Julie and Casey talked that day outside for a few hours. Whatever she told him, made him hug her tightly, like he never wanted to let her go. Julie cried in his embrace, having Casey hold back his tears and assure her that everything would work out. After that, they came in and Julie walked straight to the bathroom to shower.

“Everything okay?” Jaime asked. Casey was calm and relaxed by then and he nodded, smiling.

“Yeah.” I looked to the bunks and walked over, closing the curtain. I opened the bathroom door, stepping in and leaning on the sink.

“Hey baby, everything alright now?” I asked her.

“Mike? Get out!” She gasped; surprised at my sudden intrusion.

“Relax, I won’t do anything. I just want to know if everything is okay.” Julie didn’t answer right away like Casey did. She stayed quiet, not even making a small sound.

“Yeah, everything is perfect.” She whispered.

“Okay.” I said, walking out and putting on some pajama pants. I sat on my bunk for a while, playing a few games on my phone when Julie walked out in one of Casey’s shirts and shorts. She looked up at me, her damp hair loose around her and she looked away, hanging the wet towels. I walked to her, and hugged her tightly.

“I’m here for anything you need, okay?” I spoke. Julie hugged me back and nodded. She softly kissed my cheek and I smiled, grabbing her hand and bringing her over to my bunk.

“What are we doing?” She asked. I grabbed my phone, opening the camera app and wrapping my arm around her waist, bringing her closer to me.

“Smile.” I smiled at the camera and she shyly did as well. I captured the photo, letting her go and kissing her cheek. Julie stepped back, looking at me and clearing her throat.

“Are we, you know, dating?” She asked. I love how nervous she was around me. She was never this way with all of us and I just loved how her voice was laced with nervousness and shyness.

“That depends.” I spoke, sitting on my bunk. I looked up at her and she sat in Jaime’s across from me.

“On?” She wondered. I chuckled leaning back and pressing my neck to the top part of my bunk.

“On whether or not you want to date me.” I watched as Julie thought for a while. Occasionally biting her lip, or the inside of her cheek. I looked at her hands sitting on her lap. Her fingers danced with each other as she fidgeted around and soon she placed them on her knees. I looked up at her, finding that she was already looking at me.

“I want to date you.” She softly said. I smiled, leaning forward and pressing my lips to hers. She returned the kiss, her right hand and mine intertwining while her left hand held on to my sleeve. The curtain between the lounge opened and Jaime looked down at us as we broke away. Jaime turned around, not even bothering to close the curtain. I rolled my eyes, standing up and walking to the front of the lounge, my other hand still holding Julie. I sat on the couch, Julie sitting next to me and the guys staring at us.

“We’re official.” I calmly stated, looking at the TV. I noticed Casey eye Julie and I but say nothing about it. Julie just cuddled into my side and I wrapped my arm around her shoulders, holding her safely.

That was all in one day, today, I took her out on our first date. We went to a small café not far from the bus and just talked about each other and our goals. I did most of the talking, seeing as Julie didn’t want to talk about her past. We walked around the town, holding hands and telling corny jokes and just laughing at stupid things.

I swear that night couldn’t have been better. We stood in front of the bus and she looked at our hands, smiling. I leaned in, kissing her softly and smiling at her. “Let’s go to bed, we have a show tomorrow.” Julie agreed and we got walking in, going into our separate bunks and falling asleep.

June 30th

Julie and I have been going strong in the past weeks but we both agreed that we would not let the fans know about us. I’ll admit, I would kiss her cheek or hold her hand in public, but only because it was normal. I lost count how many times a day Jaime, Tony, or Vic would give her piggy-back rides, kisses on the cheek or hold her hand when they were going to stop by somewhere.

Our tour was short, only a month and a half so we still had a bit more shows before we were done until early next year. Our longest brake this year, and I was grateful. I sat on the couch, ready for our show in Kansas when Julie jumped on my lap and hugged me tightly. I wrapped my arms around her, surprised that she attacked me, but I wasn’t complaining.

“I have to leave a bit early.” She spoke by my ear. I gently pushed her back, looking at her, confusion in my eyes. “I have to sell my home so I can go live with Casey. I’m spending some time with him.” I nodded, looking at her. She had sadness in her eyes and I hugged her tighter.

“That’s fine, I’ll call you when I can okay?” She shook her head and sighed.

“My schedule might be fucked up, so I’ll text you when I’m free.” I agreed to it and she told me she was taking a flight out when we hit Chicago.” I held her tight. She slept the last two nights in Jaime’s bunk and I would stay awake, looking up at the top bunk and thinking about everything that was happening on tour.

Vic was writing new music and I was pretty stoked about it. He had a few songs written and we decided to name the album ‘Selfish Machines’ after the last song on the album. At one point during the tour, a few girls had given us their suicide letters after we had met them. They said that our music was an inspiration to them, and they didn’t give up. To think all this is because of on silly little project we just wanted to try out.

Julie left early that day and I walked her to the airport, holding her before her flight was called. “I’ll see you in a few weeks.” She spoke when her flight was being called. I kissed her softly, savoring the last bit I had of her before she could leave me. I pulled away, resting my forehead on hers and sighing sadly.

“I’ll miss you baby.”

“Same here.” We stayed quiet until she had to leave and I grabbed her elbow. Julie turned to me, waiting for me to speak before I opened my mouth.

“I love you.” Julie stared at me. She smiled, walking back and kissing me again.

“I love you too.” She spoke. She hugged my tightly, like that was the last time I would ever see her again and I returned it. I watched as she boarded her flight and waited until the plane was gone before I walked back out and to the bus. I spent my time occupied by many things, trying my hardest to ignore the pain in my chest to know that Julie wasn’t here.

I called her at nights when she was free and Casey would talk with her outside. I do remember waking up in the middle of the night, my throat bugging me for being dry and I got up, but stopped in my tracks when I heard Casey speaking to someone in the lounge.

“So what did he say? What do you mean they don’t know? They’re doctors! I know, but still Julie. Alright, I’ll find out, bye.” Casey hung up and I waited a while, finally opening the curtain. Casey looked at me and I waved, walking to the small fridge.

“Can’t sleep?” I asked. Casey shook his head and I threw him a water bottle. He caught it, a bit dazed but still in focus.

“Good night.” I spoke, going back to my bunk. Whatever Casey and Julie were hiding, she was bound to tell me soon. Right?

Notes

What's up, mate? Thanks to the people that comment, means a lot! :) Any thoughts so far? :) Love you!