NO ONE COULD believe it when Payton announced she had a fashion brand up and running.

"Shut the fuck up." Brian said, standing up excitedly from the couch, grabbing Payton by the waist and grinning. She nodded, so overwhelmed with happiness she couldn't exactly get the words out. So instead, she kissed Brian.

"What's it called, Payton?" John asked as he sipped his tea, glancing at Valerie, who was too busy trying not to laugh at the fact that Brian had finally gotten Payton.

"I called it Rosaline. It's my middle name, y'know. And it's my little sister's name. The grand opening is in a few weeks." Payton said with a smile as she sat back down on the couch.

"Oh, I love it. I can't wait to buy everything." Freddie said as he clapped his hands joyfully. Payton laughed, and she and Valerie exchanged a look. They were talking just a few days before about how Freddie would want to buy everything in Payton's store.

"Mary'll be mad it's not Biba, but who's she to judge? This is Payton we're talking about!" Freddie rambled on, an even bigger smile spreading on his face.

"I've been working on it for a while, as you know. I'm just glad I was able to even buy a place to put it."  Payton said, almost not believing it herself.

    "I'm happy for you. I think it'll be a huge success." Valerie said sincerely, smiling at Payton. Payton smiled back, burying her face in her hands. When he lifted her face, her mascara was running, and everyone immediately reacted with concern.

    "Whoa, whoa, what's wrong?" Brian asked as he wrapped an arm around her.

"I'm just so happy I finally got to do this." Payton sniffled, and everyone sat back in relief, laughing it off.

"Of course you are. It took you years to achieve this. We're so proud of you." Valerie said as she moved from the couch to the floor in front of Payton. Payton looked at her and smiled, leaning forward to hug her friend.

     "Thank you. Now, how about some dinner? I'm thinking some Italian or Mediterranean." Payton said, standing up from the couch.

    "Well, you get to decide. And get used to paying for our meals, because if you make more money than us-"

     "Psh, not bloody likely! When I'm more successful than you, Freddie, that's when I've really made it. Which will be never." Payton concluded, which made Freddie roll his eyes, the two of them starting to playfully bicker.

     Eventually they settled on Italian; everyone collected their things and they headed out, chattering loudly the whole way.
*****
 
     John and Valerie had found themselves at an observatory one night after the band went out for drinks. John didn't feel like drinking that night, and Valerie had gotten tired of men (Roger) flirting with her.

     So the two snuck out and just started driving to nowhere in particular.

     Over the past few years, they had become really good friends and they often went to museums and other places that Valerie could never find anyone else interested enough in. John was always happy to go with her to art museums and the like. He loved to hear her ramble on about paintings.

     "Brian and I used to come here a lot during our first years of college. We were always too busy to go out to just a random field to stargaze, so we often came here and got some work finished. It's rather beautiful." Valerie said as she parked the car.

      It was an uphill incline; John headed toward one of the edges and looked out at the city below. It was beautiful, seeing all the sparkling lights.

     "Come on, John, it's much more interesting inside." Valerie said, waving him over. He ran over as she pulled open the grand doors to let them in.

     They were the only ones in the observatory, which made the two of them feel like they had to whisper and be very quiet.

     "John, over here." Valerie said, gesturing to one of the dark rooms that had a chart of stars lining the walls and ceiling.

     "Val, how'd you find this place? I never even knew this existed." John said,  a bit breathlessly, as he started to walk to the center of the room.

     "You always ask me that any time we go anywhere. I just like finding the small things. The ones that everyone seems to overlook." Valerie replied in a whisper, staring up at the ceiling as she walked around.

     She wasn't able to see John watching her, his eyes filled with such admiration for her. She always did find the most interesting places, and this was no exception. He felt an odd swell in his chest whenever he looked at her, and he forced himself to look back at the ceiling.

      "I've showed you all my little places, though. Everything else is a tourist trap." Valerie spoke after a few minutes of them standing in silence.

     "Maybe one day I'll surprise you with a place. You always seem to surprise me. Give me a chance, yeah?" John teased, laughing. Valerie rolled her eyes and gave a small laugh.

     "Oh, sure. I'll believe it when I see it, Deacy." Valerie replied sarcastically while she sat on one of the benches in the center of the room. John sat next to her, quite close, despite the fact that there was a lot more bench to be seated on.

     "So quick to doubt me. I know some interesting places." John told her, looking at her and smiling. Valerie grinned as she watched the ceiling before looking at John, their eyes locking.

     They simply stared into each other's eyes, not noticing how much closer they started to get to one another until the lights came on, and they jumped apart, looking around, dazed. The security guard was standing in the door frame, staring at her watch.

     "We're closing to the public for the night, kids. Time to skedaddle." He said raising an eyebrow at them. Valerie and John were differing shades of bright pink.

     "We should prolly go back anyway." Valerie said quietly as she collected her purse and started out, thanking the security guard.

     She and John barely spoke on the ride home, but mulling over what had just happened.

I changed this whole chapter lol
kinda shitty but eh -