Burned at Both Ends

2. Coming Out, and Deals Made

Playing Warped Tour is possibly the best thing ever.
We got to play center stage all day, and this was the first time we've played at a Warped Tour that fun since I joined the band.

Not to mention TJ got his pride level taken down a bit.

"Rick," Ryan said.

"Yeah?" I asked.

"What're you thinkin' about?" He asked.

"How fun today was." I smiled.

"Ah, today was really fun." Ryan smiled back.

There was a small, peaceful silence that followed. Nothing needed to be said. I did, however, kind of zone out.

Chris snapped me back to reality when he grabbed my shoulders enthusiastically and shook me lightly, babbling on about how amazing the day was.

"Where is the next concert?" Ryan asked.

"Illinois. Chicago, to be exact." He replied.

"Then?" I asked.

"Then Florida, Seattle, Texas, and Washington." He replied. Then he grinned. "And Pennsylvania."

"Hear that, Rick?" Ryan nudged my shoulder, smiling. "Seattle. Maybe you can see your family."

"Yeah, maybe."

Ryan must've sensed the lack of enthusiasm in my voice.
But luckily before he could say anything, Chris continued.

"You guys remember when we toured with Black Veil Brides?" He asked.

"Yeah," Ryan and I said in unison.

"They'll be in Florida and Pennsylvania." He said.

"I can't wait to see them again, it was fun touring with them." Ryan said.

"I can't wait to get mistaken for Andy Biersack again," I said sarcastically.

"Also, KUZA will be in Pennsylvania, too. Maybe you guys can finally meet Mike." Chris said, smiling.

"Aww, Chris has a crush." Balz teased, walking into the main part the bus and sitting next to Chris.

Chris jokingly raised his fist at Balz. "Shut up," He laughed.

Then Devin walked in, sitting next to me, and Angelo followed, sitting next to Balz.

"Party, huh?" Ryan joked.

"Actually, band meeting." Angelo said.

"Ange, what's up?" Chris asked.

Angelo sighed. "After Warped, I have to leave the band."

The words hung in the air, everyone obviously taken aback at the sudden statement.

"It's personal issues. I really don't want to, but I have to." Angelo explained.

"Does it have to do with TJ being in Get Scared and us touring with them next month?" Chris asked.

"No. Listen, I don't want to talk about it, let's just enjoy Warped Tour while we can, yeah?" Angelo said.

~~

Sometime in the middle of the night, probably around 1:00am, I heard a dull thud and felt like I just got punched.

I looked around.
I fell out of my bunk again.

Ryan was suddenly at my side, helping me up.

"I told you, getting top bunk was a bad idea." He whispered.