Songwriter // Michael Clifford //

Chapter 4: Extreme Tourist

I step off the plane look around, people are running everywhere. The atmosphere is swirling with panic and anticipation. I suddenly remember why I hate airports. I turn around a few times, didn't Mr. Johnson say that someone would pick me up?

My lungs seem to fill with concrete, my palms start to sweat and my hands shake uncontrollably. I am all alone. I am in LA. I am on my own. I spin in more circles, desperately looking for someone with a sign that has my name on it. That's what they do in the movies, right?

I console myself by insisting that they must be late, and the flight was maybe earlier than expected. I decide that I'm going to get something from Starbucks and then come back.

I feel better waiting with a hot cup of coffee in my hands. I feel safer, and having a drink gives me something to focus on. I look around again, and then decide to call my mom.

I try not to sound panicked on the phone, but obviously fail. My mom tells me to take deep breathes and tells me there should be a cab waiting outside. I feel really stupid, but at least I know what to do now.

There are a couple cabs waiting outside, but one of them has my last name plastered to the side of it. I run over to the cab, get in and apologize to the cabbie for making him wait so long. He tells me it wasn't a problem and gives me a funny look.

The ride takes forever, but eventually I pull up into an extremely nice hotel. I pay the cabbie, and he drives off. I start to walk towards the hotel, my mouth hanging open. This was so great. Out of the corner of my eye I notice that a lot of girls my age and younger are gathered around a hotel down the street. I wonder what teen star they plan on mobbing. I despise mobs, and I made myself swear that no matter how famous or hot the person was, I would never mob anyone. Even if it meant giving up my only chance of ever meeting Mikey, Calum, Ashton, and Luke.

Once I get my room key and get in the elevator, I realize that my room is on the highest floor. Didn't that mean it was the most expensive? I felt guilt weigh down on my shoulders as I wondered who was paying for all of this. That guilt went away when I saw my room.

"Damn." I said out loud, because this was one of those moments that required a verbal reaction, no matter how weird it made me look.

The room was the size of my entire house, if not bigger. There was a huge king size bed and a window that stretched across the whole wall. The view was brilliant. I could see what felt like the entire city, and yet I could still see the faces of the people on the streets.

I noticed again the group of girls down the road, but it was bigger than before. Suddenly, they all started jumping up and down. I resisted the urge to laugh, as they looked really strange, especially out of context. My amusement faded quickly when I saw a figure with fiery red hair, than a blonde tall boy in a red flannel, than a boy with a tangled mess of hair held together with a bandana, and finally a boy with curly dark brown hair with streaks of gold passing through it. Those girls better not- oh god.

The crowd rushed towards the boys and they were consumed in a sea of screaming fans. This is not how you treat a family, this is not the 5sos family i grew to love. I felt like I wanted to cry, those poor boys were trying to greet all the fans and talk to them, but couldn't be heard over the screaming, and couldn't get to everyone due to pushing. I didn't get why fans felt they had to act like this. Couldn't they all just be polite and quiet and give the boys space?!

I turned away from my window, finding it hard to watch. I decided to go down to the lobby and call Mr. Johnson to ask about my schedule. He told me that he was mailing it to the hotel, and tomorrow morning I would get everything I needed. I thanked him and hung up, unsure of what to do. I wanted to go meet 5sos, but didn't want to become a part of that mob. I decided that I would tour LA a little bit.

After wandering the streets and going in a few stores, I decided to stop torturing myself and just come back when I could afford all this stuff. IF i could afford all this stuff then.

I headed into a small coffee shop, no, not Starbucks, and got in line. I liked LA, it was really cute and all the shops were really hipster. Once I was at the register I ordered a plain cup of coffee, I wasn't a huge fan of flavored drinks but I liked the Christmas ones. I added the correct amount of cream and sugar into my cup, very precisely I might add. I turned to look for a seat and then stopped in my tracks.

Sitting at a table in the corner of the shop, with their heads all turned to look at me as if someone had pointed me out, was 5 Seconds of Summer.

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OoOoOoO I told you things would start to happen in this chapter. Actually things just started to start to happen so sorry about that...

I have had quite a bit of time to write so I will probably put out two chapters a week.

ALSO I've been trying to make the chapters longer, so if you like this than leave a comment!

Alright byyyye!
instagram: @5sos.unplugged