The party guests screamed and I stood still, my guitar still around myself. I didn't want to fall and injure myself again as I had done in the last powercut.
Are you okay? Nathan's voice said and I felt the familiar warmth of his arms around me.
I'm fine. I replied. Someone in the crowd lit up the room using the flashlight on their phone and we all looked around in confusion. What was going on? I hadn't felt an explosion that time. The television flickered and we all looked at it, puzzled. The power was out so how was the television working? Unless...
The screen showed a group of people dressed in black, balaclavas covering their faces. They held up a sign reading 'Rights for Savants now or face a great battle.' Then they were gone and the lights came back on. The room was filled with voices once again and people looked around concerned.
'Savants need to be locked up.'
'They don't deserve rights.'
'If I was friends with one I'd hand them into the police.'
Nathan's parents shot him a worried look and I knew then that they were savants too. The world was quickly becoming unsafe to live in and it was more important than ever that I kept my abilities locked away.
I didn't sleep that night. I spent the night tossing and turning as my friends slept peacefully on the sofa bed in the living room. I wished I had Nathan beside me to relax me and help me sleep. I was probably becoming too reliant on his ability but I didn't care. I turned on my laptop, looking through videos on Youtube of the concert. My performance of '22' looked just as good as I thought it had and it made my lips tug upwards into an almost-smile. I shared the video to my Facebook page with the comment:
I honestly am so blessed to have the best friends anyone could ask for. Wish my bestie Willow could have joined us tonight! Love you and love you London!
Then I clicked on a video someone had uploaded of Nathan and I singing our Carly Rae Jepsen cover. It already had over 1,000 likes. I smiled as we danced together onstage, singing to each other and then I scrolled down to read the comments.
They are definitely a couple. Could it be any more obvious?!
I've been waiting for a collab from these two! Their voices are so perfect together!
Omg the way he looks at her when he sings! I wish someone looked at me like that.
I smiled to myself again, sharing the link to my Facebook page again.
Thank you to Mr Nathan Jones for having me on tour! I've played to amazing crowds, seen beautiful sights and have had the best company!
Straight away, the comments started and I laughed as they filled up my screen. I shook my head when I saw Nathan's name. He'd commented as his own Facebook page.
You were great company too ;)
He was flirting with me in public. A new conversation popped up on Facebook, a message from him.
Shouldn't you be asleep?
If I could sleep. I typed back quickly.
I can't sleep either. He responded.
I always sleep better when you're next to me. It's like I feel safe.
He sent me a smiley face. I sleep better knowing you're safe. Are the girls still awake?
Fast asleep. I think the dancing in front of 20,000 people wore them out.
He didn't reply an I sighed. Maybe he'd fallen asleep too. I realised my first Tour Diary had been posted by Darren that day and I clicked on it, replaying the events of Paris from me joking around with Amanda and Daisy in the dressing room to soundcheck to my performance of 'Skyscraper'. Then there were the 'home movies' of us exploring Paris together, seeing the sights. And finally Disneyland Paris. Nathan and I whizzing past the camera on the teacups, giggling, and then us posing in front of Cinderella's castle and watching the fireworks. Already the comments showed that people were loving 'Lathan' and it made me surprised. Ed and I had gotten a lot of attention but then maybe we'd been too public with our relationship? Nathan and I were keeping it between us, our family and friends. Sure, the fans weren't daft and a lot of them were figuring we were a couple, but we hadn't openly announced it.
I ran my hands through my hair, frowning when I realised I hadn't taken out my waterfall braid. I unclipped it carefully, running my fingers through the strands to separate them. I picked up my songbook from beside my bed, flicking to the most recent song, the one I wasn't even sure how to finish.
'I'm standing in the center of the room
I watch the boys follow girl's perfume
All is as it should be I assume
Except for the distance between me and you.'
I sang the lyrics quietly to myself, tapping my pencil against the notebook as I sang.
'You're standing as a flower on the wall
The room is still but we're about to fall
And all the names that brought us here
Simply fade away...'
Can you let me in please? Nathan's voice in my head took me by surprise.
My eyebrows knitted together in confusion. Let you in? I glanced at my clock. It was 2am. Surprisingly, not too late, but then the party had ended pretty sharpish after the blackout. We'd been home just after midnight.
I'm outside and it's pretty damn cold.
I smiled, grabbing the key and walking downstairs to meet him. I met him at the gate, opening it by hand as I was afraid that the buzzer would wake the girls up.
He looked at me, stood there in my Little Mermaid pyjama shorts and red tank top and shook his head. 'You must be freezing you lunatic!'
I was freezing. Coming out in my pyjamas and slippers wasn't my best idea. I shivered and he took off his hoodie, wrapping it around my shoulders. I smiled as I felt the warmth and inhaled his scent. 'Come on, let's get up in the warm.'
My flat felt cosy when we got back up in the warm and I closed the door quietly behind us, trying not to disturb my friends. I filled a glass in the bathroom with water for Nathan before joining him in my bedroom, closing the door gently behind me.
'You look cute in my hoodie.' He smiled, his eyes shining in the dimly-lit room. He looked cute all the time. That was what I wanted to reply. Instead, I simply blushed whilst walking over to him, sitting on the bed beside him. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed my forehead as he whispered, 'come on let's try and get some sleep.'
I felt confused and cold when I woke up without the familiar warm arms around me. I rolled over and looked at the empty space behind me. Had I dreamt that Nathan had come over? I spotted his hoodie by my bed and realised I hadn't. I slipped into the zip-up hoodie and headed into the hallway, smiling when I heard Nathan's voice. He was talking to my friends.
'Yeah I met Lucy when we were working in an old record store together.' Adriana was saying.
