. drink up baby

[ruby anderson]

CURRENTLY: CAT'S CRADLE VIP SECTION

RUBY

It still doesn't feel real. Even as she's speaking directly to Niko, making room for Mirren to introduce herself as well and Colt close behind them. The nerves she was feeling slowly disappearing as the conversation continues and Niko shoots both girls a swoon-worthy smile. Ruby grips Mirren's hand hard when they finally meet Taylor. She tries so hard to play it cool as she gushes to him about how much she loves their music and how he was her favorite member by far. Squeezing her best friend's hand even tighter when they get to Joe, who was always Mirren's favorite. All of the fan girl moments. After all, when did you get the chance to meet your favorite band? A lifetime opportunity and Ruby would never be able to repay Mirren for her tactic ways of accomplishing this.  Phones were being tossed around for the various selfies, she barely even notices the absence of her's until it's pointed out. They'd only stepped away for a few minutes, as they squealed looking through photos.  "Shoot..." her voice drops,  biting her lip slightly upset with her self for getting lost in the moment. She looks to the band again, eyes frantic for a glimpse of the pink case. Ah, there it was. Still in Taylor's hands as he spoke to another group.  "Okay. Come with me to get it!" They'd just met the guys but still, it was Cat's Cradle.  "Hi. So sorry I left my phone with you." A blush creeping up on her neck. "Thanks again for all the selfies."

[taylor maitson]

CURRENTLY: AT CAT'S CRADLE VIP SECTION

TAYLOR

Though he would never have admitted it to his bandmates, Taylor had been worried about their reunion. So much had gone on in the time between this gig and their last, the final night on what he had truly suspected would be their final tour. It feels good to be back, adrenaline coursing through him as he finally lets out a breath he hadn't realised he'd been holding. He pats Niko on the back, "killed it man." Even Zac had been the best version of himself, clear-eyed and not slurring, his voice better than Taylor remembered it being. He's about to suggest they go for a drink when two girls appear in front of them, alarm bells immediately ringing in his head as he assesses how young they look. How young and obviously gorgeous. Glad Greg is behind them, he watches as Niko deftly interacts with them, warm without being too encouraging. Good. The blonde girl turns her attention to him, gushing with praise, her excitement making her words run together as Taylor laughs. "Hey, that's really nice of you to say. You're my favorite too."" Usually he'd leave it there, but then it was VIP, so they weren't so swarmed. "Do you want a picture? Hey man, would you take a picture for us?" He speaks to the guy sheepishly hanging around them, who nods. He's careful to lean in for the picture without touching them, conscious of how the photo might be misconstrued... and he can sense Kendra approaching without even looking. Straightening up, he smiles at the girls again. "Thanks for saying hi. We'll catch you around, yeah?" Right on cue Kendra is at his side. He instinctively puts an arm around her, turning to her with a grin spread from ear to ear. "Hey baby," he says quietly, out of earshot, "you've got competition."

[colton abernathy]

CURRENTLY: IN VIP

COLTON

The girls are excited and he's happy for them. Celebrity culture was not exactly a core interest for Colt, though at least they were fangirling over a legitimate band and not Charlie Puth or something. Plus, he had to admit that it felt pretty cool to wander around VIP. Or it did until he was left hovering around as the girls spoke to the band, too embarrassed to chime in, an awkward spare part. He finishes his beer just as Taylor speaks to him and he nods, glad for something to do as he snaps a million pictures, bracing himself for how much they would pour over them, furious if he didn't manage to capture one they liked. Soon they are back on their own. "Another drink?" he asks, grinning again at the girls giddiness. Still, he can't help the remark that comes out of his mouth as he looks back to see Taylor with someone he sort of recognizes.  "See? That's the kind of girl who dates rockstars," he says, visibly checking her out, her obvious beauty prompting him to let out a low whistle.

