Tomorrow that old sun will rise
I'll be laying here by your side
A coffee cup and a good morning kiss or two

Though I now knew Jack was going to propose again, I didn’t have time to stress out over it even if I wanted to. The next few months were a bit...crazy to say the least. All Time Low was dropped, for starters. I was a little surprised, considering how hard the boys had been working to promote the album with as much touring and radio visits as they could. Now admittedly, some of the planned touring was botched thanks to little old me, but they still managed to do a surprising amount of touring, considering. Even with Jack’s reluctance to leave my side, the band completed two full tours around the states (and Canada) to promote Dirty Work. The record company, meanwhile, did almost nothing minus booking the guys an appearance on Conan and running a music video or two on MTV.

Their hard work the past year didn’t mean much, apparently, because shortly after the anniversary of the accident, Interscope decided to officially drop All Time Low, leaving them label-less. But, unlike the fears I’d felt when I heard of my own band’s situation with Fearless, Jack seemed far from worried. In fact, he seemed oddly excited.

“Alex already has a butt-load of songs written, don’t worry.” He told me once I expressed my concern over the news. “We’re even thinking about going over to Rian and Cass’ place to record some demos as a band, to rediscover our sound, you know?”

“Rediscover?” I scrunched my nose. “Did you guys ever lose it?”

He shrugged, sighing, “Well if you listen to some fans...”

I rolled my eyes. “Out of everyone, you guys have most consistently known who you are and what you can do. I wouldn’t listen to them, babe.”

“I know, but they’re a little right. We do sound pretty different from when we first started.”

I easily countered, “Okay first of all, when you guys started you were basically Blink 2.0 and now you guys actually have your own sound, and secondly it’s called evolution. It’s natural for bands to change as the years go by. Look at Green Day or hell, Panic! has changed their sound each record.”

“I guess you kind of have a point.”

“All I’m saying is there’s a balance. There’s nothing wrong with returning to your old sound to appease fans that think you guys’ve ‘lost your way’ or whatever, but don’t let that hold you back from making music that you want to either.”

Jack smirked, “Like I’d ever let anyone hold me and my friends back.”

“Well...good.” I smiled, proud that Jack was such a resilient person. “I know you guys’ll find your feet again.”

He glanced at me for a moment before continuing casually, “Speaking of bands finding their feet...any news on Midnight?”

I shrugged. “Well, Jo’s been talking to promoters in the area. We booked a few gigs but the opportunities certainly aren’t what they were before, especially since we don’t have our tour manager anymore. Did I mention it kinda sucks booking venues ourselves?”

“What about labels? Have you guys started looking around?”

“We’re looking at our options. I know Jo wants to get a meeting at Hopeless, but there’s also Fueled by Ramen which could be pretty awesome...”

His eyebrows shot up. “Fueled by Ramen? You’ve been talking to Pete again, haven’t you?”

I shrugged innocently, recalling the recent skype conversation I’d had with the bassist where he’d inquired as to how I’d been getting along with my new equipment. “Well, he wanted to know how the songwriting was going, so I showed him the demos I cut and he kinda-sorta loved it and offered to take it up to the execs at Fueled....”

“Really? That’s awesome, babe!” Jack grinned widely, looking proud that I’d impressed Pete that much that he’d offered to do such a thing. According to Jack, Pete was very opinionated when it came to music, and didn’t offer such things lightly, let alone after one listen. Even when Pete signed Brendon Urie and the rest of Panic! at the Disco, the singer had to basically annoy Pete into listening to the band’s demo.

So despite the fact that I was dancing on the inside for already getting as far as I had, outwardly I still tried to downplay my success. “It’s not a done deal or anything, but it’s still amazing, right? Just the opportunity to be on the same label as Paramore and Panic! would be pretty great.”

“You’d probably tour with them, too.” Jack pointed out.

“Fuck, I didn’t even think of that.” My eyes widened, unable to even fathom the idea of touring with Paramore and/or Panic!...I’d idolized both bands basically since they came out, so to get the chance to be on the same stage with them was nothing short of mind blowing. “Why am I terrified at that idea?”

