The Tour

49

I stood staring out the tour bus window admiring the sunrise behind the arena that was in front of the bus. We were now in Delaware and officially entering the last week of tour. 7 more days. 7 more mornings. 7 more evenings. A handful of shows left. 7 days left of tour, and finally calm release week.

The night before had been spent inside the tour bus with a takeaway pizza and a film whilst I was wrapped in Oli's arms hidden away from the fact I'd missed a show. Upset was an understatement for how I felt about missing the show. I'd never skipped one and I tried my best to get on that stage last night but everyone I spoke to was consistent with the word no, even Oli.

"Good Morning" a raspy voice that could only be Oli's said behind me as his hand wrapped around my waist causing me to flinch slightly at the sudden touch

"Woah you've never done that before" he quickly said as I looked at him and forced a smile. To say I was okay was a lie. I wasn't okay. I never wanted to relive yesterday and the things I saw. Oli's anger and actions hurt and scared me more than I had let on. But I couldn't let anyone know that. He was perfect to me and I couldn't let my past traumas ruin a one off.

"Sorry you just scared me, didn't hear you coming" I lied as he nodded before planting a kiss on my forehead keeping his arm securely placed around my waist.

"I need you to get dressed" he said as I looked at him confused

"We have loads of time till your show later on" he started as I nodded "so we're going for a picnic"

"But what about sound-" I started before he placed a finger on my lips to signal my silence

"I've already spoke to Michael. Soundcheck will be done when we're back. We're going out, get yourself ready" he said as I nodded slightly overwhelmed by the fact he'd somehow managed to organise this all when he'd been here less than twenty-four hours.

I slid a white sun dress over my head and quickly looked in the mirror adjusting the material over my curves insuring it sat perfectly on my body. I patted down the odd bits of dress before hunting through my jewellery box to find my usual pieces such as my rings and bracelets I'd been collecting since I was a teenager. As the cold metal touched my skin I felt my body holt still as my brain suddenly began to replay the screams and shouts of yesterday

"Lay a fucking finger on me again I dare you"

"I gave you a light shove to get you to fuck off mate. Not my fault you're a bit sensitive"

"Think you're the shit do you?" Luke asked as I heard another light thud. He'd pushed Oli back.

"You're pathetic Luke" Oli mumbled back as Luke let out a laugh

"Me? Pathetic? You're the one stuck with my sloppy seconds. You're stuck with a slag who couldn't wait to jump in bed with someone new"

My heart began beating rapidly as Luke's words echoed through my brain. 'A slag who couldn't wait to jump in bed with someone new'. I knew his words were just venem but they still hurt as if it was true. I'd been far from what he described me as but the belief that that is what everyone thought was beyond strong.

"You okay Nicky?" Oli said placing a hand on my shoulder making me jump at his sudden touch once again

"Are you scared of me or something?" He asked laughing awkwardly as I felt my heart sink. I had basically flinched twice at him now and that was only within the space of 30 minutes.

"Sorry I must be jumpy today, everything is still a bit fresh" I said as he nodded

"You know I'd never hurt you right?" He blurted as I nearly choked on the air at his ability to see straight through me

"God I know Oli, yesterday just shook me up beyond belief." I started as he nodded "I've never seen you like that" I mumbled as he pulled me into a hug

"I've never seen myself like that Nicky. I don't think I've ever got that angry before, I just couldn't stand the way he talks about you. It makes me feel sick and I'm sorry you had to see me like that I really am" he blurted out as I wrapped my own arms around his muscular torso

"I'm sorry you've been dragged into all of this mess" I said as he shook his head at me

"I don't care that I'm in this mess Nicky. We're about to leave it" he said as I nodded placing my head in his chest focusing my mind to the rhythm of his heartbeat. I wanted my brain to switch off for just a moment and the slow beats were just what I needed. I felt Oli's hand slowly touching my head gently guiding his fingers through my hair helping the calm feeling flow through my body.

"I don't want to rush you babe but we need to get going" he whispered as I nodded into his chest and hummed in response before letting myself out of our hug

"I'll meet you outside in a few minutes" he said before scurrying out of the bus at a high speed. Almost as if he was late or going to miss something

I quickly swung my body around and began placing my converse high tops on in attempt to make my quite formal dress look like it was a casual outfit for the picnic. As I tied my last shoe up I looked out the window and a flurry of butterflies appeared in my stomach. There was Oli stood there waving as he lent himself lightly on an old white Mazda mx5. A small smirk appeared over his face as he saw my jaw drop from happiness as I basically sprinted off the bus

"Oliver Sykes!" I practically shouted as the door opened causing him to laugh

"Happy?" He asked as I ran to him allowing him to pick me up sponging me around slightly as I looked at him and smiled as a thankful feeling overtook my body. I was so in love with this man and beyond lucky that he was mine.

"How? How did you know?" I blurted as he laughed again

"I'm hurt you don't remember" he started as he placed me back onto the floor "Let me take you back to our first date Nicola"

"Where we going?" I questioned as he pointed to an old white Porsche parked further down the road

"I know I said lunch, but Michael mentioned you have a slight thing for cars so I thought we could go for a little drive" he suggested as I smiled amazed that he had taken the time to find out about my interests and plan something more than just a meal

"Michael playing matchmaker is he?" I laughed as we began walking to the car

"No I just listen more when people are telling me what the beautiful girl I'm taking out is interested in. He did specifically mention Japanese cars but this was the best I could get short notice" he explained before opening the passenger side for me

"Japanese cars" I whispered as Oli nodded and my smile somehow grew bigger

"Bingo" he sarcastically said as I smacked his arm lightly

"But how did you know this was my favourite?" I asked as he smiled at himself

"Michael may have also told me that when I organised our first date. I didn't want to seem like a stalker telling you I knew your favourite car when we first met." He explained as I nodded before making my way to the passenger side before he made a noise halting me in my tracks

"I don't know where you're going Miss Bright" he started before throwing me the set of keys and smirking

"You're driving"