[Donald's POV]
I ran my hand through my messy hair for the thousandth time that morning. No, I wasn't being vain like the others and preening myself in the mirror; it was one of my reactions to being extremely nervous, which was also nicely accompanied by a constant nausea feeling.
First dates. I hated them with a passion. I had never been good on dates, I seemed to have an issue with struggling to actually act like a human being, which then, 90% of the time resulted in said date being cut short and/or never evolving into a second one.
I was stood outside the Zoo, trying to act cool. I admit, I chose the location for mine and Tianna's date, but personally, I thought it was a brilliant idea.
Checking my watch confirmed my fears, she was late. What if she didn't want to turn up? Argh, just shoot me now.
"Donnnnnnnaaaaaaaallllllllddddd!" I heard a female voice call from further down the pavement, I squinted to try and make out who it was, but my eyes didn't want to help me with this task. Whoever it was appeared to be getting closer, I took a few steps forward. It was Tianna. "Hey Donald!" She beamed at me as she finally reached me.
"Hi Tianna." Man, this was awkward.
I kind of made an unsure shuffle and leant down to kiss her cheek, as did she but the same way as me. Bad move; we bumped heads. Both stepping back, we giggled in pain clutching our foreheads.
"Ouch. You trying to knock me out already?" She carried on laughing, I think this started to break the ice which I eternally grateful for.
"Well I thought I'd make it a bit more bearable for you!" I joked, she playfully punched my side as we both started strolling along towards the ticket office.
I paid for our tickets and we were granted access through the metal turnstiles into the Zoo.
I looked across at Tianna and her excited face was buried in the map we had just been given at the kiosk. Maybe she thought coming to the Zoo was a brilliant idea too.
"So where first?" I asked looking at the map and daring to put my arm across her shoulders. She didn't flinch, I mentally rejoiced.
"Hmmm, Penguins!" She said decisively folding the map up and peering up at me.
"Come on then!"
~*~*~
Time passed amazingly quick, and before I knew it, we had wandered around half of the Zoo. I was enjoying myself thoroughly; I was in such good company. We had laughed, joked, fought, and played, I hadn't had this much fun in ages.
"I'm hungry," I exclaimed sticking my tummy out and rubbing it.
"You can't be hungry with a belly that size, surely?! When's the baby due?" I grabbed her in a headlock and she squealed in between fits of laughter. "Owwww, let me go, pleeeeeaassssseeeeee," She was trying to back out of the headlock and hit me, but there was no way I wasn't letting up.
"No, you gotta say you're sorry." I replied firmly.
"Noooooo I don't, let me gooooooooooo." She pleaded again.
People were starting to give us funny looks as they walked past. Surprisingly and quite worryingly it didn't raise concern with the public that a guy had a girl in a headlock in the middle of the Zoo. It's obviously a regular occurrence here.
"Say, I whole heartedly apologise for implying you are pregnant. It was both mean of me and also incorrect. You are, in fact, beautiful in every way, you are neither round, plump or fat. I beg for your forgiveness." I heard her scoff and then I suddenly felt a pain shoot through my foot.
Tianna had stamped on my foot. Resulting in me loosening my grip where she managed to break free, running a little out of the way. She stood there laughing at me, while I waited for the pain to subside.
"Ohhh, I whole heartedly DO NOT apologise for implying you are pregnant!" She joked, waiting for a reaction from me.
I ran after her; she quickly turned on her heal and ran too. She had reached a grassy bit and she turned round to see where I was. Just as I thought I was catching up with her, my world unexpectedly changed to slow motion. There I was flying through the air and then ended up face to face with the gravel. True to form I had fallen over.
"7 out of 10." Tianna said after walking over to me and offering me a hand up.
"What?" I questioned, dusting myself off, and trying to shrug off the people watching and sniggering.
"Your fall. 7 out of 10. Quite funny but not your best." She informed me truthfully.
"Ouch. I can't believe you rate my falls. I'm such a loser!" I moaned in jest. "So, what else do you rate, then?" I questioned playfully.
"Ah, that would be telling wouldn't it?" She smiled cheekily at me and continued to walk ahead of me.
We grabbed some food and sat on the grass quietly, too interested in the tray of chips in front of us to make conversation.
"So, tell me," Tianna started as she finished munching her last chip. "Why are we here today?" She began wiping her hands on a serviette.
"Because you agreed?" I responded, stabbing a defenceless fry with my fork.
"Less of the sarcasm! Why did you ask me out?" I felt her eyes on me, but I couldn't face them.
