3rd person

They had made it to Houston the next day. Austin woke up at nine in the morning and got up; walking to the small kitchen area they had and got a water bottle. He drank it down before going to the bathroom to take a shower. Aaron stepped out as Austin was getting his clothes together and they exchanged a good morning. Marie woke up in Aaron’s bunk, yawning and looking out the window. The bus was parked in a parking lot and the driver was talking to someone else. Marie closed the curtain and snuggled back into the blanket before she heard Alan’s groggy voice speak up.

“I want pancakes Phil.” He whined as he jumped off his bunk and landed with a soft thud. He opened the curtain where Marie was in and he smiled when he saw her awake. “Come on cutie, let’s watch some TV.” Marie was about to agree when Phil pushed Alan away and smiled at Marie.

“More like she’s going to help me make the pancakes, right Annie?” She smiled, nodding and getting out of bed. She fixed her dark blue sweater and black pajama pants. Alan watched as she put on the kitty slippers he had bought for her and he smiled, nodding his approval. They walked out to the lounge as Phil complained about no one buying the ingredients to make the pancakes. Austin walked out to the lounge in a muscle tank and black jeans, wearing his usual shoes.

“Outside food it is.” He smiled as everyone agreed. They all got changed in their normal clothes and waited to go out. Marie walked next to Aaron, having him decide on what she would help on.

“What if she just stands by the guards and watches the show today. After that, the crew would know she’s with us and just let her be.” Tino spoke up.

“Not bad.” Aaron smiled, to which Marie agreed to. They reached the restaurant and Austin took his phone out, having their waitress take a photo of them.

We hope to see you guys tonight as we kick off the tour here in Houston! Stop by and say hi!

Austin put the name of the restaurant and the rest re-tweeted the post. The group ordered their breakfast meals while they noticed a few people walk in and sit next to them. They all talked and smiled, quietly talking about something as to not disturb the rest of the people around them. One of the girls turned and saw the group of guys and waved, recognizing the band. They returned it and she grinned, turning back and talking. Austin began eating and looked over at Marie who was happily eating the waffles that she had ordered.

“I promise that once I get the ingredients, you’ll help me make pancakes and you can see how amazing they taste.” Phil smiled. Marie nodded, having Aaron agree with him. Austin smiled as he saw her grin at something Aaron told her and she happily agreed. Her eyes went to look at Austin and he quickly looked away, which caused her to blush. Alan saw the whole thing and chuckled, nudging Tino who nodded, knowing what had happened.

“So, sound check is at three and then we should help the crew fixing everything and we hit the stage.” Tino spoke up. The group agreed having Marie eat more of her waffle before the waitress walked up and asked if she wanted more coffee. Marie nodded, smiling at her and thanking her. Aaron laughed as she finished her waffles in record time and she glared at him.

“Shut up, I haven’t had waffles since before you got signed to the band.” She laughed and playfully hit him. Aaron lifted his hands in defense and she laughed, leaning her head on his shoulder and sighed. “Thank you Aaron.” She whispered. Aaron smiled, grabbing her hand and squeezing it softly.

“Anything for my best friend.” He assured. The group finished their food and got up, having Tino pay the bill since it was his turn and they went back to the bus to get ready for that night.

Annemarie's POV

I walked into the bathroom, clothes in hand and ready to change. I put on my black tank top with a skeleton hand, my favorite pair of jeans that were covered in eyes and my usual black Vans. I put on the bandages on my wrists, making sure the cuts won’t open. I walked out, seeing Alan putting a beanie on his bed and he looked at me. “Hey cutie, put this on.” He grabbed the black beanie and gave it to me, allowing me to put it over my light blue hair and I looked at the mirror, looking over at my outfit. I liked the way it looked at he smiled, seeing that it was a good choice. I walked to the front lounge and the guys were sitting on the couches, sweating from sound check. I heard the shower turn on and knew Alan had taken his shower. The group was resting on the couches when Alan stepped out and Austin dashed to the bunks, having Tino groan and sit back down.

I turned the TV on, seeing Adventure Time on and I smiled, leaning back and enjoying the show. When Josh wasn’t at home, I would love to sit and watch the show for the few hours I had. I remember once when he didn’t come home for the whole night. It was an Adventure Time marathon and I had a bowl of popcorn and a huge grin on my face as I watched the show. I used to feel bad that I didn’t worry about Josh that night, I mean, I was his girlfriend. I should have worried, but I didn’t. I pretty sure I didn’t care either.

Austin sat in his previous spot and this time, Aaron jumped up, beating Tino to the bathroom. He cursed and sat back down. I watched as Tino mumbled something and I got an idea. I got up, sitting next to Austin, where Aaron had sit and I could hear the shower turn on. Perfect. I took out my phone, thanking Aaron who had put the whole bands number in it. I could tell Austin was watching and I looked at him. He looked up at me and chuckled, looking away.

