Left For Dead

Echo’s POV
I woke up inside my bunk and slowly the memories of yesterday started to creep in. That horrible journalist. One thing especially kept me busy and I know it was on the mind of the other girls as well. She had said we had slept our way to the top.
I knew it wasn’t true, but it still hurt me. I hadn’t been in this band for long, but I knew that these girls had worked so hard to get to the point they are now. It knew it was all about our music, that’s what we wanted: we wanted to be remembered for our music. But I guess being a girl in this genre of music just made it seem like you slept your way to the top, because there were so little girls making it in this genre.
I swung my legs over the edge of my bed and sat there for a while. The whole thing was actually so much further from reality than people thought. I mean yes, Shannon had a crush on Mike and Ally obviously on Kellin, but I was pretty sure they hadn’t slept with each other yet. Well, I guess Vanna was taken, but I think she’d barf at the thought of even touching Jaime.
And me, well I was still a virgin. Yeah I know, I was almost twenty-one, but I just never had the chance to. Boys never really liked me that way. I guess I could’ve picked up a one night stand at a bar, but I just didn’t want that for my first time. I didn’t mind though. I would wait until I was fifty if I had to.
I stood up and walked through the bunk area to the lounge area, where the girls, Leon and Kevin were having breakfast.
“Good morning, Echo.” Shannon said with a still raspy voice from sleeping. The others looked up and wished me a good morning too. I grinned when I looked at the clock, seeing it was one pm already. That was the rock star life, man. Sleeping in until noon.
“You guys can’t wake up this late anymore.” Kevin said and he shook his head. “You have to be on stage in less than an hour.”
He didn’t put much effort into making us hurry up though. He probably knew that we weren’t the type of girls to spend hours and hours in front of the mirror.
After a few minutes of small talk I decided to ask something I was curious about. “Vanna, have you talked to Jaime lately?”
Vanna cringed. “Ugh no. The only way I can get through this marriage alive is when I don’t have to see him.” she said and she took a bite of her toast.
I shrugged and stirred my spoon in my cornflakes. “If guys would’ve met differently you would’ve probably made a cute couple.” I said and I saw everyone around me look at me with confused looks on their faces. I sighed and explained. “Look you are a Libra and he is a Taurus, which is probably why you guys don’t get along that well at first. You guys both have mars in Capricorn signs, that’s probably why you guys argue a lot, but it also means you probably understand each other well…and it means you would have great sex.” I giggled. “You guys also have both Venus in air signs which means that you guys think the same way about love.”
Everyone looked at me with their mouths open and I blushed. “Wow, you really know a fuck load about this stuff, don’t you?” Leon said and he looked impressed. I just shrugged.
“You think we would get along?” Vanna asked, raising an eyebrow. She was obviously doubting, which I could understand.
I nodded. “Yeah, you have your moon in Scorpio and he has it in Virgo which means you guys understand each other’s emotions.” I said like it was no big deal.
Ally chuckled. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, but it’s kind of impressive you know all this stuff. And you base this on just their birthdays?” she asked and she put her hands under her chin and her elbows on the table.
I nodded. “I can tell a lot more when I know the time that someone is born, but that’s not so easily to find. I mean you can find someone’s birthday easily when you stalk their Facebook account, but you can only know someone’s birth time when you ask them.” I said.
Shannon chuckled. “It’s slightly creepy that you’ve stalked their Facebook accounts, but I guess we’re all a bit weird here.” She said. “Now do Mike and me. Are we a good match?” the enthusiasm was hearable in her voice.
I laughed. “Oh girl, believe me I was way ahead of you.” I said and I started explaining.
We basically spent the rest of breakfast talking about potential matches. They all wanted to know if their crushes our celebrity crushes would be nice with them. After that they started calling me the love guru. Which was pretty funny considering I have never had a boyfriend before, but I went along with it. They would tease me the rest of the tour with that nickname.
After breakfast I changed into my stage outfit and we all walked towards our little stage we performed on every stop. I could already feel the nerves fill up my body, like they had done every time I was about to perform.
Luckily I went along better with the girls now. Ever since me and Vanna had dyed Shannon’s hair I had felt like the walls that were between us had been tumbling down. I was quite excited for it, actually. I had never had female friends and I had always kind of imagined what it would be like to have them. I mean, I loved my male friends, but I couldn’t talk to them about boys or make-up or periods. I kind of felt like it was necessary for every girl to have someone to talk about these kind of things.
