California

After I had breakfast with Mikey and the guys, I had gone back to the bus to find that Jaime had left. Vic said that he had taken off a few minutes after I had to take a walk. They all apologized for Jaime’s behavior, although it wasn’t necessary. Since there was a show tonight, Mikey and I’s date would be a little earlier. I had showered and chosen my outfit. I put on light blue jeans and a red shirt that accented my breasts in an inconspicuous way. I styled my hair in a loose braid and put in my favorite earrings.

I opened the bathroom door and came face to face with Jaime. He smiled softly at me and handed me a pint of Ben & Jerry’s fudge brownie ice cream. “It’s for, uh, being a prick. I should have handled it better, but I just don’t want you to get hurt again. Last time it killed me not being able to help you in anyway. I’m really sorry that I yelled at you.”

I smiled and embraced him.“It’s okay, Hime. I know you’re trying to look out for me, but I really just need you to let me make my own decisions.”

He smiled. “I know, and I’m sorry. He does seem like a good guy.”

“He is.” He smiled as I took the ice cream from him and went to put it in the freezer. “If anyone eats my ice cream I’ll pour water on you while you’re sleeping,” I shouted throughout the bus. I heard a knock on the bus door and squealed.

“Someone answer it so I don’t look desperate,” I whisper yelled and retreated into the bunk area to get my purse. I heard chuckling and then I heard Jaime answer it.

“Uh, hi. I’m here to see Sky,” I heard Mikey’s voice.

“Right, listen Mikey, I want to apologize. I’m sure she told you about the fight we had earlier and I want to say you do seem like a nice guy.”

“It’s alright, mate. You’re just looking out for her, I understand.”

“But don’t be mistaken, if you hurt her, we will come for you,” I heard Tony say. I rolled my eyes and decided to save Mikey from the interrogation from the guys. I walked out of the bunk area and saw him standing near the door. He wore a blue button down that was rolled up to his elbows, showing off some of his ink. I smiled at him and tried to ignore the knowing smirks on Mike and Vic’s faces.

He awkwardly extended his arm, holding out a bouquet of roses. “These are for you.”

I blushed and took them, our fingers brushing against each other. “Thanks. I’ll put them in a vase.” I walked into our very small kitchen area and began searching through the cupboards. “Do we not have a vase?”

“I don’t think so. Don’t you remember Tony’s drunken game of throwing everything off the roof?,” I heard Vic chuckle. I smiled and pulled out a large cup. I filled it with water and placed the roses in it. I walked back into the lounge to see smirks on all of the guys’ faces and Mikey looking really uncomfortable.

I sighed. “You guys suck sometimes,” and walked off of the bus with him.

“You look absolutely stunning,” Mikey commented.

“Thank you. You look really handsome.”

“I try, Skylar, I try,” he said, making me laugh.

“Where are we going?” I asked as we walked towards a cab parked on the street.

“There’s a fair around here. I thought it could be fun,” he said shyly.

I smiled at him. “That does sound fun. I haven’t been to the fair in years. Last time I went Vic threw up on me because he ate too many corn dogs.”

“That’s mental,” he chuckled. We approached the cab and he held the door open for me. I thanked him and slid into the seat. He settled in next to me and told the driver where to go. Out of my peripheral vision I could see him studying my face and I blushed. I looked at him and he looked away. Oh God, why did he have to be so cute?

A few minutes later we pulled up to large fairgrounds and he handed the driver some bills. As I was opening my door he quickly leaned across me and pulled it shut. I looked at him quizzically. He just smiled and got out, rushing to my door to open it for me. I blushed and got out. Once the cab drove away I looked at him. “You’re really sweet.” He smiled at me and reached for my hand. I bit my lip and beamed at him. We walked hand-in-hand through the gates and got an elephant stamp on our hands.

“What would you like to do first?” he asked, looking around to all the rides and games. I saw a merry-go-round and grinned.

“Can we ride that?”

He nodded. “Anything you want, love.” I got chills at the name and we made our way over to the ride. Most people in line were with their kids and were giving us strange looks, but that didn’t faze us at all. We walked onto the ride and Mikey let go of my hand to speed walk towards a tiger and he hopped on. I giggled and took the pony next to him.

“Looks like his name would be something like Thor, doesn’t he?” Mikey asked, stroking his tiger’s face.
I laughed and nodded. “What about mine?”

He took a long look at my pony before he said, “Louise.” I smiled as the ride started and corny music filled our ears. I began giggling as Mikey threw his hands around wildly as if we were riding a roller coaster. Once the ride stopped he held out his hand to help me down.

“What do you fancy doing now?” he asked as we walked off the platform.

“What do you want to do?”

“I’d like to go on the pathetic little roller coaster over there,” he pointed. We swung our arms back and forth as we walked and I could not help the tingling sensation filling my body. I smiled at him as we stood in line once more. He began rubbing circles with his thumb on my skin and I could feel my heart swell in my chest. He sent a smile my way and I swear he knew how he was affecting me. We got into the small dragon themed cart and pulled the bar onto our laps. It went no more than fifteen miles per hour, but it still ended up being fun.

We got off and decided we would get some lunch. We walked through the aisles and aisles of different food booths and finally decided on some pizza. He paid for mine, despite my oppositions. We took a seat at a nearby wooden table and started eating. “Where did you get all of this American money?”

