No Faith in Brooklyn

Rhiannon’s Perspective

After we finished eating, we drove around town and talked about everything. What we’d been up to since high school, where we wanted to go next. He confided in me that he was afraid that his fans wouldn’t like the new album.

“Alex, that’s crazy! They’ll love whatever you guys come up with, and if they don’t, they’re not your fans,” I’d told him.

He’d appeared equally as shocked as by my words as I’d felt in saying them. But I couldn’t deny how amazing his music was.

“Thank you.” He’d averted his gaze to the road.

At around 10 PM, he took me home, and I smiled all the way up the elevator to my room.

--

The next day, I was back at the coffeeshop, when the bell over the door jingled and Alex strolled in.

“Hey, stranger.” I grinned.

“Hey.” He smirked back. “What time do you get off work?”

“Same time as yesterday, cowboy.” I handed a customer their drink.

“Right. Do you wanna come down to the studio with me? It’s our second week of recording.”

I sighed.

“I don’t know if I should. I’d only get in the way.”

“Rhiannon, come on. You could be our good luck charm!” He smirked.

I sighed again, this time, in resignation.

“Alright, alright. I’ll come.”

“Great! I’ll pick you up at your place at four.” He left without ordering anything. What a weirdo.

--

Alex picked me up at four PM sharp, but this time, I just went down and got into his car. We got to the studio and went up in the elevator. When we got there, before I could take in the main room of the studio, I was tackled by someone.

“Rhiannon!!!!” I heard a shrill male voice scream that could only belong to Jack Barakat.
“Hey Jacko!” I laughed, hugging him back.

“When Alex told us he ran into you, none of us believed him, but he wouldn’t shut up--” Jack rambled, but Alex gave him a dirty look.

“Jack, shut the fuck up,” Alex said through his teeth.

“Aw, you talked about me! That’s adorable!” I ruffled Alex’s hair. He glared at me and swatted my hand away.

“Rhiannon, hey!” Rian beamed, coming out of the booth, drumsticks still in his hand.

He hugged me tightly.

“Hey Ri.” I smiled at him. “Where’s Zack?”

“Oh uh...he’s...uh….not here,” Rian said awkwardly.

I turned around and gave Alex a look, but he was avoiding my gaze and scratching the back of his neck, messing up his hair. He finally met my gaze.

“Rhiannon, do you want to go for a walk?” He asked.

I glanced at Rian, who nodded.

“Sure.” I followed Alex out.

We walked for a bit and then he turned to me.

“Don’t be mad…” He studied my expression, his brown eyes wide with worry.

“What is it?” I asked, my stomach churning.

“Zack...he-he’s not too forgiving. When you hurt him, or hurt someone he loves, it takes a while for him to come around.”

“So, what does that have to do with me?” I asked dumbly.

“He’s still angry at you for what you did to me,” Alex admitted. I tried to cut in, but he put his hand up. “I’m not angry anymore. But Zack isn’t as willing to forgive and forget.”

“What about the other guys?” I almost dreaded the answer.

“Rian and Jack knew you before they knew what you’d done. They’ve forgiven you too.” He tucked a lock of hair behind my ear.

He leaned in slowly, his brown eyes drifting shut. Our noses brushed and his breath drifted through my slightly parted lips, tasting like cinnamon.

“ALEEEEEEEEXXXXXX!!!!” I heard Jack yell, making us both start and recoil from each other.

“Dammit,” Alex hissed through his teeth, and we grudgingly went back inside.

Notes

Title: Here In Your Arms, Hellogoodbye

Ooooh they almost kissed!

Thanks to alltimelxws for commenting!

comment/rate/appreciate!

xoxo

Hayley