�Look at him go.� James laughed. As the song came to an end, the door swung open and a girl walked in. Charlie put his guitar down and the trio looked up.
�You look like you�re in need of these.� She said, putting down a tray of drinks. The boys looked on at her with quizzical expressions. She smiled, handing out each of them a coke.
�Ta.� Said Mattie, hastily gulping it down as James and Charlie took a sip.
�I�m working in the kitchens just down there,� She pointed along the
corridor, �It must be hard work for you.�
�Ah yeah, you said it.� Charlie grinned.
�My name�s Hazel by the way.�
�James.� James smiled.
�Charlie.� Said Charlie. �And that�s Mattie�� They all looked at him as
he put down his empty coke can. He smiled triumphantly and leant on James and Charlie�s shoulder.
�That�s me!�
�Well nice to meet you guys�� She gazed at Mattie�s proud face. ��I
gotta go, good luck with the rehearsal!� Another shy smile and she was gone.
�Wow.� Said James, staring ahead in a dreamy way. �She�s fit.�
�You could be in there my man!� Charlie grinned, picking up his guitar again. �James and Hazel sitting in a tree�� He sang, to his favourite chords. Mattie joined in, putting on an opera voice to really piss Charlie off - it did. James just laughed to himself.
�If only I had a tape recorder��
The next day, Busted returned bleary eyed.
�Isn�t it a bit early?� Murmured James.
�Never.� Mattie plugged in his guitar and began playing his funky, but extremely loud bass. James trudged over to pick up his guitar too, trying to knock off last night�s sleep.
�You said no?� They all nodded and Mattie led them.
�One, two, three, four!�
About an hour and a half later, Charlie complained that his fingers hurt so they took a break. And as if she�d known, in came Hazel with a tray of drinks. It was water this time.
�Hey man, here�s your chance!� Charlie winked at James and nudged him in his stomach. Hazel offered the tray to Mattie.
�Sounds great from out there,� She told him. He was well pleased at this compliment.
�Thanks.� He took the water. �You doin ok?�
�Oh yeah, fantastic.� She smiled dreamily at him, and turned to Charlie. He took his drink, and so did James.
�Alright?� James tried to pose sexily against the wall.
�Yeah.� She laughed, as Mattie had just asked.
�Listen�You wouldn�t want to come for a drink with us after rehearsal?� Her eyes lit up - Mattie nodded and smiled in admiration of James� pulling power.
�Sure, that would be nice.� Mattie caught her eye once again.
�Fantastic.� She whispered as she smiled to herself. She left them standing in their huddle as she exited the room, forgetting to take the drinks tray.
�She likes that word doesn�t she?� Charlie smiled.
�What word?�
�Fantastic.� He giggled.
�Nice one mate, you pulled us a quite decent bird!� Mattie exclaimed, nodding to his fave Busted track.
�Us? Ha ha, she�s mine mate!�
The rehearsing went on for quite a while, the lads getting carried away with �Dawson�s Geek�, one of their album tracks. As soon as they had packed up, in strolled Hazel wearing some cute jeans and a pink hoodie. James looked her up and down.
�Need a hand?� She pointed, gesturing towards one of the guys� guitars.
�Don�t worry, we can handle it - thanks though.� James did his best to try and look the hero by pulling his amp and guitar at the same time. The other guys laughed to themselves. Outside the studio they stood for a moment, wondering where they were headed. As if she was physic Hazel said,
�I know a little caf� where we can go. Want to?� James nodded. Charlie walked next to them, with Mattie dragging his feet behind. Suddenly they heard a gasp and a girl came running towards them.
�Oh no�� Charlie moaned. �Got a pen Matt?�
� Busted? Ohmigod! Um�� The fan laughed nervously. �Can I have your autograph?�
�No.� Mattie said in a serious voice. The girl turned to him. �Don�t be silly, course you can!� He fished in his pocket for a pen and realised there was nothing to sign. The fan looked disheartened.
�Tell you what,� Mattie said, �You can have my sweatband - it�s not my colour anyway.� He took it off his wrist and handed it over.
�You can�t sign a sweatband.� James said in a concerned voice, looking at Mattie sarcastically.
