The Life and Times of Valor

Austin’s POV

I walked over to check out Exit Here’s set. Valor looked gorgeous in skinny jeans and a long horn skull graphic tank and all white lo pro vans. They really were heavy and I could see Valor laying out every emotion she could feel. I had never seen such passion before. To think she didn’t even know she could sing until a few months ago. I wouldn’t even know what I would have done without music, honestly.
“And how can you expect yourself to live if there’s nothing left but dead weight inside that hollow space you once called a chest?” Jay screamed.
“Did you except your blacken lungs to move again, Or could you just not give up the life you fought so valiantly for? Tell yourself this is all worth it, because it’s better to have loved and lost then not love at all. But, dragging your dead limbs along the cracked side walk has never looked so painful. Just keep going, you’ll say. There’s no where to go but up from here. Keep going, I’ll say, just remember There’s a much worse hell than here.” Valor sang out.
The lyrics were beyond brilliant and their performance was amazing. Alan wasn’t lying, this was different. It was a good different and I really dug it. All I know is that seeing Valor on stage was beautiful. I would have to see if I could get her to collaborate with us. At least make an appearance.
“Alright guys, we’re going to switch it up.” Valor said breathing heavily into the mic, combing her hair out of her face with her fingers.
“I know you all know the words to this song, so sing along! We Can’t Stop!” She cried out.
They played a cover of Miley Cyrus’s We Can’t Stop. Jay began screaming and Valor began singing.
“Red cups and sweaty bodies everywhere.” She was smiling.
This was her being happy and I knew all too well how it felt to perform. She belonged up there.
“Austin! Come on we have a show to do!” Alan called over to me.
“Quite staring at her, ya creep!” Aaron laughed.
“Shut up. I was checking out their set.” I said walking out of the backstage area, we were on in 20 minutes. I wondered if Valor would come check us out.
“I told you she can wail.” Alan said proudly.
“You weren’t kidding, they’re really good. No wonder they blew up so fast.” I told him.
“She even did the production on it.” Aaron stated.
“Wait, they didn’t have Sturgis produce it? Because it sounds like his work.” I was shocked.
“No, apparently she knew Sturgis some how, like he taught her how to produce, mix and master, that kinda thing. She wants to go into production after her band has run its course.” That was incredible.
“She really loves music.” I said.
“I mean I suppose she didn’t think she was good at anything till this happened. She eats, sleeps and breathes it now.” Alan said.
“Alright guys, lets get this show on the road.” We all stood side stage ready to go out and give the performance of our lives.

Our set was perfect and I enjoyed seeing out fans go nuts. Our new album was considered the best yet, although there are some fans who hate the change. We walked off and our tech’s took care of cleaning up our stuff. I was sitting back stage drinking mad amounts of water when I seen Jenna from Tonight Alive on her way to warm up.
“Hey Jenna.” I gave her a swift hug.
“What’s up Austin!” She hugged back.
“Just got done doing our first set of the tour. When do you guys go on?” I asked her.
“Ah we are on in like 30, why?” She was puzzled.
“Uh no reason, maybe I’ll stop by and check it out. See you guys at the next stop!” I went to walk away.
“Don’t mess with her Carlile.” She followed me.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I lied.
“She’s been through enough and she’s finally finding herself. Leave her alone.” Jenna was holding my shoulders forcing me to listen to her.
“It’s not like that. We’re friends. I’m not into her like that. I find her extremely talented though. I’d like to collaborate with her. But please don’t think I am looking for anything more.” I walked away.
It was true. I think Valor is gorgeous and talented, but I am not looking to date her. I don’t even know her. I wanted friendship and she could use more friends. Besides, her ex boyfriend is a jackass and now Ronnie is going to try and ruin her for the rest of the tour. I’ll just be around to make sure she has a good experience.

A month into the tour.

