I didn't really like to drink. Alcohol, that is. I did once with Casey, our sophomore year in high school with one other friend, it didn't end well and now alcohol didn't sit well with me—Casey had been a manipulative little bitch and snuck off to the bottle we stashed in the laundry room, even after we tried to cut her off, ending the night unsuccessfully with cranberry-Smirnoff-stained carpets and bad stomach aches. I laughed at the memory, Casey had been so wasted but I barely had anything, my sophomore self nervous of getting in trouble. I would have sips here and there, but I never really enjoyed getting drunk. I'd like to blame Casey for that, but sometimes I was too much of a nervous wreck for my own good.

Then I frowned, missing Casey. She had been texting me throughout, and I knew she was upset at my “situation”. I tried to dance around it, but each message was becoming increasingly nasty. I tried not to let it bother me, though.

So seeing Mike completely wasted, offering me whiskey, I shook my head. I didn't want to look like a loser, but I new my limitations. Mike then offered me a joint, and I widened my eyes at that too and shook my head again. I found it funny that they were offering me drinks and stuff, considering I was 18 years old—they probably forgot that I was technically underage, not that I minded. The age gap wasn't too obnoxious, but it was still comical that he offered me alcohol.

"Hi, take a walk with me?" I heard someone—Vic—whisper in my ear lowly. I turned, smiled shyly, and nodded, appreciating the gesture to get out of the crowded, wasted atmosphere.

"Gladly," I added.

"Are you okay?" Vic suddenly asked when we got outside, the weather and night air refreshing. I saw his eyes glance down to my phone in my hand—I didn't realize I was clutching it so tightly, my mind wandering aimlessly trying not to think about the messages I was receiving.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I said, instinctively tucking some hair behind my ear.

"Did something that girl said to you upset you in anyway?" He pressed further, and I shook my head. He looked almost guilty for asking if I was okay, but I appreciated it.

"No, she was lovely," I said softly with a gentle smile. It broke my heart, but it was also amazing, how nice a person could be. The girl had been really sweet and it made me feel better about my accident—although I definitely felt so bad for her and what happened to her parents—pushing the bad memories out and focusing on the good of it—the good being that I was actually alive. "I'm okay, Vic, I promise," I reassured.

My phone buzzed in my hand, I unwrapped my fingers that were tightly gripping the device and checked the message—from Casey, this one being much more bitchy than early. I frowned as I read it: I thought the summer was supposed to be you and me, not you running off as some groupie. I shook my head at the clearly jealous Casey and shoved my phone away, smiling back up at Vic who was staring at me intently. I didn't want Casey to be jealous, though. The guys were honest friends, real people. But I didn’t want Casey to think I was a “groupie”, either. That stung a little, but I didn’t let it show.

"I wish you could stay for the full tour," Vic said suddenly, his face bright but also a little sad, seeing that, that was impossible. I suddenly agreed with him—he was being a better friend than Casey was at the moment and I really didn’t want to leave. Although maybe I wasn't being that good of a friend to her.

"Yeah, me too," I said softly.

"Savannah, I—" Vic started but he was cut off when Mike's Casey (not my Casey) interrupted—Vic looked a little defeated and it made me sad to see him look like that, and I wondered what he was going to say but we were called inside and had no choice but to follow. I wished I could stay with him longer though, by myself, as selfish as that might be.

We climbed into the bus, the air thick with alcohol and smoke. Vic immediately grabbed my arm—gently of course—and sat down with me in a lounge couch. I smiled and looked at him. He was drinking out of a cup but not heavily. Again, I denied a drink—ironically as I saw Casey text me again. I ignored her and focusing on chatting with Vic. I could feel myself getting more and more tired, the day had really drained me without even doing that much.

As I thought that, I felt a weight on my shoulder, I looked over and saw a snoring, adorable Vic, his mouth slightly agape and his hair swept across his face. I giggled and pried his drink from his hand, putting it on the table in front of us. I went to stand up—the bus was quiet, it was as if everyone had passed out all at once except me—but Vic groaned a little and nuzzled his head into my shoulder. I giggled again and patted his arm, tilting my head back. I yawned and then that was it, I was out, completely forgetting outside world obligations and problems, sleeping happily.

