Everybody's Got Somebody but Me

[Felix Nicholas]

Saying it was complicated was putting it lightly... At least to Felix. It was the combination of his personal situation and the current world hot topic that was weighing down on him. It felt almost silly, to be fussing and worrying internally about Erika, his feelings, her feelings... Them, when the world was on edge at the recent revelations. He'd already had a number of phone calls from his Father, demanding he return home, that the Academy was going to surely eventually become a target, if not from SPECTRE then from mutent fearing locals. Felix of course had turned down his offers of a quick and discreet escape... He couldn't leave the school, not when it and all those that relied on it could be at risk. He couldn't leave Erika. With the sheer magnitude of what had recently happened, did he really have any right to worry about his personal issues? Was it selfish? Maybe so. Neither he nor Erika needed the extra pressure.
It was far too much to get into here, especially when this was supposed to be a calm, casual night out. The radio host found his gaze drifting to his best friend, where it remained for a long moment. She was beautiful, but then she always had been... And yet recently she'd been capturing more of his attention... Perhaps because now there was the hope that he actually had a chance. "Hmm?" Felix hummed softy, having been slightly distracted, the pat on the back snapping him out of his thoughtful gaze. "Oh, good idea! Let's see how well you bat your eyelashes and toss a bartender a flirty smile." He joked, grinning at the guy before playfully nudging his arm with his own. He lingered for a moment as Beau began to head to the bar, his eyeline returning to his best friend and her companion; they really did seem fully in depth in their gossiping . It would be best to leave them for now. before the radio host weaved his way round tables filled with cuddling couples after the guy. "So, you and Liz perform here often?"

[Beau LaRoux]

Beau didn't blame Felix for getting distracted. There was something at that table to distract each of them, after all. He also couldn't help but wonder if he looked exactly like that when he looked at Liz, and if he did, he was beginning to see why everyone assumed that they were dating. That was a look loaded with a lot more than friendly affection, that much was certain.

But guys don't talk about stuff like that, certainly not after they just met. Beau just laughed at Felix's joke and made his way through the crowd. The couples brushed against him, and a few times Beau saw portions of his body alter ever so slightly. His skin might harden a little, once his hair seemed to grow slightly. By now though, Beau had grown used to moving through crowds of his fellow mutants, so much so that it barely even phased him when he switched powers three times in about five minutes. He got there soon enough, gesturing to get a few drinks.

"Yeah,' he said. He looked back to Felix and nodded. "Liz an' I play here pretty often. Ain't our most regular joint, since it's a big big an' they don't usually like my kinda music," he nodded at the crowd, which consisted mostly of people around their age. While the country scene in Montana was pretty big, it obviously wasn't the norm for a group like this. "I usually play at Matt's. You know, that dive up the street? Liz plays with me pretty often though. We harmonize well," and yes, Beau knew all the levels that could mean. He turned, sighing as he saw that the bartender had done exactly as he and Felix had predicted: moved on to serve a group of pretty girls that had come up after the two guys.

[Elizabeth Edison]

Elizabeth laughed at Erika's response to her self-praise. The pyrokinetic had long ago admitted to herself that she shouldn't be ashamed of her talents and embraced it for what it was. But it still did feel odd getting praise from other people, especially friends.

She didn't quite realise Erika's discomfort at her tease until the brunette spoke. No truer words have been spoken, Elizabeth thought to herself.

It was then that she felt that she should reign it in a little bit with Beau. This flirting had gone on a little too long and she was afraid one of them would go out of line and then the friendship they had built for so long would just crumble.

"I know exactly what you mean." Elizabeth forced a smile before getting bumped into by one of the staff of the place who reminded her that they would be on in five.

"Oh jeez. Thanks Harry! I'll get Beau." She smiled brightly at the man before sending a text out to Beau that they should get ready.

"Just have fun tonight. He looks like great company so you should definitely just enjoy yourself. Wish me luck." She wrapped her arms around Erika quickly before hurrying backstage.

As she waited for Beau, she tuned her guitar and tried to shake off her nerves. The song was starting to weigh on her before she chuckled it off. It was just a song. It didn't mean anything.

