You're Not Alone Anymore

I wasn’t sure what time it was, but all I knew was that someone on the bus was being way too loud. I didn’t know if they were watching a movie or playing a video game, but it was annoying as fuck, and I was trying to sleep.

Awhile later the noise still didn't decrease, so I decided I might as well get up and take a shower.

I pulled the covers off of my head and went to turn to grab my phone. But when I did, my arm hit something. I lifted my head up to reveal a sleeping Alan next to me. We must have fallen asleep while we were talking last night. He looked so cute sleeping there, I didn’t have the heart to wake him up.

I carefully reached over him and took my phone off of the charger. I checked the time: 7:00 a.m.

Who was up this early?

And then I remembered. Ugh, I have to be to the merch tent in an hour. I groggily got out of bed and grabbed a towel and my toiletry bag. I went into the bathroom, closed the door and locked it.

I looked at my reflection in the mirror. My hair was like a lion’s mane and there were dark circles under my eyes. I took off my clothes, turned on the shower and waited for the water to get hot. I glanced down at my wrists and looked at all the damage I have caused to my once flawless skin.

Nobody knew about my dark secret. Not even Austin, or Alan for that matter. Josh had seen them a few times, but he didn’t really care enough to ask. Which I was somewhat grateful for.
I really needed to stop doing this to myself. But I could never seem to. It was an addiction, just like how some people were addicted to cigarettes, I was addicted to cutting myself. It was like a drug.

I pulled back the shower curtain and went under the hot water. I loved showers, it was one of the only places where I had alone time, and time for me to think and just be by myself.

When I was done I turned off the shower and grabbed my towel off of the rack. I wrapped it around my wet body and proceeded to grab my brush. I made sure to get every knot and kink before grabbing my blow dryer and drying my hair, allowing it to get back to its natural wavy form.

Once I was done, I turned around to grab my clothes. But they weren't there. SHIT! I must have left them laying on my bed. I unlocked the bathroom door and slowly opened it and poked out my head to make sure that the coast was clear. Then I quickly walked over to my bunk and drew back the curtain. When I opened it Alan was gone. I proceeded picked up my clothes and turned around to head back to the bathroom.

“Geez Dakota, put some clothes on!”
“AHH!” I let out a blood curtailing scream, almost dropping my towel.
“Alan! Don’t fucking do that!” I yelled at him, hitting his arm.
“Well, it’s not my fault you’re running around here basically naked!” Alan said like a smart ass.
“I am wearing a towel you know?” I said trying to fight fire with fire.
“Yeah I know, but it’s fun to mess with you.”
I just stuck out my tongue. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to get ready.”
But Alan wouldn’t move out of the way.
“Oh come on Alan! I really need to get ready, I can’t be late for my first day of work.” I said trying to push him out of the way.
“Fine, fine.” he said giving up, “But first let me get a hug from you?”
“Of course you can,” I said embracing him.
“I’m glad you’re here,” Alan stated, looking straight into my eyes.
“I’m glad to be here,” I said smiling up at him.

We stood there in silence for a few minutes before being interrupted.
“Ahem,” we heard from behind us. We both turned around to reveal Austin standing there.
“Alan, is there a reason why you’re hugging my sister while she’s wrapped up in a towel?”
“Well, I…” Alan started to say before being interrupted.
“Actually I don’t think I really want to know,” Austin said shaking his head. God, this was really embarrassing. I could feel my cheeks heating up, I’m sure I was red like a tomato.
“Dakota, you have work in 30 minutes. Be by the front of the bus in 25 minutes so I can walk you over to the merch tent and get you all setup.” Austin said before turning around and walking away.

“Okay, sounds good.” I said and then returned my gaze back to Alan, “I really need to get ready now.”
“I know, go ahead. I’ll catch up with you before the show, yeah?” he asked.
“Looking forward to it,” I said before walking into the bathroom, shutting the door and putting my back up against it.
Oh, my god. Was I falling for Alan?
•- - -
About 20 minutes later I was ready to go. I decided to wear my black high waisted Levi shorts and my black cropped cat shirt with a red flannel. I put my hair up into a high ponytail with winged eyeliner and mascara.

I didn’t want to try too hard for my first day of work, but I at least wanted to look presentable, casual but cute.

I headed to the front of the bus and went into the kitchen area. I grabbed myself a breakfast bar and said good morning to the rest of the guys before heading towards the door.
“I’ll see you guys later before the show tonight. Austin’s taking me over to the merch tent to get me situated.” I said to them.
“Have a good first day, we’ll see you later,” Tino said to me.
“Bye, you guys!”
“Bye!” They all said in unison.

I opened up the door of the bus to reveal Austin standing there. “Ready?” he said offering his hand to me.
“Ready as I’ll ever be!” I said taking his hand and hopping of off the bus.
“How’d you sleep last night?” Austin asked me as we started heading over to the venue.
“Pretty well, considering it was on a bunk bed and there was a snoring monster next to me,” I said letting out a little chuckle.
“Who!?” Austin asked suddenly interested.
"Alan and I were talking last night and we ended up falling asleep,” I said shrugging my shoulders.
“Suuuure.” he said back to me.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I said crossing my arms.
“You have a thing for Alan don’t you? And don’t try lying to me, you know I can read you like a book.”
“I have no clue what you’re talking about!”
“Alan’s a good guy, but he tends to jump around a lot. He’s never in a relationship for too long, and I don’t want you to end up getting hurt.” Austin said concerned.
“Austin I appreciate the fact you care about me, but you have nothing to worry about, I don’t see Alan as more than a friend. That’s it, friends!” I said arguing back.
“Okaay.” Austin said not thoroughly convinced, but he dropped it anyways.

The thing was I do like Alan and more than just a friend.
•- - -
“So here we are!” Austin said as we arrived at the tent. There was a girl with dark brown hair, a pale complexion and a small figure standing at one of the tables folding shirts, and a guy with sandy brunette hair and a septum piercing organizing boxes.

“Selena, Shane, this is my sister, Dakota. She’ll be joining us on tour as a merch girl. So today I will need you to show her the ropes and get her settled. Sound good?” Austin said to them.

“Yes, that sounds perfect!” Selena said excitingly, and then skipping over to me and welcoming me with a hug. “It’s so nice to finally meet you! Austin has told us so much about you. You’ll have a blast with us on this tour.”
“I can’t wait! I just hope I do a good job.” I said nervously.
“Don’t worry about it I’m sure you’ll do fine. This isn’t that hard of a job,” she said reassuringly.

“Hi I’m Shane!” the tall brunette guy came over to me offering me a handshake. Which I accepted of course.
“Nice to meet you!” I said with a big smile.

“Well, I think you’re good here!” Austin said clapping his hands together, “I’ll see you later Dakota, have fun!” Austin hugged me and then turned to walk away.

“So are you ready to get started?” Selena asked.
I nodded my head.

Boy, this was going to be fun.

Notes