“Oh, come on babe, you guys would kill it on stage with them.” Jack chuckled at my unwarranted nerves. “Though I would keep your distance from Brendon. He’s a bit of a flirt when he’s drunk.”

“...didn’t he just get engaged?”

He laughed again. “I doubt that would make a difference. He’s a cool dude but he does not know when to stop.”

At Jack’s persistent warning of Brendon’s character, I had to smile. “Aw, is someone prematurely jealous?”

My boyfriend immediately took the defensive. “What? No. I’m just saying--”

“--that I haven’t even been offered a deal, let alone signed one that would lead to such a situation where I’d be on a tour with Brendon Urie so there’s no need to freak yet. Is that what you’re saying?”

He blinked a few times before clearing his throat, his shoulders deflating. “Um. Yeah. That’s exactly what I’m saying.”

“Okay good. That’s what I thought.”

Another month went by.

It was June now and All Time Low had basically recorded a full albums’ worth of demos in Rian’s home studio. Midnight, meanwhile, had indeed been granted a meeting with the Fueled by Ramen execs in New York. It was pretty surreal, to be honest, going to the city to have a couple guys in suits listen to a couple songs we put together on a home computer. After all, the last time we’d met up with the big-wigs at a label, they’d been very casual in both their appearance and their attitude. So despite Fueled by Ramen technically being an independent label, to me, Jo, and the rest of the band, this was basically like falling into Narnia. Walking into the gigantic tower in NYC where the label was located, we honestly had no idea what to expect.

But against any doubt we might’ve had of our worthiness, they surprisingly loved it. They loved it so much in fact, that they offered us a contract on the spot. And, though we were eager to sign it right away, we held back, deciding to look over the contract thoroughly before making such a huge decision. While we did this, we also took a look at the other offer we got within the last month from Hopeless, the sister company to the very label that’d dropped us in the first place.

They made a tempting offer, giving us twice the freedoms that we’d had at Fearless, not to mention freedom to tour with whoever we wished (within reason, of course) regardless of label.

Yet, despite that tempting offer, Fueled by Ramen shot back with that and more. In fact, what really sealed the deal for us was the label’s promise to give us complete control in the recording studio. We’d make music for us. No one else. And after all the shit I’d been through, I wasn’t sure I could sing anything else.

So, after a bit of discussion amongst ourselves, that was it.

We were officially apart of the Fueled by Ramen family. And boy, were we eager to get back in studio and continue our career where we left off. Within a week of signing, we were booked in the studio, aided by none other than Pete Wentz in the producers chair. With his help, we put together a six-song EP, four of Jo’s songs, two of mine. We kept it raw, emotional and real. No frills, nothing that would take away from the messages of the songs. Because of this, the recording process didn’t take very long at all, wrapping up halfway through July, which left us with the rest of the summer to promote new music.

So guess what we did?

We went on Warped tour.

Now, we were pretty lucky we got in, considering by the time we asked to join, Warped had already begun. But, thanks to the fact that A) the guys that run it love us B) there was an opening half way through anyway thanks to a band leaving to do another tour and C) All Time Low doing Warped as well, there really was no question we wouldn’t get in.

This turned out to be a blessing, our decision to go on Warped. It was the first group of live shows we’d done in a while, minus a few shows in the Baltimore area, and I was a little rusty, to put it lightly, displaying my on-stage persona. With the new songs I was golden, but with the older ones...well one might say I was a bit...lackluster? I don’t know. It took a few shows, but eventually I got the hang of it again.

The other blessing, of course, was having Jack around. I knew I’d eventually have to return to my own touring life at some point, and I was a bit (okay, REALLY) nervous to not have Jack around post-incident. You know, just in case I had another break down and all.

But, low and behold, Jack and the boys decided to join the summer tour as well and things really couldn’tve been better. I had my band. I had my boyfriend. I had my friends.
I was truly living my life again.

“Holy fuck, it’s good to be back!” Jo exclaimed happily into the sky at no one in particular as we explored the venue for the day, some field in the middle of Virginia. It was our fifth show, and we were really beginning to get into the swing of things and damn, did we all miss it.

