Kisses
Nothing Has Changed
Dear Readers,
Music saved my life many times. You all know about my obsession for Paramore and Fleetwood Mac... basically anything with a female lead and a sweet guitar. But how about a melodic male voice who knows how to scream and a heavy drum beat? That’s exactly how my new obsession sounds.
Pierce the Veil are California native, like me. In fact, I went to high school with Vic Fuentes (lead vocals) and Mike Fuentes (drummer). The two brothers had a band in high school called ‘Before Today’ and were so excited when they got signed. But Before Today soon fell apart and Pierce the Veil was born.
Vic and I were friends in high school. If anyone deserves success and happiness, it’s Vic Fuentes. He puts everything into his music. Just listen to a song and you’ll know what I mean. Vic has such a dynamic voice that is filled with so much passion and energy, it’s hard not to feel anything. With amazing song writing like that it's no wonder why these guys have the amount of fans they do.
When I knew Vic music was the most important thing in his life. He dropped everything to make music. As I talked to Vic about the transition from college freshman to rock star, he told me that even though he was touring and writing, there was something missing, something that he “could never find on the road.” Now, if you ask me, he just missed his mother.
'It was hard for me to leave my friends and family behind but that was the price of fame. I left behind my best friends and that's hard for someone to do when they're young, but I believed that my dreams needed to be achieved. I just wish I didn't have to leave some people behind.'
Mike, the younger but much larger brother, told me that the person he missed most on the road was his mom.
‘It’s funny because you really know how much your mom does for you. A week into my tour I had to call my mom to ask her how to use a Laundromat. I also missed her food because Taco Bell and real Mexican tacos, do not compare.’
The adjustment to life on the road wasn’t easy for anyone in the band. Tony spoke to me about his many struggles and changes he had to go through:
‘It was hard leaving my mom and sister behind. I was the man of the house and I worried about them everyday. I also had to deal with living with 3 guys on a small bus with bunks and testosterone-filled air.”
(Side Note: Tony Perry’s smile could make your heart stop)
Jaime spoke about trying to maintain a relationship with trying to maintain fame.
‘It came to a point where I had to pick who to spend my time with, fans or my girlfriend. It was really hard for the both of us at first but once we both realised that this is real and we have to deal with it, we made it work. I think it’s very important to understand that life changes and you need to handle it when it does.
I don’t blame the guys, I’d miss home too if I were gone for so long with the same people, everyday. I go away for more than a weekend and I get home sick very quickly.
Julie read over her entry, edited her mistakes and posted it. Usually she would go back to her blog and make sure it formatted properly and that comments were enabled but Julie couldn't find the strength to do that today. She took a deep breath, closed her laptop and zombie walked straight into her bedroom. She closed the door behind her and landed face first onto her bed.
Julie allowed a few tears to escape from behind her eyes before she sat up and pulled her knees into her chest. Julie got tired of always hiding her feelings and she needed to feel something before she burst. She sat on her bed and let herself cry. She cried because of Vic, because she missed him and it still hurt that he left. She cried because she hated herself for going out with Tony. She cried even more because she didn't enjoy herself when she wanted to.
After minutes of trying to calm herself down Julie gave up the fight. Counting wasn't working and neither was trying to tell herself she was going to be okay. Julie allowed her body to go numb and allowed her muscles to relax. She fell onto her side; still holding her knees tight to her chest, and fell sleep.
Two hours later Julie was woken up by the sound of her front door slamming shut and a few laughs. Groggily, she got out of bed, stretched her sore muscles and opened her bedroom door. In the hallway Julie could see Fae with her body pushed up against someone that Julie didn’t know. Julie tried to get a look but it was impossible to tell in the dark and she didn’t want to invade Fae’s privacy by asking or by walking by. Slowly, Julie closed her bedroom door and walked to bed. She stripped off her clothing, leaving on only her bra and panties. Julie crawled into bed and fell back asleep, hoping to avoid her reoccurring dream tonight.
But sleep never came for Julie because all she could hear was the sound of her best friend having sex in the room next to hers. Her earphones were in but that didn’t block out the sound of Fae’s bed frame hitting the wall. She went outside to the balcony but that didn’t stop the cold air from seeping through her sweater. It was evident that Julie wasn’t going to get any sleep tonight. She went back to her bed and played on her phone. Candy Crush Saga was her weakness but after a while she ran out of lives and was left with nothing but boredom and thoughts of her old love. Julie glanced at the time and rolled her eyes.
“3 o’clock in the morning and Fae is still getting fucked” Julie got up out of bed, pulled on a pair of her favourite leggings and her Paramore band tee. She walked to the front door, grabbed her favourite army green jacket and headed out the door – holding only her phone and her keys.
