Cold, sick, pain; that’s what I’m feeling at the moment. I haven’t even opened my eyes yet and I can already feel the room spinning, twisting, turning, churning my stomach at the same time as if I was on a ride at an amusement park.

My body feels as though I’ve been hit by an 18-wheeler, and it has come back driving over me, just to make sure I feel it.

My mouth is dry and on my tongue I can taste alcohol and cigarettes.

Hangover’s can suck my dick.

I knew I wasn’t in my bunk, because of the fact my exposed legs were sticking to the leather underneath me. I was in the back lounge, with a blanket thrown lazily on top of me.

I cracked open my left eye, only slightly, so however well lit the room was, it wouldn’t burn too much.

I saw a brown bucket beside me, thankfully empty.

Around the small room was at least 50 empty bottles thrown around; on the floor, on the countertops, on the shelves, some even balanced on the hinges holding the flat screen up on the wall.

I didn’t want to wake up and face everything yet, I can’t remember what the fuck happened last night, the last thing that I can faintly recall is introducing Austin to Erin and her forcing us to do shots with her, by that point I was already fairly drunk so it didn’t take much convincing.

To my drunken mind, everything’s a good idea. Nothing is impossible and if you say it is, I will try and prove you wrong, but the only thing I end up proving is that I’m a fucking idiot.

I closed my eyes tightly again, willing for sleep to take me under so I don’t have to deal with the pain and mess just yet.

I heard the door to the back lounge slide open, and an all too familiar laugh ring out in the previously wonderfully silent room.

“Fuck off, Erin” My voice was scratchy and hoarse, barely above a whisper.

“I just came to see if you’re alive and if you need anything?”

“You to fuck off” I rolled over so my back was facing her, to try and give her the message I was being deadly serious.

“Anything else?” I could still hear the humour in her tone of voice, and that annoyed me even more, this situation is in no way humorous, plus how is it fair that I am the one dying over here while she’s up at whatever ungodly hour in the morning it is, happy and energetic as per.

“Couple bottles of powerade, water and ibuprofen, please”

I heard her leave, and as she slid open the door dividing the back lounge to the bunk area and the rest of the tour bus, the sounds of the rest of the guys in my band and the crew talking and laughing at whatever they were watching on TV, flowed through. Am I the only one insanely hungover?

There’s no way I’m going to be able to get back to sleep now, once I’m awake I’m awake for hours. It’s quite depressing really, I fucking love sleep.

As she returned, I turned over and sat up, resting my back and neck on the cool leather, which gave me slight relief.

Looking over to Erin, I watched her move some of the empty bottles of alcohol off of the small coffee table and place the items there that I had asked for, which I will be worshipping their existence all day.

Instead of leaving, though, which I thought she was going to do, she sat down on the sofa opposite me and sent a smirk my way.

“How much of last night do you remember?” I don’t know why I asked because I’m not 100% sure if I really wanted to know how much of a tool I acted and how much I embarrassed myself. Mainly the reason I haven’t checked my phone for unread texts or missed calls, because I know I would of made some terrible decisions in my drunken state that would of involved some of the people in my contact list receiving weird messages in the middle of the night from yours truly.

“I surprisingly remember everything. It was a good night!”

“Good as in, everything went smoothly, we had fun, nothing too crazy, or-“

“No, things were definitely crazy” she cut me off midsentence.

I only replied with a groan and a slap to my forehead. I knew what was coming, she was going to tell me exactly what I didn’t want to hear.

“Oh, and Austin told me to tell you he put his number in your phone and to call him”

My head shot up, my previous statement? I retract. She told me exactly what I didn’t even know I wanted to hear, but by the jerk of butterflies in my stomach, proved to me I was now enjoying what she was telling me.

I searched around for my phone, spotting my bag at my feet and rummaging through it quickly, finding the electronic device and unlocking it, quite surprised it still had charge in it from yesterday.

Clicking on my contact list, I see his name, right near the top.

I felt a small smile tug at the corners of my lips.

“Oh and he also told me to tell you you’re adorable when you sleep, and to not worry, you’re still pretty hot even when you’re puking your guts up”

Whatever smile was threatening to appear was gone. My head shot toward the blonde on the opposite sofa.

“I did not throw up in front of him. Please tell me I did not throw up in front of him!” I was practically begging Erin to rewind time and make sure I didn't.

“He was holding your hair back and everything, I did tell him I would take care of you, but he was adamant on being your prince charming. It was pretty cute, well, as cute as it could be when all I could hear was your stomach contents hitting the sides of the toilet” Chuckling all through her explanation she was obviously happy it wasn't her acting a fool last night, for once.

“Why did you make me do all them shots?” Groaning and sliding down the leather once again so I was now slouching, I held my head in my hands, trying to stop the room from spinning.

“I didn't make you, I just encouraged you to”

“That’s the biggest lie I have ever heard” I reached over and grabbed one of the bottles of powerade, taking a long drink, replacing the cap, then held the cool bottle to my forehead.

“Are you going to call or text him? He gave me strict orders to make sure you do”

I knew without even looking at her she was giving me that look to say ‘I’m asking you, but really I’m telling you’

Laying the bottle on my lap, and picking up my phone again, unlocking it and scrolled to Austin’s name. I couldn’t seem to bring myself to create a new message.

I must have sat there and stared at his name for ten minutes, trying to think of something smooth and casual to send him, but the embarrassment of acting a fool in front of him last night wasn’t doing my confidence any favours.

“What do I say?” I took my lip between my teeth, chewing on it slightly. I felt the butterflies in my stomach again, but this time they weren’t so welcome. I was nervous. “Please help me, Erin?”

She held my gaze for a few moments searching for something in my eyes, then rolled her own and got up, placing herself beside me on the edge of the sofa, draping her arm across my shoulders comfortingly.

“Just tell him it’s you, thank him for last night and just say you had a good time. Nothing too flirty or anything. Simplicity is the key here at the moment.”

I slowly nodded, mulling over what she was telling me, trying to form a sentence in my brain.

She watched over my shoulder as I typed, then erased, then re typed the same sentence over and over, only with slight variations to it each time, until I was as happy as I was ever going to be with it, and gave up.

Hey, it’s Jasey

“Seriously, Jase? You can do better than that!”

“You said simplicity is the key! And honestly? I don’t think I can do better, have you met me? I’m the least casual person, ever”

“You’re so awkward, oh my God. Just send it, then. I’ll leave you to it”

I felt her pat my shoulder, trying to encourage me as I hit ‘send’. As soon as my finger swiped over that button, I realised just how awkward I am. I really could of come up with a better opening line than that. What the fuck, Jase?

I slumped my head back, letting it hit the top of the sofa. There’s no turning back now.

I threw my phone on the floor, out of my reach so I’m not tempted to text him some long ass rambling post about last night and how embarrassed I am.

I swung my legs off the leather, so I was properly sat up, and my feet were touching the carpeted floor. Reaching for the painkillers Erin had brought in, I popped out two from the packaging, placed them in my mouth and swallowed them down with some water.

I chugged down the rest of the bottle, only just getting to grips with how dehydrated I am.
I heard my text tone go off.

I slowly reached over, grabbing it in my hands again, and pressed the home button so the screen would illuminate.

Austin’s name popped up, causing the butterflies in my stomach to erupt once again and make me feel even more queasy.

Thank god you’re alive, I was starting to really worry. How are you feeling this morning, babe?

Babe.

Babe.

He called me babe.

This simple fact made me more excited and happy than I think it should have done.

I only met this dude yesterday; I need to seriously calm the fuck down.

Who am I kidding, though? I can’t resist a pretty face.