The suite above the lobby of Charming is pitch black, save for the one light filtering through the refrigerator in the kitchen and the soft glow from the flat screen in the living room.

Bubba is laying on his pillow in the corner.

"Grandpa," Gypsy says at 9:21, nine minutes from Matty and Justin and this gosh-darned tattoo. "What are you doing up?"

"Lord'a mercy," Willie jumps because he did not hear his granddaughter at all; she'd been in her room to his knowledge and he was sure she was asleep. "Jesus; didn't hear you come in, Gyps."

"Grandpa," Gypsy chuckles, fist on her hip, "it's late."

"For who, Gyps?" He laughs, digging around for the last bit of peach cobbler that he knows Sissie's hidden from him in the back of the fridge.

"It's after nine, grandpa," she says as if he didn't know what time it was considering he'd been watching television since seven, and while his wife's out and his granddaughter's been so quiet he could afford a bit of alone time.

"Why don' you put me in a home, already?"

"Grandpa..."

Willie turns around and sees Gypsy, now. In the darkness and over the tops of his reading glasses, he makes out her usual outfit of jean shorts and some shirt that's black tonight and has got some band's name on it. The shirt, she's turned into a tank-top by rolling up the sleeves. "Gypsy," he begins because by the glow of the television he can see that her eyes are outlined a little darker than usual and she's got a reddish tint on her lips. "Well, well, my traveller girl, you're lookin' mighty beautiful tonight."

Gypsy blushes and Willie can tell she's flattered although he can't exactly see her cheeks turn a brighter shade because it's dark after all, and the television and refrigerator together don't throw substantial amounts of light. "Grandpa-"

Willie's found the cobbler and he's cutting it on the counter. "Where're you headed to, darlin'?"

"The Strip," Gypsy lies because she has no clue where she's headed. She barely knows the people she's going out with.

Dear god, Gypsy is hanging out with strangers.

What has my sad, pitiful life become? She wonders dramatically.

Ashton's going to get one hell of a kick out of whatever this story is sure to be.

"Sounds fun," her grandpa nods because unlike her mother, Willie wants Gypsy to get out and explore since that's all she'll be doing in college, anyway, and he'd like her to be at least a little prepared for the world on her own. He pulls a knife from one of the drawers. "Who're you hangin' out with?"

Bubba raises his head and stares at the cobbler.

"Justin and Matty," she replies honestly, so if anything happens, at least her grandpa'll know who to blame and hopefully they'll be able to point him in the direction of her body.

"Pattie's boy and the cook?"

Gypsy chokes on a laugh. "Yes, Grandpa. Those two exactly."

"Well, have a good time, Gyps," Willie nods. He's searching for a spoon, now. "Don't be out too late, y'hear?"

"Loud and clear, grandpa," Gypsy nods, and she bends down to pet Bubba before rising to stand. She's fumbling in her back pocket for her cell phone because soft chimes are alerting her to new texts.

It's 9:26 and Justin's sent her a message.

Ready?

Sheesh, Gypsy sighs, because technically, she's got four-count 'em-four minutes to spare. "Someone's eager."

But, Gypsy first pulls her hair into a high ponytail and then types, Coming down now, to the boy who has got to be way more excited than she about the ink about to stain her body.

Oh, the irony.

Gypsy grabs her purse ands slings the cross-body over her shoulder so 'Sleeping with Sirens' is still visible across her chest. She doesn't even think of grabbing a sweater. "See you, Grandpa!" She calls, grabbing onto the front door.

Willie is already making his way back to his armchair. "Have fun, ma cher."

And like that, Gypsy is gone.

She locks the door behind her and looks over the railing and into the parking lot, where Matty and Justin are already standing, laughing together beneath street lights.

Gypsy grins and hurries down.

Gypsy's high tops are moving fast and then faster down the stairs, despite the heat because-well, it's funny, really.

She's excited.

She's nervous and scared and hesitant but she's also eager. It's been quite the while since Gypsy has actually gone out, especially at night, mind you, and although she isn't always the quickest to show it, she really does enjoy both Matty and even Justin and-She slows her jog and grabs onto the rail because a familiar, tall figure is emerging from Charming's lobby.