Without a second of hesitation Julie dialled the only number she remembered from her youth and pressed her phone to her ear.
“Julie, is everything okay?” The groggy, tried voice asked from the other side.
“Everything is fine. Just having a bad night. Sorry to wake you I ju-”
“NO, no it’s fine.” His voice got clearer and Julie could tell that he had woken up.
“I really miss you Vic...” Julie’s voice cracked. “I didn’t think I did but then I saw your name on my research sheet and I realized that I really did miss you. We never did get closure and it really sucks because I really loved you and we just drifted apart. I’m sorry, I’m rambling. I’ll stop talking now”
“Julez, you are still the same girl you were when I loved you” Vic laughed. He got out of bed, put on his black Key Street jeans and a plain white shirt. “I’m getting dressed now. I’ll meet you in front of the Mc Donald’s by your place okay?” Vic hung up the phone and left his house, hoping that none of the boys heard him leave.
Before Julie could even argue with Vic he was off the phone and she had no choice but to talk to the Mc Donald’s. Once there she ordered her usual and was pleasantly surprised to remember what Vic always used to order. She sat at the table closest to the window and waited for Vic to arrive. Julie pulled out her phone to play another game of Candy Crush Saga, but she was interrupted by a phone call.
“Where are you?” She asked, knowing that it didn’t take Vic long to get to the restaurant.
“Pulling in…now” Vic said just as she saw his Dad’s old Ford pickup park in front of her window.
Julie hung up her phone, slipped it into her back pocket, grabbed the bags of food and walked out to Vic; a wide smile spread across her face. Vic didn’t look like he had just woken up. His long, dark brown hair was pulled tightly in a bum and his smile shinned as if they gave off their own light.
“You look good for someone who just woke up in the middle of the night,” Julie commented as she pulled herself up into the car.
“I’m getting my favourite food and seeing my girl” Vic replied, reaching his hand out to help Julie in.
Julie grabbed her dance bag and walked out the school into the cool October evening. She opened her phone and dialled the number she knew all to well.
“I love ending practice, at 8,” Julie said sarcastically as soon as Vic answered the phone.
“I love that you call me as soon as you’re done,” Vic smiled as he held his phone to his ear. He had just finished dinner and was lying down on his bed waiting for Julie to call.
“You’re my homeboy Vic, of course I would” Julie laughed as she spoke.
“You’re my girl” Vic smiled widely. Julie was his girl, whether she knew it or not. He was in love with her, and although he may never have the courage to tell her, this was his way of letting her know that he wanted her to be his.
“Am I?” Julie felt her stomach tie in knots hearing Vic call her his girl. She wanted to be his anything from the day they met. “I’m your girl, you’re my boy.”
“I love the sound of that,” Vic said, standing up and pacing around his room. “I love the sound of your voice.”
“Oh shut up, Victor. Stop trying to flirt with me.”
“Why? Is it making you nervous? Are you getting butterflies?” Yes Julie thought. “No, I’m getting annoyed and tired.”
“Well I’ll stay on the phone until you reach home okay?”
“You’re so sweet Victor. Why can’t you be like this all the time?” Julie joked, knowing that was going to insult Vic.
“Well excuse me Miss Portila, I am always sweet and kind. Just not to you because you don’t deserve it.” Vic mocked insult and continued to pace around his room.
“But Vic honey, I’m your girl.” Julie raised the pitch of her voice and spoke sweetly.
“You’re right Julie. You’re my girl and I’m your boy.”
“I can’t believe that one: you remember what I order, and two: we called each other that” Vic said as he opened his bag and stuffed fries into his mouth immediately.
“I was falling in love with you at that point, hearing you call me your girl was the best thing that ever happened to me” Julie said, as he stared at Vic.
Vic noticed her staring and smiled. “You know that the fries are only good for three minutes once they’ve been made and you have to eat them as quickly as possible!”
“You are honestly the exact same person. Nothing about you has changed” Julie laughed, shaking her head at how unbelievable it is that Vic is the same person he was when he was 18 years old.
“Nope. That’s not true” Vic spoke with his mouth full causing Julie to burst out laughing but he continued to speak. “Something’s have changed.”
“Mhm, like what?” Julie asked, her voice full of curiosity.
“I’m way better at sex now than I was” Vic smirked.
“Yeah well, we never had sex then so I can’t judge that.” As she spoke, Julie held her head down, looking at her food, suddenly unable to eat.
“Oh but you can judge whether or not I’m good now…”
“ANNNNNNYWAY” Julie exclaimed, dragging out the word. “How are things coming with the new album?”
