Page 34 of Electric Wounds
Lily
It’s a rare day off, and the guys are barely containing their excitement. Up until the moment the bus stops, they sit at the kitchen table trying to plan a day that maximizes the time we have in New York, determined to make the most of it. They decide we need disguises to blend in, avoiding the inevitable chaos of being recognized.
“You’re basically famous now too, Lily,” Enzo teases, tossing me a pair of oversized sunglasses and a floppy hat. “Better suit up.”
I laugh as I put them on. “Alright, let's do this.”
Jax pulls on a fake beard and baseball cap, looking like a hipster gone wrong. Marcus goes with thick glasses and a shaggy wig, while Dylan hides himself with a bandana covering his hair and huge aviators. Enzo, always extra, throws on a fedora, with a scarf pulled up over his nose and mouth like an old school bandit. We look ridiculous, like a group of undercover spies in a low-budget movie.
Our first stop is a quiet little coffee shop in the corner of the city, tucked away slightly from the usual tourist spots. The moment we walk in, the smell of freshly brewed coffee hitsus, rich and warm. The barista gives us a quick glance, likely wondering why we are dressed like this, but no one seems to recognize us.
“I’ll have a cappuccino,” I say, smiling at the barista.
“I’ll take a double espresso,” Jax says, his voice muffled behind his fake beard.
“Latte for me,” Marcus adds, pushing his glasses up.
“Flat white,” Dylan says, grinning behind his bandana.
Enzo leans into the counter, the corners of his eyes crinkling as he smiles behind his bandana. “Americano, please.”
The cashier takes Enzo’s card and prepares our drinks, then we find a cozy corner with a couch and a couple of armchairs. I settle into the center of the sofa with Enzo on one side and Dylan on the other. Marcus and Jax take the chairs on either side of the couch. Despite the ridiculous outfits, no one pays much attention, just a few curious glances here and there.
“This is amazing,” I say, taking a long sip of my cappuccino. “Thanks for bringing me here.”
“It’s good to take a break, get away from it all,” Marcus says, his fake mustache looking slightly worse for wear as coffee clings to it.
I stifle a laugh. Dylan says something to Jax, but I tune out the band, observing the street outside instead. New York City. I’ve always wondered what it would be like to come here. I never thought that my first time in the city would be with the members of Electric Wounds.
After finishing my cappuccino, we decide to head to Battery Park and catch the ferry to the Statue of Liberty. The wind from the harbor hits us as we sail closer, and I can’t help but stare at the iconic monument, the feeling of contentment and joy that has been building inside me over the last few days, solidifying even further. Marcus joins me, standing close to my back as I stare forward, not wanting to miss a second.
“I never thought I’d see this in person,” I admit, gazing up at the statue.
“Pretty incredible,” Marcus replies. When I turn my head to glance at him, he’s looking at me instead of the statue. My cheeks flush, but I’m saved from forming a response when the rest of the guys join us.
Dylan nudges Enzo. “How’s it feel to be a tourist in your own city, man?”
Enzo shrugs with a grin. “Refreshing. Haven’t done this in years.”
“You’re from here?” I ask, realizing I don’t know that much about the guy’s history.
“Born and raised,” Enzo replies with a smile.
I nod. Vowing to ask more questions about each of the guy’s personal lives. When we aren’t surrounded by a bunch of other tourists, that might recognize them. Together we disembark the ferry and spend almost two hours on the tiny island, taking stupid photos and laughing. Then we return to the ferry and venture to our next stop, Madison Square Park.
The city is alive around us—kids playing, dogs running around, couples walking hand in hand. Not needing a map, Enzo winds us along the paths, pointing out the spots where most tourists stop. We take a couple more pictures and keep walking until we end up in a larger open area with a large open lawn. We grab ice cream from a vendor and find a spot on the grass to relax; the sun warming our faces.
“This is perfect,” I say, leaning back on my elbows and closing my eyes.
“It’s nice to chill outside of the bus,” Jax says softly, his smile warm as he looks over at me.
“I think we should keep these disguises,” Dylan says, adjusting his bandana. “They’re starting to grow on me.”
“You definitely look better this way,” Enzo responds with a smirk. “Now that we can see less of your face.”
Marcus guffaws, and Dylan launches himself at Enzo, and they pretend to wrestle in the lawn. The movements jostle their disguises and Enzo loses his hat, his bandana pooling around his neck. Dylan doesn’t fare much better, which his bandana flying off his head and his aviators resting slightly askew on his face.
It all happens so quickly, all of us are laughing and joking, then someone yells out. “Hey! Isn’t that Electric Wounds?”
