Chapter 7: It's getting complicated

The bus started moving again as I laid down again to fill my lack of sleep. The way the bus drove smoothed my nerves, I fell asleep very fast and woke up again as we have already arrived at the next venue. I got up and called the guys but I didn't get an answere so I searched around but aswell didn't found them. I went out of the bus and ran into someone. ' I'm so sorry man, I didn't see you !' 'It's okay Mel, what are you looking for ?'

'Oh hi Benji, uhm actualy I'm searchig for All Time Low. They weren't on the bus when I woke up a few minutes ago.' 'They are doing soundcheckright now. They will be finished in about 30 minutes, so don't worry.' 'Well then I will get back on the busand wait for them.'

'Mind if I join you ?' 'Nope, you're welcome to hang out with the most boring person on this planet.' 'I will take this as an invitation.' He said smiling.

We went back onto the bus and sat down in the front lounge. 'So how did you get to know the guys ?' Benji asked curious. 'Alex moved in next door to me but the first one I got to know was Jack because he asked me if I want to fo shopping randomly.' ' Oh god you didn''t go, did you ?' 'Yes I did go, biggest mistake ever.' 'Yeah noone ever goes shopping with Jack because he takes like forever. But we all did that mistake once.' 'I do know that now. Well the next day Alex, who I did get to know the same evening as I was wet as hell because Jack threw me in my pool, and Jack took me to bandpractice were I got to know Zack and Rian.

We hung out a lot and became friends. Shortly before this tour started they asked me if I would like to join them and as you can see I said yes.' 'Yeah I an see that, Jack told me you maved in with him. How come ?' 'My mum didn't really cared for me in a long time nowand then we had a fight. I moved out but hadn't anywhere to go and I wanted to be far away from home. So I couldn't move in with Alex besides Jack is my best friend by now, so I asked him.' 'I'm sorry to hear about that, I really am. ' 'What about your family ?' 'I've got a twinbrother as you know already but I've got an older brother named Josh and a younger sister named Sarah. My mum is a lovely person she really is. You can asked the guys of ATL.' 'What about your father ?' 'He left us when Joel and I were sixteen. So we had to go work at pizza places and hairshops. Because of that we barely made our Highschool degree and didn't go to Collage.' 'Your situation was definitly harder. ATL don't have a Collage degree aswell. I don't fit in here because I have one.' 'Ah we don't mind. It's nice to have a smartass on tour. Our situation wasn't as bad as Alex's was. Believe me.'

'Why is that ?' 'He didn't tell you, did he ? Alex had an older brother named Tom who comitted suicide when Alex was sixteen. He had a hard time coping with it. The song Lullabies is about his brother.' 'Oh my god I didn't knew this ! Unbelievable that he learned to cope with it.' 'Yeah it really is. After sll this years he still won't talk about it but we all understand and respect him.' 'I won't talkto him about it either, thanks for telling me.'

I hugged Benji.

We sat there for a little while talking about unimportant stuff untill we decided to get some fresh air. We stepped out of the bus and walked around the venue still talking. Suddenly I felt a hand on my shoulder so I turned around. The hand belonged to Tyler…

'Mel we've got to talk.' 'What happened to your face ?' His nose was taped and his eyes had black marks. 'Your friends did that last night.' 'What did you do or say, they wouldn't do that without a reason.' 'I said they should leave you alone and that their music is crap.' I slaped his face because he grinded. 'What the fuck, you little bastard doesn't have the right to say bullshit like that ! They were right to beat the shit outta you !'

'Mel ? What's wrong ?' Benji asked. 'Benji I want to introduce you to my ex-boyfriend Tyler. He is an asshole.' 'Okay so I assume that you don't want to talk to this douchbag.' 'That's right. But he doesn't stop to bother me.'

'Hey douchbag, stop bothering her or you will see what you get.' He said and stood protectivly infront of me. 'And what do you want to do if I don't ?'

'If you don't know it, I'm a boxer aswell and I'm a good one.' 'I can take you.' 'But can you take nine ?' I heard Joel asked behind my bck. Next I heard a lot of footsteps and then I saw them. Jack, Alex, Rian, Zack, Joel, Billy, Deano and Paul walked apssed me and did the same as Benji. It was overwelming to see that my friends protected me. I felt tears running down my cheeks and the best thing was that the guys scared out the hell of Tyler.