But yeah, the stage nerves were way less when these girls were around. Practically because they were goofing around all the time, which made me laugh, which made me forget about my nerves.
“I’ve always wanted to stage dive. Do guys think I can do that this show?”
“Shannon, I’m pretty sure you have to drum. We can’t play when you’re diving into the crowd.”
“Damn it. I’ve always wanted to try it. Just once, Ally? Just during that guitar solo of Vanna”
“Whatever you want. If you want to be felt up by lots of people, go ahead.”
That’s when Vanna joined the conversation. “I’ll just message Mike then. I don’t think he’ll like it when I tell him that lots of people will touch your boobs in a few minutes.” And she took out her phone for the effect.
See, this is why I liked these girls. They were hilarious and made you forget about your nerves for a second. I wasn’t really funny myself, so I mostly just listened and laughed.
Then we were called on stage and I could already hear the fans scream from behind the fence. We gave each other a group hug and then ran on stage.
This performance was great. The crowd was great, we played great. It kind of felt like we were trying to prove everyone that it was about the music for us. That fame didn’t matter to us. We were just a small band, trying to share our music with as many people as we could.
Standing on that stage I realized that all the crappy things we went through were worth it if we just had our music.

Vanna-
I hug the last fan around me and walk towards the tents, where my male best friend would be packing up to get out the road again to home.
“there she is!” I hug Holden and wave at the girl next to him. “Oh ViVi, this is Jessica, Jess this is guitarist of Left For Dead, Vanna.”
“Pleasure meeting you. He talks a lot about your band, all good things of course. We can say he is your number one fan.” I laugh as Holden blushes slightly.
“Awh, Holden.” I punch slightly and he rolls his eyes.
“Holden, Jessica you ready to go?” I turn around to see Beau Bokan walking towards us. I internally scream, but kept my calm
“We got distracted.” Jessica says. “But we almost done, boss.” Beau nods and smiles at me
“See you later Vanna” I wave and let out the breath I was holding. I may have talked to him a handful of times, but I will never get use to it. I'm as sure of that.
“Well I have to go! See you two at SD!” I wave and skip my way to the bus where the girls were. I pass by PTV’s and stop right between my bus and theirs.
Okay Vanna. You know he's your husband, maybe it won't be so hard to get along.
I take a deep breath and knock.
“COME IN!” One of them yelled. I open the door and peeked my head inside. I heard a gasp and a can fall.
“Vanna?” I smile small and closed the door behind me. “Jaime’s actually in the shower. Want anything? weapons?” I giggle at Vic’s comment and shake my head.
“Not today, OR at least for not right now.” They nod and we sit on the table. I put my hair down and we get into a small conversation.
“Hey guys, have you seen my... “ I turn around and immediately look at my hands again. “Vanna?”
“Your Vanna is right here, dude.” I feel a cool wind and a grunt. I look up just to see Tony putting the wet towel in a ball and throwing it back at Jaime.
“What are you doing here?” He asks, a bit harshly.
“Just wanted to stop by.” I say, quickly. “But the girls are probably worried, so I'll just go.”
“Chicken” He whispers. “Oh! By the way.” we make eye contact. “ We have an interview.”
“Interview?” He nods and I just shrug. I don't want to do an interview, especially after the one with that one girl, oh I swear I was going to slap the living color out of her.
“Hope you stop being a little bitch to me when we’re in front of the camera.” I bite down my bottom lip and stood up.
“Well guys, I will see you in four hours.” I pass by Jaime and stop in front of him. “and just because you're my husband, doesn't mean you tell me what to do.” He looked at me mad and I just smile sweetly and kiss his cheek.
Oh yeah. I dared myself. “Adios amigos.” I say to the three shocked Mexicans. “Adios amor.” I say to Jaime as I walk out of their and walk towards my bus. I immediately go inside, the adrenaline rush going down.
“Mike texted me saying you were with them. He was surprised as we are.” was said when I entered.
“You know Echo, the whole getting along thing isn't quite working.” I comment, sitting down next to her and laying my head on her legs.
“I didn't say it was going to happen in a day.” She says, chuckling.I frown and sigh.
“I'm glad we’re going home. I miss Damien.”
Oh Jaime, you're about to get murdered.