He shrugged. “I borrowed some from Lynn.” It was quiet for a few moments before he spoke again. “You know, we don’t know that much about each other.”

I swallowed a bite of my pepperoni pizza before answering. “You’re right. Why don’t we ask each other questions?”

“That’s a brilliant idea. How did you meet the guys?”

“I met Tony when we were six because we both got detention and were stuck in the same room. Then I met Jaime when Tony and he were in their first band, and I met Vic and Mike after Tony and Jaime started jamming with them.”

“How do you get detention when you’re six?”

“I was petting the dogs through the fences and it was against the rules.” He chuckled. “Where exactly in the UK are you from?”

“Ely in Cambridge. Where are you from?”

“Originally Salt Lake City, Utah. I moved to San Diego when I was five.”

“That’s cool. What are your favorite bands? And you can’t say Pierce the Veil!”

I laughed. “Blink-182, The Offspring, Simple Plan, and I guess Mallory Knox now.”

“Really? Mallory has made its way into that list already?”

I smirked at him. “Well, they’re really good. Plus, their lead singer is kind of cute.”

He smiled and took another bite of his pizza, seeming to think hard about something. “Why do you, Jack, and Alan not get along?”

I clenched my jaw and looked down. “I’d prefer to not talk about that.”

“Oh, sorry. Um, what’s your favorite movie?”

“Titanic,” I relaxed once more. “What made you want to be a singer?”

“I used to play bass and sing backup for my old band, but when we started Mallory since Sam was the bassist they suggested I give singing a go.”

“Well, you’re very good.”

“Thank you. Do you have any tattoos?”

I nodded. “I have a watercolor wolf on my thigh, Hold on Till May lyrics on my ribs, a John Lennon doodle on my hip, a matching turtle with Tony behind my ear, and a Blink-182 logo on the back of my shoulder.”

“Very nice. Don’t let Sam know, he’ll go all crazy. He loves Blink. He wants to be Mark Hoppus so bad.” He grinned and we got up, throwing our plates into a nearby trash can.

“Can we go on the ferris wheel before we go?” It was starting to get late and we had to get back in time for the show. He nodded and led me that way. Luckily there wasn’t a long line and we got to get into a cart relatively quickly. He put his arm around me as it started. It stopped every few minutes and it eventually it halted at the very top. The sun was setting and we could see for miles. It was amazing.

“Sky?” he asked quietly. I turned to him and he smiled nervously at me. “I know we’ve only been on one date, but I really like you. I think you’re beautiful, funny, smart, and you’re the only person I’ve ever met that knows as much about dinosaurs as me. So,” he paused and licked his lips, “will you be my girlfriend?”

I smiled. “I’d love to.” He beamed at me and leant in, connecting our lips. He put his hands in my hair and I connected mine around his neck. He slowly traced my lip with his tongue and I granted him entrance. He slid his tongue expertly in and out of my mouth, sending chills down my spine. Eventually the ride stopped and we pulled apart. He grinned at me and wrapped his arms around my shoulders as we walked off the grounds. He hailed a cab and we drove back to the venue with me snuggled into his chest. We arrived and walked into the venue, our hands intertwined. We peeked out from backstage and saw Pierce the Veil and Sleeping with Sirens finishing up their meet and greets. We decided to split up so he could go change in time for the show and I could change into more comfortable clothes.

As I was slipping a Pierce the Veil t-shirt over my head, the door to the dressing room opened and the guys walked in. “How was your date?” Tony asked as he plopped onto the couch.

I smiled at them. “It was amazing. I got myself a boyfriend.”

“Really? Congratulations!” Vic grinned and embraced me.

“Thanks,” I said and sat next to him.

“Damn Sky, you must have that guy wrapped around your finger,” Mike said and took a bottle of water out of the fridge. I rolled my eyes.

Mike spoke up next. “Maybe I should have a talk with him. Let him know that if he screw up, he’ll have four angry Mexicans after him.”

I shook my head and stood up. “I appreciate the thought, but I don’t think that will be necessary. Tony already threatened him today.” Tony laughed as I grabbed two of my cameras and slung them over my neck. I walked down the hallway until I found the one that said Mallory Knox on it. I knocked and Sam opened the door.

“Well, if it isn’t the future Mrs. Mikey Chapman!” I blushed and looked down, making him laugh. He let me in and I waved to the guys as Mikey walked out. He saw me and gave me a smile and a peck on the lips, earning an ‘aw’ from the rest of them. We both blushed.

“Wankers,” Mikey muttered and pulled me out of the room. “Are you going to be shooting us again tonight?” he asked, looking at my cameras.

I nodded. “Yeah, it’s much more fun to watch you guys play from in front of the stage rather than from the side.”

He grinned at me. “I like being able to see your face while I’m on stage.” I was about to open my mouth when Sam and the guys walked in between us.

“It’s time for the show, mate.”

“Good luck,” I gave Mikey a quick kiss before I hurried to the stage area. I showed my pass to the security guard and he let me by. I smiled at the row of fans leaning on the barricade and turned on my camera as the band walked out. Mikey caught my eye and gave me a wink before he grabbed his microphone.

“How are you doing tonight, Tempe? Are you well?” he yelled into the microphone. The crowd cheered loudly and he smiled. “Alright, we’re Mallory Knox from the UK and this first song is called Wake Up.”

Notes