The next day everyone was curing killer hang overs.

“I’m pretty sure I didn’t even drink that much” Chad said and Jaime agreed with him
“Me either, I feel like shit though” He walked downstairs “I need food” Chad followed him at the mention of food. If there was one thing, over than music, that these two bands were passionate about, it was food.

“Ugh, we’re out of food, do you think catering will be open yet?” Jaime asked. It was 10am and the catering teams usually did some sort of breakfast

“Let’s go see. If not we can just go find a McDonalds or something.” The pair left a note to tell the rest of the gang where they had gone. When they got to catering they were so happy to see a few other people there, eating away.

“Thank God, I really didn’t want to go find a McDonalds” Chad said

“Neither did I” The pair laughed and got themselves some pancakes and bacon, along with a bowl of cereal. Pigs.

They were soon joined by Mike, Erica and Zeke. “Where are the others?” Jaime asked
“Still sleeping” Mike responded and Jaime just nodded, finishing off his pancakes before replacing his empty plate with his full bowl.

“You eat so much, how are you not the size of a house?” Erica said pointing at the table
“High metabolism baby” He laughed. The three that had not yet got food went up to the table and got themselves breakfast before joining the other two at the table.


A few hours later Erica had to run from one stage to another. Her set with the twins had just finished and Pierce the Veil’s was already underway and if she was going to do Kiss Me Again, like they had planned, she would need to hurry up.

She got there just in time; she had already memorized their set list so she knew she had two songs before she would be on stage with them; enough time to catch her breath.

When she and Vic finished singing their song, like her and Mike’s one year anniversary, Erica was forced to stay on the stage.

“So as many of you probably already know, Erica and Mike got engaged yesterday” Before he could carry on Erica spoke up

“You’re not going to put cake in my face like last year are you?” She was ready to run

“No, we just wanted to say congratulations to you both. We have loved you like a little sister since we met you and we said way back then that you and Mike would be together forever. We’re so happy for you both and we wanted to tell the world.”

Erica smiled as did Mike, who had now come over to the front of stage. Vic always had a thing for making big announcements with these guys’ relationship. He just really loved seeing his little brother so happy and with someone as cool as Erica.

“Thank you” She replied “GROUP HUG” Jaime shouted from behind them and the gang shared a group hug. They’ve probably hugged more in the last 2 days than they have in the last 2 years, none of them minded though.

“Now get off my stage, stop stealing my thunder” Vic joked and Erica flipped him off.

“If you haven’t checked out Erica’s band you need to go to their tent after this, they’re one of the best bands on this tour and I’m not just saying that because she’s my little sister” Vic said before the boys went into The Boy Who Could Fly.


-1 year later-

So yet another year has passed. Even more happened in that year than in the one in which Jaime had a child. After Warped Tour both bands and a few friends went camping for a week. Trent had even come along, he missed Erica and he had managed to get some time off work, he had been working with Huw and they had been really busy. So many new bands had been signed and were going on tours and stuff so they had a lot to do.

Erica and Mike had gone over to England not long after the camping trip and spent 3 weeks with her family. Leon was there one day; he had some time off and came back from New Zealand to see Trent. To avoid anything Erica took Mike to one of her old favourite spots. It was an abandoned skate park; she used to go there to get away from everything.

Jaime and Jess were had another child, this time a little girl named Amanda; she was beautiful and had her father’s dimples. She sure as hell was going to break many boys’ hearts.

Vic’s girlfriend moved in with him while Tony broke up with his, turned out she was a cheat. But he was loving life being on his own, he didn’t need a girlfriend to be happy; so long as he had good friends and great music he was fine.

Arielle and Jonathan had come to stay with Erica and Mike a few times as well. They were all such good friends; the Disneyland couple were like really cool grandparents to the pair. Well to both bands really. They had met everyone and enjoyed the company of them all.

