Chapter 16: Vivid Insanity
Kyle sighed as he followed Miles down the hallway to the auditorium. There was going to be an assembly today. It was the one year anniversary of the bombing. School all over LA were taking time to talk to kids about it and about feeling suicidal.
Kyle just didn't want to go. He didn't want to remember that day at all. Miles turned left and Kyle arched a brow at his friend. Miles glanced over at him and grinned. Kyle should've known Miles had something up his sleeve.
The two entered the gym and then headed up to the projection room. Lilly, Leora, Caleb, Jayda, Lucas, and Rion were all ready there. Kyle wasn't sure what he had been expecting, but this wasn't it.
"Hey, we figured you wouldn't want to go to a lame assembly so we made our own," Jayda said with a grin.
"I'm surprised Sora isn't here with you Jay," Kyle said.
"Yeah me too," Miles added looking to their blonde friend.
"Actually, we broke up, for real this time," Jayda said.
"What? I thought you guys were happy?" Lilly said confused.
"We were, but I'll be eighteen in a few weeks and she's only fifteen. We agreed that she needs time to explore her options and so do I. I mean I'm graduating soon and I'll be focusing on my career. This is the best option for us, and we both agree and we are still friends," Jayda said.
"Wow, that's very nature of you Jay," Kyle said.
"Yeah, like I said I'm graduating soon and I'm being practical. Once I graduate and Sor is still in school it's not gonna work," Jayda said.
Everyone glanced over to Caleb and Leora. They were kind of in the same boat. Caleb was graduating and Leora had another year of high school left. Caleb and Leora remained silent but Jayda quickly caught her mistake.
"That what's right for me and Sora," Jayda said.
"Ok moving on," Rion said trying to change the subject.
The group settled in and started talking and avoiding the subject of the bombing. They laughed and joked. Everything was light and fun. Kyle was thankful to have friends like these.
"Ok, ok, let's play would you rather," Miles said getting everyone's attention. They all nodded their heads.
They started with asking each other questions specifically. They all laughed moved on to the next questions.
"Ok, tattoos or piercings?" Miles asked looking around the room.
"Tattoos for sure," Kyle said without missing a beat.
"Piercing," Leora replied. The two looked at one another and laughed.
"Your only saying tattoo because Jared has one," Miles said.
"He's got two and no I've always thought tattoos were cool," Kyle said quickly.
"Yeah he told me that once," Lilly said nodding her head. "If I'm correct you wanted a dragon tattoo circling all the way down your arm," she said.
"At one point and that would look so cool," Kyle said nodding his head.
"I gotta go with Leora, piercings," Jayda said.
"That's because you're scared of tattoos because they're permanent," Kyle replied.
"Well yeah, piercing you can take out. You can't just take a tattoo off," Jayda replied.
"Yeah, yeah you're gonna be a model and your body has to be flawless Jay, we get," Kyle said with a smirk.
"Damn right it has to be, you of all people should know that," Jayda added smugly.
"Alright I got one," Rion said cutting into the argument. Everyone looked to her. "Harry Potter or Twilight?"
"Harry Potter," Miles, Lucas, Lilly, and Kyle all chimed at once.
"I gotta go with Twilight," Leora said. Jayda nodded her head in agreement as well. Everyone looked at Caleb.
"Harry Potter all the way," Caleb said.
"Harry Potter is ten times better than Twilight," Kyle said nodding his head.
"Two words: Edward Cullen," Leora said.
"With that I reply: Bella Swan," Kyle said.
"What's wrong with Bella?" Jayda asked.
"Don't even get me started," Kyle said shaking his head.
"Next question," Lucas said quickly.
"Ok zombie apocalypse or World War III?" Caleb asked.
"I'd have to go with zombie apocalypse. I think I could survive it," Kyle said cockily.
"Not without me," Miles said nudging him.
"Yeah, you two wouldn't last ten minutes," Jayda snorted.
"That ten more minutes than you," Kyle replied.
"So you agree that your last ten minutes," Jayda said quickly. Kyle opened his mouth and closed it. Everyone laughed at that.
"I really would prefer a zombie apocalypse," Kyle said. Everyone opened their mouths but Kyle held up a hand. "Let me finish. I don't think anyone could survive World War III because of all the nukes and stuff like that. All the radiation would make this world inhabitable. At least some people could survive a zombie apocalypse," he explained.
