Save Me. (Matthew Espinosa)

Chapter 14 - Stage Fright

Lacey's POV

The days have been blurring by rather quickly. Taylor and I haven't made much contact since our last encounter, only talking when necessary. Matt has been his usual over protective self and that's part of the reason things between Taylor and I have been so awkward. On the subject of Matt, we have been getting closer. For the most part, he ignores Mahogany, but it doesn't seem to bother her much. Maybe she lost her feelings for him for some reason. Either way, she hasn't said anything to me so I suppose what I'm doing is alright.

We are currently in Sacramento, California. The boys and I are at one of their "performances" and then they'll be doing a meet and greet. I boredly wait for them to finish backstage, like I often do. I see a flash of red curls and then find Mahogany peeking through the curtains briefly to smile and wave at me which I find a bit odd.

Straight after the peculiar gesture, I hear, "Today we have a very special guest for you all," and I perk up to listen confusedly. "Her name is Lacey Lloyd!" My eyes widen. Matt bursts from the curtains and grabs my arm to pull me towards the stage with him. I briefly wonder why I even came in the first place. I try to tug my arm away but to no avail and am suddenly standing on a platform with multiple bountiful girls surrounding me.

My face turns extremely red as he tells the crowd how beautiful and talented I am. "And what talents do I have, exactly?" I grin at Matthew, curious to see what kind of answer he can conjure up.

"Umm.." He bites his lip, obviously not expecting to have to explain. "You're talented at... eating!" I try to hold in my burst of laughter at his lame idea.

"Oh. So you're calling me fat?" I tease, trying to provoke a flustered reaction. He takes note of the joking tone my voice carries.

"Well you eat like a fat kid for being a size two." He winks, a playful smirk paired with the motion.

"Pffft. I wish I was a size two." He laughs lightly. I feel a tap on my shoulder and turn around to see Taylor handing me a microphone. I avoid eye contact as I grab it.

"Anybody have questions for the fat kid?" Cameron pipes up and I laugh at the nickname. Many hands shoot up and I feel a little panic. I'd rather not have so much attention directed towards me at once. I guess Matt realizes I'm feeling a bit anxious so he places a hand on the small of my back for some reassurance. I relax slightly, knowing he's here for me.

Jack Johnson points at a young teenager with golden, wavy hair and blue eyes. She's stunning for her age.

"Are you going to the meet and greet?" She yells out loud enough for me to hear.

"Well, it's for the boys and I don't want to intrude," I speak my thoughts.

"You wouldn't be intruding," Aaron eases, looking at me and then out at the crowd. "Who wants Lacey to join us at the meet and greet?" He asks. The girls cheer and fling their hands into the air, bouncing in excitement.

I smile lightly, cheeks flushed. "Uh.. Next question?" My voice wavers a little due to my obvious nervousness, eyes scanning for another person. One girl in particular catches my eye, so I decide on her. She doesn't seem to be here with another person and she has her hand raised almost shyly, unlike the other girls who try to wave their hands around and stick them as high as they can to retrieve my attention.

I point to her. "What's your name?" I try to be friendly, seeing as she looks a little unsure. I see her lips move in an answer but she speaks too quietly for me to hear. I shake my head a little with furrowed brows and cup my hand to my ear in a gesture for her to speak up.

"Madelyn," she says just loud enough for my ears to catch. Her face turns scarlet in embarrassment.

"And what's your question, Madelyn?" I smile as friendly as I can to try and engage her into speaking and not being so shy.

"Are you and Matthew like.. a thing?" A curious tone coats the question. My head turns to look at Matt who still has his warm hand on my back. He meets my gaze. His eyes look anxious, deeply observant of my answer. If only we were, I think to myself.

"Um, no. We aren't." I say, eyes traveling back to Madelyn.

"Not yet anyway!" Matthew objects.

"In your dreams Espinosa!" I nudge him. In reality, I would love for Matthew and me to be a "thing", but, unfortunately, that's just not the way it is. His hand falls away from my back and I look over at him to see his eyes averted to the floor. I suppose he didn't catch onto the fact that I was joking.

Taylor clears his throat slightly. "I think that's enough questions for today," he states, not looking very pleased.