if it means a lot to you.

Addy couldn't help the soft laugh that escaped her lips. "I was just making sure." She said, a slight grin tugging at the corners of her lips. She had to at least give him a chance. Even if that meant doing exactly what she'd told Vada she wasn't going to do. But she didn't really care about that right now. Josh was a decent bloke, and she didn't see any harm in letting him take her out. It wasn't like she was expecting anything serious to come of it. She wasn't exactly looking for a serious relationship anyway. "And if you are asking me out, I suppose I might say yes."

---

Max chuckled softly. "You're always welcome to take the guest bedroom at mine." He reminded her. He'd told her time and time again that she was always welcome at his flat. Really, the only time he didn't allow it was when he brought a bird home. However, he hadn't done that in quite some time. Not that he would ever actually tell Vada that or anything, because it would only lead to a conversation that he really didn't want to have at that moment. He shrugged his shoulders in response to her later words. "You of all people should know that we say shit like that all the time. It never lasts very long."

@ bilinski.
"Yeah, yeah, just makin sure, alright." he winked, watching her face break out in a grin, which caused him to do the same. He was really excited that she said yes to him. He felt stupid at the same time too, but just because he was so damn nervous. He never got that way around anyone before, so it was a shock to him. "Well then, consider yourself going on a date with the second hottest lead singe in the UK." he joked, smiling like an idiot as he turned around for a second and saw Max and Vada. He rolled his eyes and grinned at Addy. "They're going to freak out when they know, you realize this, right"

---

"I don't want to intrude on your flat, but i might end up here tonight." she said, with a small smile. She wanted to spend the night with someone, and she was really happy it was going to be Max. "We could order some food, watch a movie and talk about tour if you'd like?" she asked, thinking about how fabulous that idea sounded. She laughed at his response and srugged back. "I dunno, you're never coming to me with horrible date fiascos anymore, so i think you're being true to your word." she said, nodding her head towards the door.

Addy smiled. She knew that she wasn't going to hear the end of this once Vada found out that she'd agreed to go out on a date with Josh, but she really didn't care. It didn't change the fact that she wasn't looking for a relationship. It was a date. A date didn't necessarily mean anything. "Should I be honored or something?" She teased, the smile on her face widening into a grin. "Oh yeah, definitely. Vada especially. She's going to go on about this for days."

---

"You wouldn't be intruding, Vada, and you know it." Max told her. She was always welcome at his flat, and he always reminded her of that fact. He never really had a problem with her crashing at his place, so long as he didn't have a bird over and she wasn't doing some major cock-blocking. He hadn't really had any birds over in a while though. Not since he really realized that he had feelings for Vada. He would never come out and tell her that though. How could he? "Maybe I am." He shrugged his shoulders slightly.

[Did you still want to do this?]

@ safe.bet
Hello?

[Since I sucked and never replied, I'm going to time hop so that it's the beginning of Josh and Addy's date.]

Josh looked in the mirror one last time. His beard was trimmed, his hair was messy but looked good, and he was wearing his dark pair of dress jeans with a button up purple checkered shirt, with his sleeves rolled to the elbows. He didn't want to look too overdone, but he wanted to look good and impress her. He never really tried to impress the other birds he's taken on dates before. But, he remembered Vada telling him that she wasn't looking for a playmate, she was looking for romance. And if it was romance she wanted, he'd be sure to give it to her. He grabbed his keys and left his flat, driving across town to Vada and Addy's flat. He was drumming along on the steering wheel to the new Bring Me The Horizon album trying to keep his nerves out of control. When he got up the stairs to their home, he knocked on the door, praying Vada wouldn't open.
--

After talking with Max, Vada realized how much she missed him while he was gone. That cheeky laugh of his, that always caused her to laugh uncontrollably, was one of her favorite sounds in the world. But they were only best mates, nothing else. This is how everyone felt when they were best mates, right? She was at her mum's house, talking with Dan. Dan was trying to tell her about America, when she suddenly blurted out "I think I like Max." It wasn't like she wanted to, it came up almost like word vomit. He looked at her with shock before asking "Wha-" she sighed and shook her head. "I love you and the rest of the lads, but all I really wanna hear the stories about is from Max. I want to see him smile, and laugh and I don't fuckin' know." She was aggravated by her emotions before grabbing her keys and walking out of the room. "I'll talk to you later." Dan was still stunned, just staring at her not knowing what the hell happened. She drove to Max's and rang the doorbell waiting for him to let her in. She looked down at her outfit and hoped she didn't look too much like a bum.

