Two days later…

“Willow, hun?” My mother asked. I opened it. It was early in the morning, about three AM. The tour bus would be leaving in a little under an hour. Maybe less. I basically cared about that bus as much as I cared about oranges. Not much. Maybe negative four and a quarter.

“Ding.” I responded unhappily.

“Aw come on, you know more than that.” She came in through my bed room door. Don’t ask me why we were up at three in the morning. I just heard her playing Words with Friends downstairs and she must’ve heard me turn on the tap to slurp from since I was too lazy to go downstairs to the fridge and get my own water from there.

When it came to that, I was as lazy as Turtle on movie nights. Once he was down in front of the screen, he wasn’t getting back up.

“Ding.” I responded, shaking my head.

“I know you know one more word.” She told me softly. I refused to acknowledge the name. I shoved my head in the pillow as my mom poked my rib, trying to coax me out. I plugged my headphones in for her to go away.

Next thing I know, the volume went from three to ten. I jumped and tore out the headphones, grumbling towards my mom. She chuckled.

“It never fails.” She laughed. I slapped her arm lightly and flopped back on my pillow, blonde bed head going everywhere, just like my emotions. I think Jaime had put me through more emotions than my period normally does.

“Ding.” I grumbled. She ruffled my head. I squeaked.

“Hey, the bus is leaving soon. Don’t you want to go say goodbye to Autumn?” She asked me. I crossed my arms, but eventually relented. I wouldn’t see my blue haired season until the next few weeks. By then, she’d probably be with Tony all the time anyways. I felt like I was slowly losing everyone to the tour.

Jaime would forget about me. I don’t say much and would just stand in the corner anyways. I was just like a broom in the closet. Autumn would gradually fade away to hang with Tony more. I wouldn’t see her much after that either. All I was left with was going off to college in a few months.

“Willow? Earth to Willow!” My mom cupped her hands over my mouth and yelled in my ear. I guess I must’ve dozed off.

“Ding.” I apologized. She shook her head.

“Come on, let’s go see Autumn.” She pulled me out of bed so that I fell on the floor and moaned. Now my leg hurt! When I refused to get up, my mom just took my wrist and dragged me to my closet and threw some fresh clothes on my chest.

“Get up. Let’s go see them off. Maybe we can spray paint their bus to get them back.” She encouraged. I pushed her out of my room, nearly tripping over my sleeping pug in the process. Throwing off my shirt, I put on a long sleeved plaid top. It was pretty cool outside in the early summer morning, so I decided that a long sleeve would be appropriate. Tossing on a pair of leggings, I felt ready for the day. On the worn wood of my desk was that necklace Himes had given me two days before. My fingernails scraped the desk as I snagged it and clasped the hook.

Taking one last look at my closet, I noticed something odd. It looked kind of empty. It seemed like I was missing some of my clothes, but then again, they could’ve fallen to the floor. Oh well. I’ll check when I get back. If my mom was trying her whole new “youthful looking” phase and decided to steal my clothes, oh, I would get her back…

Tramping down the stairs, my mom tossed me my hair brush as if it was a grenade. As I ripped the bristles through my knotting hair, I tripped into my Vans and grabbed the keys to my car. Mom snagged them out of my fingers.

“Nuh uh. I get to drive.” She laughed. I rolled my eyes but smiled. With a yawn, she shoved me through the garage to the car. I was a little slow in the mornings. Nighttime was my best hours. Mom jumped into the driver’s seat, excited to be off. The chair squeaked and growled under me as I got in. The springs had been rusty after Autumn had gone too hard when her beat dropped once in the car. She spilled her coke so that it smelled sickly sweet for a week, or until I had gotten some air spray in this death bucket.

“Ding?” I asked. She was speeding down the street like a maniac. It kind of reminded me of when Jaime drove me home and then gave me his number….Good times, even if Himes always made me feel like I was going to be whipped out of the car.

“Off to the bus!” She cheered and blasted the radio. Sometimes, I think my mom pretended she was seventeen again. She wanted to be young and free. I loved it. She was an awesome parent who called everyone asschip and threatened people with a pan.

“DING!” I screamed as she whipped around the corner and skidded into a parking lot, nearly hitting Mike along the way. The drummer screamed like a chicken chased by a fox and dove out of the way. My mom threw the car in park, almost crashing into the bus.

