“So what’s this girl’s name?”
Alex jerked his head to look at Zack. A girl? He wasn’t expecting that, he didn’t even think they were allowed to let an underage girl on the bus. He groaned, missed the name, his foul mood dropped further and he zoned out, something which he had mastered over the years. Jack was making a slapdash name sign, colouring in the haphazard block capitals with a fading sharpie. Alex read it; Heron. Cool name. Alex shook it from his head, a fucking teenage girl on the bus, what could be worse? Invading their privacy, leaking pictures, and leaking secrets. What’s more, his bandmates seemed excited by the approaching presence of the girl, which angered him further. Matt glanced at him in the rearview mirror, catching his eye. 

“She’s signed a contract, you know.” He stated, as if that would change anything, “She, legally, basically cannot do anything we tell her not to.”
Alex shrugged nonchalantly. Matt rolled his eyes, thinking the frontman was acting like a child, and focused on the dark road ahead.

“Why do we have to pick her up, anyway?” Alex grumbled.
“It’s called common courtesy, man, I expect you’ve never heard of it.” Rian laughed, hitting him lightly on the shoulder. 

“Where’s she gonna sit?” Alex asked again, looking around at the more-than-filled seats. Matt looked into the rearview again, at the three boys in the back, and glanced at Rian in the passenger seat. Apparently this hadn’t crossed his mind when he had picked a sedan to retrieve the girl.

“I’ll figure something out.” He winked at Alex in the mirror. Alex felt his insides boil angrily, and he returned to scowling at the blurred highway.

***

Annabelle Heron stepped off her flight, shaking like a leaf, and followed the tired crowd round to the baggage claim. It was the first time she had been in an airplane, and she had been intensely frightened. Luckily there had been a lovely lady sitting next to her, who, kindly, had offered some words of encouragement. Now, however, she was alone. She had not slept well the night before and she was feeling the exhaustion which had been temporarily dazzled by excitement, nervousness. She finally spotted her small brown suitcase, lugged it off the carousel, and, clutching her passport, followed the crowd, once again, to the exit. She watched people disappear through sliding doors, and heard the screech of loved-ones before they closed once more. She swallowed, the familar but uncomfortable butterflies swelling up inside her, took a deep breath and walked through. People were clutching a rail two metres in front of her, a whole crowd pressing against the metal, it was like being on stage. She blushed and ducked her head, choosing to turn right, and following the clear space away from the families and friends waiting for their own tired traveller. Once on the edge of the crowd she started to look around, finally spotting a sign which held her last name. She regarded the men holding it as she walked towards them. All five were wearing hoodies with the hoods pulled up. She gulped, this was them. Her legs turned to jelly as she approached.

Seeing them in the flesh was something she could never have imagined, they looked scruffy. Her heart was beating hard. She swallowed again, painted on a confident smile as she reached them.
"Hi." She said in a small voice. A man she guessed was Matt Flyzik stuck out his hand after scrutinizing her a moment.

“I’m Matt, and you must be Annabelle Heron.”
She smiled and shook his strong hand tentatively. Jack surprised her as he caught her in a hug, introducing himself loudly, and bounced away to nudge Alex. Annabelle did not notice the nudging as she was too busy being introduced to Rian and Zack.
“And over there, that’s Alex. He’s mean.” Rian told her, as if Annabelle had no idea who Alexander Gaskarth was, and poked his tongue out at the singer. Annabelle smiled, wary of coming off as a fangirl.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you all!”
They all expressed replies, other than the sullen Alex, and Zack took Annabelle’s suitcase, much to her dismay. As she was ushered along by the boys, she glanced at Alex from under her lashes. He was hunched over, glowering at no one in particular. She couldn’t help but wonder what had got his knickers in a twist. Soon she forgot about the grumpy singer, as Jack started asking incessant questions.