'And I've known her since she first moved to Brighton. Weirdos attract each other and all that.' Leanne added. I rolled my eyes at my friend. 'We're best friends though, so screw her over like Ed did and we're going to have to break that pretty face of yours.'
'I'm not going to do that to her. I'd never cheat on anyone let alone Lucy. She's incredible and I care about her probably more than I should.' Nathan was saying.
I leant back against the wall and released a breath I hadn't even realised I'd been holding. I knew he cared about me and I cared about him too. But was it too soon? What if he did hurt me? What if he broke my heart just like Ed had. I'd probably still been in pieces if his mood-changing abilities hadn't helped keep me calm and relaxed.
'So are you guys official?' Leanne was asking.
'I'd like to think so.'
We were? I ran a hand through my hair, which was still curly from the night before. I hadn't known if we were official or not because it hadn't been discussed. The press still weren't certain either and neither was the world of Facebook. I pushed open the ajar living room door and stepped inside.
'Well good morning sleeping beauty.' Leanne teased and I realised I was the only person still in my pyjamas. I blushed, glancing over at Nathan, who was in the kitchen.
'What are you doing?' I asked him, curiously.
'He's cooking us breakfast.' Adriana grinned. 'A man that can sing and cook? I like him. You can keep him.'
'What are you making?'
'Pancakes.' He smiled. 'I hope you don't mind. I found the ingrediants in the cupboard and fridge.'
'Oh I don't mind, go ahead.' I replied. It was quite nice having someone who could cook more than just pizza and the other basics. 'I'll just go and have a shower.'
I showered quickly, changing into my blue skinny jeans, a white t-shirt and a teal-coloured cropped sleeve blazer, a black wired bow headband in my hair. When I was ready, I applied a little bit of natural make-up and walked into the living room, smiling at Nathan hanging out with two of my best friends as they ate breakfast together. I joined them with the friendly natter, until my phone began to rang. I glanced down, surprised to see my manager's name on the screen. He knew I was flying out to Detroit the following day as it was going to be Good Friday.
'Hello?'
'I have some fantastic news!'
'You do?' I raised an eyebrow and walked out of the living room, leaving three of my favourite people chatting away.
'I've got you some work in America.'
'I'm catching up with my family.' I frowned. I needed time to recover from the tour, not work my butt off even more.
'Yes, you're out there for a week but then I thought you could do some publicity out there. I've booked flights and accomodation for a week in New York and then three weeks down in LA where we can also film the video for Made in the USA, your next single. I'll fly out and join you when I can but I've got my trip to Hawaii right in the middle so I'm going to have to trust you not to make a fool of yourself.'
'I'm going to New York and Hawaii?' My eyes widened and my stomach churned with excitement. Then I thought of Nathan and I frowned. Four whole weeks without him. What was I going to do when I was restless at night? He couldn't just turn up and surprise me.
'Yes you are. I cancelled your flight home this morning so you'll fly back from Los Angeles. Not sure why you weren't flying first class out there but you are now. Might as well live it up. I'll send over your schedule later and you can read through it. And I'll see you in New York.'
That night, I packed even more than I already had packed and I squeezed as much as I could into my two suitcases, carefully adding some designer outfits in their dress bags to the mix. I didn't sleep particularly well and, at five, I woke up ready to head to the airport. I changed into a baggy t-shirt, leggings and my disney converse, throwing on Nathan's hoodie that I seemed to have stolen. It was just so comfy.
Nathan drove me to the airport as he wanted some time with me before I left. Even if it meant a drive at five thirty in the morning. He squeezed my knee as he sped out onto the motorway towards Heathrow. 'You're very quiet.'
'It's crazy early.' I replied, stretching my arms out in front of me and yawning. 'Plus, I was only planning on being away for a week. Now I'm away for four.'
'It'll be a great opportunity.' He said, giving me a reassuring smile. 'Will help make you big over in the USA and it might mean that one day you'll get to tour the USA.'
'I won't see you for a month.' I frowned and he squeezed my knee again. Benefits of driving an automatic.
'But you'll have a great time and we'll still talk.'
I worried, in truth, that he'd change his mind about me. Or find someone else like Ed had. There were going to be thousands and thousands of miles between us and the thought made me feel sad. I still felt down when I boarded the plane, having given Nathan a kiss goodbye in his car and then heading straight through security. I sat down in my comfy, reclining seat and I soon fell asleep.
I arrived in Detroit airport at 1.35pm, and I snuck off to the toilets to change and apply some make-up after I had made it through Border Control. I felt fresher in my full-length denim dungarees and striped top, my hair free of the bun I'd tied it in. By 2pm, I had my luggage and I was in the Arrivals lounge. I spotted my parents and Willow stood straight away, a banner reading 'Welcome our superstar' in their hands. I shook my head, although I was grinning, as I hurried towards them. I hugged my parents first before almost tackling my cousin to the ground.
'I missed your crazy hugs!' She said in my ear and I smiled.
'I missed you!' I replied. I turned back to my parents. 'And I've missed Sunday dinner with you two!'
'Well we're hoping to fly home next week.' My mum said with a smile. 'I think the security all over the world is a lot tighter at the moment.' She glanced over at the armed police officers stood in the arrivals lounge and I knew she was right.
'So how's Nathan?' Willow said as I hung some of my clothes in her wardrobe. I was sharing a room with her as the study was being used by my parents in the day when they were working from the US.
'Yeah he's good.' I said with a small smile.
'Have you told your parents yet? Because they know something is definitely going on between you.'
'I'll tell them when I'm ready. They really liked Ed but they don't know the full story.' I hung up a new designer piece and my cousin walked over, examining it.
'If you're ever sent anything you don't like, remember I'm your size.' She grinned and I rolled my eyes.
My phone beeped and I realised I had an unread email from Eric, regarding my New York schedule. I opened the e-mail and scanned it quickly.
