The Way Down
Chapter 6
~*~*~Jeremy’s POV~*~*~
I sighed, turning over in my bunk. My leg felt numb, and there was a strange weight on my chest. I moved my hand down and felt skin. I ran my fingers down the expanse, finding it was soft, and bony in some places. Something smelled nice. Like daisies and flowers. Soft hair tickled my nose. Slowly my eyes cracked open and I felt content. I hadn’t slept that well on a tour, ever. As I went to stretch I found my arm pinned beneath something.
As I looked down I almost sat straight up in shock, but caught myself, trying to remain calm. My jaw clenched and I bit my lower lip, not sure what to do. Laying half on top of me was Casey, her long, brown hair sprawled across the bed, one of her legs draped over mine and her arm stretched across my chest. I felt my heart rate increase and my chest and stomach were tense. My head shot up as I heard giggling in the doorway.
Kevin and Alex were peeping into my bunk, their hands over their mouths, quietly laughing like little school girls.
“Very funny,” I whispered irritably. “I thought she slept in your bunk,” I said to Kevin, moving slowly to try to get out from beneath her, but to avail. She shifted, her face contorting into a small pout.
“I guess she got lonely,” he cackled, and made a teasing face while pointing at me and doing finger guns.
“Enjoy your little moment,” Alex laughed as they retreated, and I heard them clamber out of the bus, the door shutting behind them. I looked down at the girl in my bed. She was slender, short though her legs were long for her height. Her tan skin glowed with the sunlight that filtered in through the window. She looked soft and tranquil, her chest rising and falling with each breath. I could see a few tattoos scattered across her body, one on her thigh, a few on her lower legs, another on her shoulder and the back of her arm. She had flowers climbing her hip. I swallowed hard, trying not to look too much, sure that she would be uncomfortable with such prying eyes.
Slowly, slowly, I lifted her arm and shivered as her fingers brushed across my chest. The places they did felt searing hot, and a knot formed in my throat. I pulled my leg out from beneath her, watching her face the entire time. Once I was out released a breath I didn’t realize I was holding in. I rolled softly off the bunk and tip toed out of the room, glancing back at her. She was breathtaking, soaking in the sunlight in my bed, looking peaceful as she slept. I shook the thoughts from my head. I shouldn’t be thinking about her like this.
It was a nice change from last night, though, when she looked so cold and uncomfortable. My stomach dropped at the thought. I could see it clearly in my mind. Her small frame trembling in my arms. Her teeth chattering from the cold. She was weak and helpless. It made me want to hold her, protect her.
“Fuckin a,” I sighed, lumbering over to the kitchen sink, throwing cold water on my face. It was unusual for me to feel this way about someone I had known for such a short time. I was protective of my friends and family. I always put them first. But Casey is an acquaintance at best. The fondness for someone so unknown was foreign to me. I grunted in frustration, ruffling my own hair in irritation, and stomping over the the door. Slipping my shoes on, I stumbled out of the entryway. I needed to get some air.
~*~*~Casey’s POV~*~*~
My eyes slowly cracked open, my mouth incredibly dry as I pushed myself up. I looked around, confused about my unfamiliar surroundings. This wasn’t my bed. It had white sheets and a gray comforter, with only a few pillows in contrast to the large stack on my own bed. There were photos on the wall and ceiling of the small space, moments captured of smiling faces and good times. One in particular caught my eye. Jeremy stood grinning with the rest of the band and two older people, a man and a woman, with his arms thrown over their shoulders. I could tell by the dark hair and facial structure that they were his parents. Another one nearby was him and Neil riding a 2x4 together, their fists pumped in the air. This was a common theme in the photos, all the boys laughing, up to their usual antics. I couldn’t help but smiling softly at the treasured memories.
It quickly dawned on me where I was, and that this was Jeremy’s bunk. I looked around nervously. There was no one else in sight on the bus. The more I thought about it, the more I was confused. I thought I slept in Kevin’s bunk last night? I remember the comforter I was bundled up in was black, not gray, and facing the opposite direction of this bunk. Perplexed, I slipped away from the bed, looking at my surroundings. I gasped,my fingers flying to my mouth in a moment of realization. It must have been when I got up to go to the restroom last night. I was so tired… I looked up, a very concerned look crossing my face. Was Jeremy in the bunk last night? Where was he now? Did I wake him up and chase him out of his own bed?
