After I finished unpacking all of my boxes of merch, I helped my fellow merch guy Oliver. He was a really tall typical emo boy, wearing skinnies, tank top and a beanie. His arms were almost covered in tattoos and he had quite a few piercings too, at least he wasn't too ordinary!
"Hey, if you're finished you don't have to hang around here, you know, i'm pretty sure that the guys won't mind if you go and join them backstage" I hesitated before answering.
"Um sure okay, i'll come back in a while" I walked over to the door that was labelled 'dressing rooms, pierce the veil' to find the guys all just chillin and getting ready for the show. Tony was spread across the couch that was against the back wall.
"Syd, hey" He said sitting up. I went over and joined him, i sat on his lap, spreading my legs across the other side. "Hey" I repilied. Tony pulled my chin so i was facing him and kissed me for a while too. I sat around with the guys for a while, watching them finishing getting ready.
Security came in to say that they were about to open up and i took that as my cue to leave, so i gave Tony a quick kiss and went back to join Oliver. I watched as security opened up the doors to well over 500 people all lined up around the street. They all almost burst with excitement as the doors were opened, then i started thinking. I was almost them, i wouldn't be standing here as PTV's merch girl or most importantly Tony's girlfirend. So glad i couldn't make it to the gig.
We sold quite a bit of merch before the show but most people wanted to get thier place in front first. The support band were pretty good, I didn't know who they were but it was thier final comment that go the most screams "Who here is ready for Pierce The Veil?!" Even I was really excited!
The wait before they came on was like torture I was super excited to see them play, but when they ran on stage I could barely see a thing. Bummer.
"Hey, it's your first, go and watch them play I don't think that anyone would wanna buy merch whilst they are up there" Oliver shouted in my ear. I turned to face him and gave hima big smile and ran of to where the doors were so i could be side-stage. I flashed security my pass and ran around the side. Perfect luck, Tony was on the same side as me! he cuaght me and winked, i did the same.
They played all the classic songs that makes PTV who they are, but before Hold On Till May, Vic started to give a little speech, he looked around at all his band members who all nodded in turn.
"Just before we play this song for you guys, I just want to talk about someone who has recently become a special part of this band, we love her a lot and i'm pretty sure that you guys would love her too" I started to feel extremely sick.
"Sydney, come up here" Tony walked to the edge of the stage and held out his hand and I took it. Butterflies were going crazy in my stomach right now, I can't deal with big crowds.
"She's gonna help us out with Hold On Till May if that's cool with you, ready Syd?" Vic walked up to me with a spare guitar and told me what part to play. I nodded nervously, Playing guitar should be okay, but singing, I'm gonna puke.
I started playing and it actually got easier, everyone singing along to Vic's amazing voice was beautifull, then it got to my part and I just breathed deep and gave it all I got. 'If you were me you'd do the saaaammme' It felt so good to finally conquer my fear cause there is no way i'd make it if i couldn't sing in front of a crowd.
When the song was over everyone was cheering and screaming it felt so good.
Tony walked over to me and and smiled "You did it!" He kissed me, in front of everyone and took my hand and raisedmy hand above our heads and grabbed Vics microphone and shouted "Everyone give a cheer for my Turtle!" I could feel my cheeks burning but the crowd did exactly what Tony had told them too, I gave Tony a quick hug and walked off stage and waved as I left. I knew the set was coming to an end, They had only King For A Day left, so i quickly rushed back to Oliver who winked at me. "So that's why you're merch girl?" I just laughed, i physically can not speak right now.
As King For A Day finished and the band thanked the crowd, Vic finally said "Go grab some merch from Tony's Turtle at the back of the bar! Have a great night everybody!"
There was an actual swarm of peple tryna get merch and it was kind of hard to keep up but we managed it. Oliver has been doing it a while, so he was helping me out a lot but it was good. Actually an amazing first day at my amazing new job.
After we had finished up and the venue was empty i walked back around to go find the guys. They were getting cleaned up before going out and meeting a few fans. Tony ran up to me and gave me a hug "ew get off me you're all sweaty!" I laughed as he picked me up and put me over his shoulder. He ran with me into the dressing room and put me on the couch where we had sat before and leant over me with his knees either side of my legs and kissed me, he had his hands around my waist. "You did it, you actually did it, it wasn't good or anything but you got there!" He laughed and moved beside me. I slapped him and turned my back to him.
"Well if thats how you feel" I joked and folded my arms. I felt him slide across to be closer behind me. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed my neck. "I'm kidding, you were amazing, we should make you a permanent fixture in the set" He was breathing heavily on my neck and made me shiver. I just wanted to lay around with him and completley ignore the world, I want him so much right now. He kissed my neck one last time before getting up and sorting himself out to go outside. Vic, Jaime and Mike all walked in clean and unsweaty, they in turn gave me a celebratory hug. Jaime sat down next to me and got out his phone, he took a photo of us pulling goofy faces and posted it on his instagram tagging me in the photo. 'Hanging out with this goofball after an amazing show' Goofball nice.
When Tony returned they all went out and met some fans and i waited around insidefor like and hour before they came back.
Mike was first through the door "Honey, i'm home!"
"Yeah!, I'm back here!" I yealled back at him. Tony walked in and gave Mike a stupid look "Honey?" and snapped his fingers "I don't think so!" He pulled me into a tight hug."Mine" And laughed Mike just shot him the finger.
"You guys coming back to the bus, we have to leave soon to get to the next city, no party tonight guys!" Vic smiled as the other guys sighed. "Kidding, PARTY BUS!" Vic walked out pumping his hands in the air. I just started giggling at him. It still feels super weird being here.