Friday 18th April- Flight to New York City. Check into hotel. Performance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.
Saturday 19th April- Photoshoot and interview with Cosmopolitan
Monday 21st April- Performance at Victoria's Secret Fashion Show with the Weeknd
Wednesday 23rd April- Interview and photoshoot with Teen Vogue
Friday 25th April- Flight to LAX Airport, Los Angeles
My schedule wasn't too busy and I was relieved. I'd visited New York once before and I'd not seen everything I had wanted to. Perhaps I'd actually have some time to myself.
'Performance at Victoria's Secret Fashion Show?' Willow read over my shoulder, her eyebrows high on her forehead. 'Your parents are going to freak.'
'It's just a performance.' I shrugged.
'Just a performance? Have you seen what those girls wear?' She grabbed her laptop, quickly typing something in. 'Look, the wonderful Rihanna, performing and still wearing lingerie.'
I frowned. 'Of course Eric put me down for this. He wants me to have sex appeal.' I hit my head against the wall. 'I'm not comfortable with this.'
'Well it's about to get worse.' Willow was looking at something on her laptop, shaking her head. 'Have you seen who else is performing?'
'No.'
She turned the screen to face me. There was Taylor. Not a problem. And then there was the other person, the one who was a problem. Ed Sheeran. New York wasn't going to be as fun as I thought.
For as long as I could remember, Easter had always worked in the same way; we'd wake up and dress in pastel, spring colours and then we'd have an Easter Egg hunt round the garden. In my family, it was always competitive and tackling was quite often involved. When the winner had finally been announced, we'd head inside and have our Easter roast lunch and then spend the rest of the afternoon playing games, outside if the weather permitted us to do so. Even though Willow and I were now 23, things hadn't changed. At all. Easter passed by quickly and on Tuesday, Willow was back at work as she only had Friday to Monday off. I spent the time catching up with my parents, sneaking off to Skype Nathan whenever I could. Before long, it was Thursday night and I was packing ready for New York. That was when I had an idea.
'Come to New York with me.' I said with a smile as I carefully folded my leggings, placing them in my case.
She raised an eyebrow. 'Surely you can't be serious?'
'Why not?'
'You can't just say 'come to New York' with me when you're flying out in twelve hours time.'
'I bet I can get you a seat on my flight.'
'It's insane, isn't it?'
'Probably.' I grinned. 'But it would be fun. You can meet my band. They're flying out tonight to get there first thing in the morning. Oh, and you can stop me killing my manager.'
'I'm only off work until Monday. I have to go back in on Tuesday.'
'So come for a long weekend.' I smiled, grabbing my phone. 'What do you say?'
'Okay, but you're making the calls Miss Famous.'
I managed to get Willow a seat on our low-budget airliner to New York. The journey was just over an hour and a half and before long we were landing in LaGuardia airport. We collected our bags and headed through to arrivals. Eric was stood there, looking bored as always, with Matt and his side. Then I spotted Daisy, Jesse and Jake.
'Luce!' Daisy pulled me into a huge hug, grinning.
'You only saw me last week.' I laughed, shaking my head at her.
'But I was so used to seeing you everyday!'
'We don't have time for this.' Eric said with an eye roll. He glanced over at Willow, who was stood nervously at my side. 'Are you the cousin?'
'This is Willow.' I told everybody. 'More like a sister than a cousin.'
'It's just as well I booked enough rooms.' He sighed. 'Come on, let's go.'
Excitement pumped through my veins as the black 8-seater with blacked out windows tore along the highway, the Manhattan skyline coming into view. I spotted the Empire State Building and the Chrysler building first and I smiled. It was just as magical as it had been when I visited four years previously. I looked over at my friends, smiling at the awe on their faces. New York was a place made of dreams and that day was no exception, as the skyscrapers glowed in the morning sunlight.
Eric had surprisingly not been stingy when it came to our hotel, but then I did wonder if he had got a special rate as I was staying there, seeing as every member of staff who passed me greeted 'Miss May' with a huge smile and a 'I'm a big fan' comment. It was weird that, even in America, people recognised me. Our hotel, lit up on the exterior by purple lighting, was a five minute walk from Times Square and it had four stars. Our Queen rooms were on the fourth floor and I was hardly surprised to find out that Jesse and Matt were sharing a twin room, Eric had a room to himself and Daisy and Jake were sharing. Which meant I had my cousin all to myself, something I was quite pleased about. We unlocked the door and walked into our room, along the patterned grey carpet.
There were two queen-sized beds with plump white cushions and a white duvet, a flatscreen built into the wall, curtains on one side leading to the glass door of the bathroom, and then a white desk with white swivel chair. Then I noticed the view. I gasped as I looked out of the large glass window, the Empire State building in the distance. Like Nathan had always seemed to have, I had a room with a view.
'Wow.' Willow gasped, walking over to join me. 'This is a bit different from the hostel we stayed in when we were last here.'
'I know.' I whispered, looking out at the view in front of me. 'It's crazy just how fast things can change.'
After lunch, I was sent to a beauty salon near the hotel to be given a make-over for the show, along with Daisy. Willow sat reading a magazine in the waiting area, whilst we were waxed (legs, bikini- ouch, and eyebrows), our nails were given a manicure, we were given a facial and then finally our hair was done. I wished I'd had Amanda there to do it, but she was spending the weekend looking at wedding venues, much to Eric's annoyance.
'You'd look great with bangs.' The hairdresser told me with a smile as she trimmed by split ends after washing my hair.
'You totally would.' Willow said from the uncomfortable black sofa. 'I've always said you would. Would hide the forehead you hate so much.'
'It's just such a big forehead.' I frowned.