"Yeah, I guess," Jayda said.
The group continued to talk and laugh until the announcement came on saying the assembly was over. Everyone sighed and stood up. They quickly left the projection room and joined the rest of the school in heading to their next classes.
-We Are-
Jared looked out the window of the bus. They had been touring for almost two months now. They had been touring and doing so many interviews. Jared was having fun, but he missed Kyle. Getting to see him for Halloween had been nice, but he was really starting to miss his blonde boyfriend once more.
"Come on Jared don't be so down we're almost to New York. This time we will have a day off so we can explore the city," Noah said excitedly.
"Yeah, and we will have people following us and hounding us for information on Kyle," Jared said.
Ever since their outing on Halloween everybody wanted to know who Kyle was. There were several different rumors going around that it was different celebrities. The picture Jared had posted of the two had to a viral and everyone had picked it apart trying to figure out who it was. No one had gotten anywhere near the truth.
Jared told all the interviewers he had seen in the last month that it was someone special. He was respecting Kyle's privacy and not putting them directly in the spotlight. For the most part they respected Jared's wishes to keep things anonymous, but their fan were a different story. Their fans, jokers as Noah liked to call them, all wanted to know who Jared was dating. Some were mad he was keeping him a secret while others kind of understood the invasion of privacy. Others argued that he was a celebrity and public figure and lost his privacy. Jared hated that argument more than anything. It was annoying how awful people could be. Worse than those fans were the scumbag reporters that seemed to be in ever city they toured. They heckled Jared and demanded to know who he was dating. They were the absolute worst. They had no sense of decency and followed Jared where ever he went. It was annoying and Jared wished they would stop.
"Not if we go incognito," Noah said quickly holding up a baseball hat and a pair of sunglasses.
"You've thought of everything huh No?" Jared asked with a smile.
"Come on, just a few sights and no one will even notice us," Noah said sticking his lower lip out.
"Might as well cave Munroe, he's got us on his side already and you know how annoying he can get," Matt said from his place at the table with Roldy.
"Fine, we will go but let's bring Darrell with us. He can handle things when we get recognized," Jared said referring to the body guard Kendall has so kindly hired for them.
"Don't you mean if?" Roldy asked.
"Oh please, have you met Noah he's gonna ditch his hat and glasses and want a picture of himself taken. Probably with you and then post it and we will be swarmed," Jared said.
"I'm not that dumb," Noah scoffed.
"Just watch, I'm usually right about these kinds of things," Jared said.
"Oh relax, if they see Noah or Roldy no one would even bat an eye. It your people want to see Munroe. No one see us when you're there," Matt said.
"More reason for me not to do this," Jared replied.
"Where's your sense of adventure Jer?" Roldy asked smacking Matt upside the head. Matt glared at him but Roldy focused on Jared.
"I didn't say I wasn't going," Jared replied.
-We Are-
James moved about the living room picking up toys. He had Jenny and Miri today and Marcie was running late. James didn't mind, he didn't have anything to do until the afternoon anyways.
"You two are destruction you know that right?" James asked the two girls who were finally sitting down for a moment and watching some Disney show James had put on.
James managed to make the floor look somewhat clean. He sighed and joined the two girls on the floor. He pulled them both into his lap and sighed. They both rested back against him too absorbed in the TV show.
For the moment, things were perfect. James felt content with life and how things were going. Miri and Jenny were amazing and he loved them both with all heart. They were a handful at times, and very messy, but he loved them nonetheless.
It wasn't long before Marcie arrived apologizing for being late. James assured her it was fine as long as she didn't make a habit of it. Marcie agreed and set about her job of watching the girls.
James was finally able to leave the house. He had a meeting later with Gia and some producers. He was looking forward to that. He was eager to do the show and wanted to know more of what to expect. It was going to be different that anything James had done. He had never been on a tv show like this before.
James was jarred from his thought as his phone started ringing. James answered it putting it on speaker.
"Hey Ken, I'm driving what's up?" James asked.
"We need to talk about this whole Kyle and Jared situation," Kendall said quickly.
"What about it?" James asked confused.
