Complacent [Duplicity Niall]

2019.

You get older. But you don't grow up.

I am in Daytona. On Daytona Beach. Half naked, dancing on a bar, screaming my lungs out to some stupid stupid song.

"And she looks so perfect- standing there!" I clutch the bottle of tequila like a microphone, as Luke, very encouragingly behind the bar, does my backup vocals whenever prompted.

Also people are throwing money, so who can lose, right.

"I love that song," I say, hopping off the bar.

"You ought to. You've only played that and You Belong With Me."

"Because I only know the words to those and Duplicity songs. My minds rotted. It's the drugs," I sigh, handing back the bottle of tequila.

"Probably," He says, grinning. "How're your boys, by the way? I hear they're coming down here soon."

I came to Daytona about half a year ago. Fleeing. Because I kept trying to make things happen that couldn't. So I dropped off half of my friends, and called our old drummer.

"I never liked Harry," His roommate Calum, who had never met Harry, had said. I appcreiated the support.

We kind of dated. Kind of. I was just too dumb to see that he really just wanted me to agree to have sex with him easier and more often. But I was tired of bending over backwards and doing what he wanted.

And oh my god, the fighting (which, I actively participated in for the record)

Any way, I broke his nose last December (Merry Christmas) and came down here.

And had only really talked to Louis since. I heard they got a new drummer though, Liam Payne, who I recommend to them before I left.

Basically it was my idea first, just saying.

"Yeah, I think so. Dunno. Don't care much, either," I shrugged. "Not like they care to talk to me."

"They're your friends, yeah?"

"I don't have any friends," I say bitterly. "Beside maybe you and Cal."

"And who's fault is that?"

So I ghosted anyone during my crash out phase. So what.

At least my music was doing well. I just wish Duplicity weren't A listing rock stars, so I could have a win.

I mostly folded cards though.

"What're you doing tonight?" I ask, sitting up on the counter of the bar.

"Working," Luke says. "It's what us lower class do."

"I live in your apartment," I say, laughing, kicking my foot up.

"And every month you receive a mysterious envelope of 1600 dollars," He gives me a pointed look.

I have no idea where it came from. Who it came from. I never asked. But I knew it came from someone in the band, which I never told Luke or Calum.

The little symbol on the corner of all the envelopes.

"Let me be your sugar mommy and you don't have to work."

"I'll pass, Mads," Luke laughs. "Now get off the counter before I get fired and have to sign up for welfare."

I leave him alone finally, and decide I should probably make use of my life besides hanging around bothering him.

"Need a ride sweetheart," Someone grabs my backside as I make my way through the crowd.