The place I was. The place I am. The place I want to be.

Of course, when we get to florida, its raining its ass off. Looking out of the plane window I felt a sense of calm wash over me. I liked flying, though I didn't do it often, making the take off and the landing the two hardest and scariest parts about it. I didn't mind turbulence much.

Especially not this time since I had Kellin keeping me busy most of the time. I laid back in my seat, centering my head on the head rest and closed my eyes waiting for the wheel to hit the ground. I felt a hand on mine and opened my eyes enough to see Kellin doing the same as I was. His face was tight with the expected bump, but his body was much more tense than my own. I put my palm face up and gripped his hand, letting him squeeze mine as hard as he may want to.

Once we touched, all was noisy again as the passengers pulled out their cellphones and dialed to whoever was their visiting goal.

“God I hate flying.” Kellin said unbuckling his seatbelt. I looked him over when he stood as nonchalantly as I could so he wouldn't notice. He looked incredibly adorable. Funny though since he was only wearing what he usually did. A t-shirt, black skinnies, a black leather jacket with a grey sweatshirt underneath to hide the coldness of Oregon, and a pair of black toms adorned his feet. His hair was jet black and insanely perfect. His eyes were so bright and blue. As he looked up to me I looked passed him to a woman with a baby in her arms, wrapped in a pink blanket. I had always wanted kids. I worked well with kids and they seemed to like me to. I smiled to the woman when she caught me staring and she smiled back, looking back to Kellin who was grabbing my bad from the cabinet.

“Thank you.” I said as he handed it to me.
“No problem.” He said back.
Soon we were off the plane and walking down the long tunnel to get into the airport. It felt good to be standing, and walking. I felt really wobbly but it was a cool feeling that I enjoyed every time.

“So were having a show tonight at Kaleb’s Club tonight. Its like 15 minutes from here. Come.” He said as we stopped in the hallway once we got out of the tunnel. Out of the corner of my eye, a man stood with a sign and when I looked at him it had my name on it. I had a rental car waiting for me.

“My ride is here,” i pulled my iPhone out of my back pocket. “,gimme your number and ill meet you there. When I get there ill text you. ” He gave me his number and we said our goodbyes. For some reason I was super nervous. Following the guy to my rental, I thought about the other guys. I hadn't thought about them when Kellin asked me to go on tour with them. What if they didn't like me? I knew them all by name. I hope that would up my respect. Justin, Gabe, Jack…and Jesse. I worried about Jesse the most. Im not a stalker but i’ve seen my fare share of youtube videos of the guys and all around, Jesse seems to be a nice guy but he just seems like he doesn't care sometimes. Like people bother him or something. I didn't want to bother him.

We got to my car and I thanked the man before throwing my suitcase in the trunk and opened it. I pulled out my own black Sleeping with Sirens shirt and a pair of old ripped up black skinnies and drove to the closest store and parked in the back of it, changing quick. I got back in the car trying to give myself a pep talk. I really wanted to go on tour with them. I mean…how cool was this!? Ive been asked to go on tour with some of the world most popular rock, post-core and hardcore bands in the world. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I was ready to grab it by the horns. I shouldn't let someone bring me down. Especially one I haven’t even met yet.

“Come on Heather. This is awesome. Your touring with some of the hottest guys in rock history.” I said, making myself smile. It wasn't long before I was pulling up to Kaleb’s Club, a place I had been to before to see Pierce the Veil with a friend I had made on my last trip here. It was just a venue spot, Only floor seats, not very big, fit like…maybe 150 people in it.Yea, small. I texted Kellin before getting out so he would know I was here. Not but a few minutes later as I was getting my money and stuff together, he came out.

“Hey Heather.” He from the door waving me to him as I turned around. I smiled and walked to him, an imaginary force punching me in the gut when I remembered the rest of the guys again.

“Hey, you ready for this kick ass show tonight?!” Kellin said, making me laugh.
“You know it girl!” I teased. He laughed and turned to walk in the door.

“Wait, I don’t have a ticket or anything.”
He waved a hand saying “Nah don’t worry about it, ill go grab you a pass.” Oh…ok then. He turned to go in again and I grabbed his arm.

“Wait….what if they don’t like me Kellin?” I asked seriously. He smiled and started to chuckle again.
“Kellin i’m serious.” I said and he chuckled some more.
“Just come on.” He said in his laughter. I followed him down a hall and into a room where the guys were all standing around talking with other band members from the people opening up for them. I followed close behind Kellin, my nerves spiking to dangerous heights. Then I saw Jesse and boy did my stomach drop.

“Hey guys come here I want you to meet someone.” Kellin called to the guys. They walked over, each of them eyes me from head to toe before offering small smiles.
“A fan?” Gabe asked. I looked at Jesse and he was on his phone. I frowned.
“No. This is my friend Heather. I met her on the plane coming here. She thinks you guys wont like her.” He said and smiled.

“Holy blush batman!” Gabe shouted causing a smirk from the others and I looked down semi smiling. This wasn't really making me feel any better, if anything it was making me feel worse. Then I felt arms wrap around me and a very soft breathy voice filled my ears.

