California

As I pulled up to the familiar, large white house, I smiled to myself. I have always loved coming here over the years. It’s where some of my most cherished memories with my best friends are. I ran my fingers through my long, chestnut brown hair and pulled it into a bun. I stepped out of my silver Camry and started walking up the beautiful multi-colored stepping stone path. I did not bother knocking and slipped inside, kicking my shoes off and walking down the hall towards the front room where I could hear the television.

I peeked through the doorway and saw three of them were seated on the leather couch, their attention towards the flat screen in front of them where they were playing Fifa. I started walking towards them but nearly jumped out of my skin when I felt two hands grab my shoulders.

I shrieked and whirled around to see a grinning face accented by spiky hair. “Jaime Preciado! What the hell is wrong with you?” I placed my hands on my hips, trying to fake being angry. It wasn’t working because when I heard the laughter behind us I couldn’t keep the smile off my face.

“You know you love me,” he replied and walked around me, plopping on the couch next to my best friend Tony. I rolled my eyes and walked into the kitchen opposite of the room and reached into the fridge.

“Anyone want a soda?” I shouted as I grabbed a Mountain Dew. I heard two shouts and grabbed two more and made my way back onto the fuzzy tan carpet. I handed one to Vic, whose curly hair fell gracefully past his shoulders, and one to Mike, whose tattoos were on display as he wore a tank top.

“Thanks,” Vic grinned and took a sip before grabbing his controller and resuming the game. I sat next to Mike and propped my feet up on the coffee table in front of me. I watched them play for several minutes before Mike lost and started swearing at Jaime, who had beat him.

Jaime laughed and shoved him lightly. “I’m hungry.”

“You’re always hungry,” Tony replied, scrolling through his phone.

“I am not.”

“Yes, you are.”

“I resent that!”

“Why don’t we get stuff for the barbeque ready now?” Vic spoke up, knowing that Erin, Danielle, Jess, and Alysha would be here soon.

“Sounds good to me,” I stated as I took the last sip of my soda. I held my arms out and Tony grabbed them as he sat up, pulling me up as well.

Tony, Vic, Mike, and I walked into the kitchen and Jaime slid in on his socks, making all of us laugh. We gathered all of the food and supplies and headed outside. Mike and Vic began sparking up the barbeque while Jaime and Tony helped me set out paper plates and condiments on the tables.

A few minutes later the girls arrived, looking stunning as usual. We all exchanged hugs and pleasantries before we settled down to eat. A nice flow of conversation started as we ate, and I kicked Jaime several times under the table, causing Jess and I to giggle and for him to shoot me glares.

“Skylar, are you excited to go on tour with them again?” Erin asked as she finished her hamburger. I grinned at Tony’s puppy dog look as he stared at her and nodded.

“Yeah, I’m really excited. It seems like forever since we’ve been on tour,” I said, squirting mustard on my hotdog.

“You’re so lucky! I wish we could go on tour with them,” Danielle said and pouted at Vic.

“Turn into a photographer and you can.”

“I prefer to be on the other side of the camera,” she said and pecked Vic on the cheek.

“Hey, who’re we going on tour with again? It’s Sleeping with Sirens, PVRIS, and who’s the other band?” I asked.

“Mallory Knox. It’s their first time in the US,” Jaime said.

“They better not be douchebags,” I muttered. “There’s always that one band that ruins the tour.”

“Oh, be nice. I’m sure they’re not going to be terrible,” Vic said.

“Hopefully.”

Notes