Right?

[Erika Conner (Bellefonte)]

Hugging the blonde back, Erika offered her a smile before nodding, ''You're going to sweep them off their feet. I'm sure of it.'' Winking at Liz, Erika stepped back and walked towards the booth. Sliding into her seat, the brunette rested both of her elbows on the table and watched Elizabeth as she made her way through the crowd and disappeared out of sight. Erika couldn't wait to see them perform together, and she was one hundred percent sure they would do it perfectly.

Twisting a look of her hair around her finger, Erika let a sigh escape her lips as she leaned back into the seat. Elizabeth was right; Felix was great company, even with everything that had happened, they still managed to be around each other and act the way they always had. Sure, Erika knew it was selfish of her to leave it at that without talking about it, but she wasn't ready to deal with it yet. She wasn't ready to make a decision. She was just happy things hadn't gotten awkward between the two of them.

Erika let her eyes slid slowly over the groups of couples before shaking her head. Nope, she still didn't understand how it made people uncomfortable. What did it matter if it was couples or groups of friends? Maybe she was being naive, or ignorant, but she didn't feel like it added any pressure to her own situation. Well, that and the fact that she was stubborn anyways.

[Felix Nicholas]

Felix dodged the couples as they approached the bar, deciding that he needed to try and avoid thinking about his current emotional situation for the time being... It was difficult regarding the amount of visual stimulus, namely the person in question and the amount of couples present in the club, but he was going to have to try... But he had to admit, it was certainly getting harder.
The first few days since he'd... well, since they'd... Kissed, he hadn't minded Erika's obvious need to avoid addressing what had happened between them, but now, a few weeks on... It was beginning to really become tender to the radio host. They normally talked about everything together... But now there was this issue that he was too nervous to address for fear of the answer. Maybe, in some way, it was a good thing that she was avoiding the subject... He could remain in blissful ignorance for a little while longer, still hold on to that hope that they could be more then friends. At the moment it was certainly better then hearing the decline of his affections that by now he was certainly expecting.
Beau's comments towards him snapped Felix again from his musings, and the radio host quickly nodded with a grin in response.
"You two seem pretty well in balance with each other," He commented with a slightly quirked eyebrow, giving the the other male a playful arm nudge. "I'd wager she thinks the same." He then paused, pouting as the bartenders avoided them and began to serve the group of girls instead, narrowing his eyes in a mocking annoyed manner at the bartender. "Well, seems our eyelash fluttering wasn't enough. SOMEONE doesn't habe good taste. Damn. Want me to grab Erika? She's the master at this sort of thing."

[Beau LaRoux]

Beau's phone began buzzing before the drinks could arrive, and he had to dig around for a moment before pulling it out. Soon he was pulling a face and looking up at Felix. "Looks like you're gonna have to order the drinks yourself," he said nodding. He sent a quick text to Liz then another to Erika to let her know that Felix would be taking their drinks over. No sooner had he finished than four drinks appeared. Beau grabbed one, took a swig, then tapped it. "That one's mine, an' sorry to ditch ya with all of 'em, but I gotta get on stage," he jerked a thumb toward where Liz was already setting things up, just in case it wasn't already obvious why Beau needed to go. He patted Felix on the shoulder, smiling. "So jus' enjoy the show, alright? An' if you need to leave a drink, leave mine. I can always get another."

A quick wink and Beau was heading over to the stage, swinging by only for a moment to grab his guitar to lug with him. He had to move around a few people, offering his apologies and gently asking them to get out of the way. A time or two he could feel abilities creeping up, but he moved quick enough that none stuck around enough to really bother him. Soon enough, Beau was up on stage, his guitar out and going around him.

"Ya doin' alright?" he asked Liz, looking over at her. He strummed the guitar a few times, tuning it and getting things all prepped. "I'm good to go whenever you are. So jus' lemme know when you're good to go," Beau smiled reassuringly, hoping that he could transfer some of his confidence to his singing partner. Liz's voice already had a light tremble to it, though thankfully Beau knew how to sing in perfect harmony with her. He'd do so too, as soon as he was sure she was ready to start. Heck, he could distract the crowd if they needed a few minutes...

