down in hollywood // braeden lemasters

fifteen : instagram live

The next evening, you are sitting in bed watching your favourite tv show. Last night left tensions between Jackson, Braeden & you high, receiving a passive aggressive text from Braeden in response to your apology. He may be older than you but he is definitely less mature.

Jackson had been really sweet & sincere after the event had unfolded and expressed his deepest apologies to you. Once he left, he told you he called Braeden and sorted everything out. Jackson also said he wanted to see you again & you can't be more excited. After all of your failed relationships, you truly believe that you both could work.

Your phone lights up next to you and you read the notification. 'braedenlemasters has started a live video'. Intrigued, you slide the bar to open Instagram & there he is, strumming his guitar waiting for more people to join.

Briefly glancing at the screen, he notices your username and smiles. "Y/N, you can't hide from me. I'll try to add you."

Knowing he isn't the greatest with technology, you take your time looking presentable & propping your phone against a couple of books that had been lying on your bedside table. A different notification appears: 'braedenlemasters has invited you to join his live'. After accepting, you wait for it to connect & prepare yourself for being displayed in front of thousands of his fans.

"There you are!" He gestures his hand to you through the screen.

"Hi Braeden! How are you doing?" You wave back at him.

He takes the phone in his hand & leans it against the tv, sitting on the floor in front of it. "I'm doing well. How have the last 24 hours been without me?"

"Not as bad as you would think, i guess I'm used to you not being around." You wink at him.

"Yeah, well, we're gonna have to change that." Braeden chuckles to himself, "So, to everyone watching, this is Y/N: my best friend in the last two years of high school & after a too long hiatus, is luckily back in my life. I just thought I'd give Y/N an introduction as so many of you have been asking questions."

You smile dims slightly. They have been asking about you? Sure, you noticed the comments on your own Instagram posts but you didn't realise fans had been interested in you.

"Damn, i wish there was a way they could get to know you better." Braeden hugs his knees close to his chest.

You think for a moment & then look into the camera directly, "Well, let's see if they have any ideas."

You both search the comments until Braeden's face lights up, "Thanks @onlywallows! Alright so send your questions for Y/N to me & vice versa. We'll then take it in turn to ask each other the questions."

"Ooo what if we try to guess each other's answers?" You speak without thinking.

Braeden gets way too enthusiastic & claps loudly, "Hell yeah!"

Suddenly, messages pile in your DMs & you choose your first question to ask him but he beats you to it.

"Alright, Y/N, where did we first meet? This is easy so i hope i don't have to answer for you."

You smirk at his remark, "Wellll, it was my first day of junior year at your school which was after winter break & we had music together. I had nowhere to sit so Ms Daniels placed me on the conveniently empty chair next to you & since we sat next to each other, we worked together a lot."

"Ah, yes, the greatest day of my life." Braeden jokingly acts like he's in a daze then stops, "Although Ms Daniels did come to regret sitting you next to me; you were such a troublemaker."

Your jaw falls in retaliation, "I only talked trying to shut you up all the time. Young Braeden...always trying to be the class clown."

"Hey! I was the class clown and a great one at that!" He points a finger at you through the screen & you burst out laughing.

"My turn!" You excitedly announce, "Ooo good question: are there any songs about me?"

"Oh, well, w-what do you think?" Braeden stutters, seeming nervous about the answer.

You rest your head on your fist to think, "I know one song is about me but i don't know if any others are."

Without you noticing, Braeden sighs, relieved. However, you have a realisation.

"I do remember Cole mentioning there were two other ones that him & Dylan know of..."

All of a sudden the comments go wild with theories & guesses about those three songs.

"I'm sorry if i exposed you." You whisper, half serious & half being sarcastic.

Braeden laughs nervously & scratches the back of his neck, "It's okay, don't worry. Meanings & messages are really important to the songs as they expand the lyrics & the relativity."

"I totally agree." You nod along, "You know i love researching the explanation behind songs & different interpretations of them."

Your eyes scroll through the comments & your brain goes wild with thoughts.
'definitely pleaser'
'is Y/N jamie??'
'wait it has to be these days'

"Y/N!"

Braeden snaps you out of your daydream & you lift your head back up again. "Sorry, i got distracted."

"Don't need to apologise, you just should be ready for the next question." He winks at you, "I have a feeling this one is gonna be goooood."

You roll your eyes as he selects a DM. "Have you-"

He abruptly stops himself & hurries to find another one.

"Hey! Go back, you have to carry on."

"Trust me, i don't think you'll want me to." Braeden states, not looking up from his iPad.

You cross your arms at him. "Try me, Lemasters."

He turns he head to face you & raises an eyebrow. "Alright, Y/N, have you ever liked me & when if you have."

Your breathing comes to a halt & your expression freezes. You have to tell the truth...but you don't have to tell the whole truth.

"Oh, well, what do you think?" You swallow hard as you reply.

He leans back on his hands & wonders for a moment. You seem to hear your blood thump loudly next to your ears. 'Please don't say yes, please don't say yes.' You desperately repeat in your mind. Even though he knows he hurt you with the prom video, neither of you specifically said you liked him. Maybe he just assumes you were hurt you didn't know about it? Or that it was a major shock that you weren't comfortable with? Or that you were hurt by the fact that he was kissing a girl that you never got one with? You really hope so.

"Nah, i don't think you're that stupid." Braeden stops your torturous train of thought. "So, what's the answer?"

"I did like you."

He seems taken aback. The comments suddenly come in way faster than before.

"Really? When?" Braeden leans forward & smiles subtly, too quickly hidden for you to detect.

You think back to the time you were first attracted to him, but of course, you realised you'd be better as friends.

"That time you came round mine for our first music project..."