𝐇𝐈𝐃𝐄| 𝐉.𝐁.

32: Vegan pizza and vocal performances

"One soy cheese pizza for the vegan queen and two pepperoni pizzas for all you animal killers." Red says and we all burst into laughter.

"Oh my god Red, already starting a scandal. Not mad about it." Carlos comments.

"I think you mean a sister scandal." Red corrects him and I snicker.

"Oh no, not this James Charles shit." I hear Kourtney say.

"I'll have you know, his flashback mary look was the best meme of the year." Red protests.

"He literally looked like Caspar the ghost." She fires back and I laugh, Josh chuckling after me.

"Can we all just shut up and eat?!" Carlos exclaims and everyone agrees.

"So tell me, when did you start going vegan?" Red asks, taking a piece of pizza.

"When I moved here. I was never really a big fan of meat anyway." I shrug, taking a bite out of my pizza.

"I wouldn't even last a day. I love bacon way too much." Ashlyn comments.

"Agreed. And chicken nuggets are my weakness." Carlos says with his mouth half full.

"Same!" Kourtney agrees and I just laugh.

"So, did you guys go over your lines?" Carlos asks and I freeze up.

"Yeah, we did. It went great. Right, Josh?" I turn to him.

"Yeah, totally. I think we really got the rooftop scene down. We also did s-some vocal warmups." Josh stammers a bit and I purse my lips.

"Speaking of vocal warmups, Alexis! Sing us a song!" Kourtney announces.

"Yes, c'mon Lex!" Everyone says.

"Oh, no, no.  I just sing for fun, it's not that deep." I say, chuckling a bit.

"Are you kidding? Your voice is fucking amazing! You sing all the time and write tons of songs!" Taylor says and I nudge her, giving her a look.

"Okay, now we have to hear it." Red says and everyone nods in agreement.

"Guys, this is a pizzeria, not a karaoke party." I laugh and Kourtney smirks as she gets up from her chair.

I see Kourtney whisper something to the manager and she quickly scurries back over.

"Luckily for you, they do karaoke nights every Tuesday." Shes says and everyone cheers.

"Fine." I give in.

"Yes!" Everyone screams and I laugh as I pull out my phone.

"Can you play this?" I tell the manager and he nods as he connects it to the speaker.

"Go Lex!" Seb shouts and I grin as I'm given a microphone.

"This song I wrote a few days ago. It's not that long but, it means a lot to me. It's called My Oh My." I say into the mic and everyone claps.

"You guys are gonna love this one." Taylor says and a few people laugh.

The music starts to play and I tap my palm against the mic, feeling the rhythm of the song.

"Yeah, a little bit older, a black leather jacket. A bad reputation, insatiable habits. He was on to me, one look and I couldn't breathe, yeah. I said, if he kissed me, I might let it happen." I start to sing.

"Oh shit, pop off queen." Carlos claps and I smile, ready to sing the next verse.

"I swear on my life that I've been a good girl. Tonight, I don't wanna be her." I belt out as I take the mic off the stand.

"Fuck yes!" Red shouts, taking his phone out.

"They say he likes a good time, he comes alive at midnight, my mama doesn't trust him, he's only here for one thing but-" I start and I quickly jump off the little stage, then rocking my body back and forth.

"So am I." I slur out and I hear a few whistles.

"Latina queen of moving her hips!" Carlos shouts and I laugh as I catch Josh gazing at me.

                                           ||

"You were amazing, Lex." Taylor says, hugging me.

"Thank you, but it was nothing. Just a bit of fun is all." I chuckle.

"We both know that's a lie." She mutters to me and I just shrug.

"Please teach me how to move like you do." Carlos groans to me.

"It's all in the hips." I laugh and he chuckles as he gets into the car.

"Everyone get in! I have to drive everyone home so I'm suffering, not you!" Red says and we all laugh.

"Can you check if anyone is still in there?" Taylor asks me and I nod.

I scurry over and go to open the door but someone beats me to it.

"Shit, sorry. I almost uh, hit you in the face." Josh mutters.

"It's fine." I quietly chuckle.

"No one else is in there, everyone's in the car." He clears his throat and I slowly nod.

"Great." I say and turn away, walking to the car.

"Alexis." He says and I stop in my tracks.

"Yeah?" I say.

"Should we uh, talk about what happened earlier? At the t-tech rehearsal?" He says, swallowing the lump in his throat.

"What's there to talk about? Nothing happened." I grimace and his face hardens.

I turn back around but he grabs my arm.

"Don't be like that. Don't act like it meant nothing, because I know it did. For the both of us. And that song, c'mon Lex." He says and I turn my head to him.

"It was nothing. We just had a moment, is all. We were alone and it was quiet. That's it. And why do you assume that song was about you?" I say, pulling away from his grip.

"C'mon Lex, don't play games." He says, looking me in the eye.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not the player here." I state, glaring at him and his eyes turn darker.

I turn on my heels and make my way to the car, opening the car.

"You okay?" Ashlyn asks me.

"Never better. Just tired is all." I grimace and she nods as I put on my seatbelt.

"Is Josh coming?" Carlos asks.

"Right here." He says and hops in the seat next to Red.

"What took you so long?" Seb groans.

"Sorry, the line for the bathroom was a little long." He says, putting on his seatbelt and my jaw locks.

"That's what happens when you shove too much pepperoni pizza up your coochie." Red sasses and my jaw drops.

"Red!" We all exclaim and I burst into laughter.

I even hear Josh let out a quick laugh.

"What? You want me to lie to my best friend?" He shrugs as he starts to car and we continue our laughter.

I turn my head and see Josh looking at me through the rear view mirror and I meet his gaze.

I quickly look away and clear my throat, pushing some hair behind my ear.

No, I will not give in.