Don't Kill the Fun

Hey everyone! I'm so so sorry about the delay. I've been out of town since Thursday dealing with flooding in my mother-in-law's house. Long story short, we spent a lot of time and money cleaning, then called her insurance who set up a claim and had a mitigation service come out (I love State Farm!)

Anyway, here's Friday's post and I will post a bonus as a thank you. Most likely a POV, haven't decided who yet. Leaning towards Trevor, but we'll see.



Baby, don't kill the fun, (I won't)
This ain't over until we say it's done, (Alright)
It's your life, go ahead, do what you choose
Put me in your, your favorite mood
Oh baby, don't kill the vibe
Turn it down we gotta let it ride
I found you, crowned you, I turned you on
So you know, I got, what you want
Cause it ain't like you can take it with you when you go
It's only right to make it beautiful." Don’t Kill The Fun by Sevyn Streeter featuring Chris Brown

Jordan was surprisingly in good spirits when Trevor and I picked her up. I asked Trevor to let her sit in the front seat with me as I drove. I knew I would have felt like a third wheel and I didn't want her to feel that way. I thought I would have to cheer her up since Derek didn't come, but she was in a great mood.

We listened to my driving playlist together. It was mostly 90s and 2000s pop songs that I loved growing up and knew all the words to. Jordan jammed out with me to N'Sync, Lady Gaga, No Doubt, Usher and Maroon 5. She gave me a disgusted look when a Savage Garden song came on.

"Ohmigosh, I hate them." Jordan declared.

"What? How do you hate them?" I asked.

"Cheesy."

"Romance normally is." I countered.

Trevor laughed and Jordan disagreed. "Not that cheesy."

"Listen to the first album. The whole thing, not just the singles, then we'll talk." I said as the song ended. "You can be DJ for the rest of the drive." I said.

"Thank you!"



We arrived in Austin around 1pm. Everyone agreed to meet at Bilal's place before we went to the festival. When we got there, I was pleasantly surprised to see Noorie and Mara were included in the group.

"Who else are we waiting on?" Noorie asked me pointedly as Jordan and I joined them on the couch. Mara shot her a weird look that I caught.

I shrugged. "I don't know. Jordan is the only person I invited that came."

Sammy, Corey, and Derek all had to work, Rocky wasn't coming, and Ethan declined. That reminded me, I needed to call Serena.

"Carly is trying to talk Amanda into coming, but they'll call if they actually come." Trevor told me.

"You invited them?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at him.

"Yeah. They're your future sisters in law. Did you not want to?" Trevor smiled at me.

"It's cool, I just didn't know that you did." I replied.

Especially since he didn't invite me...

"Alright, let's get a game plan." Bilal said, pulling out his phone.

I was amazed by the amount of planning that went into the festival. I figured we would just walk around, see cool stuff, catch a couple of shows, and call it a day. I was so wrong. There were a ton of events including film screenings, interactive panels, free parties, concerts, and keynote speeches all centered at the Convention Center in the middle of downtown Austin.

We had to register for the festival which Ian was taking care of. Bilal and Trevor tried to work out the schedule. Bilal of course wanted to do more of the music aspect and Trevor wanted more interactive.

Jordan and I were no help: we really didn't care. We were just down for the new experience.

After we received our wristbands, we planned by distance and tried to keep it as fair as possible between the different events. We went to the Music Gear Expo in the convention center first. It wasn't very fun for me. I loved music, not so much the equipment required to make it. I turned to Trevor as we walked around a bit.

"So Bilal and Noorie are giving it another try." I said, nodding towards them. They just stepped into the Shred Shed together. Guitarists were welcomed to go in, plug in and play away.

"Looks like it." Trevor answered plainly. "Let's check out the John Lennon tour bus experience."

Jordan and I hopped off the bus after a look around. It was super crowded and it wasn't interesting enough to stick around. Trevor and Ian stayed inside to take a tour. We found a lounge to relax and get a drink as we checked our phones.

While Jordan called Derek, I called Serena. She texted me back that she had conferences all day but would call me later that night. I also got a text from my brother, letting me know they were coming down. I got on my phone and used the free WiFi to book them 2 rooms at the hotel we were staying at. Unfortunately, it was nowhere near SXSW, but it had plenty of rooms available.

I just confirmed the rooms when I heard a familiar voice.

"Of course you found the lounge during happy hour."

I turned around to see Christian.

I gave him a huge smile. "You're here too. What does that say about you?" I said, hopping up to give him a hug.