�Sure you can. Here�� He gestured to the fan for it back, took it and scribbled something that vaguely resembled a two-year-olds first drawing. Charlie laughed as Mattie handed him the pen. �At least you know it was us.�
�Yeah�� Said the fan, lost in a dream world. Hazel was smiling all the time, obviously intrigued by the whole thing. Once they had all signed it, they all gave the girl a hug and she ran back to her friend who was gingerly waiting on the corner. As Busted walked away, they could hear the fans talking.
�So one of them has a new girlfriend then!� They giggled childishly.
�Bless them.� Mattie smiled as they walked away.
�That was nice of you Mattie, giving her your sweatband like that.�
�Ah, it was nothing.� Hazel walked beside him all the way to the caf�.
They reached it - a small, cosy looking place on the corner of a London street. The place was filled with the aroma of coffee and incense sticks.
�Cool place - I�ll get the drinks then. Tea? Coke? Vodka shot?� Charlie smiled.
�Sounds good but it�s a little early for that! I�ll have some of that weird fruit stuff.� Mattie pointed to a shelf above the till, and Charlie laughed.
�Weird fruit stuff it is. And what would the beautiful lady like?� Hazel laughed, looking vaguely embarrassed.
�Just a coke please Charlie.�
�James?�
�Same.�
�So guys�� Hazel sighed pleasantly as Charlie wandered off. �How�s life in the spotlight?�
�Ah it�s wicked. Can be a bit stressful sometimes. But if I wasn�t famous, would I have found a gorgeous lass like you?� Mattie looked away, rolling his eyes at James� remark.
�Err, Mattie?� Hazel said looking down at the floor.
�Yeah?�
�How is it for you?� She threw an unsure look at James.
�What, fame? It�s great - so many live gigs and stuff, it�s mad.�
�It must be amazing.�
�Yep - sorry to break this up but I�ll be back in a mo. Nature calls!� Mattie whispered. He made one of his crazy faces at James, winked, and slipped off to the toilets. There was silence.
�So�hows things?� James began.
�Not too bad. And�you?�
�Yeah, pretty good.� There was silence again. �Listen, James��
�Do you know you have lovely eyes?�
�James.� She said, more sternly.
�Um, yeah?�
�I�m really sorry but��
�But what?�
�But�I think you read the signs wrong.�
�Um...ok�what do you mean?� He had to make sure.
�I�m not like, into you.� She had made it perfectly clear.
�I see. Man, I�m so sorry.� He came over all embarrassed.
�Me too. You�re a great guy and everything��
�It�s Mattie isn�t it?�
�What?�
�Mattie�s the one you�re after.� He winked at her. At least he saw the funny side, she thought.
�How did you know?� She said gingerly.
�I could just tell.� Just then, Charlie came back with the drinks.
�Alright folks?� He squinted his eyes at James in a questioning way. James smiled half-heartedly. �Ah��
�You know�I think I have an idea.�
�Uh-oh James, doesn�t sound good!� Charlie remarked.
�It will work,� he said as he turned to Hazel, �that�s if you do want him�� James nodded in the direction of the toilets.
�What?� She said. �So, you can help me can you?� She grinned.
�But of course. Just wait and see.� At that precise moment, the door to the men�s� swung open and out marched a triumphant Mattie.
�What are you looking so chuffed about?�
�Nothing - just feeling good!� He shouted. Two old women on the table next to them turned round and shook their head in disgrace of today�s youth. He smiled politely back at them. James held his can of coke under the table and shook it. He casually brought it back up, leaning towards Hazel as he opened it - it went everywhere - mostly over Hazel�s hoodie.
�James!� She screeched in horror, frantically mopping her top with some serviettes.
�James you plank!� Mattie exclaimed, taking hold of some serviettes for himself. He tried to wipe it off, suddenly catching her eye. He paused. She smiled.
�Bingo.� James whispered to Charlie.
�So that�s how it goes eh?� They both pretended to look away.
�Err, sorry.� Mattie said.
�Thanks for, err��
�It�s no problem�?� Suddenly Hazel leant over and kissed him. He looked at her, his eyes wide.
�See you soon, Mattie.� And with that she got up, winked at James, and strode out of the caf�. The two old women looked on in disgust. As soon as she was out of sight, the lads cracked up - all apart from Mattie, whose eyes remained focussed on her coke.