“We’ve been back for like, a week already.” Sam, ever the killjoy, pointed out.

I rolled my eyes. “Come on. Let her enjoy the moment.”

“Yeah, dude, let her take in the crowd of hot, sweaty teens who have probably been here since four in the morning and parents who don’t want to be here anyway.” Mark added with a cheeky grin. “It’s not like we don’t have anywhere to be. We’ve got loads of time to mingle.”

“Ooh, I’m up for some mingling.” Landon added, looking genuinely excited about chatting to the young concert goers.

“I don’t mingle.” Sam grumbled between his teeth, looking less than pleased that we’d abandoned the safety of our bus.

I glared at the bassist, not in the mood to cater to the ever grumpy man I called my friend. Putting on the sternest face I could muster, I lowered my voice to a dangerously even tone. “Sam, we’re going to walk around, and if we happen to chat to a couple of fans here and there, you’re going to put on a smile on that pretty little face of yours and you’re going to like it. Got it?”

He gulped, my no BS tone getting across to him just as intended. “Got it.”

Like a switch, I flipped on a cheery smile closer resembling my actual feelings towards the day, because despite taking a tone with Sam, I was truly happy to be back on Warped. Nothing was going to get me down.

“Sally!” Jack’s voice called out distantly from the crowd, stopping me mid-stride towards one of the long rows of merch tents. “Sally!”

“Jack?” I frowned, vaguely recalling the fact that the band’d had an early morning interview with an old friend of theirs which probably would be getting out right about--

“He’s right over there.” A girl, about sixteen pointed to the left of the crowd where, sure enough, Jack’s newly re-dyed skunk hair was plainly visible. “I love you, by the way.”

“Aw, thank you.” I smiled at the girl’s helpfulness. “For both finding my boyfriend and the compliment.” I paused, noting the small digital camera in the girls palm. “Would you like a picture?”

Her eyes widened as if she’d seen an angel or something. “If that isn’t too much trouble. I wanted to ask but I wasn’t sure if you were busy or anything--”

“Well I do have to go see what Jack wants, but I’m sure he won’t mind if I take a quick picture with you.” I assured her as I walked up to her, letting her set up the camera to the appropriate settings before snapping a selfie with me.

“Hey, the rest of us are here, too, you know.” Mark joked as he approached the girl, which instantly made her blush. She nodded, acting substantially more shy than she had with me the instant Mark entered the picture. She obviously had a crush on him, poor girl. I waved goodbye to the girl, watching as the rest of my bandmates (yes, even Sam) joined in chatting with the fan and snapping more pictures with her that I’m sure were going to be cherished for a long time. After all, I recalled a time not too long before when I went to Warped with Madison and met Benji Madden.

Here I am, years later and I still look back on that photo with fondness. I may be a singer in a band of my own, but I can still fangirl, okay?

“You called?” I asked nonchalantly as I waved Jack over to the small group of kids gathering around us. Naturally, their wide eyes only grew as they realized just who I was waving over, and only a few let out a tiny squeal or two of pure shock.

“Yeah, what’s up?” He smirked, bending down to steal a quick peck. “You aren’t busy, are you?”

I shook my head. “Nah, we’re just wandering around, enjoying people-watching and stuff.” I smirked, glancing briefly at the small audience of fans surrounding us. I lowered my voice just a hint as I leaned closer to my boyfriend. “Why?”

“I wanted to introduce you guys to a new band--label mates of yours, actually.” Jack explained, an excited smile plastered on their face. “They’re just wrapping up their set, but if we hurry we might be able to catch the last few minutes...”

Landon’s ears perked up at this. “Ooh, is it Panic? I’ve always wanted to see them live--”

“Nah, Panic isn’t playing Warped this year.” Mark corrected his friend before Jack could. “And neither is Paramore...maybe it’s Gym Class Heroes? Or The Academy Is...?”

“It’s a surprise is what it is.” Jack laughed, grabbing my hand and giving it a light squeeze before leading me away from the tiny group of fans that we’d been talking to only moments before. To them, he gave an apologetic smile and explained, “Sorry guys, but I gotta steal Sally and the guys away for a bit.”