“Well, that was fun.” She gasped and poked me in the ribs. I was wild eyed and clutching the car, as if she might eat me next. Eventually, I saw Autumn and managed to declaw myself and shake my way out of the car. My mother stayed inside, reading some magazine she had brought.

“Aren’t you a little speed demon?” A familiar voice asked me. I gave my best friend a hug. Her blue hair was tangling itself onto me, grasping onto my shoulders and attempting to infiltrate my mouth.

“Ding.” I chuckled. She finally let go as Tony came to me, giving me a quick hug.

“Hey, MD.” He smiled. I waved.

“I didn’t think you were going to make it.” Vic chuckled as he shoved something onto the undercarriage of the fancy bus. He toppled into the storage area and got stuck between two other bags. Mike had to grab his ankles and haul him out. It was very comical, actually. Plus, it was hilarious that Vic was so short!

“We’re glad you could at least say goodbye, even if you couldn’t come on tour with us.” Tony said. I slyly looked around for Jaime. His purple bass guitar pick was still slung on my neck. The silver seemed to soak up my sun, making the tiny triangle warm. The chain seemed heavier with each passing moment in the growing day. It was only three thirty, but it seemed to be getting warmer.

“Jaime?” I asked eventually. Mike, Vic, and Tony all shook their heads at once. We were huddling against the side of the bus. The large letter, Pierce the Veil were inscribed onto the side.

“Not here. He said he was running a little late, but should be here any moment.” Vic checked his watch. Autumn rested an elbow on my shoulder, seeming to prop herself up on me. Tony laughed.

“She’s always been my little arm rest.” Autumn chuckled. I stuck my tongue out and threw her off. She tumbled into Tony, who caught her easily. Her bright eyes sparkled mischievously.

“I feel like you’re going to be a great help with pranks on the bus, Autumn.” Tony whispered to her. I just overheard their little exchange and laughed. Tony kissed Autumn’s cheek and she blushed. I looked away, feeling a little lonely.

A pair of cars pulled up. Jaime popped out of one. Olivia popped out of the other. Jaime waved and started walking towards us. Our eyes locked, barely a moment, barely a breath, but they locked.

Boy, those eyes I loved. I loved that man and I hated that I could come with him, I hated that I couldn’t be with him. I hated that I couldn’t say it.

I would do anything to tell him.

I was as sure as the sunrise, they had locked. But before I could say anything or he could utter a sound, Olivia strutted towards him and silently beckoned him to a different corner. His glance was ripped away and he followed her. She leaned against her car. Jaime shoved his hands in his pockets.

The other boys went back to their meaningless conversations. Tony tickled Autumn until he gained the information he wanted, whatever it was. My mom kept on reading her magazine, occasionally peeking over at us. Mike and Vic chatted softly, still stowing some items. As I cleverly pretended that I was still really into the talks about why Tony really liked turtles, I glanced over to see Jaime.

His shoulders slumped as Olivia’s evil smirk widened. She cracked her gum loud enough for me to hear it across the parking lot. Her well-trimmed nails clicked against a phone case. Her blonde hair seemed to glow brighter with a malevolent light. Her eyebrows challenged Himes to say something. I didn’t know what she was saying, but I knew it wasn’t good.

I may be stupid sometimes, but I wasn’t dumb. Olivia was hurting Jaime and I didn’t like it.

I must’ve growled or something because Tony looked over.

“You okay, MD?” He questioned. I shook my hand and ripped away from the touch of his hand on my warm arm. Stalking over, I was a lioness about to tear apart a little, helpless, bitchy rabbit.

“Willow?” Jaime sniffled. He looked like he was on the verge of tears. His whole posture read depressed and his voice was soft. Olivia looked triumphant. I stood between her and Jaime as the entire lot fell silent.

“What do you want, bell girl?” She asked in a high voice. I put my hands on my hips, looking her dead in her little sunglasses and glaring the entire time.

No one was going to hurt my friend.

“Jaime.” I stated clearly. She raised her eyebrow, cracking her gum again. Man, I hated her so much right now. I could’ve been more descriptive, saying that I hated her like an enemy despises their foe, or that my hate for her was as strong as a hurricane. No, I’ll be plain and simple.

