A Fool's Revenge.

It was hard keeping the happy façade up, but I did it for a good week. Today was our second to last day off until the end of tour. It was just getting dark when our bus slowed down and came to a halt. I could hear the mass amount of guys outside and I jumped out of my seat in the back lounge, as did the guys, and walked off the bus. The smell of burning wood filled my senses and I looked around.

“Jayme!” I heard my name and searched for who called me. a wide smile grew as Ricky came into view with Priscilla in tow.

“Hey guys!” I smiled and hugged them.

“Come on, we’re grilling stuff and hanging out.” Priscilla chuckled and I followed them to where they had a little grill and a bunch of filled chairs set up. I greeted the people I knew and found a seat by Chris. Him and I have been talking almost every day and have become pretty close. I was even getting close with his band, I had even spent a night on their bus just watching movies and chilling.

It’s times like these where I’m grateful for all of the bullshit that life has put me through because it has led to making amazing friends and that’s more than I could ever ask for. Then again, I could really do without the bullshit.

“What are you thinking about?” Chris asked with a smile. I sighed and shook my head at him.

“Why, or how, do you always do that?” I chuckled and he just kind of furrowed his perfectly drawn on brows.

“How do you always know when I’m thinking of something important? Am I really that easy to read?” I chuckled again.

“Like a book. No, you just get this starry, glazed over look in your eyes. I don’t think it’s that noticeable but your eyes get a little lighter too.” I blushed a little but nodded.

“So, what were you thinking about?” he said in a ‘come on already’ tone.

“My life. I like where it has taken me, even with all the shitty things that have happened.” I leaned back and looked at the star studded sky. It was a beautifully clear night.

“I do that a lot.” He sighed and seemed a little upset about it.

“What’s wrong?” This would probably be the only time I would be able to read him like he reads me so I took my chances.

“Well, I love what I do but I hate the fact that we’re so overlooked, you know? Sure, we’re popular now, and I use that term very lightly, but… I don’t know, I guess I expect more than I should, feedback wise. I get the reactions but it seems like they’re mostly the negative ones. It bothers me a little.” He squinted and looked into the sky.

“It’s kinda like high school all over, huh?” I laughed slightly and his head snapped to face me.

“It’s ironic, right? We wait four years to get out of school only to realize your who life is just like it.” he chuckled and I nodded. It was true. Maybe not as harsh as it was then but it was very true.

We stayed in a comfortable silence but Ben broke it by taking me away to the drinks. I didn’t want to drink a lot today because I knew tomorrow was going to be one of the hottest days seeing as we were in Las Vegas, Nevada and it was known to get searing.

“Here you go, love.” Ben smiled and just looked at me as I took the drink and smiled. I noticed that his smile quickly turned into a smirk and I raised an eyebrow.

“What?” I wasn’t sure what would come out of his mouth but his smirk was replaced with an innocent smile.

“Nothing. I’ve just noticed you’ve been getting all comfy cozy with Chris.” He gasped like a little girl and I laughed.

“He’s just a friend. Nothing is going on between us, I promise.” I laughed at his accusations.

“Okay.” he raised his hands in defense and we walked back to where I was before. I sat down in my seat and Chris just looked from my drink to me.

“What’s your poison?” he asked with the slightest bit of a smirk playing at his lips.

“Fireball and sprite.” I took a quick sip and smiled. He nodded and turned away when his name was called by Ben. I knew he was straight edge so there was no point in returning the question. I started up a little conversation with the ever so quiet ‘Ghost’ and we ended up getting in a heated debate over Photoshopping. He argued that Photoshop was pointless while I rebutted that it was more important than he thinks.

“What do you think makes all of you guys look like the perfection that little girls drool over?!” I yelled and laughed.

“Us. We’re beautiful just the way we are!” he said in a girly voice.

“Speak for yourself!” Ricky yelled from across the circle making some of us laugh.

“Are you really arguing with a photographer about Photoshop? You’re gonna lose. She’s right anyways.” Chris said with a chuckle and I smiled in triumph. Devin gave us and rolled his eyes.

“Jayme! I’ve been looking all over for you, didn’t expect to find you with these guys though.” Mike said with a slightly bitter laugh and I rolled my eyes. I could see the jealousy in his eyes as he looked between Chris and I and it just made me laugh. Chris did too but he didn’t bother looking at Mike. Over the past week I had actually told him the full story of my love drama. He gave some good advice and definitely a new perspective to the whole situation I caught myself in and now I’m pretty settled on what I’m gonna do about it.

“Hey Mike. I’ve been hanging out with these fools pretty much every day, just ask Priscilla.” I laughed as I saw the jealously burn intensely in his brown eyes. Chris looked at me briefly before shaking his head and turning to talk to Ben again.

“Oh, that’s nice. Glad to see that smile back.” He said with a condescending smile and walked away.

“Is he for real?” Chris said as soon as Mike was out of earshot.

“Probably.” I chuckled and chugged my drink. I pulled my legs up to my chest and listened to all of the bustling conversation. Jealously is a bitch but he caused it, not me. It’s not like anything is going on between me and anyone right now, there’s no need to be jealous.


It’s been a good hour and a half since I’ve held a decent conversation with anyone so I looked around and left without a trace or goodbye. After Mike popping up, I had more than enough shit going through my head. I walked on the bus and heard moans. I groaned and left. I really just wanted to get away from everyone.