“It’s ok. Gabe’s just a goofball. Your welcome here.” Justin said and pulled away from me, a smile on his face. This was weird considering what I had seen of Justin, he was annoyed very easily. It was surprising to see him act so affectionate towards anyone outside of the band.
“Yea don’t sweat it, were always welcoming new people.” Jesse said, walking towards me with a smiled of his face and his arms held out. And for the first time since knowing of Sleeping with Sirens, I felt at ease. The nerves were gone. A little later, we were all sat around each other just talking. More like “lets play 20 questioned with heather.”.

“Heather, whats your favorite color?” Gabe asked.
“Oh God, now you sound like Sam.” I joked, earning a laugh from them all.
“Green.” I answered for them.

“Hey guys, 15 minutes.” One of the tech guys called from the hallway. Everyone stood at one time, splitting off to get things ready before showtime.
“Come on.” Kellin said and I followed him to a room separate from all the others. It was quiet. It was actually kind of nice to not here hundreds of screaming girls for once tonight.
“I usually try to find a quiet place to warm up a little and clear my mind.” He said and pulled out his phone and plugged his headphones in, popping one into his ear and holding the other out to me. We sat in some chairs that were in the corner of the room and he cleared his throat a few times before picking a song.

My heart almost melted when Stomach Tied in Knots came on and his heavenly voice filled my ears instantly bringing back memories of anything and everything that this song could relate to. And then his voice was next to me, his eyes were closed as he concentrated. I couldn't keep mine from him. From the passion in his expressions to his pretty little lips. Butterflies filled me. Kellin was just such a passionate person. He amazed me.

“Can you sing?” he asked me. I could, but I had never done it in front of people before.
“Yea I can.” I responded.
“Sing me something. Anything.” He said and i cleared my throat, thinking about what song I should sing. Then it came to me and slowly but surely the acoustic of With Ears to See and Eyes to Hear came through my voice. I only did until after the first chorus and then stopped.

Kellin shook his head.
“What…I suck don't I?” I asked.
“No you were amazing.”

We sat there for a little while longer before Justin poked his head in the door and told us it was time. Again I followed Kellin to the room and then back out into the hall to line up with the guys.
“Just stand right there where that X is so your behind the curtain cool?” He said and help up a thumbs up. I smiled back and did a thumbs up too. Gabe came by us as the siren went off, fist pumping us each before he went up on stage. And then one by one they all went on, leaving Kellin last for the girls to scream the loudest for. And that they did.

I laughed behind the curtain and Kellin turned to me, doubling over in a quick laugh before turning his attention to the crowd. They sang pretty much all of their popular songs and then it came down to a few acoustics as far as I could tell what the set list said taped to the floor at kellins feet. They did Stomach Tied in Knots, Don’t you (ever forget bout me), and then Kellin thanked the audience before turning to me.

“Guy’s I have a special guest here tonight. Funny story actually. I met her on my flight here this morning from last weeks venue in Oregon. We talked about…books.” He said and laughed a little.
“She’s gonna help me sing this next song. I mean, I hope she will. Come on out here.” I hesitated but walked out on stage and people cheered, the guys hooting and hollering behind me made me laugh.

“Guy’s say hello, this is Heather, my knew best friend. You'll probably actually see her a lot more from here on out.” He finished and the tech guy pulled out Four stools. one for Jack, Kellin, me, then Jesse.

“I listened to her sing earlier. Let me tell you guy’s, I think Florida needs to hear this.” He said to everyone.

“This next song is called With Ears to See and Eyes to Hear.” My favorite. I closed my eyes and the guys started strumming on their guitars and listened to everyone get silent, awaiting the lyrics. I held the mic up in front of me, holding it close to my chest as I thought about how my own life corresponded to this song.

“True friends lie underneath, these witty words I don’t believe.
I cant believe a damn thing they say anymore.” Kellin started, leaving me with the first higher part.
“Lie lie lier. Lier, you'll pay for your sins.”
“Lie lie lier. Lier you'll pay for your sins.” and then we sang together.
“So tell me how does it feel, how does it feel to be like you.
I think your mouth should be quiet, cuz it never tells the truth now.
So tell me, so tell me why, why does it have to be this way.
Why cant things ever change.” we went back and forth until the end, letting the crowd sing,
“Come down. Come down from your tower.”
And then Kellin and I harmonized perfectly the last “come down.” Letting the guys finish up the last bit. He grabbed my hand, standing me up and we bowed together.

“Thank you Heather, your fucking awesome.” We hugged and then I went back to my spot behind the curtain, waving to everyone who waved to me and said goodbye.

“This next song is for all the girls. For all the girls that think they're ugly because of all the bullshit stereo types and standards that they have to put up with these days. Just know this, your all fucking beautiful to me.” The sea of girls roared at his words as he continued.
“This is what I want you to do. I want to think about this song before you go to bed. I want you to think about me singing this to you individually before you go to bed and when you wake up in the morning. This songs for all you beautiful girls out there. Its called If i’m James Dean your Audrey Hepburn.” The crowd roared again as Jesse and Jack strummed effortlessly on there acoustics and helped Kellin sing.

“I just want to thank you girls first. I know its hard to live in this messed up world. We all know that theres girls out there that just cant take it anymore. If your one of those girls, just hold on. Stay strong. And you strong girls keep the weak ones on their feet. Stay with us. Ill sing you every song in the world if it means you staying strong. Thank you.”

No. Again, thank YOU Kellin Quinn.

“Stay, for tonight, if you want to, I can show you, what my dreams are made of. As i’m dreaming of your face…."

Notes

There we go :)