“Sorry.” He laughed. I smiled a little at his laughed and turned back to my phone.

‘Once the water shuts off, I’ll text you so you can beat Phil. He also wants to go before you.’ I
texted to Tino and his phone went off. He checked his phone and read the message, chuckling.

‘My hero, thanks Annie.’ He texted back and I rolled my eyes.

I turned to the TV, focusing on Adventure Time when I noticed Austin stealing glances at me. I looked at him and he looked away, pretending to watch the show. My stomach flipped and I looked at the TV, wondering why it was doing this. I tried to think; maybe it was because he looked intimidating? But he was really nice, especially to me, so that couldn’t possibly be the problem. I heard the shower turning off, shaking me out of my thoughts and I quickly texted Tino. Once the curtain opened, Tino sprinted to the bathroom pushing Phil on the couch. I laughed, seeing Phil stare at Tino in shock as he cheered, going to the bathroom. Aaron looked at me and smiled.

“You little minx.” I shrugged, pocketing my phone and looking back at the TV. After Phil took his shower and the band was ready for the concert, we all moved to the venue. They warmed up in the back, having Austin growl and scream a bit while Aaron and Alan strummed on their guitars. Phil played on his bass and Tino was playing with his drum sticks, making a beat on his lap. I sat on the couch when a crew member came in and told them that they had two minutes. The group nodded and grabbed their stuff, going out. Aaron smiled at me, grabbing my hand softly and leading me to the side stage. I had the perfect view of the stage and I smiled.

“You’ll be here for the show okay? We all can see you so we’ll keep a close eye on you. I have a surprise for you before the show ends okay?” He asked me. I nodded and he smiled, petting my head before leaving with the band to get ready. Soon, the lights dimmed and Tino stepped out, having the crowd happily cheer. Phil and Alan walked out followed by Aaron and the place screamed. Austin was the only one left and he appeared next to me.

“Enjoy the show okay?” He whispered at me, microphone in his hand. I looked up at him and nodded. We locked eye contact for a bit before he lightly grabbed my hand and squeezed it a bit.

“Have fun.” I told him and he nodded, walking on stage. The crowd got louder, if that was even possible and Austin smiled.

“What the fuck is up!?” He yelled into the microphone and Tino began playing. They played many songs; most I knew as O.G. Loko, When You Can’t Sleep At Night, Second & Sebring and Let Live. I watched as they jumped around, occasionally making eye contact with them at random times.

Just as they finished playing their second to last song, Austin sat on the floor in front of the fans and held their hands. I saw many people crying, cheering, and others holding onto him. Aaron spoke into the microphone and the place got quiet. “We’re going to end the night with a popular song. How many of you guys have seen photos from me recently with a blue haired girl?” Most people cheered and I looked at Aaron, what was he planning? “Well, she’s here tonight. Annie, come here.” He looked right at me and I froze on my spot. I shook my head, not wanting to be there when he walked over and took my hand.

“Aaron…” I trailed off. He gave me a reassuring smile and took me out on stage.

“This is my best friend Annemarie. We’ve been friends since we met in high school and she’s been nothing but an amazing friend. In fact, she pressured me to follow my musical dream.” He chuckled. I nervously stood next to him and looked at the crowd. They were all quiet, some smiling and others laughing at what Aaron was saying. “I haven’t seen her in a long time, mostly because her abusive boyfriend kept her to himself.” The crowd went dead silent and I looked down. I felt an arm around my shoulders and saw Phil rubbing my arm, silently assuring me that everything was going to be fine.

“She needs me more than ever right now. I’m the only one she trusts.” He looked at me. “She’s slowly opening up though. Last week, she would jump when one of them accidentally brushed against her, cursed at something, or startled her accidentally.” The whole place was quiet, and I could only stand there awkwardly. “We want her to feel at home here with us, and with you guys.” I played with the bandages and Phil softly moved my hand away from them.

“You’re going to hurt yourself again.” He whispered and I let my hands drop. Aaron looked at me and grabbed my hand.

“This next song is for Annie, and for you guys. Keep staying strong like she is!” He grinned into the microphone and I looked at him hugging him tightly and he returned it. I stepped back and walked off stage as they began playing. Austin began screaming and I could make out some of the words, and then Aaron sang. That’s when I knew the song.

The Great Hendowski.

I felt tears running down my face and I wiped them away, smiling at the amazing friends I made here, as the tour just began. This was going to be an amazing tour, supportive friends, Josh in jail, and amazing fans who accepted me. I could tell.

But I was wrong.

Notes

Title Credit: Pierce the Veil

Sorry for the long wait, I had a few tweaks to fix and I had to put everything together. I hope you guys are enjoying this story as much as I enjoy writing it! The tour won't be long, I'll mostly skip days to get the story going. :)