I groaned and rubbed the back of my neck, thinking of the best plan of action. Glancing around I grabbed the first pair of basketball shorts I saw and pulled them on, hoping they weren’t too dirty. Judging by the size they must have been Alex’s or Jeremy’s, thought they were still a bit baggy on me.
I poked my head out of the door, looking all around before I made a dash for my bus, roughly twenty feet away. I busted in, and spotted two of my bus mates.
“Man, you look like hell,” Dan said from the kitchen as he leaned on the sink with a cup of coffee in hand. I could only assume it was safe to be in the bus again from their relaxed countenances.
“What time is it?” I winced, the bottoms of my feet still sore, a few little cuts on the sides and bottoms from walking around a music venue without shoes on.
“Like 9 o’clock,” Gabe chimed from the couch. “Are you okay? Kevin said you were staying in their bus,” he looked concerned. I tried to hide the blush on my cheeks.
“So he stopped by after all, huh?” I mosied on over and dropped onto the couch near him.
“Yeah, him and Jeremy,” I looked up at the mention of his name, quickly realizing and then looking around in an attempt to be nonchalant. I decided not to mention whose bunk I ended up in.
“Did you guys find a place to sleep?” I asked them both, met with similar small nods.
“I slept on Nothingmore’s couch, he slept on the floor,” Dan said, motioning his head to Gabe.
“That’s rough,” I gave him a consoling look and he gave me a soft smile.
“Yeah, you’re the lucky one who got an actual bed,” Dan quipped, smirking at me.
“It’s not my fault no one gave you a bunk,” I laughed, pulling my legs up onto the couch.
“Yeah it is,” Dan pouted, crossing his arms over his chest. “I think you’ve been out talking shit and now everyone hates me,”
“Oh yeah, thaaat’s it,” I said, my voice thick with sarcasm. “Where is everyone else?” I glanced around, seeing no signs of anyone else but us on the bus.
“They haven’t come back yet, but I’m pretty positive Shae and Natalia stayed in the other roadie bus and Matt stayed with Adakain,” Dan confirmed.
“Well I’m gonna hop in the shower,” I sighed as I lifted out of my seat, grabbing a change of clothes as I went. Locking the door, I ran the water for a few moments before climbing in, grateful for the warmth that spread over me, goosebumps rising on my arms and legs. My feet stung slightly from the cuts, but it quickly dissipated as I felt the waves of comfort cascading over me. This was exactly what I needed after last night.
When I finished I rung my hair out and toweled off, getting dressed and hopping towards the door of the bus.
“I’m gonna go check on the other girls,” I received two indifferent grunts from the guys as I climbed out of the bus, heading towards the other roadie bus. I tapped on the door and it was opened shortly after by a kind of short guy with a lot of tattoos, looking me up and down. I recognized him as one of the sound guys and awkwardly nodded at him as he moved, allowing me to come in. He soundlessly disappeared into the back of the bus, not without sparing me a few glances, as Shae and Natalia appeared in front of me.
“That guy is kind of creepy,” I commented as they walked over to me.
“Yeahh, he was kind of weird last night when we stayed. A total mouth breather, too,” Shae whispered, looking in the direction he walked.
“That’s Ramone. Just try to avoid him. He’s got kind of a skeezy reputation on tours,” Natalia commented, motioning with her head for us to follow her off the bus. We all clambered out and soundlessly began walking towards the front of the venue to grab some breakfast before we hit the road, part of our usual routine. As we approached the small area set up for breakfast I spotted the ADTR boys and told the girls I’d be back in a sec as I jogged over.
“Hey,” I said, tapping Kevin’s arm as I arrived. “I just wanted to thank you guys for last night, you really saved my ass,” I smiled at them, avoiding Jeremy’s gaze as they smiled back.
“Anytime! That sucked ass that it happened to you, though,” Kevin replied, shoving a bite of cereal into his mouth, holding the paper bowl with his other hand. They all started talking amongst themselves and I briefly glanced at Jeremy. I gave him a small wave and he raised his eyebrows momentarily, nodding back and looking away. I excused myself and returned to the girls, glancing over my shoulder as I walked away, but Jeremy didn’t look at me at all, like he was trying to avoid me.
“What’s eating him?” Natalia grumbled, noticing it, too.
“I’m not sure… Maybe he’s just tired,” I shook my head, feeling slightly dejected. I tried to shrug it off. “It’s our first real free day on the tour. Do you guys want to do anything?” I asked as we approached the food table, grabbing a bagel and some fruit. We made our way over to a small bench off to the side.
