The Trouble-Makers

"What store are we hitting up first?" Mike asked as we walked into the mall's entrance. We drove out of our way to go to the biggest mall we knew of, which was over an hour away, where Alex and I met up with the rest of the Trouble-Makers. Apparently, this was the mall that had the greatest music store variety.

"Is that even a question? Guitar Center," Jack said, taking the lead and walking in front of the gang. Jaime was walking beside him, and right behind them were Alex and I. Rian and Mike fell back now, talking about something I wasn't completely interested in.

"And what's so great about that store?" I asked, and Jack stopped in his tracks to look back at me.

"You're kidding, right?" He asked, but I just shrugged my shoulders in response. "You are a sheltered child," he remarked and continued on walking. "It's only the greatest store to have ever been created. Literally, there's guitars that line all the walls and then there's drums in the center and...God, I could go on and on."

I looked over at Alex. "Well, I guess we know who Jack's true love is."
Alex let out a snicker. "You say that now, but just wait. This is going to be something you'll never forget."

Jack pointed in front of us. "There it is, Stella, get ready for the time of your life."

I rolled my eyes at them. "You guys are the most dramatic people I-" I was cut off as we walked into the store, and I had to admit, I was in awe. They really weren't exaggerating, there were music instruments everywhere. I didn't even play an instrument but I wanted to go around and play with everything in here.

"Someone's found love," Rian teased, and I just shook my head.

"You guys really weren't exaggerating, holy crap," I said in awe. The rest of the guys continued on into the store, but Alex waited beside me.

"Come on, you can see more if you actually walk more into the store," Alex said, grabbing my hand.

***

"It's not gonna happen," Alex declared, setting the tray full of his and my food down on the table. We were in the mall's cafeteria and we had already browsed a handful of stores, but the boys hadn't bought anything. And, even though I insisted he not, Alex bought my food.

"Yes it is! I'm determined this time," Jack said, sitting down across from us. The rest of the guys were still getting their food from different fast food places around the cafeteria. "If I don't save up for that guitar, I'm going to literally die."

"I didn't even know you guys played instruments," I added into the conversation, lamely.

"You kidding? We got a band, dude," Jack said, shaking his head. "Seriously, where have you been?"

Alex rolled his eyes. "It's not popular, not at all...yet. But in Jack's head he thinks it's the greatest band in the world."

"Because it is," Jack said, pointing a finger at him.

"What's your guys' band name?" I asked, looking over at them.

"We couldn't really settle on one. Jaime had his heart dead set on 'Pierce The Veil' and yeah, that's a cool name, but we preferred 'All Time Low'." Alex sighed. "But, Rian as the mediator, we combined them into 'All Time Veil'," Alex explained for me.

Mike and Jaime walked over to the table, Mike sitting across from me and Jaime sitting on the other side of me.

"So what do you guys play in the band?" I asked, looking at all the boys. Alex quickly explained, saying he was the singer and back up guitarist, Rian was the drummer, Jaime was the bassist, and Jack was the lead guitarist.

"We only have an EP out right now, but we've already got supporters," Jack bragged. "Once we get that album out, they'll be flocking to us."

"I'm surprised you guys didn't just call your band the Trouble-Makers," I said, and Alex chuckled at that.

***

The ride home from the mall was much more relaxing than the trip up there. For one, I was stuck with Alex alone in a car for the entire ride, but I soon learned that that wasn't bad at all. Although he does have his aggressive sides, for the most part he's a good guy, he just has a bad temper. I could understand that, but I also wasn't going to excuse it every time he decided to punch a guy in the face just for pissing him off.

"Hey," Alex said, breaking my through my thoughts. We were already close to my house, so I kind of zoned out when we entered the town. "I just wanted to say I'm sorry."

I looked over at him and furrowed my eyebrows. "For what?"

He sighed. "You know, for the whole Kellin thing. Well, I'm not really sorry for wanting to punch him, I guess. I'm just sorry you had to see that and had to calm me down."

A smile hinted on my lips. "It's no problem, if I can avoid getting you suspended I'm going to try and help."

Alex chuckled. "Yeah, but Kellin...I can't really control myself around him, not since what he said. I mean, I hated the guy before but now he's really crossed the line." Alex's face became serious again and his grip tightened on the wheel.

"I know, Kellin's a dick, but you can't let it get to you. That's what he wants, because he's pissed off at you guys too," I said, but I didn't seem the lighten the mood at all. I reached forward, grabbing Alex's arm because I knew before when I did he relaxed. And I was right, his grip on the steering wasn't as hard anymore. "Just don't do anything stupid, okay?"

A crooked smile formed on his face and he shrugged his shoulders. "No promises."

I let go of his arm and leaned back into my own seat, blowing out a sigh. "I swear, Alex, I don't know what I'm going to do with you."

Alex pulled into my driveway and looked over at me, his half smile still on his face. "You really got yourself into trouble this time."

"Oh, God," I fake gagged at his lame pun before opening the door. "Don't you ever use that joke again."

"What?" Alex said, laughing at my reaction. "It was funny!"

I shook my head, closing the door behind me and waving him off. He offered a salute back at me before backing out of my drive way. As much as his pun sucked, it was true. I knew I was going to be getting into something big with Trouble-Makers, but honestly I didn't care. Not anymore, at least. I trusted them now.

Notes

Sorry for this lame/boring chapter. It gets better, I promise!

And thank you so much for your sweet comments<3