'If you ever try to speak to Mel or dare to even look at her the wrong way we will come and get you.' Paul said. 'Guys it's okay now and thank you for being there for me but let's go. Tyler is chickened out enough for today !' So we walked back to our buses. GC went on their own for a change. As we sat down in our bus the guys starteda conversation, which I didn't pay much attention because I spaced out. 'Hey Mel ! Mel ?' fingers were flicked infront of my face. 'What ? Sorry I spaced out.' I said with an apologizing look on my face. 'We know that. What are you thinkingabout ?' Zack asked. 'About the situation with Tyler. You guys won't be around me everytime. I think he won't give up bothering me. At least until I've got a new boyfriend. Probably he thinks I'm still not over him and tries to get back with me.' I spoke out loud my thoughts. 'Well that really is a problem.' Alex said and we all fell into silence thinking about what I said.

Afew minutes later Jack spoke and broke the silence. 'It would be much easier if you had a new boyfriend. Is anyone in sight ?' 'No it's not but believe me, I'm over that asshole it's just that I don't find someone who likes me like I'm. Who loves me for who I'm and doesn't try to change me.' 'But we like you just the way you are !' Jack protested 'Yeah but you are my friends. That's normal.' 'I've got an idea.' Rian anounced. 'How about you faking a relationship with one of us. I mean one of those tree, I'm taken sorry.' 'How ?' 'You know like holding hands, kiss and look all lovey-dovey.' 'Rian I don't think that they are down with it. Don't you think it would be awarkandly when you kiss one of your friends ?' 'Guys, what do you think about it ?' 'I think it's a good idea. It wouldn't be a problem for me to do it.' Jack said. 'Well actually Jack, if I've to do it I wouldn't pick you because you're my best friend. I don't want that things get awarkand for us.' 'Oh okay, I think.' He said thinking.

'So that means that you two are left.' I said facing them. 'It would be okay for us to do that.' Zack said. 'So who do you want to play your boyfriend ?' 'I don't know, you guys pick.'

They started to play sisser, stone and paper which Alex won. Wait was that a pout on Zack's face ? 'Okay from now on I've got Alex as my boyfriend. But you guys have to keep it a sereat that it's all fake.' The guys of GC are not supposed to know it either. Promise, just us who know !' 'Okay.' They all said once again in unison. ATL had to go on stage and as I had to sing aswell I had to go with them. Before we walked out the bus Alex and I started holding hands. As we walked out I felt like all eyes were on us. 'Alex, they are all watching us !'

I said getting nervous. 'Yeah that's because you got the best looking boyfriend.' He said winking. I rolled my eyes at him. It was relieving when we stepped inside the backstage area.

'Good luck guys.' I said hugging them all. They got on stage and left me waiting for my part.

'You and Alex are dating ?' someone asked from behind me, so I turned around and saw Benji leaning agains some boxes with eqiupment. 'Yea we are. I'm so happy that it finally happened.' I lied my ass of. I know that I've told you earlier that I hate lies but this situation made it impossible to tell the truth.

Benji's POV

She is happy and I think she deservs it. Alex is a goog guy nd he will take care for her. He isn't as protective as Zack but if he ask for help to protect her we will be there, I will be there.

Maybe Alex will allow me to hang with Mel. You know when Alex's got a girlfriend he won't let her go. Of course she can go out and stuff but he would be by her side.

'Ah, Remembering Sunday. It's nearly your part now.' I said pushing her on the stage. She walked up to Alex and laced her fingers with his. For a change she could do that because Alex wasn't playing guitar. But maybe she shouldn't have done that. Many of ATL fans 'Love' Alex or Jack and their girlfirends are always hated by this fans.

It's the same with mine and Joel's girlfriends. I don't know why fans always think that they'll have a chance to get us. Of course we are kind to all our fans but we want relationships built up on love not this fake love. Some even just try to be with us because of our money. That's the reason I'm single at the moment.

Mel came back into the backstage area. 'What do you think ? Good, bad, inbetween ?' she asked. 'It was awesome but I think Alex told you that after the first time you sang.' 'Yeah actually he and the others did but I didn't believe them and as I think that you won't lie to me because you're not staying in the same bus with me, I will trust you.' 'Uhm thank you, I think.' 'And I wanted to thank you for the thing you did earlier, you know protecting me.'

'That's no problem, that's just what friends do, right ? And if you think we aren't friends yet, trust me, we will be at the end of this tour.' I said winking at her. Then ATL came off the stage.

Alex's POV

As we walked off of the stage Mel was standing backstage, talking to Benji. When she saw me, she smiled and came over to lace our fingers. 'Congratulations man.' Benji said and put a hand on my shoulder. 'I have to go on stage now. Don't do anything I wouldn't do.' He winked at me while I smiled. I felt that Mel tensed up beside me so I looked around and saw Tyler looking over. I pulled Mel into my arms, lifted her chin and kissed her for the first time. It felt great.

