The next tour date wasn’t for a few days, but the bus kept moving along, trying to make it to the next city, which bewildered me. How could the driver go so long? I climbed down from my bunk, sore and exhausted from the lack of sleep I had gotten the night before, grabbed a set of clothes and headed for the bathroom. Alex was waiting outside, his arms folded impatiently.
“Oh no,” he said, shaking his head. “It’s my turn next, Max.”
I knew I shouldn’t antagonize him, but I somehow couldn’t resist. “Haven’t you ever heard of ladies first?”
“Well, when there’s a lady, I’ll be sure to do that,” he replied.
Ouch. “Look, I know you’re pissed about the bunk, but that doesn’t give you much reason to hate me.”
“I never said I hated you. I tolerate you,” he stated.
“Wow, isn’t that reassuring?” I said sarcastically.
“Well what the fuck do you want from me?!” he demanded.
Just then, the bathroom door swung open and none other then Jack emerged. “Chill out you both. Go ahead, Maxine.”
“What the fuck?” Alex questioned.
Jack smiled sheepishly. “Ladies first.”
I grinned with victory and trotted into the bathroom, catching a glimpse of Alex glaring in my direction. I quickly dressed, trying to save myself from Alex’s irritation, believe it or not. I didn’t bother to look at him as I fled, and I rushed to the main part of the bus and flopped down on the couch, taking up its entirety. All the guys were around me, minus Matt and Alex.
Jack was sitting in a chair just across from me, eating a bowl of Captain Crunch cereal. “So you’re into Blink, but what’s your favorite band?”
“Green Day,” I said. “I wouldn’t like half the music I do if it weren’t for them.”
“Cool. Have you listened to any of our stuff?” He asked, a mouth full of cereal.
“Quite a bit actually. You guys aren’t bad at all,” I replied.
He nodded and paused, looking thoughtfully at his spoon before he spoke again. “Okay, your first assignment is to look up Million Dollar Houses by Pierce The Veil. I think you’ll like them, or at least that song.”
“Toss me that pen,” I stated, gesturing to the table. He did as such and I wrote on my assignment on my hand. “There. Now I won’t forget.”
Alex suddenly entered the room, wearing something new and his hair still wet. He immediately looked at me, being all sprawled out on the couch, and rolled his eyes. “Move your ass so I can sit.”
“Why? There are chairs over there,” I pointed out.
“Why do you have to take up the whole goddamned couch?” he retorted.
I sighed and stood up from the couch, but I blocked him before he could sit down. “Why do you have to be such an asshole?”
“Be quiet guys; We’re watching the animals in their natural habitat,” Rian said in a loud whisper.
“I can’t tell if they’re gonna punch each other or fuck,” Jack added.
It suddenly occurred to me how close we were. His face was a mere few inches from mine, his warm breath hitting my face. I briefly glanced at his lips before my eyes darted back up to meet his. I wondered what it would be like if I leaned, felt his lips press against mine and returned the favor. I felt my cheeks go red, and silence filled the room as Alex and I continued our staring contest.
“Forget this,” he said, snapping me from my trance. “I’ll be in my bunk if you need me.”
He stalked off down the hallway, and I finally let out the breath I had apparently been holding and sat back down on the couch, 3 pairs of eyes resting on me. I couldn’t speak, or even think, about what had just happened. What had just happened? Were we fighting, or almost kissing? I mean, WHAT?!
I had never been so confused. I had never really had the urge to kiss anyone, but suddenly, the boy who hated me had my attention. Did this mean that I had a crush on Alex Gaskarth? Great. This was obviously going to turn out well.
I ignored the piercing eyes of the boys and instead grabbed one of my books and immersed myself in it, trying to forget what had happened. Why had he managed to fill my thoughts so quickly? Jack was just telling a joke, and here I was, taking it seriously. Why did I have to over think things? Why did jack have to make that joke? Why did Alex have to hate me so much?
I resolved to go talk to Alex, setting my book down and slowly creeping down the hallway. I just stood there for a moment, terrified and unsure of what I was about to do. I kneeled down (since his bunk was the one under my own) and tossing open the curtain separating us, cringing from what I was about to face.

Notes

CLIFFHANGER!!!!!!!!!!