|June 2014|

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|Austin P.O.V|

I kicked at the dirt as I walked down to my bus. I feel horrible, I really do, for just snapping at her like that when I promised myself that I would get along with her. But I went ahead and fucked that up. Out of the twenty seven years of her life, I’ve been a more asshole to her in the twenty six I’m alive.

“Omigod, you’re Austin Carlile!” looking up from the ground, I saw a guy and a female staring at me with wide eyes. One has blonde hair with brown roots and blazing brown eyes while the boy has brown hair and eerily familiar green eyes.

“Uhm, yes I am.” I said with a smile.

“I’m Katherine Goodwin and this is my brother, Josh Demoss. We’re big fans of your band and my brother is a very big fan of your beautiful friend, Lights.” she spoke. I stared at her for a little longer when it clicked.

“You interviewed us last year,” I went out to shake her hand. Tears started brimming the corner of her eyes and I pulled her in for a hug, my heart melting at the interaction of my fans. “Aw, don’t cry.” She gave a shaky laugh as she pulled away.

“I’m sorry. I just, never thought I would imagine meeting you again.” Next I hugged Josh.

“Hey, if you want to meet Lights,” I cringe a bit at the mention of her ‘new’ name coming out of my mouth so naturally. “Go to the Breathe Carolina tour bus. She needs all the fans she can get.” They smiled and muttered a thank you before leaving, squealing about meeting her.
I walked on my bus (which was directly in front of me) and went to the fridge, pulling out a beer.

“Dude, who was those two?” Alan asked as he emerged from the bunks, a girl followed behind him in his shirt and walked off. He grabbed the bottle from my hand and yelled to promise to call her later.

“Some siblings. One was an interviewer from last year named Katherine and one named Josh.” I said as I got another.

I heard the bottle come in contact with the floor as Alan turned to face me.

“Josh who?” Alan asked.

“Whoa, what’s wr-”

“Josh who Austin?!” Alan repeated, panic evident in his voice.

“Josh Demoss. Said he was a big fan of Lights, so I told them where she was and to go meet her. To make her feel better.”

“Austin! You fucking idiot!” Alan yelled. He ran to the back bunks and I followed after him. What did I do? I was only trying to cheer her up.

“Alan, what’s going on?” Alan began putting on clothes faster than he would taking them off for a one night stand.

“Austin, Josh Demoss is Ellie’s ex-boyfriend slash best friend. That one that raped her. the one who’s dad dated her mom and turned her mom against her and his fucking evil sister ‘Katherine’. Demoss isn’t his last name, it’s Goodwin. And you just gave them her fucking address.”

It all hit me so fast that I couldn’t register it until Alan was pulling me off the bus.

We ran towards the BC bus and ran to its open door, seeing Beau Bokan, David, and Eric sitting around.

“Where’s your sister?” I asked while David was glaring at Alan.

“I sent her on a coffee run. Why?”

“Josh.” Alan spoke. David’s eyes widen as his hands started to shake.

“Tell me you’re fucking joking Ashby.”

“David, please, come on.” My heart was pounding at the thought of what they could be doing to her. what is wrong with their sick twisted minds that they come to me to hurt her. Why not her boyfriend Scout, I’m pretty sure he would’ve been the one to give them directions.

But to think that they’re hurting one of my best friends just makes me want to fucking puke.

Within ten minutes, we were out the venue and calling her name out, looking for her.
I don’t think I would be able to get through this is they did hurt her because it’ll be my fault.
I can’t do this.This is my fault. If only I hadn’t….

Notes

Aw. Austin still thinks she's dating Scout. Silly little truffle.