Backseat Serenade

He led the way out of the bus and as soon as we stepped off of the steps we were being shouted at.

“Hey Austin!” It was Alex Gaskarth and right next to him of course was Jack. Tagging along behind them was Vic Fuentes and Jaime bit they just looked as confused as I was by Alex’s outburst.

“Long time no see.” Alex commented and hugged Austin.

“Yeah, been since Spring Fever.” Austin answered as they stepped away from each other. “What are you guys doing out in the no man’s land?” He was referring to the bus area meant for the lesser known bands.

“Ashby told me you were this way with some chick from Relentless Dreamer, so I decided to visit.” Alex said as he looked me over. “You’re Sierra Fox, right?”

“That’s my sister. I’m Riley, the singer.” I replied.

“How could you get that one wrong?” Vic spoke up. “I’m Vic Fuentes by the way, singer for Pierce the Veil.”

I nodded and smiled, “I know who you are. Don’t worry I didn’t think you were your brother Mike.” I said jokingly and grinned at Alex.

“Hey, you and you’re sister look a lot alike.” Alex defended themselves.

“No, not really.” Jack chimed in.

“I didn’t hear you correcting me. You’re supposed to be my wingman and that means you keep me from looking like an ass.” Alex explained to Jack.

“I don’t take offense to it.” I responded. “I probably just caught your guys’ attention when I got signed to Warped, at least you knew the name of my band.”

“I think I like this chick.” Alex replied.

“Well she’s already taken.” Austin put his arm around my shoulder possessively.

A little territorial are we? I thought and smirked as Austin, Alex and Jack chatted.

“Do you know our song Hold on Till May?” Vic asked, taking my attention off of Austin’s conversation he was having. “Sorry I know it’s a really random question.” He looked a bit nervous about the question.

I nodded, “Yeah, it’s one of my favorites of your guys’.” I actually did like Pierce the Veil and knew their songs well. I got into them because they were also a band from San Diego and their music was actually really good.

“Awesome! I actually came along to ask if you would like to perform it with us for the entire Warped tour if schedule allows.” He asked excitedly.

“Yeah, I’d love to perform with you!” I said more calmly than I felt. I didn’t expect a well-known band to ask me to perform with them! This is huge and would help my band a ton with publicity. Plus I was excited to perform with a band that I actually liked.

“He was so nervous about asking you.” Jaime said energetically. “I finally had to tell him that I would go with him for back up and if you said no we would do some convincing.”

“Convincing?” I asked amused.

“Yeah were Mexican…we would have offered you food and alcohol.” Jaime answered.

“I do like tequila, Corona and Mexican food.”

“We have to hang out with her tonight.” Vic said with a smirk. “You are going to the kick off BBQ.”

I nodded, “Austin convinced me to go.”

“Well, we have to go do some interview. Our set time is at four can you meet us at our bus at three so we can run through the song a few times?” Vic asked.

I nodded, “Yeah no problem.”

“See you later then.” Vic said and then left with Jaime.

“Where are they going?” Austin asked.

“Interview. They came to talk to me not you.” I smirked.

Austin looked back at Alex. “See you guys later, we’re going to walk around for a bit. Find the guys and what not.” He said and then started guiding me away from Jack and Alex with his arm still around my shoulder.

“What’d they want to talk to you about?” Austin questioned.

“Secret San Diego-ian stuff.” I answered.

“I see.” He chuckled.

“Vic wanted to know if I would perform one of their songs with them. And I said yes.” I stated proudly.

“You know their songs?” Austin looked surprised.

“Of course I know their songs. I wouldn’t say yes to them if I didn’t know the song.” I replied.

“You know their songs but you don’t know any of mine.”

“I know some of yours. I listened to some last night. I like Feels Like Forever from Restoring Force, Repeating Apologies from The Flood, and Second & Sebring from your first album.” I answered proudly. “I have to listen through your songs some more but those are my favorites so far from each album.”

“What time’s their set?”

“Four. Will you be able to make it?” I don’t know why but I kind of wanted him there for my first time performing on Warped.

“I have a signing at four. I won’t be able to make it.” He said looking discouraged.

“Okay.” I answered, acting like it was nothing. “I’m sure I’ll have my sister there.” Why did I care that he wasn’t going to be there? I stepped out from under his arm and distanced myself from him. “I have to go find my sister and the rest of the band.”

“I can go with you.” Austin replied looking confused.

