Save Me. (Matthew Espinosa)

Chapter 20 - Jealous

Lacey's POV

I have a feeling it's going to be difficult to not talk to Matthew or Taylor for a while- until I figure everything out. I'm around both of them almost constantly and I don't see any possibility of me just ignoring them forever. Matthew, especially, considering he's the one who brought me here in the first place. He protected me despite hardly knowing me by letting me tour with him; though, I have done nothing to be here while all of the others have worked so hard to get to this point. I am extremely grateful and glad that I am out of Texas and away from the vicious people that swarmed my entire living space, but I can't help feeling a little out of place.

I need to make a decision on what move I want to make soon. I can't continue traveling with them if I don't even talk to Matthew anymore; it just doesn't make sense and it seems a little disrespectful considering the risk he's taken in bringing me here. I might as well just go back to Dallas if I don't really have reason to be here. As much as I don't want to, I can't stay here and be a burden. I'll give it time, of course. After all, it hasn't even been twenty four hours since the whole encounter. I don't want to do anything rash.

I close my eyelids in an attempt at sleep but no matter how hard I squeeze them shut, they seem to keep fluttering back open. Good memories I have made in the short time I have known the boys and Mahogany make an entrance into my mind, making it easier to drift into a peaceful sleep.

~*~*~*~

"Good morning ladies and gentlemen.. This is your captain speaking. We will be landing in Atlanta, Georgia in approximately 15 minutes.. The time is 6:47 in the morning and the temperature outside is 75 degrees Fahrenheit. I hope you enjoyed your flight with U.S. Airlines.. We hope to see you flying with us in the future." The muffled voice coming from the speakers all around the plane awakens me, along with everyone else on the plane. I roll my head to the right and beam at Mahogany, her returning a similar smile, though mine is nothing in comparison to her perfect, white teeth and dimples.

The time flies by and we reach our destination in no time. My seatbelt is unbuckled, followed by my body standing up, stretching lightly in the process. I follow Mahogany and Bart into the aisle, walking behind them out of the plane, through the jumbled, chaotic parts of the airport, and to the baggage claim. A few of the Magcon boys stand in front of the baggage claim to pull out our group's bags, the rest of us grabbing our individual luggage from them, and we attempt to approach the exit of the building after everyone has their assigned items. It proves to be difficult as, all the while, they are stopped consistently by excited fangirls.

I wonder if they ever just want a break from all of the chaos, even for just a few measly seconds. We finally reach the outside of the airport and the humidity hits me instantly, the damp air making it a bit hard to breathe before, ultimately, I adjust to it. The limo that was arranged to transport us is already waiting in the parking garage. The driver aides us in piling our bags in and then we climb in to sit.

The ride seems to drag on, a pair of familiar brown eyes seemingly drilling into the side of my head. I don't have to look to know Matthew is staring at me, but I ignore the fact that he's even in the limo at all. I look around and observe Taylor staring at his phone for a moment; him, Matt, and I completely silent for the endurance of the ride.

Finally, we make it to the substantial hotel. I am the last one out, not wanting to make much contact with anybody. I follow behind the crowd, lead by Taylor and Bart, directing us into the lobby. Bart checks us in and tells us the room arrangements; unsurprisingly, I am paired with Mahogany. I don't really pay attention to the other details because it's not of much importance to me.

A noticable- almost suffocating- tension fills the small compartment as we are lifted up towards our rooms to drop off our bags. I feel as though I can finally breathe again once I am out of the small space of the elevator and in my designated room.

"Hey, I'm going to go get some breakfast. You wanna come with?" Mahogany points towards the door with her right hand.

"Um, no thanks. But when you have the time, do you think you could, maybe, give me some advice?" I bite my cheek, waiting for her answer.

"Food can wait. What's up?" She sits down cross legged on the large bed closest to where she's standing. I follow her actions on the opposite mattress, looking at her.

"Well, you know the whole situation?" She looks at me quizzically, tilting her head to the side. I frown lightly at the thought of explaining the whole story. I don't even want to do as much as think it over in my head. However, I explain it to her anyway and the end result is a concerned and surprised Mahogany. "I just don't know what to do," I frown. "I can't just act like nothing happened."

"I know what you mean.." She looks down thoughtfully for a while. "If I were you, I would give it time.. Make it seem like you can carry on without them- you can carry on without them. But at the same time, act a little more out there.. a little more flirty. Making a guy jealous is always the best way to get to them," she smirks as if she's recalling a memory, before looking back at me and winking.

"I don't know Mahogany.. I'm not really good at that kind of stuff. I've never really hung around guys before." My eyes stray from her, landing on a nonexistent piece of lint on the sheet that my fingers pick at.

"Don't worry. I'll help you out- starting first thing today! I'll make you look irresistible for the show," she promises, speaking of the upcoming Magcon show they have to attend later today.

"Wasn't that, like, a one time thing?" I ask. Sure, I would often wait for Matthew at shows but I never participated apart from that one occasion.

"Bart didn't tell you?" I scrunch my eyebrows in question. "He decided that if you're going to be travelling with us, you might as well be a part of the show, too. Welcome to the Magcon family, Lacey!" She exclaims excitedly and I couldn't be more happy. Yet, I feel extremely guilty; everybody actually did their part to be here, while I did nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Mahogany doesn't let me dwell on it for much longer. "Now let's go! I'm starving, and you need to eat." She hops up from the bed and grabs my hand, tugging me with her back down to the lobby where the complimentary breakfast is set up. We both grab a plastic plate from the pile that's set out. We work our way down the food line, piling our plates with the selection consisting of things ranging from hard boiled eggs to warm cinnamon buns. The red head then guides us to a table where the Jacks and Aaron are already seated at.

"What's up ladies?" Jack Johnson winks at us. I blush, slightly flustered, whilst Mahogany isn't even fazed by the flirty gesture. I feel extremely uncomfortable silently eating while Mahogany and the boys carry on a normal conversation. I don't understand how she does this with such ease. I'm nothing but a mess of nerves and anxiety when it comes to boys.

"What about you, Lacey?" I look up to see Aaron gazing at me along with everyone else as he asks me the question, which I have no idea what he is regarding to.

"I'm sorry, what?" I shake my head a little, trying to get a grip.

"What was your first kiss like?" He elaborates. I nearly choke on my orange juice.

I haven't even had my first kiss yet. How embarrassing is that? What seventeen year old girl hasn't had their first kiss yet? There's no way I can tell them that. I have to save at least an ounce of my dignity. I would make a total fool of myself if they knew. I look around, trying to come up with the most reasonable response I can muster.

"Oh you know.. just a cheesy little kiss that I made a big deal out of when I was in seventh grade. It was amazing at the time, but looking back on it now, it was terrible." I seem to have pulled off the lie when the table erupts in light laughter. I sigh in relief, internally. When everyone's laughter dies down, Aaron speaks again.

"No, like a real kiss. Everybody has been in that position. We want to know about your first real kiss."

Maybe I didn't pull it off.