The boys had never known Sam ask to go for drinks so often. It was now Friday night, a week after Sam, Dean and Drew had been for their first pint at the Low Lights after returning from tour, and they were sat in the exact same spot as last week. But since Friday, they had been in the pub Saturday night, Monday night and Wednesday night. Yes, when they were younger this would be normal, but for the now twenty-something lads this was very strange.

It wasn't that Sam was now drinking heavily, turning to drink like many of his peers in the industry. Joe, another of his band mates, had heard from one of the other barstaff that Sam had asked John, one of the regulars who sat with a pint of McEwans every night after work, which days the new barmaid worked. And unsurprisingly, those were the nights he asked if anyone wanted to go for a pint.

Drew, Dean and Joe watched Sam closely as he was stood at the bar waiting for their pints. He looked disappointed that it was Claire, not Lauren, who asked what she could get him but perked up when Lauren smiled over and asked him how he was.

'Yeah I'm doing great thanks, you in late tonight?' She smiled over and replied 'no, Claire's locking up tonight, I'm off at 10:30.'

He seemed to pause, and then turned his head to the boys who nodded at him in reassurance. It was obvious that he had a crush on the barmaid, and the boys had been teasing him all week about it, and trying to convince him to ask her out.

He turned back to Lauren, who was looking at him puzzled, wondering what was going on. 'Why don't I walk you home? It's quite late and I don't want you walking back alone.'

'I walk home alone every night Sam, don't worry about me. Besides, I live all the way up in Tynemouth, I don't want you to have to go out of your way.' Sam's smile faltered, before he built up the confidence to say 'maybe that was just an excuse, I just want to get to know ya, let me walk you home.'

'That's £11 please Sam.' Both Sam and Lauren turned their heads to Claire who placed the 4 pints Sam had ordered in front of him. Lauren giggled at the look of annoyance on his face, and the shouts of 'Sam, where's my pint!?' from the boys behind him.

'Be ready to leave at 10:30' she said, turning to serve another customer who had just approached the bar and missing the big smile that spread across Sam's face.

...

Sam had been checking the time constantly all night, counting down to his chance to be alone with Lauren. 'You barely know her and she's already got you whipped mate' laughed Dean and the boys. Sam never acted like this around girls, but from their small chats when he went to the bar to order drinks, and from watching her laugh and joke with customers and other bar staff, Sam's crush was starting to grow.

Sam could see Lauren hug Claire goodbye and go to the back to find her jacket. He stood up and reached for his denim jacket before quickly downing the rest of his pint.

'I still don't think she'll shag you.'

'Shut up Dean,' Sam replied, shooting him a cheeky grin and a middle finger before making his way over to the end of the bar where Lauren was saying her goodbyes to the pub regulars while counting her tips from the jar. She flashed him a smile before waving to the two pensioners she was talking to and leading Sam to the door.

The two stepped out into the street. It was dark now, and Lauren felt a bit chilly in her thin jacket so subconsciously walked closer to Sam to keep warm.

'So tell me about yourself' Sam asked as they started the walk from the Fish Quay up to Tynemouth. 'I'm not that interesting. I'm just working at the Low Lights alongside my degree at Newcastle. I'm studying law, in my final year... but you're much more interesting than me, aren't you mr rockstar.'

Sam laughed at Lauren's comment. 'You know my music?'. Sam had been staring at Lauren, she looked down and tucked one of her curls from her face behind her ear. 'Not until I started working at the Low Lights. Everyone there is so proud of you, they talk about you a lot and what you're up to. My friend Nicola played me some of your music, you're really good, I love Poundshop Kardashians.'

'Thanks, it means a lot. I love the community here, I wouldn't be where I am today without their support' Sam replied.

Sam was absolutely captivated by Lauren. She told him about her degree, her closest friends Nicola and Dylan. She told him about her family, her parents and her little sister Millie. When it was his turn, Sam told Lauren about how he was discovered, about the songs on his upcoming debut album and all the countries he got to visit with his best friends. The conversation never ran dry, and somewhere along the way Sam slipped his fingers through Lauren's and they walked the rest of the way back to hers hand in hand.

Lauren stopped outside a large semi-detached on Princeway. 'This is me,' she said. 'Thank you so much for walking me home Sam.'

Sam smiled at Lauren and pulled her in for a quick hug goodbye. 'It's no problem Lauren. I was just wondering, would I be able to get your number?'

Lauren smiled and nodded, reaching out for Sam's phone and entering her number. 'I've got the night off tomorrow so I might not see you.' She turned, opened her gate and walked up the short path to her house.

'Goodnight Sam.'

'Goodnight Lauren' Sam smiled, watching her enter her house before turning around and making the walk back to North Shields.