"Harry?"

Gypsy's toes touch the bottom step and she's face to face with none other than Harry Styles. He's just stepped foot from the lobby because he's been looking for Gypsy and expected to find her at the front desk.

"Well, well," he says because he's grinning and taking her in-he's running his green eyes over this late-night Gypsy and he's absorbing the way those slanted eyes are darker tonight thanks to the new kohl she bought with her grandmother in The Venetian that she hadn't yet had any particular reason to use-because really, who is she trying to impress at a motel desk?-and her lips are pretty and prominent and crimson, again, thanks to Dior Cosmetics in The Grand Canal Shoppes. "Someone's lookin' mighty fit tonight."

Harry grins and sticks his tongue in his cheek and folds his arms across the button-up that's only halfway buttoned; she gets an eyeful of random tattoos. "Where're you headed, Gypsy-Gyps?"

Gypsy laughs at this nickname because it's so Harry. "I'm uh-" She pauses and sighs and takes a deep breath because her mind hasn't exactly processed this whole thing yet, "I'm getting my first tattoo."

And Harry's eyes are wide as he throws his head back and smiles with teeth and those dimples are very much on display because Harry Styles cannot believe this new development. "Fan-say," he says, pushing the hair that's super long and super curly and super voluminous from in front of his eyes with fingers decorated with rings.

"And where are you getting this tattoo, might I ask," Harry continues, falling into stride beside Gypsy as she continues on towards the two waiting for her in the lot.

"Don't know," Gypsy shrugs. "I'm uh-I'm kind of just, uh...I'm along for the ride," and a little giggle escapes Gypsy's lips because Harry's eyes are wide and his lips are slightly pursed.

"You look so confused," she says.

He nods, "Quite possibly because it seems as though you're fitting to get a tattoo from a homeless bloke in an alley."

Gypsy laughs aloud, and both Justin and Matty turn because there's no mistaking that laugh.

"Well, well, well," Matty grins. "Gypsy, Gypsy, Gypsy..."

"I'm going with them," Gypsy tells Harry after a wave to the two boys who are both, coincidentally dressed in black-Justin in his t-shirt and very low-hanging jeans and Matty in his skinnies and button-up and leather jacket Gypsy can't quite understand how he's wearing without passing out because it's got to be in the low nineties tonight.

"Matty knows a place and that's where we're going," she says, and Harry nods although he's staring at Justin.

Justin does not notice because he's smiling at Gypsy. "Way to show up," he says.

Gypsy scoffs. "Thought I wouldn't?"

"I dunno," Justin grins. "I was sure you'd chicken out, not going to lie," and Matty giggles and licks his lips, his tongue lingering in the corner of his mouth, "We've been wagering on whether you'd decide to be scared of the lift on over, or the needle," he says.

"Nice to know you both had such faith in me."

Justin's smirking although he's honestly just happy she's here. "What can I say? I'm a believer."

"Thanks Justin," Gypsy groans, and then because she's forgotten her manners and can feel Harry beside her she turns to him, "Harry; Justin and Matty. Guys, this is Harry."

And Harry nods to both of Gypsy's companions as they take him in.

"So," Gypsy begins because she is very ready to get this show on the road, "Now that that's over," she looks to Matty and Justin, "can we g-"

"Could you excuse us for just a moment-?"

"Harry!"

But, there's a big hand around her elbow and she's being dragged backwards, away from the two boys about to help her get this ball rolling on the list.

They're surrounded by the incessant chirping of crickets.

"Harry!" She hisses when she's out of earshot. "What the hell, Harry?"

"Changed m'mind," Harry's shaking his head. "I don't want you to go."

"Harry-" Gypsy isn't processing these words. "What the hell, Harry?"

He only runs his fingers through his hair. "I don't want you going out with..." He pauses because he knows he's being a bit judgmental except he can't help it; this is Gypsy and he does not want Gypsy to get hurt. He flicks his eyes in Justin's direction. "I don't want you going out with him."

