Die In California

29

Devyn's POV:

JP stuck to his word. They really went and made it the best birthday to date. 

The week before my birthday was pretty much the usual shit on tour. Kells and Mod were crazy, easily dragging JP into their antics like he was their little brother, while I stayed back and out of trouble with Ashleigh, Slim and Baze - the slightly more level-headed, normal, ones. But we still enjoyed ourselves, just from the sidelines.

But it didn't feel like I had an upcoming birthday - like most years. I hated my birthday, ever since JP left, my mom's death and my asshole of a father's disappearance. I never thought there was anything worth celebrating, especially with how shit my life had become. Yet, deep down, I still hoped that the guys would have something planned. Or at least remember. But they didn't so much as mention it once that week, seeming to have forgotten all about it. Of course.

After the show in Riverside, we drove straight to Los Angeles to book into a hotel, something that wasn't out of the ordinary. But what was out of the ordinary, was how swanky the hotel near the venue was. They'd definitely splashed the cash for this show, having booked us into one of the most luxurious hotels I'd ever been in.

The guys claimed it was because we were spending an extra day there - when on tour, they only really stick around for a day or two, but we were staying for three, and setting off to the next state as late as we could get away with. I wanted to believe that it was something else, but I knew to not get my hopes up; I'd had them crushed all too many times, and I didn't deserve to do that to myself on my birthday.

When we got out of the cab, Ashleigh handed out the room key cards and sent us up to our rooms to crash for the night. Apparently the following day was going to be a full day of rehearsals and preparing for the show that was the following night - my birthday. I didn't mind that their gig was on my birthday, though; I loved seeing Kells rock out on the stage, doing what he loved best. And, anyway, getting to experience the band's high would be a present in itself.

I headed up to my room with the group, all of us dispersing. My room was between Kells' and JP's, which was odd as they usually shared, but apparently not this time. It was a fucking awesome suit, though, with a big double bed, a tv on the wall opposite, some armchairs by the large window, and a gorgeous view overlooking Los Angeles and the hotel's pool. Man, I was going to be living in luxury for my birthday, and I couldn't be happier.

That night I had probably the best sleep of my life, waking up feeling rested for once, rather than my whole body aching from being confined in a bunk. I thoroughly enjoyed the luxurious shower after being woken up by Ashleigh for rehearsals, basking in the steaming water. There's nothing quite like a hotel shower. I then changed into my black ripped skinny jeans, a black hoodie, and my red flannel over the top, yanking on my black Converse high tops.

Ashleigh knocked on the door as I was finishing up drying my hair, brushing my hands through the natural waves as I went to let her in. I'd begun to leave my brunette hair down more as it grew longer, rather than tying it out of the way, in an attempt to put a little more effort into my appearance. It was irritating having it blowing in my face constantly, but I was learning to live with it.

"You ready to go? We'll get breakfast from a nearby cafe first." Ashleigh asked. She looked oddly nice for rehearsals, wearing black leggings, a long light grey t-shirt, black leather jacket, black heeled boots, and a lightweight dark grey scarf draped around her neck to finish off the look. I raised an eyebrow, but decided she just felt good about herself, so complimented her as I grabbed my phone and purse in my bag and followed her out to the elevator.

Surprisingly, the guys were all up and ready, standing by the elevator with smiles on their faces, laughing and joking together. It took me by surprise; they were never that awake at 9 am, even when they had important rehearsals. But I didn't question it, as they seemed determined to make the LA show something great. Not that their shows weren't always great, but they seemed a lot more dedicated to this one, more than usual.