Snow

Chapter Eight

Three... Two... One... We screamed as the clock ticked down to zero - our first EP had just been released. I jumped on Flynn's back and he ran round the room, me jolting around with his every step. JT grinned at our excitement, ruffling my hair as Flynn dropped me onto the couch. "Congratulations, you guys. Without a doubt, After The Hour is going big time!" We all rushed forwards to hug him, and I couldn't even begin to think about holding back the grin that was seemingly permanently etched onto my face.

When we pulled away, Aliyah went over to her boyfriend, taking a seat on his lap and kissing him roughly. I scrunched my nose up. "Keep it PG guys." They laughed a little before pressing their lips back together. I heard a deep voice laughing in the doorway and turned to see Andy stood leaning against the doorway, arms folded. "Batman!" I yelled, jumping up and running over to him.

He pulled me up so my legs were wrapped around my waist and pressed his lips to mine. "Congratulations, Lala. I'm so proud of you." He murmured, his lips brushing against mine as he spoke and making me shiver. "You guys have done so well for yourselves in just a few months. How're you feeling?"

I smiled and jumped down from his arms, leading him to the couch by the hand. "It's amazing knowing we'll be on tour in just two weeks - I'm so excited. I mean, the rush I get at The Venue times by, like, two hundred? I'm stoked." He grinned and sat me down on his lap, kissing the side of my neck.

"I understand what you mean completely. I remember when we were just starting out - we'd gone from playing at small bars to being stood in front of hundreds of people. The rush was amazing, and I still feel it to this day. You'll love it just as much as I do, if not more. I mean, we're both adrenaline junkies, so..." I laughed, nodding and kissing his nose before turning back to the band.

*

"Lala, I swear to God if you're not down in two minutes, I'm dragging you out - bags or not." I laughed as Andy yelled up the stairs, his voice growing steadily more frustrated.

"It's not my fault you refused to let me pack last night. I was half done and you came and distracted me." He ignored me and I laughed again, zipping my case up and calling him to help me bring my bags down. He dragged out my rucksack and one suitcase, whilst I grabbed the other suitcase and we carried them all downstairs.

When we'd put them in the car, I ran back in to say goodbye to Peanut. "Bye bye, sweetie. Mommy'll miss you." I whispered, rubbing her behind the ear and kissing the top of her head. When I stood up, my flatmates were stood there looking tearful. I hugged them all in turn, reassuring them that I'd be back in just a few months, and making them promise to take care of Peanut. "I swear, if I come back and she doesn't look exactly as she does right now, I will kill you all." I told them, before blowing a kiss and strolling out of the door. I made sure to lock it behind me, knowing that was the only time it'd be locked until I came back.

*

"Where are you leaving Crow again?" I asked Andy as he drove to the airport. I'd offered to let him leave Crow at the flat, knowing he'd refuse, and he'd offered to send Peanut with Crow to wherever he was going. We both loved our cats too much to let them go somewhere unfamiliar to them.

"He's staying with Sammi whilst we're on tour. She usually keeps him whilst I'm gone - she takes good care of him." He said, smiling a little and speaking around the cigarette that dangled dangerously between his lips.

Using two fingers, I plucked the cigarette from between his lips and placing them between my own with a smirk. "I haven't had one all morning." I explained, opening my window and dangling an arm outside. I loved the feeling of the wind rushing by and threatening to take my arm with it; the way my arm grew cold quickly until I drew it back inside and the warmth returned. I knew it wasn't dangerous in the slightest, but I couldn't help but enjoy the feeling.