he places a kiss on my forehead. "I was just curious. You've been private about your personal life."

"Yeah, until now," I smile and Brad nods in agreement.

I hide my face in the crook of his neck, enjoying the little time we still have together. From tomorrow, for another month we won't see each other and I want to just enjoy his company, until I have to say goodbye.

--

"You were amazing up there!" I jump in Brad's neck, then hug the other boys too as they thank me.

"You really enjoyed it, huh?" Brad asks, pulling me to his side and wrapping his arm around my shoulders.

"Yes. It was awesome!" I grin up at him. "Better than when you play in clubs."

"Yeah, about that," the boys' manager, Joe interrupts us. We all turn our heads in his direction and wait for him to continue. "You're done playing those small gigs. From now on, you're gonna be playing arenas like this," he smiles at the boys, who gasp and cheer as they pull each other in a group hug.

"Hey, we're gonna go out and have some dinner. Wanna join?" Brad turns to me after they pull away from their hug. I hesitate with my answer, glancing at James. He just nods, sending me an innocent smile.

"Sure," I nod, turning my attention back to Brad.

Things have been awkward between me and James ever since that kiss, but I think I can get past that and enjoy my time in his presence. Plus, I don't want to say goodbye to Brad just yet. I have the opportunity to spend even more time with him tonight, why not take it?