[Elizabeth Edison]

Elizabeth knew Beau was approaching even before she looked up. Her smile softened at his concern and she nodded. "Not my first rodeo." She shrugged, even though the sight of the audience seemed to grow before her. Reaching a hand out, she patted his shoulder and looked him straight in the eye. "You don't have to confident for both of us Beau. If you're gonna pee your pants, you can tell me. I'm your best friend, I won't judge." Her smile turned into a cheeky grin.

Finally satisfied with her tuning, she nodded to Beau and walked up to the microphone, looking out at the audience. The light was just right so she didn't need to block it out. "Hey! How's everybody doing tonight? I'm Liz, and this handsome devil beside me here is Beau." She turned to look at Beau, grinning as she introduced him. "Like you gals out there didn't know." She heard a few titters of laughter. "I see a lot of couples out here tonight so this song goes out to all of you. And a special shout out to our friends Erika and Felix. Thanks again for coming you guys." She looked down to where Erika was sitting and she grinned at her, waving slightly.

She turned to look back at Beau and nodded. He was supposed to start and then she would chime in with the vocals. A small smile appeared on the blonde's lips as she tried to get into the headspace she always did when they did a duet.

[Erika Conner (Bellefonte)]

Gazing at the stage, Erika watched the pair setting things up, and she couldn't help but smiling at how good of a match they really were. Sure, she had noticed this before, but the stage seemed to only enhance it. She was rooting for them, she really was. She only wished they'd stop making excuses (oh the irony) and step up their games. It was none of her business, she knew that, but Erika would hate to watch them both chase the other only to find out it's too late. She didn't want to meddle, but it was hard. It was hard sitting by the sidelines and watch them not figure it out.

Clapping, Erika's lips twitched upwards into a grin at the shout out. Winking at Liz, Erika lifted her hands even higher, clapped and whistled. It had a been a long time since Erika had done something like this; She had almost forgotten what it felt like to be out with friends and just chill. It was a nice feeling.

Now, if only Felix would stop being such a busybody. Not that she could blame him or anything, and it wasn't like he owed her. Then again, she didn't really hate it either. Sure, she enjoyed having him around, but the small amount of space offered them both a breathing space, which was surely a good thing, all things considered.

[Felix Nicholas]

Felix blinked a little at Beau when the guy took a text, smiling and waving a hand at the guy as he dismissed himself. "Oh, don't worry, just leave a poor innocent young man like myself all on his own!" He grinned, before lightly nudging the other male in the arm. "You go and knock 'um dead. I'm excited to hear you and Liz play... Hey, I might even offer you both a spot of the school's radio." He returned the wink, before watching the guy dodging various couples to head towards the stage area.

Felix's grin softened to a smile, and he casually rested his arm on the bar and leaned against it, watching as Beau and Liz took to the stage. The pair seemed so natural together, it was a wonder to the radio host how the pair weren't already a couple. It was a shame, when two people seemed so meant to be, and simply spent too much time dodging it for fear of ruining a friendship then it was too late; then again, he couldn't really judge them for that. He wasn't exactly the best candidate for that campaign.
He listened as Liz made the announcement, before being nudged by the bartender, who seemed to be done with serving the group of giggling girls. Felix gave the man a grin, before attempting to pick up all four glasses in his arms. It was a struggle, and he was sure he looked quite ridiculous trying to balance them, like a waiter on his first day at work; but he just about managed it, and so began the now dangerous people dodging trek towards the table where Erika was now sat.

Mentally congratulating himself for making it there unscathed, Felix a little clumsily placed the glasses on the table before sitting himself down. "Those two seriously aren't together?" He commented, looking towards the stage. "They're so delightfully adorable."

