I looked across at Abby and she smiled reluctantly. I sighed and looked back to the teenage boy in front of me. I smiled at him and he put his head in his hands. I reached out to touch his shoulder. He raised his head to look at me. "Sorry," he breathed. "I'm not normally like this,"
"You think I haven't seen worse?" I raised an eyebrow.
"I just don't know what to do. Do I take the offer and start training at the tattoo shop? Or do I go to college to get my dad off my back?"
"Which can you see yourself enjoying?"
"The tattoo shop, obviously,"
"Have you spoke to your dad about it?"
"He says I won't get enough money and that it isn't a steady job," he sighed.
"Look around you. Look at all these people covered in tattoos. They pay a lot of money. Mike and Tony are covered, not to mention Austin and Oli who we're touring with. They've spent some serious money. As for it not being steady, by taking the offer you're securing employment," I explained.
"Yeah," he nodded.
"Do you want to know what I recommend?" I asked.
"Yeah," he nodded. I went to reply but stopped. Ellie had came over and sat next to me.
"Um . . . Ellie, what are you doing?" I asked seriously.
"Vic has sound check. He's working,"
"So am I," I sighed. We're only two weeks in and she's already pissing me off.
"Oh sorry. I've just got nothing to do," she tried. "What do you do while Mike has sound check?"
"I'm here working," I sighed. "Have you spoken to Casey?" I suddenly asked.
"No, which one is that?"
"Mike's tech. He was telling me last week how much he loves company on the job,"
"Really?"
"Yeah," I nodded. "Go find him," I urged.
"Okay, I'll see you later," she smiled. Ellie got up and hurried away.
"Thank God," I sighed. "I'm so sorry," I tried.
"It's okay," he shrugged.
"I think you should make a proposal and explain things to your dad. Tell him this is what you're doing and these are the good points. If you can't talk then write it down," I urged.
"Okay, thanks Kayleigh," he breathed.
"No problem," I replied. He reached forward to hug me and I squeezed him. "Here's my number," I said and gave him my card. "Call me anytime,"
"I will, thanks," he said. I smiled as he got up and walked away.
"Finished?!" Abby called.
"Yeah!" I replied. She came over to me and got out a step ladder. I climbed up and started to dismantle the tent as Abby caught the bits I threw down.
"Do you need a session?" Abby teased.
"After Ellie I need fifty," I sighed.
"Know the feeling. She drives me mad,"
"But she thinks she has a bond with me because Mike is Vic's brother. When Vic isn't around she clings to me," I explained.
"Just ignore it,"
"Hard when she's up my ass,"
"Just don't let her get to you. You know how you get,"
"Yeah," I nodded. "Don't worry, I won't hit her," I smirked. I finished taking everything down and Abby packed it away. We started to carry it into the van and packed up the files, chairs and tables.
"Want to go watch sound check?" Abby asked.
"I have a better idea," I smirked.
"Oh no,"
"Let's kick off this prank war," I grinned.

We walked out of the venue and towards the buses. The boys stormed out behind us. I turned around and raised my eyebrows. "What?" I asked Mike.
"Fucking Bring Me!"
"What have they done?" I asked seriously.
"Spray painted the British flag onto a bed sheet and then they used it to trap us in the dressing room,"
"Oh no," I muttered, hiding my smirk. I pulled Mike to me and hugged him. I could see Abby behind him and grinned at her. I reached to kiss him and he kissed me back. I pulled away and smiled. "You go back to the bus. I'll see you in a minute," I said.
"You sure?"
"Yeah," I nodded. The boys walked away and I linked my arm with Abby. We walked towards the bus and stood outside. I could hear the boys complaining inside and plotting.
"Did they fall for it?" Abby asked.
"Of course," I laughed.
"Hey!" Oli called. We looked up and smiled.
"Are the Pierce boys in?" Matt N asked.
"Inside," I said.
"Good, we need to go kill them," Lee said.
"Why?" I raised my eyebrows.
"They swapped all of our beanies and snap backs with sombreros," Matt K said.
"Oh, definitely the Mexicans," I nodded. I opened the door for them and they all filed in.
"Kay'! Abby!" Austin called.
"What's up?" Abby smiled.
"Bring Me and Pierce have pranked us. We went back to our bus and found burritos and sausages and potatoes in our beds," Alan explained.
"The whole bus stinks," Aaron added.
"They're inside," Abby told them.
"Thanks," Tino said.
"Boys," I said and they stopped. "Don't break my husband," I warned.
"Sure," Phil nodded.
"She's talking about his dick," Alan said.
"I'm not," I glared. I opened the door and they walked inside.
"Ready?" Abby asked and I nodded. We got a step ladder and Abby have me a leg up. I pulled myself up onto the top of the bus. Then I helped Abby up. We could hear arguing from below and the sound of the door opening. "Do you think they know?" she asked.
"Kay'! Get the fuck here now!" Mike yelled.
"They know," I muttered.
"Abby!" Matt N called.
"Where the hell are they?" Austin exclaimed.
"Why is there a ladder here?" Jamie asked.
"Damn," I breathed. Abby and I waited a minute. But I screamed as Mike head popped up to our level.
"Come here," he urged.
"No, you'll hurt me," I muttered.
"They're closing in," Abby said and I turned to see Austin's, Tino's, Alan's, Lee's and Oli's heads.
"You can't touch me! I'm pregnant?" I tried.
"Not going to work," Mike said and grabbed my legs.

Notes

Hey! How was this? What did you think? How much is Ellie annoying you right now? Why is Vic even with her? What do you think will happen next? :)