My long blonde curls are falling forward into his face, our noses almost touching. I gasp at that close proximity to such a beautiful and famous man and sit up quickly on my knees. I find I am straddling Jimmie's muscular dancers thighs. My cheeks flame with embarrassment and I swiftly push myself to stand, feeling a tiny hint of disappointment he doesn't stop me, then immediately wonder why?!
He holds his right hand out to me from his position on the floor, gesturing towards it with his left hand, inclining his head and raising his eyebrows, implying I help him up from the floor. Of course I should help him up, after all, he has just served as a human crash mat which saved me from certain injury.
"Sure! Of course, here" I say, extending my hand toward him. He grabs my hand with both of his and I assist him to stand. We are now face to face, him still holding my hands, gently rubbing the back of my left hand with his thumb, and I am marvelling at how soft his skin is!
Why does my chest feel tight? He was the one winded in our fall after all.
He is regarding me quietly from below his glossy black fringe, his full lips curved into a slight smile, laughter in his cerulean blue eyes.
"Erm, Hi..... I'm Sydney. Thanks for your great sacrifice. You're my hero!" I tell him awkwardly, raising my right hand to my head in an overly exaggerated salute. I groan as I picture myself looking just like 1970s comic genius Benny Hill and swiftly lower my hand with embarrassment.
He throws his head back and laughs loudly, causing a few heads to turn in our direction. I look over Jimmies shoulder and notice the rest of the group has just entered the building and are all stood watching us inquisitively, their collective focus on our intertwined fingers. I hurriedly pull my hand from Jimmies and reach up to my neck, catching a curl and twisting it around my finger, a nervous habit I have had since childhood. A very visible betrayal of my anxiety levels that I have yet to get under control.
A few people wearing store uniforms are watching us quizzically. I can see the questions on their faces. Who am I? Why am I here? Am I with the group?
I assume they decide I must be with the groups fairly large entourage as I am not approached. I send up a silent thanks to the God of good fortune and turn to retake my seat on the box.
"Sorry Syd, but Im gonna have to ask you to get up. You're sitting on my face!" he informs me with a smirk.
"What?!?" I ask with a little confusion, and a great deal of humiliation, my palms beginning to sweat and my cheeks aflame.
"The box...... erm, my posters for the fan sign are under your, ummmm, your bum"
Phew! A simple explanation that I pray everyone heard. How embarrassing!
"Right!! Yep, ok, sure. No problem. Posters, haha. Sorry! Here" I babble, standing up and sliding the box in his direction.
"Cheers babe! Stick around 'til were done and I'll give you an interview. I'm assuming you're a journo right?! Of course you are. See you later babe!" he says with a wink, a double click of his tongue and a totally naff but cute finger gun gesture. I groan internally but paste a smile that I hope conveys gratitude and joy onto my face.
An interview with 5EX! Every journalists dream. That's it, I'm going nowhere now, and killing two birds with one stone. Getting an interview I wasn't expecting that, if I can ask enough questions I can probably craft into at least three separate stories, and also the opportunity to study them up close while they interact with their fans, and each other, hopefully giving me insights into their lives that I can use in my books. I'm pretty pumped right now. I've also just realised that I really dislike being called 'Babe'!
The guys have been signing posters and albums for almost an hour so far and the queue of adoring fans just seems to keep growing in length. At this rate they'll be here until next week. I feel huge sympathy for the security staff as they begin handing out stickers to fans that will be permitted entry to the signing, then approaching a point in the line that has been identified by 5EX management as the end of the line to deliver the crushing news that anyone beyond that point will miss out on fulfilling their desire to meet the guys today. The blow is somewhat softened with a pre-prepared gift bag containing exclusive goodies for the next 250 in the line. I witness a near riot as girls begin literally throwing each other to the ground in the scramble for a gift bag. Police officers are now escorting the unfortunate fans from the retail park as the security staff form a human barrier at the end of the line to ensure nobody else is able to join it, although many are trying. Girls are running along the barrier waving what look like large wads of cash at those in the line whose dreams remain possible, hoping to entice them to give up their opportunity to meet 5EX. I haven't seen one person accept the deal.
The guys are elevated on a platform to allow the queue of fans to see their idols while they wait for their very brief face to face contact, each and every one of them displaying signs of excitement and nerves, one guy even vomiting into what looks like a plastic lunchbox! Blergh!
I've managed to secure myself a spot opposite the table the guys are at and have a very clear view of them, as do they of me.
I notice Jimmie and Yanni nudging one another and pointing in my direction, presumably Jimmie is telling Yanni that he has offered to give me an interview after the fan meet ends. As the guys continue to stare in my direction I can feel a blush beginning to creep up my neck, my cheeks flushing pink, a fine film of perspiration beginning to build on my forehead. I have never enjoyed being noticed, hence the all black, very basic, slightly masculine outfit. I avert my eyes and fiddle with my phone, opening the notes app and typing in a few sentences about atmosphere, and some observations of interactions between fans and the guys. They are so sweet, allowing their photos to be taken, accepting and wearing gifts, some of which I find ridiculous . One young lady of around 18 years old has handed Teddi a golden crown with a huge red plush heart protruding from the top, each of the points of the crown having a huge red gemstone attached to it. He places the elaborate and enormous monstrosity on his head and poses for photos, pulling cute faces and blowing kisses before removing it and handing it back to her. She immediately falls to the ground, overcome with emotion, and has to be lifted up and moved along by a rather burly man mountain.
After what feels like an eternity, 2 cups of coffee, 3 trips to the bathroom and an incredibly numb bum the end is finally in sight, with only a handful of fans left to meet. The store doors have been secured and once these final few fans are gone the guys will be free. I hope they have time to talk to me, even if it is briefly. I'll even run alongside them as they return to their vehicle if I must. I'll settle for sound bites if I can't get a full interview. Opportunities to talk to these men are as rare as rocking horse shit and hens teeth, so I'll take all I can get.
When I look up from my phone I notice Teddi is having what appears to be a rather in depth and serious conversation with one of the few male fans at the meet. If i'm not mistaken the same man who emptied the contents of his stomach into a box not too long before. Teddi's face is showing signs of exhaustion as well as something else..... maybe recognition? I guess it's possible, after all, there aren't many male fans, remembering their names and faces would be easier I suppose. I notice Parker, who is seated directly to the left of Teddi, paying particular attention to the apparently intense conversation taking place before him, a disapproving look on his distractingly handsome face. Instinct makes me click on the video recorder on my phone and train it in that direction, vainly hoping to catch a few words of their exchange. I'm looking forward to getting home tonight and reviewing all my material. I've already got a plot line forming for my next fan fiction.
Twenty more minutes pass and the last fans are escorted from the building. I don't know how the guys feel but I am exhausted having just watched. 5EX's manager, a perky and petite raven haired beauty named Eloise gives a short speech, thanking all the staff for their hard work during this event, then informs them that the guys would love to spend some time with them to show their appreciation. The staff room has been filled with alcohol and snacks. A loud collective cheer and clapping erupts in the room as the staff begin to head in the direction of the staff room. Once the last staff member has left the shop floor Eloise ushers the boys towards the back door of the building. Jimmie grabs my hand as he passes me, pulling me along with him.
"Looks like you're going to have to ride with us Babe, grab your stuff, we gotta bounce"
I pry my hand free of his surprisingly strong grip and retrieve my bag from under the table in the back room and follow Jimmie to the door. Eloise looks at me like I am dog shit she just stepped in and places herself directly infront of me.