On My Way • Why Don't We | ✓

eight

June 24, 2017 ; New York, New York
Evelyn

"Here," I tiptoe and place a black fedora onto Daniel's head, "Perfect," I say before laughing.

"Not quite," Daniel laughs too, taking off the hat.

"I liked it," I pout.

Daniel laughs at me before responding.

I look over at Nova and Zach. The two haven't stopped smiling this morning. Nova is incredibly hyped up on energy, whether about tour or something else.

"You excited for the first show on tour?" She asks him while looking at a photo she took.

Nova shows me the photo. It's a candid of Daniel and I. I'm tiptoeing while placing another hat on Daniel's head. We're both beaming at each other, obviously laughing at a joke.

"Definitely. It's insane how far we've come in so little time."

"I heard the show is sold out," She smirks at him, "Smile," Nova clicks a quick photo and show us the portrait she just took.

Zach's turned sideways, smiling at something. His eyes are thoughtful, though, as if he's thinking about something incredibly important.

"Not bad, amateur photographer, not bad," He jokes.

"Glad I'm just an amateur," She rolls her eyes.

"Hey, don't underestimate her," I jokingly scold Zach, "She's really talented. I see a college path."

"Wassup, Corbyn?" Jonah asks, opening the hotel room door. Nova and I got ready this morning before visiting Daniel and Zach. Jonah and Jack had gone to find some food for all of us, "Okay. See you soon, buddy."

Jack emerges behind him with a bag of bagels, "Food's here! And, Corbyn is heading over with Christina. She's coming to the show tonight with a friend."

"FOOD!" Nova shouts and runs toward the bag, but Zach beats Nova to it. He laughs at her before tossing us a bagels.

"Man, this tour is going to be crazy," Jack says, shaking his head.

"I think it already is," Daniel points out.

"Very true," I agree, "You guys ready for your first show?"

"I've only been waiting for this for forever," Jonah smiles while taking a bite of his bagel.

"Same," Jack agrees, "It's a dream come true."

Zach shakes his head, "Surreal."

"You're meant to be stars," Nova responds and lifts her camera to her eyes before snapping a photo of the four of them smiling like crazy.

. . .

While the Why Don't We boys warm up in the room adjacent to ours and Nova prepares for the show, I hang backstage on my phone.

"Evelyn?" A quiet voice asks from the doorway.

"Hey," I jump, "Hi, Christina."

"Hey," She smiles, "This is my friend, Elizabeth Barnes."

"Hi, Elizabeth," I smile sincerely to the quiet girl behind her, "It's nice to meet you," I offer her a hug, "I'm Evelyn."

"Hi," She steps out from behind Christina, "I can't believe you get to do this for the rest of the summer."

I laugh, "Travel? Totally insane. I'm not exactly doing the hard part though. The boys and Nova are," I pause, "Which reminds me. We can go meet Nova. She won't mind some company."

We walk out to the wing where Nova is on her camera adjusting some settings, "Nove, this is Elizabeth, Christina's friend."

"Hiiii," Nova waves at Elizabeth, "Also, don't hang out with her," Nova says pointing at me, "She's lame."

I roll my eyes, "And you aren't?"

"Well—"

The boys, who've finished warming up, arrive in the wing.

"Hey," Corbyn says, hugging Christina, "Hey, Elizabeth."

"Hi, Corbyn," Elizabeth waves, "I'm Elizabeth by the way," She informs the other.

"Nice to meet you," Zach and Jonah chime, both stepping forward to shake her hand.

Daniel smiles and hugs her, "You seem nice," He jokes.

"I'm sure she is," I agree, "Any friend of Christina is a friend of ours."

I notice Jack lingering in the back. He fidgets uneasily, "Hey, I'm Jack Avery."

Elizabeth turns toward him before she falters for a moment, "Hi," She responds quietly.

They smile at each other for a moment. I glance around the group: Nova and Zach are looking at her camera, Corbyn and Christina are absorbed in a conversation with each other, but Daniel and Jonah were watching the two. We all make eye-contact slyly.

"Shall we prepare for the show?" Jonah asks the boys.

"Let's do it!" Zach shouts.

. . .

The boys are hyped up on crazy energy as they exit the stage. I hug them all and stand on the side. Jack and Elizabeth are talking. Elizabeth congratulates him sincerely, and his smile grows bigger.

"Okay, I know you guys have to eat healthy and all but I really want ice cream. Who's down?" Nova asks.

"Um, all of us," I joke, wrapping an arm around her shoulder.

. . .

Jack

Elizabeth laughs from across from me. She replies animatedly to Christina before taking other spoonful of ice cream. My eyes wander around the now-empty ice cream shop. Nova, Zach, Evelyn, Daniel, and Jonah talk quietly to themselves. Daniel and Jonah find my gaze, and immediately, they both wave at me. I wave timidly back.

"So," Elizabeth turns to me, "The band, huh?"

"Yeah," I nod, "Did you enjoy our show?" I ask weakly.

Elizabeth nods, and we both sit in awkward silence for a moment. Corbyn glances over to me and gives me a look. I fumble with my hands and take a deep breath.

"I know we just met and everything, but I was wondering if maybe you wanted to hang out tomorrow?"

Elizabeth blushes profusely, "Yeah, of course."

"Okay, so it's a date," I hold my breath.

"Yeah," She nods, "It's a date."