[kendra santisi]

CURRENTLY: AT CAT'S CRADLE VIP SECTION

KENDRA

It was the sexiest deja vu she'd ever felt. Choosing last minute to stay side stage, allowed an almost voyeuristic gaze at Taylor back on stage again and the crowds losing their mind for him. And the band, of course, but her world view had suddenly shrunk again the moment she'd gasped awake at his house. Kendra couldn't be more pleased to be back in this orbit. Watching everyone want something, only to know she had it. So she waits. Allows the masses in VIP to filter through, sipping on a lethal cocktail of tequila and obsession as he smiled and took photos and played his charming but aloof part. When it finally thins out is when she pushes away from the bar, sliding next to him as if second nature. Their gravitational shift reset, lips pressed hot and quick behind his ear in greeting. Licking the salted sweat from her lips as she smiled and tossed a look over her shoulder only to find the pair suddenly close behind them. Following the blonde one's gaze down to the pink phone she clocked in his palm. "Committing robbery now, are we Taylor?" Kendra accuses, taking it from her and handing it back to their wide eyes on a laugh. "Have fun, girls," Kendra waves, eyes drifting over them to who she assumed was another one of their friends. Loving that she still had it too, blowing the kid a kiss before falling back into step. "Looks like you might, too."

[mirren hewitt]

CURRENTLY: AT CAT'S CRADLE VIP SECTION

MIRREN

Mirren was convinced that if she got hit by a truck tomorrow, she'd be totally content with her life. Immediately favoriting every photo she took with the guys, saving them to their own album, knowing the hours she'd spend trying to choose which one would be the hero image on her Instagram. The best problem she could possibly have, a beaming smile on her lips as they stalked back to rescue Ruby's phone. "I can't believe...ohmygod,” Mirren cuts off mid sentence again, watching Kendra turn to hand it back to them. Her TikTok feed lately had been full of fancams of the pair from back in the day, and seeing the #Taytisi hashtag flicker on her phone screen was nothing like seeing it in real life. "Thank you!” She manages to squeak out as they depart, smacking Colt again at his stupid whistle. Men. "Colt, Kendra would eat you for lunch,” Mirren says simply, whipping back to Ruby in her fan-crazed haze. "Do you think they're back together? Wait...do we think Lily was there? I wonder if the Zac drama is real...” going down the black hole of fan theories and drama, Mirren barely lets her words fall until she takes another major slug of a High Noon. "OK, I'm done!” She declares, turning back to Colt with a look of gratitude for enduring this whole experience. "Colt, where do you wanna go next? Your next drink is on me, too, you're the best and got such good pics.”

[ruby anderson]

CURRENTLY: CAT'S CRADLE VIP SECTION

RUBY

It’s all a whirlwind after Ruby and Mirren head back to retrieve the phone she’d left behind. A brunette girl is tucked into Taylor’s side and she realizes that the woman is THE Kendra Santisi. Ruby tries not let her mouth drop open, but it’s inevitable. Mirren having the same feelings as she cuts her own ‘oh my gosh’ off at the scene before them. Kendra hands Ruby the phone and she still can’t speak. Feeling so incredibly star struck again, with Taylor and the rest of Cat’s Cradle near by as well. The amount of times they’d spent time in each of their bedrooms watching old videos of the couple, never forgetting the “heartbreak” of their break up as if they were also involved. “Thank you so much,” Ruby finally finds her voice, it more high pitched than usual. They leave the VIP section and it’s back to being the three of them. She’s still somewhat tongue tied, and in disbelief as Ruby begins looking through photos to decide which she’d post eventually. Ruby nods along with all of Mirren’s thoughts. Adding her own opinions here and there. “I totally think they’re back together!!” Ruby eagerly replies, feeling like they were twelve again. Another seltzer is placed in her hands, and she happily takes a sip. “Thanks Colty for being the best photographer,” though she wishes to continue with ignoring him, she can’t overlook how annoying that could’ve been for him. Giving Colton the compliment with a small side hug, before pushing herself away from him once more after just a little bit of contact. “I’m along for the rideeeee, this has been the best day of my life!” Her arms lift in the air, prompting her friends to hoist their drinks up as well and smiling big.