master of anticipation

The past six months had been hectic for Luke, and even then, he felt like that was an understatement. He'd been on tour with his three best friends, promoting the new 5 Seconds of Summer album, and even though he'd always enjoyed the late nights and reckless behaviour, he'd enjoyed getting home and re-energising more. "Feels good to be back." He grinned as he followed Calum, Michael and Ashton off the bus, noticing the FOR SALE sign from the house next door had gone. "New neighbours." He commented, scrubbing a hand over his face tiredly. Jet lag was a hell of a thing, and as much as he wanted to sleep, Luke didn't want to surrender to three pm.

Minnie smiled over at Cailyn as they got things organised for Elizabeth's 21st birthday party. "I can't wait to just let go of school worries for one day." She confessed, setting up some balloons. She and Cailyn had been the only ones of their group of friends to get into college with a Scholarship, and as much as Minnie loved living life, for the moment, she had to love school more, she didn't want to waste an opportunity people rarely had. Still, that didn't mean she couldn't embrace a birthday party, complete with food, music, and friends. "And eat cake."

Michael grinned as he exited the bus, stretching his arms and legs a bit. As tired as he was and as fun as the tour had been, he was looking forward to just relaxing with his friends for a bit before the crash inevitably caught up to him. "You can say that again," he agreed, because, as much as he enjoyed touring, he liked being home, too. Following his friend's gaze, he arched a brow. "Huh. Honestly, I never thought that place would be sold." The FOR SALE sign had been up next door ever since Luke got the place, after all.

Cailyn grinned over at her friend, nodding her agreement. "I know what you mean," she admitted, "Just letting loose for a few hours will feel amazing, I'm sure." Moving over, she set up the gift table, eager for the party to be underway, looking forward to all of them enjoying themselves, especially the birthday girl. She knew that, once the night was over, they'd have to get back to their schooling, especially if she and Minnie wanted to keep their scholarships, but, for now, they could just live a little. "We can pig out on the cake, we deserve it."

Luke dug through his pockets for the front door key tiredly. "If I order Domino's, who's gonna go and get it?" He asked, arching an amused brow at Calum and Ashton. "I vote you two." He pushed his door open, looking back to Michael. "Maybe it's some tycoon millionaire." He suggested to his best friend with a grin - he knew that this neighbourhood was a little pricey, and the money he had earned from touring, album sales and appearances had been put aside to finally buy his dream house, which he had done just a few months before the tour had started, Luke was really glad to be home. "C'mon."

Minnie smiled, making sure everything looked perfect, hearing the doorbell ring. Grinning over at Cailyn, Minnie clapped her hands. "They're hereee!" She smiled in a sing-song voice, going to open the door to let their group of friends in, wishing Elizabeth a happy birthday as she led them through, more people due to arrive during the hour - people they'd met in college, who'd invited some of their own friends along. It wasn't going to be a huge party, but it was a reasonable size, and Minnie couldn't wait to just let her hair down. "Tada! Did we do good or did we do really good?" She nudged Cailyn.

"What? Us two?" Ashton asked, making a joking face but relenting with a nod. "Alright, alright, fine, but only if you order desserts, too."

Michael chuckled as he followed Luke into the house, shrugging slightly. "Who knows?" he mentioned, looking back at the other house for just one more moment, still surprised that somebody had gotten it, before he walked all the way into Luke's house and stretched his arms out, sighing. "Man, I could really go for a nap. Or just some nice relaxation. Just downtime in general would be amazing." He grinned.

Cailyn grinned as she made her way over, quickly joining Minnie in wishing Elizabeth a happy birthday. Seeing everybody enjoying themselves, Cailyn grinned proudly to Minnie. "I think we aced the party," she chimed happily, grinning as she listened to the music, watching everybody enjoy themselves. "We outdid ourselves, even, I'd say. And Elizabeth seems to really love it, which makes it all worth it."

Luke looked to Michael. "A nap does sound pretty amazing." he confirmed, falling down onto the sofa in the open plan living room, stretching his legs and relaxing back into the cushion, frowning as he heard music from next door. "Are they for real?" He asked Michael with a frown. His logical part knew that it was still the afternoon, they were allowed to play music, but still, his tiredness made him a little grumpy.

Minnie smiled back at Cailyn. "We totally aced the party." She grinned. "Elizabeth's happy and everything looks great, now all we gotta do is let loose and enjoy ourselves." She nudged Cailyn happily, nodding her head along to the music. "C'mon, I need food."

Michael yawned, unable to help it, making his way around the house to find a spot in the living room to sit, stretching out a bit as he relaxed. "And well-deserved," he said with a slight grin as he began to relax, only to cringe when he heard the music next door. "Oh, man..." He frowned slightly, peering towards the window. "Should we go say something?" He knew it wasn't quite fair, since it was still so early, but they'd had a long day, a long month, a long year. They deserved some peace.

