Cherry || Owen Joyner

twelve

I wake up groggily the next morning. It was sad knowing this was the last day I'm waking up in Maui.

I look over to see my friends awake. They had the same sad expressions on their faces. "Sucks doesn't it?" Nash asked as I sit up.

"Yeah." I say. I get up and do my morning routine. We were meeting the boys in their room since their flight is before ours.

It was six in the morning when we get to their suite and we go inside for the last time. Jeremy was sitting on the couch strumming on his bass.

Charlie was sitting on the counter in the kitchen. And Owen was on the balcony. I walk over towards him to see if he's okay.

I step outside and he turns over to me. I could tell he's tired from the dark circles under his eyes.

"You okay?" I ask standing next to him. He shrugged as he took a sip of his coffee. "Just tired." He spoke softly.

I step closer to him and lean my head on his shoulder. "I'm going to miss you, Cherry." I look up at his soft blue eyes.

"I love the nickname, but why Cherry?" I question. He looks at me softly while fixing my hair.

"I think it suits you." He tucked a piece of my hair behind my ear.

"Plus you somehow always smell like cherries and I like it." He flirts.

Before he could say anything, Jeremy walked to us. "We gotta go in ten minutes." He pouted.

I sigh as we walk inside. I go hug Jeremy first. We didn't bond as much but I enjoy his company.

I'm still gonna miss him. "Be safe. Don't twist any ankles." He joked. "I'll try. Don't hide Carolynn from me." I smile when I pull away.

"I won't." He assured me. I look at Charlie and take a deep breath. I walk over towards him and wrap my arms around him.

We grew such a sibling bond in just two weeks. "Please watch over him." I say in his ear.

"Of course. Please watch over her." He didn't have to say her name. And I knew who he was talking about.

I pull away with a deep breath. I could feel a knot in my throat. I looked at Owen as he looked at me.

I can't cry in front of Owen. Not now. "I don't wanna say goodbye." I admit to him. My voice was a little shaky.

He shook his head towards me. "It's not a goodbye. It's a see you soon." I couldn't hold it in. I wrap my arms around him, fully embracing him.

He still smelt like vanilla and mint. We stand there for a moment. Fully embracing each other. I let a few tears slip.

He pulled me slightly away after noticing his shirt was a little wet. He wiped the tears away as his eyes formed tears.

"Don't cry. I'll text, facetime, and call everyday." He reassures me. I nod as he steps back. They all take a deep breath.

They say one last goodbye, and then walk out of the suite. I'm gonna miss those boys. We walk to our room and wait.

I could tell Kira was upset. Nash has been trying his best to cheer us up. But it only worked slightly.

After a few hours, we head to the airport to leave. Our flight starts at nine Maui time, two Oklahoma time.

So we were landing five Maui time, ten pm Oklahoma. We go to the airport, go through everything, and board the plane.

The whole plane ride was super long. I think the worst part about it was getting on the plane at nine in the morning and getting off at ten pm.

I felt exhausted when we got to the townhouse. I messaged Owen, telling him I had made it home safely.

Since I have jetlag and can't go to sleep, I decided to go see how my band mates are. I drive the familiar roads to my sisters.

They all share a house together so I know they're all there. The lights were still on when I pulled up.

I walk right in and I could hear music being played. I walk into the garage causing them to look at me.

They all look surprised and happy as they noticed I was back. "Saylor!" My sister, Harley, ran over towards me.

I've missed my sister. It feels like years since I've seen my sister and band. "How was the trip?" She asked pulling away.

I quickly hug Jesse and Kilton as I made my way to the drums. "It was a blast. I can't believe you guys are practing without me." I laugh.

I grab my drumsticks as the boys look at my sister strangely. "Did you not tell her?" Jesse asked her.

"Tell me what?" I ask confused. "No, I wanted to tell her in person." She explains to him. "Oh, you're gonna love this!" Kilton smiled towards me.

I look at all them confused. "Okay, I can't wait." My sister smiled.

"There's a band playing here in three weeks and they asked us to open up for them. We have a gig!" My sister exclaimed.

I squealed in excitement as they smile towards me. "Are you serious?" I ask as they nod.

"We're gonna mainly do originals and a cover or two." Jesse explained to me. "Plus there's gonna be hot shot record managers there." Kilton added.

I was honestly excited. "Well what are you waiting for? Let's start practicing." I smile. They agree so we spent the next few hours playing.

It felt so good drumming again. We picked out our set list and how we're gonna run through it.

Around midnight, I went back to the townhouse. I flopped on the bed in exhaustion. I lay there for a moment, not wanting to move.

But my phone rings causing me to pull it out of my pocket. Owen was calling me so I answered it.

When I answer, his face came up on the screen. "Did I wake you?" He asked when I answered.

He looked super tired. "No. I just now got home." I pout. He looked at me strangely. "Where have you been?"

I explain to him how I spent it with my band, rehearsing. "I have good news though." I smile.

I looked at myself and realized I was still in his hoodie.

"Do I wanna know?" He teased as I dropped my jaw. "Even if you don't, I'm still telling you." He started laughing.

"We have a gig booked and we're opening up for a band!" He looked so happy when I told him.

A smile grew on his face. "I'm so proud of you! When is it?" I told him how it was going to be in three weeks.

We talk for a little bit, but we're both tired so we go to bed. It was hard to fall asleep that night.

I kept getting a whiff of Owen's scent which would cause me to turn around, only to find I'm still alone.

The first few days of being back is hard. With the practicing and being away from Owen. I know Kira is feeling it too.

I just hope I get to see him soon.