Taylor’s POV
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The booming bass of the band is the first thing I hear over the crowd. Once Matty has gone everything sort of goes by really quickly. We are assembled in our lineup, coordinated by Kim.
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I'm next to Rhea in the lineup, last of the girls to walk, top of the bill. Rhea smiles down at me and we discuss the engagement, again. Shes unbelievably happy for us, and we make plans for a second double date.
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"Malachi could not keep his eyes off of you" I tell her. As Phillipa takes to the stage, slipping through a silk curtain and into the bright lights.
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"I think he was shocked. This is the sexiest I've ever looked." She says laughing.
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"You and me too" I tell her, the nerves getting to me again. Matthew I remind myself, he will be there.
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"I think Matty all but passed out" she tells me snickering.
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"You could literally see his thought process, it went abit like woah, that’s my fiancée. Darn she’s hot.” She laughs and I chuckle as we move up closer to the curtain. Hearing the crowd cheer on Phillipa. I am immeasurably happy that I got to do this with the girls, should they have been on the other side of the curtain I most likely would have bailed by now. I hold onto Rhea’s hands briefly as we walk up the steps and Rachel descends on the crowd. Receiving a huge clap.
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"Remember I'm right behind you." I tell her as she steps out into the light. I watch as the light hits her and she’s a vision. Strong and beautiful. The crowd roar for her and I wait patiently.
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"Ready, beautiful?" Kim asks, as I can hear the guitar solo beginning. I really got the best deal here and I look at her gratefully.
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"Okay go, my goddess" she chuckles as the adrenaline hits me and the curtain swishes open waiting for me to step out.
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Placing one gold stiletto heel in front of the other, I walk into the light, whilst Kraig tears up his guitar effortlessly. The crowd is substantial and they make themselves known roaring and cheering me on. Feeling elated from the acceptance of the crowd, and slightly deafened, I take the walk in my stride.
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The runway is long, longer than I had imagined, stretching all the up to the bar. My first thought is find Matty, in amongst the crowd. Everybody's face is a blur, the light swamps me and they all look terribly dark. As the inner dancer comes out and I feel like I've got this, I briefly gaze down at my skimpy outfit to see how it's sparkling under the light. Kim is so clever, it practically beams. It’s a show stopper.
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Having progressed half of the walk, I gaze at Rhea working it, she looks fierce. And just beyond her, I spot Matthew at the end of the never ending runway and I feel my nerves settle. He's my goal I've got to make it to him, without any falls. Clever Matty putting himself at the finish line.
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Ross positioned next to Matthew, watches me with an expression of love. Expecting Jay to look smug I am shocked as I capture his eyes in my own and he regards me seriously, brooding almost. Under the disco ball, my outfit sends light around the room and I hear the crowd swoon as the visual effect is practically artistic.
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Should you not look for your enemies, in the crowd at your most superior moment then you are just not human. I spot Jen, near Jay and Brad, eyeing me enviously. I make sure to strut just that little bit harder whilst she watches me in her black gown, her pink pixie hair illuminated under the stage lights.
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Malachi is gazing at Rhea adoringly. Her hair swishes as she walks. The pride I feel for Rhea is immense, she is a good role model, and she's found her one. Malachi is definitely all hers. The way he watches her, captivated.
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As I get closer I almost laugh but I stop myself. This has to be pure acting, I'm a goddess right now and they do not smirk. Jay winks at me as I get closer to the end and the guitar reverbs. I'm never going to live this down with him around. I wink back, I am a goddess after all.
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Before I know it I've reached the end and my destination which was Matthew. The relief washes over me that I didn’t fall, and neither did any of the other girls. There is clapping and cheering but I watch Matthew as he regards me like I am the apple of his eye.
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Descending the steps down to him, Matthew meets me at the bottom and pulls me into his body. He kisses me with everything that he has.
“I'm so proud of you" he tells me lingering and not wanting to let me go but I tell him to congratulate his sister. He untangles himself from me and promises to be right back.
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Ross George Peterson has stared at me in many ways over the duration of our friendship, yet as I walk to him now his eyes burn with desire. Finally when I reach him, I throw my arms around him. I feel like I'm high, either on champagne or on adrenaline.
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"Well done babe" he whispers in my ear. He's my happy normal Ross, the one who makes feel safe and secure. I can feel his thumb grazing over my back. He briefly kisses my forehead. It's a gesture we are both used to.
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"I love you" he whispers in my ear, which is cheeky and he knows it. I don't say it back because I mustn't but he doesn't seem at all phased. He holds onto me for as long as he can. I hold him just a little bit tighter.
