RACHEL'S POV

'Here we are,' said Beth, killing the ignition.

'Yeah,' I sighed, lifting my backpack from in between my feet. 'Thanks for the ride, and not murdering me in my sleep,' I laughed.

'No bother,' she smiled. 'Hope this all works out for you.' Getting out of the car, I went to the boot and pulled out my suitcase. Slamming it shut, I was surprised a little when Beth pulled me in for a hug. 'I'm going to miss you.'

'You too,' I said. 'Thanks again.' Taking the handle of my suitcase, I waved at her as walked away.

I went up to the desk and purchased my ticket before going through the doors and into the waiting area. It was only around 20 minutes (that didn't seem that long due to my music) before I had to board the plane. I handed my ticket over to a tall black man with a flawless jawline and giggled childishly as he smiled at me, revealing his pearly white teeth. Walking through the gates, my suitcase was taken away and I was left with only my backpack. I followed the crowd as we slowly piled on to the large plane.

Finally getting on, I was directed to my seat. Scooting along to the end of the row, I threw my backpack on the overhead shelf before sitting down and taking my iPod out. Scrolling through my songs, I decided to play the relatively new Man Overboard album 'Heart Attack'. Swan Dive filled my ears and I gazed out the window as we lifted off and joined the clouds.

The two hour flight flew by (pardon the pun) and, before I knew it, I was standing behind a small woman in her 60's who was determined to whip me with her bob-cut hair. As she stepped out, I hoisted my backpack up and kept hot on her tail as she got off the plane.

I picked up the pace and rushed through the slow, older passengers. Entering the airport, I went to the bagging area and waited for my bag. Spotting it, I watched it come round on the convener belt before grabbing it and sliding it off. Lifting the handle up, I pulled it behind me as I went through to find Oli.

Scanning the bodies, I noticed him. He looked so different - natural coloured hair, tattoos, less bright clothes. His sign read 'smelly weirdo' and I laughed as I approached him.

'Thanks a lot,' I said, pointing to the sign. He dropped it and pulled me in for a tight hug, shaking me about like a rag doll.

'Rachel! How was the flight?' he asked, taking my suitcase off me.

'Fine, how are you?' I asked, walking beside him as he slowly made his way to the exit of the airport.

'I'm good. Oh, by the way, since you're not getting paid with money, you will be paid in another way.' He looked quizzically at the car park before taking a sharp left and continuing to walk. 'We'll pay you in food, drink and experience. Also, if you want to buy merch or clothes or anything, just tell me.'

'Brilliant,' I smiled. I was genuinely happy - I didn't care about the money side of things. I knew that if I got good pictures I could be paid for them anyway so I wasn't worried in the slightest. Oli lead me to a large black bus and grinned at me before knocking. Seconds later, the door flew open to reveal an average sized guy with plugs who was laughing away to himself. He looked at me and nodded before stepping back up and letting us in. Oli carried my suitcase up and I followed anxiously behind him.

'Guys, meet Rachel! Rachel, meet the arseholes.'

'Or Matt, Jordan, Matt and Matt,' said the guy who answered the door, pointing his finger to each individual as he stated their name.

'Nice to meet you guys,' I smiled.

'Let me show you your bunk,' said Oli. He chucked his phone down on the counter before leading me through to the bunk area. 'You're here,' he said, lifting my suitcase into a bunk. 'Lee's above you.'

'Cool,' I grinned, climbing into the little space I would come to call home.

'I'll let you settle in,' he said, lifting his hand a little as he walked off.

Lying down on the bed, I sighed as I thought about everything. I was insanely excited, but I was also terrified. I knew that Tony was on this tour, but I had never been to Warped before. I had no idea how big it was - there might not even be a chance of you seeing him, Rachel. There might be millions of people, who knows. Stop worrying. Deciding that stressing out is no way to start the tour off, I climbed out of the bed and went through to were the guys were all sitting. I stumbled into a seat as the bus jolted.

'You are,' I began, turning to the guy who answered the door, 'Matt?'

'Correct,' he laughed, a cloud of odd smelling smoke coming out with his words.

'Okay,' I laughed, fanning it away. 'Someone does pot.'

'Sorry,' he giggled. 'I dodon't do it the bus. I just had a little lot before when we were at the airport.'

A small guy sitting on the other side of the bus began to chuckle at Matt, I was sure his name was Lee. 'Fuck sake,' he smiled, 'you're out of it.'

'Y'know,' said Matt, 'one time I stole a forklift We got into trouble for it but I use to work in Morrisons and a drove 'em there so I can drive 'em but they didn't believe me.'

'Aw, here he goes,' said a tall guy called Jordan.

'We got into trouble, but I was fine. I driven it everywhere and it was okay.'

'Shut up, Matt,' laughed Oli.

Matt took to his feet and tumbled towards the kitchen. 'A want food, Oli. Give me some fuckin' food.' Matt then proceeded to raid the fridge, pulling out a packet of fridge raiders (how appropriate) and went through to the other end of the bus.


The small guy came over and sat next to me, taking a sip of the water he just grabbed as he did so. 'He's a dick,' he informed me, smiling politely.

'He's not that bad.'

'Wait until he pisses in your bed and blames it on you,' said Lee, causing Oli and Jordan to laugh a little.

'That was well funny that,' said Oli, slapping his leg. 'Brilliant.'

'Wasn't,' said Lee, shaking his head. 'What's the time?'

'Uh, 11pm.'

'I'm having an early night, that party last night knocked right out of me. Night,' he said, lifting the bottle to his lips and taking another sip.

'Me too actually,' I said, 'see you guys tomorrow.'

'Wait,' said Oli. He leaped up from his seat and ran past me to his bunk. He took out a bag and handed it to me. 'I bought it years ago and never got to send it to you.' Opening the bag, I pulled out a beautiful dream catcher. It had black feathers and beads and was absolutely perfect. 'N'night,' he smiled, pulling me in for a hug before going back through.

Holding the catcher carefully, I clambered into my bunk and looked for a place to hang it. I pulled a large sticker off my suitcase and stuck it on the makeshift wall with that. Smiling at it, I felt happier than I had in a long time as I felt safe once again.

I'm not alone, I though, I'm safe again.

Notes

If you've seen BMTH's 'Lads On Tour' you will have heard of the forklift story. Yeah, it's real. xD
Thank you for reading, love you all!
Hope you're doing well :) (If not, feel free to message me. I'm always here!)
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