“Great! I got the writing done, Tony and Mike are just trying to figure out how the last few song are going to sound.” Vic replied with a wide, happy smile on his face.
“And Jaime?”
“Jaime is the one that fixes everything. I may be the lead singer but Jaime is the brain behind this band. When we fuck up he always does something to fix it. I don’t know how be he always does.”
“He’s more useful than you. Where was he in my junior year?” Julie joked, nudging Vic with her elbow.
“Low-blow Julez, low-blow!” Vic laughed.
Julie looked at Vic. She took a really good look at him for the first time in years. She was amazed by how much he hadn’t changed. His skin was still dark and flawless. She was always jealous at his complexion. Julie was Mexican too but strangers always thought she was white because of he lack of pigment. Vic’s hair was still like silk. Julie remembered the first time she ever ran her hands though it. She thought it felt like perfection and wondered how it was possible for Vic to have such amazing hair. She looked at his smile and how his cheeks still turned a faint shade of pink every time. She studied his face and smiled at how, even after all this time; she knew that she was going to see his face in her dreams again. Not just tonight, but possibly forever.
“Vic?” Julie said, clearing her throat and coming back to reality.
“Mhm,” Vic mumbled, while smiling at Julie.
“So I know that you know that I went on a date with Tony last night.” Julie started, never breaking her gaze with Vic. “But I also want you to know that it was stupid and I don’t think I’m going to continue seeing him.”
“Why?” Vic asked, keeping his gaze.
“Why I think you should know or why am I not going to out with him again?”
“The latter.”
“Oh, well I didn’t have a really good time. I like Tony’s he’s funny and attractive but we just didn’t click they way I thought we would” Julie spoke honestly, she needed Vic to know the truth.
“Tony is one of my best friends. He’s my brother. But I understand if you don’t want to see him again. I’ll let him know.” Vic said, looking away and down into his lap.
“No, that’s not what I mean.” Julie reached her hand and placed it on Vic’s knee. “That’s not why I’m telling you”
“Oh?” Vic looked up at Julie with hopeful, desperate eyes.
“I’m telling you because I miss you…a lot.” Julie could feel the blood rush up to her face causing her to turn a bright shade of pink. “Seeing you that first day was scary. All of these feelings came rushing back. Then going out with you and the guys was overwhelming because not only feelings but memories also came back…”
“You’re rambling again” Vic interrup
“Sorry,” Julie apologised and looked down. “What I’m trying to say is that I’m happy I got to meet you again and I’m very happy we’re together right noAs she finished her sentence, Julie’s eyes flickered to Vic’s lips. He was biting on them, making them bigger and full of colour.
Vic noticed her look at smiled. “I miss you Julie. I miss you all the time”
“I really did love you. I hope you know that.”
“I loved you way more. I hope you know that.” Vic took a deep breath before he reached over to Julie, placed his hand on the back of her neck and slowly pulled their faces together.
Julie quickly reacted and unbuckled her seat belt so she could lean forward. She connected their lips and inhaled sharply. She waited so long for a kiss like this and she wasn’t going to hold back now that she got it. Vic could feel his blood rush and a million nerves explode in his body. His heart was racing and so was his mind. He was finally able to have Julie this way. He was finally able to kiss the girl he loves. Vic couldn’t help but reach his other hand over to touch Julie’s face. He had dreamed of this moment so many times his heart had to make sure that this time was real. Julie smiled at the feeling of his warm hand on her face. She kissed him harder, wanting more of him.
“Well” was all Vic could say afterwards. “That was…”
“Great” Julie giggled as she sat upright in her seat and put back on her seatbelt. “I should probably go home now though.”
“Yeah, it’s late and I have to be in studio in a few hours” Vic said as he put the truck in drive.
The car ride was short but the air was thick and hot. Julie’s fingers were tracing over her lips on their own; trying to keep the feeling of Vic’s lips there. Once Vic pulled up in Julie’s driveway, he looked over to her with a very wide smile on his face.
“Goodnight Julie”
Julie didn’t reply, she just smiled, nodded and opened the door to get out. Once she closed the door, Vic’s smile faded and turned into a frown. Julie began making her way to her front door but she stopped in front of Vic’s truck – allowing the headlights to be directly on her.
“Well, aren’t you going to come in?”
Notes
Sorry for this taking so long to post. Life is crazy and hectic. I lost inspiration to write this and then my family had to move. We're crazy people so it was a crazy time. I am so happy this is up. I can promise you that the next chapter will be up soon.
Thank you for reading!
Love yourself, love this band, love each other.
Xoxo
OH MY GOSH! THIS IS PERFECT!
5/15/14