“Not really but I’m guessing I’m going to be forced to,” Natalia was usually pretty irritable, but it was just a part of her personality, and we had all learned not to take it personally in any way. Her straight across bangs dangled against the frame of her glasses as she sighed into a styrofoam cup of coffee, crossing one leg over the other.
“Of course we’re doing something!” Shae confirmed, grabbing onto Nat’s arm. “It’s our first free day, there’s no way we’re sitting around on our asses doing nothing,”
“But that’s the charm of a free day,” Nat whined, sipping down more of the hot liquid, looking more and more awake with each moment that passed.
“Nope. It’s a ladies day,” Shae smirked, a glint in her eye. “Time for…” she looked at me dramatically, “Shopping,” she said, like she was a movie narrator.
“Pleaaase, no,” Nat started to get up to leave in protest and Shae grabbed her arm again.
“Come onnn, we hardly get to act like girls around here, okay? We have limited wardrobes and some days are so busy we can’t shower. We have to take advantage of the few opportunities we get to act like the ladies we are!” Shae definitely had a girly side to her. She liked doing face masks and putting makeup on herself and everyone around her, regardless of their gender. She liked to play dress up and she loved shopping, too. There were some things that just weren’t worth arguing about with her, because she could be very persuasive when she wanted to be.
“I don’t have a problem telling Dan where his toothbrush went the other day,” Shae threatened in a low voice. Nat gasped lightly, looking at her with wide eyes.
“You wouldn’t! I didn’t mean to drop it in the toilet…”
“Yeah, but you’re the reason he hasn’t been able to brush his teeth in two days. Do you know what Dan does to people who mess with his stuff, accident or not?” Shae danced two fingers up Nat’s arm menacingly. While I knew this was an empty threat (Dan would understand and likely didn’t care), Natalia did not, and I didn’t want to face Shae’s wrath by calling her out. And so I watched on, amused.
“...Fine! You win!” Nat threw her arms up, muttering under her breath as she tossed her empty cup into the trash. It would be nice to have a girl’s day.
I smiled the entire walk over to the mall, the whole time we browsed around and tried on clothes, and I was still smiling as I laid down to sleep that night. The girls had been silly, throwing witty banter back and forth all day, each of us picking outfits for each other. Everything was going so well and I never wanted it to end. I was hoping things would stay this way forever.
I sighed, turning over in my bunk. My leg felt numb, and there was a strange weight on my chest. I moved my hand down and felt skin. I ran my fingers down the expanse, finding it was soft, and bony in some places. Something smelled nice. Like daisies and flowers. Soft hair tickled my nose. Slowly my eyes cracked open and I felt content. I hadn’t slept that well on a tour, ever. As I went to stretch I found my arm pinned beneath something.
As I looked down I almost sat straight up in shock, but caught myself, trying to remain calm. My jaw clenched and I bit my lower lip, not sure what to do. Laying half on top of me was Casey, her long, brown hair sprawled across the bed, one of her legs draped over mine and her arm stretched across my chest. I felt my heart rate increase and my chest and stomach were tense. My head shot up as I heard giggling in the doorway.
Kevin and Alex were peeping into my bunk, their hands over their mouths, quietly laughing like little school girls.
“Very funny,” I whispered irritably. “I thought she slept in your bunk,” I said to Kevin, moving slowly to try to get out from beneath her, but to avail. She shifted, her face contorting into a small pout.
“I guess she got lonely,” he cackled, and made a teasing face while pointing at me and doing finger guns.
“Enjoy your little moment,” Alex laughed as they retreated, and I heard them clamber out of the bus, the door shutting behind them. I looked down at the girl in my bed. She was slender, short though her legs were long for her height. Her tan skin glowed with the sunlight that filtered in through the window. She looked soft and tranquil, her chest rising and falling with each breath. I could see a few tattoos scattered across her body, one on her thigh, a few on her lower legs, another on her shoulder and the back of her arm. She had flowers climbing her hip. I swallowed hard, trying not to look too much, sure that she would be uncomfortable with such prying eyes.
Slowly, slowly, I lifted her arm and shivered as her fingers brushed across my chest. The places they did felt searing hot, and a knot formed in my throat. I pulled my leg out from beneath her, watching her face the entire time. Once I was out released a breath I didn’t realize I was holding in. I rolled softly off the bunk and tip toed out of the room, glancing back at her. She was breathtaking, soaking in the sunlight in my bed, looking peaceful as she slept. I shook the thoughts from my head. I shouldn’t be thinking about her like this.