Now, Gypsy really can't understand Harry's words. She's flabbergasted, actually. Sure, she doesn't know Justin very well, but she's known Matty for less time, and despite her initial bitching and dramatics, as a matter of fact, it does not at all feel like Gypsy has known any of these three boys for the short amount of time that she actually has.

So, Gypsy folds her arms. "And why not, Harold?"

"Because," he huffs, "I've heard not-so-pleasant things and my name is not 'Harold,' Gypsy, thank you very much."

"Yeah, but do you even know him?"

"Well, no, but-"

Gypsy rolls her eyes and scoffs and shakes her head. Pre-judgement is another thing she completely dislikes and she's ready to walk away. She knows how many times people have completely pegged her wrong without so much as a second thought and besides, this is Justin. This Justin helped her into her room after getting drunk and promised to help her have fun with this god-forsaken list. This Justin is certainly a flirt and he's definitely an instigator, but 'not-so-pleasant' does not seem to fit anywhere in the description of this Justin she knows who's staying at Charming.

Except, Harry has seen this 'Justin' out in the city and he isn't very comforted by the company he seems to keep, let alone the things he's seen this 'Justin' do.

And Harry does not want that around his cheeky Gypsy who he nursed just this week, through her first hangover.

But, Harry does not specifically say this to her and even if he did speak the words on his mind, Gypsy would not have listened because Gypsy's being defiant-she's got her hands still folded across her chest and she's staring at Harry with hard eyes that he is not particularly keen on being on the receiving end of.

"My dad is in Kabul," she states. "I don't need you to act like him for me."

And those words have an effect on Harry that he couldn't have predicted.

Gypsy drops her arms and starts towards Matty and Justin who are both wondering what the hell is going on. "See you later, Harry," is what she says and as he feels the lingering effects of Gypsy's verbal blow to his stomach, he seems to clear his thoughts and compose himself with a few shakes of his head and with it, his curly brown hair across his face.

"Fine," he shrugs and matches her brazen smile with one of his own.

"Bye," she calls.

"I'm coming."

Gypsy stops in her high-tops.

"I'm coming," Harry repeats, and he's passing her, walking towards Justin and Matty who are both muttering something about it being 10-something, now, and they're about to really party because things are just heating up.

"I'm coming, boys," Harry announces and Justin and Matty are shrugging as Gypsy walks their way with a scowl.

"Harry," she says lowly, and he whirls around, smiling that devil-may-care smile of his before he pokes her in the cheek.

Gypsy grabs his wrist. "I'm not a kid, Harry."

"Of course you aren't," Harry replies, lifting his arm so that his hand is now properly in hers. "You're Gypsy and you're eighteen and I'm Harry and I'm twenty."

Gypsy groans, missing the looks from Justin as he leans against the car and wonders why Gypsy's hand-holding with this 'Harry' is bothering him.

"Harry-"

"Gypsy," Harry grins, shaking his head towards her. "Did you know that you were pretty?"

Gypsy is caught off guard by this question, mostly because she doesn't know what this has to do with him disliking Justin enough to tag along for her tattoo. "I-uh..."

"Well, you are," Harry forges on, and he gives her little hand a squeeze. "You're exceptionally pretty; you're quite beautiful, in fact."

"Uhm...thanks? But, Harry, I don't see how-"

"You're also my friend, too," he states. "Thought I'd made that clear before, and pretty people who are exceptionally beautiful who are also my friends, well, for obvious reasons I like to hang around with them," he says cheerily, "because exceptionally beautiful friends of mine should never find themselves in positions where bad things could just so happen to them."

And Gypsy sighs because Harry is smiling and chuckling and poking her again, in the cheek.

"Fine," she sighs, although she doesn't quite understand Harry's logic--although it does sound rather nice. "Fine, you can tag along."

Harry shrugs and pulls her towards him. "Already was, love."

Matty seems unfazed. "More the merrier and all that, yeah?" He asks and twirls his car keys around on his finger because he's driving. "Now, get the fuck in the car so we can get this little sweet tart a tattoo."

