Caught In The Way You Got Me (Book One)

Couldn't Let Me Go

Brendon:

"Dude! Are you crying?" Dallon shouts and I shove him and roll my eyes. 

"No! My eyes are just dry!" I say hoping that they don't water any further. 

"Suuuuuure," they all chime in unison. Wait until you're all asleep on the plane you assholes. 

They laugh at me and we grab donuts before going to our terminal. I wonder how Davey and Asteria are doing. I felt bad setting her up but I can tell she misses hanging out with him. I mean Dallon is great and all but he is Dallon. 

"I miss her too," Dallon whines and when I look at him his eyes water. I give him a shove.

"You're such a baby."

"You are!"

"You're both babies!" Kenneth shouts. Dan laughs.

"You guys are pretty close. I didn't think you'd ever get so attached to someone, Brendon," Daniel tells me. Dallon lets out a snort.

"I didn't think he'd ever see a girl as an actual human being," he says with an eye roll.

"Dude! You're over it! I'm different!"

"No, she made you different. What is it about her Brendon?" They all look at me and wait for an answer.

"I don't know...I was...it was like that song. I was stuck on her. I was just a villain biding for attention from a girl and the next thing I knew I was in-" I shove my donut into my mouth to stop myself and they all stare at me wide-eyed.

"Is that who the song you're writing is about?!" Dallon asks. I just laugh and shake my head. "You're lying! It makes sense now! Why you kept talking about what she wore on your first date! The lace in your dress tangles my neck! Brendon! Oh my God!" 

The entire band is in dead shock and I'm so angry that I let that slip.

"Did you tell her?! Have you told her?!" Kenneth asks.

"He can't even tell us, of course he didn't tell her! You have to tell her!" Dan shouts. They're getting closer and closer to me as they shout and I realize that I can't avoid it any longer.

"Okay! I'll tell her!" 

"No." We all turn to look at Dallon. "Brendon, I like her. You don't tell her until you can tell us and yourself." 

"It just feels like it's been too short of a time period for this," I mumble. "Like aren't people supposed to be in a relationship for a while to be in love? We've been together for just over a month."

"I don't think it should matter."

"Look, I don't really feel like talking about this right now that I just had to say good bye to her so can you guys just help me decide what to get her for her birthday?" I whine. I'm done with this topic. They all sigh and roll their eyes and it's time to board. 

The entire plane flight is spent with us trying to convince Dan why I can't get her a puppy for her birthday because she's allergic and he just will not listen to our arguments. When we finally land we're all grouchy and tired and I don't think we've ever been more excited to arrive at our hotel. We all groan when we see Louis.

"Okay everyone, huddle up. Try not to sound too excited to see me," he says coldly.

"Sorry Lou, we're just tired from the flight. Six hours is a long time!" Kenneth says. Kenneth is his favorite and everyone knows it. 

"It's fine. So tomorrow you guys have interviews at eleven in the morning, that means you Brendon, and after that we have to do sound check, then we'll spend some time in the green room going over the set and the restrictions. We have to be on time guys, don't take too long at tomorrow night's encore. We'll have to jump on buses right after to get to the next city." We all groan and give various arguments about how we asked to be able to sleep this tour. "You all can sleep in the bunks on the bus, don't act like that's not what they're for. Brendon, break up with your girlfriend. Good night guys."

He leaves and I stick my tongue out at him. I'm tired, I'm hungry, and my hair is a mess. We order room service because first night is always on Louis and as soon as I have my food I skype call Asteria, hoping she'll pick up despite being offline. I practically spit out my food when she answers in the bathtub.

"Asteria! What are you doing?!" She looks side to side shyly and tries to hide in the mountain of bubbles she's under. How does she even get that many bubbles in one normal bath?

"Um, I wasn't ready to get out and I didn't want to miss your call," she says shyly. I can see how red she's turning and I'm sure I'm the same shade. 

"S-sorry, it just caught me by surprise," I stutter. She giggles and starts to scoot back up.

"I think I have a bubble beard," she laughs and I laugh too when I realize it's true. She whipes it off and does that adorable nose crunching thing that she tends to do when she's embarrassed. "How was your flight?"

"Ugh!" I groan. "It might not have been so bad if you were there. Hey, it's almost your birthday!"

"Yeah, and the not holiday party."

"Are you excited to wear your costume?"

"I'm more excited to see you," she smiles and my heart starts beating out of my chest. 

"I miss you."

"I miss you more," she says with a sigh and there's a knock at my door. Oddly enough, as I go to answer it there's a knock on her door also. 

"Who is it?" I call to the hotel room door as I try to figure out who's knocking on hers. 

"Asteria! Brownies in the oven! You've been in that tub for an hour you're going to turn into the old lady from the Shining!" I recognize Davey's muffled voice and she shakes her head and rolls her eyes. I peep through the hotel door and the ghost from my past is smiling outside. 

"You'd better get to those brownies, love. I've gotta go."

"Okay. Thanks for calling! I l- um, I miss you!" she says and my stomach tightens when I realize what she was going to say. 

"Me too," I sigh and she gives a small wave before hanging up. I take a deep breath and try to relax as I open the hotel room door to face my last mistake.

(Hey guys! Trying to fly through these updates to get to the not holiday party! Sorry it's going to be slightly late, I had a busy Halloween! I hope yours was safe and that you guys turned up to Emporer's New Clothes because that's all I seem to find myself doing. What do you guys think of it? Are you guys excited for the new album!? Thank you for all of the votes and comments!)