Addy was honestly pretty damn relieved that Vada was spending time with Dan at their mum's right now. She hadn't exactly told her friend that she was going on a date with Josh. She knew that she'd never hear the end of it if she did, there would be way too many I-told-you-sos, and it was just one date. They weren't together or anything like that. It was one date, and that was it. At least, that's what she kept on telling herself anyway. She'd just finished putting on her lipstick when she heard a knock on the door. She slipped on her shoes before heading to the door and opening it. She smiled when she saw Josh. "Hey, let me just grab my bag."

---

Max had been home for about a day now. He'd spent most of the day catching up on sleep and playing Fifa. Josh was getting ready for his date with Addy, who he knew hadn't told Vada about it, and Vada was supposed to be spending the day with Dan at their mum's. And Matt and Chris were doing God knows what. Needless to say, when the doorbell rang, he was surprised. Who the hell was here? He hadn't been expecting anyone. He paused the game he was in the middle of, and stood, making his way to the door. When he opened it, he was surprised to find a rather troubled-looking Vada standing there. "Hey, I thought you were spending the day with Dan and your mum."

@ zima.
When Addy opened the door, he felt his heart race. She looked beyond beautiful. He usually only saw her relaxing around her flat when he went and visited Vada, or the few times they did hang out in big groups. Maybe it effected him even more because she looked good cause he finally sucked it up and asked her on a date. "Yeah, yeah of course." He smiled, looking her over as she walked away. He did a happy dance to himself until he saw her arrive back with her bag. "You look beautiful tonight. You realize you're only going for drinks with the second most fit British rocker, yeah?" He said with a laugh, waiting for her to lock up before he held the door open that lead them down to his car.

---

She looked down at her Iphone while waiting for Max to open up the door, revealing a message from Dan. Dan: What the actual fuck was that, Vada?! When she heard the door unlock, she half smiled up at Max. "Well, then I ended up saying something to Daniel that would set him over the edge, so I ended up leaving. And I didn't feel like going home, because Addy would just rub it in my face." She said, sighing as she rested against the door. "So maybe we could hangout, yeah? Unless you have a bird over, then I'll leave you to her." She smiled, but you could tell the last part of the sentence bothered her. She actually felt jealous thinking the Max would have some other girl there.

He looked good. Really good actually. Addy had never seen him, well, she supposed one would call it dressed up before, but he sure did clean up pretty well. She always had thought that he was attractive, not that she'd ever actually admitted that to Vada because she knew that she'd never hear the end of it if she did, but it was the truth. Josh Franceschi was fit, and she couldn't really deny that fact. She walked back to her room to grab her bag, heels clicking along the wood floor, and appearing back in the foyer moments later. "It's not too much is it?" She asked as she locked up, slipping her key into her bag before exiting the building.

---

Max was surprised to see her there, but happy nonetheless. He never complained about having Vada around. She was one of his best mates, though his feelings for her were obviously more than that. Not that he'd acted on it yet or anything like that. He really didn't know if he ever would. He wanted to, but the whole thing with Dan sort of held him back. "Addy's out with Josh, so I don't think she'd be there to rub anything in your face, but we can hang out. I'm not doing much of anything. Up for a game of Fifa?" He asked with a slight grin, moving out of the way so that she could come inside.

"Not at all." He smiled, holding the door open for her, then lead her to the car, opening the door for her to get in. He felt 17 again. The moment when you ask the girl out of your league out and she actually accepts it and you feel like you had to impress her anyway you could. He didn't know where the night would take them, but he knew he was excited to have her on this adventure with him. "So I booked us a reservation at this cheeky place, then I thought we could just walk around London till whenever?" He wanted to walk over to the observatory to show her the meteor shower that happened later that night, but he wasn't going to reveal everything that was up his sleeve.

---

"I knew they were up to something! God dammit!" She said thinking back to how weird Addy was being ever since the airport yesterday. She smiled when he extended the welcome and let her into the flat. She nodded and smiled "That sounds good." She said happily as she walked over to the couch and plopped down. She felt her phone go off again and she looked at Max. "So, I said something really stupid to Dan. I mean, it's not stupid because it's actually how i feel, but he won't stop texting me about it." She said, picking up the extra controller, but not turning it on so he could finish his current game. "He just thinks he can control this certain aspect of my life and it's just bloody fucking annoying at this point." She ran her hands through her hair and looked up at him the shook her head. "I probably sound like a crazy person."

