Just a Crush: Dear Diary (Oli Sykes)

Chapter Ten: VVIP

'Mrs. Leonora Sykes sounds dreamy, doesn't it? Too bad he'll never see me as anything other than a stupid little girl.'

"It doesn't matter that we haven't practised yet. That's what sound check is for, innit?" Mickey said, waving his hand dismissively. "Alright then, if you're absolutely sure you want me to sing with you..." I sighed. "You know, miss Thomas, one might think a fan would've reacted a bit more cheerfully to this news," he noted. "No, I am cheerful. It's just that I never would've imagined this happening in a thousand years. I'm processing the information," I explained. Aye, I was definitely trying to process the information. And mentally prepare myself for what's to come.

"Oi, you two keeping my daughter company, yeah?" Mum walked up to us. Apparently, they were finished with soundcheck. "Alright, El?" Jordan asked. "What's up with you having a break during festival season?" She asked. "We wanted to enjoy ourselves a bit, I guess," Mickey shrugged. "See, mum? Even musicians can take a vacation," I pointed out. "Mind your attitude, missy, lest you want to be homeless," mum threatened playfully. "You legally can not do that. I am an adult now," I stuck my tongue out at her. "If your parents throw you out for your cheeky back talking, you can always crash at mine, Thomas," Mickey winked at me, resulting in a very stern glare from my mother. "I was only joking. Jesus, Elspin!" He raised his hands in surrender. "D'you know what? I'd love to move in with you, Nicholls," I grinned and wrapped my arm around his shoulder. It was quite difficult because he was much taller than me. "That's very funny, both of you. Now, Lenny, say goodbye to Mickey and Jordan because your uncle is ready to introduce you to Blink 182," Mum smiled and shook her head at us. I squealed and bid them farewell. They pretended to be hurt by how fast I'd replaced them, but I knew they were only joking.

Meeting Tom, Mark, and Travis was a blast even though I was a bit shy. Who wouldn't be, though? I asked them to sign a page at the back of my journal, which I carried around everywhere with me. They were a bit busy, though, so we only chatted for a moment before my family and I left them.

The festival officially opened its gates at 12, so Blood and Water had to hide away from the enormous crowd. They left me alone because I really wanted to experience the festival to the fullest. The first concerts began at half past 12, so I just walked around from stage to stage until 3 when I received a call from Gemma. They had arrived and were ready to put all of our things in our bungalow, so I called mum to ask where my bags were, and she told me she'd meet us all at our housing.

Once we'd settled in, mum wished us a great time at Razor Pulse and reminded us to be at the side of stage A half an hour before their set, and then she left. When the five of us entered the official grounds, we made a b-line for the nearest bar. "Cheers to the best four days of our lives," Dom raised his cup. "Cheers!" We shouted and began drinking.

Being a 5th wheel wasn't too horrible, even though I did feel rather lonely when they did romantic things. We somehow managed to split up at 6 because there were three concerts on at the same time. I wanted to listen to The All American Rejects, while Laurie and Gem preferred Prodigy, and Dom really wanted to listen to Of Mice and Men. Actually, I reckon his girlfriend Anika wanted to listen to them play, and Dominic was obliged to agree. So, I found myself at the side of a The All American Rejects concert alone. They were bloody brilliant; however, I didn't much like being solo at an event like this so I texted aunt Audrey if they were at the venue yet, and she invited me to the VVIP lounge on top of one of the large containers at the venue. It was very close to stage A. She met me downstairs and let the nice guard at the entrance know that I was her guest.

Audrey and I chatted on our way up to the roof, but I stopped talking mid-sentence. Why? Because Blood and Water shared their table with Bring Me The Horizon. Not just Mickey and Jordan, mind you, but the entire band. I recovered soon enough and greeted all of them with a tight smile on my face. Lee and Matt both stood up to hug me and comment on how much I've changed. Oli's smile was as tight as mine, and he only acknowledged my presence with a curt nod. I did, however, notice the slightest twitch in his eye when Mickey said I was a full woman now, although that might have been a coincidence. I'd be a bit daft to read into it too much. Mickey's comment came as an addition to the 'how much I've grown' one. Mat was always a jokester, but commenting on my adultness was walking on thin ice with my dad there, I reckon. Lucky for him, dad was engrossed in a debate with Jordan and Freddie, and mum was busy chatting with Audrey. I sat between Mat Nicholls and Matt Kean. Mainly because Mat Nicholls pulled me towards the seat between them. "So, how have you been, Lenny?" Matt Kean asked. "Alright, and you?" I asked. "I've been okay. I've got a new cat. D'you wanna see?" He asked. I nodded happily, and he showed me a picture of the kitten on his phone. "Is it a she or a he?" I asked. "It's a he. His name is Thor," he grinned. "He's a proper cutie," I gushed. "He is until he starts scratching the furniture. I swear, sometimes I regret the day I got the little bugger," Matt rolled his eyes. "I'd love a pet, but someone won't let me have one," I whinged and gestured toward my parents accusingly. "You can have one once you've moved out," dad said, sticking his tongue out at me. I flipped him off, and he sent me an air kiss before returning to his conversation. "Oh, how lovely it is to see a relationship between a parent and a child," Mickey commented. "Aye, but I'm not a child, am I?" I said, feeling a bit cheeky. "No, you are not," he winked. I lightly hit his shoulder with a giggle. "If you'll excuse me," Oli interrupted and left the table. "What's with him?" Matt asked. "Dunno, he was fine up until a moment ago," Lee shrugged. "Must be that time of the month again," the former sniggered. "By the way, weren't you supposed to be here with your mates? Be honest, Leonora. Are they imaginary?" Mickey asked. "Bloody hell, Nicholls, you really are a cunt today," I shook my head with a hearty laugh. "No, they're real. But they're all disgusting and coupley, and they wanted to see the two other performances," I rolled my eyes. "Looks like someone's jealous they aren't in a relationship," Matt Kean said in a sing-song voice. "I am not. Trust me, I am perfectly content being single and very ready to mingle," I whispered the last part so my parents wouldn't hear. "Really? Well, do you need a wing man? Or five?" Mickey whispered. "I think I can manage on my own for now," I chuckled. Before he could comment, my parents, aunt, and uncle stood up and told us they had to go prepare. I hugged all four of them and wished them luck.

