The next week and a half, the bands made their way all throughout Texas. The first show after was in Lebanon, Missouri; hometown of Kasey.
Austin and Kristen hadn't spoken since the night he helped her with the girls in the parking lot, much to Austin's dismay.
She spent the entire day with Kasey; meeting fans and hanging out with his old friends and enjoying herself.
Austin watched from afar, not sure if it hurt him or not to see her happy. After what Alan said last night, he was worried about anyone being around her. Who knows, what if in a couple days she started dating Kasey? That thought definitely made him uneasy. Sure, they'd been friends for a while, but so have she and Austin, and now look where they are.
All day, Austin felt as if something was up. Something was going to happen. He just didn't know what.
...
The crowd cheered loudly as The New Revolution finished one of their songs.
They took in the energy, and just watched the crowd for a few moments before Kristen started speaking.
"So, tonight, we've decided to change it up a bit. Usually we end things on an angry-ish note, but I've been feeling kind of down lately. This song is by the amazing Ed Sheeran, and it's called U.N.I."
Austin had perked up as soon as she had mentioned a new song.
He listened intently as she sang, and had to keep himself from tearing up. She had to be singing this to him.
"Our last kiss, it was perfect but we were nervous on the surface. And I'm always saying every day that it was worth it, pain is only relevant if it still hurts…"
He kept the tears away, but he felt himself feel weak and limp hearing how she felt.
He stared at the ground as she continued singing.
As she sang the last couple lines, he looked at her from across the stage with sad eyes.
"You and I ended over U N I. And I said that's fine, but you're the only one that knows I lied."
His mind went blank when he saw her look right at him.
I said that's fine, but you're the only one that knows I lied.
...
"We have one song left, but I'd just like to say one thing first." Austin said slowly before the band could start the final song.
"Not gonna name any names, but there is someone out there and I just want you to know, if I was gonna go somewhere, I'd be there by now." He took a quick breath. "I haven't said I was fine since this started. You say that there's no way we'll ever work it out. So I'd like to know, am I close to you anymore if it's over? Can you really just throw away a connection like ours?"
Austin was well aware that he was probably confusing pretty much everyone at this point, so he figured he should probably wrap it up.
He looked across the stage, and saw glassy blue eyes staring back at him. He hit home.
Staring right back at her, he spoke softly into the microphone. "She loved you, but never more than I did. This song is called Second & Sebring."
...
When the song was over, Austin went straight to Kristen.
"Really?" She asked. Her tone sounded more hurt than anything.
"It doesn't have to be over, Kristen."
She let out a frustrated sigh and quickly ran down the nearby hallway.
Silently, Austin followed. He had no idea where she was going. The walls began to look unfamiliar and he was sure this hadn't been around early. Maybe he was going crazy, but he followed her.
She stopped at the end of the hall and opened a door, not even bothering to close it.
He watched her drop to her knees and start crying.
"Kristen," He pleaded.
She twisted around and stared at him shock. "Why are you here?"
"Because we need to talk."
"There's nothing to say."
"There is plenty to say! I need you back in my life. I can't do this anymore."
"You can't? Austin, I'm a fucking wreck without you!" She cried out. She was sick of holding everything in. It was about time that ten years of held in emotions came out.
"I'm not doing much better." He replied calmly.
She scoffed. "I don't believe that for a second."
"Really? Ask Alan. Tony. Anyone. I've been miserable ever since you told me we couldn't be friends anymore. Do you know how bad it hurt to think I lost you?"
"Not as much as it hurt me to know that I lost you a long time ago."
"Kristen," He stepped closer to her. "You never lost me."
"I never had you."
His struggled to keep breathing. "You've had me since 6th grade. I just never knew it."
"Yeah, well I did. I've always known it. But you moved on and here I am crying over someone who never wanted me to begin with!"
"Kristen!"
"I love you, Austin!" She screamed with tears streaming down her face. "I love you so fucking much. I've never wanted anything except you. Do you even understand how easily you broke my heart during this tour? Before, it was always my fault. I lost every chance I had to tell you. But I had hope. This tour, I would finally tell you. Then the first day, as soon as I see you, you're making out with some girl! That hurt!"
"I'm sorry! I didn't know back then!"
"It was a month ago!"
He moved closer again, to where he was right against her, looking down at her red face. "It took you leaving to make me realize how much I loved you. I don't ever want you to be away from me. I can't take it. I love you."
She stared at him, searching his face for the signs that he was lying. She found none, but after everything, she didn't believe him.
"You're lying. And you know what? None of this would've ever happened if you wouldn't have started doing that to begin with." She pushed past him and began walking out of the room.
"I'm not lying! Please come back!"
She stopped at the doorway and looked back him.
He finally saw all of the pain she'd endured over the years because of him.
She blinked before turning away and leaving.
Austin couldn't move. He was in shock.
He'd finally admitted his feelings to both her and himself, and she walked away. This was all too much.
Kristen spoke of lost chances, and he knew that if he didn't take care of a major problem then there was no chance at all for him.
He dashed out of the room, hoping to get to the bus as fast as possible.
...
He entered the bus in a rush, heading straight towards the back.
He found Abby lying in his bunk.
"You ready for bed yet?"
"We need to talk." He said firmly.
She sat up and let out an annoyed breath. "About what?"
"You need to go."
She laughed. "What?"
"I don't want you here. Go."
"Are you breaking up with me?" She asked angrily.
He sighed. "Yes."
"Ugh!" She scoffed as she jumped down from the bunk. "I knew you were cheating on me with that bitch!" She yelled as she started grabbing her stuff.
Austin was taken aback by her words, but didn't even bother arguing. It was over with. His only concern was getting to Kristen.
He waited impatiently for Abby to get all of her stuff. She stormed off the bus, informing everyone loudly that she wouldn't be coming back.
Austin gave her time to get away before he ran towards the front of the bus.
Their driver stopped him.
"We're leaving, you can't go."
"Just five minutes, please. That's all I need." Austin begged.
The driver watched him closely for a few moments before nodding. "Hurry back."
Austin let out the breath he was holding and burst out the door.
He practically ran across the parking lot to get to Pierce The Veil's bus.
He opened the door and let himself in.
Tony and Vic were sitting in the front practicing guitar.
"Where is Kristen?"
"In the back lounge." Tony answered.
"Just be careful passing the bunks, most of them are passed out." Vic added.
Austin nodded and silently made his way to the back, where he found Kristen curled up on the couch.
She looked at him, but looked away just as quickly.
"Kristen, look at me."
She rolled over to where she faced him. "What do you want?"
"You."
"Yeah, well that's a problem. You should talk to your girlfriend about that."
"She's gone. I never wanted her anyway. It's you that I want."
She stared at him in disbelief. "What?"
He walked over and sat down next to her on the couch. Taking her hand, he looked into her eyes. "I love you. I always have. I was just too stupid to see it. I've been searching for the perfect girl, and she's been right there beside me for 12 years."
She gave up trying to fight it. "I love you too, Austin."
Without even thinking over it, he pulled her face to his and kissed her.
She kissed back, literally shaking with happiness and nervousness. She'd wanted this for years, and her mind couldn't quite register that it was finally happening.
Austin was finally hers.
Their kiss was broken by the sharp jerk of the bus starting to move.
"Oh, shit." Austin started to laugh. "I guess I'm going to have to spend the night here."
She smirked. "Is that a problem, Carlile?"
"Not at all. It means I get to spend the rest of my night with the most beautiful girl in the world." He smiled and hugged her close.
She giggled as she leaned against his chest. This was all she ever wanted. And this would be the first of many nights they spent in each other's arms.