One Hundred Sleepless Nights

I sit, twiddling my thumbs and waiting for the boys to get here. Noticing my distress, Katelynne quickly pours me two shots of Jack Daniel's. I take them, throwing one back after another, automatically regretting it as the alcohol burns my throat. Katelynne's phone rings, All My Heart playing from the small speakers. She grabs it off the coffee table and her eyes dart back and forth as she reads the words on the screen. "They're heading up! Essence, go into the bedroom until I tell you to come out and whatever you do, don't mess up your hair or makeup!" Katelynne exclaims, rushing me into the other room. I stand, nervous as to what Vic will think about my appearance. I listen as Kellin and Vic greet Katelynne. "You look beautiful, baby!" Kellin exclaims, and Vic says, "You look really pretty, K. Now where's my girl?" She giggles, and says, "Hold on, let me go get her. But, before you open your mouth, Kellin, let Vic speak. Essence is his girlfriend." I hear her footsteps coming towards the bedroom, and the door opens. "Okay, they're ready for you!" she exclaims, grabbing my hand. "Do I look okay?" I ask, my voice shaking. She scoffs, and says, "Okay? You look better than okay, honey. Now, I'm gonna walk out, and after I announce your name, walk out." I roll my eyes and laugh at her theatrics as she walks out and declares, "Introducing Vic's girlfriend, Essence!" I take a deep breath, and step into the living room, looking down at the ground. When I step into clear view of Kellin and Vic, I look up at them, and whisper, "Hey." Katelynne automatically pulls her phone out and starts snapping pictures of me, grinning. I look at Vic nervously, who is standing there silently. "Sorry," I whisper, because he's clearly disappointed, but he doesn't hear. "Wow, you look....wow," Vic says, quietly, as if he can't speak. Kellin laughs, and retorts, "Fuck, Vic, just say it. She looks fucking hot." Katelynne smacks him playfully, then lays a big kiss on his lips, leaving red lipstick behind. Vic smiles, and walks over towards me. "I couldn't have said it any better myself," he softly speaks, sending chills down my spin. Then, speaking in a louder voice, he says, "So I'm guessing that Katelynne already told you about the party, so I got you a different surprise." He grabs a long black box off of the coffee table, handing it to me. I open it, and gasp in shocking delight. "It's gorgeous!" I declare, kissing him quickly on the lips. "But I can't accept it, it probably cost you a ton," I say, giving the box back to him. He frowns, hands it back to me, and says, "No, I want you to wear it tonight, for the party." Vic carefully pulls the diamond necklace out of its box, and moves my hair away from my neck, clasping the string of jewels around my neck. I automatically take the necklace Katelynne bought me off, and look
at her, pleading for forgiveness. She nods, smiling. I turn back to Vic, and hug him, squeezing tight. He kisses the top of my head, and Katelynne says, "Hey! Don't mess her hair up!" We all laugh, and Vic pulls away, grabbing my hand in his. Kellin checks his watch, and says, "We better go, the limo and the boys are waiting." I smile as Vic opens the hotel room for me, still grasping my hand. I walk carefully, not wanting to break one of my new six inch heels. Kellin does the same for Katelynne, and we get into the elevator, riding it down to the lobby. Vic opens the exit doors as well, and then opens the limo door for me. Before climbing in, Vic hands Kellin his phone, and asks, "Can you please take a picture of Essence and I together?" Kellin nods, and motions for us to get close together. I smile, and Vic puts his hand around my waist, pulling me close to his side. Kellin takes the picture, and hands Vic his phone. We climb in, and Vic messes with his phone for a few minutes, his other hand not leaving mine. He turns his phone off, smiles, and puts it in his pocket. He kisses me on the cheek, and says, "The band wants you to take a picture with everyone at the party tonight, and then that's how we'll tell the fans you're my girlfriend. We'll post all of the pictures on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and Instagram. Is that okay?" I nod, and smile. "Sounds perfect," I reply. He squeezes my hand, and says, "We're here. Ready?" I nod, squeezing his hand as well. We get out of the limo, at the back entrance of the club. We get inside, the door leading to a backroom in the club. No one except Vic, Kellin, Katelynne, and I are in the room. "I wonder where the guys are," Katelynne comments, and Vic and Kellin exchange a knowing look, looking absolutely fabulous in their club attire. Suddenly, I'm lifted up by someone behind me, and I squeal, knowing everyone can see the lacy underwear that's underneath my short tight dress. Mike laughs, and says, "Your girlfriend wears hot underwear, Vic." I laugh self consciously, and say, "Put me down, Jaime!" He laughs, and puts me down, saying, "Well, everyone knows that you wear sexy lingerie now. By the way, you look hot." I laugh, and flirtatious respond, "You don't look half bad yourself." I look over at Vic, who is blushing a deep red color. "Jaime, please don't ever show everyone my girlfriend's underwear again." Tony laughs, and comes over and hugs me. "It didn't bother me, baby," I tell Vic, after Tony lets go of me. Vic laughs, and grabs my hand. "Ready to take a picture with the band, and then one with Katelynne and Kellin?" I say,"Sure, but I also want one with just you and I, and one with just Katelynne and I, if that's fine." Vic nods in agreement, and Vic puts his hand around my waist, tosses his phone to Kellin, and motions for Mike, Jaime, and Tony to come stand with us. Mike automatically walks to my other side, throwing his arm around my shoulder. Tony stands over on Vic's other side, and Jaime moves to Mike's other side. Kellin tells us to get closer together, and Mike and Vic scoot closer, squeezing me between them. Kellin takes the picture, and Katelynne says, "My turn, boys. Vic, you better send me these pics." The guys move and go stand by Kellin while Katelynne puts her arm around my waist and I put mine around hers. Kellin takes the pic, and then Mike asks to take a picture with me. He comes over and puts his arm around my shoulders. Right before Kellin takes the picture, Mike turns his head towards mine, and plants a kiss on my cheek. Everyone bursts into laughter except Vic, Mike, and I while Kellin takes the picture. I pull back after Kellin says, "Done," and exclaim, "Mike!" He smiles, innocently. "What?" he asks, just as Vic laughs. "It's fine, Essence," Vic says, smiling. Next, Kellin takes pictures of Tony and I and Jaime and I. Then, Vic takes a pic of Kellin and I together. Finally, Katelynne takes a picture of Vic and I together, in the same pose Mike and I were in. I look at the picture and smile as Vic takes my hand in his, and says, "Lets go out to the party now. There are some people I want you to meet." I nod, and follow him out into the main part of the club.