I stared at Mike like he had two heads. My mind was spinning with the reality. Mike was in a loving relationship with Tony; neither of them would dream of cheating on the other. All of our roadies were straight, also in relationships. I didn't know Josh's sexuality, and he certainly didn't like Kellin - he had made that clear. I blinked slowly and registered that Mike was shouting at me, shaking me.

'VIC!'

'Mike...' I said softly, my voice hoarse and barely above a whisper. 'It was... Josh...'

'What did Josh do?' I looked at him and conveyed the silent message, I didn't want to admit it out loud, that would have been horrible. I had cheated on Kellin once before, and I couldn't say I had done it again, even if it was unwillingly. Mike only wrapped his arms around me, comforting my numb body.

'I'll - I'll kick him out. No one has to know, not if you don't want them to.' His voice was shaking, and he seemed to have trouble talking.

'Kellin has to know.' I said, my voice flat and dead compared to Mike's. Mike's voice was also a fair bit louder than mine, so he barely heard the uttered words.

'I - I can play the jealous type. Tone's - Tone's,'

'Shh,' I said. 'It's okay.' Mike's comforting gesture tightened, and his low voice changed louder, to one of anger.

'No, Vic. It is not okay! He will pay for what he's done!' Mike had scrambled to his feet, and I did the same, catching onto his arm.

'No, Mikey.' Mike's rich brown eyes met my own. So similar. His burned, I could almost see the flames licking around Josh's body, trailing down his arms, clawing at his feet, and his mouth open in a terrible scream. Mike held no mercy. His wrath was one to be feared. 'Just let it go.' Mike's mouth set in a grim line.

'Fine.'

'Now, where's Kellin?' I asked, standing up and searching for the tousled-haired boy. I just wanted him to wrap me in his arms, and assure me everything was okay.


Kellin

Vic ducked as I walked past him, and my heart sank a tiny bit. Around me, Jack, Jesse, Justin and Gabe were laughing and having a good time. I didn't want to be the one who ruined it, and I continued to laugh along with them. Everything passed in a blur though, and mine and Jesse's skipping of sound check turned into the show, which then turned into mine and Jesse's punishment for skipping sound check - cleaning dishes at the catering tent - and then into the bus on the way to the next venue.

I checked my phone for the umpteenth time. No calls or messages. I turned my attention back to the movie. Someone was being beheaded. I had no clue of what we were watching, but it seemed to be a horror of some sort.

'I've, uh, gotta go,' I said, walking to my bunk.

'What, too scary?' The guys teased, barely noticing my absence. Truth be told, I did have to do more accounting courses, but I really just wanted to be alone. I booted up my laptop and put in my headphones and putting my iPod on shuffle. I didn't care that it wasn't a good technique for studying, I just needed to fill my head with something.

I saw the curtain of my bunk move, and Justin crawl in. He shut it and wrapped an arm around me, looking at my screen. It hadn't moved since I had climbed in, and I was reading the first sentence over and over again, not taking it in.

'You okay, bud?' Justin asked, concerned. I shook my head.

'Something's up with Vic.' I said softly. 'Sorry to ruin your day, but it's something big. And I don't know what. I just want to protect him.' A few tears trailed down my cheeks, but I didn't move. I stared blankly at the screen.

'We'll see him first thing tomorrow. I promise.' Justin shut my laptop and took out my earbuds. The playlist had run out a long time ago. 'Just go to sleep.'

'Okay...'

Notes

Title cred: Get Up - Mayday Parade