It was a nice change from last night, though, when she looked so cold and uncomfortable. My stomach dropped at the thought. I could see it clearly in my mind. Her small frame trembling in my arms. Her teeth chattering from the cold. She was weak and helpless. It made me want to hold her, protect her.
“Fuckin a,” I sighed, lumbering over to the kitchen sink, throwing cold water on my face. It was unusual for me to feel this way about someone I had known for such a short time. I was protective of my friends and family. I always put them first. But Casey is an acquaintance at best. The fondness for someone so unknown was foreign to me. I grunted in frustration, ruffling my own hair in irritation, and stomping over the the door. Slipping my shoes on, I stumbled out of the entryway. I needed to get some air.
~*~*~Casey’s POV~*~*~
My eyes slowly cracked open, my mouth incredibly dry as I pushed myself up. I looked around, confused about my unfamiliar surroundings. This wasn’t my bed. It had white sheets and a gray comforter, with only a few pillows in contrast to the large stack on my own bed. There were photos on the wall and ceiling of the small space, moments captured of smiling faces and good times. One in particular caught my eye. Jeremy stood grinning with the rest of the band and two older people, a man and a woman, with his arms thrown over their shoulders. I could tell by the dark hair and facial structure that they were his parents. Another one nearby was him and Neil riding a 2x4 together, their fists pumped in the air. This was a common theme in the photos, all the boys laughing, up to their usual antics. I couldn’t help but smiling softly at the treasured memories.
It quickly dawned on me where I was, and that this was Jeremy’s bunk. I looked around nervously. There was no one else in sight on the bus. The more I thought about it, the more I was confused. I thought I slept in Kevin’s bunk last night? I remember the comforter I was bundled up in was black, not gray, and facing the opposite direction of this bunk. Perplexed, I slipped away from the bed, looking at my surroundings. I gasped,my fingers flying to my mouth in a moment of realization. It must have been when I got up to go to the restroom last night. I was so tired… I looked up, a very concerned look crossing my face. Was Jeremy in the bunk last night? Where was he now? Did I wake him up and chase him out of his own bed?
I groaned and rubbed the back of my neck, thinking of the best plan of action. Glancing around I grabbed the first pair of basketball shorts I saw and pulled them on, hoping they weren’t too dirty. Judging by the size they must have been Alex’s or Jeremy’s, thought they were still a bit baggy on me.
I poked my head out of the door, looking all around before I made a dash for my bus, roughly twenty feet away. I busted in, and spotted two of my bus mates.
“Man, you look like hell,” Dan said from the kitchen as he leaned on the sink with a cup of coffee in hand. I could only assume it was safe to be in the bus again from their relaxed countenances.
“What time is it?” I winced, the bottoms of my feet still sore, a few little cuts on the sides and bottoms from walking around a music venue without shoes on.
“Like 9 o’clock,” Gabe chimed from the couch. “Are you okay? Kevin said you were staying in their bus,” he looked concerned. I tried to hide the blush on my cheeks.
“So he stopped by after all, huh?” I mosied on over and dropped onto the couch near him.
“Yeah, him and Jeremy,” I looked up at the mention of his name, quickly realizing and then looking around in an attempt to be nonchalant. I decided not to mention whose bunk I ended up in.
“Did you guys find a place to sleep?” I asked them both, met with similar small nods.
“I slept on Nothingmore’s couch, he slept on the floor,” Dan said, motioning his head to Gabe.
“That’s rough,” I gave him a consoling look and he gave me a soft smile.
“Yeah, you’re the lucky one who got an actual bed,” Dan quipped, smirking at me.
“It’s not my fault no one gave you a bunk,” I laughed, pulling my legs up onto the couch.
“Yeah it is,” Dan pouted, crossing his arms over his chest. “I think you’ve been out talking shit and now everyone hates me,”
“Oh yeah, thaaat’s it,” I said, my voice thick with sarcasm. “Where is everyone else?” I glanced around, seeing no signs of anyone else but us on the bus.
“They haven’t come back yet, but I’m pretty positive Shae and Natalia stayed in the other roadie bus and Matt stayed with Adakain,” Dan confirmed.
“Well I’m gonna hop in the shower,” I sighed as I lifted out of my seat, grabbing a change of clothes as I went. Locking the door, I ran the water for a few moments before climbing in, grateful for the warmth that spread over me, goosebumps rising on my arms and legs. My feet stung slightly from the cuts, but it quickly dissipated as I felt the waves of comfort cascading over me. This was exactly what I needed after last night.
When I finished I rung my hair out and toweled off, getting dressed and hopping towards the door of the bus.