"Because I realised I kinda... like you. A friend told me to man up." She let out a small giggle and covered her mouth.
"I kinda like you too." She admitted, her cheeks turning a bashful shade of crimson.
"Really?" I asked half surprised and half flattered, it was now my turn to blush.
She nodded at me. "Yeah I've liked you for a while, but you know, I could never admit that to anyone! They would think I was crazy and taking your friendliness completely the wrong way."
"Yeah I know what you mean. The others only know about you because Amy caught me messaging you on Twitter. But they weren't too thrilled when I told them I liked you."
"That's understandable. I'm a fan at the end of the day, it is a bit weird" I nodded agreeing with her.
"But lucky for you, I tend to like weird!" We both grinned at each other.
Now was my chance. I took a breath and leaned in towards her. She moved her head away from me, shaking her head. Embarrassed, and begging the ground to swallow me up, I looked to the ground.
"Don, we are in the middle of London Zoo, anyone could see and get a picture." She said airing her reservations.
"But I haven't been recognised so far today, I thought it was safe." I shrugged, still a bit defeated.
"Have you not learnt anything about the media since getting in the band?! You can guarantee that a picture would materialise on the internet and in the magazines tomorrow." At least one of us appeared to have common sense.
"Yeah guess you're right." I concluded plucking a blade of grass out of the ground in front of me. "If there was no risk of getting caught, would you have kissed me then?" I asked bravely.
"Ha, you may never know," She teased me throwing a handful of grass at me.
"I take that as a yes." I grinned and threw some grass back at her.
"Oh Mr Confident now are we?"
"I know you want me." She rolled her eyes at that comment which made me smile.
To be honest, I was feeling confident; I was confident with her and confident I had made the right decision in taking her out.
[Taylor]
While I rushed back to the house I had deleted Benji's message as agreed, and she had sent a new one to arrange to meet later on today. I had left it unread so Amy would be none the wiser I knew what was going on.
When I let myself in through the front door I saw Amy in the lounge frantically lifting up the cushions and moving the coffee table desperately hunting for something.
"You ok?" I asked, popping my head round the door frame.
"I've lost my phone, have you seen it?" she asked seeming a bit stressed. Hmm, I wonder why?!
"You sure it's not upstairs?" I questioned playing along. It was taking all my strength not to smile and give the game away.
"No I've checked everywhere!" She stood up and ran her hands through her hair looking a bit worried.
"I'll help you look in a minute, I just need the toilet." I walked out and headed upstairs.
I placed her beloved Iphone on the bedside table where I found it earlier, eager for the plan to begin.
"Amy! You're phone is here you idiot!" I exclaimed from the top of the stairs, he appeared looking flustered.
"Where?" she asked, climbing two steps at a time.
"On the table! You need your eyes testing, babe!" she responded with a grunt as she was reunited with her possession.
I walked out of the bedroom , and counted down from five in my head. Like clockwork, Amy poked her head around the corner.
"I'm gonna have to pop out later for a bit, that ok, babe?" she came up to me and snuggled into my neck.
"Yeah course. I've got to go out later too." I replied, pulling away from her embrace and walked into the bathroom.
Shutting the door, I pulled my phone out and unlocked it. I selected iMessenger, and my unsent message to the Group, which consisted of my friends from Uni, jumped out at me.
"Arrived here safe, good 2 c Amy again. Havin amazin time (:"
I scoffed in disgust re-reading the message. I quickly deleted it and wrote a new message.
Will b goin home later. U can all say told u so when u c me next.
This time I ensured I pressed sent.
I dialled Beca's number and turned on the taps to mask the noise of the conversation, if anyone was to hear.
"Yeah?" She answered sharply.
"Beca?" I asked double checking I had called the correct person.
"Sorry Tay. Thought it was Chloe," Her voice softened once she realised it was me.
"Ah ok..." I was tempted to ask her what was going on with Chloe, but I didn't have time and I didn't really want to pry. "Just calling to let you know, part one was successful." I quietened down my voice just in case.
"Nice one!" She replied happily. "So she didn't suspect anything?"
"Not a thing. I made as if I found his phone where she left it, and she read the message straight away and told me she had to go out later."
"Wicked, did you give her a hard time?"
"Shit. Knew I forgot something!" I laughed, "I'll start interrogating her in a bit!"
"Haha, ok, drop me a bell when she's left." She requested.
"No probs, will do. See you later." I concluded and hung up after we both said our goodbyes.