Erica did another couple of tours to promote her new album which was titled Slice of Life. It was named after the boat that Dexter Morgan owned. Dexter was one of the bands favourite TV shows and they always took the box set on tour with them. When they were in New York, Erica had an encounter with Leon.

It was the bands day off and Erica decided to go for a walk, she visited the shop that Neil – the guy Erica originally replaced at Think Ink- worked at. When she got there, Leon was being tattooed. She wanted to leave as soon as she saw him but Neil noticed her too quickly
.
“Don’t you dare leave! I haven’t seen you in months get back here” He said with a pout and Erica did just that. The pair were constantly seeing each other. Whether it was Neil going to her shows or doing guest spots at Think Ink. They had become quite good friends over the years.

“I’m not going anywhere” When she said that Leon said something under his breath “Don’t even start Leon.”

Neil gave Erica a look as if to say ‘this is the dude that was a constant prick to you’ she nodded at the look. He was doing quite a big piece on Leon’s chest which meant he would be there for a while. If Neil wasn’t such a professional he would have kicked Leon out there and then.

“I hear you’re getting married soon. I should send Mike a good luck card” Leon spat at her.
“Don’t talk to her like that please” Neil urged. “I don’t take to kindly to rudeness and negativity in my shop”

“Cool man” He said and shot Erica a nasty look.

“Yeah and I hear you still can’t get a girlfriend without her ending up in hospital.” Erica got up and walked to the door of the shop “I’m going to get a coffee, do you want one Neil?”

“Yes please, the usual” He gave her an apologetic look and she went across the street to Starbucks. When she put her order in she rang Mike

“Hey sweeties, how’s the tour going?” Mike asked

“It’s okay, day off in New York today. I’m gonna get Neil to tattoo me but it’s a surprise so you can’t see it till I get home” Mike could tell she was smiling

“Ugh, but that’s a month away” He whined

“I know, evil aren’t I?” She cackled like a witch down the phone.

“Yes. How are the twins?”

“They’re good. I think they’re visiting their aunt today. I phoned you to talk about something actually” Mike became worried

“What it is? You sound upset”

“Leon is at Neil’s shop. He told me he should send you a good luck card for wanting to marry me” She sighed

“Just slap him, I don’t need any luck. I made the right decision and he’s nothing but a complete and utter prick. Nothing he says or does is ever going to make me change my mind. 5 more months and you will be Mrs Erica Fuentes” He had such a comforting voice
“I love you” Erica’s name was called and she picked up the drinks she ordered. She placed them into a cup holder so she could stay on the phone. She decided to sit outside the shop for a while before going back into the tattoo parlour.

“I love you more” Mike contested. “But seriously, ignore him. I know it’ll be difficult but if he gets out of hand just call the or something. I’m sure Neil won’t put up with it either. He knows how much of a dick he is and will probably stab him with the needle if he causes shit”

Mike was right. Neil knew about Leon harassing her. Nobody ever found out about what he really did. At one point she was going to tell Trent but thought against it, Leon was living in New Zealand now and she hadn’t seen him other than that time at her father’s and now, so thought there was no need. Jaime learnt of what Leon had done though. Erica had got really down about it one day, when she found her old diaries. She had been looking through them when Jaime and the kids came over. He asked her what was up and nothing she could have made up would have hidden the truth enough. He promised to never tell another living soul and she knew she could trust him.

“If anything does happen though, call me as soon as you can. I will personally catch a flight and come out there just to kick his ass. I hate him so much” He laughed down the phone a little.

“Of course I’ll let you know. I just hope Neil finishes his tattoo up soon because a) I don’t want to spend any time in the same room as him and b) I want my tattoo”

“You go and be a bad ass motherfucker in that tattoo shop and show him that he can’t do shit to you anymore. Show him that he doesn’t scare you and let him know you’re the boss okay?” Mike’s pep talks were the best

“I am a bad ass motherfucker” She recited a few times causing them both to giggle

“E, I love talking to you and I miss you like crazy but I need to go, I have to record beautiful. I’ll call you tonight though.”

