Destined to Explode (Adopted by All Time Low)

Chapter 7

"Did you guys sort it out?" I nod. "I don't have the feelings anymore. I wrote that nearly two years ago. I think the two of us can fuel a ton of fanfics though."

"What were your fanfics about?" "Mostly being adopted by bands and being in a band, oddly enough." "Any ships?" "I only posted one." "Which ship?" "Kellic." They laugh.

Eventually, we move into discussing tour. "So guys, you have the option of just sending them off with us on tour or one of you guys could come with. I wouldn't recommend more than that, but I'm sure you already know that."

They nod. "We've already been paid for the events. We'll send the 25% to you guys tonight. As it lays out, it's $28,480,927.20, obviously without any concessions or merch sales. Any financial questions we could probably get you an answer for. Text us. We have to go now to get ready for our show. We'll see you all soon."

He hangs up. "Woah." I look to Alex. "Speaking of finances, what do you suggest?" "I would make it 26 even to split between you four with the remaining into a band fund. That leaves about 2.5 million for the band fund. Renting the bus, hotels, food, merch, music videos. It leaves each of you with 6.5 million."

All of our eyes widen. It's nearly doubling my money. "Oh, Kenny, we have presents for you!" I run upstairs and come back down with his presents. He opens the pack from me first. There is a lot of art supplies and a new pair of drumsticks.

He gets a lot more art supplies from all of us, as well as posters and a few beanies. "Thank you all!" I go upstairs and the others follow. "What are you planning?" "Nothing specifically yet. I was going to figure this all out though. We have our band account already. I agree with how Alex said to split the money. I want to try to do a photo shoot some time between August 10th and 29th. I think we should also produce a music video in that time."

They smile and nod. "Why August 10th?" "That's when I'm off crutches. At the very least if I'll have the brace, I don't want to be on crutches as well." They nod. "Are we doing era based styles?" "What do you guys think? I mean, I like them, but I don't want to be making all the decisions."

"I like them." "I'm indifferent." "I don't mind, I just want a jacket of some sort or makeup to cover my scars." I nod. "What is our band's music supposed to be classified as again?" "I mean, emo. Punk rock. Some of our other music will probably fall into metal."

"What about we just go with black this time around?" They all nod. I hear Alex. "Be careful about how much you are planning on wearing. You don't want to overheat." "You gotta learn one way or another."

He rolls his eyes. "Can I talk to you alone?" I nod and follow him to an empty room. "I want to honestly know how much money you made on the settlement. I'm not going to take any of it, I'm not going to force you to buy your own things, I just want to know."

I look down. "10 million total. 2 million was put into an account I can't access until I'm 18." He nods. "You are lucky." I nod. "Part of me wishes it wasn't all getting handed to me though." "You deserve all of the money." I shrug.

"Your first therapy appointment is during the day tomorrow as well as you have a psychiatrist appointment right after." I nod. The next day, I'm sitting in the office. "One thing I would like to try at the beginning is making her more comfortable to touch. Honey, what comforts you?"

"M-Music." She nods. "Alex, I'm going to have you touch her while music is playing. Rachel, I want you to try and associate touch with the music as much as you can. Go ahead and turn on your music, honey."

He reaches towards my arm and I fight the already rising panic. His hand touches my and I flinch a little, not moving away though. I'm fine as he goes over my arms. Suddenly, I feel contact on my back and anxiety completely overwhelms me.

I begin having a panic attack matched with the flashback that is currently occurring. I can't hear anything that is going on around me. I feel two pills be placed in my hand and I take them.

I begin getting less anxious and more tired as time goes on. "I'm sorry, Alex. That's going to completely sedate her for a while, probably 4-5 hours. It was the only way to calm her down. We do know now that her back is completely off limits, probably because she couldn't see you."

"Okay." I feel him pick me up as I begin losing consciousness. I'm completely asleep before we get to the car. I wake up again and we are home. I see Alex next to me. "Hey, honey." I yawn and cover myself completely, besides my head, in blankets.

He laughs a little. "You have your show in 3 hours. The others went down there to set it up. You were put on antidepressants and ADHD meds. They do also want you to be on careful suicide watch for at least two months." I nod. I get up and yawn.

I change when he leaves the room and I put on some makeup. I go downstairs and Lisa is there. "C'mon, I'll drive you guys." She drives us to the venue. I made another 100 CDs as well as about 30 tank tops, 30 t-shirts, and 30 sweatshirts.

We get there and Alex explains to me how I should warm up. "I can't believe you've never warmed up before singing before." I shrug. "Alright, I'm going up to the front." He leaves. "Are you guys ready?" I shrug. "I would be so anxious right now if my anxiety meds were more warn off."

We go on stage and I see people. I recognize a few faces. I see Mrs Coyer and immediately smile at her. "Guys, Mrs Coyer is here!" Kenny and Kyra both smile. I go up to the mic and move my guitar so I can play it.

"Hey guys! How's everyone doing tonight?" There is some cheering. "We're the small local band, Dire Chaos, and we hope you guys enjoy!" Kyra and I begin playing the first song and they join us at their parts.

I'm buzzing with energy. I begin leading the crowd at some point as well because they seem more interested in our music than the actual nightclub aspect. It finishes and we go off stage. I put down my guitar and go out to the main area. I know it is a risky choice, but I want to see Mrs Coyer.

I get to her without being intercepted. I hug her. "Hi Mrs Coyer!" I look to her husband. "Hi Mr Coyer!" She smiles. "Your music is amazing. I was curious if the four of you would like to come into our class to do an interview in September or October." I smile.

"We'll be in Tacoma on October 2nd. We could come in on the 3rd. I know it's not preferable with shorter classes, but we'll be heading down to Oakland the next day." "It's okay, that will work perfect. Do you want me to email you as a business inquiry?"

I shake my head and give her my phone number. "You're not business. How are you planning on doing this?" "I have about 32 kids in both of my journalism classes. I'm thinking I either want to split it up into 4 groups of 8, or if you could get 4 more musicians to come in, 8 groups of 4." I see Alex, Zack, Rian, and Jack.

I make eye contact with Alex and wave him over. They all join us. "Alex, Jack, Rian, Zack, this is the Journalism teacher we were talking about. She is gonna have her students interview my band but she was curious if I had another four people from a band to make smaller groups. Do you guys want to join us? It would be in the morning October 3rd, when we are in Seattle."

They all nod. Her smile widens. "Awesome." She hugs me. "Okay, we have to go. I'll talk to you soon!" She leaves and I smile. They all follow me backstage. "Guys, we have an interview at PHS in October."

I hear Kyra squeal a little and I laugh. Alex takes a picture of us. I pack up the merch table. We sold 70 CDs, 30 tank top, 30 t shirts, and 20 sweatshirts. I drive home, stopping at an ATM. I put 300 into the band account. I hand them each 600. I put my 600 in my bank account.

I yawn. "Tomorrow we are coming back up here so I could split the 6,500,000 to each of us." They nod. We go home and I immediately fall asleep.