Pieces of Us| h.s.

Chapter Eleven.

Sydney Archer.

It's been a month since Festival X.

I've been home staying with my sister, Ryan and Jude for a while. I needed the break and never in my life did I think I'd need a break from what I love most. To be fair, we didn't have any shows booked for the next month anyway, we were going to go back to L.A. live life over there and jump into some writing sessions before some of our European shows, but I had a little mental wobble and decided it was ultimately better for me to be at home for a while.

I think I was emotionally drained. Julians picture was everywhere and everybody was asking me about it. I couldn't handle it, and in L.A. it would've been so much worse. Our relationship was good, towards the end it was just so exhausting and it took its toll on me.

The festival was the best night of my life. Our pictures were everywhere, pictures of us four on stage when the crowd was singing our final song with us. I was so beyond emotional that night, but my best friends were there to hold me up and the crowd was so incredible at doing that too.

People spoke about that performance for days after, it was in all the rock and roll magazines and even now, a month later people still mention it which is a real honour. Knowing the most special night of our lives was also one of our best, most memorable performances is such a surreal feeling.

I think with that night being the best of my life, it meant that after I just crashed. I had that night after Julian and I ended things so the heartache was distracted by the fact we headlined the biggest festival in our home country. After the weekend was over, it hurt a lot more.

It's been a month now though, and I feel brand new. I haven't seen Julian since the festival and my heart no longer aches, it feels whole again and I feel like I'm ready to get back on the road. I loved my time at home, but my real home is the stage. I feel safe on stage, I feel more alive than ever when I'm up there and I can't wait to get touring again.

We have a meeting in London, so our label sent a car to pick us up. We agreed to meet at Harry's house so Ryan decided he'd drop me off so I didn't have to walk in the beautiful English rain despite it being midsummer.

'You have fun Syd,' Jas hugged me before I went. 'Get back on the high horse of yours and have those boys in the palm of your hand and all. I'm excited for you! But I'll miss you, so will Jude.'

'I'll miss you guys too and thanks for having me. Gotta go and be a rockstar now though, my true calling.'

'Love you and be safe, I mean it.' She said, as if she were telling me off like I'm still sixteen and not in my twenties, but that's just her role as big sister I guess.

Ryan drove me round to Harrys where I'd see the guys for the first time in around two weeks. Harry took his parents to one of the Scottish isles and Jamie was staying with Kyla for a while. Myles is just another kettle of fish, he's all over the place to be honest so it's hard to keep up with him when he's not by our side twenty four seven, even then it's still a task and a half.

The three of them were waiting there for me, Myles and Harry sat on the kerbside, Jamie leaning against Harry's garden fence. They sprung to their feet when Ryan pulled up next to them, smiles took over their faces and suddenly I was hit with a surge of excitement and joy that I haven't felt in a while.

'There she is.' Myles grinned as I hopped out of the car.

'Long time no see Blondie, bring it in, we've missed you.' Jamie said, opening his arms for a hug which this time I couldn't deny.

'Come here you.' Harry said with a smile, opening his arms to hug me too, a little tighter than Jamie did. 'Good to see you smiling.'

'Missed you losers you know, life's been pretty shit without you guys being massive assholes all the time.' I teased. 'Ready to get back at it? Myles is ready, look at him and his leather jacket. That man means business.'