RACHEL'S POV

As the boys worked on their album for the month they were given, I got progressively worse. I was seeing less and less of Tony, I had to sit with others because they missed lunch a lot - everything was moving slower. He said he'd never leave me, but he was unaware that he and I were drifting. Before I knew it, the month was up and I was lying on my bed at 2am crying because I missed my boyfriend who hadn't left yet but would be the following day. My phone, buzzing, pulled me out of my own head.

From: Tony Turtle
I'm wide awake and I miss you already. Sneak in?

To: Tony Turtle
Really? What if I wake the guys...

From: Tony Turtle
Fuck that, get your ass over here! I've unlocked the door.

Locking my phone, I slid out from under the covers and allowed the night air to kiss my skin. I sneaked past Beth, grabbing my keys, and then headed out of our dorm. I tiptoed down the halls, down the stairs and then along another hall before I reached Tony's apartment. I wiped away my tears before quietly opening the door and entering the dorm. Thankful I was out of those irritating crutches, I strolled down the hall with my fingers touching the sides as I counted the doors. Coming to his, I took a deep breathe before opening it to reveal him lying down with his eyes fixed on the ceiling. The dim light of the moon was on his face and allowed me to see his handsome smile as he slid along.

Climbing in next to him, I curled up against his body and rested my head on his chest. 'You've been crying,' he whispered, pulling me closer. 'What's wrong? Be honest.'

'I miss you already,' I confessed. My mind fell back to the day he said we would 'make it work' and how what we were doing didn't feel like working at all. 'I've been finding it really hard to sleep,' I added - I never told him about the nightmares.

'Why didn't you stay over then?'

'Tony, I've seen you once in the last week. You're too busy, I don't want to bother you. It's easier if I get use to it anyway...'

'No,' he said rather loudly as he put his leg over mine and curled round. 'Don't fucking say that.'

'Why? It's true. We're drifting - you know it, I know it, our friends know it.'

'This isn't fair. I wish you could come.'

'You know it's impossible,' I sighed.

'Is this it?' he asked.

'I-I guess, I guess it is.'

'I love you,' he said as he drew circles on my back with his finger. I tried to hold back the tears and buried my face in his bare chest. I listened to the beat of his heart and thought about how this is the last time I'd hear it. 'When I come back to San Diego, I'm going to find you. Don't move from here, okay?'

'Tony,' I murmured, 'there's always Facebook.'

'True, okay. You will accept my friend request though, yeah?'

'We're already friends, silly.'

'Yeah, right, good.'

'I love you too,' I said. Lifting my head, I gazed into his beautiful eyes. I knew that if I didn't leave at that moment then I never could. 'I need to go,' I choked out. 'Good luck,' I said softly, kissing his tender lips. I squirmed out of his tight embrace and took to my feet, sniffling as I took one last look at him and his empty room.

'I don't know what to say,' he admitted, sitting up and running his hands through his hair. 'I'm going to miss you so fucking much.'

'You too.' I wiped away a falling tear before putting my hand on the door handle and pushing it down. 'See you around, Perry,' I smiled, shutting the door before he could catch me bawling. I sneaked back out of the apartment and burst into violent sobs once I was out in the hall. That's it, we're over. He's gone. What now?

TONY'S POV

Waking up at 5am, I groaned as Jaime burst into my room and began to shake my tired body. 'Tony,' he said, 'get up! Come on!'

'Right,' I moaned, pushing him off, 'I'm up!'

Sitting up, I looked around at the four walls that were stripped down. I had one case left to pack, but everything else I owned had been moved. I took the clothes I'd left out and changed into them once Jaime left. Stepping out of my bedroom, I entered a chaotic hall.

'Vic, bring that over here,' said Mike, pulling a suitcase behind him. 'Right, is that everyone?' I nodded, putting the other backpack strap on my shoulder as my case leaned against my feet. 'Awesome,' he grinned, 'let's do this!'

As we began to walk down to the car, my mind filled with memories I shared with Rachel. Walking past room 109, I remember a wild party held there where I ended up accidentally spilling drink all the way down Rachel's dress. Seeing a picture of the ocean reminded me of the day at the beach, the day we first really bonded.

Stepping out into the cold air, we all stopped to look at the tour bus as it pulled up in the parking lot. It was big, green, and had 'Pierce The Veil' written across the side. A small guy covered in tattoos came out and greeted us with all with a firm handshake.

'I'm Steve,' he said, rubbing his beard. 'I'm your tour manager, I'm sure you've heard about me. You guys ready?'

'Yeah, this is just our stuff for the tour,' said Mike, gesturing to our bags.

'Sweet,' said the guy, 'this is going to be one fun summer, you'll love Warped. Let's get going.'

Following the guy on to the bus, I ran to the bunk I wanted and plopped my bag on it. Scrambling in, I pulled the curtain shut and unzipped my backpack.

'What are you doing with that?' she laughed, putting her lover the lens of the camera.

'I want to take pictures of my beautiful girlfriend,' I smiled, moving the camera and snapping a picture of her. She pulled me in and kissed my nose gently, scrunching her face up playfully. 'Mmm,' I giggled, wrapped my arm around her and kissing her lips. I held the camera out to one side and snapped another picture. Coming out of my grasp, she grinned devilishly at me before walking off into the sunset. The light gave her a perfect silhouette and I snapped a few pictures as she paddled in the glistening water.


Pulling out a Polaroid picture of Rachel I'd taken a while pack, I took out the small role of tape I'd brought as well. Biting the tape off with my teeth, I put it up at the foot of my bunk. Taking out the sharpie I'd brought in case we were to do signings, I leaned my hand against the makeshift wall and wrote 'Rae <3' on it.

'Tony? You in there?' said a voice.

'Yeah, one sec,' I hurried, shoving the tape and pen back into my backpack. I rolled out of the bunk and went through to the living room to find everyone else there. How long had I been in there? This is going to be one very long, lonely tour.

Notes

This is not the end, no no no!
A lot of good stuff to come!
So, I guess, they started college like a month before summer? Idk.. Oh well!
Thanks for reading!
<3