wild youth [sequel to never again] // n.h.

Chapter 8

Riley's POV ~

I was listening to my iPod before the concert started and I knew immediately I had to change my set. I had to add new songs to my set list.

I quickly pulled up my messages and sent a group message to 5 Seconds of Summer, who was backing as my band for the week, telling them to meet me in my dressing room.

"What's up?" Luke asked a few minutes later.

"I'm changing the set," I said, trying not to let my emotions get the best of me. "I'm doing covers today. Along with some of my normal songs."

"Okay, what's the set?" Michael asked.

"I'm opening with my normal songs, but after my third song, we're going to covers."

"Which are?" Calum asked somewhat impatiently.

"Gotye and Miley," I responded, wiping at my eyes.

"Baby," Ashton spoke, pulling me into him. "Don't cry."

"Niall sucks," I whined, wishing 'Diall' didn't exist.

"You don't mean that," they all spoke, trying to calm me down.

There was a knock on my door and Harry popped his head in. "Five minutes," he smiled. He always listens to my set and finally knows all the words by heart; this'll surely throw him off.

"Thanks," I attempted to smile back, wiping away the rest of my fallen tears.

"Smile," he chided before closing the door.

I laughed at his tone and put on my heels, throwing my hair back into its low ponytail. I checked my lipstick, making sure I didn't ruin it and gathered the boys into a huddle. "You four are my best friends at this point and I love you so much. Please don't leave tomorrow."

"I wish we didn't have to," Ashton said, an emotion hidden behind his words that I couldn't read.

"We all wish that we could stay," Mike smiled, blowing me a kiss.

"Let's rock it," I grinned, Niall completely entering my brain as we walked from my dressing room onto the stage.

• • •

I sang through my set list, pausing to talk to the audience. I introduce Luke, Mikey, Calum, and Ashton and the crowd roared with excitement.

"I have two cover songs for you before I leave, lovelys. I know you know the words, so sing along!

"Now and then I think of when we were together

Like when you said you felt so happy you could die

Told myself that you were right for me

But felt so lonely in your company

But that was love and it's an ache I still remember

You can get addicted to a certain kind of sadness

Like resignation to the end, always the end

So when we found that we could not make sense

Well you said that we would still be friends

But I'll admit that I was glad it was over

But you didn't have to cut me off

Make out like it never happened and that we were nothing

And I don't even need your love

But you treat me like a stranger and that feels so rough