She pulled back and looked at me a little shocked, so I pulled her into my arms once again and wispered into her esr. 'You want it to look real, right ? It wouldn't be realistic if we never kiss.' I let go of her and we walked back to our bus hand in hand.

Back in the bus I layed down in my bunk deep in thoughts. The kiss felt good but why ? I didn't think that I like Mel this way, do I ? At least I never thought about her as a potencial girlfriend because normaly I like those barbie girls like my ex-girlfriend Lisa. I shove away this thoughts and fell asleep.

One week later

I woke up in L.A. After the show this afternoon we will have a day of in L.A. Which means that we will stay in a hotel and as I was still faking a relationship with Mel, we would share a hotelroom.

My phone went of playing 'Shake it' by Metro Station. I heard a moan coming out of another Bunk which was Jack's. 'God damn, Alex answer your fucking phone !' Jack yelled. Now you know why I picked this song for my ringtone. It annoys Jack. Smiling to myself I answered it. 'Hello ?' 'Hi Alex, it's Benj you now that we are in L.A. right ?' 'Yes I do why ?' 'Because you know Joel and I live here so what about you guys having a party tonight at my place ? You can crash there aswell so you don't have to pay a hotel.' 'That's sounds great man. I will talk about it with the guys later.' I said. 'Okay see ya.' 'Bye.' I hung up.

'Guys ? Are you awake ?' 'No we aren't' Rian said, sarcasm filled his voice. 'Benj asked if we want to crash at his for the night and if we want to party.' 'Sure, it's always fun partying with him and the others.' Zack said.

So I wrote a textmassage 'We would be pleased if you take us to your place. PARTY TIME !' and send it to Benj.

Tree hours later

We arrived at Benji's house and rang. He opened the door smiling. Me and Mel as always holding hands. 'Hey guys come in.' 'Thanks so much for letting us sleep here.' Mel said. 'It's no problem. You're my friends. I won't let you sleep in a hotel when we are in the town I live.' He stepped aside so we could enter the house. 'I've already prepared your rooms. So follow me and make yourself feel like home.'

We walked upstairs were Benj had six bedrooms. Rian and Zack were sharing a room, Jack got his own one and Mel and me shered one.

Ours were dark blue with a kingsize bed and an own bathroom, it was at the other end of the house. I think Benji did that so we could have some privacy which wasn't required, but of course he didn't know that.

Mel and I put down our suitcases but then she suddenly jumped on the bed and said 'This is my side !' 'Unfair I wanted that one !' 'It's your problem.' She said grinning. I pouted for a few seconds but then said.'Okay but I will use the bathroom first in the morning and now !' running into the bathroom. 'It's okay for me because you take much longer than me.' She yelled in a sing-song voice to make sure I heard what she said.

I took a shower and dired my hair. I was finishing the styling of it for the party when I heard Mel talking to someone. I looked through the keywhole and saw Benji sitting on the bed.

I couldn't hear what they were talking about and then a thought popped into my mind. They are spending so much time together. Oh my god was that jealousy ?

I didn't want to think about it now. So I walked out of the bathroom.

'Oh hi Alex.' Benj said. 'Hi Benj. Uhm just a question. What exactly have you planed for tonight ?' 'Nothing special really, just good friends of mine, a barbecue and me Djing.' 'Awesome I've always wanted to watch you Djing.' 'It's your chance then.' He walked out of our room.

One Hour Later

The party has already started and right now I'm standing at the pool where most of the people are. Actually we're not allowed to go into Benji's garden because of his female tiger Sam.

I'm not kidding it's a real bengalese tiger.

Okay back to the party scene, everyone is getting tipsy now. This party is like an highschool party with the differences : no parents, much more people and alcohol and a bigger expensive house.

My band is I don't know where but I'm in good company because the guys of GC are standing next to me. 'Hey guys have you seen Mel lately ?' ' I last saw her standing next to Benji in the livingroom were he Dj's.' Joel answered my question.

I was kinda wasted at this point aswell, I mean it was already 10 p.m.

So it was hard in my condition to figure out were exactly the livingroom was but I found it.

I saw Mel next to Benji and it seemed like they were flirting. As I got close enough I grapped her elbow and turned her around they way she would face me. Leaning down (I'm 5 or 6 inches taller than her) I wispered into her ear 'You want to ruin your own plan by flirting with Benji, really ?' 'I'm not flirting with anybody and if I was it's none of your interest.' 'You know that I'm your boyfriend for most of the people around right ?' 'Oh god damn Alex, what do you want ?' 'I want you to come with me now before someone notice anything.'

