Escape (Dana Vaughns) *EDITING*

Chapter 1: Welcome Back

The bell to the front of the store dinged while I was sat at the counter with my phone in my hand. I hadn't even bothered to look up as I usually would because I was in the middle of finding out what was happening on Twitter. Apparently, someone named Alex worked at Target and is now famous for it. I don't know but some of the comments were hilarious.

"Rachel Lindsey" that taunting voice called out to me in the empty record shop. Slowly, I turned to meet the beautifully carved face of one of my best friends. His black shirt was turned darker by the extreme downpour outside, as well as the bottom of his khaki pants. His curls were protected by a black snapback -- the one I sent him for his birthday three months ago. Taking in his smirking face watching me check him out, I lifted my head a little higher.

"Dana Vaughns. I'm surprised you even know my name since you're all famous now." I replied with a smirk of my own. I couldn't help but change my smirk into a bright smile as I realized that he was actually here. The guy who had been taking over my entire life since he left for tour almost a year ago was standing in my favorite place in the world. He opened his arms wide as I ran to fulfill one of my only sources of joy. 

Inhaling softly I felt the immense bliss that his hugs bring me. It seemed like I was always a perfect fit for his loving embrace. I felt his head nuzzle in my hair as he got more comfortable in our hug.

Nothing else needed to be said about how much we missed each other, letting all of our emotions radiate through our bodies. His cologne traveled through my nostrils as I took in another whiff.

"I see you're still as weird as ever." He mumbled quietly laughing slightly at the end.

"Who would I be if I weren't?" I asked as I backed away from him to look at his face. This year had been good to him as he seemed to only get older. His face had become more defined and he was now much taller than me, though he still looked the same. He met my gaze with those same brown eyes and I swooned.

"What are you even doing here?" I asked after we had finally had enough of just holding each other close. Well, I had. Dana still had his hands positioned on my hips like if he let go I would never be in front of him again.

"The guys and I have a two month long break for the holidays and they decided that we should come back here." He replied shaking his head a little at the end.

"You mean that I'll finally get to meet the guys who have taken up all your free time?" I smiled brightly at him. Outside I looked calm but on the inside I was jumping up and down. Since he first moved to LA I had wondered about these guys. Of course, I had seen them a couple times and even talked a little to them during one of our Skype sessions but this was different. I would be meeting Dana's band!

"Rachel... RAE!" He screamed my old nickname as I finally came back from my daydreaming.  Grinning sheepishly I apologized for doing it to him again. He always gets frustrated whenever I zone out from him. I remember when I first did it he was so angry. He claims that it makes him nervous because he can never figure out what I'm thinking. Only this boy.

"So, when do I get to meet the guys?" I said trying to change the subject.

"Tomorrow when they come over my place." He stated but he seemed like he had more to say. His face moved from content to slight worry and I became paranoid.

"What is it? I'm your best friend and if they are your friends then I will love them no matter what. Why do you seem nervous?" I asked him a little panicked. He smiled down at me giving me a sheepish look.

"Well, I just wanted to know if you wanted to sleep over mine tonight. Just like old times when we would stay up all night and play Dance Central." He said as he looked down at his hands on my hips. Laughing slightly I agreed to his invitation. That was probably the cutest thing ever. His grin split so wide open as he pulled his arms around my waist fully. I sighed again just loving the fact that I am actually in his arms again.