Even though the new marking on her skin hurt a little more, Victoria had the tattoo officially unwrapped for everyone to see. The guys surprisingly loved it, and Rian even high-fived her for getting over her fear. “You should get a tat of ‘ATL’s Merch Chickie,’” he had joked.

“I’ll take your idea into consideration, Ri.” She chuckled.

“Don’t give him false hope.” Jack smirked Rian’s way. “But I just have one question.” He had said while pushing her a bit away from the group of guys surrounding them.

She lifted her brow. “And that is?”

“Did you … uh …” He wasn’t sure if he was being too forward with asking, but he continued as he stared at the questioning look in her beautiful hazel eyes. “Did you get that for―”

“Alex?” She actually started laughing, leaving Jack muddled. “Why does everyone think I didn’t like that song before Alex?”

“Sorry, I just …” He sighed in defeat and stared straight into her eyes, almost trying to burn holes into them. “I really like it.”

“Well, thank you.” She smiled. “Why are you staring at me like that?” She laughed softly with a furrowed brow.

He shrugged. “I don’t know, I like staring at you.”

She chuckled, hitting his cheek a few times. “Your compliments will never cease to not make my day, Barakat.” She shook her head while walking back to the other guys, but not before she muttered, “Both you and Alex have a staring problem.”

---

As nervous as Victoria was about going to the barbeque a few days ago, she tried to make the best of it. She threw on a pair of light shorts and a plaid button-up tank, and then laced up her black Vans before walking off the bus with the guys. She ignored their stupid complaints on how long she took when she literally only took ten minutes; she was already nervous enough. “What about Alex? He takes twenty fucking minutes just to do his hair!” was her excuse.

They headed over to the second lot closet to the venue in Hartford, Connecticut. It was only an hour after the venue closed down for the night and the stars were already out. Seeing as it wouldn’t take that long to get to the next venue the next day, they decided tonight was the perfect night to come together and enjoy themselves.

Lisa welcomed and thanked them for coming when they reached the lot, Victoria spying that Sleeping With Sirens actually had the second lot all to themselves. Of course, since they’re the most famous, she scoffed in her head. As they walked away to join the other bands, Victoria wasn’t sure about the look Lisa gave Alex. Whatever it was, the dark blonde didn’t like it. You’re not with him, remember? She mentally reminded herself.

Luckily, Victoria wasn’t the only girl there. As SWS’ bassist, Justin Hills, handed out food, she got to know We Are The In Crowd’s front woman, Tay Jardine, and one of her favorite vocalists, Jenna McDougall. They successfully made Victoria’s nerves about this night float away and she was actually enjoying her time talking with them around the small fire Tony Perry set up.

“It’s nice to know there’s at least another female around all these blockheads.” Jenna mentioned as the three sipped their beers while staring at the flames trying to lick the sky in front of them.

Victoria laughed. “Calling them blockheads would be an understatement.”

Tay raised her bottle in agreement. “I like the way you think, Vic.”

“I like to think I have a gift.” Victoria took a gulp of her Stella while the two other girls laughed.

“Mind if I share something with you about one of your fellow friends? I need an opinion on it and you seem to be the best to ask.”

Victoria nodded. “I’m all ears.”

“Well, you know, I’ve known your guys for about two years now, and ever since then, I’ve had these … tiny feelings toward your guitarist friend.”

The dark blonde lifted her brow. “Are you talking about Jack?”

Tay nodded, scrunching up her nose in embarrassment. “Don’t tell him, though.”

“Damn, Tay, and I thought you were mine.” Jenna joked, receiving a shoulder shove by Tay.

“You’ll always be my girl, Jen,” the brunette vocalist laughed before turning back to Victoria, “and now Vic is added to the mix too.”

“I’m honored.” Victoria dramatically put a hand to her chest.

“Anyways,” Tay went on, “I just … I don’t know what to do about it. After liking him for this long, I know I should just finally make a move. But I’m so awkward around guys and Jordan, my friend in my band, says I give off the ‘just friends’ vibe when I talk to guys.” She sighed after her long ramble. “Okay, what I’m trying to say is: I’ve seen you a couple times hanging out with Alex and … I don’t know. I know you’re just friends but you guys do that thing―”

“Flirting,” Jenna added.

Tay nodded. “Yeah, flirting.” She then shrugged. “I just wanna know how to do that, and to―I don’t know―appeal to Jack’s interests.”

Victoria sighed. That was definitely a mouthful. She didn’t know exactly how to help Tay, I mean, how does one girl help another girl? The last time Victoria was good friends with another female was … Lisa. And that didn’t end too well. But she was going to make the best of this, seeing as she really did like Tay and Jenna.

“Well,” she stated after thinking for a moment, “you’re very pretty, so you already appeal to Jack’s interests.” She started, making Tay smile big. “And just, talk to him. Always start with talking and nudging him around. I’ve seen Jack with other girls and any kind of flirting he takes as a challenge. Whether it be hardcore flirting with all the touching or just playful flirting like just being yourself and not too forward. Whatever you do, he’ll challenge you and keep on coming back for more once he knows you’re interested.”

Tay’s mouth was left agape. “How―?”

“I’ve been around him long enough to realize this much.” Victoria shrugged.

Jenna gestured to her fellow band member, Matt Best, and he threw her another beer. She tipped it in the air in Victoria’s direction. “We could all learn a lot from this chick.”

Notes

Victoria's outfit
BARADINE!!!<3
It's a love square now instead of a love triangle xD
But guyssssss I'm in a MUCH better mood than I was before! Yay!
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