You'd think, that after a year, I'd be used to San Diego's funky weather. Especially since I lived in Maine originally, but all San Diego did, was give me a poor judgment of the seasons. It always felt like spring and summer. I guess that's why I didn't really realize it was December, because it just didn't feel like it.
"What do you think the big news is? Maybe someone wants to sign us?" Carson suggested, as we all sat around in our living room. Ryan shook his head.
"Jeff sounded excited, but not that excited." Ryan muttered, as he scratched his little stubble, that had taken him months to grow out. Chelsea sighed.
"I bet it's just another tour." She suggested. I shrugged and pushed back some of my hair.
"Jeff never sounded that excited when he announced other tours. He would have just called and told us if it was a tour." I reminded Chels, as thoughts of our last tour with Chiodos, Silverstein, and Escape The Fate filled my head. He had just called Ryan and asked him if that lineup would work, which he said yes to without thinking, or asking the rest of us; but it wasn't a problem. Seeing as how we loved all three bands and it was a huge opportunity to get our name out there, and our music. We had only released our EP the week before we, were asked to join that tour.
"Jess is right. Jeff was nonchalant that last time." Ryan agreed, backing me up. Chels looked doubtful. Carson sighed this time.
"Jeff really needs to hurry his ass up and get over here. He texted me over half an hour ago, telling me he was on his way over." He grumbled, as he stood up and stretched.
"Just relax. He'll get here, when he gets here." I finally said, after a few minutes of silence. "It's San Diego, not Oakland, of course it's going to take him a while."
Nobody said anything more. We all just sat around in silence. I stood up and decided to go clean the kitchen, seeing as there was nothing else to do, plus I couldn't stand the smell of rotting food wafting into the living room any longer. Damn Ryan, and his Taco Bell obsession.
After about an hour of washing dishes, tossing food, and shoving stuff into the, practically over loaded trash can; the kitchen was complete. I was wiping the counter down, when Chelsea walked into the room.
"Ah, that's where you disappeared to." She chuckled, as she leaned against a counter. I nodded and felt myself blush.
"I know it's crazy, just, I'm anxious." I replied with a sigh, as I set the wash cloth beside the sink.
"Just relax. He'll get here, when he gets here." She mimicked, which caused me to push her a little. She only laughed.
"Shut up." I hissed, as I grabbed the two visible ends of the bag. I pushed more garbage down, but as I went to tie the two ends together, everything came tumbling out.
"Here, let me get Ryan or Carson to do it." Chelsea suggested. I shook my head.
"No, it's fine!" I replied, as I tried and failed again.
"I'm getting them." She snorted, as she left the room. I rolled my eyes and followed her.
"I don't need help." I insisted, but she shook her head.
"Ryan, help Jessica with the—oh!" She chirped, as Carson walked into the living room, Jeff at his side.
"Jeff, hey." I smiled, as Chelsea and I plopped on the floor beside the couch. Jeff sat down next to Carson and Ryan sat in his usual spot, in the old green recliner.
"Hey Jess, so I'm guessing Ryan told you I was coming?" He sighed, as he gave Ryan a look. Ryan just shook his head, causing his hair to flop away from his face. "I wanted it to be a surprise, I was coming, but whatever. You didn't tell them, did you?"
Ryan shook his head. Carson, Chelsea, and I all shot Ryan a look. "You knew the whole time dude?!" Carson shouted. Ryan's cheeks turned a little red.
"I'm sorry. Just he-"
"Okay," I began "I can't stand not knowing! Just fucking tell us!" Chelsea and Carson nodded their heads in agreement. Jeff just sighed and shot Ryan a dirty look before clearing his throat.
"You guys are going to Warped Tour." He said slowly. I jumped up instantly, while Chelsea and Carson sat there frozen.
"Are you serious!?" I nearly screamed. I jumped up and down, squealing. "This is fucking amazing!" I screamed. Chelsea and Carson began clapping and cheering. Ryan just continued on smiling.
"Ryan already confirmed it." Jeff muttered, with a little shake of his head. The smile that was spread across his face began to fade.
"That's fine!" Chelsea shouted, as she jumped up to join me in screaming and jumping. We jumped around and squealed for a while before we came to a stop, once we realized that Jeff looked upset about something. "What's wrong?"
"Yeah, really?! Playing Warped will be great for us!" I chuckled. Jeff just scratched his head. He looked around at the each of us before focusing on me. "What's the matter?" I asked, as I stopped jumping. The smile was still painted across my face.
"Ryan, didn't even know any of the bands that are going." He said slowly. I raised my eyebrows and crossed my arms.
"So?" Carson asked. Jeff looked at his lap for a few minutes before looking up again, but he was looking straight at me again. I felt my hands grow sweaty.
"Pierce The Veil and A Day To Remember are also coming." He nearly whispered. I felt my cheeks grow hot, and anxiety fill my chest. I froze.
"Oh." Muttered Carson and Chelsea, the disappointment was very clear in their voices. My mind ran back to Taylor and the trial. I blinked after a couple of minutes of staring Jeff down.
I moved my eyes away from Jeff to Carson, Chelsea, and then to Ryan. Who was now frowning. "Jessica, I'm sorry, if I had know-"
I shook my head and cut Ryan off. "Don't apologize." I muttered. I felt myself grow sick, as I looked at my band mates and even Jeff. They knew this was a once in a life time chance, it could finally get us signed, and get our name out there again. It was a chance to repair our broken reputation, sure other tours helped too, but Warped was the biggest tour in the scene. There was no way we could get away with not going. I had invested too much of my life into music, to quit so soon into our career. I'd just have to forget and leave the past behind.
"As I said, this was a great opportunity, we can't pass it." I said, slowly. Chelsea gave me a look.
"You're just starting to feel better Jess, are you sure you want to risk that all again?" She whispered. For a second I didn't know what she was getting at, but then images of my mental state after the verdict and before the trial came into mind again.
"I'll be fine. I'll just ignore them, besides, they'll be playing main stage anyway, right?" I replied. Jeff popped his head up and smiled. I forced a smile. "Then I'm down for it if you guys are." I nodded. I looked at each of my band mates and watched them nod, much to my disappointment.
My emotional problems had stalled the band for far too long now. It was what really kept us from writing and doing all the other stuff we should have done after the trial. It was me who kept the band from progressing due to my mental state. I couldn't do that to my band again. Besides, it had been two years now. I couldn't keep living in the past, I had to move forward, no matter how much it killed me inside.
I'd have to face Jeremy and Vic again eventually, especially if we wanted to stay relevant in this scene.
A/N: I'm sorry about the long delay with this chapter. :/ I got some writers block with this surprisingly, because I kept feeling like I should have made this chapter longer, but finally I was like whatever, and just decided to go with what I had. I should be updating more frequently now. :p