Cailyn grinned, clasping her hands in front of her face with a proud grin as she nodded slightly. "Go us," she hummed out happily, pleased that they'd managed to make their friend happy and that they'd thrown such a good party. Nodding to the suggestion, she reached to grab her friend's hand. "Right, food!" She grinned before tugging her towards the snack table they'd set up.

Luke sighed, running his hand through his hair, frowning. “I mean, we gotta sleep... maybe we should go and say something.” He nodded. Despite knowing Luke was being a little unfair, he couldn’t help himself. “Come with me? I need back up.” He explained, slipping his shoes back on and leading Michael out of the front door, wondering who would answer next door.

Minnie squealed as Cailyn dragged her along. “You gotta stop doing that!” She gasped. “One day I’m gonna lose my footing and break a leg.” She teased, grabbing a plate for food, frowning as she heard the doorbell. “Did we invite anyone else?” She asked quietly. “I thought this was everyone.”

"Got it, got it, I'm coming," Michael assured as he rubbed the back of his neck, scruffing up his hair a but as he moved to tug his shoes on and followed Luke out of the house and to the neighbor's. "Think they'll actually listen? Or is there the chance they'll just be worse?" He made a face with the thought, staring at the door while they waited.

Cailyn grinned to her friend. "I can't help it, it's food," she joked, though she knew she occasionally dragged Minnie around regardless, just for simple things or exciting things, it didn't matter. Blinking at the sound of the doorbell, she peered over. "Um... Maybe somebody invited somebody else?" Her brows furrowed before she made her way over to the door to answer it.

Luke folded his arms across his chest, ready to let off steam at whoever answered the door. "Hopefully they'll listen if we just explain the situation calmly." Although he paused when a blue eyed beauty answered the door, blinking in surprise. "Uh, hey." He swallowed the lump of nerves in his throat, suddenly finding himself lost in her presence. "I uh, I'm your next door neighbour, Luke, this is my friend, Michael. We were just wondering if you could quieten things down a little?" He asked, suddenly embarrassed for even wanting to ask, although as he looked past the girl to see the interior of the house, everything was so beautifully organised and in place, Luke couldn’t help but immediately recognise she was out of his league.

Minnie went to stand beside Cailyn, blinking as they caught sight of two young men. Looking to Cailyn for a moment, Minnie found her gaze settled on the boy with the scruffy hair, and she felt something rush through her, and she couldn't decide if it was curiosity or something else. "We're so sorry." She spoke softly, looking to Cailyn.

Cailyn blinked several times, stunned by the man before her. He looked tired, worn out even, but he was also the most attractive person she'd ever seen. “Oh, um, sorry, I'm Cailyn, this is Minnie,” she said, blinking as she peered at her friend, then back at Luke. “We were just having a birthday party for a friend. We'll turn the music down and everything.”

Michael watched with surprise, his gaze falling on Minnie, and he stared at her for a long while, shocked and amazed by her. She was gorgeous, in every way, though he cleared his throat. “Sorry, we wouldn't normally ask,” he said carefully, gently, “It's just that we've had a long day of traveling, so we were just… Hoping to relax a bit.”

Luke nodded. "It's nice to meet you both." He smiled, trying not to succumb to his exhaustion, just wanting to use the rest of the day to come down from the high tour provided and settle back into normality for a little while. "We wouldn't normally ask," He repeated Michael's words. "It's just that we're excited to get some rest, you know?" He offered Cailyn an almost apologetic smile, feeling like the worst person in the world for even asking, feeling awful for ruining their fun, wanting to see Cailyn have fun, enjoy herself, and he didn't understand why.

Minnie toyed with her lip apologetically. "Well, we're sorry again." She glanced at Cailyn, still amazed by Michael. "Would you like to come in?" She offered on a whim, looking to Cailyn, not understanding what came over her in that moment. "I mean, you can get a drink or something, as an apology for disturbing you." She offered.

Cailyn offered a small, apologetic smile and nodded slightly. “We understand,” she assured quietly, watching Luke for a few moments, absolutely stunned by him, and she shifted a bit. “If you don’t want a drink, you could always have some birthday cake as an apology? There’s plenty in here. Maybe the sugar would even help a bit?”

Michael smiled slightly as he listened to Minnie speak, enjoying listening to her talk, and feeling guilty for ruining her fun. A part of him wanted to see her have fun, wanted to be there to experience it, despite his exhaustion, and it was that part of him, that drive to be near her, that had him nodding. “I think a drink would be great, if you’re sure,” he told her with a smile.

Luke swore he could of gotten lost in Cailyn's voice, in her eyes, and he wouldn't of cared a single bit. He enjoyed her presence so much already, and he couldn't believe he'd come over to complain. Still, with the invitation, Luke toyed with his lip and nodded. "That would be really great, thank you." He smiled, running a hand through his hair. "But there's no need to apologise." He promised, although he just wanted to feed his curiosity he could feel growing, wanting to know more about Cailyn.

