the drummer boy ❦ Roger Taylor

21

"We have been Queen! Goodnight!" Freddie exclaimed into the mic, concluding the show. It was the best one yet. The audience were incredibly vocal and supportive, even some of the men I saw at others who ridiculed Freddie and how he looks. I felt like a proud parent, especially seeing all of their ecstatic expressions when the audience begged for not one, but two encores. Debs, Mary and I were the loudest fans, standing right at the front and cheering louder than the others. Roger and I made eye contact multiple times throughout the performance, him giving me the odd wink and me mouthing words of encouragement.

The boys left the stage and out of the fire door, where they had their van and equipment. Even so, the audience were still roaring, reeling in how good they were.

"Shall we go back?" Mary asked, and we both nodded. The three of us squeezed through the crowd, slipping through the door. The lads were all in a group hug, praising one another of how good they all did. Mary cleared her throat, and they all turned to see us. Roger beamed to me, running towards me. We met in the middle, him picking me up and spinning me around, causing me to squeal.

"Holy shit, Julia. That was fucking exhilarating!" He declared, giving me a passionate kiss. Startled, I raised my eyebrows, kissing him back. I heard whistles coming from the others, as they all celebrated in various ways. When he put me down, I took note of everyone. Freddie and Mary were hugging, Brian and John playing air instruments and jumping around, whilst Deborah hopped on the spot, wanting to join in but not knowing how.

"We've gotta celebrate. Pub doesn't close until late, who's getting the drinks in?" Brian jeered. We whooped in response.

"I'll get the first round; what's your poison?" Freddie asked. After mentally noting down the drink order, the seven of us went back inside. Patrons patted the bands backs as we walked by, shaking their hands and complimenting them. The girls and I held back, wanting them to enjoy their praises. We found a little table that was vacant in the corner, enough to seat us all. Some music was playing, although was barely audible through the sound of the people in the bar talking. I even heard someone hum the chorus of 'Keep yourself alive', the song Brian had written and had quickly became a favourite of mine and the fans.

Roger slumped down on the stool next to me, resting his hand on my leg.

"Wow." He breathed. John and Brian looked just as happy, a radiant glow in their cheeks. I couldn't help but smile. Freddie and Mary came back with the drinks a moment later, somehow holding all seven of them. I took the vodka coke from them.

"A toast. To Queen!" Freddie exclaimed, raising his glass. We all followed suit.

"To Queen!" We said in unison, quickly downing our drinks.

"I can feel it, boys. This is the start of something huge!" John said, tipping his glass to us.

"Seven jägerbombs?" The same barman, Dave, came towards us, holding a tray with seven jägers full to the brim. I looked to Freddie,

"Really, Fred? Jägerbombs?" I chuckled, realising that tonight was going to be a messy night. Mary raised her hand sheepishly.

"I ordered them." She mumbled, and we burst out laughing in response. Dave put one in front of each of us, giving me a flirtatious look when he gave me mine. Roger took notice of this, and shuffled his chair closer to my own, put his arm around my shoulder, all whilst shooting daggers at Dave.

"Thanks." Roger spat, giving Dave the cue to leave. Dave scampered off, leaving Roger to huff. "I don't like him."

I didn't say anything, instead I kissed him lightly. In front of a packed pub, which was completely unlike me. When we pulled away in canon, he bopped my nose.

"What was that?" I chuckled. He shrugged.

"You're just really cute."

"Can you stop acting all lovey dovey? It makes us single people jealous." John groaned, downing his shot miserably. Roger and I looked at one another,

"We're not a couple." I laughed.

"Yet." Roger added, causing the table to make a loud 'ooo'. I could actually feel how red I must look. The rest of us picked up our shots, tossing them back and laughing at each others shot faces.

"Oh they're disgusting!" Freddie gagged. Mary gave him a devious smirk,

"Shall we get seven more in?" She suggested.

-

Extremely short chapter, but check your libraries! I'm double updating :)