A Friday Night Like This

I felt horrible. It was so long ago. But I guess deep down in my heart I hadn't forgiven him. Now he was tormenting himself over it. What could I possibly do to make him feel better? My forgiveness was clearly not enough.

My brain hurt over thinking about differents ways to convince him to forgive himself for the trauma of the past few years. But maybe it was nothing I personally could do. I sighed and looked out at the crowd. I was backstage, supposedly watching my old band perform. But my thoughts continued to wander. Vic had already played and had had to rush off to get to the next venue. They were playing two shows tomorrow, one was an under-eighteens event and one was an over-eighteens. The under-eighteens started at twelve and there was a long night drive ahead of them to be able to make it. A heavier, fast-paced song was coming up next, so I decided to mosey down to the pit which was surely going to open up. Maybe some crowd-surfing later.

Halfway through the song, it hit me. A guy crashed into me, yelling at me to move. I quickly scrambled out of the pit and shoved my way through the crowd. I headed backstage, where I met Sleeping With Sirens' tour manager. I gave him a message for the band and raced out to my car.

This is crazy.

That single thought raced through my mind multiple times as I sped down the freeway. It was quickly joined by another.

Don't do it, Kellin. It isn't worth the risk.

I pulled over to the side of road, and leaned my head on the steering wheel. Maybe this wasn't the right thing to do. I relaxed back in my seat, my foot tapping against the floor next to the pedals. I slammed a hand down on the wheel in frustration, accidentally hitting the horn and causing it to go off, frightening me. I took a few deep, calming breaths. It was too late. I was more than halfway to Sacramento. It would have been a waste of time if I turned back now. I set off again, my manic speeds now being slowed by my wariness. I had just passed through Bakersfield. I could envision the bright lights of Sacramento up ahead.

~a few more hours later~

My eyelids were drooping and the sun was beginning to rise. I had empty coffee cups littering the passenger seat. I reached out and turned off the sleep-inducing Death Cab for Cutie song that had been flowing out of my speakers. I flipped it over to Motionless in White. Immaculate Misconception was the first song on. It jolted me awake, and the car fishtailed as I regained control over it. A few cars blared their horns at me, so I just blasted the music straight back at them. I found Vic's venue and parked my car a few blocks away. Walking back to the venue, I saw yet another coffee shop. I darted inside and came back out a few minutes later, a coffee clutched in my hands. I went inside and found the sound and light techs setting up.

'Hey Kellin.' Chris, their sound guy and tour manager, said brightly. I widen my eyes and place a finger to my lips.

'Shhh!' I hurry over to him and lead him out of view of any eyes that might wander our way.

'What, Kellin? I have a show to organise.' Chris asks, looking back at his beloved switch board.

'I'll keep this quick then.' I start. I ask him what time Pierce the Veil are playing and if any other bands are playing after them.

'Tonight they're playing at ten, and I think that's the last time slot.' I smile and thank Chris.

'Can I ask why?' He asks as I make a move to leave. I shake my head.

'I was never here.' I say, jogging over to the door.

Back outside, I wander around for a while. It would be best if I got some sleep, but I don't have anywhere to go. A hotel is out of the question since I have barely any money on me and my car is way too cramped.

I sneak back into the venue and find an abandoned room at the end of a very confusing maze of hallways. It has a single couch in it and the door is able to be locked from the inside. I fall asleep almost instantly.

My phone starts ringing and I'm very rudely pulled out of my unconsciousness. I yawn and answer my phone. As I do, I notice that it's five twenty-two. Just under five and a half hours until Vic plays. Then roughly another hour until I can surprise him.

'Hello?' I say into my phone.

'Sorry, wrong number!' I hear a female voice squeak from the receiver. They hang up on me and I roll my eyes. I stretch my neck and start massaging my sore neck muscles from where I was squished up against the arm. My stomach growls. I guess I'd better feed it. I get up and manage to avoid seeing anyone as I sneak out again. I spot a KFC and head over. I'm not really that picky at the moment, but I spin on my heel and head for a somewhat classier joint as I see Pierce the Veil inside, obviously on a quick eat-and-go. I don't know why they'd be in such a hurry though. I head into Nandos and order a mildly spicy meal and sit in peace. Vic was going to love the surprise.

Notes

A/N

Title cred: Currents Convulsive

Anyone want to have a stab at guessing the surprise? No? That's okay.