I shook my head, “No, you go find ‘the guys’ like you planned. I’ll be fine on my own, I’m used to being on my own.” I said and then left him.

I took my phone out of my pocket and called my sister.

“Hey Riley!” She said excitedly. I could hear a lot of noise in the background. She must have been at one of the shows.

“Hey where are you I have some awesome news.” I answered.

“I have awesome news to tell you also. We’re at main stage watching WCAR. You should come by.”

“I’ll be right there. Bye.” I replied and then ended the call.

“So I’m confused.” Austin said coming up from behind me, making me jump.

“Jesus Christ!” I yelled and put my hand on my chest as if it would help slow down my heart, which was beating out of my chest.

“Sorry about that. Didn’t mean to scare you.” Austin mumbled.

“What are you confused about?” I asked as I continued to walk towards the stage area.

“Are you mad at me?” He asked.

“Why would I be mad?”

“Because I can’t make it to the performance.” Austin replied.

“It’s a small performance and you’re going to the main performance. Besides I’ve only just met you like a few days ago; I barely even know you.” I stopped walking. “Why are you following me? I thought you had to find your friends.”

“Alan’s currently with your sister.” Austin answered. “So we’re kind of going to the same place.”

“Oh.” I turned away and continued to walk.

“Do you want to get to know me?” Austin randomly asked. “I seem to know a lot more about you than you know of me.”

“That would probably be nice since you insist on trying to win me over.It might be nice if I knew something about you other than the fact that you’re in a band and you’ve always been a rock star.” I answered with a smirk.

“How about we hang out on my bus after the BBQ? We can talk, watch a movie, whatever you want.”

I grinned, I could think of a few things. “Whatever I want?”

Austin smiled back at me. “Within reason.”

***
“Alan asked me to go to the BBQ with him!” My sister said excitedly as soon as she caught sight of me.

“I know Austin told me he wanted to ask you.” I answered and my sister’s face fell a bit.

“Killjoy.” She mumbled looking in Austin’s direction. “So what was the good news that you had to tell me? Since I don’t have an informant to tell me everything.”

“Vic Fuentes asked me to perform Hold On Till May with them for the rest of Warped, schedule permitted of course.” I answered enthusiastically.

“Congratulations Riley! You’re going to be performing on Main Stage with an awesome band!” Sierra looked excited.

“You’re going to be backstage for me right?” I didn’t expect anything less but I just had to make sure at least one person would be there for moral support.

“Of course and with the rest of the band.” Sierra said motioning towards Jackson, Will and Harlem. “So have you decided on whether you’re going to the BBQ or not?” She asked turning the conversation back to the night’s festivities.

I shook my head, “I’m going, Austin also invited me to his bus afterwards to talk, watch movies, whatever I like.” I said with a little shrug. “He thought it would be good if I got to know him a little better.”

“Sooo…and what does that mean?Life story get to know or physically get to know?” She said with the biggest smirk on her face.

“Whatever I want.” I answered grinning back at her.

“And what is it that you want?”

“Life story, and a bit of physically.” I answered. “He said within reason so I don’t quite know what that means.”

“Just so you know he likes giving girls oral.” My sister informed me matter of factly. It was like we were discussing the weather or something.

“Why do I need to know that at this point in time and how the hell do you know that?” I was taken completely off guard by the statement and now that’s what I would be thinking about whenever I looked at him.

“I thought you would enjoy the information.” My sister said with a shrug. “And I know from watching some of his interviews. He’s not really big on actual sex until the L word is involved or marriage. We both know that you are incapable of saying the L word to anyone other than me and Mom. Just want to warn you of that.”

“Pfft…I doubt that.” I replied. “Is there anything else you want to inform me of? Like the rest of his life story?”

My sister shook her head, “Nope, he can tell you that himself. I can tell you that from what I know he’s a pretty awesome person, with a pretty interesting past. If he hadn’t nabbed you I would have gone for him.”

I smirked, “He has an age limit and I’m on the low end.”

“Pfft…that ruins my plans for the future.” She said with a smile.

I loved talking with my sister most of the time. Our conversations made me feel like we were in a normal situation, not side stage of a band at one of the biggest rock music festivals.

“At least you have Ginger Princess.” I commented. “He can replace Austin in your plans.”

“Talking about plans for the future. Have you talked with Mom yet?” She asked but I’m pretty sure she already knew the answer to that question.

“No.” I responded. “But I’m guessing you already knew that.” My mom liked to nag me so I tended to ‘forget’ to call her when we were away.