When I woke up though, I was alarmed to see several missed calls that sent dread through my veins. My mom. I wanted to punch myself for my stupidity! How did I not once consider going home last night?

"Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit!" I panicked, completely clueless as to what to do. I jumped up from the couch—I saw Vic slump horizontal, and I momentarily forgot about the situation at hand, gazing at how cute—

"Morning Savi!" Mike interrupted my train of thought, effectively (and unfortunately) bringing me back into reality.

"Mike!" I exclaimed, not knowing what else to say.

"Oh, shoot, you're still here," he observed with a laugh.

"It's not funny! Mom's going to kill me! I'm dead!" I cried.

"Hey, it's okay. We'll get it sorted," he assured, but I grimaced.

"Vic!" Mike yelled, shaking his shoulders. All of the other guys piled into the front, as well—Tony, Jaime, Mike's Casey. He peaked his eyes open and then clamped them shut, deciding he wasn't quite ready to get up.

"Vic, will you please get up? We have a situation!" Mike shook Vic again, who groaned and fell to the floor with his exhaustion.

"Jesus my head hurts," he muttered as he stood up. Mike chuckled and Vic stretched his limbs. "So what's going on?" He asked.

"Well, funny story," Mike began. "Savannah was supposed to go home." Vic frowned, apparently not understanding. "We were supposed to take her home," Mike emphasized.

"Okay, well," Vic said simply. "Where is she?"

I giggled. "Hi to you, too, Vic," I grinned, sort of forgetting that this was kind of serious.

“Shit,” he muttered when the situation dawned upon him, and, despite the fact that I was as good as dead, we all just laughed at Vic’s confusion.

“What are we going to do?” Jaime asked, looking a tad guilty because he was the one who dragged me out here in the first place—not that I was objecting that, of course.

“I thought you said you had everything planned, Himes,” Vic said, stressed but not angry.

“Don’t blame me, blame Casey, he drove us here,” Jaime replied.

“What! And I was supposed to just know that she wasn’t supposed to come along with us?” Casey retorted.

“Dudes!” Mike yelled. “Let’s not start fighting alright?” everyone nodded.

“Oh, I have an idea!” Tony chimed. “Why don’t you just stay for today and we’ll definitely get you home tonight?” Tony offered. I couldn’t help but notice how Vic’s face brightened up at the suggestion. He smiled widely and so did I—besides, what else could we possibly do? They had a show today and there was no way they could get me to an airport until later, anyway.

Then, a phone started to ring. In my gut I knew it was mine, but the guys checked their phones anyway. My stomach churned as I picked mine up tentatively, hoping that it wouldn’t be mine but knowing I was going to have to face my mom sooner or later. I wished it would be later, though.

“Hello?” I answered quietly and as if I wasn’t expecting her call.

“Good, God, Savannah, Leigh, West,” my mother growled.

“Mom I can explain…” I started.

“You better explain! I’m so furious with you right now… I can’t… I can’t!” my mother yelled loudly, and I winced. She was so angry she could hardly form sentences.

“Sav… let me explain, this is all my fault…” I looked up at Vic who had taken a step closer to me, his face concerned and his eyes pleading. I gnawed on my lip and, like a true coward, sighed, handing him the phone to deal with it. He noticeably gulped before pressing the phone to his ear.

“Mrs. West, hi, it’s Vic, I’m really sorry, this is all my fault—” he started, but I could hear my mom cut him off and I groaned in embarrassment. Good to know that my own mother is lecturing one of my favorite people on this planet.

“Um, no ma’am,” he said lowly, scratching the back of his neck and looking anxious. I felt horrible. We all were staring at him, so he sighed lightly and turned around, walking past us and outside into the day time to continue talking to my mom. I groaned audibly.

“This is probably the most embarrassing thing ever, my mom freaking out at him,” I stressed.

“Ah, it’s fine, Savi. We do deserve it. We were supposed to look out for you,” Jaime said, for once not looking extremely hyped up.

“No,” I shook my head. “I can take care of myself. It’s not fair to pin you guys for being responsible for me,” I said. “I’m eighteen years old, anyway,” I added. I didn’t want to feel like they were babysitting me, no matter what they promised my mom.

