Destined to Explode (Adopted by All Time Low)

Chapter 8

I finish packing our last box and Reggie loads it onto the tour bus. We're ready to go now. Dad hugs me and so does May, Mom, and Jack. May has been in my life, but she is pushing herself more as an aunt to me rather than my mom which I appreciate.

I see Grandma Isobel, Grandma Joyce, Grandpa Peter, and Grandpa Bassam. They all hug me as well. All four of the guys are coming with us, switching off as our bus drivers.

I'm still wearing my knee brace, but it is unlocked completely, just there for support. "So what is our inventory?" Our band has grown huge. "50,060 copies of our EP. 100,000 t shirts. 50,000 tour limited edition t shirts. 150,000 sweatshirts. 50,000 tank tops. We also have a shit ton of guitar picks, posters, and stickers."

I'm really bouncy. I realize I think I forgot to take my ADHD meds this morning. "Dad, I think I forgot to take my ADHD meds this morning." He sighs. "Go ahead and take them now." I take a pill and go back to the others.

Eventually, we arrive in Pennsylvania. I see My Chemical Romance. We weren't able to meet up in person. "Hi!" "You seem to have a lot of energy." I hear Dad. "It will be more controlled later. She forgot her ADHD meds this morning and only took it about 5 minutes ago."

Alex looks at me. "Which of your bandmates gave you either caffeine or sugar as well?" Kenny comes out. "She had a can of Diet Dr Pepper." Frank smiles. "Competition, worst guitarist of the two of us has to go in the ocean when we get to New York." "Deal."

We go inside and plug in our guitars. "We'll both be behind the curtain. You vote one or two." We sit back there. I smile. "You go first." He nods and begins playing a guitar part for a song. It's solid, but I think I can do better.

We shake hands and I begin playing The Legacy by Black Veil Brides. I finish and we both unplug our guitars. "I have to say, kid. You are a pretty good guitarist." We go out to everyone else.

"Go down in a line starting at Gerard." "2." "2." "2." "2." "2." The other 5 repeat the same answer. I laugh. "Beat that, fucker." He laughs. "Dammit, the 17-year-old beat me."

They all look shocked. "You should put guitar parts like that in your songs." I look at Kyra and she nods. "Okay!" I look at Frank and smirk. "Are you ready to jump in the cold ocean water?" He pouts.

"If you actually do it, I'll do it as well." He smiles. Soon enough, I am sitting side stage before the show. I'm on the verge of a panic attack, but only Mikey knows. "Hey, kid. It's okay. I know it's a lot of people, but they love your music just about as much as they love ours."

"What if I mess up?" "Everyone makes mistakes. Have you ever been to a concert?" I shake my head. "I had tickets but was never able to go." "The fans won't care if you mess up, it's part of the beauty of live music. I know you guys talked to Gerard about the sweet spot of rehearsing to be able to play, you guys will do amazing."

We get on stage and I feel the adrenaline. "Hey, Philadelphia! What's up?" There is cheering and Mikey gives me a thumbs up. We play through our set and I go off stage with them.

Mikey gives me a light hug. "See, I told you everything would be alright." He goes on stage. I sit side stage and watch them. "Before the show, Frank and Rachel had a little guitar competition, which she won. I thought, we should have them play and if she is up to it, Rachel to sing the song."

I grab my guitar and join them on stage. "Alright, will do." There is cheering. I talk in the dead mic. "Which guitar part am I doing?" "Lead." I nod. I make sure it is tuned.

"Are you ready?" I hear the drummer. "Yep." I speak into the mic. "This is The Legacy by Black Veil Brides." There is some cheering. We go through the song and I even do the screaming which I can see surprises them.

I go off stage. "Holy fuck, you can scream." I jump a little, not expecting anyone behind me. "Thanks?" "Alex posted it on Instagram." I scowl. After the concert, he comes backstage. "Dad, I will kill you." He smirks. "You're not allowed to run you." "Jack, you know what to do."

He holds Dad still so I can get the pressure point behind his ear. "You win." He holds his hands up in surrender. Frank looks curious. "There is a pressure point right here." Reggie sighs. "Show him with me." I show Frank.

"That's awesome! Could I try with you?" I shrug. "You can try, even Kyra hasn't been able to get it to work on me though." "Aw, that's boring." I giggle. "Where did you learn those?" "Karate. Kyra and I are black belts." "Once Rachel is healed, we'll show you one day."

I see Dad pout. "Why are you so good at everything?" "I'm not. Put me at any sport that contains a ball, besides golf and soccer, and I'm going to end up with a concussion. Put me near them and you'll get the same result."

Kyra speaks up. "Or, we could do another splits competition like 8th grade and she'll end up hyperextending her knee again." "Yeah, let's not do that." I look to Dad. "I forgot to tell you, my physical therapist completely unlocked my knee brace!" He smiles.

"That's awesome!" I smile. I go on Instagram and see a comment on Dad's post from Jake Pitts. Damn, your kid is amazing. I'd love to meet her when she is in LA. She is an amazing singer/screamer and guitarist. I smile and reply. Thank you! I'd be willing to meet up with you. Just DM me or if you can find my contact info in some other way, you could do that.

I get a DM a few minutes later. Hey kid, could you give me your phone number? It would be easier for me to see. I send it to him and get a call a few minutes later. "Hey!" I smile and wave. "You are a lot more shy off stage." I nod.

"Are your band members and your parents nearby?" They all come closer. He smiles. "I want to discuss signing you guys to my label. I would like to meet up with you guys when you are in California to talk about it." Dad nods.

The call ends after we talk for a while. "Dad, I'm unsure about signing." "I understand, it's a huge decision to make, especially when you are already being successful working for yourself."

We go back to the bus. "For you guys, I don't think a label would do you guys much good. I think you would do best owning your own label." I nod. "That's what I was kind of figuring, but I'm scared of passing up any control."

"You'll probably eventually want a band manager or at the very least a tour manager, but I would be scared as well to change things with the success you are experiencing on your own."

We go to his bunk together and I cuddle into him. I quickly fall asleep.