“I’m gonna go check on the other girls,” I received two indifferent grunts from the guys as I climbed out of the bus, heading towards the other roadie bus. I tapped on the door and it was opened shortly after by a kind of short guy with a lot of tattoos, looking me up and down. I recognized him as one of the sound guys and awkwardly nodded at him as he moved, allowing me to come in. He soundlessly disappeared into the back of the bus, not without sparing me a few glances, as Shae and Natalia appeared in front of me.
“That guy is kind of creepy,” I commented as they walked over to me.
“Yeahh, he was kind of weird last night when we stayed. A total mouth breather, too,” Shae whispered, looking in the direction he walked.
“That’s Ramone. Just try to avoid him. He’s got kind of a skeezy reputation on tours,” Natalia commented, motioning with her head for us to follow her off the bus. We all clambered out and soundlessly began walking towards the front of the venue to grab some breakfast before we hit the road, part of our usual routine. As we approached the small area set up for breakfast I spotted the ADTR boys and told the girls I’d be back in a sec as I jogged over.
“Hey,” I said, tapping Kevin’s arm as I arrived. “I just wanted to thank you guys for last night, you really saved my ass,” I smiled at them, avoiding Jeremy’s gaze as they smiled back.
“Anytime! That sucked ass that it happened to you, though,” Kevin replied, shoving a bite of cereal into his mouth, holding the paper bowl with his other hand. They all started talking amongst themselves and I briefly glanced at Jeremy. I gave him a small wave and he raised his eyebrows momentarily, nodding back and looking away. I excused myself and returned to the girls, glancing over my shoulder as I walked away, but Jeremy didn’t look at me at all, like he was trying to avoid me.
“What’s eating him?” Natalia grumbled, noticing it, too.
“I’m not sure… Maybe he’s just tired,” I shook my head, feeling slightly dejected. I tried to shrug it off. “It’s our first real free day on the tour. Do you guys want to do anything?” I asked as we approached the food table, grabbing a bagel and some fruit. We made our way over to a small bench off to the side.
“Not really but I’m guessing I’m going to be forced to,” Natalia was usually pretty irritable, but it was just a part of her personality, and we had all learned not to take it personally in any way. Her straight across bangs dangled against the frame of her glasses as she sighed into a styrofoam cup of coffee, crossing one leg over the other.
“Of course we’re doing something!” Shae confirmed, grabbing onto Nat’s arm. “It’s our first free day, there’s no way we’re sitting around on our asses doing nothing,”
“But that’s the charm of a free day,” Nat whined, sipping down more of the hot liquid, looking more and more awake with each moment that passed.
“Nope. It’s a ladies day,” Shae smirked, a glint in her eye. “Time for…” she looked at me dramatically, “Shopping,” she said, like she was a movie narrator.
“Pleaaase, no,” Nat started to get up to leave in protest and Shae grabbed her arm again.
“Come onnn, we hardly get to act like girls around here, okay? We have limited wardrobes and some days are so busy we can’t shower. We have to take advantage of the few opportunities we get to act like the ladies we are!” Shae definitely had a girly side to her. She liked doing face masks and putting makeup on herself and everyone around her, regardless of their gender. She liked to play dress up and she loved shopping, too. There were some things that just weren’t worth arguing about with her, because she could be very persuasive when she wanted to be.
“I don’t have a problem telling Dan where his toothbrush went the other day,” Shae threatened in a low voice. Nat gasped lightly, looking at her with wide eyes.
“You wouldn’t! I didn’t mean to drop it in the toilet…”
“Yeah, but you’re the reason he hasn’t been able to brush his teeth in two days. Do you know what Dan does to people who mess with his stuff, accident or not?” Shae danced two fingers up Nat’s arm menacingly. While I knew this was an empty threat (Dan would understand and likely didn’t care), Natalia did not, and I didn’t want to face Shae’s wrath by calling her out. And so I watched on, amused.
“...Fine! You win!” Nat threw her arms up, muttering under her breath as she tossed her empty cup into the trash. It would be nice to have a girl’s day.
I smiled the entire walk over to the mall, the whole time we browsed around and tried on clothes, and I was still smiling as I laid down to sleep that night. The girls had been silly, throwing witty banter back and forth all day, each of us picking outfits for each other. Everything was going so well and I never wanted it to end. I was hoping things would stay this way forever.
@Pikaponn
I literally just started reading it last night. I'm also building up the courage to post my own. And thank you!!!
2/20/16