And that was how I decided to get bangs. By five o'clock, I had bangs, which framed my eyes perfectly (AN: Think Lea Michele with curly hair, bangs and the ombre) and my hair had been styled in my natural curls. I looked in the mirror and smiled, admiring the brown eyeshadows and eyeliner framing my eyes. Not bad. It was a pretty good new look.
Eric arrived shortly after, looking at me in surprise. 'You should really speak to me before doing something drastic to your look.'
I frowned, although he couldn't see this properly due to my new full-fringe across my forehead, falling just short of my eyebrows.
'I think it really suits you.' The hairdresser smiled, reassuringly, and my cousin and bandmate nodded in agreement.
'It does and it makes your face look slimmer. Just remember to run things by me next time.' Eric said, sounding unimpressed. I tried not to be hurt by the comment about my face looking slimmer. 'Okay, let's roll. We've got time for a quick dinner and then it's off to the tv studio.' He handed the hairdresser a wad of notes. 'That should cover it.'
Friday passed by quickly and my interview and performance on Jimmy Fallon went down well, as did my new haircut. The press were referring to my hair as the new Spring style on Saturday and I was complimented on it again at my interview and photoshoot with Cosmopolitan magazine. When Sunday rolled down, I was relieved I had a day off as I felt like I'd been excluding Willow. She'd been everywhere with me, yes, but it couldn't have been exciting for her, sitting around the whole time. I woke up fairly early on Sunday, so I showered quickly and headed down to the hotel lobby to Skype Nathan without disturbing my sleeping cousin. He answered almost straight away.
'Hey princess.' He said with his signature smile, looking cute with his ruffled hair and hoodie on.
I adjusted the blue peplum top with white polka dots on it, as the strap had gotten twisted. 'Hey, how are you?'
'I'm good.' He smiled. 'I know I said it on the phone yesterday but I really love the new hair. Makes you look even prettier, if that was even possible. How's New York?'
I blushed and bit my lip at his compliment and I wished I could kiss him. 'New York is good but I've not actually got to explore yet. And it would be better if you were here.'
He shot me a lopsided smile. 'But you've got the band and Willow. Give it a few days and you won't even remember who I am.'
'Not going to happen.'
'Is it tomorrow that you have the Victoria's Secret show?'
'Yes.' I replied, nervously. 'I wish I didn't though.'
'It'll be fun.'
'I think I'm going to have to wear lingerie.'
He raised an eyebrow and gave me another crooked smile. 'Damn, why didn't I get tickets?'
'You're not missing out on anything.' I told him. 'Plus it's meant that Eric has been sending me to the hotel gym. My legs are killing me.'
'I wish he'd stop putting so much pressure on you. You're beautiful and you have a gorgeous body.'
'I think you need your eyes checked.'
'I think you do.' He laughed.
'Hey, you should have woken me.' Willow appeared in the lobby, a smile on her face. She glanced down at her laptop. 'Oh hey, Nathan.' She sat beside me, being nosy.
'Hey Willow, how are you?'
'Good thanks. Just glad to have a normal day without photoshoots or interviews or live performances.' She winked, nudging me with her elbow.
'I know the feeling.' Nathan smiled. 'Well I'll let you girls get exploring. Speak later. Bye.'
'Bye!' My cousin and I chorused and then he was gone.
'Right, let's grab a bagel and get exploring! It's a beautiful day out!' Willow smiled.
We headed to Times Square first, sunglasses shielding our identities from the rest of the world, although a few people glanced my way and I did wonder if it was with recognition. We took selfies in Times Square, went on the ferris wheel in Toys R Us and then checked out the Disney Store, all before 12pm. Then we walked over to the Rockefeller Center as we'd decided we'd make the most of the clear, blue skies.
'I can't believe we didn't do this last time.' Willow said as we joined our the queue for our given timeslot.
I took off my sunglasses, tucking them safely in my Michael Kors grey tote bag. 'I know but at least we're doing it now and the weather is gorgeous.'
'People are totally looking at you.' My cousin whispered. I looked up and a few people were glancing my way. 'Is it weird?'
'I'm kind of used to it now.' I replied, honestly. 'And people don't usually come and talk to me, it's usually just a few glances.'
The queue moved forwards and we were welcomed into a lift, squeezing into the small space, shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers. The roof suddenly became see-through, and the elevator shaft was filled with disco lights as we raced upwards. I blinked. We were moving so quick. Within 43 seconds, we were on the 67th floor. Willow grabbed my hand, pulling me outside.
'Wow look at how big Central Park is!' She commented, walking over to the glass barrier protecting us from the drop below.
'Smile.' I said, snapping a few photos of her whilst there wasn't a big crowd. We swapped and then a security guard took a photo of the two of us together.
'Isn't it crazy how everything looks so small when you're this high up!' She pointed at the Empire State Building as we continued walking around the decking. 'Look, it doesn't even look that big from up here!'
'Oh my god it's Lucy May!' A group of girls whispered and I suddenly wished I'd put my sunglasses back on. Willow laughed, shaking her head, as the group of girls approached us.
'Hey.' I said with a smile, feeling a little disappointed that by day of 'normality' had now lost its normality.
'We love your new hair.' The blonde girl said in a thick, southern accent. 'It really suits you.'
'Thanks.' I continued to smile, trying to make myself look as relaxed as possible.
'You are so lucky you got to go on tour with Nathan Jones. He is so dreamy.' The brunette piped up and my cousin smirked from behind them. There was so much that they didn't know.
'Totally, I was so jealous.' The black haired girl sighed.
'Can we have a photo with you?' The blonde girl asked, hopefully.
'Sure.' I replied, casually. Anything to get my work-free day back.
'Want me to take it?' Willow offered.
'Sure!' The blonde grinned, giving my cousin her iPhone. The girls surrounded me, pouting and posing for the picture. A few other snaps were taken and then they turned to face me again, smiles on their faces.