“Yeah, she told me when I talked with her last night. I told her you were on a date. She seemed pretty thrilled.” Sierra stated.

“Well did you tell her who with?” I asked knowing full well she didn’t tell Mom the full story.

“Nope.I thought I would leave that to you.” She said with a grin.

“I’ll try and call her tomorrow.” I mumbled.

***
My first performance with Pierce the Veil went awesomely. The fans seemed to enjoy it and I really loved performing with them. Our set went smoothly, with more people in the audience than I thought we would have. I loved the feeling I got performing in front of the crowd.

“Thank you guys for coming out to Warped Tour today. You have been awesome. Don’t forget to stop by Main Stage today at 8:20 to see our good friends from Of Mice & Men. Should be a great show.” I said winking at Austin who was standing side stage for the show.

“You act like a whole different person on stage.” Austin noted when I was walking off stage. He handed me one of the monster cans full of water.

“If I acted how I really am on stage I’m pretty sure people would hate us.” I replied and then took a drink of the water. “I’m a grump and not very personable.” I admitted, taking Austin’s hand in my own. “Ready to see Bring Me the Horizon?”

I was excited as we made our way to main stage.I really liked Bring Me the Horizon and had wanted to see them live for what seemed like forever.

“You know, I know the guys of Bring Me the Horizon. We toured with them before.” Austin stated as we flashed our passes to security so we could get back stage.

“Yes, I know you toured with them. You don’t have to rub it in.” I said lightheartedly.

“I can introduce you to them.” Austin said with a smile.

I shook my head, “I don’t think I’m ready for that yet. I’m sure I would fangirl and embarrass myself majorly.”

“And that’s so different than any other time.” Austin joked as BMTH took the stage. “I have to go prepare for my performance. Are you okay if I leave you here?”

“No, I’m going to run out on stage and tackle Oli.” I said sarcastically. “Of course I’m fine if you leave me. Though if I don’t return it’s because I’ve been swept off my feet by a hot, British guy. You’re hot and all but hot, British guy beats hot, American guy any day.”

“Is that so?” Austin looked amused.

“Yes. I blame it on Doctor Who.” I replied. Dear God I had to shut up before I revealed all my geeky tendencies. Sometimes I just talked when I was nervous and/or excited.

“What?” Austin chuckled. “You watch Doctor Who?”

“Spoilers.” I said with a wink. “Now leave and do whatever you’re doing. I’ll be fine and I promise to return in time for your show.”

“See you later.” He said and then left.

“You know Austin?” Someone asked from behind me. He had a British accent and I was pretty sure I knew who it was.

I turned around and yep…it was Oli. “Umm…”I said sounding like a complete idiot. “Umm…yes? Is that who it was? I thought it was just a complete stranger coming up to talk to me?” I shook my head. “No, that’s not true, I know who he was. We’re kind of going out but it’s kind of a long story. Hi, I’m Riley Fox.” I said holding out my hand.

“Oli Sykes.” He shook my hand and smiled.

“Oli!Quit flirtin with the girl and let’s go!” Matt, drummer Matt. Yelled to Oli as the music started, signaling for them to go on.

“Enjoy the show.” He said and then walked on stage.

***
“So how were they?” Austin asked with a grin as I walked over to him before his set.

“Awesome!” I answered excitedly. “And I met Oli. Sounded like a complete idiot but he seemed to like me.”

“And you didn’t end up running away together?” Austin said teasingly.

“He drove a hard bargain but I had to decline.” I replied. “You’re better looking and so tall.”

“Are you going to introduce the rest of us to your new girlfriend?” A Hispanic looking guy walked up to Austin and me.

“I’m not exactly his girlfriend.” I said to the stranger that I was assuming was one of the members of, Of Mice & Men. “I’m Riley.”

“I’m Valentino but most people call me Tino. That’s Phil.” He pointed to a guy with longer black hair. “Aaron.” He pointed to the guy that I knew to be the clean vocalist for Of Mice & Men. “And the ginger over there is Alan but from what I’ve heard you’ve already met him.”

I nodded, “It’s good to meet you Tino.” I answered with a friendly smile.

Someone started signaling it was time for them to start. “See you after the show.” Tino said and headed over to where Alan, Phil and Aaron were waiting to start the show.

“Good luck.” I said to Austin with a smile. “See you after the show.”

“See you after the show.” Austin replied and started after Tino.

Notes

Enjoy ^_^