Harry heads to the passenger seat and Justin opens the back door and stands to the side, allowing Gypsy to slide into the car first at the same time he's wondering why she was frowning and if she'll eventually tell him the reason why.

"You alright, Gyps?" He asks, slipping behind her into the Volkswagen and closing the door.

Matty is fitting the key into the ignition as Gypsy nods. She isn't going to let Harry's overprotectiveness ruin her night, right? She should be flattered that he cares this much, yeah?

"I'm fine," she says, and she forces a laugh and adds a smile, "There's a first for everything, huh?"

To that, Matty and Justin and Harry all chuckle and nod and now the radio is on and Cold War Kids are turned up and windows are rolled down and seat belts are buckled because Matty's pulling from the lot and holy shit, Gypsy is actually doing this-she's going out to get a tattoo and she's in a car and she's got friends that aren't Michael or Ashton or Calum or Luke.

Holy shit.

Gypsy is feeling good again and leans forward, her hands on either of the headrests of the front seats, "Hey, Matty?" She asks.

"Gypsy, Gypsy, Gypsy?" He replies and smiles and reaches back with one hand so he can pinch her cheek. "How can I assist you, sweets?"

Gypsy rolls her eyes, "Turn this up?" And Harry reaches forward after a head-nod from the driver.

Why would I make that face? Oh why would I?

Why would I test my faith? Oh why would I?

Oh why? I see that raincloud coming right for me.

"I love this song," she grins happily.

Harry turns in his seat. "You what?"

"I love this song," she says, louder, because Harry is turning the music louder and louder so that Gypsy is giggling and slowly beginning to forgive him.

"You'll have to speak up, lovie," Matty practically screams, running a free hand through his hair. "Can't here you'p here!"

"I LOVE THIS SONG," Gypsy screams at the top of her lungs and even Justin has to laugh because everyone else is, and although Gypsy can feel the blood in her face, she only rolls down her window further and bounces a little in her seat, nodding to the beat as Matty and Harry laugh to themselves and the music is turned lower, the bright lights of the casinos and signage and billboards above casting neon lights across Gypsy's face as she leans out of the car on this Saturday night as they cruise down The Strip.

"Hey," Justin says softly but loud enough so Gypsy can hear him over Matty's hands tapping against the steering wheel and Harry's rings against the window because they're both singing to this song that he's never heard but Gypsy, judging by how she's mouthing the words and dancing in her seat, apparently has--multiple times before.

Gypsy turns to him and points to him and jumps in with the lyrics, "Why would I stick around? Oh why would I? Why would I get burned down? Oh why would I?

"Oh Why," she sings in that voice he loves, "For me I'm always waiting in shadows."

She leans towards him and teases him and he tenses because her head and hair is against his shoulder, "Oh why, For me I'm always looking for a way out."

From now on with the sky as my roof

From now on let the risk lead me to-

She turns to him and grins and for a moment Justin has to catch his breath because when Gypsy smiles, he realizes, things are different-they're different and they're special and they're better.

From now on somewhere I never knew

From now on call me royal blue.

Justin shakes his head and coughs softly. "You're fun when you're happy," he says honestly, and that statement alone elicits a chorus of agreement from the boys up front.

Gypsy sighs. "You make it sound like I'm mostly sad."

Justin decidedly does not answer that. Instead, he diverts the conversation; "Since you're so fun right now," he grins, "I say we see how many things we can cross off that list."

"Oh dear..."

Matty flashes a grin in the rearview mirror, "There're plenty of casinos around here just waiting for a good strip or two," he giggles and Justin laughs and Gypsy snarls. "Or three...Or four..."

"I do get it, Matty," she snaps. "And what happened to crossing off just one thing at a time?"

Harry stops humming 'Royal Blue' and whips his head to the backseat. "Who is a stripper?" He asks. "Gypsy, don't tell me you want to be a stripper, love. I mean, there's nothing wrong with it, you know, but Gypsy, darling," he says, "you've got the world ahead of you and I'm sure there are just infinite options for someone as fit and bright and lovely as you are, and-"

"Harry," Gypsy sighs as Justin snickers and Matty turns down Incubus since the song has changed, "Guess what?" She asks, "I'm not trying to be a stripper."