Addy smiled, slipping into the car. She was honestly really looking forward to tonight. She was surprised that Vada hadn't said anything to her as of late. She knew that she'd been acting strange since they'd left the airport the night before. "Sounds good to me." She said. And she meant that. She was going to make sure to enjoy herself tonight. This was the first date she'd been on in quite some time, and although she sort of was still off on that complex of all guys being wankers, she was pretty sure that Josh was an exception. He had never given her any reason to believe that he was a wanker, and she really hoped that that didn't change.

---

Max chuckled slightly. "Josh asked her out when you two picked the lot of us up yesterday. Don't tell her I told you though." He said. He knew that Addy hadn't wanted Vada to know about the date. Not until after the fact anyway, but he was pretty sure that was only because Vada probably wouldn't let her hear the end of it. "It's about time that those two went out. Josh has fancied her for ages now." He shook his head, thinking about how long he'd been trying to convince his friend to ask the petite brunette out. He closed the door once she was inside, heading over to the couch. He picked up his controller, about to start the game back up, when Vada started telling him what was up with her and Dan. He frowned, able to tell that, whatever it was, was really bothering her. "You don't sound like a crazy person, V. What's going on?"

Josh was surprised Max hadn't told Addy yet or that he hadn't received a text from him. Not that he would respond, but he was expecting one from him since he wouldn't shut the hell up about his crush on Addy. "It better, because I doubt even Alex Turner can make you swoon like I plan to tonight." He winked over at her, laughing as he drove into town. He wasn't the type of guy to try his hardest with a girl. He usually let them chase him. But there was something about Addy that made him actually try. She was just more than another fan of his music. She was more than just some girl. Maybe it was because he never actually thought he'd be going out on a date with her in a million years.

---

"I'm going to kill the both of them. Assholes supposed to be my best friends and shit." She said, shaking her head. "She had the biggest thing for him to, but she tried not to let anyone know her feelings." she said, shrugging as she curled up on the couch. She focused her attention on the Fifa game he was currently playing. "I just, just don't judge me or act different around me or anything, alright?" she sighed before continuing. "So like, I guess since you were gone, I realized how much I missed you around. Not just in like the best friend way." she bit her lip before looking at him. "Addy isn't the only one who fancies one of you lads in You Me At Six. And I guess now that's where Dan comes in with his bitchiness." she said, looking down at her controller hoping she didn't screw her friendship up.

Addy couldn't help the soft laugh that escaped her lips. "Oh, is that so?" She asked, punctuating her words with a raised eyebrow. That was another thing about Josh that sort of made her think that he didn't fit the whole wanker belief that she had: he made her laugh. He was one of the biggest dorks she'd ever met, and every time they'd hung out, really just in a group with the rest of the lads and Vada, he managed to make her laugh. And she liked that a lot. And maybe, just maybe, she liked Josh more than she'd ever really let on in the past.

---

Max chuckled. "Well, keep me out of it. I'm not going to be some sort of an accomplice to this double homicide of yours." He said, shaking his head slightly. He knew that Vada was going to give Josh and Addy shit for not telling her about the date. They wouldn't here the end of it, that he was sure of. "Josh was so stubborn about the whole thing. He'd come up with all of these excuses why he couldn't ask her out. I told him to grow a pair and ask her out already. Finally took my advice, I suppose." He said, shrugging his shoulders. He was glad that Josh finally had. He'd noticed how those two were whenever they were together. They'd be good for each other. "I'd never judge you, V. You know that." He was silent after that, waiting for her to explain what was going on. And, when she did, it took him a second to process what she'd just told him. "Are you...wait a second, you fancy me?"

"That is very so, actually." Josh chuckled and pulled into the parking lot of one of the best restaurants in London and looked over to Addy and smiled. "See, because unlike Alex, he hasn't fancied you for quite sometime, sorry to ruin you daydream." He said with a wicked grin, before running over to her side and opening the door yet again. "Plus, not only have I fancied you longer, I bet I can make you laugh harder. Because I am almost guaranteeing that my nerves will get the best of me and I'll make a fool out of myself. So, you'll at least, by the end, you will have a great story to laugh with Vada about, so I am doing you a great service." He grinned walking her to the door and opening the door and being greeted by the hostess. "Franceschi for two, please." He said, nodding his head towards Addy.

