Our Story So Far

Chapter 24

"Charleston is seriously adorable." I gushed, admiring the cute row houses as I sipped my smoothie.

"Too bad we won't get to see much of it. We're going to be locked up in the studio for the next few days." Will frowned, looking around at the charming shops and houses that cluttered the street. The weather in South Carolina was milder than Atlanta, and the two of us were taking advantage of that fact.

"I'm stuck between wanting this album finished right now, and never wanting it to be finished."

"I get what you're saying." Will nodded in agreement before taking a sip of his own drink. "It just feels like once the album's finished, then the tour's finished." Which was exactly how I felt. Just thinking about everything we've accomplished recently had me letting out a short spurt of laughter.

"Did you ever think that we'd be doing this?" I stretched out my arms and gestured to the city around us. "Touring, recording an album? I mean, a year ago I imagined Drake and myself off at college at this point; You would be just finishing some project in South America or something, and Luke would be producing the new Demi Lovato album." I just couldn't shake how surreal this feeling was, that everything we've ever known could change so quickly, and that our dreams are starting to become a reality.

"Yeah, I guess it all turned out a bit differently then we'd thought. In a good way, though." He added in a bit rushed at the end.

"Do you ever miss it? You know, wishing that you were out working on a job with the team instead of crammed into a tour bus with your siblings?" I laughed. Will took a gap year after high school that was slowing morphing into being a permanent lifestyle for him. He traveled all over the world with Habitat for Humanity, helping build homes and schools in less fortunate areas. It was supposed to be a one year thing, but Will liked it so much that he had another year lined up right until we got the news that we were going on tour.

"Of course I miss it. I mean, I'd be lying if I said I didn't. But my heart's in the music as much as it is in helping others." Will shrugged. "Right after the tour's over I'm gonna head to Africa to help with a two week build so it won't take too much time away from the band. The foundation isn't the center of my life anymore, but I still love it. But I love you guys more." I had an inkling that he was referring to my brothers and I.

"Awwwww." I ruffled his hair even though I was the younger one out of the two of us.

"So how are you with all of this? I know how badly you wanted to go to college." Will said, and it was then I realized that he was the first person to really ask me about it. Don't get me wrong, I was living the dream; but at one time NYU was my dream too.

"I love being out on tour." I said, and that was true. "I love interacting with the fans, and we've met so many great people."

"But, you miss being a kid." Will read my mind, and I gave him a sad, knowing smile. "I'm your older brother and best friend. I know you, Mac."

"Well, Carly would definitely fight you for the official title of "best friend", but thank you. And I love you." I wrapped my arms around his, allowing myself to walk while resting my head on his shoulder. "Thanks for getting me."

"Anytime." He said as we turned the corner. On the horizon line I spotted our hotel, softly illuminated by the midday sun. But then just as quickly, it vanished from sight as we turned onto one of the busier roads. And suddenly the studio came into focus.

"Can we take another lap around the block?" I pleaded, not ready to go back. I've been cooped up all day so far, and I just wanted to hang on to my freedom a little longer.

"We should really get back, Luke and Drake are going to start bitching if we take too long." Will pointed out, and I realized that was true. Whining like a little kid, I shlumped over to the glass doors of the studio and stepped inside, holding the door open for Will after me.