“Awww...” A girl just a few feet in front of me with a mix of blue and pink hair pouted.

“We’ll be around later, alright?” I compromised, feeling bad for leaving so soon while at the same time, was genuinely curious who Jack was so anxious for us to see. “And catch us at Tilly’s stage after our set if you don’t see us before then--” I let out a small yelp as Jack tugged me along, pulling me further away from my previous destination in a quickened pace, the rest of my bandmates a step or two behind.

“Jack, it’s no big deal if we miss their set,” I tried to reason as we wove through the crowd, maneuvering ourselves as best we could, ignoring the occasional scream of shock omitting from a fan girl or two that we happened to pass by. “They’ll be around...”

Jack shook his head. “Believe me babe, you’ll want to catch their set every fucking time, they’re that awesome. It’s worth it.”

I bit my tongue, unsure the hype Jack was building would be worth running off so abruptly from our devoted fans, but nonetheless continued to let Jack lead me to one of the stages currently in use. We snuck around the back as the crowd was currently singing along to an admittedly catchy tune--though thanks to the loudspeakers being so close to us the actual words the singer was singing was too muffled to make out. It wasn’t until we found ourselves side stage (joining the rest of All Time Low, might I add) that I quickly realized why Jack had been so anxious to get me over here.

For starters, this band was only a two member group. A singer-slash-piano player and a drummer. I found this instantly noteworthy, considering Midnight was a five piece band and we’d still had issues at times figuring out the best way to get our music across in a live environment. These guys though? They were freaking pros. Stage presence alone, from the way the stage was set up with the drums on stage left and the piano on the right, to the way the lead singer ran around as he sang every word like it was his last, these dudes knew how to put on a show.

And don’t get me started on the song. It went every which way, incorporating things that completely came out of left field. One second the guy is singing and the next he’s rapping like the best of them.

The solution is, I see a whole room of these mutant kids
Fused at the wrist, I simply tell them they should shoot at this
Simply suggest my chest and this confused music, it's
Obviously best for them to turn their guns to a fist

“These are our new label mates?” I leaned over, speaking close to Jack’s ear so he could hear me over the noise.

He nodded, smirking, “They’re fucking awesome, right?”

I agreed, returning a nod as well as I watched their crew put together two drums in the center of the stage, miking them as well. Then the drummer and lead singer joined at the center of the stage, both taking a set of drum sticks and at this point it was obvious what was about to happen.

A drum battle.

I watched, jaw dropped as I watched, mystified at the sight in front of me. These guys were true showmen. True musicians. In short, they were, as Jack so perfectly put it, fucking awesome.

The song ended and the crowd roared as the music suddenly seised, the two men shooting up their arms, drumsticks in hand before taking a bow. The singer, looking almost as spent as the drenched looking drummer, waved to the crowd before putting the microphone to his lips one last time. “Thank you so much! We’re twenty one pilots and so are you.”

Then, they walked off stage. Right towards us.

“Amazing show, dudes.” Alex complimented the tired looking men as they grabbed a much needed water, chugging down at least half of the bottle before coming up for air.

The lead singer nodded, still finding enough energy to give Alex a genuine smile despite performing a full set in the hot summer heat. “Thanks, man. We really appreciate it.”

“Yeah, that was really a killer set.” Jack added, inching forward so the two men’s attention was now focused on him. “We actually have a surprise for you guys.”

The lead singers eyes perked up. “Oh? What’s that?”

Jack grinned, gesturing towards my bandmates and myself, who’d admittedly taken a step back or two since the two-piece band (twenty one pilots, was it?) had stepped off stage. After all, we all knew those moments post-show were pretty important to take a breather and calm down from the rush of pure adrenaline we musicians got from playing concerts. “I just wanted to introduce you guys to your new label mates. This is Midnight” Jack introduced us, a proud look on his face, “...they just signed to Fueled by Ramen last month.”

“Oh, nice to meet you.” The singer smiled at us, waving loosely as he did so. “I’m Tyler.” He bobbed his head towards his only bandmate. “That’s Josh.”