[Beau LaRoux]

"Glad ta know I can trust ya," drawled Beau, chuckling. He gave Liz another nod, his hands tapping against his instrument mostly noiselessly, more or less twitching. Of course he knew when to take his cue, even if Liz was the one taking the lead and doing most of the talking. Raised a hand to point at himself when Liz introduced herself, then at Liz when she introduced Beau, obviously intent on riding the joke far beyond its point of exhaustion. He then winked, purposefully directing it toward Erika, though the expression worked for the audience in general. Doubtless at least half a dozen girls would later claim that the cute musician had looked right at them when he'd done that coy wink, and they'd insist that meant that all the stage chemistry stayed on the stage. He also pointed at Erika and Felix on time, nodding.

"Oh, ya actually want me to start doin' something now?" he asked when Liz turned to him. He made a quick face and began playing, already humming a little. The song was slower, lower, practically sultry, but Beau practically flipped a switch, becoming the song. The notes from his guitar had that pang of loss already, the old instrument letting the audience know the things its owner had seen. He hummed and provided background for Liz on her verses, stepping up effortlessly to do his own, even managing the parts that were definitely in his lower register. His own solo verses worked well enough too; this was a song that Beau had practiced. He didn't mind slipping here and there on his own, but he'd be damned if he let Liz look foolish.

The song would eventually end quietly, though Beau'd make sure to remain still, head slightly bowed, eyes searching the crowd, reading their emotions easily enough. It was a tune that required at least a little break before moving into the next one, though Beau knew well enough that they'd move into the next song soon enough, and that it was another one where Liz had to take the lead.

[Elizabeth Edison]

"You betcha." Elizabeth winked and showed him finger guns, laughing at herself for that lame attempt at being cool.

And when they started the song, much like Beau, Elizabeth lost herself in the song. In addition to actually having practiced it a billion times on her own and then a billion more with Beau, Elizabeth actually adored the song. And as she belted it out to the best of her abilities, she couldn't help looking over to Beau a couple (or ten) times just to see how he was doing and how he was enjoying the song.

As the song faded out and she strummed the last note, Elizabeth blew out a sigh of relief, knowing she didn't do a thing to mess their performance up.

Their next number wasn't her particular favourite but admittedly thought it fit her vocal range so she liked it only for the fact that she could sing it well and boy did she sing it well.

In the middle of the song, she looked down at Erika and blew her a kiss while Beau sang, before looking to Beau with a small smile. All in all, she was pretty sure everyone was enjoying the performance.

Once the song ended, Elizabeth took the microphone off the stand and slung her guitar behind her back, approaching Beau for their next song.

"I sure hope there are people out there who love Colbie Caillat and Jason Mraz because both of us sure do." Elizabeth threw one hand over Beau's shoulder while the other was poised over the strings of his guitar. She looked up at Beau and gave him a smile, biting her lower lip at how close they were. "You ready kiddo?"

[Erika Conner (Bellefonte)]

Cupping her chin in her hands, Erika leaned forward with both her elbows planted against the table. She peeked up as Felix entered her line of view and offered the boy a grin, ''They aren't,'' she said with a nod. Sighing, Erika turned her attention back towards the pair, ''Aren't they though? I wish they would just realize it themselves instead of running around in circles.'' It was a little ironic, considering Erika and Felix was doing the same thing, though there were a lot more into the picture than refusing to admitting it.

Needless to say, things were a little awkward on all fronts. Maybe it was something better left untouched; At least for now. They were here to support Liz and Beau, not indulge in whatever troubles they had going on a personal level.

''They really do make an adorable couple, whether they care to admit it or not,'' Erika said with a determined nod, giving Felix's shoulder a bump before grinning again, ''So! What did you boys talk about?'' She wasn't really curious as she could easily imagine what boys talked about, but it was better than no talking at all, and Erika had found out that after their incident, finding topics to discuss was a little harder than what it normally had been. There was a lot of awkwardness to get past.