I.Hate. Olivia.

“Oh, so you want that idiot?” She asked innocently. I glared. There might be steam coming from my nose, but I’m not sure.

“Jaime.” I stated again. My anger was fueling a locomotive of pent up rage in my brain. She clicked her nails on her pink phone case again before sneering.

“I’m glad this is over Jaime Precaido. I just used you to get what I wanted-more attention. Thanks for letting me step on you.” She snarled. I glanced at Jaime who had tear lining the rims of his normally bright eyes. The other boys just looked shocked. Autumn was looking for something heavy to throw at her.

“Ding.” I growled this, since I had nothing else to use.

“Go kill yourself, bell slut.” She cackled. I froze, not shocked, not anything, just stone cold.

If I wanted to kill myself, why don’t I climb up your ego and jump to your IQ?

Your ego is high enough, your IQ is low enough, so I think I could do it.

“BITCH.” I roared and slapped her right across the face, totally catching her and the other off guard. The pretty sunglasses fell to the ground and snapped in half. So much for cheap ass wear.

On the plus side, I had learned a new word. I like this word. I think I’ll use it more often.

It was if the world had fallen silent when I yelled it. Olivia was still reeling back from the blow. I set my lips in a thin line and pointed to her car, motioning for her to get out. Her face had a hand print on it from where I had hit her.

“Biiiiiiitch.” I growled as she stood her ground. Eventually, she stormed off and slammed her car door…hard. The echo rattled across our shocked faces as she zoomed off.

“W-Willow…” Jaime stuttered. Before he could say anything else, I whipped around and threw my arms around his neck. He just cried into my shoulder and I buried my face into his chest.

“Woah….I thought I was going to throw the first punch.” Autumn breathed out. Himes held me tighter, his black beanie brushing against my hair.

“Oh, MD. Thank you.” He whispered into my shoulder. I sniffled a little as the grown man wiped his eyes free from the sadness. He actually looked a little relieved and happy.

“Jaime.” I smiled. His hands lingered on my shoulders a moment longer. Vic, Tony, Mike, and Autumn were all ducking down to give us privacy. The four of them were all starting to head onto the bus. It would roll out anytime.

And I wouldn’t be with them.

“Willow, please, will you go with us on tour?” He asked me for the second time. I bit my lip, looking towards my mom. I had already told her about the situation and told her I had said no. She looked sad when I’d told her about that, but she didn’t argue.

Anyways, I didn’t have clothes with me. I couldn’t go naked the entire trip, even if the boys wouldn’t mind it…

“Jaime.” I sighed. I didn’t want to see his sad face anymore.

“W-Willow, I have t-to t-tell you something…” He stuttered. I looked at him. Before I could do anything, Jaime’s hands reached up and grabbed my face gently, pulling it up to his passionately. He pressed his lips against mine. I could almost feel the panic attack radiating from my mother. I mean, she’d never seen me kiss a guy before…I never had kissed a guy before…

“I love you.” He whispered simply as he broke away. I was breathing heavily from the intensity. My heart beat like a horse’s galloping hooves.

“Jaime…I…” I started. His eyes widened and he let me continue.

“I…l-l-love y-y-you.” I whispered, struggling for each word, to try to make each sound. Jaime just squealed and grinned like there was no tomorrow.

“Y-you said it!” He cried out. The boys’ heads popped out. Autumn joined them.

“What’d she say!?” Vic yelled. Even my mom was shocked as she leaned out the rolled down sunroof.

“SHESAIDSHELOVESME!” Jaime rushed and swept me into his arms, spinning me around and around. I held on, burying my head into the crook of his neck. It fit, like it was always supposed to fit there.

We were just two pieces to the puzzle that had finally connected.

“SHESAIDSHELOVESME!SHESAIDSHELOVESME!SHESAIDSHELOVESME!” Jaime kept on cheering. The bus drive honked. Jaime looked expectantly at me.

“So are you coming?” He asked. I opened my mouth to try and answer, but was cut off my a wild lady I called Mom.

“WAIT, YOU ASSCHIP!” She screamed, running towards us. Jaime shrieked and hid behind me. I think Mike might have squealed as he remembered the near-pan-experience.

