She's been running through my mind the whole week. Consuming every one of my thoughts. Even more so now she's spending every night in my bed. I watch her as she snores quietly, her hair spawn across the pillow, she usually snuggles into me, letting her fingers rest on my chest.

Is it creepy? Probably?

Do I have trouble controlling my friend downstairs? YES.

But is she just too beautiful not to watch? Most defiantly.

The air's changed around us, its fueled with passion and longing, I know she feels it too. There have been several moments in the last few days that nearly led to more but she always pulls back. I know she's scared, hell I don't blame her after what that asshole did to her. But I've got to show her I'm not going to hurt her. I'll show her even if it's the last thing I do. She's completely trusting of me which is a massive step, I take such pride and honour in knowing I'm the only one to know her story. Its really shifted the relationship between us. She deserves to be loved and I'm going to be the one to give it to her.

On a plus side much to the labels disdain mine and Gigis song has been successfully riding the number one spot in the charts worldwide. We've both gained wider fanbases from it and my fans have been so appreciative for telling my truth, they've found it easier to relate to me and find comfort in my music. We really couldn't have wished for a better result, it also made the label to rethink their views on my more 'emotional' music, they're distantly warming up to it. Gigi screamed the first time she heard it on the radio, she still gets so giddy like she can't believe that her music is actually being played. It's the most adorable thing ever.

I was going to ask her out on a date when we left LA about... two weeks ago. I know, I'm a fucking coward but I just didn't know if she'd say yes. Now I know she will... at least I hope she will. I can see the small green flecks of lust in her sapphire blue eyes, the longing to hold me just that little bit tighter than 'friends' do. So I'm going to ask her. I'll ask her today...

"Whatsup supermodel," I announce my arrival as I walk onto the stage, she's mid soundcheck and starfished on the stage. Needless to say, we're having quite the difficulty with tech today, it happens to the best of us, the TD Garden is usually a hard one to work in.

"Hey," she says making no attempt to get up, the microphone resting on her hoodie-clad abdomen. I join her on the floor, laying down beside her.

"You okay?" I turn my head slightly to get a look at her so I can tell if she lies. She's been fragile after she cried her heart out on the bathroom floor, quieter than normal. I don't blame her, I know it took a lot out of her, we've spent the last few days travelling and watching Glee, much to my detest, but it makes her slightly happier so that makes me happy.

"I'm fine stop worrying." She lets a long breath out.

"I can't because I worry about you," I reply,

"I know but really I am fine, I'm just tired." She finally tilts her head to meet mine and smiles a whithering smile. Her skin looks paler than normal and I'm sure she's losing weight, her face looks hollower, "Really, CJ, stop worrying. I can see grey hairs."

I gasp audibly making her giggle.

"I am offended, I take pride in my lusciously brown locks!" I bite back, "There is absolutely no grey in these silky stands," She laughs harder.

"I've never met someone who describes their hair so... extensively. But I'm afraid to inform you, sir..." she rolls off her back and onto me slightly, resting her top half on my chest, hovering or my face so she can run her hands through my hair, "You have one here... and here and- whoah" She starts ruffling my hair but I grab her and push her onto her back so I can hover above her. My forearms rest on either side of her head as she tries to muffle her nervous giggles. I gradually lower my body until I'm inches away from her. She bites her lip seductively sending a rush of flames through my body- Fuck she's so sexy, especially in my hoodie. Her lips are pulling me in, glossy and full, I run my thumb across them and go down further to kiss-

"Right we're up and running again let's go, Gigi! Take' It doesn't hurt' from the top." One of the sound crew shouts from the sound station further back in the arena.

FOR FUCKS SAKE.

I groan looking at Gigi's blush grow deeper with her muffled chuckle. I lower my forehead to hers before pulling her up as her dancers make their way onto the stage, Destiny throwing me a suggestive glance, I flip her off and fall back to the floor.

"What are you doing?" Gigi looks down at me sat like a child, cross-legged.

"I want to see you sing," I pout, she shakes her head,

"Can't you do that from down there... with everyone else... like normal..." she drawls questioningly.

"Nope, I want a personalised experience. Up close and personal with the sensation that is Giovanna Lastra..." I splay my hands in front of my face in a wow motion.

"You are a weirdo." She says walking towards centre stage.

"But I'm your weirdo and you just can't live without me," I say sarcastically grinning like a Cheshire cat. She turns around briefly and raises a brow at me before her features soften.

"Yeah you are and no I can't" She smiles, sucking in her bottom lip.