"Although she did not say that she's exactly opposed to stripping," Matty giggles again and Harry's back to looking both concerned and amused.

"Remember I told you that my friends wanted to force me into having fun?" She asks and Harry pauses for a brief moment before he remembers sitting beside her as she was on the phone talking to her friend about some shit show or something of the sort.

"Yes."

"Well," Gypsy pulls out her phone, "they've given me a list," and Harry reaches into the backseat and lifts the phone from her fingers. "As you saw in the lobby," she continues as Harry reads, "I've already done number one. Thanks to Matty and Justin," she says, "here comes number eight."

"And possibly more tonight," Justin adds.

Gypsy is quick to respond, "But, also maybe not."

Except it's too late-Harry has a devilish smirk on his face because now the stripping is making sense and he's so very glad that he's along on this ride with Gypsy and this list-he's just so glad he forced himself into her company, tonight.

This, he thinks, well, this is just too fun.

"Come on, Gypsy," he says. "Live, would you? Live a lot. Live in the moment. Live out loud and, yeah-Live while you're young."

"That, Harry," Gypsy says from behind him, "has got to be the corniest thing I've ever heard you say."

"Yeah, man," Justin sighs, "I'm with you and all, but that was real shit."

Harry shrugs. "Seemed to fit the moment."

________

When Matty finally finds parking at the south end of The Strip, Gypsy decides that she should have known he was taking her to Fremont Street.

Gypsy should have known that Matty was taking her to the brightest, gaudiest place on Fremont Street that tourists just seem to freaking love-Neonopolis.

Gypsy has not been to this mall since she was twelve, because it's really hard to believe that this giant complex at the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard houses stores and parking and a whole outdoor area that typically hosts different musicians for concerts and occasional festivals beneath the three miles-yes, three miles-of neon freaking lights.

It's so, so-Vegas.

Calum once told her that it reminded him of Universal City Walk in L.A. He once told her that Universal City Walk was much better and less hot and more fun and that he'd take her one day. One day, he said, they'd drive into California and spend the night, just the two of them.

Gypsy has not been to Neonopolis in six years which is crazy since she lives here, but as she follows the boys from Matty's car she's caught staring because truth be told, all of those lights, well, they're really pretty spectacular.

Matty leans against his car as everyone gets out. His fingers are cupped around his lighter because he's got a cigarette in his mouth and he's lighting up.

He takes a long draw and blows smoke into the hot air. He looks up and around before his eyes fall on Gypsy and he begins to smile.

"Ready?"

She shrugs. "As I'll ever be."

"Hah," he says and hooks his arm around her shoulder. "That's the spirit, sweetheart," he chuckles again. "That's the spirit."

________

There's a tattoo parlor in the mall and it's called "Rockstar," according to Matty. Apparently, he's a regular and so is Harry and also Justin so Gypsy is "in good hands," and all that according to them.

As if inking her skin is an Allstate commercial.

"Shit, this'll be a piece of cake," Justin says and Gypsy would like to believe him, she would, because with each step she grows sweatier and sweatier and sweatier.

And so as they approach the door in the mall, Gypsy is dripping, she's sure, and she stands outside taking in the bright yellows and reds and greens illuminating the sign above the door and she's hearing a whole lot of Aerosmith coming from within. Through the glass she can see a bunch of tattooed men and women working on a few clients, already, and she-Giovanna "Gypsy" Kaeka-is about to be one of them.

Dear god.

Harry holds open the door and with Matty's arm still around her shoulder, Gypsy takes a deep breath and follows Justin inside.

The man at the counter looks up and grins, "'Sup, dudes," he says. "I didn't know all three of you were coming in today-"

"We aren't," Matty says at once, and he has to kind of shrug Gypsy from against him so that she can stand up straight and introduce herself to the very attractive brown-haired man at the counter on her own. "We're here 'cause this little lolly is getting her first tattoo," Matty narrows his eyes, "and she wants it done right."

