The Dove And The Grenade.

Chapter 12: Out of Hell.

Eliese and Matty arrived at the airport with Dylan and Jorel, they had gotten a shuttle bus to bring pick them up and take them to the airport for 3am. George and Charlie were already there with their tour manager. Eliese has been to an airport before; obviously to drop off and pick up Matty and some family and friends. But she's never been beyond security.

After they checked their luggage and got their tickets, they went through security. The airport was practically dead, a decent amount of people were there but it wasn't insane like Eliese is used to seeing it. Eliese and Matty shared a bag, one of Eliese's nice purses. They both brought a good book and some sort of music player along with some money. Matty wanted to know why she had money, Eliese bought a coffee when they got to their terminal building. She offered to buy him a coffee but he said he'd have one on the plane. Eliese shrugged it off and bought herself a coffee and a blueberry muffin. Matty ate the muffin and sipped at her coffee. Eliese knew it was far too early to pick a play fight with him. So she let him have some of her coffee and eat her muffin without saying a thing.

They waited in the terminal at their gate for Aron to arrive, they all frantically called him in case he accidentally slept in but they were put through to voicemail every time. It annoyed all of them but it annoyed Eliese the most. 'If you don't wanna go on tour then don't be apart of a band.' Eliese hated seeing the guys so upset about this but she can't say she didn't see this coming. Aron wasn't the easiest traveler to be around. Matty expects to go on tour, do his things and have a good time but he wasn't enjoying himself at all. That annoyed Eliese because it's hard on everyone to be on tour but they deal with it, why should Aron get different treatment?

She sat in an uncomfortable plastic cushiony chair that wasn't doing her backside any favors. She nested a grande Starbucks coffee in her palms. She was told to dress comfortably and she did; Eliese wore a pair of plain dark wash bluejeans, a white spaghetti strap, and a clover green sweat shirt with matching Vans. Her short dark hair hung down undone up and freshly washed.

At times she found herself toying with the silver heart locket with gems on one side and a key shape cut out of the other side. Emily got it for her for Mother's Day; Emily got the key to unlock the heart and she said she was going to give it to the person who loves her mom the most. Emily slipped it into Matty's suitcase before she left yesterday.

Eliese gripped the necklace when an overwhelming sense of fear came over her. Her eyes immediately started to pan out the area to spot the danger. Razor winged butterflies fluttered in her stomach, her knees became weak and her hands started to shake. 'Stop shaking, you're fine.' Eliese reminded herself that there was no danger around. And if there was then she'd be protected by the guys. 'I don't need men to fight my battles.' She scolded herself mercilessly.

"Fuck." Matty exclaimed as he sat down on the seat next to Eliese. Eliese jumped out of surprise before realizing that it was just Matty and not something to be threatened by. She turned to him and furrowed her eyebrows confusedly.

"Still no answer?" She questioned softly. Matty rubbed the five o'clock shadow on his cheek, the dark stubble made his pale skin look whiter. He sighed heavily and nodded his head.

"Yeah." His voice was gravelly and rough.

"Well, we have to go soon and I don't see him arriving in time for this flight." Charlie commented tiredly. As annoyed as they were, they were somewhat relieved that he wasn't able to go on this flight with them. It made traveling much easier for the entire group. Not to mention; Eliese doesn't have to worry about murdering him while on the plane.

"Maybe he over slept." Their tour manager's assistant commented.

"Then why is he sending us straight to voicemail?" Dylan asked frustrated. All of them were frustrated and tired, and just wanted all of the drama to be done and over with.

"I'll have someone go to his house and see if he's there. You guys might need to do the first show without him." Their tour manager told the group of annoyed, tired and caffeine deprived men. They had all tried to contact him without any luck. Eliese even called him, even though she really didn't care for him he was still apart of the band and they needed him. Eliese didn't mind; nobody did but if he didn't want to go then he should have called so the guys could get a replacement. Charlie and George are going to split his vocal parts. Eliese knew this wouldn't end if the guys didn't do something. Aron will continue to screw them over without any repercussions. They need to do something otherwise there might not be another record. They need to correct him; they need to give him the two options: man up or there's the door. Or they need to kick him out of the band or break up as a band. None of them wanted that last option, but it was still an option.

