“He wants you to WHAT?”
I uttered an agreeing noise and frowned the forehead. Then I looked at him, his eyes were opened widely and he was totally shocked. I bit my lower lip. “What am I supposed to do, Vincent?” I asked my best friend. “He wants a decision. Today. His flight back to LA goes at ten p.m. and I have to call him before he leaves.”
Vincent was a pretty, brown-eyed boy I knew for an eternity now. He’s been with me since the beginning of my relationship with Andy; he had always supported me against my parents.
But now, for the very first time, he didn’t seem to be sure of what he should think of Andy. I knew Vincent didn’t want me leave.
“I don’t know, Vic …” he started and ran his hand over his blonde hair. “I mean it seems to be a quite cute gesture of him but you have to think about everything you would have to sacrifice. Moreover you’ll have to break off school, did he realize that?”
“Of course he did.”
“Then why does he ask for that?”
I sighed. God, I didn’t know what to do. All I knew was that I really loved Andy and he loved me.

So take your hand in mine
it’s ours tonight
This is a rebel love song
hearts will sacrifice
it’s do or die!
This is a rebel love song
I turned my head and stared at the stereo set. This awkward moment when shuffle reads your mind. God!
“Did you tell – “
“No.”
I knew what Vincent wanted to ask. Did you tell your parents? Of course I didn’t. They would have killed me for even considering going with Andy.
“Vic …” he continued. “You can’t leave. You can’t just leave everything and everyone behind you. And I bet living the life of a rock star isn’t that tempting.”
“Actually it is.”
We grinned at each other. From the moment on Andy had asked me to come with him I had known that my way of life would change completely. Sleeping late, driving on the bus, touring through the whole world, backstage experiences. Indeed Andy’s life was tempting.
But back to the serious thing.
Vincent didn’t want me leave, my parents didn’t want me to leave either. Basically I didn’t really care about breaking off school; that was my tiniest problem.
But what I was aware of, was, that it would cause a serious riot if anybody caught this story at school. I could already literally hear everybody telling stories about me; me, breaking off school, leaving friends and family, only to live together with my boyfriend who happened to be a quite successful rock star. Those stories would quickly turn into rumors.
Absorbed in thought I looked at the Days are numbered tattoo on my right forearm. I had gotten it after the first Black Veil Brides concert this year where I had heard the song live for the first time.
I loved that song. And it was totally right. Days were numbered. Everyone’s days were numbered; mine were, Andy’s were. And this was the moment I made the decision.
“I’ll go.”
I lifted the head to look at Vincent who looked at me like he didn’t understand a word.
“You … what?”
“I’ll go with him.” I repeated.
He waved his hands around through the air. “You can’t … you can’t leave … your parents won’t let you.”
I swallowed. “I won’t tell them.” My eyes narrowed. “And you won’t either.”
Vincent got up – for the first time during the two hours we’ve been talking about that – and rambled through my room. I bit my lower lip and followed him with the eyes.
“So you … “ he started again and I could hear from his voice that he was definitely going to reproach me. “You really don’t care about … anyone? About anything I said?”
I sighed frustrated. “I do care.” I asserted him. “But there is no other solution.”
“Oh there is one.” he replied. “You could just break up with him and everything will be fine again.” I blinked. He wasn’t serious, was he?
“What do you mean “everything will be fine again”?” I asked instead of ripping his head off (what I actually really wanted to do right now).
He looked at me directly. “I mean that everything will be like it was before. You changed, Vic.”
What shouldthat mean? I didn’t change in any way. Did he also start with that “bad company” crap right now?
“He changed you. You’ve never been that … rebellious. I mean you’re arguing with your parents every day because of him and you’re also revolting against almost every teacher at school. You’ve never been like that before you met … him. What did he do with you?”
My mouth stood open.I could feel my heart raging within my chest; my hands clenched to fists. How could he dare making Andy responsible for anything that had happened with me?
“You want to know what he did with me?” I asked with clenched teeth.
“He taught me to see through people; he taught me to distinguish the ones who will always be at my side – like him – from those who just pretend to be someone they’re not. I thought you’d always support me, I thought you were a friend. But obviously you can’t deal with the fact that there is someone who’s unbelievably important to me and that this someone isn’t you. I love him. Do you understand me? I love him. Andy’s probably the biggest gift I’ve ever received.”
He snorted derogatory and shook his head, almost desperately.
“Oh you’re so already on his hook.”
“I’m not.”
“You are. I mean you do realize who you angled there, do you?”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
He glanced at his phone for a few seconds then lifted his head to give me a disapproved look.
“There you go, you didn’t even think about that.”
Slowly I lost my patience. “About what?” I asked with a louder voice.
“Andy isn’t that unattractive. He could have every girl he wants. How do you know you’re not just one of his … trophies?”
I could hardly swallow. Although I didn’t want it there were pictures coming into my mind that I desperately tried to suppress. I clenched my teeth until it hurt. I closed my eyes to calm myself down.
“Andy would never be unfaithful on me.” I murmured and I was afraid it sounded like I had to convince myself of it.
“Are you sure?” Vincent asked back and the smile on his lips almost became devilish. “How do you know he already didn’t?”
This was definitely enough. Angry I came up to him and slapped his face. “Don’t you … ever say something like this again.” I whispered and I have to say I really made that threatened tone in my voice.
I opened the door of my room and with the fingers I pointed at the corridor and gave Vincent a sublimed look. I didn’t show him how hard this all actually was for me, didn’t show him how offended I was.
“Go.”
He snorted and plodded past me through the door which I slammed shut behind him.
For a moment I closed my eyes to calm down again. So my best friend was the first person I had to lose.
I picked up my phone and called Andy.
“I’d already thought you’d never call.” he greeted.
“I’ll come with you.” I answered. “But my parents mustn’t know. You’ll have to pick me up later or something.” My voice sounded sobbing. And I knew he noticed it but he didn’t say anything.
“All right, babe. Pack your things. I’ll be there in an hour.”
I breathed out relieved. Just one more hour.
“Andy?”
“Hm?”
“I … forget it. See you later.”