'Thank y'all so much.' The brunette drawled in her accent.
'No problem.' I shrugged. 'Thanks for being fans.'
'Good luck at the VS show tomorrow!' The black haired girl said and then they were gone.
'And back to my day off...' I sighed, slipping my sunglasses back on in a hope at hiding my identity.
'I'm afraid you don't get a day off with your career.' Willow laughed, pulling out her phone and snapping some more pictures of the New York skyline. 'You have a 24/7 job.'
We grabbed lunch in the underground part of the Rockefeller Centre, where there were restaurants and shops, and then we spent the rest of the afternoon in Central Park, cycling around and sunning ourselves in the spring sunshine. When the sun went down, we headed for the Empire State Building and we watched the city come alive with lights below us. It was still the city that never slept.
I hardly slept the next night, spending most of my night trying to get comfortable. I was going to be spending my whole Monday at the 69th Regiment Armory, rehearsing and prepping for the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. The whole thing was eating my insides, causing me to feel ridiculously nervous. For one, I was performing at a Fashion Show. Then there was the fact that my ex was there, the one who I'd told to go away when he spontaneously turned up at my final show in London. Then there was my outfit. What was I going to be wearing? Was it going to be slutty? Was it going to show off my gross figure? Frustrated, I got up, changed into the Victoria's Secret work-out clothes Eric had got me and I ended to the gym on the third floor. I tied my hair back into a ponytail as I walked through the doors, placing my bottle of water on the small table next to the treadmill.
I spent the next fifteen minutes running on the treadmill, until I was sweaty and tired. Then I moved to the rowing machine.
'Funny time to be working out.' A voice commented and I glanced up to see Jesse stood there, a bottle of water in his hand.
I squinted at the clock; 1am. 'I could say the same to you.'
'I've just got in.' He said with a lopsided smile. 'I had a date.'
'You always have dates.' I rolled my eyes and he shrugged. 'Who was it this time?'
'Remember the stage manager from Tonight with Jimmy Fallon? Well she's great.'
'I bet.' I shook my head, stopping the rowing machine and slowly standing up. I grabbed my water and took a gulp of it.
'So really, what are you doing here at 1am?'
'Making sure that whatever they make me wear tomorrow doesn't look shit on me.' I said, wiping my forehead with a towel.
'Are you serious?' He frowned. 'Luce, there are guys just lining up to date you. You're probably on millions of bedroom walls.'
'Bollocks.'
He grinned at my use of foul language. 'It isn't bollocks, really. You have a smokin' hot figure, you'll fit right in at the show.'
'Thanks.. I think.' I looked at my bandmate and wondered how his lame flirting had got him so many dates over the past couple of months. 'I'm going to shower and try and get some sleep.'
'Good call.' He nodded. 'Sleep well.'
'I'll try.'
Luckily, I managed to get to sleep after my late-night gym session and I didn't wake up until Willow shook me awake for breakfast. After having a light breakfast, as suggested by Eric, I said goodbye to my cousin and she headed off to the airport after promising me we would speak again soon. Then it was time to get to work. A package had arrived for me in the hotel reception, a pink Victoria's Secret bag. I opened the bag and looked at the card.
Lucy,
We're looking forward to meeting you today! See you soon,
The VS Angels x
Inside was a pair of grey 'PINK' yoga pants and a white baggy top with 'Love Pink' marked across it. I changed into it in my room quickly, figuring that I was probably supposed to wear it. I secured my black converse to my feet and a quick glance at my phone told me it was time to head to the lobby. I bit my lip, nervously, and headed downstairs, ready to start the long day ahead of me.
'Woah.' I gasped as we walked into the main room of 69th Regiment Armory. Chairs covered three sides of the room, staggered to allow the audience to see, and they faced the silver, glittery runway. At the entrances to the stage were two giant, white teddy bears and building blocks marked with a V and a S. I looked behind me at Eric, who was ignoring me, and I suddenly wished that my band hadn't flown home that morning. It was going to be rubbish singing to just a backing track.
'Hi Lucy, welcome!' A smiley lady with a clipboard and headpiece said, air-kissing me. 'It's a pleasure to have you here! Let me take you backstage.' I glanced over my shoulder, but Eric was on the phone. I followed the smiley, bubbly lady backstage.
Backstage was huge, pink curtains completely surrounding the walls. There were a few makeshift dressing rooms made from the same pink curtain and mirrors were everywhere, as were canvas white chairs and dressing tables, which were decorated with make-up, rollers, hair products, curling tongs and magazines. There was a buffet table on one side, mainly with healthy snacks, and there were rails filled with outfits for the show.
'This is where you'll be based.' She told me, leading me to a white canvas chair. On the railing was a dress bag containing whatever my outfit was, and there was a folded pink silk dressing gown on the chair, alongside a pair of pink flipflops. 'Soundcheck starts in ten so make yourself comfortable and you can leave your belongings here. Can I get you a drink of anything?'
I glanced at the bottles of water on my dressing table. 'No that's great, thank you.'
'Lucy!' I looked up in response to the familiar voice, to see Taylor Swift walking towards me, her arms wide open. She pulled me into a big, familiar hug. 'How are you?'
'I'm good thanks, how are you?'
'Better now that I've got you for company.' She smiled. 'When they announced you were performing I was so relieved.' I wish I could have felt the same about performing. Instead I was stupidly tense. 'You look nervous. Are you nervous?'
I nodded. 'I don't know what to expect.'
'It'll be so much fun, honestly.' She shot me a reassuring smile. 'This is my third show now and I love it. Plus you already know Gigi, Martha and Karlie.'
'That's the least of my concerns.' I froze as Ed walked backstage, talking to Abel.