Valor’s POV

Warped Tour was actually pretty amazing. I made tons of new friends. Austin was quickly becoming my best friend and we hung out almost every day. I hadn’t seen Ronnie since the incident and I hadn’t seen much of Hector after we had our little talk.

********

“Valor, I just want to put what happened behind us. Surely you’ve gotten over this..” He trailed off.
“I’m sorry? Gotten over what exactly? That you left me? That you fucking lied to me? That I told you I wanted to die and you would’ve let me?” I snapped.
“Don’t be fucking dramatic! I would never let you kill yourself, but you’re damn right I don’t have respect for people that use an excuse to get attention.” He snapped right back.
I stood up about to leave. “Valor, come on, I’m sorry.”
“Fuck you Hector. You suck. You’ll never know what you really took from me the day you left and seeing you here every day and not being able to hug you, kiss you, or anything like that fucking kills me. I never got over the guy I knew, but whoever you are now is complete douche bag and I wouldn’t touch you with a ten foot pole.” I was walking away when he shouted after me.
“You were never good enough!” He yelled and I turned and slapped him across he face, hard.
“Go. Fuck. Yourself.” I stormed away.
“Valor!” Vic from Pierce the Veil seen me walking.
“Hey.” I smiled at him.
“What’s wrong?” Tears were rolling down my face.
“Oh you know..” I trailed off.
Hector was walking the other direction.
“Hey that guy is an asshat. You deserved so much better. Come hang out with us and All Time Low later. Haley and Jenna will be there.” He hugged me tightly.
“You’re too precious you know that?” I laughed.
“Oh shucks.” He acted bashfully.

