Tuesday, January Twenty Second, 11:11 A.M…

Pierce the Veil was thirty six hours and eleven minutes late to pick me up.

The hours were eating away at me. Bit by bit I was falling into oblivion. The colors grew darker. Even the hopeful blue stones seemed to fade. I was just not buying into the idea that they were coming to help me. I was sitting on the chair by the windowsill, watching the bus stop. My chin rested on my arms. I yawned lazily.

The lady was kind. She stayed up with me and talked all of last night. I got to know her more. She came from an Indian reservation. Navajo, I think. She was kind, stern, and had her own way to look at life. I believe she said ‘kick life in the balls and run’ in her tribe’s native tongue. Maybe, I’m not too sure.

“What is this band’s name?” She called to me from across the store. I looked over to her sleepily. She had a speaker system set up. Cables ran like marathoners from corner to corner.

“Pierce the Veil.” I responded. I loved the band, don’t get me wrong, but right now, I was tempted to use the lady’s life motto on them. If they didn’t get here soon enough, I would just kick them in the balls and run. Screw the rest.

“I shall play them.” She stated surely. On her laptop screen, she flickered through albums before finding their Collide with the Sky album and bio.

“Bulls in the Bronx.”

“Okay.” She nodded and looked through their bio as the song started. The lady grumbled. I walked over to her, reading over her shoulder. The jacket rode up on my arms.

“Why is the girl named Victor? Makes no sense to me.” She mumbled angrily.

“Um, she’s a guy…”

“Why does ‘he’ have girl hair?”

“I don’t really know.”

“Well then ‘he’ needs a haircut.” The lady grumbled. I chuckled softly. A cat rubbed against my legs. I leaned down and stroked under her chin. The feline purred happily.

“And this one has dumb hair…First their late for you and now their having hair issues. What a life they live.” The lady grumbled. I smiled and went back over to my little spot against the windowsill. Putting my head in my arms, I closed my eyes and let the songs flood me.

When I heard a creaking outside the window, I opened my eyes and looked up. A black bus with three words labeled on the side in white lettering had come to a halt, obscuring the bus stop where I should be sitting. The lady rushed up to my side. Her tanned face first smiled and then growled.

“When you come to life beating you down, you kick it in the balls and run.” She growled before running out the front door. I paled and snatched my bag from the floor, struggling to stay in pace with her.

“I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU GOT THE DIRECTIONS WRONG!” Vic shouted at Tony. The guitarist whimpered and held up his hands.

“Jaime was the one who gave them to me!” Tony accused. I looked around the corner, seeing the short Indian woman storm up to the four Mexicans who were running circles around the bus.

“Where is she?” Mike muttered. I recognized all the band members instantly. I had been a fan long enough that I could name each one of them. I wasn’t some fangirl, I was just a fan that cared! But right now, all I cared about was getting on that bus and getting home.

“Um, hello ma’am.” Vic stopped. The four of them gathered near the rear of the bus. I followed up close behind the lady that had housed me for the past day and a half. Mike caught my eye and pointed.

“Are you Orion?” He asked curiously. I nodded, silent.

“Are you Pierce the Veil?” The lady asked sternly, hands on her hips. She looked about to explode. Jaime nodded happily and pointed to the bus.

“We are, ma’am! Can we help-“

“YOU LEFT THIS LITTLE GIRL ALONE FOR THE PAST THIRTY SIX HOURS! HOW DARE YOU!? YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES, LEAVING SOMEONE ALONE WHEN THEY DEPEND ON YOU! DON’T YOU DARE EVEN THINK OF AN EXCUSE FOR THIS!” The lady raged. Tony shrieked and shrunk back against the bus. Vic’s eyes widened. Mike bit his lip and looked frightened. Jaime tried to remain calm.

“I’m so sorry, ma’am we were just-“

“NO EXCUSES!” And with that, the lady slapped each one with one motion. They all cupped their cheek. Their faces all turned red. Jaime whimpered and hid behind Tony. Mike clutched Vic’s arm. I kind of smirked and tried to hide my laughter.

“Now darling, are you sure you want to go with these boys? I can see if I can get you another ride to wherever you need to go.” She offered as she turned to me. I just shook my head, smiling down at her.

“Thank you very much, but these boys need to be taken care of.” I motioned to them and chuckled. The lady clucked her tongue and wrapped me in a tight hug. I winced.

“You take care of yourself now. Feel free to drop by anytime!” And with that, she waved and trotted off back to her store. I saw her stare down the boys as she passed the window.

“She’s scary!” Tony cried out. I turned to them, suddenly feeling bare out in the road. I was exposed, like a nerve. Their faces were all red, a perfect handprint standing out against their tanned skin.

“Hello, Rory. I’m Vic and this is Mike, Jaime, and Tony. We’re really sorry we’re late. Tony forgot what time we were supposed to pick you up and then we went to a town forty miles south of here. I’m really sorry!” Vic apologized as he shook my hand. I smiled weakly. Looks like they really would’ve forgotten about me if they hadn’t remembered an incorrect address at the last minute.