A few agonizing minutes later, Vic returned inside. Immediately, he said, “Sorry Sav, got to pack you up and ship you out this instant.” My face fell.

Vic burst out laughing, though. “I’m kidding, I’m kidding! She said you can stay one more day!” he cheered, and I smiled widely. I didn’t know where my energy was coming from, but I ran over to him and threw my arms around his neck in excitement. I pulled away quickly, though, blushing and looking down because I had totally spazzed out. “Smile,” he whispered, poking my side. I giggled and did so.

Everyone seemed so happy to be in my company, I couldn’t believe it. I was so excited, especially to spend another day with the guys. But I frowned and jumped slightly when my phone beeped, still in Vic’s hand. I didn’t want him to see the messages Casey has been sending me, so, as gently as possibly, I slid it out of his tan fingers, our skin brushing over and his hands were warm. It actually calmed me, but then I looked at the message and my happiness ran away just as quickly as it had came. “Remember who was there to cover for you when your mom almost found your blade collection Savannah. Remember who was the one who physically took them away from you and got you out of that problem. Remember who has the power to bring all of that shit back.” I gulped at her words and blinked. My bottom lip quivered but I straightened myself out, determined not to show that I was upset. I couldn’t let her nasty words ruin my time with Vic—did that make me a selfish person?—I especially couldn’t let Vic know what these messages said. He couldn’t know.

Unfortunately Vic was observant. “Sav… what is it?” he whispered. I could see him try to look my in the eyes, his head tilted towards me, but I stared at that same spot on the ground. “Fine,” he said, and gravity suddenly shifted as he threw me over his shoulder. I gasped in surprise.

“Vic, what are you doing?!” I laughed as he exited the bus with me still swung over his shoulder. Vic didn’t answer; instead, he walked a few feet away from the bus and then set me down. “Right, tell me what’s wrong,” he said firmly yet with concern. I could tell he actually cared.

“It’s nothing, Vic, honest…” I lied.

“No, tell me!” he said. “Because every time you check your phone you get this look on your face that makes my heart break, so what’s going on?” he asked gently, and my heart throbbed at his words. I didn’t want him to know though.

“It’s just…” I sighed and bit my lip. “It’s just Casey at home, it’s not a big deal,” I shrugged, although it was sort of a big deal he couldn’t know that.

Vic frowned. He gently placed his fingers under my chin, forcing me to look up at him. “What is she saying?” he asked, his eyes actually showing a hint of anger. I shook my head and looked away again. “C’mon, Savi.”

I sighed. “She’s just bitching at me for being here, without her. She’s pissed actually that I’ve gotten to hang with you guys, for a few days, I didn’t even tell her. And today she’s even angrier because of my accidental kidnapping. She thinks I’m doing all of this intentionally,” I frowned. “I deserve it though, we had planned to spend the entire summer together—”

“No,” Vic cut me off. “You don’t deserve it. It’s been, what? A few days? You have the rest of the summer with her,” he said, but he frowned slightly at that and I knew what he was thinking, I was thinking it too. With her bitching, revealing her true colors that she couldn’t even be happy for me, I didn’t even want to go back.

“I just feel bad. But I don’t want it to be like that. You guys… we’re like, friends…” I said awkwardly. “It’s not like special, VIP treatment with my favorite band anymore. Although you’re still my favorite,” I nudged him, and he smiled.

“No, I know what you mean,” he agreed. “She doesn’t understand, though.” I nodded. “I hate to be an ass, but…” his voice trailed off. I smiled a little, stuffing my phone back into my pocket.

“Yes, let’s forget it and have fun,” I agreed. He smiled widely and swung an arm around me.

“If something ever bothers you, Savannah, please tell me, okay?” he murmured. I nodded.

“Good!” he cheered. “Let’s see, it’s nine in the morning, ugh,” he started. “We have a little while before the tour starts today, so…” he stopped suddenly in his tracks. “Can I kidnap you for a little while?” he asked.

I looked at him with amusement. “I don’t think you’re supposed to ask to kidnap. I mean you guys have done it twice, now,” I snickered.