Josh, who struck me as the silent type, nodded politely, his dark eyes quietly observing us, and I could’ve sworn I saw him stare just a second or two longer at Jo. If she’d noticed though, she didn’t act like it. Instead, she stepped in front of us, sticking her hand out in greeting in front of Tyler. “Hey, I’m Jo.”

The singer took her hand and gave it a light shake. “It’s nice to meet you, Jo.”

“Likewise.” She smirked, releasing the man’s hand as she turned her attention towards his friend. She stuck out her hand again confidently. “And you’re Josh, right?”

He nodded, clearing his throat before he finally spoke. “That’s me.”

“Well you’re a beast on the drums, Josh.” Jo told him bluntly all while sporting a light airy smile. If you ever wanted to get a normally serious Jo to look happy, all you had to do was impress her with music. Nothing got that girl smiling faster than a catchy tune or watching a talented performance unfold in front of her, I’ll tell you. “The way you kept control of the songs was nothing short of impressive.”

Josh instantly blushed, tearing his gaze away from Jo’s as his eyes turned towards the floor. “Oh, well...thanks...”

Jo smirked, observing the way Josh seemed oddly shy about conversing over his obvious talent. Compared to many of the ego-centric asshole musicians Warped tended to attract, he was...different, that’s for sure. “Anytime, drummer boy.”

He shyly returned her smile before turning back towards Tyler who’d since struck up a conversation with my boyfriend about, of all things, Taco Bell...I guess they must’ve been hungry or something, talking about tacos randomly in the middle of the afternoon. “Uh, I’m gonna go get cleaned up.” Josh muttered before glancing back up at all of us. “It was really great to meet you guys.”

“I should really go, too.” Tyler sighed, scratching his sweat covered arm a few times before dropping his arms back down to his side. “We’ll try to catch your set later though, alright?”

“It’s only fair.” I chuckled, waving at the friendly singer. “See you around.”

As Tyler jogged off, I turned to the rest of my band. “Am I crazy or is that the best fucking thing I’ve ever seen in my life?”

Jack laughed at my over the top statement. “I told you it’d be worth it.”

Yeah, he really wasn’t kidding. “I can’t get over how much stage presence a two manned band managed to have. I mean...wow.”

“Wow is right...” Landon echoed, shaking his head in disbelief over the quality of show he just witnessed. “And that drummer; fuck if I didn’t feel a little intimidated by him.”

“Aw, don’t worry Lan’, we won’t kick you out of the band.” I laughed lightly over how seeing another, in his opinion superior, musician effected the baby faced member of our band.

“...yet.” Mark added, devilishly chuckling towards his bandmate.

Landon just gave him the finger, effectively ending the conversation.

“So we’ve got, what, two hours before we have to get ready for our set?” Jo casually began.

“Yep, and right after we’re watching All Time Low’s set.” I reminded her, nudging my boyfriend lightly with my own shoulder as I added, “They’re debuting a new song, remember?”

Jo’s makeup rimmed eyes widened as she recalled me telling her the very same thing earlier that morning. “Oh, right, we can’t miss that!” She smirked towards the four piece band we called friends. “...but anyway, as I was saying. We’ve got some time to kill, right?”

I nodded slowly, wondering just what it was Jo had up her sleeve. “Yeah...?”

“I think we should make things a bit more interesting, is all.” She shrugged, pausing for a beat as she turned back towards ATL. “You guys still have that card game on the bus?”

Rian nodded. “We generally don’t play it while sober--”

“And as much as we love getting our drink on, today really isn’t one of those days where we should perform drunk.” Jack added for good measure.

“Who says we can’t have fun with a little stupid game without alcohol?” Jo smirked. “Like, say, what if the winner gets to make the loser do something?”

I raised a curious brow, suddenly envisioning the plethora of ways this now enthralling game could end. “That does make it sound a bit more interesting...”

“So that’s a....” Jo began, eying the group of musicians in front of her as she patiently waited for an answer.

“Let’s do it.” Alex shrugged, his lips tugging upwards in a lazy half-smile. “What’s the worst that could happen?”

And off to the bus we went. Two hours later, Alex would live to regret those words as it turns out, the worst that could’ve happened was me beating his ass at cards, that’s what. And what did I decide to make my boyfriend’s best friend do?

