7 years earlier.
I lit a cigarette and leaned up against the side of the 18+ club. I practiced my smoke rings as I waited for my friends to get done with their gig inside. We were all 16, and we weren't allowed inside. They were given special permission because they had a gig, but they had to leave as soon as they were done. I heard my phone ring, so I pulled it out and answered it with a casual "Hey, sup?"
"Yo, Bohannon, we're on our way out." I heard one of my friends, Matthew J. Flyzik say.
"I'm waiting by the back door," I sighed, throwing my cigarette butt on the ground and stomping it out. "Hurry the fuck up." I pulled my deep purple hair up in a pony tail and walked to the door as it opened. Five boys stepped out, four of them were dripping with sweat from the performance they had just put on. I took a guitar case from Alex and followed the others to the van. "So, how'd it go?" I asked, putting the case in the back of the van.
"Pretty good, I think they enjoyed it." Rian answered, loading his drums into the van. I smiled and got in the van. I sat in the middle seat with Jack, while Alex and Zack sat in the backseat. Rian took the passenger seat, and Flyzik got in the drivers seat.
"So, Liberty, what are you doing tonight?" Jack asked, laying his head in my lap. I pushed some sweaty hair out of his face and laughed.
"Oh, nothing really. I pretty much just wasted my night sitting outside of a club," I smiled, "Why?"
"Well, we were going to have a sleepover at Alex's, and we're going to stay up all night watching movies." Zack answered, leaning over the back of my seat.
"Count me in!" I laughed, getting out of the car as Flyzik dropped me off at my place. "Okay, I'll be over soon. You kids need to go home and shower, and I have shit I need to do. So, I'll see y'all in an hour or two. Kay?" I smiled, grabbing my backpack and putting it on my shoulder. I made my way up to my front door as the van drove away. I sighed and walked in the front door, using my key to unlock it first. I walked up the stairs and to my room, dropping my bag on the ground and going into my bathroom. I took a quick shower, and re-dyed my hair. The purple was starting to fade, so I fixed it. I threw on a pair of distressed skinnies, a Blink shirt, and my Vans. I put some shorts and a t-shirt in my backpack, and then put my essentials in it as well.
I got in my car and drove to Alex's house. Everyone else was already there, and they were arguing over what movie to watch. There were about 7 movies laid out on the table, and they were discussing which one was better while Jack was chanting 'Home Alone.'
Present
But that was almost 7 years ago. Nowadays I didn't see them anymore. They had become famous, and I had been left behind. You know, the usually sob story. Only, I wasn't crying about it. They were happy living their new life, and I was happy continuing my life in Maryland. Besides, I still talked to their families, who loved me. Their parents were all like godparents to me, since my parents were dead and all.
"Isobel? Peter?" I asked walking into the Gaskarth home. "Is anyone home?" I knew that whether or not anyone was home, they wouldn't care if I was here. They had given me and key and said come over whenever. I walked to the back door, and saw Isobel and Peter setting up for what looked like a party. I walked onto the back porch.
"Oh, hello Liberty!" Isobel smiled, hugging me. I hugged her back and then hugged Peter.
"What's all this for?" I asked, laughing. I was always in a good mood around them, they were the nicest people.
"The boys are coming home tonight!" Isobel cheered. I smiled, but on the inside my heart was racing a million miles an hour. I hadn't seen them in so long, what would they think of me?
"That's...fantastic. I haven't seen them in so long." I said, sitting down in a chair.
"Oh, I'm sure they miss you. You were all best friends, after all." Isobel sighed, sitting down next to me.
"Well, we'll just have to wait and find out, won't we?" I laughed, "But for now, let's get this party set up!"
We spent the rest of the morning getting the party set up. At 2:00 I went home and got changed. I took a shower, and then threw on a pair of shorts and a flowy green top. I straightened my now black hair and put on a little bit of make-up before heading back to the Gaskarth's. The boy's would be home at 5:00 and it was now 4:50. I parked about a block away and then quickly walked/ran to the house and into the backyard.
Everyone's parents and siblings were there, waiting to see their sons and brothers. I sat down and made conversation with May, Jack's sister.
I found out that Alex's girlfriend was there, her name was Lisa. I talked to her for a while, until she got a text from Alex that said he was home. Somehow they had gotten all of the guys to go to the Gaskarth's house, because suddenly the porch door opened and out popped Alex, Jack, Rian, and Zack. Except now they were all grown-up. I had seen pictures of them, of course. But this was different. This was in person.
I sat to the side and stayed quiet. I awkwardly avoided them, of course they were reuniting with their loved ones, and didn't notice me, so it wasn't hard to avoid them. Isobel came and sat next to me.
"They're handsome boys aren't they?" Isobel asked, leaning over and smiling. I nodded, staring at each boy.
"They are, you must be so proud of Alex." I smiled, taking a sip of beer.
"Oh, I am. I'm proud of all of them," She smiled. "I feel like they're my sons, as well. I'm also proud of you."
"Me?" I asked, looking at her like she was crazy.
"Of course. You've grown into a very head-strong, independant woman. I've watched you grow almost your entire life. It's amazing to see a child grow into someone so amazing." She smiled, taking my hand.
"Mom?" Alex asked, looking around.
"Over here honey!" Isobel smiled, waving Alex over with her free hand. He came trotting over, a big smile on his face. I tried to get up but Isobel wouldn't let me.
"Hey Mom," He smiled, then his eyes fell on me and he raised an eyebrow. "Who is this?"
