Beside You~a.i.

Ch. 16: Running Out of Time

~Bailey's POV~:
We made it to the next hotel on time thankfully. The entire schedule for the boy's would've been all thrown off if we were late by the slightest bit. They had a packed day today. They have a short interview at some radio station, a sound check, and then a concert. It doesn't seem like much but it is.

We got to the hotel around 6 am, so the boys slept till 11 am before they had to get up for the interview. The boys said they'd be gone for about 2 hours, maybe 3 if they stop to have a late lunch somewhere. Ava and I couldn't come with obviously so we stayed back.

We had 2-3 hours to ourselves. What to do? Ava said she was going to keep sleeping, she's always tired it seems, so I wandered around the stadium the boys were playing in tonight. I made it to the stage area. I brought my camera and took a few pictures of the place just for the fun of it since I haven't been taking many pictures lately.

After just walking around I stepped up onto the stage. There weren't any instruments on the stage yet but backstage there was a piano. I've been taking piano lessons since I was about 5 years old so the piano is not a stranger to me. In fact, I've played piano longer then I've played guitar.

I made my way over to the large black grand piano and sat down on the small black bench. I played a few simple scales from memory before I got bored of them. I then pulled up sheet music on my phone, from the trustworthy Google, and started playing a piano cover of the song Little Things by One Direction. Yeah I like 1D like most teenage girls and I don't regret it. I like other bands and musicians too so hold your judgments!

The notes and rhythms were sloppy the first few times I played it since I've never played this song on the piano before, but I started to play more smoothly after a while. Time slipped away and I started playing all types of songs; some by 1D, some by the boys, some on the radio right now, and some that just randomly showed up when I looked up 'Piano Covers' on Google.

I finished the last few notes of 'A Daydream Away' by All Time Low when I heard a quiet voice behind me. "Bailey you're really talented..." I recognized Ashton's unique voice and my face immediately started to heat up, the fear settling in. At least I hadn't been singing. "I didn't know you could play the piano too!" I heard him getting closer so I covered my face with my arms to hide myself and to avoid seeing his face. I lost track of time...has it already been 3 hours? Really?

Ashton joined me on the bench as I felt the heat from his body nearing mine. He grabbed my arms gently in his large hands as he moved them away from my tomato-red face. I then squeezed my eyes shut, still avoiding him as much as possible right now. "Bailey you don't need to hide. You're a really good pianist. And I'm being completely honest, not just saying it to cheer you up...please open your eyes you dork." I heard him chuckle at my embarrassed state.

I slowly opened my eyes. He was staring at me with an overly happy smile. I felt more heat rise to my cheeks as he did. Ashton then turned away from me and towards the piano. He looked at the music on my phone and started playing. He played in a quicker tempo then I had so his fingers moved more rapidly on the black-and-white keys. I watched in amazement at how fast he could play this song for his first time. When he got about halfway through he stopped and I smiled at him when his eyes met mine. "You're a pretty good pianist yourself." I said with that same amazement from when he had been playing.

"Thanks Bailey." He smiled back in a reply then stood up, motioning for me to follow him. We sat down in the empty seats that filled the arena. "We need to talk..." He sighed and looked down at his hands which were folded in his lap. "You're only with us for 3 more days before you have to go back to school..." The realization hit me and my eyes widened in shock. Only 3 days. "So I guess I just wanted to know if you want to remain friends after you leave because honestly Bailey you are one of the coolest people I've ever met. We've become like best friends in this short time and I was just wondering if you would like to continue that..." He kept his eyes trained on his folded hands.