You're the Snake Hidden in my Daffodils

I stared out at the endless blue sky through the tiny aeroplane, gazing at the wispy clouds dotting the sky. I thought to myself how many times I had done this trip from my apartment in California all the way to Maryland - too many to count. But this was definitely the most excited I had ever been to make the trip. I lifted my head off the window I had been leaning on and turned to my cousin occupying the seat to the right of me. He was fast asleep with his headphones in and his head tilted back against the seat. His dark blonde hair was a mess, swept in all directions. I guess he just wasn’t a morning person. One of the air hostesses approached us with the food trolley.

“Excuse me madam, could I interest you in any food or drink?” she had hair a similar colour to me – a very light blonde – but pulled up into a tight, slicked-back ponytail. Her face was so made up it made me wonder how she managed to hold her head up.

“Uh, no thanks” I replied with a polite smile. On-flight food was ridiculous and expensive. I always brought my own. Zack stirred as I bend down to pick up the bag I was hiding under my chair. He eyed me sleepily as I pulled out two bottles of water and a packet of crisps, frowning as I examined the flavour - salt and vinegar. Gross.

“What, no food for me?” Zack spoke groggily and nudged me. I dropped the packet onto his lap.

“Have them.” I said. He gave me a look of bewilderment for a moment before ripping them open. Typical Zack.

“So, are you looking forward to Warped?” he mumbled with his mouth full.

“Ew Zack, chew your food.” I said, screwing my face up at him. “And yes, most definitely” I tried to act cool around Zack, but secretly I was super excited.

“I can’t believe Matt is still letting you do this,” he muttered through another mouthful.

“You don’t mind though, right?” I felt uneasy at the tone he’d used.

“I don’t mind, you’re cool – for a cousin. I’m just surprised you don’t mind doing this, knowing full well that Alex is behind it. He must blackmail him into letting you come on tour with us,”

“Zack, you know there’s nothing about that horny little man that I can’t handle. He’s doing me a favour by giving me a job, and he can carry on assuming he’ll convince me to fall hopelessly in love with his dick, because I can assure you; it won’t be happening,”

“This is why you’re the cool cousin, Tay. You remind me of me.”

“Go back to sleep you fucking moron.”

I had been to Warped Tour a few times in the past and actually being a part of it for the whole summer was going to be fun – even if I was just sitting in a tent selling t-shirts for a pitiful amount of money again. I had been selling merch for All Time Low for almost a year now, travelling across the country in a tiny van for most of my year with them. Yeah, sometimes it sucked, but I loved it. I pulled my iPod out of my pocket and set it on shuffle. Relaxing back into my seat I eventually fell asleep.

Later that afternoon we arrived at the Gaskarth-Dawson household. This was always a fun place to stay, and I could tell it was going to be a fun, albeit drunk summer on tour with them. Rian had picked us up from the airport and we followed him up to the front door of the large suburban house as he unlocked the door. I hadn’t even got my suitcase through the front door before someone leapt on top of me and tackled me to the floor.

“JACK ATTACK!” Jack screamed in my ear.

“JACK, GET THE FUCK OFF OF ME!” I screamed back at him. His face was pressed right against mine, and since he had trapped my arms underneath me I had no other choice;

“Fuck, ow!” He whined, quickly getting off me and rubbing his forehead. Alex came to the hallway to bring my suitcase in and chuckled.

“Jack, you should seriously know not to pick a fight with Taylor by now. You’re never gonna win.” Jack huffed and walked off into the living room. Alex held out his hand and helped me up. Our hands and eyes stay connected for a moment longer before Zack reappeared in the doorway leading to the living room. We quickly dropped our awkward contact (including the suitcase Alex had in his other hand) and turned towards Zack.

“Um...” He lingered for a moment as Alex awkwardly stood my suitcase back up again. “We’re gonna make some food. Want anything?” We both nodded and muttered agreement in reply before Alex picked my suitcase up once again and started carrying it up the stairs. He got about two steps up before pausing and turning around to me;

“Jesus fuck, Tay, what the fuck did you bring in this?” I laughed and followed him up the stairs.

“Here, let me help,” Together we managed to get my suitcase to the top of the stairs and into the guest room.

“So who am I sharing with?” I crossed my arms over my chest and examined the two bed room.

“Me.” he leaned towards me and raised his eyebrows, and my heart sunk into my stomach at the thought.

“I really hope you’re joking, Gaskarth,”

“Ah, we’ll just have to see about that, won’t we!” he winked and skipped almost fairy-like out of the room. I was actually frozen on the spot for a second as I processed the sheer gayness of that.

I caught the fairy up back downstairs as he went through into the kitchen, where Rian was preparing dinner for all of us. He was wearing a black apron with “KISS THE CHEF” emblazoned across the chest in bright red lettering over his white crewneck t-shirt. Smiling to myself I walked through into the living room where Zack was sprawled out on the long sofa lazily watching something on TV.