He rolled his eyes. “I’m already in the dog house with your mom. So I’m asking for permission,” he smiled a toothy smile. I nodded and grinned back. “Excellent. Hop on,” he said, turning slightly.

“Hop, what?” I laughed.

“On my back,” he patted his back, crouching down a little.

“What!”

“Technically you’re supposed to be taking it easy the rest of the summer, young lady. So I won’t make you walk. C’mon,” he encouraged. I laughed and shook my head. Vic probably expected me to shyly and gently climb on so, to throw him off a little, I pounced on his back. He stumbled a little but caught me in time, his arms holding my legs while my arms dangled around his shoulders.

“Hi,” I giggled into his cheek. He smiled and turned his head closer to me. When I breathed in, it was like he was breathing out, and vice versa. Our faces were so close that everything seemed to stop for a while.

“Hi,” he said back suddenly, breaking our spell and turning his head again. My legs a little weak from that, I was glad he was carrying me.

“So where are we going?” I asked.

“I didn’t think that far into the future, yet,” he said as he walked forward.

“Oh, Vic,” I sighed, realizing something.

“What’s up?” he asked. I paused for a moment, grinning at the way his thumbs absentmindedly brushed up and down my skin where he was holding my legs. “Savi?”

“Oh, uh, yeah, heh,” I stammered. “I just realized I’m in my clothes from yesterday,” I scrunched my face up.

“Well, I can honestly say you don’t smell, since you took a shower late yesterday, so that’s good at least,” he approved.

“Yeah, but it’s still weird I’m in the same clothes,” I said, even if there was no point in complaining. “It’s okay though, actually. If having no clothes is the price to pay for hanging out with you again—with you guys again, I’ll pay it,” I said, but then I grimaced, realizing how that sounded. Vic snickered.

“That sounds really nice actually,” he smirked, and I smacked his chest.

“I didn’t mean it like that,” I muttered, my face heating up.

“Like how?”

“Oh shut up,” I said. He laughed and turned around.

“C’mon, I’ll take you back to the bus. You can re-wear your shorts, but I’ll give you a shirt,” he said.

“That would be great, thanks,” I smiled. “We look to be about the same size,” I said, patting his chest again. He laughed but grimaced simultaneously.

When we got back to the bus, I slid off of Vic’s back. I straightened out my shirt that had rid up in the process and walked on to the bus, after Vic gestured for me to go ahead. I felt his presence close behind me as I reentered the bus.

“Hm, where is everyone?”

“Looks like they all went out. Probably to help set up,” he shrugged his shoulders. “C’mon to the back,” he grabbed my hand and dragged me to wear the bunks were, where they kept their clothes.

“Now, let’s see what we have,” he sorted through his shirts. “Oh, I’m wearing this, sorry,” he stuck his tongue out at me as he grabbed a black cut off tank, that had a white logo on the top left corner that I couldn’t really make out. He took his shirt off and slipped the fresh one on—I tried not to act too flustered as he did that right in front of me—leaving on his shorts that I figured he’d just re-wear. He tousled his hair a little and hid some of the mess in a backwards cap. This was the first day I’ve seen him on tour with out straightening his hair.

“Alright, you can wear any of this, really,” he said, holding up a few things. I shrugged my shoulders and smiled.

“I don’t know,” I said shyly. He chuckled and picked up a shirt, deciding for me.

“Here, you’ll look cute in this,” he winked, tossing me the shirt. I blushed and looked down. It was a simple red, grey, black flannel with already rolled up sleeves.

“Thanks,” I said quietly. He ruffled my hair and walked off, letting me change quickly. I took my old shirt off and folded it and sat it down on his bunk, then I slipped my arms through the shirt, buttoning it up. It was a little big, but it was comfortable, light, and it smelled nice. I smiled and hugged myself for a moment. I heard Vic laugh.

“Fuck you,” I muttered, blushing heavily. He grinned and walked up to me.

“You know…” his voice trailed off.

“What is it?” I asked. We walked back to the front of the bus.

“We have a show today, but then we have tomorrow and the next day off before we have the Phoenix date,” he started. He looked at me, what was that in his eyes? Hope?