"It says I'm thirsty." He smiled hugging me tightly. I laughed and sat back down.

"This is Jordan. We work together. Get a drink and join us." I invited him.

He quickly agreed and left us to get a drink.

"Who is that?" Jordan asked me, looking Christian over as he left.

"That's Christian. I went to college with him." I explained, straightening out my plain, fitted t-shirt and dark denim jeans.

"He's cute." Jordan stated.

"Yeah..." I said, looking him over too. When Jordan gave me a smirk, I smiled. "I mean, he looks the same." I lied.

He did, but his look was more mature. His hair was perfectly styled. The graphic muscle tank and red cargo pants showed off his arms that were more defined than I remembered in college. His hi-top red and black Marc Jacobs sneakers completed and summed up his look: sophisticated swag. I kinda loved it.

He made his way back over to us with a drink for himself and seconds for us.

"Thanks." I said, stirring the drink he handed to me. "Looks like California is doing you good."

"Yeah, looks like it did the same for you." He quipped, looking me over.

I smiled. "Yeah, you know. When I was out there, I had a nutritionist and a trainer."

"You did?"

"Yep, my dad when I was staying with him." I joked.

"No wonder you came back to Texas." He laughed.

"One of the reasons."

"Next time you come back, you can crash with me." Christian offered.

I shook my head. "I have a cousin out there now. I need to introduce y'all. She's into the nightlife and partying too."

"What makes you think I'm into that?" Christian asked.

Trevor was the one that said he was your stereotypical music guy, but I just smiled at him.

"What song that you wrote has the highest spot on the billboard charts right now?" I asked.

"Fun all Night." Christian smiled.

"Exactly."

"So you're keeping up on me?" He grinned.

"Not really." I said, nonchalantly.

"Not really what?" Trevor asked, as he, Ian, Bilal, Noorie and Mara joined us.

"Not really into this expo. What's next?" I asked.

We then went to the next exhibit. It was a panel discussion about technology adaptation in cars. Christian and Ian bailed, telling us they would meet us for food afterwards.

I was tempted to bail too. I really didn't think I would enjoy it, but I stuck around for Trevor. It was actually really interesting to listen to and think about. Maybe we didn't have flying cars (yet!), but the advances made in transportation showed that in the future, it was a real possibility. The dashboards
in cars were like computers now and we weren't far off from having self-driving cars. The possibilities were endless.

Afterwards, I teased Trevor, telling him by the time we had flying cars, his car will be a 2015 with heat finally.

"That's fine with me. We can use your car for flying." Trevor said, throwing his arm around me as we walked to the food area.

"We're still going to be together?" I said, pretending like I was thinking it over.

"Yes, you're like my car. I would never trade you in. No matter how old and busted you get." Trevor explained. Everyone in hearing distance laughed, including Jordan. Trevor pulled away when I swung at him.

"Hey! What's your problem? That's a compliment." He chuckled, as he jogged away, ducking between our friends as I tried to attack him.

"Yeah? I'm gonna choke you as a thank you." I threatened him.

"Save the foreplay for the hotel." Ian called out to us.

"Yeah Lily. I know it's hard, keep your hands off of me." Trevor winked at me.

"You have no idea..." I said in a menacing voice.

Even if music, technology and movies weren't my thing, the SouthBites Trailer Park was right up my alley. It was food trucks set up with every type of food imaginable. We walked around, looking at the different foods and also trying to spot a place we could sit together.

Noorie found a truck that did Taiwanese style ramen noodles with no meat so that's what she chose. Bilal got dumplings from the same truck.

Nearby, there was a truck selling Kimchi fries. It smelled so good I decided I wanted to try it first. When I got my order, I sat with Noorie and Bilal to save the table we found while the rest went to find food.

I tried my fries and they were amazing. The combination of beef, onion, cheeses, kimchi, sesame seeds and a magic sauce was so delicious.

"I would have made the trip for the fries alone." I moaned, digging into my food.

"Thanks Lily." Bilal smirked and Noorie smiled.

"Not like that! I'm always glad to see you." I offered him a taste of my fries.

"I agree with you. I like these more than all y'all." Bilal joked as he chewed.

"Whatever! I don't think that. Ask Trevor. I wanted to get everyone together again. Almost would have happened if Rocky would have come." I told him.

