I stood back in the wings as they took their bows, waving to the crowd and eventually running off stage. Sam gave me a subtle smile as he made his way past, handing off his bass and going right backstage. I watched him as he walked off. That was weird for him. Usually he said.. something to me, but I tried not to think too much into it.

"How was that?" Josh said, coming up behind me. I turned around as he reached out, pulling me into a tight hug. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer.
"That was great." I sighed. He flashed me a huge smile, staring back at me. I felt my heart start to beat faster. The last time I was with him like this was the first time we kissed. 

I wondered if he still thought about it too.

"I can't believe we only get to do this one more time." He sighed, backing away.
"Well, you'll be back out here next year." I laughed. He smirked back at me.
"Just.. me?" He asked. I felt my cheeks burn. "You're.. coming back with us.. right?"
"Josh, I-"
"But.. you have to." He said, flashing me a smile. I sighed, leaning back against the wall.
"I guess we'll just have to see." I said softly, staring back up at him, smiling back.
"See what?"
"See how tonight goes." I said, smirking at him. He stared back at me wide-eyed, his cheeks burning.

"Alright then, you go get ready and I'll see you soon." He said, leaning in and quickly kissing my cheek. Before I could say anything, he flashed me a huge grin and made his way backstage. I couldn't help but smile as I watched him disappear down the hallway.

I then quickly made my way onto the bus, rushing towards the back room. I would need as much time as possible in order to get ready. How was I supposed to clean up enough for a date when I barely had enough clean clothes for a normal day? I felt my heart beat faster and my hands start to sweat. Was I the one who was nervous now? Why was I getting nervous? Josh had never made me nervous, then again, I had never been with him like this before.

Rummaging through my bag I tried to find the nicest clothes that I could. I changed into a somewhat decent sweater and my last clean pair of jeans. I looked in the mirror and sighed. There was no way I was going to have enough time to clean up enough for this. For all I knew, he was going to be back here any minute.

My stomach dropped as I heard the door of the bus open. He was here already? I ran a brush through my hair and dug through my bag for what little makeup I did pack. I really didn't think I was going to need much, after all, I didn't really think anyone would be looking at me.

"One down, one to go!" I heard from the main room. I sighed. It was just Sam, and I assumed Danny. I peeked out the door to see Sam sitting down on the couch, beer already in hand. I quickly made my way into the bathroom, tying up my hair, and applying what little lip gloss I had left. What was I doing? I hadn't even gotten like this with my dates with Jake. Then again, it felt like Jake and I never really went out on dates like this. I couldn't even remember the last official date I was asked out on.

When I came out of the bathroom, I was met with Sam, who bumped into me.
"Oh, sor-.. well, look at you." He said softly, giving me a subtle smile. "You look.. nice." I felt my cheeks burn, biting down on my lip.
"Thanks." I said, peeking up at him. He held his stare on me for a moment before nodding and making his way back over onto the couch. 

I went back into the bedroom, plopping down onto the bed. It felt like my mind was running a mile a minute. Was this really a good idea? It felt like my heart was going to beat out of my chest. I reached around my neck, playing with the stone from Jake's necklace. After all this time, I still couldn't bring myself to take it off because once I finally did, then it would feel like it was really over. 

And I just wasn't ready to accept it.

Then there was a knock at the door. My stomach dropped as I quickly tucked it back under the collar of my sweater. I got back up, taking a deep breath before opening the door where I was faced with Josh. He stood in the doorway with a small bouquet of flowers, smiling back at me, his cheeks red.

"Hi.." He sighed, biting down on his lip. I saw him look me up and down, his smile growing. "You look great. I.. I got you these." He said, handing me the flowers.
"Y-you got me flowers?" I said softly. "But.. how did you-" He shrugged, smirking back at me.
"I have my ways."
"Daisies are my favorite." I said quietly. He nodded.
"Yeah, you mentioned it.." I held my stare on him, shaking my head. He stared back, his smile growing.
"I'm.. I'm gonna leave these in here." I said, bringing them back into my room, placing them down on my end table. When I came back, he was leaning in the doorframe, a small smile still spread across his lips. His smile was always contagious.

