FicWad

“Four in the afternoon,” I muttered to myself after I glanced at my watch. Never had I ever slept in that late since my freshman year of college. As I woke the memories of my date with Greg the night before flooded my brain and I was overcome with joy that I would be seeing him tomorrow. I did not dare let my brain think of what would happen once we departed but I knew I would have to figure out the situation at some point. “But today is for me,” I reminded myself and with a grin I added, “What’s left of it anyways. Just me and a big ole thing of Ben & Jerry’s and some movies. Just what the doctor ordered.”

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My heart raced nonstop the next day as I set up for the show knowing I would be seeing Greg in a few short hours. The boys were working on stage set up while I was filling out an endless stack of paperwork, it was pretty nice if I do say so myself. “Hey Zoe,” Patrick said walking into the green room, “How was the date?”

“Awesome,” I said with a giddy grin, “He’s actually coming here tonight. He’s never seen you guys perform and he’s a fan so…. I hope you don’t mind.”

“No,” he said with a bit of a smile, “I don’t mind at all. If you like him then he must be a good guy. But hey-“ he began to say something when Joe called him from the stage, “never mind,” he said quickly, “Gotta go. See ya later, Zoe!”

“See ya….” I let out a sigh as I finished the last paper. “Done,” I announced to myself as the venue’s manager walked by. “Hey Ben,” I called to the man as he carried yards and yards of power cords, “I’m checking out now, I’ll be back for the show. Kay?” There was no response from Ben other than a head nod. I took my leave and met up with Greg for an early bird dinner before the show.

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“Zoe this is amazing!” Greg said as we entered the VIP room.

“Glad you like it,” I said with a grin, linking my arm with his, “Much less crowded than being on the floor. And it extends pretty far out so we can see the stage well…”

“Awesome!” He said like a little kid and grabbed my hand as the music started, pulling me towards the edge of the VIP level with him. Looking we could see everyone and Greg put his arm around me, “Thanks so much for bringing me along, Zoe, this is beyond cool.”

I couldn’t help but smile as I put my head against his shoulder as we watched the show play. After the first set we decided we would rather chill out on the couches and just listen and drink and enjoy each others' company.

“So can I ask what we’ve both been avoiding?” he said looking at me as the last song of the night was being played. I nodded simply for him to continue, knowing what he was going to ask. “What do we do after tonight?”

“I guess we go on with our lives,” I said simply, “I’ve thought about it and I’m just not ready for anything long distance and though it’s been fun being with you and reminiscing I don’t think we’re the perfect match.”

Instead of being disappointed and pouting Greg surprised me by simply nodding in agreement. “I agree,” he said softly brushing my chin with his hand he gave me a quick kiss, “A part of my heart will always belong to you but you’re right. But who knows, maybe we’ll run into each other again someday and it’ll be better timing.”

We walked around for a bit outside until the bus was ready to go. As the guys were finishing with the last of the fans they began to board the bus and I smiled at Greg, “I’ll be seeing you around, Greg.”

“I’ll be seeing you around Zoe,” he said softly and pulled me to him for one of the best kisses of my lifetime. “Goodbye,” he said quietly and walked away from me, leaving me blushing redder than a lobster when I walked up to the bus.

“Who was that?” Pete asked.

Ignoring him I simply grinned like a schoolgirl and responded, “Good night, Pete. See you in the morning,” and went to bed.

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“What the fuck does he have that I ain’t got!?” a drunken Pete asked to an equally drunken Joe on the couch of the bus.

“I don’t know man but it don’t matter much any….more…” Joe said sipping his drink.

Unable to sleep I cracked open my door to hear what they were talking about and I was surprised by the conversation that took place. “I mean. Sure he’s not bad lookin’” Pete slurred, “but I’m not half bad either. Am I?”

“Nah man,” Joe said and leaned over to Pete, “I don’t know what she sees in him. I mean c’mon,“ he said gulping down his beer and grabbing a new one, “we saw the date it wasn’t much special. The restaurant was crap and that stunt in Central Park? Puh-LEASE!”

“True,” Pete said nodding to his friend, “I mean…. I could do…three times better than that.. at least…”

I couldn’t comprehend the betrayal I felt from them as I listened to how they spied on me. At one moment I couldn’t contain it any longer and next I knew I was storming out of my bunks and confronting them. “How dare you!” I yelled at them.

“Zoe!” Pete said, “What are you doing up?!”

“Fuck you Pete!” I yelled again, “What do you think gives you the right to spy on me during my dates on my days off! What the fuck is wrong with you!?”

“Look Zoe,” Joe said standing up.

I gave him an angry stare, “Get out of here, Joe. I expected more from you.” Joe took in a deep breath and grabbed a couple of beers and left to his bunk, leaving me and Pete alone. “Stay the hell out of my life Pete Wentz. You do not have the right to snoop around and follow me and question my personal choices.”

“Zoe, please,” Pete said standing up, his face expressionless.

“No Pete, you crossed a line. Stay the fuck out of my personal life!” I screamed and marched back to my bunks, slamming the door loudly behind me. I tried to take a few deep breaths but was interrupted by a knocking at my door.

“Zoe,” Pete said against the door.

“Go away!” I called out, sitting down on my bunk.

“Will you just fucking listen to me for once?!” Pete said frustrated, banging his fists against the wall.

“No!” I called back, “Why are you so interested in my life anyways?”

“Zoe, please just let me-“

“No Pete! I want to know why I’m so important when you have thousands of girls waiting to jump you any chance they could get but no,” I said taking a quick breath, “you choose to focus on me and I am not interested in what you are offering!”

“Because,” Pete said slowly, “I’m sick of them.”

I paused for a moment and was confused by what he said, “Excuse me?”

“I’m sick of them,” he said, “I’m sick of the ones who just want to jump me. I want to be with you because you’re different from them.” I heard him sigh, “Please Zoe, open the door.”

I waited for a minute and I heard Pete sigh and begin to walk away when I had the urge to open the door, “Pete,” I whispered. He came back quickly looking at me cautiously. “Come in,” I said simply and walked to my bunk and sat down.

Pete sat down next to me and looked down at his feet, “I’m sorry,” he whispered, “You’re right. I shouldn’t have done that.”

“Look Pete-“

“No, now you get to listen,” he said slowly, looking up at me, “I know it was wrong of me but I was so jealous when Pete said you had a date. Joe came up with the idea to follow you but I shouldn’t have gone along but I needed to know. And seeing you guys tonight…. I got so jealous. So I drank. I’m so sorry I violated your privacy but you have to understand,” he paused, “I did it because I genuinely have feelings for you. I’m not just trying to get in your pants…there’s more to it.”

It was a lot for me to take in at once but I couldn’t help but appreciate what he was saying. I brushed his hair out of his face and left my hand against his cheek, looking into his eyes I could tell he was sincere. “One chance,” I said to him, “we’ll give this a shot.”

His face lit up and he kissed the hand that lay against his cheek, “Thank you Zoe,” he said softly.

“I cupped his face with both of my hands, “I have feelings for you too but I can’t get hurt again.”

“I would never hurt you Zoe,” he whispered and kissed me, “Never.”