On My Way • Why Don't We | ✓

thirty five

July 27, 2017 ; Los Angelos, California
Evelyn

Energy radiates from the crowd, seemingly shifting the world around me into colorfully loud scenery. Daniel smiles at the countless people, but his eyes lock with mine at the last second. Before he can respond, I cup two hands around my mouth and scream toward the band on stage.

"Thank you, guys!" Zach moves from behind my best friend, his microphone hovering inches away from his face.

I grin as the boys line the front of the stage. Daniel, catching my eyes again, winks quickly before speaking alongside the give other boys. I feel Mrs. Seavey's arms wrap around my shoulders, and Anna leans toward me, all of us laughing, delirious from the crowd.

The stage lights flicker off as the band members exit. Around us, the crowd moves toward the exits; chattering fills the venue with endless noise, but in the midst of the movement and noise, I glance back one final time, the empty platform dark, and smile.

. . .

My legs dangle off the stage, gently bumping against the wooden boards. Voices carry from backstage, but alone in the main venue it's quiet.

"Hey," A voice greets me, and I turn around, finding Daniel hovering on the opposite side.

"Hello, my famous best friend," I joke, a smile tugging at my lips, "How was your final performance?"

"Bittersweet," He responds solemnly, joining me, "But, we'll be back."

"Of course you will be," I whisper with my head against his shoulder.

We sit in silence, a chorus of laughter echoing around us.

"I don't want summer to end," I sigh.

Daniel laughs, "If you wanted school to start, I would disown you."

"Ouch."

"Evelyn," Nova ventures away from the group, calling toward me, "Can you help me quickly? I'm so sorry but—"

"Of course I can help, no need to be sorry," I break away from Daniel, "I'll see you guys later. I mean I'm assuming you're going to spend time with your mom and Anna, so—"

"Yeah," He shoos me away, "See you."

. . .

The sound of a car passing down the empty street launches Nova and I off the couch, my book discarded beside Nova's controller. Zach chuckles in an amused way as his girlfriend lunges for the door.

"That's them," Nova's feet pad away from the window and toward the front door.

Daniel and I head outside, and I shut the door behind me. The car pulls to a stop in the driveway, the two passengers focusing on unbuckling.

"It's actually you!" River greets us from her seat beside Jonah.

She jumps out of the car, pulling Nova into a short hug before the two girls part. Jonah lifts River's bag from the back.

"Okay, Delaney, what did you pack? Your bag weighs a hundred pounds."

"You're just weak," River easily takes the bag from him, "So much for being a jock."

Jonah shoves her jokingly, a small grin on his face.

"Geez, with all this welcoming, I feel forgotten," Jack jokes from behind us, "Welcome to L.A., River."

"Thank you," She smiles, "So, what are we doing first?"

"Spending time with the one and only," Jonah interjects.

"Please, as if I would want to spend my vacation with you," River turns to Nova and I, "I was talking to my fellow girls."

"Trust me," I respond, ignoring Jonah's glare, "I have a list."

"And if any of them include a bookstore, count me out," Nova responds to me.

"Hey," Daniel shakes his head at the photographer, "I take her to bookstores. Don't knock it."

"Too late."

The eight of us head indoors, Jonah and River bantering from the back of the group.

"Ten minutes with them, and they already need to date," Nova whispers to me.

"You think Jonah's going to make a move?" I ask her curiously.

"He's the proclaimed romantic, but something's different about them together."

"They're something different, now?" I drag out the song title, and she laughs.

"Well, you just never know with them I suppose."

"Nice one," I comment about her pun before thinking of something else quickly, "But true, they're made for each other."

"Okay, enough with the puns, Evelyn," Nova glances around before leaning toward me, "Nobody gotta know we're that big fans," She whispers.

I laugh at her, "First of all, of course you're a fan. You're dating a band member. Second of all, don't complain about punning. You have to admit we the party."

"I don't trust this whispering," Daniel interrupts our conversation.

"How so?" Nova asks.

"It's suspicious, makes me worried."

"Okay, okay," I sneakily glance at Nova, "We'll stop just to see you smile."

Before she can respond, I sprint away from the group and toward the backyard, laughing as she searches for a response.

"Evelyn!"