Everything Better Plan

“I'm so excited you're here!” Jack exclaimed, grabbing Olivia's attention and pulling her from her daydream, she'd been examining the place, imagining Jack darting around behind the bar on a busy Friday night; the four boys performing on the small stage, just having fun whilst the regulars cheered enthusiastically; she imagined them sat around a table in the corner, drinking and laughing for 4 years, without her. The thoughts made her smile, but she also felt oddly left out, which she didn't really have a right to, but she did regardless, “I reserved us a table right at the front,” Jack continued, turning and pointing to the table he was referring to.

“Front row seats,” Alex joked, nudging Olivia lightly, laughing. She forced out a giggle but she couldn't shake whatever it was she was feeling. “Are they on their way?” Alex asked, his attention now turned to Jack. Jack walked towards the bar where a young guy with floppy hair and a beanie was serving drinks, Alex and Olivia followed suit. Jack removed the beanie in an attempt to annoy the teenager, who rolled his eyes in response.

“Uhh, yeah, you guys want anything?” Jack asked, handing the beanie back.

“Nah, I'm driving,” Alex responded, both him and Jack then looking at Olivia expectantly.

“I'll have a spiced rum and coke please,” Olivia responded, reaching into her bag to find her purse. She needed something to calm her nerves.

“No, no, no, no,” Jack shook his head at her as he slipped around the teenage boy quickly pouring her drink and handing it to her, “No,” he repeated, sternly, glaring at her purse which was now in her hand.

“Bu-” she began but he quickly cut off but placing a finger over her mouth, which, had it not been Jack, probably would of freaked her out.

“Noooo, you're with me, you don't pay,” Jack emphasised, before holding up a finger to indicate he'd be right back and running off somewhere. Olivia furrowed her eyebrows towards where the black haired boy had once been standing.

“Oh, yeah, he's like assistant manger of this place,” Alex answered her unasked question, “It's kind of a big deal, the owners retiring soon and Jack thinks he's gonna have the place signed over to him because the owner hates his real son, or some shit, I don't know,” he rambled, running a hand through his hair.

“Isn't that a plot line from Horrible Bosses?” Olivia questioned jokingly, listing her gaze to meet the taller boy whilst taking a sip of her drink. Alex shook his head and chuckled. He was about to counteract her witty remark with something probably less funny and intelligent when they were interrupted.

“Hey, we finally made it, muscle man couldn't find a parking spot -” a familiar, frustrated voice grumbled. Alex stepped aside and turned to face the intruder, effectively revealing a mock-angry Rian Dawson, gesturing to an eye rolling Zack Merrick. Both of who stopped still at the sight of Olivia, eyes wide. Rian raised a questioning eyebrow, whilst Zack tilted his head slightly, as if not sure if he was seeing correctly. “Wait, what?” Rian interrupted himself. Alex laughed at the guy's responses, feeling much less conscious about the way he had reacted a couple days ago. “Olivia?” Rian's eyebrows were furrowed deep as he stared at her whilst Zack remained silent.

Olivia couldn't help but grin, their expressions were priceless, “Hey,” she responded, waving with her free hand.

“What the fuck is going on?” Rian exclaimed before pulling her into a tight squeeze, not really expecting an answer. Olivia laughed and hugged him back with her free hand, holding her drink so as not to spill any on him. She felt him place a kiss on the top of her head, but couldn't see him pulling a 'what the fuck' look at Alex, who just shrugged.

The two looked soooo different, yet so great. Rian no longer had a buzz cut all over his head, his hair was about the length of Alex's now and it suited him a lot better; his arm's were huge and covered in tattoos, but his gleaming white smile hadn't changed at all. Zack was also super muscular and covered in tattoos, she remembered in high school his hair was super floppy and curly – although he'd flat iron the crap out of it – and dyed super dark, but now it was a nice, short length and a more natural dark brown colour.

Rian pulled away, continuing his rant about parking whilst Olivia embraced Zack, “I can't believe you're here,” he said to her, his voice quiet – just like she'd remembered.

“I know, me neither,” she pulled away, her smile reaching her eyes and she met his gaze. He was shaking his head in disbelief, smiling back at her.

“Okay, we're all here,” Jack stated, breaking up the moment he clearly hadn't realised the group were having, “We're up after Jenny,” he said, gesturing the older woman currently on stage who was doing a not-so-successful rendition of One Direction's classic 'That's What Makes You Beautiful', but the crowd were cheering her on regardless. The whole place had such a wonderful, positive attitude Olivia couldn't help but smile as Jack led them over to their table, it was the type of place Olivia would love to spend her free time. “Okay, Livvy, get ready to witness greatness – 4 years on,” Jack announced in a movie trailer style voice. The four boys went to the side of the stage where Jack and Alex picked up their guitars and Zack his bass. The crowd cheered as the lady who's name was announced to be Claudia finished off her song and a man to the other side of the stage with a microphone announced up next was Baltimore's very own All Time Low. The audience boomed with cheering and excitement as Rian made his way to the drum set already set up at the very back of the stage and the other three men took their usual places at the front of the stage.

Olivia felt her heart racing, she felt like she was 16 again, it was exhilarating. Of course it was much more toned down than the types of venues she had been used to seeing them perform at, but it still felt exciting and important. She wondered if she'd remember any of the songs they played, or even any of the words, she was overcome with emotion before Alex had even finished adjusting the height of his mic.

Notes