Oh, did I hate flying. Especially alone. Especially long flights. New Jersey to San Diego… I tried not to think about the distance.

I sat uncomfortably on the plane, my hands shaking and my stomach churning. Anxiety was building up, not only for the plane ride, but also for meeting the members of Pierce the Veil. What was going to happen? I tried my best to relax, but I remained awake the entire duration of the flight.

We landed, and when I took my small bag from the overhead compartment, I realized that I had absolutely no idea where to go. Surely, they wouldn't be waiting for me, right? That would be ridiculous. I hesitantly walked off the plane, unsure, but absolutely ready to get my life in order. This could be it. This could be the big break I was so pathetically waiting for.

I looked around aimlessly like a lost puppy, until, thankfully, I saw someone holding a sign that said my name. Before I could say anything to the person holding the sign, she said, “Hey! It’s you!” I was taken aback by the short girl with deep red hair who so excitingly noticed me. “I’m sorry, you’re Claire, right? I’m Parker,” she chirped. “I’m here to takeyouto the band,” she said, raising her eyebrows like a maniac at her own words. I laughed, though, because she was outgoing and spunky and made me feel at ease.

I had issues forming words. Oh, God, if I could barely talk to Parker, how could I possibly expect to talk to the band without sounding like a moron? My social anxiety was, yet again, getting the best of me.

“Hey, don’t be nervous! They’re great, and they’re really excited to meet you. I have a great feeling about this,” Parker said. I smiled back.

“Why?” At least I could say a single word.

“I don’t know, I just know, you know?”

I didn’t know, but I nodded like I understood what she had just said.

“So, what do you do?” I asked as we sit in the back of the rental car together.

“I’m the merch girl,” she said. “I’ve only been working for them for a few weeks, though, so you’re not the only new girl!” she added. That made me feel better; I wasn’t the only girl, and I wasn’t the only new girl.

“Eep! We are here!” she said, then she grabbed my hand and yanked me out of the car. “Someone’ll get your bag later,” she said.

She leads me around the back of a small house, and I smell fire and barbeque.

“Everyone!” she yells to the mass of people before me. “Look who I found!”

At this, everyone in the mass of people raised their arms, either with a beer or spatula or hot dog in hand, and exclaimed in excitement. I felt awkward, but also awesome.

“Hello, Miss Lady,” I heard a voice behind me. I knew who it was. I turned around, and Tony Perry stood before me.

“Hello, Tony Perry,” I said shyly.

“So, we were going to have a quick lunch together, and then we’ll talk inside,” another voice informed me. I turned to the source, and smiled at Jaime Preciado. I shook his hand, but then he pulled away.

“Oh, no, we don’t shake hands here!” he said, and before I had time to react I was up in the air in an enormous bear hug. I laughed comfortably.

“Don’t mind him,” Mike Fuentes blew smoke in Jaime’s face, who then retaliated with a punch in Mike’s gut.

“Aha, don’t mind them,” a fourth and final voice said. Vic. Vic Fuentes. I turned to face him. “I’m Vic,” he said.

“Hey, I’m Claire,” I said with a smile. I tried not to let my heart melt in front of him.

"Come on," he said, guiding me to the crowd of people.

"Who are all of these people?" I asked.

"Mostly the crew, and some family," he replied. "It's a welcome party!" He nudged my arm.

I laughed. "Well, may I ask what I'm being welcomed for?" I asked nervously.

"Well, your manager said a lot of nice things about you. She sent us your video, and she told us about your situation," he said.

"My situation," I repeated quietly, subconsciously wrapping my right hand around my left arm.

"That's very thoughtful," I said louder. I hadn't realized that my manager cared so much for me. Now I felt guilty for not being more pleasant to her. I should probably start thinking about her by her first name, Lisa, as opposed to “my manager”. Apparently I owed her a lot.

"You still have to sing to us, in person," he smiled a crooked smile at me and winked, his face kind and lighthearted. I felt sick, though. I wasn't prepared to sing in front of my idols. I wasn't prepare for any of this.

Except I was prepared to move on with my life... I was ready for a new chapter, I was ready to prove to my family that it's okay to be who I am.

~

After hanging out with everyone, the guys led me inside. Everyone was so nice, and I still couldn't fathom how welcomed I was. I felt random and awkward, but I also have never felt like I've had more friends in my entire life.

"Business time," Mike plopped down on the sofa. He patted the seat next to him and beckoned me over, and I shyly sat next to him.

"I know how you must be feeling right now, I can see it in your eyes," Tony said to me. I hadn't realized that my face was reflecting my feelings so plainly.

"I'm sorry," I said, although I wasn't sure what I was sorry for. I was such a deranged, damaged girl for no specific reason, I didn’t know how they would ever put up with me.

"We want to help you," Jaime chimed in. Was my patheticness so obvious? What in the world did my manager tell them? What did she know about me?

"But you should also know that we think you can help us," Vic added.

"How so?" How could I be to any use of these guys? They were doing fantastic by themselves.

"Look," Mike was busy on a laptop, and then he spun it around so the rest of us could see. It was a video of me. The video of me.

I had forgotten how emotional I got during that performance. It almost didn't even look like me. I felt guilty and conceited thinking about how good it actually was. I dug my nails into my scared arm, mad for being so selfish.

“That’s how," Tony smiled.

"And it's okay to be proud, too," Mike said, patting my leg.

"So," Jaime hopped over, squeezing next to me. "Will you join us?"

"Of course," I smiled broadly. "I can’t believe this is actually happening," I mumbled to myself; I think they heard me, though.

"From what your manager told us, you are okay to move to San Diego, right?" Vic asked.

"Yes, I'd love to get out of the shithole called New Jersey," I muttered.

"Cool, we'll help you sell your apartment and help you move to a place here," he continued. This was becoming so real.

I was beginning to feel more like myself. I was actually smiling genuinely, for once.

It made me feel less selfish when they said that they needed me, although I knew I needed them more.

Notes

Thanks so much to everyone who has read so far!! :)
I know, I know, the beginning is pretty slow. It's still in introductory mode.
I have actually written later chapters, but unfortunately I have to go chronologically :P the good/dramatic stuff is coming up soon, though!

Thanks again!! :)