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Meet My Dedication

Bones Exposed

Austin's POV

I wanted to do something really special with Mikey before the end of the tour. She doesn't realize it, but I've heard her sing before. She does it when she's reading, doing dishes or laundry, and even in the shower. I think she has an amazing voice, so I'm pretty sure I want her to help me sing When You Can't Sleep At Night, tonight. It's the final song on our setlist, and I'm sure the crowd will love her.
Aaron decided he wanted to spend some quality time together with her, get to know her, seeing a movie. They've barely gotten to know each other, unlike the rest of us. All the guys adore her, and treat her better than I'd ever think they would, for being a complete stranger. I knew these guys were the greatest friends I'd ever have, I wouldn't be here without any of them.

I was eating with Alan in his hotel room, he usually would be with me, but since I had Mikey, he bunked with Aaron. Alan turned on the TV and we decided we'd watch Ridiculousness, which I thought was hilarious.
"What do you think of Mikey helping us sing tonight? Just one song, though."
His face was full of lo mein, and nearly choked when I suggested it. "You crazy? She'll totally freak out, dude."
He was probably right, she was terrified of big crowds, but I broke her out of that shell when she became our merch girl for the tour. "She's got an amazing voice though! Everyone will love her! Plus, it's the last night of the tour.. I want to do something special for her."
"So take her out to a nice dinner, or something. I don't know. I just don't feel like it's such a good idea, but if you really want to, go for it."

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"You want me to do what?!" Mikey was completely freaked out from the idea. "Austin I can't sing in front of thousands of people!"
"You don't have to, babe. I just wanted to do something special for you. Don't worry about it," I enveloped her in my arms, she was shaking a little bit. I couldn't tell if it was because she was cold, or because of her anxiety, but I was pretty sure it was anxiety.
I had learned a lot about her in the three months we'd been with each other, after Warped Tour. She's suffered from anxiety since she was ten years old, and battling depression since her friends died. She has a small alcohol problem, but I've been helping her with it. She's never colored her hair, ever, it has always been the blue tinted black that I loved on her. She's very self conscience of her appearance, mostly her weight. She's always wanted to be a teacher, and paid for her own college education and car.
I also noticed her nostrils flare up when she's irritated, and she can wiggle her ears. She has a freckle on the right side of her ribs, under her breast, and another one on her left breast. She sings and hums when she does pretty much anything, and has an amazing voice. It reminds me a little of Amy Lee and Jenna McDougall, but it's beautiful.
And also that I've fallen in love with her and all of her flaws each and every day. I learn something new about her, and I love it.
"I just don't want to embarrass myself, that's all. What if they all hate that I'm up there?" Her head was level to my chest, I rested my head on top of hers.
"I don't see how they could not love you, Mikey. You're perfect." I kissed her head, but she didn't seem convinced of my statement.
"You always tell me that."
"I always mean it." That was true, I always told her how perfect I thought she was, because without her flaws she wouldn't be who she was. I was in love with who she was, not who I wanted her to be.
"Whatever, you're a big softy. All this gooey romance stuff is gonna make me gag," she joked. I chuckled and snuggled her closer to me, squeezing her tightly into my chest for a moment.
"You love it," I kissed her nose and went to lay down on the bed. I wanted to take a nap before the show, because I knew the guys from the other two bands would want to go out and party after the show tonight. "Come lay with me?"
She smiled and cuddled up next to me, "is it nap time?"
"Yes it is, how was the movie?" I completely forgot that she'd went out with Aaron earlier. I felt bad that I didn't ask her about it.
"It was good, we saw Iron Man 3. I'd tell you about it, but spoilers." I could tell she was smiling, she always said "spoilers." I was pretty sure that was a Doctor Who thing, it's her favorite show. I've watched it a few times with her, but it's too confusing for me to keep up with. I just watch it, because I knew she enjoys it.
I'm more of a Star Wars guy.
I kissed the side of her head and held her close to me as I slept.

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I was woken up by multiple kisses all over. "Austin, it's time to wake up, you have a show soon." My angels sweet voice said to me. I didn't want to open my eyes, or get up. I wanted to lay in bed forever with Mikey beside me, but I knew I had to get up.
I opened my eyes and realized she had changed clothes, and getting her boots on. "Are you going like that?" She asked, I looked at myself and shrugged.
"Yeah, I'm a guy, so it doesn't really matter what I wear." I put on my black converse and went to the bathroom to fix my hair, spiking it up a little. I took a good look at myself, realizing how tired I really was. I was happy that we would be going home in the morning, and I could finally relax with Mikey.