The mood completely changed when I said Rocky. Noorie's lips turned into a grim line and she looked at me, her eyes cold as she stared at me. I tried to give Bilal a "What the fuck?"  look, but he wouldn't meet my eye. He just looked at Noorie nervously.

"That won't happen if I'm around." Noorie said, sharply.

I tilted my head to the side, confused to where the attitude was coming from, and a little put off by it.

"Why?" I challenged her.

"Noorie." Bilal started.

"No." Noorie said, turning from me to glare at Bilal. "I forgave you for breaking up with me and sleeping with her. That doesn't mean I want anything to do with her. I don't care who she's friends with."

I sat there, stunned. I didn't even know what to think. Rocky and Bilal slept together? While Noorie and Bilal were on a break? That was this year. Meaning, Rocky cheated on Brandon. I didn't want to believe it, but added with Rocky and Bilal's behavior, it made complete sense.

It also made me sick to my stomach. The fries I just ate churned violently in stomach. I swallowed, trying to calm my nerves.

"You said you forgave me." Bilal sighed.

"Forgave, not forgot." Noorie hissed back as I watched, feeling so stupid. Why didn't I put it together? Bilal broke up with Noorie and talked to Rocky after our talk...

Oh shit, is this my fault?

Thankfully, the group joined us with food. Trevor had some gourmet grilled cheese sandwich. He offered me some, but I lost my appetite.

I kept thinking about Rocky. I knew that was why she was acting so oddly. I wondered when it happened. How could she cheat on Brandon? Did he know, like Noorie? Why didn't she talk to me? We were best friends. I considered her a sister. How could she not tell me about something so big?

"Want some of my lobster roll?" Jordan asked. I shook my head.

"Lily turning down food? California really changed you." Christian smiled at me.

I smiled weakly back. "What are you eating?"

"Thai Chicken Kara’age. Wanna try?" He asked.

"Don't. Save the Japanese food for next week when we're in Japan." Trevor answered for me. That brought a real smile to my face. Japan, really anywhere far away from home, sounded great.

"You're gonna eat Japanese food?" Christian asked Trevor. "Real Japanese food?"

"I'll try it." Trevor said, unconvincingly.

"Kids meals." Christian added, while everyone, except me, Bilal and Trevor laughed.

Trevor's phone rang. It was my brother, saying they checked in at the hotel, finally found parking and were on their way to the convention center.

"Be right back. I'm gonna get them wrist bands." Trevor said.

"I'll come with you." I said quickly, standing up too. I looked over at Jordan as she chatted with Ian. "Do you wanna come too Jordan?"

"No, I'm fine. I'll see y'all in a bit." She said.

I grabbed Trevor's hand and we started the long walk to the convention center.

"Trevor, Rocky slept with Bilal. She cheated on Brandon." I said as we walked.

Trevor looked over at me. "Who told you that?" Trevor asked, after taking a deep breath.

"Noorie." I said. I stopped to look at him. He looked tired and maybe frustrated but not shocked or surprised.

"You knew?" I asked him, in disbelief.

When he just sighed, I asked again. "You knew?!?!" I accused him.

"Bilal told me." He confessed.

"Why didn't you tell me!" I exclaimed at him.

"Why should I?"

"Because that's my best friend! She been flipping out on me for weeks-"

"I told you not to worry about it." Trevor cut me off.

"You never told me why! You knew why she was acting crazy. How could you not tell me Trevor? How could you do that to me?" I cried at him.

"Nothing was done to you." Trevor said as he sped up walking.

"Trevor stop." I demanded, letting go of his hand.

He did and turned to me. "Lily, I didn't tell you because it wasn't right for me to tell."

"That is complete bullshit! As many times as I asked you about Rocky there was plenty of right times to tell me." I argued.

"It wasn't my place to tell you. It wasn't up to me whether you knew or not." Trevor clarified.

"You knew!" I yelled, losing my cool. A group of people walked by, glancing at us. Trevor waited for them to pass before continuing.

"I knew because Bilal told me. You know the first thing I thought? It was how you were gonna deal with it. You're so negative and jump to the worst conclusion. Maybe that's why Rocky didn't tell you." Trevor said harshly. I blanched at his words. "I'm sorry if you feel like its complete bullshit, but it wasn't my secret to tell." Trevor finished.

I just stood there, every single word seeping into my skin. Trevor's phone rang again and he looked down at it.

"That's your brother. Are you coming?" He asked.

I shook my head.

"Lily, don't ruin the whole weekend because-"

I didn't stick around for him to finish. I turned around and stormed off.