“It’s fine.” I murmured. Vic motioned that I could get on the bus. I followed him up the steps. The others trailed behind us like shadows. As soon as I turned into the front lounge, my eyes were assaulted with the mess that was PTV’s bus.

“This is a terrible first impression.” Jaime grumbled.

“You were supposed to be the one to clean it!” Tony argued.

“I’ve seen worse.” I mumbled and paled at the thought. Not necessarily worse in the sense of cleanliness, but in terms of pain, I’ve been through a lot worse than a bus full of guys with their clothes everywhere.

“So here’s your bunk. Mike’s is just above yours. Tony is across from you and so is mine. Here’s the back lounge…” Vic led me around the bus in an effort to give the other three a few minutes to clean up the mess. The singer gave me a whole seven minute tour of their DVD collection. I gave him props. I don’t know anyone else that could tell me about their DVD’s in that amount of time.

“Okay, so hopefully they cleaned up.” Vic muttered as he held the door open for me. I silently walked behind him as we slunk past the bunks to the front lounge. It looked cleaner than before. The cans were cleared out. It still smelled like a frat house, but at least most of everything was tucked away.

Tony sat up front, slowly maneuvering the bus around the tight corners of the town and towards the highway once again. I didn’t question our destination. Jaime sat with Mike at a table with the counter mostly cleaned off. Mike looked up, his eyes a light in glee. He gestured for me to sit down. I nervously fiddled with my hands in my lap.

“So we never really got to introduce ourselves properly. I’m Jaime. I play bass. I like pizza and Vic.” Jaime chuckled happily. His dimples just popped out like the moon on a clear night’s day. Vic got up and ripped Mike from his seat, basically jumping into the bassist’s lap.

“Hell yeah!” Vic chuckled. Jaime pecked him on the cheek for effect and then made a disgusted face.

“Ewww! You taste like heavy deodorant!” Jaime whimpered. Vic pouted. Mike came and sat next to me. I scooted away from him. Heavily tattooed men make my breathing heavy and panicky.

“Aw Mikey, you’re scaring her!” Vic teased. I tried to regain my composure but failed. Mike wrapped an arm around me and I tensed up.

“I’m Mike and like Harry Potter, gardening, whiskey, and books.” Mike grinned. Vic rolled his eyes.

“And cuddling.” He chuckled. I squeaked as Mike hugged me closer.

“I like Harry Potter too!” I changed the subject. Mike gasped and pulled me out of the seat. I stumbled along after him.

“Don’t break her!” Jaime called after Mike. I shut my mouth and went along for the ride.

What was the worst that could happen?

“I have all the books with me! I just reread them over the last tour! Who’s your favorite character? Do you like Harry Potter? What did you think of Sirius? I liked him. What about Luna? I thought she was awesome as well. Do you think you would want to watch the HP movies and cuddle?” He rushed all at once. I shrunk back as he pulled out the DVD’s. This was all too much for my brain to process!

“Um….” I stuttered and fell mute. Mike put the movies back in his bunk and looked over to Vic and Jaime.

“Guys, I think I broke Orion…” he looked at me apologetically. I just stared at the floor. Vic sighed and came over to me. He grabbed my wrist and led me to the front lounge. He sat me down and let me huddle up against the side of the couch while my brain recovered.

“Mike, be gentle, okay?” Vic asked. Mike must’ve nodded. There was no sound from him. I took a blanket off the back of the couch and wrapped it around myself, falling asleep soon after.

When I woke up, Vic and Jaime were curled up on the other couch together. Tony sat on the floor with Mike in front of the big TV. They were sorting through DVD’s, apparently trying to find one to watch.

“Hey, she’s awake!” Tony whispered not-so-quietly.

“She can hear you, dumbass!” Mike scolded. Tony pouted and continued to sort through DVD’s. Mike scooted over to my side. He gently raised a hand and slowly stroked my tangled matt of hair while I blinked open, trying to recognize what was happening to this oblivion I lived in.

“Hey, sweetheart. Just woke up?” He asked kindly. My lips seemed numb, frozen shut. I nodded weakly. He touched my cheek tenderly. His fingers felt warm and gentle. I nuzzled against them.

“Yeah.” I eventually croaked out.

“So, do you want to watch a movie or anything?” He asked me, stroking my cheek. I nodded, having nothing else better to do.

“Didn’t you want to watch Harry Potter?” I asked him. His eyes lit up, like a contained spark. He wasn’t as jumpy as before.

“Yeah. Which movie?”

“Start on the first one. Let’s marathon.” I suggested sleepily. Mike chuckled.

“If you stay awake, then we can do it.” He grinned. I closed my eyes as Tony went off to find the disk. The TV turned on, illuminating my eyelids. I blinked against the harsh light. Sitting up, I clutched the blanket around my body.

Mike jumped on the couch next to me. I watched as he carefully made sure plenty of space separated us. He had a tank top on that poorly hid his beautiful tattoos. He might as well be wearing a tiny poncho.

