Anna POV
After five hours stuck in traffic, Jack asking "Are we there yet?" a million times, Alex asking "Is there any more food?" a million times and Rian, Zack, Matt, Vinny and I yelling at them to shut it, we finally arrived at the venue.
Running late, Matt quickly herded All Time Low backstage to get ready and was yelling at people to get all the tech ready. Vinny and I started to set up the merch table.
"Apparently the beach house we're staying in has five bedrooms, each with their own bathroom, and one room has a balcony over looking the beach!" blabbered Vinny, whilst I was laying out the shirts.
"And then there's a giant kitchen, a game room, a mini gym..." he continued as I tried to zone him out. Vinny was buzzing for this week off, and I thought I was excited.
Alex POV
"Well hello Los Angeles! Are you ready to party?" I called out to the electric crowd.
There were people in mosh pits, and crowd surfing already. We'd only played the intro and our first song on the set list. This was going to be a good night.
"Today is our last show before our mini vacation, so we need to celebrate. So I have to ask, who came here to dance? You can't have a celebration without dancing. So I need you to show me your best fucking moves right now Los Angeles," I called out walking around the stage.
I broke out into Poppin' Champagne.
You've got me poppin' champagne
I'm at it again
Caught up in the moment
But not in the right way
I'm falling in between
Tearing up at the seams
We're just aiming to please
And aesthetics don't hurt one bit
So follow me down
Take this all the way
Any way you want to
Why don't you say so?
I think I'm caught in between
The nights and days fly by
When I'm lost on the streets
And my eyes, they despise you for who I am
Why don't you say so?
Why don't you say so?
You've got me thinking that
Lately I've been wishing
The television set would show me more
Than just a picture of the things I've grown to detest
I strip down my dignity
They can take all of me
But they won't ever take what I still believe
So follow me down
Take this all the way
Any way you want to
Why don't you say so?
I think I'm caught in between
The nights and days fly by
When I'm lost on the streets
And my eyes, they despise you for who I am
Why don't you say so?
Why don't you say so?
Give up and let go
I'm just a boy with a dream
And you can take one look
As I fall in betweenWith my eyes just as wide as my mouth can be
Why don't you say so?
Why don't you say so?
I know, I know, I know
That there's a place for me somewhere out there
I know, I know, I know
That there's a place for me somewhere out there
Why don't you say so?
I think I'm caught in between
The nights and days fly by
When I'm lost on the streets
And my eyes, they despise you for who I am
Why don't you say so?
Why don't you say so?
Give up and let go
I'm just a boy with a dream
And you can take one look
As I fall in between
With my eyes just as wide as my mouth can be
Why don't you say so?
Why don't you say so?
At the end I could literally feel the crowd's energy it was amazing.
~x~
"Thank you Los Angeles!" I yelled into the microphone before walking offstage.
"That was legit!" whistled Rian.
"Damn right," I breathed, handing my guitar to someone.
I felt a pair of soft, warm hands, gently cover my eyes and a warm pressure against my back.
"Guess who," a voice breathed into my ear.
"Anna?" I asked uncertainly.
I heard her infectious giggle and I couldn't help but smile. She moved her hands and rested her head on my shoulder. I hugged her backwards, awkward, but still it worked.
"You guys were amazing I could hear you from the stand," she told us all.
"Thanks, and speaking of which, shouldn't you be at the stand now?" questioned Zack.
"Nah, Vinny said he'd handle tonight for me," she said, and I could hear her breath a sign of relief.
Anna POV
All our tech and gear was packed up and loaded and we were ready for a week off.
The drive from the venue to the beach house wasn't that long, but it didn't help that Jack was asking, "Is it that house?" about every single house we passed by.
Sitting on Alex's lap he whispered to me,
"Anna, run ahead of the other's and pick the best room, I'll deal with the suitcases,"
I lifted my head off his chest and looked at him, he winked back. I felt like I was involved in an evil genius plan. Whoa, that sounded weird.
Soon the tour bus came to a grinding halt and I jumped up from Alex's lap and walked off the bus first.
Stepping off the bus I was gob smacked. The beach house was...gorgeous. It was sunny yellow with white trim. The roof was white and flat, and I could see there was a balcony. The balcony. Mine and Alex's balcony. Walking closer, I heard the guys get off the bus and gasp in awe.
Matt stepped ahead and opened the door. As soon as he turned the key I dashed inside, ready to find that bedroom with the balcony, but ended up freezing to take in my surroundings.
The whole house was so modern and retro, with polished metal and marble surfaces and gleaming white walls and interior. I could just see the back doors, which were glass and sliding doors, and though them I could see the sea. I suddenly remembered what Alex had told me on the bus and headed for the stairs.
Unfortunately Jack was heading for the stairs too, followed closely by Vinny and Rian. I sped up and quickened my pace, but so did they.
Eventually I broke out in to a sprint and started running up the stairs, taking two at a time.