�Ker-ching!� Charlie laughed, his eyebrows raised in surprise.
�Nice one mate.� James giggled. All three of them got a few stern looks off of the staff.
�Well what do you have to say for yourself?� Mattie was quiet for a long time, and finally said,
�I think I stole James� one and only chance!� he cracked up and the others followed. One of the staff came over to them, hands on hips.
�Out, lads. You�ve had your fun.�
�We have indeed!� Charlie giggled, putting on his jacket. Mattie stared at the table. Laid out in front of him was a card showing the name �Hazel� and underneath, her number. He picked it up and slipped it into his pocket.
A few days later, the phone rang. Hazel looked up from her paperwork and lifted the receiver.
�Hello?�
�Hazel love, it�s only me.� She rolled her eyes as her mum�s voice echoed in her ear.
�Hi mum. What�s up?�
�Not much - I was just calling to tell you that you left your lights on in your car again. I was just driving by and couldn�t help notice.�
�Oh not again�Well thanks for telling me. I�ll come round and see you later, yeah?�
�Ok. We�ll have to catch up on some gossip, what do you say?� Hazel laughed.
�Sounds fun.� She gave sarcasm a shot, but somehow it didn�t turn out right. �See you later then?�
�Alright. Bye!� She put down the receiver, sighing.
Hazel jumped out of her seat, the phone ringing again.
�Hello.� She said impatiently.
�Hazel?� A male voice ran down the phone line. �It�s me - Matt.� She sat upright in her chair.
�Oh,� She laughed a little, �Hi.�
�How are things?�
�Oh, good thanks. And you?�
�Yeah, great. You know what it�s like. Well you probably don�t,� He laughed quietly, �but y�know. I was wondering if you�d like to come to our gig tonight? It�s at Wembley Arena. You could tag along. First class seats, backstage pass, you know what I mean.� There was silence for a while. �It�s up to you.�
�Are you kidding? I�d love to!� Hazel coughed, realising she was sounding way too over excited. �I mean�yeah, great.�
�Great. So�I�ll see you at 7? Meet me at the back entrance, yeah?�
�What about your adoring fans?� She smiled to herself.
�To them, you�re just a very lucky girl with a very expensive back stage pass.� Mattie smiled too.
�I�ll see you later, Mattie.� They both smiled, and the phone line went dead.
Hazel walked along the narrow London street, hands trembling, heart pounding. She�d never been to anything like this in her life - she had no idea what to expect, or what to say. She found a stone and began kicking it along the pavement, lifting her head every now and again to watch couples pass on the other side. To her surprise, the stone rolled, and came to rest at the feet of what could only be a tall, well dressed guy, highlighted by the lamppost that hung over their heads. She slowly raised her eyes, looking up at his face - it was Mattie.
�Mattie�� She breathed out, admiring his masculine shoulders against the light.
�Hey.� He said. �You look really�� She saw the look in his eyes - as if he was trying to find a word for fit that didn�t exist. ��You look really nice.� He smiled politely. He looked behind him at the sound of a can rattling over the pavement.
�Thanks. So do you.�
�This way.� Mattie led her down a small alley, which led to a door. Outside of it stood a shifty looking bald guy, who was scanning the area for trouble. Two girls stood behind a metal barrier, going mental at the sight of Mattie with a girl. �Show him this.� Mattie placed a pass in Hazel�s hand. She looked unsure. The bouncer looked at Mattie, then at Hazel, and back to Mattie.
�Enjoy the show.� Hazel saw the bouncer�s look of approval. He patted Mattie on the back, and opened the doors. The two girls jumped around with excitement.
�This must be very weird for you.� Hazel looked around at all the spotlights and equipment.
�Huh? Oh, this?� Mattie pointed to the stage as they approached it.
�Well, everything really. The fans, the fame��
�Jealous?� He smirked. Hazel laughed along with him.
�Hey, Mattie!� Charlie and James ran up to him, James smiling a Hazel.