"Jared is gonna have to go public sooner or later. I mean remember what we did when we first started dating?" Kendall asked.
"That was a total disaster, I think we should've been honest from the start," James said not realizing what he said until it was too late.
"I was afraid of that, this isn't going to end well for us," Kendall sighed.
"Look, all we have to do is show our support for the two. We tell people age does not matter love is love," James said slowly.
"When did you get so wise?" Kendall asked. James didn't need to see his husband to know that he was smiling.
"I've always been, you just need to listen to me more," James replied, "but seriously Kendall, I see the way the two look at one another. Whether their meant to be or not they are in love. What they have is real to them And we need to accept that and show them support because not many people will."
"Please, they are young-" Kendall started.
"Don't even go there. That's what people said about us," James cut the blonde off. "They all said we wouldn't last a year and that we'd be divorced and fighting over the kids in no time."
"Ok you're right, I get it, I'll try and be a bit more supportive, but Kyle's our son. He's only sixteen," Kendall said.
"I know, but look at us. Here we are twenty years later and still in love as we were then. Now I'm not saying Ktle and Jared are us, but we have to let them discover things for themselves," James said.
"Thanks James, you always know what to say," Kendall sighed.
"Your welcome. You'd do better to listen to me more Knight. Now I have a meeting I need to get to. I will talk to you later ok," James said.
"Alright bye, I love you," Kendall said.
"Love you too," James said before he hung up.
-We Are-
Jake sighed as he made his way into his apartment. He stopped when he heard Mason talking on the phone to his mother once more. He was sitting on the couch and looking down at the floor. He glanced up at Jake and held a hand up.
Mason had officially dropped out of school months ago and had told his mother this several times. She still wasn't happy about. What upset her even more was Mason wanted to stay in LA. Jake didn't blame him either. Mason was looking for an apartment with Adam too. They were working hard to find a child friendly apartment that wasn't too expensive.
"Mom I'm grown up now. I can make my own decisions and I'm staying California and I am getting a job and my own place. If you can't accept that then please leave me alone. This is something I gotta do," Mason said before hanging up.
"Mom drama?" Jake asked setting his bag aside as he walked further into the apartment.
Mason turned to face Jake and sighed, "She still isn't happy with me, but I know this is the right thing to do."
"I get it, you gotta do what you gotta do. My dads weren't happy when I moved out. They still treat me like a kid," Jake said sitting down next to Mason.
"I know my mom keeps telling me I'm making a mistake. She thinks I'm throwing everything away for some boy," Mason said annoyed.
"A boy?" Jake asked confused.
"She thinks Adam and I are together. I've assured her that's not the case and she's in denial," Mason said shaking his head.
"Well you and Adam are a bit close. I can see how she could make that assumption," Jake commented.
"I know, but we are friends and that is all. Adam doesn't see anyone other than Cooper," Mason said.
"Yeah, those two have so much history and in the end I think, if they get their heads out of their asses, they can make this work," Jake said bluntly. Mason chuckled and nodded his head.
The two fell silent. Jake was thinking about Adam and Cooper now. He knew they had a chance if they stopped being idiots and at least tried to be friends. Maybe things would just fall into place for them if they stopped trying so hard. Jake shook his head, this was either of their problems so they needed to stop worrying about it as well.
"So Day is working late and I don't know how long Adam is working. Do you wanna go to Veggy Grill?" Jake asked.
"Sure," Mason sighed. Jake could tell he was still thinking about his mother.
"She'll come around you know," Jake said stepping up to Mason and placing a hand on his shoulder. "She's your mother and she does love you," he added.
"I know, it just sucks that's she's being so difficult about this," Mason sighed.
"Yeah, let's go drown yours sorrows with a buffalo bomber," Jake said.
"Yes please," Mason said nodding his head.
-We Are-
Adam smiled as he watched Miri and Cooper playing in the park. It was a nice sight to see. Adam was glad to be part of this moment. Things between Adam and Cooper had been better since Halloween. They had talked and agreed it was best if they started over. They were gonna be friends. They would be civil and Miri and they're new baby would be their priority. They were giving each other a fresh start. It seemed to be working just fine.
Adam watched as Cooper and Miri slid down the slide together. Miri laughed and clapped her hands. Adam smiled and stood up. He walked over to the two. Miri spotted him and ran up to him.
