Better Off This Way

The concert was amazing and the interviews went so much better than I thought that they would. Now I was making my way back to the bus so I could maybe go over all of the footage and notes that I took.

“Hey,” I heard a voice call from behind me. “Sorry we didn’t really have a chance to talk earlier.”

I could almost see Zack blushing in the darkness. He was so quiet, I didn’t really think that he would talk to me, so of course I didn’t want to bother him.

“Oh, I just didn’t want to bother you was all.” I assured him. “And I’m Blithe, just thought I’d formally introduce myself.”

“Yeah, well I’m Zack.” He laughed. “Anyways, do you want to come hang out on our bus? It’s just me and Tony right now so it’ll be really calm and chill. You know, if you need a quiet place to work or something.”

“Oh sure, I think I’ll just go get my laptop and then I’ll go over and hang.” I was pleased by his offer.

“Alright well our bus is the one closest to the gate.” He pointed over to their bus.

“Cool, I’ll be over there soon.” We parted our ways and I went back to my own bus. I stepped foot into the bus that was going to be my home for the next two months. There was a full on party going on already. Cups were scattered on the floor and there were open bottles of booze all over the counters.

I went back to my bunk so I could get my laptop and the SD card from Adam. Once I got my laptop I went back over to Adam’s bunk. I knocked on the edge since his curtain was closed.

“Yeah,” his curtain shot open.

“Hey, do you still have that SD card?” I asked, “I just want to transfer the video so you can clear it.”

“Oh sure.” He went into his backpack and pulled the card out from a small pocket. “Here you go.”

I held the card in my palm and smiled up at him, “Thanks.”

“No problem.” He shut his curtain again so he could work in peace. Just as I was about to reach the door, a pair of hands wrapped around my hips.

“Where are you going baby?” Neil asked.

“I was just going to go back to the All Time Low bus since it’s only Zack and Tony over there.” I explained.

“Do you want me to come over too?” He murmured in my ear.

“Nope, you just keep having fun.” I said. “Don’t worry, I’ll be back later.”

“Alright baby, don’t be gone too long.” He kissed my cheek and let me leave the bus. I closed the door behind me and headed over to the bus that Zack had told me to go to. I knocked on the door.

“Why are you knocking?” Zack opened the door. “You could have just came in.”

“Oh, sorry, I wasn’t sure.” I stood awkwardly.

“Don’t worry about it, now come on inside.” He let me onto the bus and I saw Tony sitting on the couch.

“Hey Blithe.” He smiled at me.

“How’s it going?” I asked.

“Pretty good, so what are you working on?” He replied once I had sat down and turned on my laptop.

“Well, first I have to edit the interviews and then I have to transfer all of the notes and footage I took of all the performances.” I told him.

“Sounds like you’re a busy bee.” Zack sat down next to Tony on the opposite couch.

“Yeah, sorry if I’m not too social,” I said. “But after all, I am here for work.”

“Hey, don’t worry about it.” Zack shrugged.

“We should probably leave you alone then.” Tony stood up. “C’mon, let’s go play madden or something.”

“We’ll be in the back if you need us.” Zack stood up and went into the back with Tony.

--

Surprisingly, it only took me about an hour to do everything that I needed. Maybe I should go hang out with the guys now, just to see what they do in their down time. I closed my laptop and went into the back lounge, only to see the two of them playing video games, as they had promised.

“Do you want to join?” Zack held a remote out to me.

“Well I don’t really play football games…” I shrugged.

“That’s okay, I was starting to get tired of Madden anyways.” Tony set his remote down next to him.

“Alright, we also have Fifa, Grand Theft Auto, Assassin’s Creed, COD,” he kept naming games that they had on the bus.

“I’ll stop you right there, why don’t we just watch a movie?” Tony laughed.

“That sounds like fun.” I smiled.

“Looks like you’re picking the movie out Tone.” Zack shrugged.

“Star Wars all the way!” He jumped off the couch and grabbed the copy that was sitting in one of the cabinets.

“I guess we’re watching Star Wars.” I laughed with Zack as Tony put the movie on.

--

“Blithe,” I was shaken awake, “C’mon get up.”

“What?” I rubbed my eyes and looked around, noticing that I wasn’t in my own bus.

“You fell asleep on me.” Zack smiled in the dark.

“Oh, sorry.” I had a massive blush going on now, hopefully he couldn’t see.

“Don’t be embarrassed,” his smile didn’t fade, “I just didn’t want to wake you up but Neil called you.”

“Oh shit,” I jumped off of the couch, “I should get going.”

“Alright, see you later.” He waved as I made my way back into the front lounge. I grabbed my backpack and rushed out the front door so I could go back and see Neil. The bus wasn’t as loud anymore so I’m assuming that everyone had evacuated the bus or passed out by now. It was only midnight so I’m not counting that as a plausible answer.

“Hey, I missed you.” Neil smiled once he saw me walk in the door. The only people left on the bus were him, Jack, Shelnutt, Rian, Jeremy, and Vic.

“Yeah, I guess I fell asleep over there.” I walked over to Neil and sat in his lap.

“What were you guys doing?” He laughed.

“Tony made us watch Star Wars.” I explained.

“Oh man, of course he did.” Vic rolled his eyes.

“Is it as bad as Jack with Home Alone or The Nightmare Before Christmas?” Rian joked.

“Sometimes I think it might be worse.” Vic couldn’t help but laugh along.

“Whatever, I’m not that bad.” Jack tried to clear his name.

The rest of ADTR stepped foot in the bus and I guess that was the cue for everyone else to leave since they all got up and said their goodbyes.

“Ready for bed babe?” Neil rested his chin on my shoulder.

“I am in need of a cuddle.” I leaned into his embrace.

“Maybe we can do a little more than cuddling,” he suggested.

“Guys, I seriously don’t want to hear all of that tonight.” Kevin argued.

Everyone else laughed and headed off to their bunks for a night of sleep.

Notes