California

Everyone was walking on eggshells around us. It was the last day of this leg of the tour. Tomorrow Mikey and the guys would go to the airport and fly back to Ely. I’d stay on the bus until we arrived back in San Diego. Mikey and I are currently hugging each other tightly on the couch in Pierce the Veil’s bus under a mound of blankets. We’ve been sulking all day and trying to put it off, although we both knew it was inevitable and by this time tomorrow we’d have to say goodbye.

I sighed as I thought about not seeing him every day. He sensed my inner turmoil and pressed a gentle kiss to my cheek. I turned to face him and pressed my lips to his knuckles. We rested our foreheads together and gazed into each other’s eyes. His eyes placed a miniscule sense of comfort in me, as they always did. He brought his palm up and rested it on my neck, his thumb caressing my jaw. “I’m going to miss you,” I whispered.

He smiled sadly at me and kissed my nose. “I already miss you.”

“Hey, guys?” Tony’s voice made us both crane our necks to see him enter the lounge. “Everyone wants to go to lunch one last time. Are you in?” I looked back to Mikey who seemed to be thinking the same thing I was. Tony picked up on our telepathic conversation and spoke once more, “I know you want to stay here together, but I think you should go. It’s the last day and we should all be there.”

Although I didn’t want to admit it, he was right. I know I’d regret it if I were to stay here locked away with Mikey all day instead of properly ending the tour and spending one last day with my newfound friends. I sighed and nodded in Tony’s direction. He smiled in understanding and disappeared into the kitchen area after telling us we’d be leaving in half an hour.

“I need to get ready,” I murmured. He nodded and released his hold on me, allowing me to climb off the couch. I held my hands out to him and he grabbed them as I pulled him into a standing position as well. He draped his arms around my waist as we walked towards the bathroom. The past few days he’s had a problem with not touching me, it seems as if he always has to be in contact with me. I’m not complaining though.

I switched on the light and situated myself in front of the gray, granite countertop. He kept his closeness, his arms still wrapped around me as I dug in my zebra print makeup bag. I leaned closer to the mirror as I pulled out some concealer and dabbed it on the red spot under my left eye. He sighed and leaned his head on my shoulder. “You don’t need all of that, you know. You’re just as stunning without it.” I smiled at his reflection in the mirror and rubbed it in before applying some powder. I patted some on my cheek and it puffed into his face, making him sneeze. I giggled and he blushed as he resumed his spot on my shoulder. I grabbed some mascara and widened my eyes, applying it as evenly as I could. I then grabbed my lip balm and applied some, smacking my lips.

“I think I need some of that,” Mikey said softly in my ear. I turned around to face him and smiled. I stood on my tip toes and wrapped my arms around his neck, pressing our lips together. I felt his hands on the small of my back and his tongue lightly traced my bottom lip. I opened my mouth and our tongues slowly rubbed against each other’s. His hands travelled down to squeeze my butt and I pulled his body closer to mine. His hands went under my thighs and he lifted me atop the counter, settling in between my legs.

My hands flowed over his shoulders and slipped under his shirt to rub circles on his back. He ran his hands through my hair and bit my lip, causing me to gasp. I used my legs to wrap around his waist and pull him closer. His hands pressed on my back again and held me close. We got lost in pure bliss, our mouths moving in perfect synchronization. I felt the raw emotion in the kiss and I knew he didn’t want tomorrow to come as much as I did. After several minutes of emotional kissing, we heard voices in the front lounge and knew everyone was ready to go. We reluctantly pulled apart and I sighed. I slid off of the counter and grabbed my comb, sorting the tangles out that Mikey created when he ran his hands through my hair. After I was satisfied it was rat-free, I grabbed his hand and we walked to the front of the bus.

“Hey, you ready to go?” James asked us. We nodded and followed them off the bus and into the Oklahoma spring weather. He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and me his middle, bringing us closer. He placed a kiss on my forehead as we followed behind Vic and Sam.

“Where are we going to eat?” I asked.

Vic turned around and smiled. “Village Inn.”

“That sounds good,” I commented, instantly thinking about their VIB. “Breakfast food always sounds so delicious.”

“Agree!” Jaime yelled enthusiastically, bounding up to our group with Sleeping with Sirens and PVRIS following behind him. I caught Kellin’s eyes and rolled mine when he glared at me. I had avoided him at every corner since he tried to cause problems with Mikey and I. Lynn started asking everyone about where their respective bands were taking them next and a nice conversation flow started as we all ambled down the street.

“We’re heading home for a few weeks and then we’re heading to Europe,” Mike’s voice caused Mikey and I’s heads to snap up and stare at him wide eyed. He had a shit eating grin on his face and Vic was laughing at our expressions. Mikey glanced at me as I racked my brain, trying to remember if that was right or not. Honestly, I’d been so preoccupied with Mikey that I hadn’t bothered to check our schedule for upcoming shows.

Part of me thought Mike was messing with us, but the other part desperately hoped that he wasn’t. “Michael Christopher Fuentes, if you are playing a joke on us right now it is not funny and I will tie you to the top of the bus.”

He shrugged and continued walking. “Well, we head to Belgium first. Then on the 29th we start our England shows…” he trailed off, smirking along with Tony and Jaime.

I narrowed my eyes at him, unsure if he’d be cruel enough to joke about that. Mikey was staring at me with anticipation and excitement shining in his eyes. I quickly remembered that I had our schedule on my phone. I whipped it out and Mikey looked down at the screen, watching as I hurriedly got to my email and clicked on it. I scrolled down and sure enough, there were several dates in England. I squealed and Mikey encompassed me into a hug. I could feel the smile on his face and we pulled apart and beamed at each other. He leaned in and kissed my lips. “I can guarantee you I’ll be at every one.”

