The Opportunity of a Lifetime

Chapter 66 (Cheryl's POV)

The tour is over.

I would cry but I have no heart.

No but seriously, being on tour with my best friends has been the best thing ever. Its really sad that its already over. I just hope were all going to talk to each other when we split ways.

Well, I know Hailey and I will because were stuck up each other's asses, but I'm not really sure about the guys. Don't they have to go back to LA or something? And we have to go back to stupid Virginia.

I really don't want to go back. Being in a different place makes it harder for me to remember everything that's happened there. Or seeing Mike again on the bus... Just thinking about it now makes me really sad.

For the past week I've been in this rut I can't seem to get out of and nothing can really make me smile. I mean, occasionally Hailey can get me to crack but I'll just glue the pieces back together without really meaning to.

Today's been kinda... different, I guess? I've been in the cuddle mood. I want hugs.

I never want hugs.

I get up from my spot on the couch to find the designated person that I shall hug.

"Haileyyyyyyyy?" I trudge around the bus, looking for the human. Getting increasingly frustrated because I can't seem to find anybody.

I see a flash of green and recognize Andy's beard, following it into the bunk area. Everyone is powwowed in there, on their bunks and playing Uno. When I walk in they all look up at me, kind of surprised because I haven't really left the couch all week.

I don't say anything, I just walk straight to Hailey and hug her. She sorta jumps, not expecting me to voluntarily act like this. I don't understand it either, but I don't intend on letting go for a while.

I hear someone clear their throat. "You okay, Cheryl?"

I recognize Joe's voice, and without moving, I just say "Yeah, fine," from Hailey's shoulder.

I eventually have to get out of the way so they can continue playing, but I keep my head on Hailey's shoulder, wanting some kind of contact. Occasionally she'll glance at me and grin, and I'd just feel embarrassed because of my weird behavior. Oh well, I'm sure it'll just get weirder from here.

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"Were almost in Virginia," the bus driver calls from the front of the bus, and Hailey glances at me, looking kinda happy but also disappointed.

"I don't wanna leave," Hailey says, speaking my mind. I just nod.

Pete puts his arm around me, pulling me into him. I don't mind it, I just lean into him. He raises his eyebrow.

"What?"

"You're not pulling away from me."

"Yeah, don't get used to it." Pete rolls his eyes.

"We'll see."

Patrick starts telling some story about skinny dipping at band camp, but I'm not really listening because I fall asleep, dreaming of Joe getting blasted out of a canon and turning into a unicorn and flying to the moon.

"Cheryl." I just groan, smacking at the peasant trying to wake me. I hear a grunt, and I grin in triumph.

"OW bitch, you hit me!"

"Damn right I did." I sit up and look at Hailey, wiping the sleep out of my eyes. "Why did you wake me up?"

"Were here."

"Oh."

I follow Hailey out into the kitchen, where everyone has everything packed up.

"Ready to meet our parents?" Hailey says, mocking enthusiasm.