"Having fun?" Adam asked looking to Cooper. Adam picked Miri up as she babbled incoherently.
"So much, ready to join us," Cooper asked with a smile.
"Yeah, what do you think Miri wanna go for a swing?" Adam asked his daughter. Miri clapped her hands and babbled away.
Adam took Miri over to the swings with Cooper right behind him. Adam got Miri all settled in one of the swing and Cooper moved around to stand in front of her. Adam pushed Miri and every time she reached Cooper he would jump back as if she hurt him. Miri would laugh just hard.
Soon Miri was getting tired. Adam and Cooper both noticed this. Adam picked her up and the two made their way to Cooper's car. Adam got Miri all settled into her car seat. He gave her her doll that was sitting on the seat and she was happy. Cooper and Adam got into the car. Cooper started driving.
"Coop, there's something I gotta tell you," Adam said.
"Ok," Cooper said.
"Kyle told me this and I just need you to know this is not me being jealous or anything," Adam said slowly.
"What?" Cooper asked confused.
"Uh, be careful with Jace," Adam said, "Kyle said that he's Jared's cousin and he's uh, he was abusive. I'm not saying he's the same, but just be careful. Especially with him around Miri."
"Can I make a confession?" Cooper asked while looking straight ahead.
"What?" Adam asked confused.
"Jace and I broke up a month ago, before Halloween," Cooper admitted.
"Really? Why didn't you tell me? I've seen you two together since then," Adam said slowly.
"I don't know and not all breakups are bad. We both saw that we were better off as friends," Cooper said.
"Oh, well I'm sorry that things didn't work out Coop, you deserve happiness and you'll find it someday," Adam said.
"So will you," Cooper said glancing over at Adam as he stopped at a stop light.
"I hope so," Adam replied.
"Knock it off, you are a kind and caring person Adam, you'll find someone who makes you happy," Cooper said. Adam smiled at that and looked out the window as the light turned green.
The rest of the ride was spent in silence. Cooper pulled up to the curb outside Jake's apparent building. Adam placed his hand on the door handle. He paused and looked over at Cooper.
"Maybe we are both just blind," Adam said leaning over and kissing Cooper on the cheek. He quickly got out of the car. He waved to Miri and headed inside. Adam didn't look back, he was too scared he had just ruined things between them again.
Adam's phone beeped in his pocket. Adam quickly pulled it out and saw he had a text from Cooper.
Get your ass back in the car Knight.
Adam turned and saw Cooper still parked outside. He made his way back outside. Cooper had the window down and was waiting for him.
"Get in the car Adam," Cooper said.
"Sounds tempting, what in it for me?" Adam asked.
"A shot at being happy," Cooper replied.
"Can we be happy?" Adam asked softly. Adam really wanted to believe that they could be happy together. History proved him wrong in so many ways, but they had been happy once. It was a leap. Was he willing to make that leap? Would Cooper catch him? There was only one way to find out.
-We Are-
Jared sighed as he fell onto his bed. He wanted nothing more than to pass out and never get up again. Today had been long and it wasn't even five o'clock yet.
Noah's plan to explore New York City had gone just as Jared had thought it would. They had managed to get around a see a few of the sights and take pictures. It was long before they got recognized. Jared didn't mind signing a few autographs or taking a few pictures. It was all for people who loved their music. It was all a part of the game. It was a price the guys were willing to pay.
They had managed to get away from the swarming crowds and made their way to their next destination. It was there that things all went south. It was there Jared had a run in with a man he had seen at previous shows. He seemed to have a big interest in Jared and was always hounding him about who he was dating. Jared was starting to worry. He would have to talk to Kendall soon.
"There you are!"
Jared groaned as he heard the guys all come into his and Matt's room. He didn't really want to be bothered right now. He just wanted to forget the last few hours.
"Go away I am sleeping," Jared said not lifting his head from the pillow.
"Oh come on it wasn't that bad," Noah said plopping down next to Jared.
"So we had to sign a few autographs, we knew this hazard when we started this band," Matt said sitting down on his bed.
"Yeah Jer, you of all should be loving it," Roldy agreed.
