take two -- delilah

[JESSE WILLIAM MASON]

It seemed like just yesterday that Jesse found himself unpacking his suitcase at home in Ohio. Now, he was touching down in California, where the tour would begin this year. He had to admit that he was quite surprised that the label was going to send all five bands out again to take the world by storm. He supposed that last year’s journey had been very successful and now, with everyone’s next album on the release horizon, it seemed right to go out again to be their own billboards. Jesse’s band wasn’t as well known as Travis’ or Tom’s but that was okay, he was glad to just be here, having fun with his friends. One friend in particular, his best friend, Delilah would be meeting up with him so that they could hang out for a few days before the tour actually started. Once it did start, things would get very busy and it would be quite the road trip with six busses and a caravan of trailers with all of their equipment always a day ahead of schedule. He could feel the adrenaline pumping through his veins, fueling his excitement. This year was going to be amazing and he wasn’t going to let anything stand in his way; not his sexuality, which was still in question, nor anything else.

Jesse touched down in California in the early afternoon and immediately texted Delilah to come pick him up. Hey! Guess what?! Your best friend is in your zip code. A smirk crossed his lips as he continued walking to the baggage claim area. He had only two bags, the rest of his stuff had been shipped beforehand. Six months was a long time to be away from home and well, he needed clothes, lots of them. He hoped that Delilah would approve of his clothes since they were all new. Unfortunately, Jesse had grown a bit since last year, filling out his shoulders and arms, no longer as awkward and shy. His new wardrobe was more stylish than his last one and well, he knew that Delilah would help in the best way she could because fashion was her thing. She would make him look appealing to the ladies and for that he was grateful. His current fling had to stay home because he didn’t really want her stalking him, which she would do had he not expressed how important this tour was. Ari was annoying and blonde and completely unintelligent but that was beside the point.

Catching a taxi, he took a short half hour ride to Delilah’s mall, where she worked. He knew that surprising her like this was awful because she wouldn’t want to work anymore but he decided it was the best. The only other people he knew in California was her husband Travis, who was probably less than thrilled to see him, and Katrina, who he had already talked to. Jesse didn’t think he should see her regularly because he knew that his escapade with the girl had hurt D’s feelings and he really didn’t want to do that to her even if she was married now. Besides, he doubted Pix had a presentable residence in which to house him since the last time her dingy, leaky apartment was subpar. After tipping the driver and taking his bags out of the cab, he went into the mall and navigated to find her store. Once he found it, he stopped in the entrance. GUESS WHO’S HERE! He said rather loudly, waiting for her to turn around. They might not have had the best history but he still cared a lot about here and there was nothing wrong with that.

[DELILAH DAPHEN PIEARO]

It started out like any normal day; Delilah had gotten up this morning with the knowledge that soon touring would start again and she would have to be on a bus instead of the amazingly soft and comfy bed. Not that she minded it much, since her bunk mate would stay the same. It was no surprise that the record companies had put together this tour. There were albums looming and with the success of last year, another tour with the same five bands made the most sense. So of course when that e-mail from her best guy friend in the world hit her, she was estatic! She missed Jesse like crazy and although they video conferences and he had been at the wedding at HER insistence, it wasn't the same as having him around all the time. As D was getting ready for work, she hummed a little with her excitement. One look at her and you could see a lot of obvious things: she was happy with where she was and who she was with. Travis made her smile and her heart sang a little bit every time she saw him. He did his best to be a good husband and she was happy with that.

It had taken them a while to get to where they were: and around this time last year her title had been a different one. She had been Brandon's "girlfriend" before she had been jesse's girl. But as the semi popular song suggested, Travis had wanted her and he implemented his plans to get her back surprisingly well. Needless to say that he had won her back and soon after that he had proposed as he didn't want to loose her again. That didn't stop her from being friends with Jesse however and more times than not Travis would walk in on her picking out what Jesse would wear for the week while they were video chatting. Fashion had always been one of d's strong points so it didn't really surprise anyone much when she was offered a job among the best of the best at a French company. Now she was not only a model for Jaq Jean Claude, But she also ran the California line and one of his biggest and best stores. She had two people to thank for this success; Jesse for making her go back to school and believing she could clean herself up, and of course Travis for setting up the meeting with her future boss.