“Okay sweetie, love you, bye” She hung up when Mike said bye, took a deep sigh and walked back over to the parlour.

“What took you so long? I’m dying of thirst here” Neil joked as she sat at his reception desk

“I was on the phone to Mike” She smiled when she said his name.

“Aw, I’ll let you off then. How long till you see him again?” Leon was engrossed in his phone, which he held high above his face so Neil could still reach his chest properly.

“A month and I haven’t seen him in a month either. I miss him loads” Leon muttered something under his breath again and Neil pressed a little harder with the needle, not enough to do any damage but enough to cause a groan of pain, Erica laughed.

“Aw, poor baby” Neil jested “I cannot wait for the wedding though. How’s the planning coming along” Neil has always been a hopeless romantic so loved talking about these sorts of things.

“Ask Mike, I left that stuff to him and the boys. It was bad enough when I helped Jess with her wedding planning.” They both laughed. Leon was now off his phone and listening to their conversation

“Are you sure leaving that stuff to a man is the best idea?” Neil asked

“Usually I wouldn’t but Mike wanted to do it anyway, he has so many ideas and shit. I’m sure whatever he does will be great. We decided on Disneyland the day we got engaged though. That and mine and the bridesmaid dresses are all I know about. Oh and that it’s a pastel green colour theme. My favourite shade of my favourite colour” Erica never thought she’d be excited to get married but here she was, very excited.

Leon’s tattoo was finally done and after he paid, Neil needed to pee so left the pair in the front of the shop alone. Well besides the few other artists and customers in the shop.
“You can leave now Leon” She said as he was eyeing her up

“Erica look, I know you hate me, you have every right to and I know you won’t believe me when I say this but I have changed. I met someone and she changed me. I’ve been going to counselling for my problems; my anger management and view on women, things like that. I’m still an asshole but I’m not violent anymore. I’m not searching for anything here I just wanted to say that I’m happy that you and Mike are getting married. I knew when I met him that you two were good together. I never thought you’d get married you were always so against it but I am genuinely pleased for you and only hope you have a great future. You never deserved what I did to you and you never deserved any of the shit that happened in your life and to know that you have finally done well for yourself with your band, tattooing and relationships is inspiring. Once again I am so sorry but I’ll go now”

Erica was about to cry with what Leon had said. She knew him well enough to know that he was being 100% honest. Yes he was still a complete asshole, the snide comments proved that but he was genuinely sorry. Erica wasn’t going to forgive him but she appreciated this gesture. Now she really knew that she never had to look over her shoulder in fear.

“Thank you” She croaked out “I’m glad you’re getting help and that you found someone worth changing for. I’m never going to forgive you but I appreciate this. I really do” She let a few silent tears fall. She waved at Leon as he left the shop and turned around to see Neil who pulled her into a hug. He had overheard Erica’s response to what Leon said.
“Are you okay” He asked.

“Yeah, I’m better than okay” She squeezed him before pulling away and sitting on the tattoo table to get ready for some permanent art. Mike was going to be so happy when he sees her tattoo.


Erica ended up getting a doodle that Mike drew in one of her birthday cards a while back. It was a sketch of Peter Pan and he held a scroll that read I will never grow up. It was Erica’s 25th birthday card and since she was still a child at heart and loved the Disney character he felt it was fitting. It wasn’t that bad of a sketch either. When she came home from tour, Erica showed Mike the tattoo and he loved it. He felt so humbled that she got one of his doddles permanently on her. I guess she kind of enjoyed putting the drawings that meant so much to her, from the people that meant the most to her, on her skin forever.

Notes

So the final chapter ended up being longer than I thought it would be, I got carried away writing it.
Anyway I'm going to post part 2 in an hour so it gives those online enough time to read this part.

Please tell me what you think, I would appreciate so much feedback since this is the beginning of the end.