She said bye to Benj and soon we found ourselfs at the pool again. No one of my bandmates neither GC were in sight so I just grapped two drinks from the bar, handing one to Mel who was standing very close to the edge of the pool and of course she was wasted aswell.

In the moment I handed her, her drink she triped over her own foot and fell into the pool. Diving through the water she cursed and I pulled her out of it.

It was cold outside. 'You wanna go upstairs and change ?' 'That would be great.' I led her through the crowd up the stairs and to pur room. By this time I was getting sober, that's the reason I found our room. Mel sat down on a chair taking of her shoes and hoody while I grapped a towel out of the bathroom. Drying her hair with the towel. 'You scared me. I thought I had to dive for you.' 'Actually I'm a good swimmer but I thought that for a moment aswell. Anyway thanks for helping.'

Mel's POV

I stood up from the chair and leaned forward to kiss Alex's cheek but he turned his head and our lips met. As they did he closed his eyes, grapped me by the waist and pulled me closer.

He started to kiss me passionatly and I did return the kiss. We moved towards the bed where Alex first laid me down and then crawled on top of me. Our lips parted and he started to kiss my neck which send chills through my body. It's not the fact that I'm actually starting to like Alex this way, it's just that he found the right point that makes me loose myself. I shove my hands beneath his shirt and let my hands touch everything they wanted.

As I reached his chest I pinched his nippels which made him moan softly against my skin.

At the same time there was a harsh knock on the door and it opend. I looked over Alex shoulder and saw Joel entering the room. In the second he saw us 'Uhm sorry guys.' Was all he said and started to leave again, I shoved Alex off of me, my mind back on earth.

'Wait Joel, what do you want ? Can I help you ?' 'Jack was worried because he couldn't find find either you or Alex so he asked me to go looking for you because I know the house very well and he doesn't. I'm really sorry for interupting your little liaison.' He winked at me.

'Wait a sec, I will just brush my hair and then go with you, finding Jack.' I said roughtly.

It's not that I'm pissed that Joel disturped us no I'm glad he did and saved me before I would've done that mistake. But now I'm pissed at myself which wasn't good and on top of that I was worried because Joel cought us making out. My first thought was : FUCK, what if he tells all this Benji ? Wait a sec, why am I so scared about Benj finding out ? I mean all of them think that I'm dating Alex ! Oh god another problem I have to figure out ! I think I like Benji, GOD DAMMIT !

After brushing my hair I linked my arm with Joel's and we both went downstairs to look for Jack. We found him talking to Benji who still was Djing. Benji looked over at us and smiled at me. I blushed at that sight. That man is really sexy with his trained, tattooed body, his taste of cloth and music.

The one thing I've learned about Benji in the time I became friends with him and his band is that in one moment he can be shy and cute and in the next sec he is self-confident and very protective, all in all a perfect man. Also he likes to read the same books as me, he collects vampire dolls, has the same taste of music and has got my favourite animal in the world living in his backyard : Sam the tiger.

Back from daydreaming or better nightdreaming I said 'Jack I've to talk to you ! Now.'

'Sure what's up ?' 'Just you an me Jack.' 'Okay, Benji is there a quiet place around here ?'

'What about your room Jack ?' I answered. 'Yeah right, I've got my one.' He lead me upstairs (again, after this night I will have a perfect butt from all the stairs) to a room which was just a little smaller that mine and Alex but it also has a kingsize bed.

The room was paited in a dark green and the furniture was dark aswell. Jack and I sat down on the bed. 'So whasup ?' he asked again. 'First don't judge me but when I drink I always do or say stupid things but now I'm kinda sober.' 'Just spill the beans already.' 'Aley and I made out earlier and Joel cought us !' I paniced. 'Whoa slow down girl. You tell me you made out with Alex…. But I thought it was fake!' 'Yeah I know that but I'm not so sure if Alex knows that anymore.' 'You're telling me that it might be possible that Alex got feelings for you ?'

'Yes I do say that.' 'Tell me what exactly happened.'

'We went to our room because I fell into the pool by accident and he helped me getting out of it. Back in our room he dried my hair and as a thank you I wanted to kiss his cheek but he turned his head and kissed me. He held me tight and began to kiss my neck. You know that that makes me faint !' I gave him the short story. 'Okay, so he started to kiss you but why didn't you just pull away ?' 'Are you even listening ? He kissed my neck ! And as you damn well know I didn't have sex in about 5 years ! I have needs ! I'm still human.' 'So you fainted. I totally understand that now. But you don't have a real boyfriend so what's the deal ?' 'First I don't wanna be one of many and second I think I've got feelings for Benji.'

'That's going to be very complicated.' Was all he said.