Here We Are

"Oi!" Mallory cried when a couple of tall people moved to stand in front of her, blocking her view of the stage. She huffed, blowing her brown curls out of her face in frustration. Sure, she got to see Smile perform all the time, but that didn't mean she wanted to give up her view. She cursed her small stature, not ideal for concerts such as this. All she could see from here was the top of her brother's curls, he being as tall as he was.

But the people in front didn't seem to notice her, so she sunk back, continuing to sing along to the words she knew by heart: "Gotta feelin', I should be doin' all right. Doin' all right..."

Glancing around, she searched for a better spot to stand, but the pub had filled up considerably, and there wasn't much room. She was glad by the great turnout, but if Smile was becoming this popular, they might need to think about finding a larger venue.

There was some room by the bar, but all the stools were taken and it was right by the stairs, and even further back, so all she would see would be some heads.

Speaking of the bar - the guy was staring again. He had dark hair that fell just past his chin, and was wearing a denim jacket over a striped button-up shirt. His top lip stuck out slightly, showing his front teeth, which he looked like he was trying to keep tucked in his mouth. She glanced away, rising up on her tip-toes to try and catch a glimpse over the various heads. The crowd shifted slightly and she saw the top of Tim's head, and Brian again, but couldn't make out Roger, he sitting at his drums while the other two were standing.

More people had amassed in front of her as the pub continued to fill up, pushing her even further back. Soon she couldn't see the band at all, just hear them.

Close to the bar now, she looked back to see the guy was staring again. She gave him a smile. Seeing her stare back, and that he was caught, he quickly looked away.

"Sorry," he said, avoiding eye contact, now embarrassed.

She gave him another smile. "What for?"

He smiled back, glad he hadn't made her uncomfortable with his staring. "I hope this doesn't sound strange, but I've seen you here before. I've been following Smile, and I've noticed you every time."

Ah, that explained the staring. She nodded. "It's my brother's band, he's lead guitarist. Mallory May." She held out her hand.

He smiled and shook it. "Freddie."

"Enjoying the show, Freddie?"

"Very much."

They stood together for a moment, just listening, taking in the show.

He offered her his hand. "What d'you say we go find a better place to stand?"

Grinning, Mallory took his hand and followed him to the middle of the crowd, where there was certainly a better view. Tim was pouring his heart into the chorus while Brian looked very focused, and Roger looked bored out of his mind. She began to sing along again.

"You should be up there with them." Freddie's kind words broke in. "I can hear you singing. You've got a great voice."

"Oh, that's probably not me you're hearing."

"No, it is. Your voice soars above all the others."

She blushed. "Thank you. I'm dying to join the band, but Brian's insistent that I finish school first."

"What are you studying?"

"History. You?"

"Design."

"Nice. But I've still got four years, at least. Who knows, they might not even be playing together by then." She watched as Roger gave a great yawn and didn't try to cover it up. This made her giggle.

"You like him? The drummer?" Freddie was smiling.

"That obvious?" She chuckled. "It's quite the classic story, really. A girl falls for her big brother's best friend and band mate, who, it just so happens, all the other girls are pining after."

"They may be pining, darling, but you're in love with him."

She smiled up at him. "I'm glad I met you, Freddie."

"I'm glad I met you too."

Smile was the last band of the night, so after their last song, the pub emptied out.

"I'm heading round back, that's where the band goes after the show to pack up. You want to meet them?"

She saw a flash of excitement in Freddie's eyes. "Maybe next time. I have a song I'm working on, that I wanted to show them. It's not quite finished yet."

"All right, well I'll see you next time?"

"Next time."


"Freddie!" Freddie turned to see Mallory emerge from the crowd. It was a week later, and Smile was scheduled to play again, same time, same place.

She was wearing a sequined dress with bright coloured eye-shadow. "Trying to make an impression on Roger?" He grinned.

She struck a pose. "Think it'll work?"

"Definitely, darling."

They pushed their way to the front. All of Smile seemed a little unenthusiastic tonight, not even swayed by the audience's clapping, cheers, and singing along.

