Delivery Notes

CHAPTER 5 - "CLOSER"

There was a chill in the air and the skin on my arms were covered in goose bumps, I couldn't be sure if that was due to the chill or if they were still there from watching Toby perform. I felt genuinely giddy, like a teenager hanging with a new crush.

I'd never hung out with a musician after their gig before. I wonder how he was feeling. I would have thought he would be feeling hyper, buzzed from the adrenaline or tired from the anxiety of performing in front of a room full of people but he seemed perfectly relaxed, chatting and laughing with his friends.

I couldn't hear their conversation from where me and Sally were walking behind them, but all my senses seemed heightened. I was too aware of him, the way he walked, the sound of his laugh, the way he slightly glanced behind him whilst they were talking. I was on edge but was trying desperately to play it cool. Thank god Sally was here.

"What do you fancy doing now, shall we see if we can get the last train home or do you fancy staying out?" she said with a glint in her eye, glancing towards Toby and giving me a cheeky grin and wink. My cheeks flushed before I could answer her, she was totally encouraging my crush.

"Erm... Yeah I'm a little tired but I'm having a laugh, shall we see where the night takes us?" I say as I look down at my shoes, I couldn't help the smirk on my face. Sally giggled quietly and squeezed my arm.

"Ok, let's stay out. You only live once!" She smiled back to me. She raised her voice so the rest of the group could hear.

"So, what's the plan then folks? We fancy a wild night on the town, where you reprobates taking us?" She joked.

Paul and Toby turned to face us.

"Reprobates??" Paul sniggered. "Actually, we were just trashing this out ourselves. We were arguing between going to the indie disco night at coalition or heading over to Dead wax social. You can settle this for us, what do you gals fancy?"

My eyes shot to Toby.

"Indie disco? So dancing and stuff?" I couldn't help but feel excited. I haven't been out dancing in what feels like years. I couldn't imagine this crowd on the dance floor though, they seemed to "cool" for dancing. This could be potentially embarrassing.

"Yeah, I know the guy who DJ's there. Should be a laugh" He replied eagerly.

"Is this what you wanted to do?" I answered. The corners of his mouth turned up into a small smile, but I could see his eyes light up as they looked deep into mine. I noticed how beautiful those deep whiskey brown eyes were. I felt my breath catch and I had to look away, I felt my cheeks flush and as I turned to Sally, I could see her smirking.

"Err yeah, I think we could have fun, we could all have fun I mean." He rushed, looking away as his hand reached up to pinch his bottom lip. I couldn't take my eyes off his lips.

"Alright then, you win Ginge, let's go to coalition" Paul interrupted sarcastically, rolling his eyes.

I reluctantly dropped my gaze from Toby's lips. He turned and jogged to catch up to the rest of the group and let them know of change of plans. Paul sounded utterly irritated by our interaction. Any hope I may have had that Paul would warm up to me was truly delusional.

I looked to back to Toby as he turned to follow Paul, I could see a shy smirk on his face and a light flush in his cheeks. I felt my breath catch again, I was not playing this cool at all. I needed to get a grip.

Sally giggled as she whispered, "He wants you bad Tillie!." As my eyes widened and I felt my cheeks ache from the grin on my face. "Almost as much as you want him" she teased. I couldn't help but giggle.