**Aw I’d like to thank Chloe, Hay, Lou and Kate for the really nice reviews about the fic!! I’d forgotten how nice it is to read them! I’m glad some of you have remembered this fic as it and the previous one are some of my favourites! Lol I agree with Kate, it’s been awhile, I had to actually re-read Chapter 8 as well just to get back into the story line. So on with the next chapter!!**

 

*****Chapter 10*****

 

The rehearsals were finally completely over. The tour started in a few days and the lads and dancers all had a few days off to see their families before they went on tour for a few months.

 

I would have gone home but my family were off on an impulse week to Barcelona so I was still staying with Ben. He visited his family and was out with Marie a lot but he was still around occasionally to keep me company. Marie and Ben would also be round his flat most hours, cramming in their time together before they were separated. I felt like a complete gooseberry so I often just stayed up in my room flicking between TV channels.

 

In the end I actually spent the majority of my days with Mark and his family. They made me feel completely at ease and I loved spending time with them all. It was good to get away from Ben for awhile as I could clear my head and push aside the feelings I had for him. When I was around him however hard I tried to suppress them, the feelings I had for him would always surface. At Mark’s house I could concentrate on myself and enjoying some quality time with Mark. He was really such a good friend to me and he meant the world to me.

 

“Jo I was planning to ask you a favour?” Mark asked as we sat in his living room watching Who Wants To Be A Millionaire with his mum and dad and yelling the answers at the screen.

 

“Mmm shoot,” I said looking at him.

 

“Me and Ben have been invited to this awards ceremony and we’re allowed to take someone with us,” Mark said.

 

I perked up with interest at this statement, “Ooo and you want me to go with you?” I asked in excitement.

 

Mark frowned at me slightly, “No what gave you that idea?” he asked.

 

I felt so stupid jumping in there, “Oh no I didn’t really think you were asking, I wasn’t really listening properly,” I mumbled in embarrassment as I turned bright red.

 

“Getting ahead of yourself a bit,” Mark smiled.

 

I went a bit redder and mumbled some more under my breath.

 

“I was actually gonna ask you,” Mark said. “Well yes would you like to come with me?”

 

I didn’t know if I’d just heard that right as I looked at him quizzically, “What was that?”

 

“Would you like to come with me?” Mark asked. “I have no date and I don’t want to turn up by myself with Ben and Marie! You of all people should know about looking a third wheel.”

 

My mouth widened in surprise as I hit him on the arm, “So I was right to start with! You do want me to go with you! Argh I can’t believe you! I was soooo embarrassed!” I exclaimed.

 

“Yeah I did notice the beautiful shade of tomato red you went,” Mark laughed.

 

“Urgh,” I muttered giving him an extra hit on the arm.

 

“Aww Jo you know I was only joking,” Mark said. “So do you want to come with me?”

 

“I don’t know about that,” I said shaking my head. “Not with someone who makes fun of me,” I said melodramatically.

 

“Aww I heard the excitement in your voice when you jumped in there. I know you wanna go really,” Mark said nudging me gently. “Come on is that a smile?”

 

I frowned again to disguise the smile and shook my head.

 

“I know it is,” Mark said still nudging me. “You do wanna come with me just admit it.”

 

I eventually let the smile slide across my face, “Yeah I’d love to Mark.”

 

We spent the rest of the night discussing arrangements. He hadn’t left me much time to prepare, the awards ceremony was only the next night. However in his defense Mark had also only found out earlier in the day. It was an awards ceremony for children with cerebral palsy and Mark and Ben were presenting an award. I was excited about the prospect of the evening; I had never been to anything remotely like it before yet slightly dubious about having to spend the night watching Ben and Marie being all lovey-dovey. I at least knew that I had Mark there with me.

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

The next morning me and Marie went along to some friends of a1’s who were letting us borrow some dresses for the awards ceremony.

 

“This is sooo good of you,” I gushed as I tried on about my fifth dress of the morning. I hadn’t found one I liked and fitted well yet.

Marie also came out in her fifth dress but I could tell by her smile that she had found hers. It was a simple long black dress that had thin straps and a cowl neck and fitted Marie’s petite body perfectly.

 

I felt my heart constrict as I saw Ben gazing lovingly at her; she did look beautiful.

 

I loved the look of the next dress I chose to try on and prayed it would fit. It was another simple design but they were often the most effective. It was a baby pink dress with a halter neck and fitted top that fell away into a long swishy skirt. I slipped into the dress but couldn’t quite do the zip up at the back.

 

“Mark,” I called out the changing room. “Can you come and do me up?”

 

“I’ll do it,” Ben said pushing the curtain aside.

 

“Ok,” I replied as I groaned inside. Why did Ben have to be outside the curtain instead of Mark?

 

I felt my whole body shiver as his fingers traced my spine as he zipped me up. I tried to avoid his eyes in the mirror but he caught my gaze.

 

“That dress looks beautiful,” Ben said pausing. “You look beautiful.”

 

I tore my gaze away as I started to blush deeply. Ben had pulled out of the changing room so I admired the dress a few minutes while I composed myself. The baby pink complimented my fair skin nicely and set off my blonde hair.

 

I came out of the cubicle and Marie clapped her hands in excitement, “That has to be the one. Aww Jo it looks great!”

 

“Yeah I’m gonna borrow this one.”

 

Mark put his arm round my shoulder and kissed the side of my head. “Good you look great. You can definitely come with me now.”

 

I smiled happily; I could accept Mark’s compliments perfectly. I only fell apart over Ben’s.

 

He had called me beautiful. Ben had actually called me beautiful. My mind was in a spin as I wondered if he had really meant it. He had remained quiet as I’d come back into the changing area. Marie and Mark were exclaiming excitedly next to me as my gaze flickered over to him. He was watching me and he gave me a small smile as I looked over.

 

I looked back into the mirror and smiled at my reflection.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

That evening the four of us stepped out onto the red carpet confidently. Mark and Ben were wearing tuxedos as that was the dress code for the evening and although both looked very nice in them I found my eyes straying over to Ben. He looked so good in a suit.

 

We posed for photos. Ben holding Marie tightly round the waist and Mark with his arm casually slung over my shoulder. I thought my face was going to crack from smiling so much before we were moved on. There were a few interviews after as Mark was asked the same question again and again.

 

“Hey Mark, is this a new girlfriend?”

 

And again and again Mark replied laughing, “No this is Jo. She’s one of a1’s dancers and a very good friend of mine.”

 

The evening was a huge success. Ben and Mark disappeared half way through the show to present their award and me and Marie were cheering the loudest when they came on stage. They presented their award to a well deserving young girl and afterwards stayed around to have some photos taken and meet some of their fans backstage. They soon returned to us at the table though.

 

“Can’t stay away from you for long,” Ben said kissing Marie.

 

Me and Mark looked at each other, “Aww,” he cooed. “Aren’t they sweet?”

 

He kissed the top of my head before sitting down while I nodded to him silently.

 

Ben and Marie just laughed at him.

 

“You know I’ve missed you too,” Mark said smiling.

 

I laughed at him, “Yeah and I’ve missed you too of course.”

 

“So have you had a good time?” Mark asked.

 

“Yeah it’s been a really nice night,” I replied. “Thanks for inviting me Mark.”

 

“It was only to save myself from those two really,” Mark laughed indicating his head over to where Ben was still kissing Marie.

 

“Mmm I see what you mean,” I laughed. “Well thanks for thinking of me then.”

 

“No problem,” Mark smiled.