I leant on the sink in front of me and stared at my reflection. In a few hours time I would be officially single for the first time in my life. The thought actually terrified me. It scared me that much that I seriously considered pulling out of the plan and carrying on with Amy as I am. Then common sense hit, telling me I should never allow myself to be treated like that, I was worth more. I was having quite a lucky escape I suppose, I was going home to Austalia straight after everything was exposed. He would have to deal with it all, including the shame and the aftermath. This made a happy feeling wash over me.
[Beca's POV]
Upon storming out of my apartment I just walked and walked, things buzzing around in my head. I couldn't pinpoint exact thoughts, but I knew they consisted of Stacie, Chloe, Taylor, Amy, Benji and Donald and his date. Everything was crashing about in my mind at 100mph and I wasn't getting a chance to even begin arranging them in some sort of order so I could think straight.
Thankfully, Taylor's phone call had allowed me to concentrate on one thing for a short while. After speaking with him I dialled Donald's number.
"Everything ok?" We don't bother with greetings it appeared.
"Yeah fine. Well, kinda. Anyway, I'm sorry to interrupt your date..." I trailed off, building up the courage to give him bad news.
"But?" He asked warily.
"But, the fans and paps have been tipped off about where you are." I said quickly, wincing before hearing his reaction.
"Oh for fucks sake. Why? Who?" He didn't sound best pleased.
"I will have to explain why later. Taylor and I will be there in a bit."
I could sense the confusion from the silence.
"Who's tipped them off? I haven't been recognised all day!" Donald was sounding a bit annoyed now.
"It was me." I said quietly.
3...2...1...
"WHAT ?! Beca, why the fuck would you do that?" He yelled down the phone at me.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to sabotage your date. Look, no matter what I say to you, you won't accept it. Wait til I'm there with Taylor and I promise you will think I've done the right thing." I pleaded.
"I somehow doubt it. I thought we were friends! You have ruined both mine and Tianna's day." I didn't like it when I was in Donald's bad books.
"I'm sorry. I will see you in a bit." He hung up first without saying bye.
It sucked knowing that I was everyone's least favourite person right now.
I had unknowingly arrived at the park, I started following the gravel path while thinking about what else I needed to do. I was brought out of my head space when the smell of perfume wafted up my nostrils. The smell was familiar, comforting in a way. I looked in the direction it was coming from, my heart fluttered inside my chest.
Chloe.
She must have felt my eyes on her because she looked over. Simultaneously we both smiled at each other. In that instant we knew all was forgiven.
"Hey," she said, tucking my hair behind my ear. I shivered from her touch.
"Hey," I looked into her eyes for a few seconds, and all my thoughts disappeared.
Her face moved closer to mine, I edged forward, until our lips locked.
In that moment, I was in love. I had been waiting a fortnight for her kisses to feel like this again, this now felt right. I savoured the moment for as long as I could until I had to open my eyes.
"I'm sorry." she rested his forehead against mine and looked into my eyes.
"I'm sorry too." Chloe kissed my nose and grabbed my hands.
"What now?" she questioned trying to be flirtatious.
"You're coming with me." I saw a grin spread across her face, "Mind out of the gutter, Beale. We're on a mission."
I pulled her to follow me; she had no choice but to start walking. I started filling her in on what was happening. She listened in complete silence but her face reflected her shock as I unravelled the story.
We reached the girls' house and Taylor answered the door immediately, he'd obviously been anticipating our arrival.
The next part of the plan was now down to Chloe. She had to convince the others a trip to the Zoo was called for, she had her work cut out for her, but she dodged the quizzical questions well and everyone got on board.
I phoned Donald when we arrived at the Zoo, I was dreading how this was going to go down. Needs must and all that.
"Where are you? I'm here." I heard a lot of background noise, sounded like the fan girls had arrived. The power of Twitter.
"We're in the garden, just before the Bird section." He reluctantly answered my question.
"Ok, give me five minutes."
"Bec, it's absolute chaos here. You best have a good explanation for all this." He was gritting his teeth.
"I promise I do. See you in a minute."
Me, Chloe, Taylor, Lilly, Aubrey and Stacie all headed towards where Donald instructed us he was. I didn't know if he was still with Tianna, but I couldn't imagine he would stay here on his own, especially with all the fans that had turned up.
Taylor shoved his phone into my hand, a message from Benji appeared on the display.
"10 mins away."
I looked at Taylor; we knew we had to work fast.
