"Is anyone allergic to nuts?" Mads questioned, snatching the package of mixed nuts off of the shelf.
I scratched the back of my neck as I tried to recall anyone saying that they were. I shrugged, grabbing it out of her hands and tossing it into our basket.
"Are we ready to checkout now?" I say, sticking my hand into the basket and moving items around to see what we got.
I furrow my eyebrows as my hand brushes against soft fur, a small stuffed animal sitting at the bottom of the basket. I pull it out and present it to Mads, a smirk on my face.
"Did you put that in there?" I giggle, clutching the small plush.
Mads blushes, "Yeah, it reminds me of Sheepcat."
"If that's the case, then we're getting it. Now, come on," I say enthusiastically before spinning on my heels and leading the both of us to the self check out.
Mads hands me everything in the basket as I run them on top of the scanner, a monotonous beep emitting every time. I hear Mads groan loudly as I finish paying, placing the plastic bags into my hands.
I glance sideways at her, quirking an eyebrow. She shrugs in return, gesturing for us to leave.
"I'm just tired, Tay is so uncomfortable to sleep on," she admitts, adjusting her glasses once more.
I give her a sympathetic look as the automatic doors in front of us open, bidding us goodbye. It had gotten colder outside, the windows on numerous cars had fogged up. The trees were swaying as the wind blew their leaves many directions, the wind also blowing our hair.
"This weather makes me wanna die," I joke, fishing the keys out from my jacket pocket.
"I'm used to it, I grew up in the UK," Mads replies, stuffing her hands into her pockets.
We walk quickly to the RV. I pull open the trunk as I make room for the grocery bags, pushing away the different instruments.
"For fucks sake, why is this shit so heavy?" I grunt, attempting to move Alex's keyboard.
Mads helps me out, the both of us managing to make enough space. I set down the bags and let out a sigh of relief. I pat Mads' shoulder as I unlock the RV, both of us climbing in.
I adjust my seat, pulling it forward so my legs could reach the pedals better. I turn on the RV, as Mads reached over for the heater.
"Are they still sleeping?" I whisper, not having a chance to look at the others yet.
"Yeah, knocked out. Bert is drooling," Mads snickers, pointing to the string of saliva pooling out of Bert's open mouth.
I scrunch my nose, "Did he get his spit anywhere?"
"Only on his jacket," Mads cringed before turning away from Bert.
I flick my gaze towards the rear view mirror, my lips twitching as I saw Bert sleeping happily.
"Just glad he's getting some sleep, he spent half of his day with his face practically two inches away from that camera," I say as I begin to maneuver the car away from the side of the road.
"Yeah, but I think he got some cool shots of us," Mads adds, leaning forward to stick her head between the two front seats.
Mads rests her head against my seat, playing with the drawstring of her hoodie. I tap my fingers against the wheel as I turn on my signal, waiting at the red light.
"God, I could use a smoke right now," a voice breaks the silence, Mads and I both snapping our heads towards the passenger seat.
Nino stares back at us, "What the fuck are you two staring at?"
I roll my eyes, "You, asswipe."
Mads scoffs as she greets Nino, "Good evening to you too, or morning, I should say."
Nino buckles her seatbelt as she sits straight, grabbing the jacket I covered her with before. She eyes it before wrapping it around herself once more, sighing happily in response to the immediate warmth.
"What time is it?" Nino asks, stretching her legs out.
I hear both of her knees crack before checking my clock and answering her, "It's almost 3:30 AM."
"Did you find out if Mads' friend can lend us a place to stay at for today and tonight?" Nino queries.
"Oh, shit! I forgot to ask!" Mads blushes as she opens her phone, presumably to ask the friend.
"You're all good," I assure, making a U-Turn to start driving back to the venue.
"We can just chill at the venue for now, that okay?" I ask.
"Fine with me," they mumble at the same time.
"Cool, cool" I say quietly, leaning forward as I navigated through the dark and mostly empty streets.
😇
Ten minutes later and we made it to the venue, parking near the backside of the building.
I cheerfully shut off the car, stretching my limbs as I groan softly.
"Finally get to relax," I joke, winking at Nino as I turn myself around.
"Oh, shut it," Nino threatens, pulling the handle to open her door.
"You going out for a cig?" Mads looks up at Nino, her glasses reflecting off of the streetlight near us.
"Yeah. You coming, Gabs?" Nino glances at me, an unlit cigarette already hanging out of her lips.
"Yeah, I could go for one right now," I agree, zipping up my jacket as I grab the pack of cigarettes from the side compartment on the door.
"Mads, you sure you don't want one?" I offer, extending my pack towards her.
She shakes her head quickly, "No, thank you though."
I nod as I turn away and meet up with Nino outside. I shut the door as I breath deeply, my breath colliding with cold air to create a small cloud of smoke.
"You already lit yours?" Nino accuses, her eyebrows furrowed.
"No, dipshit. That was my breath," I retort, my eyes wide as I stare at her.
She rolls her eyes as she quietly mutters an apology, pulling out our lighter from her jeans. I watch as she flicks the lighter on, the small flame illuminating her lips as she lit her cigarette.
I quickly set mine between my lips as she brought the lighter to my own cigarette, the flame eating away at the tip of it. We both inhale at the same time, keeping the smoke in our lungs for one second before releasing it.
"These are so bad for us," I tease, sucking in more of the cancerous smoke despite what I just said.
"Who cares?" Nino snorts, leaning back against the RV.
