Running From Lions: Introduction
As I folded the last of my clothes & placed them into my suitcase, I reflected on my years in this town. So much had happened. I had experienced my father's battle with & loss to cancer that ended when I was barely fourteen, a handful of rocky relationships, & my dearest guy friend's suicide when I was sixteen. Six years having passed since that final day, things are different now. Tomorrow, my best friend, Hannah, & I are departing for our first tour, after having graduated from Full Sail University. Our boss, Reggie, said he had us lined up to co-manage a band on tour, and refused to tell us any more than that, and that we would have a great time, despite our nerves. Since it was our first tour, we'd be working side-by-side with an already established and seasoned tour manager. We slithered into the bed we had shared at her house during our teenage years, the bed we hadn't returned to in quite some time. I drifted off to sleep with a million questions flying through my mind.
The alarm blared, jolting me from my slumber, yet leaving me foggy. Fuck, I thought. It was barly 4:30am, and we had a flight to catch. Hannah and I shared a warm, secret smile, and rose to dress for the occasion. I slipped into some ripped up skinny jeans and my tour shirt from Gamechangers, back during my senior year. It was my security blanket in unsure times. We gathered the last of our bags, stuffed our feet in worn and torn Converse, and hugged warm goodbyes with her family. We piled our things into my Outback and drove excitedly out of her quaint neighborhood. We spent the next two hours on our way to the airport, blasting All Time Low and chatting hopefully of our upcoming adventure. After having settled onto the plane, I stuffed my earphones in and stared out the window, humming along to my favorite song, wondering what I was about to face...
We've got these big city dreams...
Running From Lions: Chapter One
We had landed. Hannah and I snatched up our carry-ons and filed out into the airport. Reggie was waiting for us with two bouquets of flowers.
"Welcome to Baltimore, ladies, " he said with a kind smile. "Go on and fetch your things, and we'll get a move on."
We did as we were told and stepped out into the mild Maryland air.
"You guys will be leaving as soon as we can get you to the bus and settled in, " Reggie informed us.
"So quickly?" Hannah's little voice peeped.
"Welcome to tour life. Get your shit and get out," Reggie was a smart ass with a tendency to use Jeff Dunham jokes in completely inappropriate settings.
We chuckled and sunk into the seats of my car, the transportation fees for which wonderful Reggie had paid. He put the address of our destination into my GPS system and I hit the gas. Our destination, as it turns out, was an empty gas station parking lot. I swung in, noting the large black tour bus. The reality of what was about to happen was finally sinking in.
"Wait here," Reggie instructed. I turned to face Hannah, and we both shrugged and stayed where we were. Five or so minutes later, he returned.
"They're ready for you. Keys?"
"You swear on your life you'll take care of my baby? So much as a scratch, and I swear to God..."
"I swear! I fucking swear!" He yelled, laughing, as I jabbed him in the arm with my index finger. I wrestled him into a hug.
"I'm gonna miss you, man," I murmured into his shoulder.
"Hey, it's only a month. You'll have fun, I promise."
We said our final goodbyes, and Hannah and I grabbed our bags and made our way to the bus at the far end of the lot.
"Hello?" I called as I stuck my head into the open door.
"Well hey there," a somewhat familiar voice returned from inside.
I stepped up and peered inside to find the man who had spoken.
"Hi, I'm Alex," he said with a friendly grin.
"H-h-hiiii. Oh my God! WHAT THE FUCK!" I squealed. I turned to Hannah and we shared a look. Fucking Reggie!
"Surprise!" Alex exclaimed, chuckling to himself at our excitement.
I held out my hand to him.
"It's seriously so amazing to meet you," I admitted sheepishly, blushing. "I'm Laura, and this is my best friend, Hannah. We've been huge fans for most of our lives. I still cannot believe this opportunity."
Hannah shook his hand next, blushing, and seeming to be beyond words. Finally, she spoke.
"I'm Hannah. It's so great to meet you!" She squeaked with excitement.
"It's wonderful to meet you both! Why don't you come inside to meet the rest of the gang. I'll grab your things and bring them in for you," Alex offered.
We made our way into the bus, and were nearly barreled into by a barrage of dudes.
From Zack, to Jack, to Matt, Danny, and Evan, the guys introduced themselves one by one, each offering a warm hug. We had embarked on an adventure and there was no telling what would happen next.
the dedication takes a lifetime, but dreams only last for a night...