“Okay, got it!” Tony cried out happily. I smiled weakly and looked over at Mike. The movie started and we all focused our attention on the screen. It was the very first film in the series. I was kind of excited to just unwind and relax, but at the same time, I was tired enough that I could just pass out.

As soon as the first movie finished, Tony put in the second one. Vic played with a sleeping Jaime’s hair, gently running his fingers through it. Mike looked sleepy as well. Tony was snoring on the floor by the time we hit the middle of the second movie. I yawned and scooted over to Mike. He was shivering.

“Blanket?” I offered quietly. He shook his head, his brow furrowing.

“No, no, I’m fine.” He waved it away. I scooted away and resumed watching the movie. It had to be midnight by the time this movie finished up. I turned my attention from Harry and Ginny on the screen and looked over at Mike. He shivered. The room really was cold. Vic watched me out of the corner of his eye.

“Blanket?” I asked again as I moved closer to Mike. Once more, he shook his head.

“I’m fine.”

“Okay.” I nodded, acting like I accepted his answer. Mike looked back at the screen as Vic got up to change the movie. While he did that, I put half the green plaid blanket on Mike’s legs. I curled up under it, leaning against Mike. I swear I could see him blush.

“Awww, little lovebirds.” Vic cooed. I hid my face under the blanket. Mike flipped his brother off. Vic stuck his tongue out at us. Jaime woke up and curled against Vic’s chest. Fuenciado for the win. Tony continued to snore on the cold, hard floor. Mike tucked the blanket around my shoulders while I closed my eyes. His arm slowly wrapped around my shoulders. I could read every little move he made. The drummer was making a conscious effort to go slowly and try not to scare me. What a sweetheart.

I don’t know how long I had been out, but when I opened my eyes, it was the middle of the fourth movie. Vic was still awake and watching them. Mike had fallen asleep with his arm lazily draped around my waist. If I was knocked out any longer, I might have started drooling against his shoulder. I leaned on one elbow, rubbing my eyes.

“Fell asleep, Rory?” He asked. I nodded stiffly. Vic chuckled as Jaime nosed against his neck. Vic rubbed his friend’s back. Tony looks like he had gotten up and moved to his bunk. I heard his distant slumber rumble to the front lounge. Vic took the remote and turned off the TV as the credits started to roll. We were enveloped in darkness, but I could just make out the faint outline of Jaime pressed against Vic’s side.

“Do you want me to move Mike for you? I can wake him up.” Vic offered. I shook my head before realizing that Vic could not see me.

“No, no, it’s fine. He is actually a good cuddle buddy.” I joked half-heartedly. I heard a distant chuff of Vic laughing. Mike’s arm twitched at the sound. I leaned back down against his chest, like where I had been when I was sleeping.

“Yeah, he is. You know, he felt bad after getting all excited earlier today. Mike never really meant to scare you. He just doesn’t meet a lot of pretty girls who like Harry Potter very often. You should’ve heard him after you fell asleep earlier this afternoon.” Vic chuckled sleepily. He yawned and I perked up a little.

“What did he say?” I asked softly. Vic seemed to think a moment before answering.

“After you passed out, he immediately said, ‘Rory is a potterhead! Rory is a potterhead!’ He got all excited and happy. He kept saying, ‘She’s so pretty. God, she’s gorgeous. She should smile more. It looks good on her.’ He’s head over heels, you know.” At those words, I couldn’t help but blush and look down, as if anyone could actually see the heat in my cheeks.

“He didn’t say that.” I argued meekly.

“He actually annoyed Jaime with it so much that Himes told Mike to shut up or he’d wake you up so that my brother could tell you himself. Mike is shy when it comes to girls.” Vic responded. I closed my eyes, leaning in to hear the drummer’s thumping heart. What a sweet man he was to say that stuff.

“Oh, that’s really sweet of him.” I mumbled into Mike’s shirt. With a yawn, I fought to stay awake.

“I promise he’s not normally this excited. He was just happy that you came on the bus with us. And that you said you liked Harry Potter. He’s normally really sweet and shy.” Vic chuckled.

“It’s okay.” I mumbled half-awake. Mike stirred under me. There was some movement as Vic got up and turned on the lights. Jaime looked up from the couch. His hair was a mess after the singer had played with it. Vic took his friend’s hand and pulled him up. I squinted against the harsh lights. Mike sat up more and yawned.

“What did I miss?” He asked and looked down.

“Most of the movies.” I grumbled against the light. I tried to look up to him but blinked and closed my eyes again. One arm wrapped around me while the other sweetly covered my eyes as I was laid back down against his chest.

“Oh, that’s not too bad. Do you want to go back to your bunk?” He asked sweetly, his hand still shielding my eyes from the harsh lights. Vic turned them off as he walked back to his bed with Jaime in tow.

“Whatever you want.” I yawned as the darkness enclosed me yet again.

“Okay.” And he didn’t move. As soon as I realized that there was no chance of him moving again, I just sighed and let myself drift off.

Notes