**
I woke up to a loud bang and bags shuffling. I yawn and put the blanket over my head to cover the noise but that didn't work.
“Vanna Ventura!” I groan as the familiar voice echos in my ears. “Vivi!” I sigh and close the curtain to my bunk.
“Hoe, wake up.”
“those shouldn't be words coming out of an army boy, Damien.” I mumble. He pulls off my blanket and I shriek as the cool wind hits my legs
“You've been sleeping like that?!” He yells at me, eyeing my sleeping ware.
“why? They're comfy.” I look at my shorts and shirt. “Now go away, I'm gonna change.” He nods and walks out the bunk area. I get my outfit and change quickly. I smile at my leggings as I tie my shoes and walk outside.
“Might as well show the skin.” Leon comments as he looks at me
“Shush it boy. You ready?” He nods as he zips the luggage and stands up. I help him to the floor and we walk outside, the summer air of San Diego hits my face and I felt home. The surroundings were familiar, and I felt like today was going to be a great day.
“Shannon!” I exclaim as I walk to my favorite blonde. “I’m going to stop by my house, wanna go?”
“I'm going to stay with Leon, tell them I said hi!” I nod and remember my dad said he wanted to meet Echo, but that little love guru wasn't anywhere to be seen. Maybe she was with Alex, I'll just leave those two lovebirds alone. I giggle and walk around the arena and smile, inhaling every possible ocean breeze I could.
“You look comfortable.” Kellin says, as I come to his sight.
“I'm home and nothing is better than a home show.” I say, spreading my arms around me and smiling widely.
“you sound just like Pierce, right now. They're from here as well… did you know?”
“I did, kind of. I mean San Diego is a pretty large city.” I look around and spot my brother talking to Holden, do they know each other? Doubt it. I knew a lot of Damien’s friends. Cool dudes. Nice girls. “Well I'll see you later.” He nods and I give him a quick hug, before walking towards my brother.
“Hey little smurf, when is your set?” Holden hides a laugh with a cough and I shake my head.
“Not sure, I need to ask Ally.. why?”
“Cause I wanna go eat somewhere, or at least go get breakfast before the gates of hell open.” I laugh and nod. “Wanna invite the girls?”
“Do you need air to breathe?” He rolls his eyes, and grunts as I hop on his back. “Onward!” He shakes his head but begins to run, make me tighten up my legs around his waist. I laugh freely and it felt good to laugh, it wasn't forced or anything, it felt real. I felt like myself, sure I was myself around the girls, but this was a different side.
“Hey Ally! Let's go get breakfast at Denny's before they open the gates!” Damien said as we reached them.
“Sounds great! Let's go!” Damien demanded me to let him go, but I refused, and as his little sister, I won. We walked out the arena and straight to a Denny’s, a perfect way to start today. We arrived at the restaurant and it was pretty packed, looks like other bands had the same idea as we did. I get down from Damien’s back and walked inside, waited to be seated.
“I've never seen a Denny’s so packed.” He mumbles and we all nod in sync,
“How many?”
“six.” Leon says, before any of us could. The waitress get six menus and we follow her pass all these bands, we get a few hellos, a few stares and a few smiles. A little bit of everything everywhere.
“Hey Vivi!” I look up as I was sitting down, and smile as Tony came to view.
“Hey Tone, Good morning.” He smiles and waves at the others, before walking to his table. We ordered food and ate as we had a small conversation. I finish my hash browns and start getting from Damien’s plate
“Really?”
“Don't worry, she spilled chocolate on her like twice. I got pictures “ I mumble a few profanities as Ally’s phone is passed to my brother. He laughs loudly, earning a few stares.
“You're a fat ass clumsy girl.” He says and I punch his arm hard enough to make him say Ouch. The entire restaurant erupts into various pings, as we receive our own text message.
Father Kevin: Get back to arena. Doors open in an hour.
I wipe my face with a napkin and we rush out of the place. I feel like jumping on Damien’s back but instead I used my two legs to drag me to the arena.
“I've never seen so many bands be afraid of their managers.” Leon mumbles and I nod in agreement, we already seen Kevin in an angry stage, I wouldn't want to imagine the more experienced with bigger bands managers to be. We arrive at our bus and we sit on the couches.
“We perform at 2pm.” Echo says, passing by the time sheet. We nod and sigh.
Running for no reason.
I still had half of Damien's hashbrowns to eat.

Notes

Updating again