Better Off This Way

“Are you feeling okay?” Jeremy asked me when I got back onto their bus to talk to Neil. He wasn’t there so I decided to wait around until he got there.

“Yeah, I’m fine, why?”

“You just seem a little off today is all.” He shrugged. “Is something going on?”

“I just came over here to tell Neil that I was going to stay on the ATL bus for another night if he’s still upset with me.” I explained. “I just don’t want things to be awkward or have either of us on edge around you guys.”

“Well he was pretty upset last night, I’m not gonna lie.” Jeremy made a face and scratched his head. “I think you two could use your space for a little while, I can always tell him for you if you want.”

“That sounds nice, thanks Jeremy.”

“No problem.” He smiled. “Just remember that you can always come and talk to me if something’s going on okay? And if you don’t want anyone to know about it then I promise that I won’t whisper a word.”

“I might just have to take you up on that offer.” I hugged him tightly and went back to the door and out into the warm night air. Everyone was calming down after the show, some were out by the gates taking photos and signing things for their ever so dedicated fans. I smiled at Jaime who was just coming back from the gates who had a smile going ear to ear.

“Hey Blithe!” He said cheerily. “Want some candy? I just got a ton!”

“Oh, what kind?” I was always down for some candy. According to my mom, I’ve always had a mad sweet tooth growing since I was little.

“Hold on, let’s see…” He opened the bag he was holding and shuffled around for something that was really good. “If you don’t like anything in here I can always take you back to the bus and you can pick whatever you want out of the fat kid drawer.”

“Fat kid drawer?”

“Oh yeah, we have a huge drawer full of candy and Adam calls it the fat kid drawer so the name just kind of stuck with us.” He nodded.

“Well now I have to go check it out.” I laughed.

“Are you taking her to the candy?” Zack yelled from a few feet away.

“Yeah man, we’ve got way too much!” Jaime laughed.

“Dude, I’m coming too.” Zack followed us to the PTV bus. “I have been eating healthy for so long, I think I deserve a little treat.”

“Tell me about it, you only eat health foods. I honestly have no idea how you do it.” I laughed.

“Oh and all of his grilled chicken, what’s up with that?” Jaime laughed.

“Hey, don’t you diss on chicken alright? It’s fucking delicious.” Zack tried to sound offended over our laughter.

“Oh hey you guys.” Tony smiled when we got onto the bus. He was in mid drink of his beer when we got into the room; he looked a bit startled by our presence.

“Hey Tone.” I smiled and followed Jaime over to the fat kid drawer that I’ve been hearing about. He went over to the drawer and opened it up to reveal the most candy I’ve seen together in my life. Let’s just say, it didn’t disappoint.

“Oh man, you’re giving away all of my candy!” Tony laughed.

“Dude, we hardly ever eat this stuff.” Jaime shook his head and stood straight again. “Well, help yourselves literally whenever you want.”

“You know I won’t.” Zack grabbed a small box of dots. “I’ve gotta keep up my healthy diet.”

“But I will gladly take you up on that offer.” I picked up a Twix bar and some skittles. “Just don’t let me eat something every day or I will get fat.”

“I promise that I will not let that happen to you.” Jaime patted my back.

“If you work out with me at least every other day then that definitely won’t happen.” Zack poked my side.

“Oh I see how it is.” Jaime rolled his eyes and shooed us out of the bus.

“Uh okay, I guess we’ll see you later?” Neither of us was sure what had just happened. Jaime just laughed and nodded before closing the door, leaving us in the dark.

--

“I’m glad you’re staying with us for a few days.” Rian smiled at me from across the room. I was sitting in ATL’s tour bus with all the guys and the PTV dudes as well, just a nice hang out.

“Yeah, now we have the benefit of a journalist by our side!” Jack made a fake, evil laugh.

“Guys, it’s not like she’s staying forever.” Alex reminded them. “But you’re welcome to if you want, just remember that.”

“I’m not even sure if I’ll be staying for the whole tour anyways you guys.” I shrugged. “It’s only because of something stupid Neil and I are fighting over.”

“Which is what exactly?” Zack asked. “I’m not trying to be nosy but you never told us what was going on between the two of you.”

“Well Neil really wanted me to come on this tour so we can get closer and spend some more time together since he always misses me when they’re gone. Anyways he’s upset because I’ve been spending a lot of time with you guys and making friends with everyone on this tour and not busy being his little pet.” It actually felt good to get this off of my chest.

“So instead of giving in to him, you’re just feeding into the problem that made you two fight in the first place?” Rian clarified.

“Sounds to me like this is sort of a lose, lose situation.” Alex commented.

“I just don’t even know what to do anymore.” I buried my face into my hands and curled my knees to my chest. “I mean maybe I’ll just wrap up my articles so then I can go home and just get away from things for a while.”

“No way, you’ve gotta stick this one out little lady.” Tony waved a finger at me.

“I don’t wanna.” I whined.

“Hey now,” Zack hugged me. “Just don’t worry about it. He’s seriously acting like such a twelve year old who doesn’t want anyone to play with his action figure. This’ll all blow over in no time, you’ll see.”

“I hate to break it to you, but he’s right.” Vic wrapped an arm around my shoulders once Zack had let go. “Neil is overreacting like a little drama queen and-”

“Ain’t nobody got time for that!” Mike finished Vic’s sentence for him.

“Exactly,” Vic patted my back and hugged me slightly. “Just give the guy time.”

Time? Yeah sure, I can give him time. This was all just something stupid that Neil and I would laugh about in the future. He’s just not used to me being around all these guys and he’s getting a little jealous. So time he will get and hopefully this will all blow over.

Notes