Aidan's P.O.V.

It was getting closer to 10:00 pm, meaning I would soon reunite with Serena. We had finished wrapping up a scene between Five and Klaus that was almost similar to the one Robert and I had worked on in Season 1. The only difference was that Klaus was going to Five for help instead of the other way around. I'd say that it was interesting to film, but Robert was a blast, and I had a lot of fun filming with him.

The long hours would usually consist of me staying at the studio until 11:30 at night, sometimes even past midnight if things were running pretty behind. But, time seemed to be on my side at work because everything went swimmingly, and I was getting ready to head to the hotel. I sent her a text, letting her know that I was on my way to the hotel. But she didn't respond. I had a hunch that she was either on stage performing or having one of her meet and greets.

"Hey, Aidan!" Robert sang out, walking into the trailer as I was packing my bag. "What is it, Rob? I need to get going," I asked, holding back a sigh of frustration as he pulled his phone from his pocket. He swiped up on the screen, holding it up to my face. "Hold it back a little, please. It's inches away from my face," I said, squinting my eyes slightly at the pixelated image. He complied and moved it back, allowing me to see the whole post.

It was a 40-second clip of Serena singing a snippet of Kings and Queens by Ava Max, the song that introduced me to her talent in the first place. I was instantly remembered when I was sitting in one of the judge's chairs with my manager and one of the staff from River Wren High, watching so many girls tried out for the duet. None of them compared to Serena and the passion in her voice. My heart began racing as I heard her voice for the first time in my head, almost causing it to melt inside my ribcage.

"Hello? Earth to Aidan?" Robert said, waving a hand in front of my face and bringing me out of my daze. "She's amazing, isn't she?" Robert chuckled. "Yes, she is. She's my superstar," I nodded as the video began replaying itself. "Well, I'll leave you to go get her. Tell her that I said hi!" Robert said, walking out of the trailer, the door shutting behind him. I swung my backpack over my shoulder and headed to the Uber waiting outside of the studio.

"Where do you want me to take you, sir?" The driver asked the moment I closed the door. "Sunset Hotel, please," I responded, pulling my phone and airpods out of my pocket. As the car started moving, I scrolled through my recommendations on Instagram, seeing more photos and videos of Serena on stage, singing and talking to her fans. I soon stumbled across a few pictures of her at a merchandise booth, hugging some of the fans and taking photos with them. She looked so happy, the happy, go-lucky Serena I knew and loved.

About twenty minutes into the ride, the car came to a sudden halt, stopping a few inches away from hitting the bumper of the car in front of us. I looked up to see that we were caught in the middle of traffic, cars constantly honking their horns at each other. The drivers on either side of the vehicle were beginning to grow angrier by the minute as the honking continued, almost reminding me of the traffic back in LA when it got dark.

"Why is there so much traffic?" I muttered to myself as I looked out the window. "It's Friday night. People are probably heading back home from the bars," The driver responded, answering my question. Traffic started moving, inch by inch at a time, causing the car to come to unexpected stops and almost causing my head to fly in the seat in front of me. 10:15 came, and I was slowly becoming anxious for the traffic to wane. But, to my misfortune, it didn't.

Serena

Aidan: Traffics back up for miles. I might be running a little late.

Serena: It's alright. I'm wrapping up the meet and greet right now. So, I'll be there shortly. You want me to wait outside for you?

Aidan: If you could, that would be great.

Serena: Alright, see you in a little while!

Aidan: See you! :)

I looked back at the traffic, seeing some cars start to move up but continued moving slower than a snail. Come on, people! Can you go any faster?! 

*******

Serena's P.O.V.

"Thank you so much for coming tonight!" I said as I waved to one of the last few guests at the meet and greet. I looked back at the line. Only four more people left before the final meetup of the Without Him Tour ended. The next person in line walked up, and I saw a little girl, about eight or nine years old, with her mother. "Hi! How's it going?" I smiled, standing up to hug them.

"You have such a beautiful voice! My daughter constantly asks me to play your music!" The woman smiled as I sat back in my seat. "Aww, thank you! Do you want me to sign anything for you?" The woman placed two t-shirts with the Without Him tour dates printed on the backs of the blue shirts. I grabbed a nearby Sharpie and signed my name on both of them before handing them back to the woman who also asked if we could take a picture, to which I happily accepted.

They walked off, leaving the last few people in line left to greet.

When the final person walked off, T.J. and I walked back to the stage, grabbed our suitcases, and walked out the back entrance towards the front, trying to avoid getting mobbed. A black Toyota Corolla was waiting for me at the front of the music hall, and right behind it was the familiar burgundy van T.J's family owned. Her parents stepped out of it, rushing towards and embracing her.

"Mom! Dad! I missed you guys so much," T.J. smiled, muffling into her mother's jacket. "We miss you too, sweetie. It hasn't felt the same without you being home," Her mom smiled, kissing the crown of her forehead. T.J's father looked over at me, asking if we had a good time on the tour and we both replied with a yes. We talked for a while about some of the things we did, leaving out the part about the packages and letters back at my hotel room.

"Alright, we should probably start heading home. Thank you so much for inviting T.J. on your tour with you, Serena," Her Mom smiled. "No problem, it was great having her," I smiled, watching as they got in the van and drove off. A honk came from the Uber, yelling, "Hey, are you getting in or not?" I grabbed my suitcase, loading it in the trunk of the Corolla before buckling into the backseat.

"Where to, Miss?" The driver asked. "Sunset Hotel, please," I answered, pulling out my phone as I checked some of my texts.

Aidan

Aidan: Traffic is starting to pick up a little. I still might be a little late, though.

Serena: Don't stress it, spoop. We'll be seeing each other soon.

Aidan: I love how you're so positive even in some of the worst situations.

Serena: Hey, I learned from the best.

Aidan: Aww, shucks!

Aidan: So, I was thinking, maybe tonight we could eat our dinner out on the balcony. There's a ton of stars out tonight. Would you like that?

Serena: I'd love that!

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