'Oh.' Her eyes followed mine and she gave me a reassuring smile. 'Just try to enjoy it.' She put her handbag on the seat next to mine and I was relieved to have a dressing room spot next to her. 'And we've got the afterparty later so that should be fun. Us girls have to stick together.'
Ed glanced up at me, realising I was there and I suddenly wished my bangs were long enough to hide under.
'Lucy, Abel, we'll soundcheck you guys first.' A stage manager called, signalling at me. I sighed with relief. I didn't need to confront my ex. Not yet, anyway.
Soundcheck wasn't hugely exciting. I sang 'Heartattack' as models walked around the stage, just wearing their Victoria's Secret sweats as it was rehearsal, rollers in their hair. Then Abel joined me for 'Love me harder' whilst models strutted the stage again. And then I left the stage so he could sing 'Can't feel my face.' It didn't last that long, less than an hour in total, and soon I was ushered back to the dressing room and rollers were being fixed to my hair like I was a Victoria's Secret Angel, whilst I was being given a pedicure.
'So what are the rest of your plans for New York?' Taylor asked me as we were both given pedicures at the same time. We were both sat in the pale pink silk dressing gowns with 'Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, New York 2015' written on the back. The surrounding Victoria's Angels were currently modelling the same look.
'I have an interview and photoshoot with Teen Vogue on Wednesday but that's it. What about you?'
'Well I was hoping you'd have some free time for a project.' She grinned.
'A project?'
'My next single is Welcome to New York and I thought that whilst I was in New York, and most of my friends were too, that maybe I would shoot the video. Are you interested?'
'You want me to be in your video?'
'Of course.' She smiled, her blue eyes twinkling.
'Absolutely!' I said, returning the smile. I was going to be in one of Taylor Swift's music videos. So awesome. The woman giving me a pedicure finished, leaving the foam dividers between my toes. She moved onto my finger nails, gently filing them and removing the current nail varnish.
'I'm glad you're here for company! I don't know what I would have done if it was just Ed and I.'
I suddenly felt guilty for being the wedge between Taylor and Ed. 'I'm sorry. If it wasn't for me, you'd still be friends.'
'Honestly, don't worry. Why would I want to be friends with someone who does that to my friends? I've always been against cheaters. Always.' She gave me a reassuring smile and I shivered, more out of nerves than anything. It was pretty warm backstage and it had to be; I was wearing the Victoria's Secret underwear provided to me underneath my gown. Luckily, though, I'd been told that I had something I'd be wearing over the top on stage. 'So where's Daisy and the rest of your band?'
'They went back home as they weren't needed tonight. They'll be coming over to LA when I'm there though.'
'Have you ever been to LA?'
'No, but it looks incredible.'
'It is.' Taylor smiled. 'The beaches are lovely, the houses, the Hollywood sights. It's not cheap, though, mind you, but hey if you've made it in LA then you've made it anywhere.' A photographer came over, snapping some pictures of us talking and then disappeared. I looked over, surprised. 'They like recording backstage as well as onstage.' Taylor explained. 'They'll be video cameras back here later too.' I gulped and she reached out to squeeze my arm. 'Lu, we're going to have a great time. I promise.'
We were ready an hour and a half later and, after grabbing some pre-show healthy food from the buffet, we posed for photos with the Angels backstage, Taylor taking a jokey one of us all cosied up on a bed in our robes for her Instagram. Then Taylor, Karlie, Martha, Gigi and I posed for a picture together, working our best pouts. I uploaded it to Instagram, updating the fans on how I was spending my Monday;
On Monday's we wear pink. Am I a VS angel yet?
'Right girls, time to get changed.' A man wearing a headset said, adjusting his built-in microphone.
My heart hammered against my chest as I grabbed the dressbag and quickly made my way into one of the built-in dressing rooms, so that I didn't have to get changed in front of everyone else. I unzipped the bag, holding my breath as the silk number was revealed. A short, black silk playsuit with cut-out lace detail under the bust and over the bust. So this was why my underwear was so tiny. It needed to fit underneath the playsuit without being revealed. I slipped off my Victoria's Secret pink gown and slipped into the teddy, checking my appearance in the mirror. It just covered my bum. Just. It was very sexy. My parents were going to have a heart attack. Feeling self-conscious, I wrapped myself back in my pink gown, vacating the dressing room. Taylor walked out of the one next to me at the same time, looking fabulous in a pink satin nightie and a long, black pink and lace matching gown.
'Lucy, Taylor, I have your shoes.' The stylist told us, appearing right by us. She passed us each a pair of black stilettos. Taylor's had a pink, fluffy decoration on them and mine had the same but in black. I slipped them onto my feet, surprised at how comfy they were.
'Five minutes to showtime.' Someone announced over the speaker and some of the models rushed around, excitedly, in their underwear and wings. A hair stylist came over to me, applying more hairspray to my already-curly hair and Taylor's lipstick was touched up.
My friend reached over, squeezing my hand. 'Are you okay?'
I nodded, mutely as a camera went past, panning around the backstage area. I spotted Abel and Ed walking into the room and I self-consciously wrapped my gown tighter around myself. I reached for a bottle of water, quickly taking a sip to satisfy my dry mouth.
'Taylor, are you ready to open the show?' The stage manager was asking my friend.
Taylor pulled me into a hug. 'Good luck and I'll catch you later.' Then she was gone.
I found myself a spot next to a screen as the title credits were rolling and the camera panned to reveal the catwalk. Gigi and Karlie stood beside me, smiles on their faces as they squealed with excitement, flashing their perfect bodies. Did I have to go onstage with these gorgeous models? I didn't really want to.
'Hey girl.' Abel's voice startled me and I jumped. 'A bit nervous, huh?'
