I Was So Bitter, Till You Came Along

The bus arrived on Thursday at ten a.m. sharp just like I'd said. Andy and I weren't on speaking terms, and Ashley and I were tense around each other; like if I said one word about a relationship with Andy I'd get my head cut off. But I didn't necessarily care. All I wanted was to see some kick ass performances this summer.

We all got on the bus, Andy leading us and me taking up the rear. The door closed behind me, and I took in my surroundings. The bus was bigger than I thought, yet it seemed cramped. I only shrugged and shouldered my backpack as I followed Ashley and Andy to the bunks. I watched as Andy tossed his things up into a bunk in the middle section, and Ashley on a bottom one, leaving just one bunk left: the one above Andy's. I sighed.

"You guys are the devil," I said, knowing I wouldn't get a reply, but hey. I wasn't tall and they left me with a high bunk. I just tossed my stuff up there; or tried. It all came falling back down, almost landing on my toe. I picked it up, and I tried once more, seeing someone's hands help to push it up. Once it was secure in the bunk, I turned around and looked at Andy who gave me a small smile before walking away. I followed both him and Ashley out to the lounge, and I was met with the whole of the crew and the band. I was I introduced to everyone I didn't know, and we all relaxed and hung out as we took off for our first stop on the tour, which was in Anchorage, Arkansas.

I was slightly nervous, because I'd never done anything like this before (like I haven't done a lot of things), but I was also extremely excited for the new experience. It was a bummer, though, that Andy wouldn't talk to me, but that's alright. I just wouldn't talk to him if that's what it would take.

~~

Two Days Later--

We arrived at our destination two days early, giving us a couple days of free time (free time for the band meant interviews and a whole lot of checking out the city). I went to the first interview for the band with just Andy, Ashley, and CC. I was sat next to Jon behind the camera with a clear view of the interviewer and the guys.

The interview started within fifteen minutes, and I watched as Andy and Ashley glanced at me after the first question was asked.

"So Ashley, I hear you've got a sister? And that she's on the road with you this summer. What's that like?" Ashley took a breath before answering.

"Yeah. I do. Her name is Casey, and she's my half-sister, just to clarify. Umm, she's definitely a joy to have on the bus so far, I mean it's only been two days," Ashley said with a small nod.

"Awesome. So, you guys just put out a new album. Could you explain what it's about?" The interviewer asked. Andy took this question.

"It's definitely better than the last. I think, that if you look at it from a lyrical standpoint, you can see that I've become a much better writer. And thanks to Bob Rock, who helped us with the album. He let us do more things that we wanted to do, rather than telling us what would be better, and I think that's extremely important, not only for the band, but the album as well. And I think that's why we sold more albums than we did with Wretched & Divine," Andy said. The interviewer, whose name is Leyla, smiled at him, and I felt a twang of jealousy hit me in the gut.

The interview lasted for about fifteen more minutes, and I was happy when we finally got out of there. I could listen to Andy talk all day, but not about things I didn't understand. You get me? Of course you do.

I walked alongside CC, avoiding Andy and Ashley, and I crossed my arms over my chest as they talked amongst themselves.

"Hey," CC said, nudging me a little as we walked. I looked up at him, smiling a little.

"Hi," I said quietly.

"Are you okay? You seem kind of upset or something," he asked. I shook my head, letting him know I didn't feel like talking about it. I didn't want to talk about it until I knew Andy, Ashley, and I were okay with each other. But, I had a feeling it may be awhile until then.

Notes

Enjoy! :)