Minnie smiled with Michael's words. "Of course." She laughed, moving to let the boys in. "Come on." She smiled, leading the way to the kitchen. She'd felt awful that their disturbance had kept Michael from resting, but she was glad, in an odd way, because it brought Michael right to her, and she was unsure if she would of met him at a later date or not, seeing as all she really focused on was school. Still, she turned to look at Michael. "Would you like some cake?"

Cailyn grinned with his decision, perking up, eager to really spend a bit ore time with him. She didn’t want to keep him too long, though, since he really did seem exhausted and she didn’t want to get in the way of him resting. “Okay, great, come on,” she said, motioning as she followed after Minnie quietly and quickly. Going to the cake, she went ahead to plate a slice for him as she offered it to him, though she paused. “Oh, I really hope you’re not allergic to anything in the cake.”

Michael smiled with the mention of it, chewing on his lip, his attention completely captured by Minnie. “Alright,” he said with a nod, stepping into the house before he followed after her, peering around the house as they walked. The house was really well decorated, what appeared to be expensive decorations everywhere, and he thought, for a moment, that Minnie was way out of his league. Still, when they reached, he offered a smile. “Sure, cake would actually be really great right about now.” Anything to prolong the time he’d get to spend with her.

Luke smiled at Cailyn, curious about her. Following Cailyn, Luke looked around, impressed by how well the house was decorated, even with a party. How everything had it’s place, how everything was perfectly. Luke didn’t want to be rude and comment, but Luke could already tell that Cailyn was far out of his league. “I don’t have any allergies, don’t worry.” He promised. “Thank you very much.” And although Cailyn captured his attention so easily, Luke felt so underdressed. “This place is beautiful.”

Minnie tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, smiling at Michael as she cut two slices of cake. “I hope you enjoy.” She smiled happily, handing Michael a plate. “Do you need anything else?” She asked gently, watching as Michael he studied the house, hoping he was impressed.

Cailyn smiled and nodded as she went ahead to get a slice of cake for Luke, plating it and offering it to him, though she blinked. “You don't have to thank us. I mean, we disturbed you guys,” she reminded, offering a weak smile, though she peered around. “Honestly, most of the stuff came with the house. You're welcome to visit here any time, though.”

Michael found himself watching Minnie quietly, smiling to himself despite his concern that she was so damn far out of his league. She was kind, considerate, and it made him want to get to know her more. “Thanks. I'm sure I will,” he assured her with a nod before peering around after he took the plate. “Uh… Maybe a tour?” He looked back to her, grinning. “I've always been curious about what this place looks like on the inside.”

Luke smiled and accepted the offered plate, trying to remain as polite as possible. He knew that Cailyn probably came from a family more well-off than his own, but he didn't want to scare the possibilities of a friendship, and getting to know Cailyn more, away by being too boisterous. "Honestly, it's okay." Luke assured. "We were already awake, just ready for a nap." He chuckled. "Been a long few days." But he nodded with Cailyn's words. "Thanks. So, how did you get this place?" Luke asked with curiosity. "It's been on the market for so long."

Minnie looked to Michael, noticing from the corner of her eye that he'd been watching her, and it made her feel a little self conscious - a man as gorgeous as him, focused on her. It seemed out of the ordinary, a little bit. She smiled at him though, laughing with his words, relishing in the sight of his grin. "A tour?" She teased, letting her hair down for a moment, sick of acting proper all the time. "Well, there's not much to show you - house came furnished." She shrugged lightly. "But sure, where do you wanna see first?" She winked.

Cailyn smiled slightly as she listened to Luke, enjoying the sound of his voice, but trying to be discreet about it, not wanting to be too obvious about her growing attraction to him. “I’m sorry - if we’d known, we would have put the party off or had it earlier or something,” she told him, watching him, but she eventually shrugged. “Financial aid, actually. Minnie and I put our earnings together.”

Michael watched Minnie casually, but he was taking in every detail about her that he could, swearing he’d never seen anybody more perfect - he didn’t think it was even possible to be more perfect that Minnie. “Well, we’ve never been inside, so we haven’t even seen anything furnished,” he assured teasingly but he shrugged. “Wherever’s fine. I’m just curious overall. Maybe just a full tour would make it easier?”

Luke smiled with how polite Cailyn was, and he shook his head, half amused. "Don't worry about it, as long as you're having fun, it doesn't matter. Besides, I need to stay awake for as long as I can to keep my sleep schedule going, you know?" Luke tucked a stray curl behind his ear, following Cailyn closely, because the smell of her perfume was something he wanted to get lost in. "That's amazing," Luke nodded, speaking with sincerity. "This house has always been empty, and it seemed like a waste. But at least I've got some cool neighbours now." Luke offered Cailyn a grin then, absolutely smitten with her already.

Minnie laughing with Michael's teasing, looking to him with amusement, taking a moment to just really study him. He had the brightest eyes Minnie was certain she'd ever seen, and she wondered just where he'd been all her life. "Well, how about we start with my room and then we get make our way downstairs?" Minnie took a step towards the stairs then, looking back at Michael. "You coming?" She offered him a smile then, biting her lip as she studied him.