I snuck off the bus and looked around to make sure no one was around to follow me. I walked out of the venue and down the street and found a little diner. I sat down and pulled out my phone to see two texts from Chris and one from Ben; both just asking where I was and if I was okay.

Chris’ being more in depth with the questions though. I replied saying I was fine but didn’t bother saying a location because that would effectively ruin the point of wanting to get away from everyone. It’s not like they wouldn’t see me again, it was only ten o’clock. I would be back far before bus call.

“Hello, sweetheart! What can I get ya?” an older lady, maybe in her mid-forties, said with a smile. She handed me a menu and I scanned it over real quick before deciding on a cheese burger and chocolate shake. It’s been a long while since I’ve the combo and it just sounded delicious. She took my order and walked away. I set my head down on the table for merely a minute before I felt the presence of another person.

“So you have company! What can I get ya?” I heard the waitress say to whoever was sitting across from me.

“Just a cheese burger, please.” I snapped my head up at the familiar voice and was faced with none other than Chris. I sighed and closed my eyes, leaning my head against the back of the booth.

“I thought I was the only one to know about this little place.” He laughed and a opened my eyes just a sliver and looked at him. he held a sweet intrigued smile upon his face.

“I just had to get away for a while, away from everyone.’ I said but realized it came out mean.

“I can leave if you want me to.” He said in a hurt tone but didn’t show it.

“No, no, it’s fine, I didn’t mean for it to come out like that. I just meant that I’m getting tired of being around the same people and dealing with the same things all of the time, it’s nice to just get away from it all. I’ve always been the one who would rather be alone or with just a very small group of people than go out and party all the time.” I rambled and he smiled. Our food came out and we thanked our waitress and took a few bites of our food before he continued.

“I know what you mean. I always want to just get some time by myself, you know that. I’m not one for parties or large groups either but I like being around people, if that makes sense.” He chuckled and took another bite of his food. We stayed fairly silent through the rest of our meal and by the time I was done, I was stuffed and ready to go to sleep.

“all set?” he asked with a silly smile.

“yes! And what’s that look for?” I chuckled and whipped out my wallet to pay.

“I’m paying, put it away.” He said sternly but I didn’t listen. I pulled out the amount for my food and smiled. He pocketed it and forked out the whole amount.

“Hey!”

“Hay is for horses now shh, I told you I was paying.” He handed me my money back and I glared at him.

“Fine, next time I pay.” I said with a huff and stood up. I put down a tip for our waitress and we left, walking slowly back to the venue.

“So what are your plans for after this tour?” he asked and stopped just outside the entrance to the venue.

“Go back to work. I figured this was just a favor to AA, a one-time thing I guess.” I shrugged. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do this again, sure it was fun but most of the time I was either extremely sad and upset or pissed off and I don’t want to go through that again.

“Where do you live?” I guess it was time for twenty questions.

“San Diego.” I smiled and suddenly had the urge to go home. I missed being able to just sit on my couch with a cup of tea and watch TV. I missed hating going to work and seeing Dave and Casey every day. I missed home.

“Sunny San Diego.” He chuckled and kept walking.

“I would much rather have the sun all year than the crazy ass weather you guys get in PA!” I laughed. They got crazy amounts of snow on the East Coast and I was all about the heat. I loved it even when I hated it.

“Well, I’m barely home anymore so I don’t have to be around it but I like having all four seasons over just spring and summer. That’s no fun.” He rebutted. I rolled my eyes as we came back into the party scene.

“I like my boring weather.” I stated proudly as we reached my bus.

“Yeah, yeah.” He laughed and looked down at me.

“So, are you just gonna pass out?” he asked. I nodded and punched in the code. I opened the door and stood there. I was thankful that I didn’t hear moaning anymore so that meant I could actually go to sleep like I originally planned.

“Yeah, I’ll see you tomorrow though. You’re stuck with me, remember?” I laughed and so did he.

“Alright. Goodnight, Jayme.” He gave me a warming hug and waited until I closed the door to start walking back to everyone else.


“So, where have you been?” I jumped at the broken silence. I didn’t realize I wasn’t alone.

“I went to get something to eat, why?” I said as I walked back towards the bunks and past the smirking Ben Bruce.

“Well, you and Chris just disappeared and I figured it wasn’t a coincidence.” He said.

“It’s not like we planned it Ben, wipe the damn smirk off of your face before I do it for you.” I smiled and hopped up to my bunk.

“So nothing is going on, really?” he said with a serious look and tone.

“No, nothing is going on between Chris and I. he told me he’s got a girl back home. I may be somewhat of a whore but I’m not a homewrecker.

“Really? ‘Cause Chris is as single as they come.” Ben chuckled and I looked at him in confusion.

“Sleep tight, Jayme.” He smiled and I watched as he rolled into his own bunk and opened his laptop to Netflix.

I closed the curtain to my bunk and patiently awaited sleep to overcome me but it took longer than expected. I now had questions of why Chris would lie to me about his relationship, I don’t blame him but still, there’s no reason to lie about it.


I finally succumbed to the overwhelming urge to sleep as the various questions still circled around in my head like vicious little vultures.

Notes

Okay. well, not to satisfied with this update either but.... yeah.

Drama is soon to come in the least expected way. Prepare yourselves.


Thanks so much for reading/commenting/subscribing<3 :)