The Throw-Aways

“California, we’re home!” Alan screamed out the window. We had about five days left before we needed to be back in the studios. The boys cheered and I let out my own little grin as we crossed into the San Jose area. The studios were just about fifteen minutes away from where Austin lived. It was an order that we go to his house and have a welcoming party.

Man, did I feel special!

Austin was nice enough to have me live at his house for a while. Apparently the studios offered to pay for a place for me to live for a while, but Austin had intercepted the phone I was going to pick up and settled the living situation for me. There was no arguing with the singer.

The bus pulled up to the street, dropping the band and I off. We pulled of our small selection of belongings and throwing them into Austin’s house. I followed the tall man through his doorway and a pit bull immediately attacked me.

But by “attack” I mean the pit bull came up and jumped on my hip, licking my arm as I shrugged my blue pack over my shoulder. She was adorable.

“Echo, down!” Austin barked. The dog backed off, still wagging her tail and panting. I was never scared of dogs. I mean seriously, I had Jake, even though he was fat and lazy.

The area was open with minimal hallways except to lead to a main bedroom in the back. A large living room was attached to a kitchen. We all dumped our stuff at the door at Aus’s command and went to the living room. Alan followed Austin like he owned the place. Meanwhile, Aaron and the others dragged me to the living room.

“It’s Sunday and that means pizza!” Alan called to us, already lining up the delivery schedule.

“YES!” Aaron cheered. Everyone started to help themselves to a cooler full of drinks. Between the tea, beer, and sodas that we consumed, it was enough to drown a small army.

Austin turned some Slipknot on through the TV speakers and we basically all just sat in silence, enjoying the music and waiting for food to come. The lingering smell of the adventures we had been on trailed in our wakes as we got up to get refills or answer the doorbell ringing.

I could even still see some Great Sand Dunes sand on the floor by the door mat. I think that was from Alan’s shoes that he nearly lost as some sand tumbled over them a couple weeks ago.

The band swarmed over the pizza boxes, but Tino held up a hand to stop the swarm of hungry men. Amongst the arms that flailed for a piece of pizza, someone grabbed my wrist and pulled me through to the food.

“HEY! R GETS FIRST DIBS!” Tino yelled over Aaron and Alan’s complaints. I grabbed some slices and made a quick exit to the couch. Everyone else had a mosh pit for food as I enjoyed a Pepsi and some pepperoni pizza. Austin, the gentleman as always, hung at the back until everyone cleared out and then reached in for a slice of pizza. We demolished the food within ten minutes.

After that, everyone laid around the house, falling asleep to good music and full stomachs.

When I woke up, everyone had left and I was passed out on the couch. Austin had thrown a blanket over me as the darkness overcame the landscape. Night was coming on and it looked like Austin was flipping through the TV menu for movies.

“Do you have a movie you want to watch? I mean, if you just want to go to sleep, I can show you the guest bedroom….” Austin trailed off as he looked back to newest releases.

“No, a movie sounds good.” I nodded. Oh man, I was getting a headache from the copious amounts of sugar I consumed. Austin flipped on one of the newest movies, the second Captain America. I’d wanted to see that, but since we lived in such a small town and the nearest movie theater was about a half hour away, we didn’t get to see movies often.

“Have you seen this yet?” He asked me, brown eyes sparkling. I shook my head no. His gleam gained even more brilliance.

“Then we’re watching it!” He exclaimed and pressed play. As soon as the opening credits started, I tried to force my eyes open. That sugar crash was coming down hard and hitting me like a dump truck.

My phone vibrated in my pocket. I fumbled around reached into my black sports shorts. Finding my pocket, I saw I got a text from my best friend from back home. The opening credits were still going so I took the time to send a few quick texts.

Kylar: WHY DID ALAN FRACKING ASHBY, THE MOST GINGEREST PRINCESS OF ALL DIVAS JUST TEXT ME?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

WHAT? I really don’t remember giving Alan Kylar’s number! I sent off a quick text to the princess, who just responded with a line of dots.

Then it occurred to me. When we went to get Starbucks and saw the wreck, I bet Alan had stayed behind, took my phone when I left it on my bunk, and grabbed Kk’s number.

Me: I DON’T KNOW!!! I don’t remember giving him your number. I can tell him to quit, if you want.

Kylar: NO IF YOU TELL HIM TO STOP TEXTING ME I WILL HUNT YOUR BUTT DOWN AND BREAK YOUR FACE! Best. Day. Ever!!!! :D

And that was how Alan Ashby started to talk to Kylar. Austin threw the remote on the table as I curled under the warm blanket. Through the movie, I tried not to fall asleep. Instead of letting my brain wander too far, I focused on Black Widow, who was pretty much an awesome lady badass.

At the end of the credits, Austin shut off the TV and I stood up. He motioned silently for me to follow him upstairs. He helped me grab my bags as we walked up the soft steps. Echo perked up her ears at the sound, but did not otherwise move.

“So this is the guest bedroom. It has a bathroom as well.” Austin pushed open the door to a light blue colored room with a large bed pushed against a corner. I set my stuff down and admired the layout.

“I hope it’ll work.” Austin yawned. I gave him a quick hug before settling my bag on the bed.

“It’ll but just fine. Thanks for letting me stay here.” I smiled. He nodded and went downstairs, ready for some sleep. I set my phone on the bedside table. There was no more energy left for me to change, so I didn’t.

My phone vibrated just as I got settled in.

Kylar: WHAT IS EXTREME MONOPOLY AND WHY DOES ALAN WANT ME TO PLAY IT WITH THE BOYS?!?!?!

Notes