Dedicated to IndieMoore :)
I'm grinning like I'm on happy pills all the way to Kevin's. The paparazzi had disappeared by the time we'd left the interview with Laura, which Tanya had allowed to go on an extra twenty minutes after we'd assured her we knew what we were doing in blabbering so much.
The sun's out, warming my back through my hoody, and with Emmy's hand in mine I feel invincible. I doubt even telling me our album's gone straight to number one will stretch my smile further. I don't think it's possible to have a bigger grin right now.
I hadn't been expecting Emmy to kiss me in the interview. We hadn't spoken about when or how we were going to let the world know about our relationship, but the more I've thought about it, the better her spontaneous actions seem. It's not like I was enjoying having to keep my distance in public, so sooner rather than later definitely suits me.
I squeeze Emmy's hand and when she smiles up at me it only helps to fuel my positive outlook. My stomach's rumbling, even though we've just eaten, and the thought of a bacon sandwich makes my mouth water.
"Didn't she, Sam? She was all over him."
I blink out of my happy bubble and look behind me to see Ollie holding Vince off of him. It's clear they're in the middle of winding each other up. "What?"
"That Laura. She was well into Vince. She was practically dribbling."
Vince rolls his eyes but there's a hint of a smile on his face. "Oh shut up!"
I smile in response, . "I did spot her checking out the guns."
"Did not," Vince argues, looking to his arms protectively. He hasn't been to the gym properly in ages, so his muscles aren't as impressive as they used to be, but you can still see the outlines of his workouts. "She was too busy writing down all the gossip we spilled."
"She did fancy you though," Ollie says, nodding knowingly. "I could tell."
Vince dives at him again and Ollie has to react quickly to avoid colliding with a bus stop. "Seriously, Ollie. Shut up."
I chuckle at how easy it is to tease Vince. He bites so quickly and it's so fun to reel him in. Emmy sees me trying not to laugh and shakes her head disapprovingly but the tiny smile she's trying to hide tells me she's not all that bothered that we're messing with Vince.
"I bet she asks you in for a photo shoot so you can be the cover star."
A month ago that comment would have swollen Vince's ego to epic proportions but now he doesn't seem bothered.
"I'm into Alex," he declares, his eyes flitting to Emmy. "I don't fancy Laura."
"Get on and ask her out then," Emmy says simply.
Vince's ears go red and I know he's fighting a blush. "I will. In my own time."
"That'll be ages then," Ollie says, earning himself a punch to the arm. "You're such a hypocrite, saying me and Sam were scared to talk to Emmy and Tandy. We all know you have the hots for Alex so just get on and make it official."
Vince stops walking, letting out a sigh almost as if he's about to give up some information he doesn't really want to divulge. "We're going on a date next week actually."
We all stare at him and Ollie mouths wordlessly.
"Yay," Emmy says, breaking out of my hold to hug Vince. "I can help you plan it if you want?"
Vince seems to relax at Emmy's words, like he'd been hoping she'd offer to help him once she found out.
"Good on you," I say once Emmy's hand's back in mine and we're turning the corner to Kevin's. "We can go on a triple date in the future if you manage not to mess up." I feel bad when I see a worried expression cross his features, creasing his forehead and turning down the corners of his mouth. "But I know you'll be fine," I add to try and reassure him.
"Thanks," he replies, stuffing his hands in his pockets and shrugging. "I really hope so."
I'm just about to assure him we were only messing around when I spot something I never thought I'd see. I halt, seeing a queue of people lining the pavement outside of Kevin's.
"Is there some sort of special offer on?" Ollie asks. "Two for one burgers or something?"
I shake my head. "I don't think so."
"They're all girls," Emmy points out. "Look."
She's right. Girls ranging from eleven-seventeen, maybe even older, fill the pavement outside of Kevin's. I'm suddenly aware of the excited chatter filling my ears and as we all start forwards again the noise level seems to increase.
"Oh my God!"
"They're here."
A blonde girl nudges her friend, who turns around to gape up us. "It's Sketch."
"Told you they'd be here," another girl says. "They always come here."
I'm about to ask how she knows this when it hits me. "You're here for us?"
One girl starts fanning her face with her hands when I speak. "This is epic!"
"Can you sign my CD?"
"I love you Ollie!"
I blink at the crowd of girls who swarm us. We're blocking the pavements and people in passing cars are turning to stare at what's going on.
This is how real celebrities must feel, having hoards of fans waiting for them to arrive. For me it's overwhelming and I manage to spend twenty minutes signing things and talking to fans while remaining in a dreamlike trance. It's like I'm having an out of body experience. This didn't even happen when Sketch hit it big the first time.
I keep a close eye on Emmy, refraining from holding her hand until the news about our relationship comes out in Rumoribus. I needn't worry though. She looks to be having as much fun as me, chatting about anything and everything. Ollie and Vince are surrounded by girls flicking their hair and batting their eyelashes. I politely refuse a date and soften the blow with a photograph. I spot Emmy smiling as another girl tries her luck and I'm glad she knows she has nothing to worry about. I don't want anyone else but her.
We finally get into Kevin's once the majority of our fans are gone, but the ones who stay behind we invite to join us for bacon sandwiches, which Kevin gives us on the house; thrilled to bits that most of the girls who'd been waiting for us had been buying food all afternoon.
It's evening before we get back to the flat and when we all pile through the door we're greeted by Tanya and four others. There are rails filled with clothes and boxes crammed with shoes, all of which are brand new still with the tags on. I flip a label over as I pass and raise my eyebrows at the price.
"Where have you been?" Tanya asks, sounding like a mother scolding her children. She doesn't look angry though, just curious.
I leave Ollie to tell the story, only joining in to explain that we'd once listed Kevin's as our favourite place to eat when we'd done a magazine interview and since then fans had been lining the streets almost every day waiting for us to arrive.
Tanya finds this amusing. "So you're my little celebrities."
Emmy smiles. "I guess so. It feels so weird knowing that people know who we are though. It wasn't long ago that I was just Emmy. Now I'm Emmy from Sketch."
"Better get used to it," Tanya says. "I had a phone call from Laura from Rumoribus around half an hour after you all left and she said she'll definitely be back to interview you all again once the album comes out. She even mentioned something about a feature on you Vince."
I turn around to see Vince's eyes widening.
Ollie snorts with laughter. "Told you!"
"What's all this?" Emmy asks, drawing my attention away from the fight that's about to ensue on the other side of the room. Vince really has got to learn to take a joke. "Are we getting free wardrobe upgrades?"
Tanya smiles. "You never know, I might let you pick a couple of things to keep."
"But the real reason you're here?" I prompt.
"So you can pick outfits for tomorrow night."
I blink. "It's the LZ's tomorrow?"
She nods. "I've booked a limo to pick you all up around half five. I thought we'd go out for a meal first, to celebrate."
I grin, the thought of getting to go to a posh meal out and a showbiz event suddenly dawning on me. This could be our life now; fancy meals, designer clothes, celebrity parties.
I don't even complain as I'm lead away from Emmy and over to a rack stuffed full with shirts and jeans.
I grin at the lady holding a notepad before I let my eyes skim over the first few pairs of trousers. "Do your worst," I say. Only then do I realise my smile's gotten even bigger.