She carries on with soundcheck, all her dancers having to move around me like I'm her annoying five-year-old child whos attached to their mom's leg constantly. I watch admirably at her power, despite being tired and mentally drained shes still belting those G5s with absolute ease.

"Stop. Hold on. Everyone take five!!" Will walks onto stay in the middle of Cross my heart, waving his hands to signal to the sound crew to stop the backing track. The staged band simmers out and the dances collapse into each other looking confused.

"Sorry guys take five I just need to talk to Colt and Gigi," I get up puzzled and join Gigi who's a little out of breath from her dance break.

"What's up?" I turn to will who has got a gleaming smile.

"Okay so I have a contact who runs one of the biggest events of the year, it's a type of festival that needs a huge headlining performer. The one he had booked just cancelled and asked if I had anyone who could fill the space, not only are you going to be the leading performer, I managed to sweet-talk him and Gigi you're the act performing before so you're the second biggest headliner."

Her face brightens slightly, her lips turning at the corners,

"Sick what is it?" I ask, festival seasons always the best, I'm already headlining Rock in Rio this year which is one of my favourite festivals. He bites his lip in anticipation, eyebrows raised in excitement.

"London pride!" He beams! Gigi gasps and hugs Will taking him by surprise.

"Are you being serious? Like you're not joking!" She squeals, he chuckles at her sudden burst of enthusiasm and nods, "I was actually so upset I thought I was going to miss it this year! I always go with Jacob and Sofia and now I'm fucking preforming." She jumps on her tippy toes, her face gathering some more colour, "No jokes... you're actually serious right?" He nods still finding her enthusiasm entertaining.

"Yes! But we leave straight after the show tonight, we're only in London for a few days but I thought it would be nice?" He questions, casting me a wary glance. I can understand why, in the past, I'd have bitten his head off if he'd booked me on anything extra.

"Yeah that's really cool, thanks," I throw him a lazy smile.

"Brilliant! Right, you two go get ready for the show and be ready to leave straight after! Capiche? Capiche." He instructs, turning on his heel and striding off backstage in a hurry, very highly strung.

Beside me Gigi lets out another squeal, jumping around in her hoodie, "Right I'm going to get changed, I shall see you in a little while my friend," she starts to walk towards backstage.

"Gigi wait..." welp, it's now or never. My pulse thumps in my ears... am I nervous? I don't get nervous. But the way her hair waves when she walks and her overly glassy eyes smile at me... fuck I am nervous.

"What's up?" She raises a brow alerting me to the fact I was just staring at her, not saying anything. idiot Colton. Fucking idiot.

"Will you let me take you on a date?" I blurt out. I want to pull my hand to my mouth and shove it all back in. Why the fuck did I say that?!

I watch her face drop, her lips slightly ajar. She furrows her brow like she's having some kind of internal debate with herself, shes going to say no. I don't blame her this wasn't exactly the most romantic of asks.

"I know you don't want a relationship and you want to focus," I take a step towards her still silent body," I know you're scared and you have every right to be, but please let me prove to you that you deserve to be treated right, you deserve to be loved! I know I'm not the most perfect guy but I'm trying and I won't get in your way, I know how important your job is and that Luca is your top priority, please just give me a chance," I plead, sounding like a lost puppy. I've never had to plead before but hell, I'll get on my sodding knees if I have too at this point.

I watch her knitted brows carefully as she exhaled, closing the space between us and placing her hand on my arm.

"No," she breathes quietly.

I feel my insides drop out of my stomach and my neck fire up. She said no. disappointment ripples through my lungs, I splutter a cough a few times trying to banish the embarrassment that plagues me.

She said no.

A cold hand makes contact with my chin, her forefinger and thumb give a slight pinch, I keep my eyes fixated on my feet as she moves in closer, on her toes, so she can make contact with my ear. Her lips send a trail of shivers straight down my back,

"Let me take you on a date," she whispers, followed by a giggle. My eyes shoot up and watch her bite her lip with a smirk, "We can do London... Gigi style." She winks and backs away, her eyes still trained on mine.

Then she's gone.

Leaving my heart thumping erratically, banging wildly against my ribcage.

She said yes.

Ahhh it's getting closer to Christmas! It's a bit of a bitter sweet thing, where I am, Boris has just put us into tier 4 which means none of my family can come for Christmas and we can't go out, we're basically on a full lockdown over Christmas which really sucks especially after I've spent the last 10 days self isolating:((

Anyway I hope you guys are looking forward to Christmas and you enjoyed the chapter!

Please vote if you want to see more coming!

Thanks for reading!

Iz x