I waited, though, for him to elaborate. “Eh, I mean, it’s probably a bad idea, you’re mom’ll be pissed but…” he paused, recollecting himself. “It would make sense not to rush sending you home. Like we have a few days off, we can organize getting you home safely the day before the Phoenix show…” his voice trailed off.

“Aw,” I murmured. “That would be awesome, really,” I smiled. “I don’t know if mom will let me, but it doesn’t hurt to ask. Besides, who wants to rush to an airport tonight?” I asked rhetorically, and Vic grinned.

“We can ask her later, okay? When she’s not as mad at me,” he scratched the back of his next.

“Oh gosh. Is she really mad?” I bit my lip.

“Nah,” he smiled and shook his head. He grabbed my hand again and we exited the bus. “She’s fine, don’t worry. And, uh,” he laughed. “She told me to ‘give you her love,’” he said, putting air quotes around the phrase. I rolled my eyes, but he stopped suddenly and so naturally I stopped too. He pressed a confident yet gentle kiss to my cheek. “So, uh, there ya go,” he mumbled into my skin. I grinned and blushed a little, and he pulled away. My heart leapt in my chest.

He ruffled my hair again and we walked around a little. We got to the stage they were playing at and we decided to help the crew out a little. They were playing first on this stage today, in a few hours, so Casey was already setting up Mike’s drums with Mike breathing down his neck and they were putting up the Pierce the Veil banner and merch tent.

Eventually, a lot of people were on the grounds. It seemed like the more into the tour they got, the more popular they were becoming. Multiple people approached the guys, asking for pictures and such.

Even though they were playing first on their stage, other stages had already started playing. Their stage didn’t open right away, the stage times were a little staggered. So we walked around a little before they had to go out. Like yesterday, the other guys went their own way, leaving me alone with Vic.

“I’m going to introduce you to my buddies from Mayday Parade,” he nudged me. My eyes widened—I had completely forgotten that he would know some of my other favorite bands.

“Oh please don’t do that,” I rushed. He chuckled.

“Why?” he laughed.

“I’ll faint,” I said simply.

“Then I’m definitely introducing you guys,” he grinned sheepishly. I punched his arm. “Don’t worry, I’ll catch you,” he squeezed my waist that I didn’t realize he was holding almost protectively until now.

“Vic!” we turned our heads to see a crowd approaching us—him.

“Hey,” he smiled at the fans.

“Hey, are you guys dating now or?” one obnoxious looking girl asked. Why were people thinking that so much? Vic dropped his hand from around me and I tried really hard to not frown. I shook my head.

“No, just friends,” Vic said, although his face twisted slightly at the word ‘friend’ and I wondered why but didn’t linger on the thought as his face almost immediately relaxed. I could also see slight aggravation in his eyes—why did they care about his personal life so much? The look faded soon as well, right as I concluded that they were just curious and meant no harm, plus that kind of attention came with their rising popularity—Vic must have concluded that, too.

The girl smiled and stretched out her hands. Before Vic could react, she placed her hands on either side of his face and kissed him briefly. Vic’s eyes widened slightly as he wasn’t prepared for that—neither was I—but he didn’t push her away and when she pulled away, smirking, his cheeks had slightly heated and he had a shocked, displeased, and confused look in his eyes—all feelings he had to mask as he was surrounded by more fans, brushing the kiss off with a flustered chuckle. That same girl looped back around and briefly kissed his cheek, close to his mouth, looking proud of herself—I saw her gushing with a friend who had apparently caught it on camera. Vic looked taken aback and slightly shook his head. He grabbed my hand and pulled me away from the crowd after he had met with everyone and we walked back to his stage.

"I hate when they do that," he mumbled. "Like, sure, it's flattering I suppose, but I'm just a regular guy. You wouldn't just randomly kiss a regular guy! It’s so awkward and I didn’t know what to do," he grumbled a little, but I knew he wasn't that upset over it. The girl was attractive, no doubt, and what guy wouldn’t like that kind of attention? Maybe he wouldn’t, but who knew? What was worse about it all, though, was the little swirls of jealousy fluttering in my heart.

Notes

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