�Hi!�
�Hey James.�
The crowd exploded, the deafening echo of screams and clapping filling the arena. Hazel looked out over the sea of people. All she saw were waving hands and bright lights. She looked at the three of them, striding on stage with confidence flowing out of their ears. Somehow she wished she could be them. What were they feeling? Adrenaline was rushing through her body. If she felt like this, how must they feel? She looked at Mattie with a proud expression, watching him welcome the crowd. He suddenly turned towards the side of the stage, and winked at her. Smiling, she waved back. Their guitars rung out into the open air, the noise nearly blowing her away - but she knew it was worth it, it had been her dream�
The night came to an end. Hazel wearily made her way towards the stage, as the last few fans hustled out of the arena. She was still buzzing, but her eyes began to feel heavy. As soon as she saw Mattie, her eyes lit up again and she came running towards him.
�Hey, that was amazing! You were so great!� She threw her arms around him, Charlie and James looking on as they wiped the sweat from their foreheads.
�So you liked it?� He pulled a face at Charlie behind him, who was pretending to play the air guitar.
�Of course!� Mattie hugged her back. He moved away from her, so that he could see her face. Hazel stared into his, covered in sweat but full of life. The others wandered off, Charlie mouthing �get in� behind Hazel�s back - He knew what would happen next. So Mattie moved in for the kill. James just stood there.
�That could have been you.� Charlie patted James sympathetically on the back while smirking.
�Plenty more fish in the sea...� James muttered. �Talking of fish�� A tall blonde walked by, smiling at them both. They walked after her, laughing.
The phone rang. Mattie groaned and pulled himself off the sofa - he looked at the calendar. It was the 12th of December - exactly 4 months since he had met Hazel. He knew it was her. Picturing her face, he sighed. A part of him was telling him not to pick up the phone - and the other part was telling him he had to tell her sooner or later. She had to know. He stuffed the best part of a chocolate chip cookie in his mouth and picked up the receiver.
�Hello?� He said in a muffled voice.
�Mattie!�
�Hi Hazel.�
�I�ve missed you! It�s been so long since we�ve seen each other�how long has it been?� Mattie swallowed.
�I don�t know.�
�Hey, what�s up?� There was silence, and Mattie sighed.
�Mattie?�
�There�s something I have to tell you.� She didn�t say a word. �You know you mean everything to me Hazel��
�Don�t go getting all serious on me now!� She joked.
��And you are a fantastic person�� Mattie cringed. He�d never said anything like this to a girl before. ��You deserve someone better than me. I�m so sorry I have to tell you this, but��
�Mattie! You�re saying we�re breaking up?�
�Not exactly��
�Well what, huh?�
�Let me explain.� There was silence again. �A relationship doesn�t work unless the two people can be together, right? You have to see that. And how much time have we spent together?�
�Not enough.� She almost whispered.
�As much as I want to be with you��
�Yeah, it�s hard.� Hazel interrupted. Mattie sighed again.
�I know there�s someone for you. It�s just not me!�
�It could have been.�
�I don�t want you to be sad about it! You remember how much fun we had? All those times we hung out together and laughed ourselves stupid?� He smiled at the memory.
�Yeah, I guess. It was probably the alcohol though�� They both laughed.
�Whatever it was, it was good wasn�t it? Think about this, cus I have. Put it this way - you can see me on TV and say you got off with me!�
�I thought it was more than that.� Hazel sounded offended.
�Yeah, it was. Hey, it was just a joke.�
�So�so I�ll never get to see you again?�
�I�m really sorry Hazel. Maybe call me in 5 years huh?�
�Oh Mattie. You could never go one minute without cracking a joke, could you?� In the background, Hazel could hear a loud voice. It echoed down the phone. �What�s that?�
�What�s what?�
�In the background.�
�James.�
�Tell him I said hi, would you?�
�Sure.�
�I guess this is goodbye then.�
�Yeah.�
�Ok.
�Bye, hazel.�
�Bye, Mattie.�
He dropped the phone onto the sofa. He stared blankly at it, expecting it to do something. Charlie came up behind him, making him jump.
�You want some crisps mate?�
�No thanks.� Charlie wandered off again, whistling. Mattie flicked on the TV, scanning through the channels.
Hazel sat in the caf�, holding a cold coke. Her mobile lay lifeless beside her, the back-light glowing for a few more seconds until it flicked off. On the table in front of her was a picture of Busted, just coming off stage after a gig. Their faces were sweaty, but glowing with excitement - she could do nothing more but smile.