Oxygen (Catfish And The Bottlemen/1975)

Van

"Its nice to finally have you back Van," grinned Huw as we wandered through the corridors of the BBC to the introducing studio where I'd performed several times before on the way up through the industry. I hadn't been back in over a year now though.

"Feels like coming home after school or somet," I cracked a smile gazing around at the photos in frames on the walls, trying to work out what had changed.

"Looking forward to hearing the new tracks as well, I've heard a lot of good things," he smiled stopping for a moment outside a door, peering through the glass his fist hovering over the handle for a moment, "anyway, this is where I have to love you and leave you, you'll be on in half an hour though so don't stray too far..."

I flashed him a smile and nodded my head, feeling around in my back pocket as I began to step away, searching for a cigarette.

"Oh an Van, got a lass on the show now, Felicity, drop in a little early and try to catch her if you can, reckon you'll really get on wi her..." he shot me a wink before disappearing inside the studio, leaving me to think his suggestion over. He was always doing this, convinced that one day he'd find the perfect girl for me. That shed just waltz into his studio one day with a casio keyboard or a cheap acoustic guitar slung over her shoulder. I on the other hand wasn't so convinced.

Still once I'd finished my cigarette I wandered back inside, having a little trip down memory lane, peering through some of the doors into studios I hadn't set foot in for years. Waving at the odd familiar face. By the time I managed to slip inside the producers booth to have a little look see at the girl Huw had been so eager for me to meet, I was just in time to catch a little of their conversation.

"No thats actually somet that happened," she grinned laughing a little as she tilted her head back to grin at the ceiling before she carried on, "yeah I don't really like making things up you know, so I sing things as I hear them or you know... in that case as I see them,"

"Thats a pretty bolshy line though, has he ever heard the song?" Grinned Huw and I couldn't help but wonder what a girl with a name like Felicity could possibly have said to cause such a stir.

"I hope so!" She laughed a little, "I mean he did piss on my... oh shiiiugar I am so sorry!" Suddenly shed spun round in her chair with her hands over her mouth, eyes shut as she half laughed half cried with embarrassment. I couldn't help but smirk.

She didn't look at all like I was expecting her to, I'd been expecting blonde, blue eyes, a shy smile and a cardigan. A little bit prim a little bit proper, a much posher accent. Instead I was faced with dirty honey coloured hair and dirty honey coloured eyes that held this captivating amber glow to them, like a smouldering forest fire.
Her skin was a little tanned, with freckles that scattered along the bridge of her nose, highlighted her cheeks, around her wrist she had a collection of festival bands, and around her neck a pearl choker necklace, which combined with her oversized oasis tshirt seemed like an odd combination.

I didn't realise I was staring, smirk still sitting pretty on my lips until I saw her starring back at me. She wasn't smirking though, somehow she just seemed more embarassed.

"Well there was no pretty way of saying it," chuckled Huw as she shot me a small smile and turned around. Even the smallest of movements she made seemed elegant, she reminded me of Emma Watson, her smirk was that of a young Hermione, a little bit cheeky a little bit smart.

"Well thats me never getting invited back," she smirked trying to mask the embarrassment she felt, "that was worse than love actually. I'd rather swear in front of the pm than on the bbc for sure,"

"I don't think there's many people who would disagree with you there,"

I couldn't help but chuckle deciding then that I should make my appearance in the studio and join in. Opening the door quietly just in time to hear Huw drop me in it.

"You should hear some of the things our Van's said anyway," he grinned and I couldn't help but smirk as I sat down. Her eyes were fixed on me for a moment as she realised who I was, but it didn't deter her from cracking a smirk of her own.

"Well he's from North Whales, they learn to swear before they can walk," and I couldn't help but laugh at that.

"Hang on a minute, they say he swears like a scouser not a welshy" I sniggered jumping to my own defence though there really was no point. Still she smirked leaning forwards, her hands framing her face almost angelically.

"At least I'm not letting anyone down.." she flashed me a a disarming smile leaving me stunned and speechless, and with that the interview continued and I leant back into my seat, sitting pretty whilst she talked about the songs, about where she'd met the rest of the band, about university and about the first gig she ever went to.

When she played the songs I could barely breath, she seemed so cool, not at all phased by me or Huw watching her, listening to her intently. She sang with this slight attitude to her accent, it only came out for the best words. A liverpudlian slur on "alleviate me, incubate me," I couldnt help but sit back in awe.

At only 17 years old she was astounding.

By the time the interview was finished I couldn't unwind myself from the mess she'd made of me, and when she went to leave I felt my chest sink at the thought I might not see her again. So I stood quickly and coughed stopping her in her tracks, though when she turned to look at me I found myself speechless.

"Ugh, Huw, stick a song on or somet, im dying for a smoke," I managed to choke out, chasing after her down the corridor, only catching up to her when I found her outside, lighting up a cigarette of her own.

I soon realised that the dim studio lights didnt do her justice, with the sun in her eyes she was stunning, her hair a tangled mess of curls caught up in the May breeze.

"Fliss, can I call you that?" I asked when she turned around with a confused smirk, she nodded offering me a light. "Cheers, you've got a class voice you know," I grinned trying to contain my admiration, "really class,"

She bit back a grin and gave me another shot of confidence, "thanks," she smiled, "I like yours too," her piss taking might have made me blush had I been trying so hard not to do just that, and I found myself racing through other things that I could say to keep her attention.

"So you live round here dont you for uni like?" I nodded over our shoulder in the direction of the high street. She nodded again.

"Yeah not far, don't be fooled though, its not all this posh,"

"No last time we were all round here, the lads an tha, we turned the wrong way outa maida vale and wound up the dodgy end of West Hampstead..." I cracked a grin and she laughed.

"Thats where I live, its shite int it"

"Ive seen nicer in Llandudno," I smirked.

"Reckon I could find a nicer spot at the bottom of the Mersey," at that i couldnt help but crack a laugh, deciding in that moment that I couldn't let her leave me without giving me her number, I had to talk to her again. I had to get to know her better.

"So err, I've gotta go finish tha interview," I started, hand round the back of my neck the way I always stood when I was a little apprehensive, "but could I get your number? You seem like a class kinda lass," I looked up at her a little uncertain and she looked at me a little surprised, still after a moments frozen silence her lips formed a cheeky little smile as she took out a purple pen and took my hand.

"Don't wash your hand alright," she flashed me another smile before turning on her heel and leaving me there outside the studios to watch her walk away, completely wrapped around her finger.