"So, now that the boring adults have gone, tell us all about your mingling plans, little Lenny," Mickey poked me. "There's not much to tell," I shrugged. "Of course, there is! Like, do we have a type we're looking for? Tall or short? Your age or ours? Or older? English of foreign? A musician or a festival goer?" He asked, and I had to laugh at how much he sounded like a girl mate and not someone who saw me last when I was 14. "WE aren't looking for anyone, I, however, am looking for a good time," I joked. "Jesus Christ, Leonora, are you a prostitute or something?" Oli asked, his words laced with disgust. He had apparently returned just in time to hear my words. "Lighten up, Sykes," Lee rolled his eyes. "She's allowed to have her fun. You remember how we were at our first festival," Mickey said. "Aye, but we weren't children," Oli scoffed. "I'm not a child, though, am I? How old were you at your first festival then?" I asked. "Oli was still 17," Matt told me. "Oh, so you're a hypocrite, are you?" I asked. "It was different. Shut up," he frowned. "Don't worry, Len, I'll help you have a good time," Mickey winked. I chuckled with a bit of a blush. "You will do no such thing, Nicholls. Keep it in your bloody pants," Oli sneered and squeezed between me and Mickey on the bench, making us laugh. "Weren't you saying you wanted to have fun at the festival, too, mate?" Lee asked. "Aye, he said he wanted to find a bint to keep him company," Jordan added. My eyes widened, and I gave Oli a questioning look. "I never said that," Oli denied. I found it quite interesting that while he answered his mates, his eyes stared into mine. It almost felt like he didn't want me to think he was a slag, which I found quite funny. "Don't lie, Olober. You wanted to be a slag this weekend. You can be slags together," Matt laughed. "No, WE can be slags together," Mickey exclaimed and wrapped his arm around Oli's shoulders. I was included in that plan, I think, just not physically. "You two can be slags all you want, mate," Oli rolled his eyes. "Oi! What about me?" I asked. "You don't need his permission, Leonora. You are a strong and independent woman. Never forget that," Matt Kean smiled from beside me. "D'you wankers realise that if Elspin and Ron heard you right now, they'd have you hung by your balls?" Oli asked, cringing. "I guess we're lucky then that they aren't here," Jordan sniggered.

I loved and hated the conversation we were having, but it was cut short when my phone rang. "Yeah?" I answered. "Where are you?" Gemma asked. "I'm close to Stage A. Where are you lot?" I asked. "We're in front of Stage A. I can't see you," she said. "Look up then," I grinned and got up to wave at her from the balcony. "What the bloody hell are you doing in the VVIP lounge?" She asked. "I have connections, y'know," I joked. "Right, so, are you coming down here or what?" She asked. "I'll be right there," I answered and hung up. "Alright, lads, it was a blast, but I have to go now. I'll see you lot later," I said. "Smart. Run away and find a bloke before Olober can cock-block you," Jordan laughed. "Use protection!" Lee sniggered. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do," Mickey winked. "There's absolutely nothing you wouldn't do, Mat," I chuckled. "Exactly," he grinned. "We'll see you at Blood and Water," Matt said with an amused grin. "You're coming?" I asked. "Yeah, we'll watch it from the side stage, though," Oli said, obviously trying his best to ignore all the comments from his mates. "Us too," I smiled. "Nice! We'll see you there then," Mickey grinned. We said our goodbyes for now, and I left.

"Hello," I greeted my mates. "How was the lounge? Is it really VVIP?" Dom asked. "It was fun. Bring Me were there," I told them. "What? They're here?" Laurie asked. "All of them?" Gemma added. She gave me a meaningful look, and I nodded. She, of course, knows of my little mistake. "You know Bring Me The Horizon?" Anika asked. "Aye. Hasn't Dom told you?" I asked, amused at her bewilderment. "No, he hasn't," she said and gave her boyfriend an accusatory glare. "It's never come up," he raised his hands. "So, how do you know them?" She asked. "Oli babysat me in my early teens. And the others visited sometimes," I explained. "He babysat you? Isn't he from Sheffield?" She asked. "Aye, but he lived with us when he attended uni," I said. "That's proper wicked, mate," she grinned. "I guess," I shrugged. "What'd'you mean you guess???" She exclaimed. "It was mostly embarrassing," I chuckled. "What? Why?" She asked. "Because Oli was there for many cringey and mortifying moments in my early teens. For example, the first time I had my period, he had to explain how pads and tampons work," I shuddered. "Oh no," her eyes widened. "Aye," I nodded. "That's enough about your brilliant life, Thomas. What shall we do until Blood and Water start?" Gemma asked. "That's a silly question, Gem. We drink. Obviously," Laurie laughed.