“Ding!” I yelled, stopping her from hurting my friend. She gave me a giant hug.

“I’m so proud of you, Willow.” She whispered. I laughed and hugged her back.

And this time, when I laughed, it wasn’t some dry air, but a little bit of sound as well.

“Jaime?” I asked her, pointing between the boy and the bus. I saw her hold spray paint cans in her hand.

“Well, I guess I won’t be needing these anymore.” She sighed and glanced at the neon colors. My eyes went wide. Out of all the colors in the store, she bought neon green…and pink. “But you are going a thirty for food. Maybe ten more for a shirt because I mean seriously, you’re going to have to bring me back something, and maybe another ten for condoms….” She started rifling through her wallet, tossing the spray cans at Himes, who caught them with wild eyes.

“Ding?” I asked. Was she really….

“What? Did you think I was actually going to have you bored at home for three weeks?” She asked and pointed to the car, clicking a button on the keys. It was one of those fancy smart cars that had a button to pop the trunk. I glanced my suitcase in the back.

“Diiing?” I asked. She nodded.

“Wait, she can go on tour with us?” Jaime asked. The bus driver honked again. That’s when I noticed that there seemed to be a mustache on the front of the bus…I bet that was Jaime’s idea…

“Only if you promise not to be an asschip or hurt my daughter. Otherwise, I will come after you with a pan.” My mom threatened. Mike screeched at the mention of the cooking tool.

“I promise! I won’t!” He crossed his heart as my mom gave me another hug.

“Have fun, sweetheart.” She smiled. I mouthed a thank you and ran to grab my bags. They were heavier than they seemed.

So that’s where my missing clothes went to….

My mom always had this whole thing figured out.

“Look guys, it’s Might Ding! She’s coming along!” Vic pointed as everyone cheered. I smiled and waved as Jaime helped me store my stuff in the undercarriage. Soon enough, we were walking up the bus stairs. I waved goodbye to my mother as she drove off. I’m pretty sure she was doing donuts with my car in the parking lot as soon as we pulled out.

“It’s Jaime Preciado and the Mighty Ding!” Autumn giggled. Tony held her close to him as she snuggled into his side.

“I like the sound of that.” Jaime chuckled, kissing my cheek. I blushed even harder as we crashed onto the couch.

“If you guys get all cuddly on us, Imma gonna puke.” Vic pretended to gag. I smiled quietly and leaned into Jaime’s side. Mike was busy snuggling under the blanket that looked suspiciously like Jaime’s. Vic was working on strumming a guitar, softly humming some lyrics along.

“Share the blanket, Mike!” Vic whined as he adjusted the guitar. The two brothers sat side by side, attempting to share the fuzzy blanket.

“Stop being a butt-queef!”

“Asschip!”

“You have the hair of a girl!”

“At least I’m sexy hot!” Vic shot back before licking him. Mike screamed and leapt up off the couch. Vic had won over his prize.

I leaned back, reaching up and pulling Jaime’s face down to mine.

“Yes, dear?” He asked, already softening up. Sometimes, I don’t think you need words to know you’re going with someone. I think it can be a silent glance is all it takes to know.

“I love you, Jaime.” I whispered, trying out my new words. Jaime grinned and pressed his lips to mine again.

“I love you to, MD.”

The bus rocked on. I closed my eyes as Vic sang Stay Away From My Friends. Autumn and Tony were in a mass tickle war and somehow, Vic had gotten caught up in it. Mike was watching from his bunk and throwing tennis balls at them. The singing had stopped and the chaos had begun. The boys were all giggling and having a good time and Autumn was beating their ass. It was like a big family. Tony called Vic a butt-queef. Mike tried out asschip, and Vic was yelling that he was a sexy hot sexican all over the place. Eventually, he had a plaid blanket tossed over him. He kind of looked like a Scottish ghost.

It was utter madness.

And somehow, I knew I was at home.

Notes

Last chapter! Sorry I didn't warn you guys earlier, but this is the last chapter for my entry! I hope you all enjoyed it. I really liked writing this and I hope you find it funny. It was my first time at humor, and well...there's a first time for anything!!! Jaime Preciado and the Mighty Ding might be over...for now...but tell me if you liked it enough to keep reading a full length story. I might do that later!