Over the year, D's style had begun to transform and soften into something that befitted her new lease on life. She had even managed to grow her hair out and color it every once in a while. She played with several looks this morning before finally deciding on bangs, a head band and bright colors. After getting dressed she kissed Travis goodbye and off she went to the mall. The day had been pretty uneventfuk really, until she had gotten the text from Jesse that told her he had indeed touched down in calie. D had been helping a customer and quickly finished that so she could go take her lunch break and go get Jesse. She had figured that they needed some binding time before the tour started and had invited him to come spend the extra couple of days with her and Travis since the tour started in California anyways. This had of course, not been such pleasing news to Travis, but in the end D got her way. Delilah was all smiles as she punched her lunch card and grabbed her things to race to the airport and go get her best friend. But as she was on her way out, one of the sales persons grabbed her because she was freaking out over a claim. D was half way through helping her when she heard that voice behind her. It sent a bolt of lightning through her whole body and her neck almost snapped as she turned to look at him.

With wide eyes and an even wider smile, D grabbed the assistant manager and the second most knowledgeable person to finish the claim before she ran over and literally jumped onto him. "hey! Your here! What the hell are you doing HERE!? I was on my way to pick you up at the air port!" D's voice was muffled as she pressed her face into the side of his neck and hugged him as tight as she could. "oh my god, your here." there was a little sigh at the end of that sentence and D had to fight to keep from tearing up.

[JESSE WILLIAM MASON]

Jesse always had been incredibly fond of Delilah and this was one of the reasons why he was disliked so much by Travis. He had a history with her ever since they met each other while battling over a pair of women’s jeans in a designer store. In the end, they ended up sharing the pair of pants but a solid friendship had grown too. Travis hated Jesse so much because, obviously, he had been such a threat to Travis’ advances on Delilah. She had gone back and forth between the two several times, not being able to make up her mind or make the right decision. It was always who can offer her the most and who made her happy but truth was, they were probably very equal. The only thing that set them apart were the feelings she had; friend love for Jesse and romance for Travis. Sure, Jesse still felt cheated out of a real chance, since their relationship ended with an awkward visit to Travis’ parent’s house, but that was beside the point. She had made her choice now and it was probably the best one so Jesse promised that he wouldn’t give her anymore gripe now that she was happily married and off the market completely. He understood that Travis needed her more than he did and she needed him just as much. So really, he wasn’t all that hurt about it.

Brandon was a complete chump, but that was only because Jesse was incredibly biased when it came to the British boy. He developed a dislike for the guy way back before Pix met Tom. Brandon thought he was high and mighty turning down his other best friend when there was absolutely nothing wrong with her. Unknowingly, that boy probably put all of her insecurities in motion, having never been rejected before. Jesse always tried the best he could to make his friend feel beautiful by doing her hair, or attempting to, and going lingerie shopping with her but it was incredibly hard. She got hit with the one-two punch; Brandon then Tom, and well, it was very hard on the poor girlie. Jesse had heard through the grapevine that she was now with Harry, yet another member of Say My Name, and he wondered if she was aiming for being linked to all of them. Three down, one to go. Ring around the effing rosie with those sneaky British boys. Didn’t she learn her lesson the first two times? If she got her this time, it would be all her fault; she was a glutton for punishment…Come to think of it, she was.

The day really was going too fast. He hoped that the tour would feel like it lasted a long time. Any chance he could spend an extended amount of time with his besties, he would. Over the past year, he had wanted to visit a lot but he couldn’t. Ellie needed him since she was so tired of dealing with Gavin and Craig. His two older brothers were moved out and seriously dating so that left him to bond with his only sister just as it always been. It felt like a division between the siblings; Gavin and Craig vs. Ellie and Jesse but he didn’t particularly care. Although she was finishing up high school this year, she would be able to stay on tour with him for spring break and that was completely awesome. He couldn’t wait for Delilah to meet her.

Seeing Delilah’s look of surprise cross her face, he smiled wide. He had lied about his flight time just so he could surprise her. Plus, he didn’t want her to go all the way to the airport just to pick him up. It was really unnecessary and he could save her the gas money. ”I know, I lied.” He hugged her tightly, forgetting how short she was compared to his new height. “But I have a feeling that you’ll forgive me for it.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead before squeezing her once more. “Yep, I’m here.” Jesse’s excitement could barely be contained any longer. “We’re going to have the best time ever, just you wait and see.” His eyes turned to the customers who were appalled by the way his jeans clung to his legs so tight and how he was just bouncing with energy. Clearly, they thought men should be seen and not heard, very much like children. ”We have so many things to do. First, I have to eat something because my stomach kills, then eventually, I have to buy new toiletries since the airports are super strict these days. I can’t believe I’m here. I hope hubby doesn’t mind too much.”