I could hear the boys behind me but that only drove me to go faster.
I reached the landing on the second floor and stopped . So did the others, and we all stood in a line at the top of the stairs looking which way to go.
I looked right and saw three white closed doors. I looked left and saw two white closed doors. I looked at the guys. They were all looking at me or each other. We stood there frozen, not knowing which way to go. I really wanted that room with the balcony.
I then remembered looking at the house from the outside and that the balcony was on the east side. That meant that the room with the balcony was on the left. I slowly looked left. Vinny and Rian caught my eye movement and narrowed their eyes. Taking my chance I raced away from the group and ran left, heading towards the door on the end, knowing the room with the balcony would be there. I looked back as I was running and saw Rian on my tail and Vinny just behind him. Jack was running in the wrong direction; the opposite way to us. I smiled and looked ahead. Just as I was a few meters away from the door I felt Rian's arms wrap around my waist.
"Noooo!" I yelled, struggling to break free. I pulled and tugged at his arms yet they wouldn't move from me. I did the only thing that came to my head.
"Ahhhh!" I fake screamed, whilst pretending to trip over. As I went down, so did Rian.
"Ohmygod are you okay?" asked Rian, with real sincerity in his voice, kneeling beside me and taking his arms away from my waist. Vinny had stopped racing and was by my side too. I lay as still as I could.
"Anna?" he asked tentatively.
Bracing myself and preparing myself to run, I jumped up and began racing to the room again.
"Gotcha!" I hollered as soon as I was away from them. The look on their faces was priceless, and soon they were up and running after me again.
Too late for them, as I threw open the door and ran inside. I saw the balcony and whooped; I'd got the right room!
Leaping on the bed, I claimed it mine and Alex's.
As I lay on the bed I saw Vinny and Rian standing in the doorway, looking angry and walking away mumbling, "cheater."
"Sorry guys!" I called, smiling.
Alex then came in carrying mine and his suitcases. Dropping them by the foot of the bed he looked around the room, them back at me and grinned.
"Nice one Anna," he said coming to join me on the bed.
~x~
Zack, Jack, Alex, Vinny, Matt and I were all sitting at the dinner table waiting for Rian to finish cooking.
"I want food," yelled Jack, banging his knife and fork on the table.
"It's like looking after a four year old," grumbled Matt, rubbing his temples making us all laugh.
Rian served dinner on the table; steak and potatoes. We all started eating and soon there was nothing left on our plates. I was about to excuse myself to go to the bathroom and throw up but Rian spoke.
"So I think Anna should wash up cause she cheated before," he said pouting.
"Yeah!" agreed Vinny.
"Hey, it's not my fault your so slow and gullible," I said back
"What actually happened?" asked Matt frowning.
I opened my mouth ready to explain but Rian and Vinny beat me to it, again.
"Anna ran for the room and pretended to trip, which made us stop, but she tricked us and ran ahead again and got the room first," they whined like kids.
"Whoo, go Anna!" cheered Alex, holding my hand and smiling.
"Oh boy, this is going to be one long trip," muttered Zack.
~x~
In the end we all did the dishes and then left to get an early night.
I went to shower first before Alex, and threw up my dinner.
Stepping out of the shower, I felt the room started to spin and I felt light-headed. I couldn't see much and what I could see was a splurge of multi-color.
Holding onto the sink to steady myself, I took deep breaths in and the room righted itself and the light-headed feeling went away. That was weird.
~x~
Alex was now in the bathroom having a shower. I was wearing a pair of booty shorts and one of Alex's hoodies that was huge on me.
I decided to go out on to the balcony. Carefully opening the glass door, I felt the cool sea breeze hit me, making me shudder. I pulled the sleeves of the hoodie down past my hands.
As I stepped barefoot on to the wooden balcony, I was surprised to feel warmth emanating from the wooden flooring caused by the sun shining down on it for hours. I stepped out further and placed my hands on the railing, leaning against it. Looking around I saw the moon peeking out from behind the clouds. I stood there for what seemed like forever, until I felt a pair of gentle arms wrap around my waist from behind. I smiled knowing it was Alex.
"Hey babe, what are you doing out here in the cold?" he asked kissing my hair and tucking my head under his chin.
"Just looking," I answered back.
"Beautiful isn't it?" I continued, looking at the landscape tinted blue from the evening sky.
"Uh huh. But not as beautiful as you," he whispered. I felt myself blushing.
"Liar," I whispered back.
"Am not," he replied stubbornly.
We stood there, him just holding me in his strong arms, watching the night. Watching the soft blue waves lap gently at the sand. The moon shining down on us, bathing us in it's light.
The moment was perfection. But for me perfection never lasts...
What do you think about the end! I thought it was adorable!
Anyway, next chapter should be up tomorrow or the day after!
Elbereth Amandil does not own All Time Low or any other name brand she uses in this story
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