I smiled at him and then turned to look at Mike’s wicked grin. “You are such an ass!” I exclaimed. “We’ve been moping around for weeks and you’re just now telling us this?” In response, he threw his head back and laughed hysterically. I smiled despite myself and glared at Tony.

He raised his hands in surrender and said, “He’s the one who insisted we keep it quiet until the last minute.”

I shook my head and beamed uncontrollably at Mikey as we approached the restaurant. Joe held the door open for everyone as we piled into the lobby. The woman who seated us looked bewildered as her and the other servers struggled to push tables together to make one big enough for all of us. Eventually they succeeded and we made our way to the long row of tables that nearly took up the entire restaurant.

Mikey, predictably, scooted my chair out for me. I thanked him and took my place sandwiched in between him and Jaime. I didn’t bother picking up my worn menu, my mouth already watering at what I knew I wanted. Dave, seated across from me, looked at me quizzically over his menu.

“Aren’t you going to eat?”

“Of course. I already know what I want, though. I get it every time.” At that, he returned his attention to the descriptions of delicious food. Mikey set his menu down and turned to look at me.

“What is it that you always get?”

“The VIB,” I stated. “A cheese omelet, bacon, hash browns, and two chocolate chip pancakes. It’s so good. What are you getting?”

He grinned at me and looked down at his menu again, reciting the name of his food. “It’s a bacon and cheese grilled sandwich and comes with hash browns.”

“That’s what Jaime always gets,” I laughed at Jaime who was looking at Mikey with approval written all over his features. Mikey settled his hand on my thigh, rubbing circles on it. I rested my head on his shoulder, ignoring the annoyed look I was getting from Kellin.

“Hey, ya’ll. I’m Cathy and I’ll be your server,” a petite blonde woman spoke as she approached us with a small notepad out. “What kind of drinks can I get for you today?” Everyone started reciting their beverage preference as she hastily scribbled on her paper.

“What do you want?” Mikey asked quietly enough that no one besides me heard. It was hard to fight my smile, knowing that he was going to order for me because he knows I hate it so much.

“Orange juice,” I whispered back. He wrinkled his nose in disgust and I giggled. Jaime ordered his drink and the waitress looked at me expectantly.

Mikey spoke up, “She’ll have orange juice and I’d like some water, please.” She nodded and scribbled some more.

“Are you ready to order now or do you need some more time?” James looked around and when no one objected he indicated that we were ready to order now. As everyone began informing her what they wanted, I started piling all the menus on top of each other so it’d be easier for her to carry. By the time she’d gotten to Mikey and I again, I handed her the menus and she smiled gratefully at me before turning and rushing to the kitchen.

Everyone fell into easy conversation, though Mikey and I didn’t participate much. I was content with my head on his shoulder, breathing in his scent. His head rested on mine and he kept pressing kisses in my hair. Lynn’s voice grabbed our attention. “So, Mikey. What’d you like most about the United States?”

“Probably the new people. Besides this one, that is,” he said and kissed my head again. A scoff from the end of the table made everyone look in the direction of Kellin.

“You got something to say, mate?” Mikey challenged, sitting up straighter.

Kellin shrugged indifferently. “I just think it is funny how the moment you go back to England, she’s going to be on every guy she sees.”

“You think you know her but you don’t,” Mikey’s harsh voice surprised me and I lifted my head off his shoulder to look at his hardened face glaring at Kellin. “I wonder why you feel so inadequate in your everyday life that you feel compelled to interfere with matters that don’t concern you.”

“I’m just saying that she slept with-”

“Oi, shut up,” Mikey interrupted him. “Does it look like I care who she’s slept with? She’s mine now and I frankly couldn’t give a fuck who she has slept with.” Kellin didn’t have a chance to respond before Mikey raised his voice again. “You do not have any business talking about her like that. She’s a good person, unlike you. She’s actually nice, unlike you. You know I’ve seen you interact with your fans and you must not know that they’re the reason you’re where you are now, you privileged wanker. You should be ashamed that they spend their money to meet you and you’re a complete dick to them. Quite frankly, I don’t know how you still have fans after the way I’ve seen you treat them. I don’t know how you have friends after the way you treat everyone.”

Kellin was slack-jawed, along with half the table who has never seen Mikey talk to anyone with malice. Kellin glared and rolled his eyes. “Whatever, man. You’re just mad that I pointed out what a slut your girlfriend is.”

Mikey sat up and glowered hard. “What part of not talking about her like that didn’t get through your head? You know, it’s odd that you spend so much time of your pathetic life trying to bring others down. If I were you, I’d get a new hobby before I get my ass kicked.” He squared his shoulders and Kellin scoffed again but said nothing. He scooted his chair out and left the restaurant, leaving us all in silence.

“That was fucking awesome,” Vic exclaimed, leaning over to give Mikey a high five. Mikey chuckled and we all let out a relieved sigh as the tension was lifted. Cathy and about four other servers came out with food crammed onto every tray. She began setting each plate, along with our drinks, in front of us. When she got to Kellin’s, Vic told her to just take it back. The sound of pleasant chatter filled our table once more as I eagerly popped some omelet into my mouth and savored the flavor. Once I was satisfied that the attention was no longer on Mikey and I, I leaned over and kissed him.

“What was that for?” He asked, smiling to reveal a small piece of cheese in his teeth. I giggled and pointed to it, making him blush as he used his tongue to dislodge it. I shrugged in response to his question and cut into my pancakes.

“For defending me. I’ve never had a boyfriend who’s done that for me.”

He frowned and then smiled. “You’ll never have to worry about not being defended ever again.” I smiled and nudged him with my shoulder before returning to my food.

Notes