---

"Oh come one! You won't even help me hide the bodies? What kind of best friend are you?!" she asked, pouting before laughing. "Josh is such a child. I bet you he honestly thought she'd come crawling to him. But I guess I got to thank you for the future bridesmaid dress I'll be wearing." She said, obviously joking around. She listened to his comment back and she looked up at him and locked eyes for a second before nodding and laughing. She laughed uncontrollably because she couldn't believe she was telling him that. "Max, I know I'm Dan's little sister, and I know that's how Matt, Chris, and Josh see me. But you see me as Vada. And while you were gone I went on a really bad date and I realized what I want in a relationship and who I want, and it all come down to you. I know I probably just ruined our friendship, but, I really like you, Max. And I can't hide it anymore." she said, looking back down at her nails, trying to avoid his face just in case it went bad.

Addy couldn't help smiling at his words. He'd fancied her for a long time? She didn't know why that surprised her, Vada always told her that he had a thing for her, though maybe it was because she was too stubborn to actually listen to Vada half the time. Her friend had been telling her over and over again that Josh fancied her, but she just didn't want to listen. Mostly because she was still on the whole staying single forever because all guys are wankers trip that she'd been on for quite some time now, but that was besides the point. "You say that like you don't already make a fool out of yourself on a daily basis." She teased, smirking slightly as she got out of the car.

---

"One who doesn't want to end up in jail." Max said. "I'm too pretty for that, V. They'd eat me alive in there." He chuckled, a slight grin tugging at the corners of his lips. "I don't think so actually. I think he realized that she wouldn't, but he was too nervous to ask her. I guess I got through his thick skull finally though." He shrugged his shoulders once more. It was weird how the conversation went from joking to serious in a matter of seconds. And Max was kind of speechless. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Vada fancied him. Her later words took him from his own thoughts. "Have I ever told you that you have a tendency to jump to conclusions?"

"Yes, but, do I make a fool of myself trying to impress you? I think not. Because I just got the nerve to ask you out. Now if you please wait till after the date to pick on me, it would be much appreciated, Miss. Sommers." He said, sticking his tongue out to add to the childishness behavior he was acting on. This felt natural, the joking, the flirting, the weird feeling he had in stomach. When the hostess grabbed menus and lead the way, he instinctively grabbed her hand and lead the way. When he realized what he was doing, they were already at the table, so he just pulled out her chair and then slipped into his. The waitress went over the specials and asked what they would like to drink. "Well, for now, i think we need your best white wine delivered to the table, and I'll have a water as well." he said, looking over to Addy to see what she'd like.

---

"True, that babyface in jail wouldn't last long." She grinned, pinching his cheek playfully. "Me on the other hand, I will be the one with the whole slue of prison wives." she joked, even though she knew she'd be the biggest baby if she even had to step near a prison. "Someone had to, what did you use? A jackhammer?" she winked before looking up at him. He didn't say he didn't like her. He didn't say that he didn't want to be friends anymore. He didn't say she was crazy as hell, he only said that she jumped to conclusions. She ended up tilting her head, like a confused child, before biting her lip and staying silent for a second. "uh....I think you have once or twice before. Probably more. You know how over dramatic I am."

"Pick on you? I made one comment, I would hardly call that picking on you." Addy said, letting out a quiet laugh when he stuck his tongue out at her. She liked how things were going so far. A lot of first dates were awkward and weird but, so far, that didn't seem to be the case with Josh. Maybe it was because she already knew Josh. It wasn't that awkward, weird, getting-to-know-you phase because, for the most part, they already knew each other. She was surprised when he grabbed her hand, leading her over to the table, though she didn't say anything of it. She smiled when he pulled her chair out for her, taking a seat. "Just a water for me too, please."

---

Max laughed, swatting her hand away when she pinched his cheek. "Of course you would." He said, shaking his head slightly. He was pretty sure that they both knew that she'd be the biggest baby even if she had to go near a prison. "I'm not sure that that would have even broken through his skull. It did take me a while to convince him." He told her. Of course he hadn't said that he didn't like her, and he definitely still wanted to be friends with her. He was just sort of shocked by what she was telling him, mostly because it meant that Josh was right, something he really didn't want to admit. "I think over dramatic might be a slight understatement." He said, chuckling slightly. "Why d'you think I wouldn't want to be friends with you anymore, V?"

