disclaimer: i do not own the band, just the ideas.

TWENTY-TWO - MUSIC INDUSTRY PARTY

I know we just got here
But I think it's time to go
I didn't want to believe it
But I now I know

I had agreed, even though I had been asked last minute, to attend this huge formal party with my new boyfriend, James Scott Patrick, or J.P. Scott, who was quickly becoming famous in parts of Europe for his music production skills.

There were to be many big names at the party, most of them in the music industry, and, if I could, I might use this as an opportunity to get a better in with the magazine, since they had been searching for a way to get a second writer into the party, but had been struggling.

"Are you coming, Babe?" J.P. called from the lounge, where he was waiting for me to finish getting ready.

"Just…a…minute…" I began, as I pulled my second high heel onto my foot, hopping to the door as I did so. "Okay," I added as I opened my bedroom door.

J.P. stood and looked over at me, a smile appearing on his face. "You look amazing, Babe."

I didn't know why I took it from him, since I hated when people called me "Babe" or "Honey" or "Love" or anything, since they could use it for anyone and it could be their cover of not knowing another person's name. It was so generalized, and it annoyed me so far beyond belief. Usually, that is, anyways. But not this time.

For some reason, I let him call me all of those names. Especially 'Babe,' which he used regularly.

I smiled into the kiss he gave me as we met at the entrance to the kitchen before heading out the door and to the car awaiting us.

When we arrived, I realized I probably wouldn't get anything for the magazine, even if I really wanted to. It was way too busy and loud to even think.

But it was incredible. And I had a rush just sitting in the car while we waited to be let out. (Did I forget to mention we were in a limo? I think I did. We were in a limo, in case you were wondering.)

When we finally did get into the party, the rush I already had increased greatly.

I took J.P.'s hand, so as not to get lost in the huge room, and we went further in.

About an hour later, where we mingled with many different people, had a few glasses of champagne, and a few things to eat, I saw some people I really recognized.

Like not, "I recognize you because you're famous" or whatnot. Like "I recognize you because I actually know you."

That was because I saw Dougie Poynter and Harry Judd, each with their girlfriends, and I was pretty sure Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones were around somewhere, too, even if I hadn't seen them yet.

I hadn't really seen any of them in a few weeks, since I had been working almost non-stop since the wedding. I had, however, talked with Tom a few times on the telephone, like we usually did.

I didn't know why, but, when I was thinking about this party, it had never occurred to me that they might be there.

I hadn't told Tom about J.P. Scott, and I thought I would keep it from him a bit longer, I didn't know why I was so inclined to doing so, but, the next thing I knew, he was at my side.

"Dara!" He pulled me away from J.P. while wrapping me into a hug, lifting me only slightly off the ground.

"Tom! I've missed seeing you!" I told him, hugging him back before he put me back on my feet.

I noticed then that J.P. was simply looking at us, confusion and annoyance clearly on his face.

"Oh, right. J.P., this is Tom Fletcher. Tom, this is J.P. Scott, my boyfriend."

If Tom was taken aback by this, he showed no signs of it, since, without missing a beat, he smiled, offering his hand to J.P., and said, "Nice to meet you, J.P."

After the introduction and some friendly conversation, J.P. told me that he saw someone he wanted to catch up with and that he'd be back in a while, leaving Tom and I alone.

"So, new boyfriend, huh?"

"Yep, new boyfriend," I replied, following Tom's gaze after J.P.

"How long have you been going out with him?" Tom asked, still watching J.P. walk away.

"Umm…." I had to think about this for a moment. "Just about a month, I guess."

He seemed to have something else he wanted to say, but didn't say a word, instead, I turned and faced him, trying to distract him.

"So, how have you and the guys been lately? I haven't seen them in so, so long."

"We're all pretty good, I'd say. Are Lauren and Josh back from their honeymoon yet?"

"No, they decided to say away for a few extra weeks, and explore the islands a bit more. But, if they don't decide at the last minute again to stay longer, they should be back this week." I paused a moment while Tom looked causally over my head. "Is it just me or does this feel really awkward."

Tom looked back at me before saying anything. "Nope, it's just you, Dara," he replied with a smirk. "This shouldn't feel awkward." Just then, he lifted me and placed me over his shoulder, carrying me blindly somewhere unknown.

I, as if on cue, instantly began kicking and punching, trying to free myself, which seemed to be in vain.

After a while of this, and still not knowing where I was being taken, Tom suddenly stopped, which shocked me into silence.

"Your boyfriend's cheating on you," he said quietly, almost as if he didn't even want to say it.

"What?" I asked, even though I had heard what he said, as he put me back on my feet. I wanted clarification and was hoping I had misheard what Tom had said.

"Your boyfriend," Tom began, a little louder, nodding in the direction of J.P. "He's cheating on you."

At that instant, I saw J.P. Scott, necking with some random girl near a table or a bar or similar.

I just stared at them, kissing away before I turned, noticing a doorway, and ran.

It turned out that the doorway led to a staircase, where I ran up, only to find myself on the roof of the building, where I stopped running when I way about a foot from the ledge at the edge of the roof.

I heard footsteps behind me and turned – hoping to God that it wasn't J.P. – into Tom, who, on instant, hugged me again, holding me while I cried, realizing I had done it again.

I had chosen to be with a guy who was using me. Again.

song: take me away by plain white t's.

an: many thanks!