I wish that I could say we had worked things out and I wish that I could say I was wrapped up in his arms right now going to sleep. But unfortunately the next day, things took a turn for the worst.

That morning I had run into a girl I had gone to high school with. In school she had been an outcast and not one to have many friends. I had always tried to be nice to her but she always gave me an attitude no matter what. So when we made eye contact as I was leaving the bus area and entering
the venue and she ran to me pulling me into an embrace, I practically shit myself.

“Hi!” She screamed like we were long lost friends.

“Hi…” I said unenthusiastically.

“How are you?!”

“I’m good, how are you?”

“Better now! Listen, Raegan, I have a favor to ask you.” She wrapped her arm around my shoulder and pulled me over to the side and started whispering to me. “Can you get me one of these?” She reached down and flicked my lanyard with her finger.

“No.” I said pulling my body out from under her grasp.

“But, Raegan!” She pouted.

“I’m not getting you one of these so you can harass band members, Kasey. No way.” Austin and Alan saw the commotion and I saw them making their way towards us.

“Hey, Rae…” Austin said crossing his arms over his chest and looking Kasey up and down. “What’s going on?”

Kasey’s eyes went wide looking at the two of them and a smile spread across her face.

“I’m sorry, Kasey. I can’t help you.” I said with a shrug following Austin and Alan towards the Of Mice & Men tent where we had a signing.

“Who was that?” Alan whispered to me as we walked.

“Someone I went to high school with. She was trying to get a badge to get back into the bus area. I wouldn’t get her one because all she’s going to do is harass any band member she can find.” I explained quietly.

Austin was walking four steps ahead of us and was ignoring me. I couldn’t help but wonder what was up his ass.

He ignored me through the signing, through the set, and through dinner. I wasn’t letting him get to me though. Alan and Phil had invited me back over to the bus tonight to hang out and drink and I had agreed.

I was in the bathroom applying my makeup when Alex’s head appeared in the mirror behind me.

“What’s up?” I asked glancing up at him in the glass.

“Can I talk to you?”

“Of course…” I said turning around to face him leaning against the sink and crossing my arms over my body.

“I heard a rumor...”

“What kind of rumor?”

“That you’ve been hooking up with Vic.”

“WHAT!” I screamed. “No! No, no, no, no, no, no.”

“So it’s not true?”

“Of course it’s not fucking true! That explains why Austin’s been so weird to me all day!”

“I was just checking!” Alex said throwing his hands up.

“I talked to him like once at a party and gave him my number. He hasn’t even texted me!”

“Well, I just figured you should know.” Alex said with a sigh.

“I’m going to fucking kill him.” I said turning around to finish my makeup.

I made my way over to Of Mice’s bus steaming angry. Alan had texted me letting me know they were sitting outside. I found them all right in front of the bus in chairs and they all said their hellos as I approached.

I took a seat between Alan and Aaron. Alan, who was wearing his tiger suit, handed me a beer which
I opened and took a big long drink out of.

“Slow down, Rae!” Aaron laughed.

“I just found out about the Vic thing.” I explained looking at the ground.

“Yeah, about that…” Alan said awkwardly.

“What?”

“Is that true?”

“Fuck no! Alan, do you really think I would do that to Austin?”

“I’ll be right back!” Alan jumped up quickly running towards the bus. He began yelling into the bus but I couldn’t make out the words.

“What’s his problem?” I asked Aaron who was looking at the ground.

“Dude, no! Don’t! You’re stupid if you do! It’s not fucking true!” Alan was yelling.

I turned around and felt my eyes grow wide with horror.

Austin had stepped down out of the bus pushing Alan to the side. His hand was clutched tight to none other than Kasey’s. And he pulled her towards him as wrapped his arm around her waist and she cuddled in against his chest and placed a kiss against her cheek.

It felt as if my entire world had just come crashing down around me all at once. How could he have done this to me? How could he have ruined everything we had had all at once?

Our eyes caught, for just one moment. I saw the moment of revelation hit his face when he realized what was going on, that I hadn’t really he hooked up with Vic. He could see the pain I was feeling, I could see guilt and pain flooding inside of him too. I got up and ran and I didn't look back.

I was half way to All Time Low's bus when his hand caught my arm and he spun me to face him.

"What?" I spat at him, filling my voice with as much venom as possible.

"Rae...I..." The smell of alcohol on his breath stung my nose.

"Don't touch me." I said tearing myself from his grasp. "I should have known. The moment Alan told me about all your secrets Austin. I should have known you were trouble."

"Raegan, please."

“Did you honestly think I would have hooked up with Vic behind your back, Austin? Really? Did you?” His eyes searched mine while he looked for anything to say to defend himself. "Just, turn me into another one of your songs. Isn't that what you always do anyway?" I laughed as I turned my back and continued on my way. Tears pricked my eyes.

"Fuck!" I heard him yell and hit something behind me. I knew I had hurt him. I knew my words had stung him. I didn't care though. This was his fault. Or maybe it was mine. Maybe I shouldn’t have gone with it in the first place. I didn’t come on this tour to fall in love and I didn’t come here for this shit either.

“Raegan!” I heard the footsteps coming and I turned and felt someone pull me into their arms. I knew by the cologne it was Alan. Clinging to his stripped jump suit, I began to sob into his chest. His hand came up and began to rub my hair. “Shhhh…” He whispered letting me cry.

“I’m so fucking stupid…” I cried.

“No, no you’re not.” Alan was doing his absolute best to comfort me.

“I’m crying on a ginger in a tiger suit!” I bawled hearing the bus door open behind me.

“At least you’ve got your sense of humor.” He mumbled.

“Rae, what happened?” I heard Jack’s voice ask from behind me.

“Come on, Rae. We’ll go talk about it.” Alan said taking my hand in his and leading me onto the bus.
He sat me on the couch in the front lounge and took a seat next to me. Alex handed me a bottle of water and he and Jack sat down opposite us.

“You’re not leaving here until we talk about everything, Raegan.” Alex said to which I nodded in agreement and began to cry harder.