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"You look really amazing, Tay" he says. I let him go before I throw myself at him. I step back just a touch, as he eyes my whole outfit. Taking me in. We pause a little and just keep each other's eye contact before walking over to Jay and the others.
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Jen eyes me up on approach and I can see her thinking about what she can say to dull my sparkle. I decide I'm going to ignore whatever it is that she comes up with.
"Taylor, that was epic I really enjoyed doing it" Rach says smiling at me as Jen necks some of her drink and looks away. Rachel places her arm around Jay.
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"You look amazing" I tell Rach. I notice that Pippa isn't around. They are usually always together. I look for her only to find her talking with a new guy.
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"Well done" Kraig comes over and hugs me, much to Ross’ disapproval.
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"Well done yourself, thanks for the guitar solo” I tell him. Everybody stares at Kraig, he is part of the band after all. He hands me champagne and I smile.
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"Have you thought anymore about singing at one of my shows" he asks casually.
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"Actually Steven is in a band. Maybe you two should chat too" I tell him deflecting and nodding at Stiffy.
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Kraig looks over genuinely interested, he lives for making friends, he's got contacts. And in music that will get him far. He hugs me again and I shrink closer to Ross.
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"You should come and meet the band. Have you thought about your set" he tells me, he is most definitely high. As a kite.
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"Just acoustic a few songs and some covers. Nothing fancy" I tell him ignoring his invitation to go with him. Ross pulls me into him away from Kraig. It's not totally inconceivable that since Ross told me that he loved me my feelings for him have amplified. Even the smallest part of me that wants to push him away is leaning into his touch, he inconspicuously rubs my lower back.
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"When's this ?" Rach asks forever the social butterfly.
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"We're coming to watch you guys" she explains and Jay nods, I mouth the word social conformist to him and he chuckles.
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Kraig hands Steven his card. Thankfully Rach talking makes him remember there are other people here to charm and he goes into the details. Kraig sells the event enthusiastically, he boasts about my talent and I smirk.
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"So that's a yes?" He asks me, enthusiastically and nod purely to make him happy. Social conformist, Jay mouths to me and I laugh.
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"Practise is around 3 hours before hand. So we can stage your sets" he tells me and Stiffy. Turning on his heels, he saunters back over to the backstage area and I make a silly comment about how he must be topping up on whatever he has been smoking.
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"Anyone want my champagne" I say to the group, feeling Ross around me.
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"It makes me really pissed, really quick" I laugh handing it to Rach as she drinks the last half, downing it.
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"That is a skill." I tell her, collapsing into laughter.
"Yay you're drunk, I like drunk Taylor she's fun" Rach says clapping.
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"Are you insinuating that I'm not fun sober' I laugh.
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"Babe you're definitely more snarky sober" Jay says teasing me.
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"Ignore him" Ross says, his voice is soft.
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"You're definitely more of an asshole sober" I tell Jay. Not a chance of ignoring him, I'm going to town. He snorts and Rach laughs. Ross pulls me closer to him. He's determined to hold onto me for as long as he can. With Ross’ hand on my exposed hip bone, I turn to face Jay entirely. He practically gulps.
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"An asshole, that's not a new one. You're probably right" Jay smiles.
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"What's wrong with him?" I ask Rach looking up at her perplexed.
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"He's a friendly drunk" she tells me, as he looks at me charmed.
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"Total lying bastard too, but friendly all the same, it's how he gets laid all the time" she says unapologetically, looking up at him.
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"Hey, Rach. Don't be bitter. You look wonderful too" he says.
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“Even if your tan is all over my couch and my bed” he snickers.
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"Ugh never again, away from me I can't say no to your sexiness. Let's have shots Tay" she laughs and I follow her pulling Ross with me.
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"You not changing" I ask her, worried about exposing myself.
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"Hell no and you should never take that off" she says eyeing me over her shoulder.
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"This one" she says indicating Jay, once we reach the bar. He is smirking, he loves the attention.
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"Will promise you the world just to get in your pants" she laughs and I smirk refusing to look at Jay. I know that he will be smiling, I don't need to see it. And I don't need to think about him being anywhere near my pants. I take my shot. Ross has one next to me. I lean against the bar. Ross eyes me warily.
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"You okay?" He asks me in my ear, his hand still on my hips.
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"I'm great" I smile up at him. I watch as he assesses me deciding whether I’m too drunk. Ross always checks to see if I am safe, it something I’m growing to love about him. I glance back down at Rachel and she smiles handing me another shot.
