ELLY
"So, do either of you have any options for me?" I ask as I lay against the seat. "Since I apparently need a boyfriend."
"Well, someone on TikTok would be cute," Noen says. "The fans would love that."
"I would love that," Chase adds. Noen nods and begins to scroll through his phone.
"I mean, any of them besides Jaden. He's with Madison, but everyone else is single. And you'll get to know them over tour, so they could all be options." Noen puts his phone down and looks at me. "Do you even want to start dating?"
"I mean, depends on the person, really. But yeah, I'd say I am." I nod at them and Chase smiles. He looks around the edge of his seat.
"So, we have Payton, Anthony, the other Chase, and Sam here now,"  he mumbles, then turns back around. He looks up at the ceiling as he counts on his fingers. "Joe, Jason, Cash, and Maverick. That makes eight."
   "So I'm limited to dating one of seven people?" I ask with a smirk. Chase scoffs, and I begin laughing. "Just kidding. That's actually a lot for me."
   "Well, lets narrow it down. And anyway, you don't want to have to try and flirt with eight people all at once. That would be weird," Noen says.
   "Yeah," Chase agrees with a nod. "Especially since some of them are related."
   "That would be weird, yeah." I nod, then look at the boys on the other side of the bus.
   "So, lets narrow it down," Noen starts. "Let's cut one of the Wauds and one of the Bakers."
   "Well, Maverick is older, so probably go for Cash," Chase suggests. I nod. "And I feel like you're more of a Joe person."
   "Yeah, I agree," Noen says.
   "Payton is too...Payton just doesn't seem like he is ready to date yet," Chase adds.
   "I can see that," I reply.
   "Probably not Anthony. He's more interested in spending time with friends than a girlfriend." Noen looks around. "So that leaves us with Chase, Sam, Joe, and Cash."
   "How about I wait to actually meet Joe and Cash before we keep them as options?" I ask. They both nod.
   "You've talked to Chaser and Sam, though. Right?" Noen asks.
   "Yeah. Briefly."
"Cool. Well, now we have options." Chase gives me a smile. "That's a great way to start."
"Is this how you got with Charli? Made a list of options?" I ask him.
Chase blushes. "No. We met at the Hype House."
"Oh. Cool."
"Yeah."
"Hey. What are you guys talking about?" Griffin asks, sitting up in the seat behind us. Noen, Chase, and I all make quick eye contact.
"Not much. Just getting to know each other," I tell him.
"Sorry you have to know them," Griffin replies.
"Yeah, they are pretty weird," I tease. Chase and I push each other and start laughing.
"So, when do we get the Wauds? We are getting close, aren't we?" Noen asks.
"The bus should be stopping in ten or so minutes," Griffin says.
"And then we get Madison after them, right?" I ask. Griffin nods. "Then the Bakers and Josh before we get to Houston?"
"Yeah. We pick him up and then have about another hour of driving before we get there. It'll be late, so we'll probably just go to sleep, and then the event is tomorrow," Chase says. "It all goes really quick."
"Yeah. I kind of wished it lasted longer." Noen pouts and puts his chin up on the back of his seat. Chase reaches over and ruffles his hair.
"Hey, we are both in LA now, so you'll still get to see me. And a lot of other people are out there," Chase says.
"Yeah." Noen frowns again. "Griff, when are you moving out to LA?"
"Soon. Elly, do you want to come out and look at apartments with me after tour?"
"Sure." I smile and nod. "Are you getting a roommate?"
"I'm asking around," he replies.
"Elly, when are you going to move out to LA?" Chase asks me.
"After high school. I don't know about college yet, but I'm definitely going to finish up my junior and senior year first," I tell him.
"That's good," Noen says. "But you have to come visit us a lot. Whenever you can come out for a few days."
"Definitely." I smile and look over at Griffin. "And I can crash at your place when you get one."
"Sure thing, kid." Griffin laughs and shakes his head. "But you do have to come out often, otherwise, I would miss you too much."
"Okay, I will."
"And maybe sometime soon, you'll get a boyfriend to visit out there." Chase smirks, but Griffin flicks his forehead.
"No dating until you are 18," he huffs.
"Sure thing. No dating," I tell him. He nods, satisfied, but a wave of nerves hits me as Jaden and I briefly lock eyes from across the bus.