Where Do We Go From Here?

I awoke the next morning with an excuriciating head ache and in an unfamiliar area with unfamiliar arms wrapped around my naked torso. I could feel the person stir behind me.

"Are you awake already?" They said and I nodded, yawning in the process.

"I'll go get your clothes, they're probably still on the ground." He said, kissed the nape of my neck, and got up from behind me. I started to remember last night bit by bit. I could feel the soreness between my legs that only meant one thing, along with me being naked.

I sat up, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes and wrapping myself in the blanket that was beside me.

"I brought you some coffee too." Ben said with a groggy smile.

"Oh, thanks." I smiled up at him, unable to look away from his body. I patted myself on the back for going with it and smiled as I sipped on the hot cup of coffee before slipping clothes on.

"Last night was fun." He said with a smirk and I rolled my eyes playfully.

"It was, thanks for letting me hang out and shoot you guys." I said happily. It was a dream to shoot such a well known band, when my friends and family find out, they're gonna be so happy for me.

I felt him lean into me a bit and I looked over to him, still smiling.

"What?" I asked, scared my makeup might be all over my face by now after the events of last night.

"Nothing, it's just nice to be around someone that's not freaking out that they just banged a band member." He chuckled while I blushed.

"I'm not the type to brag about it. Not that I've done this before or anything!" I said in a slight panic and he just laughed

"Good, I don't sleep with fans all too often either." I couldn't tell if he was being sarcastic or not. He never seemed the type to do it at all to be honest.

"I should probably get going." I said and started to get up but was brought back down.

"What's the rush? We can eat some breakfast, we don't leave here until later." He said and it made me feel... I don't know... Special? Most people from a fairly famous band who just hooked up with some random chick would want them out ASAP, he was being very sweet and kind to me and not rushing me out the door.

"Are you sure you want me sticking around? I don't want to be that girl." I said timidly and he shook his head.

"What kind of guy would I be if I didn't feed you first?" He said in a slightly joking manner and I thought to myself the average kind.

"I guess if you don't mind, I really don't want to be a bother." I said as my reserved mannerisms came back to me.

"It's honestly fine." He said and gave my thigh a little squeeze.

We sat in the back, turned on the TV and just chilled until someone came back. A still partially asleep James popped in and looked at us, in slight shock but then smiled at Ben and shook his head.

"It's Becca right?" He asked as he slipped on a shirt and fresh pants and I nodded. "Glad to see you're still here." He said giving me a shit eating grin. I wonder if this was going to happen with all of them.

"Are you hungry?" Ben asked and I nodded, I could feel the emptiness growling in the pit of my stomach. He nodded and got up and left me alone in the back for quite a while.

He came back looking freshly showered and in fresh clothes.

"You ready, love?" He asked and I slowly stood up, feeling all the aches in my body as a result of last night.

We walked off the bus into the harsh sunlight and the brisk air. I started to shiver a bit and Ben looked over at me.

"Do you want a jacket?"

"I think I'll be okay, just didn't expect it to be so chilly." I half laughed and he shook his head before dashing back into and out of the bus.

"Here." He said and wrapped the signature AA insignia black hoodie around my shoulders and I smiled.

"Thanks."

It still felt a bit awkward to be hanging around with Ben Bruce... The guy I slept with completely out of lust and drunkenness.

Was it out of complete lust? This didn't feel like it.

We had started walking to a nearby diner in silence other than the occasional passing car.

We got there and got seated and he looked at me with a smile.

"Why do you keep smiling at me?" I asked as I sipped my second cup of coffee, glancing back and forth from the menu to him.

"You're just so cute." He chuckled and shook his head with a smile causing me to blush.
The waitress came over and took our orders and menus.

"So, what do you do besides take photos, miss Becca?" Ben said and a slightly sultry tone.

"Drink, go out once in awhile, play games and attend the occasional concert. How about you Mister Ben, what do you do besides amaze the world with your music?"

"I read a lot actually." He said. It was an answer I surely didn't expect.


Gradually throughout our breakfast together, we got to know each other. I learned things about him that I really didn't expect. In everything I've seen online, he seemed like the usual party boy who liked to get all the girls and get drunk all the time and just have a grand ol' time but he definitely wasn't a complete party boy.

"How can a girl like you be single? You are literally perfect. You drink whiskey, are sexy as all hell and are up for nearly anything." He said as we finished our meal and I shrugged.

"I have just never had a real connection with someone in a while. It's been about just sex for a few years now." It wasn't the honest truth, I wasn't into serious relationships after my last one... he broke my heart and I haven't wanted to go through that since then.

"I get that. Ever since my divorce is been about getting the girls, no bs relationships. I loved her too, thank god we aren't on bad terms." He started to ramble.

"Yeah. that's good you guys didn't end on bad terms. It sucks that it happened but sometimes people are better off friends, ya know?" I said as we got up to leave. I began to pull out my wallet and he pushed me aside slightly.

"Don't even. I'm paying my half." I said and he glared at me but taking my ten dollars and combining the money to give to the cashier.

We walked out of the establishment and began talking deep again.

"Do you believe in love at first sight?" He asked and I pondered it for a second.

"Honestly, no. I think people see someone they lust after and see them as 'the one' but love at first sight is such a cliche to me." I said honestly and he nodded but said nothing.

We soon arrived back at the bus and could hear that more people had awaken as soon as we stepped through the door.

"She's still here? Damn Ben." Sam said with a laugh.

"She's a nice gal." He laughed in response and pulled me closer to him. We sat down with them and watched some TV show but I was more interested in their conversations, staying quiet most of the time.


It had soon become late evening and closer to the time when these guys would have to be heading off. I had called a taxi to bring me home and was waiting outside for it.

"Can I get your number? I'd like to have you shoot for us again if that's okay." Ben said as we sat on the curb and I gave it to him, seeing no harm in it. Publicity from a well known band is good. Maybe through this, I'll be able to get out if this godforsaken state.

I watched the dark cab pull up and I rose as it pulled closer to us.

"I guess I'll be seeing you." Ben said, looking down at the ground; like a child saying goodbye to their best friend after an amazing day together.

"Yeah, let me know where to send those pictures, okay?" I said a bit too professionally.

"Yeah, I'll do that tonight." He smiled softly and I gave him a quick hug.

"Thank you for last night and today. It was great to get to know you guys." I said happily.

"My pleasure. I hope we get to see each other soon." He said and I smiled and climbed into the taxi.


That's where the short story of us had ended. I didn't see the boys for quite a while. I had gained a decent following with the images they all posted of that night. I had kept up with Ben often through text and went on with my normal life; shooting local bands, weddings and peoples pets during the holiday seasons.

It wasn't until Warped Tour of the following year that things really kicked off and got interesting.

Notes

It's been a rough week and trying to write this has been near torture. I've written and rewritten it at least three times so I hope it's good.

Love you all, hope you're all well and having a good day/night <3

~Becca xx