"Liberty Bohannon." Isobel smiled. I heard a few conversations stop, and then all four boys were crowded around me, giving me hugs. We took about 3 hours catching up. They told me all about their lives as rockstars, and I told them all about my boring as hell life. I seemed really pathetic compared to them. They didn't seem to notice. Because to them, I think I would always be Liberty, the girl with purple hair that smoked and lit ants on fire. To me, they would always be: Alex, the smooth ladies-man. Jack, the loud and obnoxious one that you couldn't help but love. Rian, the sometimes mature, sometimes immature one. And Zack, the hilarious one that barely ever got to talk because of the other three bafoons. It would always be the five of us.
"LIBERTY! I FUCKING MISSED YOU!" Jack squealed, picking me up off the ground in a giant bear hug.
"I missed you too, Jack." I laughed, fixing my hair.
"Your hair isn't purple anymore." Alex frowned.
"We liked the purple hair!" Zack whined. I laughed and hugged my boys. I had missed them so much.
"Sleepover tonight?" Rian asked, smiling.
"Totally!" We all smiled. Everyone else was just looking at us like we were crazy, because we were.
"Stop it!" I giggled, smacking Alex's hand as he messed with my hair. They had convinced me to dye it purple again during our sleepover.
"So, who's your man candy?" Jack asked, dropping his body down beside mine on the couch. I looked over at him and my face turned red.
"No one." I smiled, shaking my head.
"LIAR!" Alex and Jack screamed, pointing at me.
"Guys, leave her alone about it." Rian laughed, "So, Liberty, did you ever get to fuck Walker O'Bryan?" He winked.
"You wanted to fuck Walker?" Alex asked, his caterpillar eyebrows shooting up to hide behind his hair. I blushed and nodded.
"In our like Junior year, when he had that really sexy long hair." I bit my lip. "Unf, I would've done him in a heartbeat. But no Rian. He's married and has a kid."
"Hey, what happened to Travis?" Zack asked. He was the only one I had really kept contact with after they became big-shots, sure I talked to the other guys, but only for like a year after they got big. I talked to Zack for about two years before we parted ways. I had told him about a guy I had started dating, and I had completely forgotten I had even mentioned it to him.
"Travis who?" Jack asked, smirking.
"Travis Miller. Remember him? He had shaggy black hair, and those amazing blue eyes?" I asked, smiling.
"Oh yeah, him." Alex nodded. "He was such a man-slut."
"Oh, and you weren't?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at him.
"No." He answered, looking away from me. We all laughed. It was like old times.
"So, you dated Travis." Jack started snickering.
"Shut up, he's a nice guy." I blushed. Truth was, I was still dating Travis. "Not going to lie, he knows how to treat a girl right."
"Oh, really?" Alex snickered along with Jack. I nodded and grabbed my iPhone. I checked to see if I had any messages, I had three. One of them was from Travis, one was from my boss, and the last one was from my friend January, who we simply called Jan. I was in the middle of replying to Trav's message when Alex took my phone from me.
"Hey now, no texting. We're trying to catch up here!" Alex laughed, then he looked down at my phone. I looked up at me and raised his eyebrow. "Care to explain?" I took my phone from him and sighed. I read the message to myself.
Travis: Hey baby, you're not home, where are you?
Liberty: Jack, Alex, Rian, and Zack are in town, and I'm visting them. I'm staying the night at the Gaskarth's, it's something we used to do when we were kids. I'll see you tomorrow, kay? I love you.
"I already told you, I'm dating Travis." I explained, looking him in the eyes.
"No, you said dated." Alex was staring me down.
"Jack said dated." I retorted.
"You didn't correct him!" Alex accused.
"I didn't think it was that important!" I threw my hands up, and walked into the kitchen to get a drink. I ran my hand through my hair and sighed. I heard someone come into the kitchen and turned to see Alex. "What?" I asked, glaring at him.
"Really Liberty, Travis fucking Miller?" Alex asked, his voice raising just a little bit.
"Yes, what is so fucking bad about Trav?" I asked, raising my voice as well. I was starting to get really pissed at him. It was my business, I didn't question him about Lisa.
"Well...he's...I just...you're not good together!" Alex yelled, slamming his hand on the counter.
"Oh really? Well you and Lisa aren't good together, either." I spat, walking around him and out of the kitchen. I got my shit out of the living room and wiped my cheeks from where frustrated tears had escaped my eyes.
"Lib, where are you going?" Zack asked, getting up and stopping me as I started out the front door.
"Home. I'm sorry guys, we can hang out tomorrow. As long as you leave that asshole at home." I apologized before walking out of the house and out to my car. I threw my bag in the passenger seat, started the car, and drove to Travis's house. I walked inside, knowing that the front door would be open.
"Hey Lib," Travis greeted me, but stopped when he saw how angry I was. "What happened?"
"Alexander William Gaskarth is the biggest asshole I have ever met in my life, and I hope I never see him again." I replied, falling into his open arms and crying on his shoulder.
Okay, I have one thing to say about this chapter: I don't actually think Alex and Lisa are bad together. I think they are the absolute cutest couple ever, and I think Lisa is a really nice girl. Just wanted to clear that up. Adhkfsldkf. Has anyone heard the Dirty Work mash-up? It's amazing, I think I'm in love. Uhm, review? Yes, review. Also, if there are any stories that you really like that I haven't updated in like forever, will you please tell me what they are so I can update them? Kay thanks. Whoever is reading this, whether I know you or not, I fucking love you, and I want to have your babies. ;D Now I'm done being a creep.