A crowd had formed on the grass verge, after looking for several seconds I saw a mass of black silky hair submerged in the accumulation of fans. I headed straight over there, fighting my way through the fans. I received a few rude comments and dirty looks, but it really didn't matter at that point in time. It didn't take them long to realise the other girls were behind me and after a few screams the crowd dispersed.
Donald looked at me unimpressed, arms folded. Tianna smiled at me though, and nudged him in the ribs.
"Explain.รข" He said, he still had the gritted teeth thing going on.
"I'm really sorry I can't, just please trust me. It will all become clear soon." He still wasn't convinced. "Occupy the fans for a bit longer." I kissed his cheek and ran over to Taylor who was standing on his own, looking a little lost and scared.
"You ready for this?" I asked facing his square on and placing my hands on his shoulders, as if I was about to give him a pep talk.
He nodded feebly.
My phone sounded with a call, then stopped.
It was time.
"Show time." I whispered to Taylor, squeezing his shoulders reassuringly before running off to grab Chloe.
Chloe and I lightly jogged towards the entrance, that's when we saw our target.
Amy.
She was holding Benji's hand and laughing with him, totally oblivious to everything. Benji had clocked us and nodded in acknowledgement.
"Guys! What are you doing here?" Amy asked, going slightly high pitched as she realised who we were with.
"Thought a day to the Zoo was in order!" Chloe told her chuckling slightly, she was impressing me with her acting skills today, I must say.
"We had the same idea!" Benji exclaimed.
Amy looked at me uneasy, her anxiety plastered all over her face. She was waiting for me to start shouting at her I think, but that wasn't going to happen this time.
"The others are over there!" I said good naturedly.
"Cool, lets go!" Benji began dragging Amy along.
Chloe held my hand and winked at me as we started walking ahead leading the way. I heard Amy voice her apprehensions to Benji, but she couldn't admit why she didn't want to go and see her friends, she had no choice.
We arrived to the group and immediately the girls bombarded Amy asking for photos and autographs. Benji slipped away and walked over to Taylor, no one else noticing this. I watched with Chloe from the side lines.
[Taylor's POV]
So, this was it. This was the end of the beginning. Benji gave me a comforting hug as he walked over to me. I think I was going to throw up.
We walked over to a bench which would act as our stage for the next few minutes.
"Excuse me! Can I get everyone's attention please!" Benji shouted and amazingly everyone quietened down and turned around to look at myself and Benji stood on a bench like a couple of lunatics.
I did feel like a crazy person right about now.
"Thank you!" he called out politely to the many observers. He nudged me in the ribs.
"O-O-Okay." I stuttered, nerves taking over my whole body and voice. I attempted to clear my throat. "Ok. I know most of you won't know who I am. But I am Amy's boyfriend, Taylor." A loud confused murmur worked its way round the gaggle of girls. "And I would like to introduce you all to Benji. The boy Amy has been cheating on me with ever since she told me she loved me and she wanted to be with me." A few gasps of disbelief were circulated, I started to look around the gathering. Beca was smiling in a proud way at me; this spurred me on to continue. "After years of treating me like an absolute mug, shagging a different guy every night of the week, not introducing me to close friends, and using me whenever she felt like it, I have finally discovered the truth. SHE IS A LYING CHEATING WANKER. I HOPE EXPOSING HER LIKE THIS WILL MAKE HER FEEL LIKE THE PIECE OF SHIT SHE IS, BECAUSE I CAN GUARANTEE SHE WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO COMPREHEND HOW SHIT SHE'S MADE ME FEEL. EVEN IF IT'S JUST A FRACTION SHE FEELS, I KNOW MY WORK HERE IS DONE. AND ON THAT NOTE, THANK YOU FOR LISTENING AND GOODBYE."
I heard someone start clapping it was Beca, then Chloe joined in and soon everyone was giving me a round of applause including Benji. I hugged him and jumped off the bench, a load of reporters came running over to me throwing questions at me left, right and centre. Thankfully Beca pulled me out of the rabble and engulfed me in a hug.
"Thank you so much." I whispered to her.
"You're welcome. Have a safe trip back home and be happy. Keep in touch!" She replied still hugging me.
I pulled away and Chloe, Lilly, Donald, Aubrey, Stacie and Tianna were stood in front of me congratulating me. I thanked them all, and started walking towards the exit of the Zoo.
Amy stood in my way. I continued walking out and didn't look back.
I was feeling elated, and a smile was plastered on my face. I couldn't wait until I was sat on my train and be on the way back to the airport. I wasn't going to miss America, that was for sure.