"Y'know what, don't even bother. If he's not answering his phone and sending us to voicemail then it's obvious that he doesn't want to come." George was finally calling the shot. The four other men nodded in agreement. It was settled then; the next time they see Aron they're going to tell him that he's not apart of the band anymore. Eliese didn't say anything because it wasn't her place to open her mouth but she mentally cheered. She personally believes that they can do so much better than Aron. Maybe even if their friend Danny fills in for a while until they find a replacement, that'll improve their attitudes and performances. 'But Danny is auditioning for American Idol.' Eliese thought to herself honestly.

After the group of me collectively decided to go forward with their band their plane was ready to be boarded. Eliese didn't stray far from Matty's side, he went before her to the desk to get his ticket and passport checked. The entire band got settled in coach, although Eliese was nervous. Matty held her hand for take off. She knew her ears would pop and get pressurized but she wasn't prepared for how badly they'd get pressurized. He her was filled with helium but her body was filled with led.

Eliese dreamily stared out the window with eyes larger than the moon. Her ears were filled with pressure and the sound of low chatter, and the loud rumble of the plane's engines. They flew above the clouds in the golden light of dawn. Baby blues and pinks powdered the white golden clouds. Eliese held onto Matty's hand tightly through excitement more than fear or nervousness now. He gave her his seat so she could admire the sight since she's never been on a plane before.

Matty admired Eliese's heavenly golden brown eyes as they lit up with childish dreams and admiration for life. Matty admired the way her skin glowed with a glow that only an angel with the brightest halo could have. Her blemishes and dark circles added character to her glow. Matty could see the tiny dark eyebrow hairs that were out of place but perfectly placed. He counted her freckles on her sun strip. He noticed the way her dark brown hair twisted and turned, almost like shoulder length rivers of softness. Butterflies gathered in his stomach when her already curved mouth twisted into an at ease smirk.

'If angels existed this is what they'd look like.' Matty mentally noted with a small smile. But his smile relaxed when he remembered how afraid she was, not of flying or going on a trip, but of her ex-boyfriend and leaving Emily behind. She was scared of having to return to mayhem and chaos. 'Some of the most heavenly looking creatures have had to crawl up out of the deepest pits of hell.' Matty reminded himself. And he was correct; Eliese has had to crawl out of the bowels of hell to be where she is now. But she's dragged some demons along with her. 'Maybe that's why her face usually looks like it's carved out of stone, she has dragged these demons out of hell and now they're trying to kill her. She has no choice but to be tough, hard like stone.' Matty frowned faintly and brought their intertwined hands up to his lips, pressing a reassuring kiss against the back of her hand. Eliese looked at him lovingly and smiled while blush dusted her cheeks lightly.

"What was that for?" She asked him, her voice was almost unheard over the low but loud rumble of the engines. But Matty heard her and he smiled with a shrug.

"Just because I love you." His words melted her cold heart but she couldn't get all gooy over that. Many men have told her they love her and they've ended up hurting her the most. Deep down Eliese knows that Matty wouldn't do that kind of thing but the threat is still there. Eliese's smile broadened and she shook her head at him.

"You're an idiot." She told him honestly. Matty smirked at her, he knew that was her way of saying 'I love you too'. Eliese wanted to say those four words but it meant taking a risk. 'I love you too' was too risky to say this early in the relationship, even though Eliese has loved Matty since the day she told him she was pregnant with Emily. He didn't leave like most of her friends did. He never passed judgement or assumed Eliese got pregnant purposely to trap Nathan. He stayed and loved her just the same, but she loved him more.