@ zima.
"Toe-ma-toe, toe-may-toe, yeah?" He looked over the menu before looking back up at her again. "I hope you don't mind that I ordered the wine, and I promise I won't get you drunk tonight." He laughed to himself quietly thinking back on times the group went out and she got drunk. She wasn't a bad drunk, but he always found it kind of cute. Plus she was hysterical when she was drunk. Well that could of been his own booze talking for most of the times. He looked back down at the menu trying to decide on what to get. "Do you want to start with an entree before supper?" He asked looking at the beginning of the menu where the appetizers were.

---

Vada laughed with him as he agreed. "Don't doubt me, Max. I'll write you a postcard in prison and have all my birds sign it." She laughed even harder at that now. Once she stopped, she shrugged and smiled. "Well, I'm happy for them. They're really cute together." She said in a matter of factly tone before she giggled for a second. "It's a Flint family curse, I swear it! You've dealt with Daniel, he's worse than me!" She accused before getting serious again. "I don't know, because when someone admits there feelings it usually just screws up the friendship. People get awkward and they don't want to hurt the other ones feelings. The only way it ever works at is if the other party likes them back." she rambled on, looking back up at him. "Max, you're my best friend and I don't ever want to lose you."

"I think it's the other way around actually." Addy said, a slight grin tugging at the corners of her lips. "I'm pretty sure it's toe-may-toe, toe-ma-toe. She knew that she was being a smart ass right now. She didn't care though. It was all in good fun anyway. "I don't mind at all." She told him honestly. "Oh, so you wait until the second date then? What a gentleman." She teased lightly, letting out a quiet laugh. So far, she was really glad she'd agreed to go out on a date with Josh. Sure, the night was still young, but she was already enjoying herself. That was a good sign, right? She glanced down to her menu, looking it over. There were a lot of different things to choose from. She had no idea what she was going to get. "Yeah, sure."

---

Max chuckled. "So does that mean that you are planning on murdering Addy and Josh then?" He asked. "Because, if that's the case, don't tell me. If I know too much, they might think I'm your accomplice or something." He laughed again. He always had a couple of good laughs when he was with Vada. They were always able to joke around and have a good time. It was great. "I am too." He smiled. "I'm not so sure about that, love." He was teasing her, though, if anything, she and Dan were both pretty over dramatic. He couldn't really decide on who was more so than the other. "How d'you reckon?" He asked her curiously. He hadn't shot her down or anything yet. Hell, he hadn't even told her whether or not he felt the same, and she was already acting like she might lose him.

@ zima.
He put his hands over his head like he was being interrogated by an officer. "Oh excuse me, I thought I was on a date with a journalist from Rocksound Magazine, not the a common sayings officer." He laughed, obviously joking with her. He liked how smart and quick witted she was, she entertained him, also he liked it because it was a sign to him that she was getting more comfortable around him. He sent her a wink when she told him he was a gentleman. "Who says I take people out on a second date?" He asked as if he was being dead serious. Before he could say anymore , the waiter came back with their wine and waters being listing off some specials like salmon and the steak cut of the day. Then he asked if they would like an entrée, so he looked back up at Addy "What sounds good to you? Get whatever you want, I'll eat almost anything." He said with a grin.

---

"You wouldn't even help me plan my escape? Max, what kind of best friend are you?!" She asked, pouting again like a child. "Oh come on! Dannyboy is defiantly worse than me. I'm also the cuter one so I'll always win." She said, acting if that was a solid fact. At this point in opening up to him, she would have left if it was anyone else. She hated letting anyone,even her family, know what she was thinking. Especially when they didn't flat out say anything and made her explain herself. Even though the voice in the back of her head told her to leave she just sat there, letting her emotions get the best of her. "I had a best guy friend in high school before and I liked him a lot and when I told him he told me he didn't feel the same and I refused to date again till college. That's why Dan is so protective of me. As corny as that sounds." She said, thinking back to that time, a tear fell from her eye but she wiped it fast to continue. "When I'm not with you, I want to be. You make me actually wanna tour and sell merch with you guys so I can see you and not like every three months. When I tell you something, I mean every word. You make me laugh and smile more than I ever thought possible. I built these walls so high and from day one you ripped this wall down. I know it took me forever to realize it, but this spring without you guys here was absolutely terrible."