My Favorite Explosion

My heart dropped once I saw the vague silhouette of Vic’s face. It wasn’t enough for anyone but myself to notice, Vic had a very distinct face that not many would be able to notice except for those of us who knew him incredibly well. I wasn’t sure how to react for when I turned around, so I did what I do best, I pretended I had no idea. That I didn’t know he was in the picture, or that he was even here.
“Scarlett!” I heard a voice yell from across the lawn. I turned around from my conversation with Mike to see who could possibly be yelling for me.
“Ashby!” I yelled throwing my drink to Mike who caught it without as much of a fumble as I ran to jump on Alan. “Oh I missed you so much Ginger Princess!” I yelled jumping into his arms.
“Scarlett, Scarlett, Scarlett. Have you learned that what Dorothy said in ‘The Wizard of Oz’ was so incredibly true?”
“Oh Alan, there truly is no place like home” I laughed putting my feet back on the ground. Mike walked over handing my drink back to me as Alan and I talked for a few minutes before I was dragged away again by someone new. This continued for about an hour, going from one person to the next. All asking me about me time spent in North Carolina and what made me return home, giving them all the same answer as the one I gave before. Only Mike knew why I was really home so far, and I planned on keeping it that way until I needed to divulge any further.
I continued to drink enjoying the time I was spending with my friends I considered a family. My brother’s bandmates had become more like siblings to me than friends, watching over me like they would their own sister. It was the first time they had seen me since I returned home welcoming me back with smiles and hugs. I didn’t realize how much I missed all of them until I saw them tonight.
I sat on one of the lawn chairs by the fire pit, taking some time to relax on my own after such an overwhelming beginning of the night. I had seen so many people in such a short amount of time and I needed to collect myself before I returned to being social again. People were scattered around the backyard and throughout the house, and thankfully no one was bothering me. It was nice to have some time to myself with so many people here. Until the trio of Austin, Mike and Kellin came walking over. I gave them a look to leave me alone but they ignored it, Kellin planting himself on my lap causing a painful groan to escape me.
“Can I help you boys?” I asked wanting to know why they were bothering me.
“You’ve been sitting here by yourself for like an hour” Kellin whined, “Why are you being so anti-social?!”
“I was enjoying some time to myself” I laughed, “Do you realize how many people I had to say hi to and hug and chat with for like twenty minutes? It’s exhausting!”
“That was the whole point of tonight Scar” Austin stated.
“Yea, I know.” I sighed, “I was enjoying some breathing time. I needed to relax for a bit. There’s a lot of excitement right now.” I said giving Austin a glare, trying to use our twin telepathy which apparently doesn’t work too well anymore.
He gave me a confused look which is when I shooed away Mike and Kellin.
“I was on the verge of an anexity attack Austin. I get them sometimes. There’s a lot of people I haven’t seen in a while. And Vic’s here” I sighed laughing at myself and how pathetic I was.
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner that you get them?”
“I haven’t had one in a while” I lied.
Austin gave me a questioning face which I waved off. “I’m fine, I promise” I laughed. “I just wanted to hide for a few minutes”
“okay…” he trailed off.
“So, where’s your lady friend?” I asked watching his face change once I mentioned it.
“She had to bail at the last minute. Said she had a family thing” He shrugged.
“Fuck her” I laughed lightly punching his arm.
“Shit happens right?” He smiled turning towards me.
“That it does big brother” I laughed. “Oh it’s my favorite song!” I squealed in excitement as “Other Side” by New Year’s Day started playing.
“You’re not supposed to tell me your favorite song is from a band that’s not mine Scarlett!” Austin yelled getting up after me.
“Oh get over yourself” I laughed continuing to sing along. “I will always be a tortured soul, don’t fix me up just let me go. Come join me if you like, I’ll be on the other side” I belted out the words, finally enjoying myself while my brother sulked behind me.
“Austin why the long face?” Alan asked him
“This is her favorite song” He huffed.
“I don’t see the problem…” Alan said confused
“He’s mad it isn’t one of yours” I laughed. Alan started laughing when he realized I wasn’t kidding and that Austin was actually upset about this.
“She can like other bands Austin” Alan laughed as Mike came up behind me using my shoulder as an arm rest,
“Guys, we all know that Pierce the Veil is her favorite band. I’m her favorite friend. Duh” Mike slurred. Oh boy was he drunk. “Right, Scar?”
