Just a Crush: Dear Diary (Oli Sykes)

Chapter Thirteen: Hospital for Souls

'BMTH have released a new album today. I've heard some of the songs before because they came out as singles. The album's called Sempiternal. All the songs are fantastic, but there's one that outshines all of them. I've already listened to it 6 times. I'm listening to it as I write this. The first time I heard it, I cried. A lot. It's called Hospital for Souls and it's my most favourite song in the world. I get goosebumps every time I hear it. I'm going to learn how to play it now.'

"Good morning, just Leonora. Fancy seeing you here," Oli greeted me when I left my bungalow at 5 to 10. "Alright, just Oliver?" I smiled. "Aye. I would've preferred a few more hours of sleep, though," he yawned. "Same," I admitted, "however, as the saying goes, we will never sleep 'cause sleep is for the weak," I grinned. "And we will never rest till we're all fucking dead," Oli finished the lyrics. "Ah, you get it," I nodded. "Isn't that from a song?" He asked with a cheeky smile. "Aye, it's from a Bring Me The Horizon song, I think," I explained. "Really? I've never heard of them. Are they any good?" Oli asked. "They're alright," I shrugged. "You can catch them tonight, actually. They're headlining on Stage A," I said matter-of-factly. "Really? Brilliant. Are you going to watch them perform tonight, then?" He asked. "I am," I smiled. "D'you reckon you'd want to go to the show with me? I don't have any plans yet," he suggested. "I'd love to," I chuckled.

"What the bloody hell are you two on about?" Mickey asked. All four of them were staring at us with utter bewilderment. "Sykes might have amnesia," Jordan told him. "Aye, Leonora, too, I reckon," Matt added, prompting both Oli and I to laugh out loud. "Maybe they've already started drinking," Lee said with knitted eyebrows. "We haven't started drinking, you gits," Oli rolled his eyes. "And we don't have amnesia," I snorted. "What then? You're just barmy or something?" Mickey asked. "Or something,"Oli said. "Let's just go do soundcheck. Then we can all start drinking," Jordan suggested, and we all agreed.

We didn't go straight inside the venue because we had to get their van from the VIP car park. Jordan jumped in the driver's seat, with Lee sitting in the front, too. Meanwhile, I was in the back, sitting between Mickey and Oli, with Matt on the latter's left. Truthfully, I was almost sitting on Oli and on Mickey. Luckily, we had a very short drive ahead of us. "Did you sleep well?" Mickey asked me. "Not at all. I fell asleep at half past 5," I yawned. I always yawned when someone mentioned sleep or yawning or if they actually yawned. It was just a reflex, really. "That late, eh? What were you up to then? Did you meet a bloke?" He asked with a sly grin. "Sadly, no. I just couldn't fall asleep. I'm in the middle room between Dom and Anika, and Gemma and Laurie. They'd just started dating, and they still have a lot to giggle and chat about, apparently, and the walls are really thin," I explained. "Hey, weren't you saying earlier that you were up late, too?" Matt asked Oli. "Yeah, me and Len chatted a bit yesterday," Oli explained. "Today, actually," I corrected. He smiled at me and nodded. "What did you chat about until half past 5 in the morning?" Lee turned to look at us from his seat. "Does that really concern any of you?" Oli asked with a raised eyebrow. "I was just asking, mate. There's no need to get your knickers in a twist," Lee huffed and turned back around. "We were just chatting. Nothing specific," I elaborated, feeling a bit sorry for Lee. "See, was that so difficult?" He quickly turned toward us again and looked at Oli with narrowed eyes. "We're here," Jordan announced and parked the van behind the large stage. We filed out of the van and started carrying everything up the stairs. They had a few stage hands helping them prepare everything for sound check. I stood by the side while they did that because I didn't want to be a nuisance. It gave me time to reflect on what was to come. I would be performing on that large stage in a matter of hours. In front of thousands of people, no less. It didn't seem as daunting, the platform being as empty as it was for now.

"You alright?" Oli asked, sitting next to me on the floor. Apparently, they'd finished preparing everything. Or at least, he has. The other four were still busy with their respective instruments, it seemed. "Aye, I'm just thinking... it's bloody mad, innit? Tonight this empty space is going to be brimming with your fans. D'you reckon they'll mind me singing with you?" I asked. "I don't think they will. It's just one song, after all. I think your voice will add to the quality of it," he smiled encouragingly. "Jordan's told me you thought I sang it better than you," I laughed. "I do recall saying that, yeah," Oli nodded. "I might just steal your thunder, as the Americans say," I joked. "Mate, I'm Oli bloody Sykes. Nobody can steal my thunder," he grinned cheekily. "Challenge accepted, mate," I saluted him. "It'll be interesting, though. I've never sang any of my songs as a duet before," he said. "You can still say no, y'know," I said seriously. "What would I do that for? It's time you showed people what you can do," he shook his head. "Have you forgotten about my ultra famous YouTube channel?" I scoffed. "How dare I?" He laughed. "Exactly, how dare you?" I laughed. "I'm just a simple olive planter. I rarely talk to other people, y'know. It's mostly just one sided conversations with olive trees and they rarely hold a grudge," he shrugged. "You're right. I can't believe I forgot," I looked appalled at my insensitivity. "Exactly. How dare I, more like, how dare YOU? Y'know what I mean?" He raised both his eyebrows in an I-told-you-so manner. "My sincerest apologies, just Oliver," I bowed a bit. "I have to admit something," he said suddenly. "What?" I asked, surprised at his sudden seriousness. "My name's not just Oliver. It's actually Oliver Sykes. I lied when I said I didn't have a surname," he frowned. "Wait a minute... are you saying you're THE Oliver Sykes? Like, from Bring Me The Horizon Oliver Sykes?" I asked, eyes wide and mouth agape. "T'is I," he nodded, biting his lip in embarrassment. "I can't believe this. I proper believed you were an olive planter!" I exclaimed dramatically. "No, I am. On the weekends..." he said. "Alright then, I can live with that. Actually, I've lied, too. I have a last name, just like you," I said solemnly. "You do? What is it, then?" He asked. "Thomas," I sighed. "Wait a minute... are you Ronald Thomas's daughter?" He asked. "Aye, I am. But he did give birth to me in a pink lorry," I said straight-faced and he burst out laughing. "Why are you laughing at my tragic story, Oliver?" I asked. "Sorry," he said between giggles. "S'not funny! Nobody knew I was a girl! D'you know how hard it is to pee standing up?" I exclaimed again. "Nope, I've never done that, me," he shook his head and wiped his tears away. "Well, I have, and it's no walk in the park, either," I crossed my arms. "What if you're on a walk in the park and you have to go? Is it a walk in the park then?" He asked. I almost laughed at that. "No, it's really not. It was a walk in the park, literally. But then it's more of a stand behind the bush, y'know?" I said. "But it's been three years. Everyone knows you're a girl lorry driver. Why not start peeing sitting down?" He asked. "Don't you think I've tried? S'in my blood at this point," I shrugged. "You really have lived a tragic life, Leonora Thomas," he concluded. "That's what I've been trying to tell you, mate," I said.