I told him to dye his hair pink.

That’s right. Pink.

It may have had something to do with a similar, albeit drunken game the two of us had played a while back where he dared me to dye my hair that very same color. Drunk me listened and sober me woke up with a headful of cotton candy locks.

Not my best moment.

But now, I finally had my chance at sweet revenge, telling Alex that he’d have to sport the color for the rest of the tour. “Aw, fuck...” He groaned as I told him this. “Why did I agree to play against you, huh, Chris? I should’ve known you’d surprise me and whoop my ass.”

“It’s always the innocent ones you have to watch out for...” Rian joked, not looking all that sympathetic for his friend.

“Come on, dude. It won’t be that bad.” Jack smirked. “Who says a guy like you can’t rock the fuck out of pink hair?”

“Well...what shade are we talking, here?” Alex’s concerned eyes winced as he added, “It’s not gonna be the same shade your hair was, is it?”

I laughed, shaking my head. “Nah, I’m not that evil. Any shade of pink, okay? And considering how damn dark your hair is, it doesn’t have to be all of your hair, alright? I don’t wanna be responsible for all your hair falling out.”

“Thanks, I guess...”

Eventually our fun had to end, as the clock grew dangerously close to showtime. Reluctantly we put away the card game and, with a handful of newly agreed upon dares in our back pocket (including Jack sporting a One Direction shirt, Mark getting a tattoo and Jo being dared to kiss the next person she met.) This really wasn’t much of a dare, to be honest. Jo was always a very...confident person and to tell her to literally kiss a stranger was nothing to her. She did this almost the instant we walked off the bus, walking up to another band playing, We Are the In Crowd, introduced herself to the person right in front of her, and kissed her before she could even blink.

At the sight of two girls kissing, Landon’s jaw dropped, the very dare he’d given his friend turing out better than he every could’ve imagined, I’m sure. I never understood it... “Holy shit, she’s kissing Tay!” He half yelled, half whispered, whacking Mark a few times as if he too, wasn’t glued to the scene in front of him.

Jo pulled apart a few seconds later, waving the band off with a simple, “See you around...” before walking back over towards us. “What?” She tilted her head at the gaping mouths she was getting in return.

“You...you...and her....” Landon began, but seemingly couldn’t get out much more than that.

Jo rolled her eyes. “You said the first person I met. You never said they had to be a guy.” And with that, she nodded her head towards the direction of the stage we’d be performing on. “Anyway, you coming or what?”

The guys numbly nodded, while I jogged to catch up to her. “That was your plan all along?”

Jo nodded, smirking at me. “What? I like to mess with them on occasion. Certainly shut them up, didn’t it?”

I laughed, enjoying the peace and quiet behind us, the men in our band trailing us like zombies. “It really did...especially Landon. Did you see that look on his face?”

“He’s such a guy.” Jo laughed. “I mean, I kissed a girl. So what?”

“Yeah, and they know you’re bi, anyway. Logically, they should’ve seen this coming.”

“Since when are they logical?” Jo joked.

I had to laugh at this. “That’s true. As soon as you even begin to talk about being with another girl, it’s like those doofuses can only focus on one thing.”

“And now that one thing has given us some much needed silence.” Jo smirked victoriously.

I smiled back, thankful for my friend’s confident nature. “Good thinking.”

The silence only lasted so long, naturally. We were in a music festival, after all, and the guys could only shut their mouths so long before getting down to business. Though, I admit, even after they began to return to their normal selves, they still kept shooting the occasional glance at Jo, eyes widening slightly each time they did before a flush of embarrassment ran through their cheeks. Like, every time they looked at her that’s all they could see. Gone were the jokes and quips. There were no arguments, no whining about the humid weather...

Let’s just say, we never had a smoother running soundcheck.

Notes

Kinda-sorta filler chapter. Just life back on the road, really. Oh, and introduction to Tyler and Josh, who will be more involved later (probably in the next installment and/or spin off?) Songs used: "Guns for Hands" by TOP and "Easy Living" by Miranda Lambert. Enjoy!!!