'Yes.' I replied, biting my lip as Taylor walked out onto the stage, looking glamorous and gorgeous. She could be mistaken for a VS Angel easily.
Abel patted my back gently. 'Haven't you just been on a crazy-busy tour of Europe?'
'Yes, but I was wearing a lot more.' I said with a nervous laugh. 'And I wasn't in a room of perfect-looking girls.' I watched as Karlie and Gigi prepped themselves by the entrance of the stage, shaking their wings.
'You don't give yourself enough credit. You're gorgeous.' He said with a friendly smile. 'If you weren't in a secret relationship with Nathan Jones then I'd totally ask you out.'
I blushed, looking down at my nailbeds. 'Is it that obvious, huh?'
'Yes, it really is.' He replied with a chuckle. 'Now come on, try to relax.'
I wished I could, but that required a certain someone being there with me. I sighed, focussing on the screen, trying to take my mind off of my own performance.
Five minutes later and Taylor was off the stage, buzzing with excitement. Then it was my time to shine. Hair and make-up quickly fixed my curls and make-up, reapplying some of it, and then it was showtime. The stage manager called me over and I stood in the wings, nervously. The microphone was passed to me and I hid in the corner of the wings, shrugging myself out of my gown as the models came off stage. I was given a thumbs up and I knew it was showtime.
I took a deep breath, stepping out onto the stage and singing to the backing music as I had rehearsed earlier that day. 'Never put my love out on the line
Never said "Yes" to the right guy
Never had trouble getting what I want
But when it comes to you, I'm never good enough.'
The crowd cheered and applauded as I did my best model walk, careful not to lose my footing. My parents were going to have a freak out, but the audience were responding well as the camera filmed me.
'When I don't care
I can play 'em like a Ken doll
Won't wash my hair
Then make 'em bounce like a basketball.'
The crowd cheered and I knew that Karlie had walked out onto the stage. As long as I kept out of the way of the Angel's wings, maybe it wasn't going to be so bad after all.
When I ended the song, the crowd errupted into applause and some whistled, making me blush. I felt undressed, but compared to the models who had shared the catwalk with me, I was actually pretty overdressed. The next music started up almost straight away, so I didn't have time to take it all in.
'Tell me something I need to know
Then take my breath and never let it go
If you just let me invade your space
I'll take the pleasure, take it with the pain.'
I moved across the stage as I sang, doing my best strut. 'And if in the moment I bite my lip
Baby, in that moment you'll know this is
Something bigger than us and beyond bliss
Give me a reason to believe it.'
The first model came out, this time Martha, and she winked at me as she passed, singing along to the music. I moved my hips in time to the chorus, dancing in what I hoped was a sexy manner.
''Cause if you want to keep me, you gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta, got to love me harder
And if you really need me, you gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta, got to love me harder
Baby, love me harder
Ooh, ooh, ooh, oooh,
Love me, love me, love me,
Ooh, ooh, ooh, oooh,
Harder, harder, harder.'
The crowd screamed as Abel walked out onto the stage behind me. 'I know your motives and you know mine
The ones that love me, I tend to leave behind
If you know about me and choose to stay
Then take this pleasure and take it with the pain.'
I turned to face him as he reached me and he gave me a reassuring smile as he sang to me, his hand on my waist.
'And if in the moment you bite your lip
When I get you moaning you know it's real
Can you feel the pressure between your hips?
I'll make it feel like the first time.'
The whole performance was quite sexy and I wasn't sure if it was because of the models in lingerie or The Weeknd and I's performance, as we danced together, my hips moving in time to the music. Either way, the crowd loved it and I felt on top of the world when I walked offstage, leaving Abel to perform 'I can't feel my face.'
'You were awesome!' Taylor said, pulling me into a hug as I reached the dressing room. 'And you look seriously hot!' I smiled in the hug, until I realised that Ed was watching me, biting his lip and not with nerves.
I moved back from the hug, turning my attention back to Taylor. 'Have you seen my robe?'
She grabbed the robe, my name on the back of it, from a nearby rail and passed it to me. 'Seriously though Lu, well done, you were amazing!'
'Can I get changed now?' I asked, pulling the robe tightly around myself, aware that someone was still watching me.
'We have to stay like this until the bows at the end.' Taylor replied. 'But don't worry. Come on, let's take some more crazy photos together to pass the time.'
The show passed quickly and after our bows, we headed back to the dressing room to get changed for the after-party. All around us, models stripped into their underwear and changed into their outfits, but Taylor and I headed off to the dressing rooms. I wasn't that confident. My dress for the evening was a black strapless mini dress with a sweetheart neckline. It was simple but stylish and I'd paired it with silver stilettos and a statement necklace. Taylor was wearing a white, bodycon, strapless mini dress with black shoes, looking sexy but classy. When we were ready, lots of the models had already disappeared, heading off to the after-party location, so we quickly gathered our belongings, ready to send them back to our hotels, and then we piled into Taylor's car, heading for TAO Downtown.
When I got back to my hotel that night, I was tipsy and lonely. I kicked off my shoes and unzipped my dress, changing into a baggy t-shirt and leggings and then wiping my make-up off of my face. After an hour or so of tossing and turning, I finally made it to sleep.
I was woken up by my phone buzzing and I groaned as I glanced at the screen; 11am. I'd overslept and missed breakfast. Taylor's name filled the screen and I answered it, trying to sound as awake as I could. 'Hello?'
'Hey, how are you?'
'Not quite as bright and breezy as you.' I laughed in response, thinking back to last night. We'd spent the night as honorary angels, dancing and posing for photos and taking far too many selfies. And probably drinking more than planned too.
'I've been up a while.' She replied. 'Were you still up for the video shoot today?'
I'd forgotten about that. It was better than moping about, although a day in bed would have been nice. 'Yeah, sure.'