"So where are we going?" I asked, feeling my cheeks burn. He reached out his hand and motioned towards the door.
"Come on and I'll show you." He laughed to himself. I smirked back, sliding my hand into his, intertwining our fingers.

As he pulled me through the main area of the bus, I saw Sam look up from the table, his eyes shooting down to our hands and then back up to me where his face fell.
"Have fun!" Danny said cheerfully, flashing us a smile.
"Don't wait up!" Josh said, guiding us down the steps. 

When we got outside, Josh lead us through the parking lot and down the sidewalk in front of the venue. There were still a few fans lingering outside who waved, calling out for him. He waved back, but he didn't stop. 

And then, as we passed the front doors, I heard them open behind us as Jake made his way out. My heart dropped as his eyes shot over to us. He eventually flashed me a subtle smile as he went back onto the bus. I quickly looked away, feeling like I was gonna be sick.

I could hear Josh talking, but I could barely concentrate. My heart started beating faster, my hands starting to sweat again.
"So.. what do you think?" I heard as I finally zoned back in.
"A-about what?" I asked, turning to him. He giggled to himself, smirking back at me.
"I said.. what are you in the mood for? We've got.. these restaurants to pick from." He said, motioning towards the two buildings connected to the venue.

"We don't have to go anywhere crazy." I said. He rolled his eyes, smiling back at me.
"It's our first date. I want us to have a good story." He said. I bit down on my lip, nodding.
"Italian is fine then." I laughed.
"Oh, good I was hoping you'd say that." He said, reaching for the door as we reached the first building. He opened it, motioning for me to go inside. I smirked back at him, feeling my cheeks burn.

He closely followed me inside, leading me towards the back of the restaurant. I looked around, wide-eyed.
"Josh.. don't we have to-"
"No, I already made a reservation." He laughed, turning back and flashing me a smile.
"But.. what if I had said-"
"I knew you'd pick Italian. You said it's one of your favorites." He said, reaching out, pulling out one of the chairs for me. I peeked back at him, trying to contain my smile, but it was no use.
"You're good at this." I said softly, sitting down. He gently pushed in my chair, sitting down across from me.
"Well, like you said, I am the best boyfriend."

A few glasses of wine later, I had completely lost track of time. Throughout the night, Josh had eventually made his way over, his chair right next to mine, our legs touching under the table. I had no idea what I was so nervous about. He stared back at me with dazed eyes, his lips lightly stained from the wine. I quickly looked back up, my eyes meeting his before he noticed my staring. 

"So.. I think tonight has gone.. pretty well." He said softly, leaning in close. I nodded, trying to contain my smile.
"I agree." I said, taking another sip, finishing my glass.
"You want more?" He asked, leaning back, looking around for the waiter.
"Oh, no." I laughed. "I think we've had plenty. Besides.. we should be heading back soon."
"I feel like we just got here." He said quietly, holding his stare on me. I bit down on my lip, staring back, my eyes moving back down to his lips. This time he noticed, his smile growing.

"Okay.." He sighed, leaning in close to me. "Before we go.." My heart started beating faster.
"Yeah?" I asked, leaning in. I then felt his hand on my leg. My eyes quickly shot down, and then back up at him.
"Is.. is that okay?" He asked, his face dropping. I nodded, smiling back at him.

"Okay.. so, I don't know about you but.. I had a really good time tonight, and.. I really like you, Jess. I want to say more but.. we're taking it slow." He giggled to himself. I felt my cheeks burn as I smirked back at him. "But.. I.. I want to take you out again. And after tomorrow.. I really don't want you to go back home. And I know it's kind of a big deal but.. I was wondering if you'd come back home with me.. for Christmas. I.. I just can't go from this to.. not seeing you again. So.. what do you think?" He asked, staring back at me with hopeful eyes, his cheeks burning red.

He was right. Tonight was.. perfect. And I didn't want to just leave him after all of this either. I knew it was a big deal, but maybe.. for him.. 

"I would love to." I finally said, gently reaching over, holding his face in my hands, and pulling him into a kiss.