“I can’t believe you guys are actually fighting about this” I laughed at their nonsense. It brought me back to when I would sit in the studio with them while I was working and waiting for a call. They constantly tried to get me to change my mind about my career path, saying that I would be able to make it before both of them because my voice was so unique, but I decided to continue with my paramedicine. Recently I had been wondering if I still wanted to continue in it considering everything I had been through because of it. But figuring out what I wanted to do instead was going to take some soul searching.
The song changed to “Let Me Down” and Mike slowly stopped his laughing wondering how I was going to react to it playing. Much to his surprise, I turned and sang the first few lines to him. I could see the worry escape his face as I rolled my eyes at him. I loved him dearly and appreciated his concern, but was beginning to get tired of him walking on eggshells thinking everything that happened was going to set me off. I shrugged his arm from my shoulder and walked toward the bar to grab myself another beer. I didn’t realize how involved in the song I had gotten and on my way to the bar I walked into someone, falling backwards onto the grass laughing at myself. “God, I’m a mess” I mumbled to myself. “Sorry about that” I apologized as I looked up to see who I managed to walk into. I’m pretty sure I forgot how to breathe for a moment when I looked up and saw Vic standing over me holding out his hand to help me up. I took his hand as he helped to pull me up from the ground, brushing myself off once I was back on my feet. “Thanks” I said in an awkward tone.
“You’re not a mess” he said shyly letting out a laugh. Both of us obviously didn’t know how to handle this, but I was embarrassed that he heard me.
“Thanks, I guess” I laughed at myself once again as I reached for another beer.
“So I don’t know how much more I can take of this” He blurted out.
I was shocked he said something more, I was expecting him to walk away like nothing had happened. “What are you talking about Vic?” I asked having a feeling as to what he was referring to.
“Seriously, Letty?” He asked glaring at me. “Please don’t play stupid with me”
“I don’t think right now is the best time to talk about anything Vic. We’re all having a good time, and I really don’t want to ruin that” I answered.
He nodded, seeming to accept my answer and I began to walk away when he grabbed my arm, feeling his hand on my wrist. I knew this wasn’t going to end well after his fingers accidently brushed over a few of my scars.
“Letty, what is that?” he asked as I turned around feeling myself tear up when I saw his face was filled with worry, concern, and what troubled me most was the fear in his eyes when he realized he was right.
“Not now Vic. I’d really rather not. Just please let me have tonight” I pleaded as he nodded lightly and let go of my arm.
Instead of walking back over to Austin and Mike I decided to go inside. There was no way I was going to be able to hold back this river of tears that was dying to escape. I managed to slip downstairs to my room as I allowed myself to cry for a few minutes but knew I needed to get myself together and back outside before anyone noticed I was gone too long. I sat in front of my mirror as I took my makeup off so I could reapply it after messing it up. I heard everyone singing along to Green Day outside and realized I needed to move faster because I was running out of time. I finished my makeup as I heard Austin asking where I was, knowing I needed to get outside. I walked upstairs, meeting Austin at the top of them.
“Scarlett, what’s wrong?” He questioned me blocking my path.
“Nothing, I had to pee and fix my face” I laughed.
“You’re such a liar” he laughed back at me. “You might be able to pull that shit with Dad or Mike but I can read your mind remember? What happened just now with Vic? Everything okay?” He asked
“He wanted to talk, but I told him not tonight. Why?” I asked as he stepped aside letting me through.
“After you went inside he grabbed Mike and they’ve been talking in a corner since. Any idea what they’re talking about?” he asked in concerned tone stopping at the glass doors before walking outside.
“You’re the only mind I can read Austin.” I laughed “But really, I don’t know what they’re talking about. I’ll ask Mike tomorrow” I said but he didn’t look convinced. “I promise Austin. I’ll talk to him.” I took a deep breath, “I’ll talk to both of them” I said quietly as I began to prepare myself for a conversation I didn’t want to have but I knew if I waited any longer I’d ruin everything I came back home for.

Notes

Awkward encounters are what I'm best at for real though, I got to meet HELLYEAH at Mayhem fest and forgot how to speak. >.<<br>
But yay for the beginning of of them talking! Where's it going to go from here?

And please don't be silent readers! I love comments and CONSTRUCTIVE criticism!

You guys are awesome thanks for all the love!