[Felix Nicholas]

Felix focused on the stage for some moments as he watched the pair set themselves up to begin, the radio host eager to hear them play; music was a passion for him, and seeing how they acted together... Well, they had to be harmoniously perfect. A soft smile on his lips, Felix then shifted his eyeline back to Erika, tapping his glass lightly with his finger. "You know, I think some people are just meant for each other," Felix spoke, before his smile faded slightly; his choice of words was maybe not quite the best at this particular moment. Felix quickly shrugged casually and chuckled, his grin returning to hide the awkwardness that had momentarily swept him. "Well, I mean, look at those two! You're right, they really are adorable together. It's a shame they just don't seem to see it." Felix felt he'd just about managed to prevent the moment from becoming awkward, something it wasn't used to experiencing with Erika... Normally he could speak ao fluidly and openly with her, but due to their recent personal issues he often found himself falling over his words on occasion if he happened to mention relationships or feelings to do with them.
He was thankful when she changed the subject. "Not much... Didn't really get much time before he was whisked away," He replied cheerily. "He talked about music, mostly. How he normally plays over at Matt's." Felix felt was though he shouldn't mention the fact that he and Beau had spoken a little about the girls, feeling as though it would only shift the situation back towards that unpleasant awkwardness. The radio host then paused, snapping his gaze towards the stage as they began to sing, the notes hitting beautifully every time, the music filling the room. They really did harmonise perfectly... As though their voices were made to sing together. "... Those two really are perfect for each other," Felix spoke softly, more to himself then to Erika. 

[Beau LaRoux]

"Yeah, 'cuz I'm the one that take all the prep time," drawled Beau, giving Liz, and the crowd, a quick wink. He shifted, trusting Liz completely with the playing, knowing full well that she had the talent to do it. She was probably one of the few people that Beau would trust like this though, putting his showmanship in her hands entirely, knowing full well that the slightest mess up and they'd both look like idiots, even if he could play it off.

Beau didn't even think about that though. He didn't think about moving his fingers aside and letting Liz support him. He didn't think about the harmonizing or how easily their voices slid together for the song. Those parts just happened naturally, part of their rhythm that they'd established so long ago that it was as much a part of how they were as their own solo performances. No, what Beau noticed instead were the words. They weren't necessarily brilliant by any stretch of the imagination, almost standard. But the standards were that for a reason, and in this case, it was the lyrics:

"I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again
Ooh ooh ooh" the words just came of course, all that training and stuff. But Beau heard them and listened, and he felt his eyes drifting toward Erika and Felix for a moment, even as he moved on:

"They don't know how long it takes,
Waiting for a love like this
Every time we say goodbye
I wish we had one more kiss
I'll wait for you I promise you, I
will
"
He needed to stop thinking, though it probably helped the song. He just needed to perform. He forced himself to look at Liz. It wasn't like it was hard; that was the problem. It was too easy, and he found himself practically staring as he continued. He found himself meaning a lot of the words, even if the song was light, fluffy even. He paused while she sang a section, licking his lips. It would end eventually, and it was one of those strange moments that lasted an eternity and passed in an instant.

And for the first time in as long as Beau could remember: he froze on stage. He had no idea what to do, and ended up staring at Liz, seeming to not quite realize that he was, in fact, still on a stage and that there were people sort of applauding and probably figuring that the two of them were just soaking up the attention and letting everything sort of sink in a little.

[Elizabeth Edison]

Elizabeth pursed her lips to curb her laugh at Beau's tease. She rolled her eyes at the crowd and pointed at Beau with her thumb. "See what I have to put up with?" She chuckled and shook her head.

It was Beau's turn on lead and Elizabeth couldn't help but smile at how good he sounded. She tried not to concentrate too hard on him though, seeing as her fingers were supposed to move at alotted times.

And much like Beau, the pyrokinetic also couldn't help but look into the lyrics more deeply now. But she didn't actually have time to ponder over it too long because she noticed how Beau kind of stopped. She looked up and saw him staring at her and her breath caught in her throat.

She didn't know what was happening but she had to do something. Without thinking, she reached a hand up to his cheek and leaned forward to press her lips against his cheek. "What's going on bub?" She asked, lingering a little near his ear before pulling away to face the crowd.

With a huge smile, she grabbed Beau's hand and pulled him forward and bowed. "Thank you." She waved with her free hand. The crowd applauded though she could feel the confusion.