Baby, This is Paradise

•7•

Claire's POV

Everything was black. My head throbbed with my pulse. I felt the warm sensation of being wrapped in a blanket, and I heard soft notes vibrating near my head. It would be quite pleasant, if I didn't feel like I was going to hurl or have my head explode.

I finally cracked my eyes open to a bright room, decorated nicely, like a hotel? Yes, I was definitely in a hotel.

Wait. I lived in this town. I didn't check in to a hotel.

Bit by bit, I remembered the events of the previous night. I groaned in agony of my headache and closed my eyes again, listening to the soft voice sing gently.

"She sits up high, surrounded by the sun. One million branches and she loves every one..."
Wait- voice?

I slowly looked up to see who was singing, and found I was tangled in Vic, one arm over his chest and wrapped up in his arms. He was softly singing to me, but when I looked up, he smiled gently and stroked my hair.

"Morning, beautiful." (That raspy morning voice nearly killed me)

"Hmhm hi" Wow, that was intelligent-sounding.

"Wait, how did I get here? I don't remember anything...", I said.

"You really can't handle much alcohol, Claire." There was that smirk again.

"Yeah, yeah I know", I said, sitting up and clutching my stomach. "Where is everyone?"

"The other boys are in their rooms. I think Alex probably ended up in one of their beds..."

"SLUT! She totally slept with one of them."

"Um, don't look now, but you kind of did too..."

"Oh. I guess I did." He was so hot.

He wiggled his eyebrows at me.

"But we didn't... Well then again I don't remember anything...."

He laughed as I continued to get worried.

Just then, Jaime burst through the hotel door.

"VIC WE HAVE TO TAKE THIS GIRL WITH US. SHE IS GOLDEN" he was in hysterics and was followed by a hysterical Alex. They were both dressed and didn't seem groggy at all.

How could these people hold alcohol so well? How much did I actually drink last night?? Ugh.

When they realized Vic and I were in the same bed, Jaime reddened and Alex issued a bitchy "ooooooooooh"

Vic blushed and I was fuming.
"We- I'm- This is-" I couldn't find words. I just stormed into the bathroom to examine my physical state.

My eyeliner was smudged, but that was about as bad as it got. I heard laughter from the other room. I smoothed my hair and walked back to the other room, plunking down on the bed.

It seemed like Alex made quite an impression with the band; She could make Jaime crack up with just a strange glance his way. Jaime was trying to convince Vic, and the rest of the boys, (who had somehow appeared on the other side of the room) that
Pierce The Veil needed "roadies" along with them for their tour. It seemed like Jaime just wanted to bring along his new best friend along for the ride. Vic threw his hands up.

"I'm in." He declared. (I was sure that was because he was totally into me.)

Tony and Mike looked at each other and shrugged. It would be difficult to change the opinion of Jaime and Vic together.

"Then it's official." Vic said. "You guys can come with us on our tour, I mean... If you want." His eyes pleaded with me. Say yes, say yes, say yes.

"No. Guys, this was great and all," I said sarcastically while clutching my throbbing head,"but I have responsibilities. I have a degree to get, a family to please. I can't just abandon it all..."

I was met by discouraged stares. Vic stared at the floor. It sort of broke my heart.

"Fuck it, I'm in."