"It's not the fans that bother me. I love them, I really do," Jared said finally sitting up. "It's that creep. I've seen him at six shows already." Jared said.
"Really, that many?" Matt asked.
"I've noticed him a few times," Roldy said.
"You should tell Kendall," Noah said quickly.
"I already have, he's looking into it. He actually didn't want us leaving the hotel alone," Jared admitted.
"We never were good with rules," Matt shrugged.
Jared opened his mouth to reply, but he was cut off by a knock at the door. Noah jumped up and ran to the door. He looked through the peephole. It was Jackie, he opened the door for her.
"What are you guys doing up here, I thought you would be down stairs scoping out the competition," Jackie said.
"What are you on about Stetson?" Jared asked trying his hardest not to sound annoyed. He could tell he failed by the look on Jackie's face.
"Retract the claws Jared, I thought you knew Icsis was meeting up with a tour prospect for Europe since you guys are on the fence," Jackie said.
"Who?" Noah asked eagerly.
"Vivid Insanity, they are the hottest thing over in Europe right now," Jackie said quickly.
"Vivid Insanity? That British boy band?" Jared asked jumping up his interest peaked.
"Yep, they are downstairs in a conference room for a meeting," Jackie said.
Jared looked to his friends. They all shared a look and turned to Jackie. "Where is this meeting taking place?"
"Go down to the lobby and you'll see, can't miss it," Jackie said.
"Darnell is outside," Jackie said nudging Roldy who sighed annoyed. She giggled and left the room.
"So Ro, think you can charm your way in?" Jared asked fighting back a laugh.
"I'm not the charming one Jer, that's your department," Roldy said glaring at his friends. Jared and Matt busted out laughing. Noah did not look amused at all.
"Let's just go," Noah said glaring at the other two.
"Calm your tits No, Darnell might be interested but Ro isn't. He'd never rave you," Jared said.
"Never," Roldy said grabbing Noah's hand which made him smile.
The group made their way down to the hotel lobby. They spotted a group forming down a hall way. The guys quickly made their way down the hall. They saw Darnell standing outside a door. Darnell was a tall Latino man fresh out of college and Chili's cousin. He was doing security for Icsis as a favor to her.
"Darnell!" Jared said getting the mans attention. Darnell looked to Jared.
"I was wondering when you four would show up," Darnell said with a small smile.
"Does that mean your gonna let us in?" Jared asked hopefully.
"I've been instructed to," Darnell said stepping aside for the four.
"Awesome," Jared said. The four walked into the room. Icsis was there with Tracy and the four guys that made up the band Vivid Insanity and their manager it looked like. One of the four was tall blonde and blue eyed. Next to him sat a short raven haired boy. Then here was a ginger boy and lastly there was a tall brunette who seemed to be the one in charge.
"About time, I was wondering when you guys would show up?" Glacia said with a smile.
"We were a bit busy," Jared shrugged.
"Getting into mischief around the city?" Icy asked.
"Something to that effect," Jared said leading the guys over to the table where everyone was sitting.
"Inside Joke right?" One of the guys asked in a thick British accent.
"Yep, I'm Jared and these dorks are Rodly, Noah, and Matt," he said introducing them.
"I'm Gavin," the tall brunette said with a smile,"and these three are my best mates Callum, Crispin, and Finlay." He pointed to the blonde, the raven haired boy and lastly the ginger.
"It's nice to meet you," Noah said.
"Though I can't help but feel like we're being replaced," Jared commented looking to Icsis.
"Nah, we want to know if they'll do some shows in the UK with us this winter. You guys are still more than welcome to tour Europe with us," Timber said.
"We'll think about it," Jared replied.
The guys walked over to the group and started talking with Vivid Insanity. They wanted to size up the competition. It was an added bounds that they kind of liked Vivid Insanity's music.
There you go another chapter down. Sorry for getting this out so late. I will try to get back to weekend updates, but you know me. There is more to come and I hope you enjoyed.
Who is Vivid Insanity? Jared has a stalker, should he be more careful? Mason is staying in LA, is that a good idea? Adam and Cooper just want happiness, will they find it together? Or alone? Are Kendall and James finally coming around to the idea of Kyle and Jared (or Jyle as I like to call them) dating?
Always
OUTOFMYMIND