We got to the venue a few hours before the doors opened and there were already a good amount of people waiting to go inside. The dedication some of these guys had baffled me, and I was truly amazed. Mikey and I started to unload all of her stuff to set up, while the guys got their stuff to the back of the stage, and her buddy Marshall helped us out too.
I pulled Marshall off to the side, while Mikey started to hang stuff up.
"I need you to do me a favor, tonight, okay?"
"Sure, dude," his face lit up, "anything."
"Can you take care of Mikey's booth for the night? I have a surprise for her during the show, and I need her on the side. I'll make it up to you, however you want." I was excited, because I really wanted everyone to know how talented my girl really was.
"Yeah, I can do that," we both looked back at Mikey. Her table was pretty much done, she was just setting some things into their places on the tops. She looked up at both of us and waved, confused. We just waved back with big smiles, pretending we had nothing to hide.
I shook Marshall's hand and went back over to Mikey, spinning her around, then grabbing her hand and running with her to the back of the stage.
We got to the room where the guys were chilling, and I sat down on the couch with her sitting on my lap.
Alan handed me a Monster and offered Mikey one, but she declined. Cody asked her if she wanted a beer and her face lit up. I squeezed her hand and looked at her, rather concerned. I tried to make it so she didn't drink before the shows, and just wait until after.
She got up off my lap and went over to the cooler by them, seeing what they had. I just sighed, I knew I couldn't stop her and I knew that I couldn't make her decisions for her.
She grabbed herself a Bud Light and came back over to me, sitting on the arm of the couch. I took her hand in mine, and she squeezed it.
We all talked about what we were all going to do after the show. Jeremy suggested going out to a bar, which pretty much everyone agreed.

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Our set was pretty much done, we had one more song left, and I looked out into the crowd. God, these guys were amazing. "California... You've been with us all the way, thank you so much!" I looked over to the side of the stage, Mikey's smile was the brightest of them all. I smiled and winked at her. "We have one more song left, and I wanted to do something special for everyone.
It was just Alan and me on the stage now, and Aaron was talking to Mikey. "I'm gonna bring out someone very special to us out to help me sing this last song." I walked over to Mikey grabbing her hand, "don't be scared. I love you." I whispered into her ear and took her out towards the center of the stage.
"This is Mikey, she's a lot like the rest of you. I love this girl with all my heart," I looked at her and smiled, "I'd be honored if you'd help me sing When You Can't Sleep At Night with me."
Alan grabbed a mic from Alan's stand and handed it over to Mikey, giving her a big hug.
Mikey looked out into the crowd, they were all still cheering and screaming. She looked back at me and kissed me on the cheek, "you owe me big time, Carlile," she said into the mic. I grinned and we both sat down on the stools provided for us, me in the middle of Alan and Mikey.

Alan played the song, and Mikey and I took turns singing the verses, the crowd was going wild for it.
By the end of the song, Mikey was a little shaky, and tearing up. I knew I had made her night, and I kissed her full on the mouth in front of everyone.
"Thank you, Cali! We'll see you soon!"
The three of us made our way off the stage and the rest of the guys tackled Mikey with hugs and compliments. She seemed a little overwhelmed, but in a good way. I grabbed her away from the madness and we went back into the room. Set It Off and A Day to Remember had already started packing up their stuff, so it was just us.
I looked at her, and she was glowing, with a giant smile on her face.
"I'm going to kill you," she laughed and tackled me onto the couch.
"What a wonderful way to die!" I kissed her, grabbing her butt and sitting up, pulling her closer to me.
"I love you," her hands were on both sides of my neck. I moved the sweaty strands of hair sticking to her out of her face, kissing her over and over again.
"I love you," my hands were up her sweater, by her ribs.

Tino busted into the room, "kids in the room! C'mon kiddies, the buses are waiting!"
"Dammit, Tino!" Mikey and I laughed as she got off of me, and dragged me to the bus with Tino.
"I'm sorry, did I interrupt something?" He bashed his eyelashes at her, and she punched him in the arm.
I rolled my eyes and got on the bus. Tonight, we party. Tomorrow, I show Mikey her new home.