********

And Austin had been amazing. He understood my humor and spend hours watching whatever movies I wanted to watch. We’d pull pranks on the other bands with Jenna and Hayley and Ann. If I didn’t know any better, I felt something for him. He treated me so nicely and like I had deserved the world when I knew I never did. He was too good for me though and I knew how it would pan out in the end if I crossed that line. I would get hurt. Not that I thought Austin was an asshole in anyway or would do something like that to me but I was unloveable. No one can love me for more than a few months. I’m obnoxious and sarcastic and crazy, I get it. And in the end everyone leaves me.
“Earth to Valor?” Hunter was waving his hand in front of me.
“Shit, sorry I spaced out.” I pulled my earphones out and got up, we had a signing to do.
“Come on or we’re going to be late!” Jay ran off the bus followed by the guys.
“Ann?” She was no where to be found and I bet she was with the ATL guys or something.
I grabbed some high waisted shorts and tribal print razor back tank, tucking it in and blousing it over. I put a flower in my hair, winged my eyeliner and threw on some red lipstick. I don’t know why but I felt in a daze, I was just happy. I walked off the bus humming to myself as I made my way to our merch tent.
“Valor Vitali?!” A girl with bright red hair and wearing all black everything screamed.
“That’s me.” I smiled as she and her four other friends came running up to me.
“Oh my god can we please get a picture?!” They clearly had no idea there was a signing but it was adorable nonetheless so I obliged.
“How do you guys wear all that black in this heat?” I was curious.
“Eh, it doesn’t bother us.” They smiled for pictures, taking turns.
“I could never do it. When I went to warped it was always shorts and tanks.” I laughed nervously.
“Well you look gorge anyways. I really admire you.” The girl with the red hair stated.
“What is your name?” I asked.
“Miranda.” She said.
“How about you and your friends stand side stage at our set today?” They all screamed, thanking me repeatedly.
“I’ll see you guys there!” I waved goodbye before I dead sprinted to our tent, I was so late.
“Bout fucking time.” Hunter was pissed.
“Dude don’t even.” I sighed, sitting down and began greeting and signing until my hand fell off.
“I invited this group of kids to stand side stage at our set. They were really nice and super excited to see us.” I told the band.
“I dig it.” Jay nodded his head in agreement.
“Has anyone seen Ann?” I asked as we walked around looking for our MIA sound girl.
“Speak of the devil.” Ann was a few feet in front of us talking to Oli of Bring Me.
“Ann!” I called.
“Valor!” She ran over and hugged me.
“Where the hell have you been?” I asked.
“Just hanging with the bands and stuff, ya know. You guys had stuff to do today.” She shrugged.
“Valor! Hey girl hey!” I heard Austin’s voice making me smile as big as I possibly could.
“You’re in open water kid, fangirls will attack!” I turned around into his hug as he picked me up and twirled me around.
“We’ll give you guys a minute.” Landon said laughing as he walked away with Ann and the band.
“I will kill all of you, assholes.” I called after them.
“Quick, follow me!” He grabbed my hand taking off like a bat out of hell.
“Whoa, calm down killer.” I followed, almost falling.
“Can’t get seen by fangirls! Plus I have a surprise for you.” We ran all the way to my bus.
“I thought I told you I hate surprises.” I sighed.
“Well now that I just ran five miles, I’m just going to go to sleep now, thanks.” I plopped onto the couch.
“Oh hush you’re fine and you know it.” He ran to the back of the bus.
“So.” He was saying from the back of the bus.
“I was told today is the day your band become official. It is also the day you stopped your self harm and took a huge step to recovery and I wanted to give you a present because as a good best friend I want you to know that I am proud of you.” He emerged with a rather large box, wrapped in Star Wars paper in hand.
“I don’t like to talk about that..” I was in shock.
“It’s okay Val, you tell me everything, remember? I don’t want you to think you’re not good enough or any of use aren’t proud of you, we all care.” He sat down next me and placed the box in my hand.
“Open it.” He urged.
I pulled open the purple ribbon and ripped open the paper. It was a wonderfully carved wooden box with intricate design on it. I rubbed my fingers over and opened the lid. Inside were a few things, one thing from every person I cared about to be exactly. From Hunter, the rules sign from the first venue we ever played out. From Jay an extremely expensive, nice pen, he knew me too well, I have a weird obsession with pens that write well, and it was steam punk style. It was clear and showed all the inner workings. From Landon and Scott, a photograph of Han Solo signed by Harrison Ford, Han Solo was always my favorite. From Jenna and Hayley a picture, framed, of us after we pasted PB & J sandwiches all over We are in the Crowds bus. I laughed quietly as tears rolled down my face. From Ann a CD that had all the songs that brought us together as friends, that’s how it started, with music. And then there was Austin’s gift.

There was a smaller box at the bottom of this one, it was black leather. I set the wooden box on the ground and placed the leather one in my lap. I opened it and there were three books inside. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis and a smaller book that consisted of tales and stories by Lewis Caroll, the author of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
“They’re first editions.” Austin whispered.
“Oh my god.” I ran my fingers over the books, tears rolling down my face.
“I can’t accept these. They’re too much.” I closed the box and set inside the wood one.
“No Valor, you deserved them and I am not taking them back.” He grabbed my hand, squeezing it.
“Austin, I can’t.” I couldn’t help the outflow of tears.
“Valor, you’re the strongest girl I have ever met and I think you’re amazing and I-“ I cut him off.
“Austin, I love you as a friend. And you’ve been so amazing in my life please, don’t ruin it. I want it to stay this way, okay.” I kissed him on the cheek.
“And I love the books, seriously. They’re beautiful and I can’t believe you actually listen to me when I talk.” I chuckled.
“I pay attention. I know quite a bit about you actually sweetheart.” He laughed.
“I’m going to find my band, but I’ll see you next stop?” I looked at him and he looked sad.
“Of course girlie.” He hugged me tightly before getting off the bus and I started crying, feeling like a complete asshole.

Austin’s POV

“I love you.” I muttered under my breath as I walked away from Valor, if she only even knew how I felt.

Notes

Long chapter! I am trying to get to the romance a little faster, I swear it's coming soon [:

Title credit: All Time Low