"She's come to the right place," the man says, and then he motions towards the back of the parlor, to a door beneath signed photos of The Who and KISS guitars. "Hey," he continues to Matty, "George's in back," he says. "He's working though, so-"

And Matty leans towards Gypsy and pinches her cheek. "Be back, Gyps," he says. "My mate's in back. I'm gonna get'im to come say hello."

And as Matty saunters away, Gypsy is breathing like she's in lamaze because four has now become three and Gypsy is losing her moral support.

"Alright, well," the man at the desk grins, as he leans on his elbows against the glass counter and brings his face towards hers, "I'm Adam," he motions with his hands, and he's got the slight stubble of a beard and a full sleeve up his left arm and a very cool tiger in the crook of his right, not to mention, there's some Hebrew Gypsy can see inked below his collarbone, all thanks to the thin, navy v-neck that's he's wearing and is giving her perfect view of some patterned symbol on the opposite side of his chest, "and 'cause I know none of these fools told you about me, lemme be the first to say that no, I'm not a male model and yes, I do work here although I'm a knock-out, right?-"

Gypsy laughs and Justin snorts and Harry commits that line to memory

Adam smiles. "-And you are, beautiful?"

"Gypsy," she says and sticks out her hand.

"Gypsy?" Adam nods, "That's fuckin' awesome."

Gypsy chokes out a, "Thanks," because she hasn't taken a breath since she stepped foot in the parlor.

And now, Harry's large hands are on her shoulders, and he's trying to give her a massage. "She's a tad nervous," he says.

Gypsy's pretty sure that that much is apparent.

"You aren't the first, Gypsy," Adam says and he taps the glass. "But I promise, it'll all be over before you know it and you'll be looking even more awesome than you already are."

Dear god-the things she's doing for a stupid list.

"D'you know what you want? Y'know," Adam continues, "for your tat?"

And now Justin is leaning on the counter beside her. "Get something cool," he says, as if she needs reminding and she isn't finding trouble breathing.

"I actually have a picture," she manages, since the massages are starting to help and she's slowly but surely beginning to breathe again.

"Sweet," Adam says, and Gypsy is praying that Adam is going to be the one giving her the tattoo because he's already got her to smile.

Gypsy fumbles with her phone and pulls up the screenshot she'd saved just that morning from her cousin's Pinterest. "I want this but much smaller," she says. She can't handle the pain like the girl in the photo apparently did. Gypsy can't get this bird drawn onto her back.

"Oh, this is awesome," Adam nods and Gypsy smiles-and Harry and Justin are nodding at each other.

So she holds out her phone and shows Adam the picture, but Justin's peering over his shoulder and smiling because Adam is right; this is fucking great and he's actually proud, "That's tight," he says as Harry grins because the picture before him is just so Gypsy.

"And I'd like it here," Gypsy says, rubbing the skin on the underside of her left arm, "Here on my wrist."

Gypsy is sure that Harry and Justin like it simply because they've both got bird tattoos.

And that's what she wants-a hummingbird.

One thing she's noticed from both Harry and Justin is their thing for the winged animals-and although Harry has a real inability to explain the meaning behind his sparrows and Justin's owl is the teeniest bit random-Gypsy likes their ink but she wants something special for herself.

She decided very early on that morning to get something meaningful if she's going to go through this pain at all.

She's Gyspy.

Gypsy; the traveller girl, and thanks to her dad and thanks to her mom, she's been bouncing from place to place since she was little-not to mention, her heart seems to be around the world.

Gypsy, Gypsy.

Adam runs his eyes over the hummingbird. It's wings are raised in flight and it's got henna-like, lacy designs filling it's lithe body. Adam looks from the bird to the clean patch of Gypsy's arm-he looks to the place where the ink will cover her skin.

"Alright, Gypsy," Adam says, and he taps his hands on the glass counters before rising to a full stand. He comes around and leads Gypsy to a big, leather chair. "Are you ready?"

Gypsy nods but she sees the man next to her swearing as this tall woman with a black bob finishes the design circling his ribs and now she swears she's sweating.

