It's Gonna Be My Year

Chapter 11

- 1 WEEK LATER -

"Dude, I can't do this."

It was the first show of the tour, which also meant it was time for our live performance. I was pacing up and down backstage, on the verge of a panic attack. When I was younger I'd had terrible stage fright, and couldn't even sing for my family.

Sam came and put both his hands on my shoulders, "Froggatt, it'll be fine! We're right here beside you, don't panic."

I smile half-heartedly, and took a deep breath in. One of the tech guys from the venue came up to us.

"Ok, you can head on stage. The audience know you're playing, so start as soon as the curtain drops, ok?" He hurried off, waving his clipboard around.

"Let's do this." I whispered to Sam.

We all walked on. I could see the shadows of the crowd behind the curtain, and my heart jumped. The biggest crowd we'd ever played for was no more than 200, and now we were stood in a venue of almost 8,000 people. We were in Lowell, Massachusetts and I'd never been this far from Baltimore before. I liked the comfort of what I knew. I looked around at all the guys, and got a reply of nods and smiles.

Suddenly the curtain fell to the floor, and a huge group of screams began. The band started playing, and I waited for my cue.

We played one of our very early songs, which was probably my favourite. The song ended and I found myself smiling from ear to ear.

I laughed into my mic, "How're y'all doing tonight!?" A roomful of screams greeted me.

Joe joined in, "How'd we do then?" Everyone cheered and I felt my smile grow.

"Well, I guess we should introduce ourselves! We're Rebound and-"

"And you lucky sons of bitches just witnessed our debut!" Sam laughed as he butted in as well. He kind of reminded me of the way Jack behaved on stage. The crowd seemed to love it though, laughing and cheering at his attitude.

"This next song is called Slow!" We'd finally perfected and named our newest piece.

We finished the short set and ran off stage. There was a couple of minutes before the All Time Low guys came running past us to kick off their tour.

- - - - -

"Okay, who's up for a beer?"

Everyone on the bus raised a hand, and Alex went to the fridge to get us our drinks. The first show of the tour was over, and both bands were back in All Time Low's tour bus. Rian was picking out a movie, and had almost everyone debating on what they wanted to watch. We settled on 21 Jump Street- one of my favourite movies- so I was ok with the decision. Alex passed out the beers, and we all got comfy. There wasn't quite enough room on the couch for us all, so Jack and Ben were on the floor.

"Someone hit the lights?" Alex pointed to the switch next to the TV.

"I've got it." I stood up and picked my way over to the light. When I turned back around, Ben had jumped into my seat.

"Dude, move."

"Nah, I'm good!"

"Fuck you." I sat where he was before, secretly ecstatic that I could sit with Jack. I downed half my bear and set it down beside me. About half way through the movie, I felt Jack lace his fingers around mine. He smiled at the TV, trying not to make it too obvious to the others.

The movie ended, and we let go of each other before the lights were turned back on.

"We should probably get back to our bus..." Sam stretched and placed his beer bottle in the trash can.

"Sure. C'mon." I stood up and we all left for our bus parked nearby.

- - - - -

I tossed and turned in my bunk, not feeling tired at all. I unlocked my phone and checked the time- almost 2am. I opened the curtain and got out of my bunk as quietly as possible. There was heavy breathing and snores all around, so I knew the guys were knocked out. I grabbed the blanket from my bead and wrapped it around my shoulders.

I unlocked the bus door and went out into the parking lot. I walked towards the exit, past the other guys' bus.

"Kaitlyn?"

I turned towards the voice and saw Jack sat on the step of his bus, pulling his headphones from his ears.

"Couldn't sleep either?" I walked towards him and sat down.

"Nope. Hey, share!" He pulled the blanket from my shoulders and placed it over the top of us. He reached for my hand and I laid my head on his shoulder.

"We need to talk." He said into my hair.

"About?"

"Us."

I lifted my head up and turned to face him, "I didn't realise there was an 'us'..."

"Of course. Well, at least... I want there to be." He took in a sharp breath, "We've been sneaking around for over a week now. And as fun as it is- finding secret meet up places and making excuses- I don't want us to have to pretend anymore."

"So, is this like, a thing?"

He stood up, "Kaitlyn, I really like you. You're funny, beautiful- and god you can sing! So, what I'm trying to say is... Will you be my girlfriend?"

I got to my feet and pressed my lips to his.

"Does that answer your question?"