A Beautiful Mess - A Before You Exit Story *On Hold*

Tegan's POV 

As I sat alone in a Detroit Starbucks, I began to think about how much I missed home. It was weird. I thought maybe I'd enjoy going on tour with the guys, but ever since I had shown up, me being here only seemed like more of a problem.

All Thomas did was fight with the guys, and I felt bad for them.

"Hey." A voice said as the figure sat down in front of me.

"Hey." I said with a smile as I looked up at Connor's vibrant blue eyes.

"You doing alright?" He asked.

"I guess." I took a sip of my drink.

"I should be at sound check." Connor admitted.

"So why aren't you?" I questioned.

"I noticed you were missing, and your brother was getting annoying again. And I wanted Starbucks." He shrugged.

"Is she still there?" I didn't have to say her name, he knew who I was talking about.

"You left before the fight, oh god. So Riley told her to leave and she didn't want to, so he had security physically remove her. She was screaming the whole time, it was hilarious." Connor was grinning now.

"Why'd he tell her to leave though?" I was confused.

"Not sure. Probably something to do with you." He hadn't looked up from his drink.

"Me? What'd I do?" I hadn't recalled doing anything.

"I'm not sure Teg, but he's not giving up on you." He finally looked at me. 

"And Thomas isn't going to give up being over protective." I threw back.

"Probably not." Connor agreed.

"We should get back." I suggested.

"Good idea." Connor got up and put his jacket back on.

 As we were heading for the door, my phone began to ring. I was just about to answer it when I bumped into a familiar figure, dropping my phone and almost falling. 

"I'm so sorry." He said as he caught me, bringing me back up to my feet.  

"Riley." I stammered.

"Oh, Tegan. Hey." He smiled as he took in my appearance.

"What're you doing here? Shouldn't you be at sound check?" I asked.

"I should be asking Connor the same thing. I came to find you guys." He responded.

"We were just headed back." Connor crossed his arms in disapproval of Riley acting completely normal after the events of the previous days.

"Well let's get moving then." Riley suggested with a smile.

As we began the 10 minute walk back to the venue, the sky became dark and I felt a raindrop fall onto my face. I quickly regretted my decision to wear the outfit I had decided on this morning. Shorts, a crop top, and sandles. 

Riley must have noticed the fact that I was now shivering from the cold raindrops that began to pour down, and within seconds I felt the warmth of this sweatshirt around me. 

"Thanks." I said softly as I pulled the jacket closer around me. 

"Anytime." Riley said as we continued to walk, a little faster now. 

Minutes later, we were rushing in the back door of the venue, soaked through and through. When Toby caught sight of us, he started busting up laughing, clearly finding amusement in the fact that we just walked all that way in the rain.

"You guys are a little wet." He laughed.

"Really? I hadn't noticed." I said as I rolled my eyes, "I'm going to the bus to change." 

"You might not want to do that." Thomas said as he approached them from the direction of the bus.

"Why not? I'd rather not walk around all night with soaking wet clothes." I crossed my arms over my chest, slightly confused on why I wasn't allowed back on the bus.

"We have some guests, and I don't think you'll want to see them." Thomas said simply as if I knew who he was talking about.

"I think I can handle whoever it is." I scoffed as I walked away.

When I walked onto the bus, I wasn't sure what to expect, but I definitely was not expecting what I saw.

"Get out." I did not want to see him right now.

"Uhm, I was invited to sit here, by the band. You are not the band." He said. 

"Why are you even here?" I crossed my arms once again.

"I came to see you. So why exactly don't you want to see me? Did I do something?" He asked.

"Ashton..." I trailed with a sigh.

"You know what, forget about it. I'll go." He said as he stood, "I don't know why I came in the first place."

Just as I was about to stop him from leaving, the bus door opened and Riley's head popped in.

"Hey, what's the hold up?" He asked, "Oh, hey Ashton."

By this time, Ashton was standing almost at the steps, and Riley was at the top of them. Ashton looked uncomfortable now.

"I was just leaving." Ashton said as he walked past Riley and down the steps, pausing as he opened the door, "I'll see you guys later."

After he was gone, Riley looked at me a little concerned as I sat down and put my head in my hands.

"What's wrong?" He questioned as he sat down next to me.

"Ever since I came along, all I've caused is trouble. Trouble for Thomas mostly, trying to keep me in check. Trouble for you when he hit you. Trouble with your brothers for making them angry with you. I just can't do anything right." I was on the verge of tears.

"Hey, look at me." Riley said softly.

I turned to look at him, and soon enough his lips were pressed against mine. 

Thomas was not going to be happy about this...