The lady catches Gypsy's eye and winks. "Don't worry, doll," she grins, "he may look like a grizzly, but he's all kittens and puppies and-"

"Fuck you, Jessie!" The man exclaims and Adam laughs. "Jessie's right. Don't worry, you're in good hands."

"Wait-" Gypsy exclaims as Adam sits the picture on the table before her and turns to leave, "Where are you going?"

"I've got a client at eleven," he smiles apologetically. "Nicki's taking you, instead."

"Nicki?"

"She'll be right out," Adam nods, and Justin is pulling over an empty chair to sit beside her and Harry's shooing her over so he can sit with her in her seat, instead.

"Harry-you're too fat for this!"

He squeals. "Am not!"

"Nicki's doing you?" Justin asks, and Gypsy nods, "That was poorly phrased," she sighs, "but yes."

Harry lets out a laugh and Justin scowls, "Okay, point taken," he says. "That'd be hot, y'know, but you get what I meant, right?"

"Yes," Gypsy nods, "But, Jesus, Justin..."

"Good," he breathes, and then he sees how she's chewing her lip and staring at the rock memorabilia on the walls. "Gypsy," he says, and she faces him. "Gypsy, she's done all my tats but one," he says, "and she's amazing, okay?"

Gypsy is staring into his brown eyes. "You promise?"

Then, she shakes her head and Harry is sitting there watching. "I mean, you aren't shitting me, right?"

Justin raises an eyebrow, "Have I lied to you before?"

Gypsy has to think about that. "Uh..."

"No! The answer is 'no,' Gypsy. Sheezus."

There's a little snort. "Sheezus?"

"Okay, fuck you, Harry-I think we get it."

Harry simply shrugs. "Gypsy thinks I'm funny," he turns to her, "Don't you Gyps?"

"Occasionally."

"Occasionally?"

And as Justin laughs, his eyes flicker to a short woman with almond eyes, big boobs and long black hair that just the day before had been blonde. She's laughing with Adam, rubbing the Chinese symbols inked down the side of her left arm as she makes her way towards the table where Gypsy sits.

"Ready?" Justin asks, because Gypsy is staring at Nicki, too.

She nods.

"That's not very convincing."

Gypsy turns to him and stares with those hard eyes.

"You're fine, Gypsy."

And now, those eyes soften. "I'm ready," she sighs, and Harry is back to massaging her shoulders and now Justin sticks out his hand. It lays palm up on the table.

"You good?" He asks.

Gypsy lays her little hand in his. "Yes," she replies, because the warmth between Justin's fingers is very very comforting. "I'm good."

"No reason not to be," Harry chimes, and he's still smiling. "You're with friends, are you not? I-we won't let anything happen to you, you know that? Right, love?"

Those words settle over Gypsy as she realizes that she is getting a massage from Harry and Justin is holding her hand. She's with friends-friends don't let friends freak out over tattoos.

So, Gypsy takes a breath as Nicki settles across from her at the glass desk beneath the posters of Tom Petty.

Gypsy squeezes Justin's hand and leans tensely against Harry.

It's time to be a big girl.

"Right."

-~*~-

Well, I'm pissed because my 'update-every-day-streak' has obviously ended so that's great, but in all fairness it's because this chapter is long as hell! Also, I wanted to fit this whole night out into one chappie (hah, chappie), but I just couldn't do it all so [ih-lev-uhn] is picking up right where this one leaves off. I also wanted it to be perfect so feel free to share your thoughts 'cause I love 'em and I love you guys a heck of a lot. *hugs for thugs*

P.S. could you tell who Adam and Nicki were or am I gonna have to tell youuuu?

Also, to the left is Gypsy's tattoo so yessss @CuriousGirl92 you were very very close xx. Next chapter I'll post a pic of Neonopolis 'cause the gang's still there. And the video attached is Royal Blue by Cold War Kids, the song that Harry and Matty were jamming to in the car with Gypsy, ja? Ja. -- That's 'yeah' in German since I'm learning it and whatnot. ❤︎ Du machst mich so glücklich! ❤︎