Chapter Text
She walked around the city trying to kill time until checking in at the hotel. She caught her reflection in the glass of a building she passed. Christ, she needed to brush her hair. She knew she had a hair brush in the tote she was carrying but didn’t necessarily think brushing her hair in the reflection of a building in busy Brisbane city was a good look. For some reason, she prided herself on being a hot mess. To her it made her seem more real. Three dimensional.
Checking the time on her phone, she realised that she still had about an hour and a half to waste before her and her best friend could check into the hotel they planned to stay in. It wouldn't be half bad if her friend was with her killing time too. Though they had planned that April would check in and Nora would meet her there once she was able to get out of her mum’s house. They’d had a family dinner, a rare occasion but Nora hadn't seen her family in over a month. April had been invited too, of course, though she didn’t feel like imposing on a real family dynamic. She wasn't even sure what that looked like or how you're supposed to act.
She just went to put her phone away when she bumped into something hard, and tall. Looking up she realised she’d bumped into a man. He was tall. And handsome, dark hair, beard and eyes. She recognised him as Ross from the band she and Nora were set to see play tonight. “Oh god, I am so sorry” she rushed out. “Don’t be, my mistake, I wasn’t looking where I was going” he said with an accent. British guys made her silly. She smiled at him and started to walk away. He stopped her with a gentle hand on her arm. “I’m sorry to bother you, but you wouldn’t have an idea where to get some good coffee? My mates and I might go crazy if we don’t caffeinate soon.” It was then that two other tall men appeared behind him. “I’m Ross by the way, this is Adam and George” he motioned to the men behind him, who waved and smiled. They, too, were tall and handsome. George, taller than both Adam and Ross, had a bleached buzz cut, soft features and dark eyes. He was beautiful, they all were really, but there was something about George that made her breathing hitch. He was always her favourite. She quickly cleared her throat.
“April, and sure, I know a place not far from here” she said, sticking her hand out for Ross to shake. He did. She wasn't sure when she started being the type of person who shook hands. It was like she woke up one day and had just suddenly become an adult. It made her sick if she was honest.
“So if you head that way” she said gesturing with her hands, “Just past Elizabeth street, there’s an alleyway and in the alley is this cafe called Bean.” She’d been there a lot with her friends when she was still in high school, it had a good vibe even then. She looked up at Ross then and saw that he hadn’t followed a single thing she’d said. She chuckled, “I can show you if that’s easier.” He sighed with relief and said “Oh thank god, I would definitely get us lost.”
As she walked with them to the cafe, she told them she knew who they were. “You know, I know who you guys are, I’m seeing your show tonight with my mate.” Ross looked surprised when he said “No way, you didn't give that away at all, you barely reacted! I’m so not used to that.” She smirked, “Yeah because I'm trying to act really cool. Guess I outed myself though, didn't i?” They laughed at that with Adam chiming in “Nah it just means you've got great taste in music. We are the best band in the world after all.” She chucked at that as they approached a red door, “Can’t argue with that. Here you are.” She motioned to the door, showing them that they've arrived at the cafe. “Thank you so much, you really are a lifesaver,” Ross emphasised, making her laugh. “You’re very welcome, get caffeinated!” she said as she stepped back to let them enter the building.
“Surely you’ll join us for a coffee, right? Now that we've made you walk all this way?” the deep voice coming from George asks. All three men look at you expectantly, awaiting your response. “Okay, but you’re buying” she shrugged with a smirk. All of them now entered the cafe, each reciting their order to the barista. Once they all received their coffee, they sat in the far corner of the cafe on two couches facing each other. April sat next to Adam, George and Ross sat across from them. As they drank their coffee, they talked and laughed. She found them all incredibly nice and funny, and they seemed to think she was funny too. They laughed at all of her jokes. One thing about April was that she loved an audience.
Ross’s phone buzzed, halting the conversation. He checked his phone announcing, “Matty’s awake and on the hunt for coffee, I’ll drop him a pin, see if he can find us.” He fiddled with his phone for a second before slipping it back into his pocket. April was nearing the end of her coffee so she spoke, “Well, I should leave you guys to it then” moving to get up, not wanting to overstay her welcome. “Don’t be silly, you have to meet Matty, he's going to think you’re hilarious,” Ross laughed, with a hand on your arm he stopped you from going anywhere. “Oh yeah, you two are going to get on like a house on fire,” Adam said, “I can see it already.” “Okay, well I guess i’ll tell you the story of my first ever period while we wait,” she started, looking at the slightly horrified looks on the guys faces, she burst out laughing, “I’m joking for fuck’s sake.” They all broke down laughing then, unable to stop themselves.