“So we don’t know all the much about you.” He sidled up to the tiny girl, “you’re gonna have to fill us in.”
She smiled obligingly, inviting him to continue.
“How old are ya? Grade, what? Twelve?”
Annabelle slowly, shyly, shook her head, “Grade eleven.” To them, she realised, she must seem so young and immature. Jack didn’t seem bothered.
“Eh, close enough.” He smiled, shrugging. Alex, however, was extremely disgruntled. He regarded the girl from under his hood, she was fragile, frail. Shaking slightly, in the presence of, potentially, her idols. She was too young. He caught up with Flyzik who was walking briskly in front of the pack.
“She’s too young.” Alex growled.
“It’s only two weeks.” Matt glanced at the three boys and Annabelle, who were trailing behind, chatting animatedly, “Besides, she’s charming. Why don’t you at least make an effort to make a nice impression on the poor kid.”
“Poor-?!” Alex began to protest but was cut off by Matt’s hand swinging dangerously close to his face.
“Cut it out.” He snapped, “Stop being such a big baby.”
Alex huffed, and speeded ahead as they reached the too-small car in the parking lot. Matt quickly devised a plan, but the three other boys were already ahead of him. Alex was sitting in the car by the time they reached him. The other boys jostled each other to jump in as well, leaving Matt, and Annabelle standing awkwardly, beside the vehicle. Matt sighed, winking at the boys inside the car.

“Annabelle, is going to have to sit on Alex.” He stated smiling down at the girl, addressing her, “As long as you don’t mind, of course.”
Annabelle could only stutter as Alex began to protest. Zack cut him off with a punch in the shoulder.
"Ow! What the fuck!"

“Yeah, you too need to break the ice or something.” Rian smiled sweetly, ignoring his scowling bandmate. Annabelle mumbled something about being able to squish in, no problem.
“Nonsense!” Matt exclaimed and quickly picked her up, suddenly surprised by her non-existent weight, and plonked her onto the frontman’s lap - passing the surprise to him as well.
“I’m so sorry, Alex... I mean I’m probably too heavy- uhm...” Annabelle stumbled, sitting awkwardly on bony knees as Matt strapped them both in with a wink. Annabelle was blushing bright red, and it made the situation made the band snigger. Alex pressed his back into the hard seat, as Annabelle did her best to keep as much of her weight off him as possible, causing her legs to start trembling slightly. The ride home encountered much traffic, and the poor, exhausted girl slowly let her eyes slip shut, slipping further into Alex.

Alex felt the moment she relaxed completely, her lolling head almost banged against the windowpane, he caught it with his hand, pressing her into his shoulder. He felt bewildered, noting that she had tried to keep her weight off him, and even more still that she was still so light. He let his defenses drop, seeing that the only other awake was Matt at the wheel, grumbling about the traffic. He rearranged the girl, clipping the seat belt only around him, and cradled her in his arms, her head warm and reassuring in the crook of his neck. He caught Matt’s eyes in the rearview mirror. He pursed his lips, but didn’t loosen his grip on the photographer as he snapped his head away from his accusing boss.

***

Annabelle awoke to a forgotten sensation. She was being carried. She peeked out from under her lashes and was met with Alex Gaskarth’s scruffy, stubbled chin. She swallowed, hoping it wasn’t audible, and debated beginning to protest and insist on walking. She decided to pretend she was still asleep; it wasn’t everyday that one could say they were being carried around by the frontman of their favourite band.

Alex reached the bus and gently tucked her into his bunk, opting to sleep on the couch in the lounge. He passed Zack on the way to the bathroom, who smirked at him but said nothing. Jack and Rian were sitting on the couch drinking beer. He joined them, grabbing a bottle from the fridge. They stared at him.
“What?” He growled.
“Nuthin’.” They retorted in unison. He narrowed his eyes at them.
“I like her.” Jack smiled at Rian happily.
“Don’t get too carried away, she’s probably still illegal.” Alex rolled his eyes at his friend.
“Not like that! Besides she’s 16, not illegal at all, if you’re interested, lover boy.” Jack laughed. Alex was not amused, which just caused his two bandmates to laugh harder.
“What’s up?” Zack asked, “Alex confess his undying love yet?”
This brought on a fresh onset of cackling from his band. He was seriously regretting his decision to be nice to the girl already. He knew that jokes like this would continue to come thick and fast.
“Can you just leave so I can go to sleep?” He sighed, finishing the dregs of his beer.
“What, you sacrificed your cum stained bunk for her? Alex you’re so sweet!” Jack finished in a, surprisingly, girly voice as he walked out of the room. Alex grunted, refraining from punching his lights out, and pulled up a blanket, snuggling down under it.

***

Two hours later, his mind was still racing - the girl, frustration, anger - whizzing round his head. He knew he was in for another sleepless night.