'Great. Meet you at the castle in Central park in an hour?'
'Sure.' I didn't hesitate to get ready. I showered, put on my day make-up and dried my curly hair. Taylor had said to wear pastel colours, so I dressed in my high-waisted mint coloured jeans, a white lace crop top and a loose cardigan, wedges on my feet. The outfit was definitely very spring. I grabbed my teal bag and headed straight to Central Park, only stopping to grab a bagel on the way.
When I got there, Taylor was already there in her mint-coloured skater skirt, heels and yellow dogtooth-print blouse, along with Gigi and Karlie, who were going to be in the video with us. A camera crew were there too, and someone who I assumed was the director. Taylor waved at me and I walked up the steps into the castle courtyard, where the girls pulled me into a hug.
'So,' I said with a smile, 'what's the plan for this video?'
The plan was to just be filmed having fun, which was fine by me. We started the shoot with being filmed cycling around Central Park and joking around in Belvedere Castle. Then we shot some scenes of us walking up Fifth Avenue and we were even filmed walking into and out of the Waldorf Astoria, a hotel I'd always wanted to see the inside of. The lobby was grand and beautiful with marble floors and detailing on the ceiling. We were only filmed walking in with suitcases, which was a bit disappointing as I longed to see more.
'Are you okay if we stop for lunch?' Taylor said, rejoining our group after having a discussion with the director.
'Sure.' I smiled as the other girls nodded. Taylor took us to a sushi bar two blocks away and from the outside it didn't look much. Inside, however, was cool and laidback with mood lighting and long tables. We were seated at the back and it was hard to avoid the stares our way as we sat down.
'So when are you leaving the city?' Gigi asked me after we'd placed our orders. I sipped at my lemonade through my straw.
'I leave Friday.'
'For LA right?' Taylor grinned. 'You are going to love it!'
'I hope it meets my expectations.' I smiled.
'What does Eric have planned for you?'
'No idea.' I sighed. 'Which worries me slightly. He said I'd get my schedule on Friday so that's a few days of worrying left to go.'
'Has Nathan seen your pictures from last night yet?' Karlie asked, wiggling her eyebrows.
'I have no idea.' I replied. I hadn't heard from him yet. I just hoped he wasn't freaking out.
'What are you doing Thursday night?' Taylor asked, interrupting my thoughts.
'Nothing?'
'Wrong.' She grinned. 'We're going to make your last night in New York go out in style!'
By Tuesday night, the video was finished and we'd been filmed being typical girls in the city; having fun, seeing the sights and dancing in a nightclub (in the middle of the day!) I'd got back to the hotel room around 9pm and, unsurprisingly, I'd fallen asleep straight away. My interview and photoshoot on Wednesday was in the morning, so I headed to the shops accompanied by Matt when I finished, picking up souvenirs for myself, my family and my friends. Then I headed back to the hotel to Skype Nathan.
He answered topless, towel-drying his hair, and I was suddenly glad I'd decided to Skype him from the privacy of my hotel room. 'Hey princess.' He smiled, giving his hair a final rub before throwing the towel across the room, in the direction of his washing basket. 'How are you?'
'I'm good, you?' I replied, unable to stop myself from smiling back. I pulled my hoodie tighter around my shoulders, wishing I hadn't decided to use the aircon. I reached for the remote, switching it off as I tucked my toes under my duvet.
'I'm good, though missing you a little.' He gave me a cute smile as he ran his hand through his wet hair. He reached for a t-shirt, pulling it over himself and ruining my opportunity to perve on his muscles. 'By the way, I've seen the photos from the Victoria's Secret Show and I definitely wished I was there. You can pull off cute, beautiful and dead sexy.'
I blushed. 'I was nothing compared to those models.'
'Oh trust me, you were. The press are buzzing about it so it's not just me who thinks so.' He gave me a lopsided smile as I felt my cheeks reddening. 'Why are you blushing?' He laughed. 'It's true.'
'Whatever.' I bit my lip and pushed a loose strand of hair out of my face, tucking it behind my ear. 'I still think you need glasses.'
The next day was another free day, so I spent my time packing up my suitcases, leaving only a little black dress and heels out for my night with Taylor, as well as my ripped jeans and a baggy top for the flight to LA the next day. Then I headed out onto the hotel terrace, which was thankfully empty, to record my cover of the week.
I adjusted my camera, so that it faced me on the woven sofa, the Empire State Building in the background. Then I started to play my apt song choice.
'I've just had the craziest week,
Like a party bag of lies, booze and then deceit.
And I don't know why I want to voice this out loud,
It's therapeutic somehow.
So I'm moving to New York cos I've got problems with my sleep,
And we're not the same and I will wear that on my sleeve.
So I'm moving to New York cos I've got issues with my sleep,
Looks like Christmas came early, Christmas came early for me.
I put one foot forward and ended up thirty yards back.
And am I losing touch or am I just completely off the track?
And I don't know why I want to voice this out loud,
It's therapeutic somehow.
So I'm moving to New York cos I've got problems with my sleep,
And we're not the same and I will wear that on my sleeve.
So I'm moving to New York cos I've got issues with my sleep,
Looks like Christmas came early, Christmas came early for me.
So I'm moving to New York cos I've got problems with my sleep,
And we're not the same and I will wear that on my sleeve.
So I'm moving to New York cos I've got issues with my sleep,
Looks like Christmas came early, Christmas came early for me.'
That night, Taylor's car picked me up and we headed to a super hip bar on a New York rooftop, with a fabulous view of the city. In our little black dresses, we looked classy. Karlie bought the first round of trips and we laughed and chatted as we looked at the New York skyline. Everything was going great, until it was my time to buy a round of drinks. I headed over the bar, placing the order and then I froze as a familiar redhead waved at me from across the bar.