"Hi Roger!" some girls near the back squealed. This didn't even phase him.

"What d'you say we liven this up?" Mallory suggested, a gleam in her eyes. She began dancing to the beat, Freddie quickly joining in.

People around them began swaying and bouncing their knees, and a few minutes later, most were dancing along too.

"We've started something," Freddie called over the music.

By the end of the show, Mallory was sitting up on Freddie's shoulders above the crowd cheering her heart out. "I love you, Smile!"

Afterwards, Freddie followed her out back to meet with the band.

"You go first," he said.

"Don't forget to smile!" she cried, rushing up to them. They were sitting in the back of the van having beers.

"There's she is, our biggest fan." Brian gave her a crushing hug.

"Could you hear me cheering?"

"Always. Loudest in the room."

"Great job, Rog," Mallory commented, releasing her brother and giving the blond a hug.

"Thanks, Mal." The two pulled away, though lingered closely, grinning sweetly at each other.

She broke their trance. "Where's Tim?"

"Just missed him. He left us."

"What? No!"

"Yeah, off to do bigger, better things," Roger mocked. "I mean, maybe he's right. That show was a load of bollocks."

"Well, there was room for improvement," agreed Brian, though with hesitance.

"Well I thought it was lovely, as always! Besides, you've got to start somewhere, right? His loss." Then she grinned. "And, it might just be a blessing in disguise, because I have someone here who would very much like to meet you." She turned and gestured to Freddie who was hanging back. "Brian and Roger, I would like you to meet my new friend, Freddie. Freddie, this is Brian and Roger, members of Smile."

Freddie nodded to them. "I enjoyed the show."

"Thanks man," said Brian.

"Thank you." Roger took another sip of his beer.

"I've been following you for a while, actually. Smile. Makes sense, for a dentist student." He nodded to Roger. "And you're astrophysics, aren't you?" Freddie turned to Brian.

"You brought our stalker to see us?" Roger asked Mallory.

"Yeah, I am, astrophysics."

"That makes you the clever one."

"Yeah, yeah, I suppose it does, doesn't it?" Brian gave Roger a look who just rolled his eyes.

"I study design here," Freddie explained.

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah. I also write songs-" He pulled some notes from his pocket. "Thought they might be of interest to you." He held out the folded pages.

"Too late, sorry Mate," said Roger.

"Our lead singer just quit," Brian explained.

Freddie grinned and shared a look with Mallory. "Well then you'll need someone new."

"Any ideas?" Brian asked him.

"Him, 'clever one'," laughed Mallory.

"Uh, not with those teeth, Mate," said Roger. Brian didn't say anything.

"Rog!" Mallory whisper-hissed. Honestly, he always spoke without thinking.

Freddie's smile fell, and for a moment it looked like he was about to turn away and leave.

"I know what I'm doin'! I gotta feelin', I should be doin' alright!" Freddie turned back, a beautiful rendition of the song pouring from his lips as though he'd sung it a million times before. It sounded so natural as he soulfully delivered the lyrics.

Mallory couldn't help but giggle at the look of pure shock that crossed the other two boy's faces, though she was perfectly impressed as well.

"Doin' all right!" Brian and Roger joined in for the last line, and it sounded brilliant, the three of them harmonizing together.

"Doin' all right!" Mallory joined in for one final refrain.

The group shared a contented chuckle.

"I was born with four additional incisors," Freddie explained. "More space in my mouth means more range." He shoved his hands in his jacket pockets and flashed the group a smile. "I'll consider your offer." With that, he walked away.

Brian and Roger exchanged a glance, and then looked at Mallory who grinned and came to sit between them.

"Uh, do you play bass?" Brian called.

"Nope!" And he was gone.

"May I have a sip of your beer?" Mal asked her brother.

"A sip," he emphasized, handing her the bottle. Then he went back to staring after Freddie. "That was really something, wasn't it?"

"Brilliant," Roger agreed, clinking his bottle against Mal's. Both took a drink.

Brian swiped back his bottle. "That's not a sip!"

And off we go! ;) Hope you enjoyed this first chapter! :) Thanks so much for reading!