Connection -- A Ross Lynch Story

The End

"A band meeting?" Carson asked, one eyebrow raising in confusion. "At this time of night?" But he didn't protest. Piper moved next to me on the opposite couch so Carson and Asher could occupy the other. It was balanced, with two of us on each side. Not a confrontation, but a discussion. The silence was interrupted by the awkward clearing of throats or the fabric of our clothes as we adjusted our positions. "So, who's gonna start?"

"I will," Piper spoke up. It was unlike her to volunteer, and I wasn't quite sure what she was going to say. The conflict I perceived was between me and Carson, but I was interested to hear what was going through her mind. She took a deep breath in and let it flow out through pursed lips before continuing. "I feel like everything is changing and we can't keep up." Each word she spoke was quiet and deliberate. We were all avoiding each other's eye contact, but each of us nodded slowly.

"And it's not just whatever shit the two of you are going through," Asher jumped in. Carson and I met eyes for the first time in ages, and he looked different. The light in his eyes went out. The blue wasn't quite as bright, but instead had faded to a shade of gray. Asher's voice interrupted the moment. "Piper and I..."

"I'm pregnant," she finished his sentence. "We weren't going to say anything, but it's happening."

"And the thing is, we don't know...if we can keep doing this right now." I had never seen Asher cry, but tears were lining his lashes. "I love music, and I love you guys. But with all of the struggling...maybe it's best if we focus on family right now."

"Congratulations you guys," I said, trying to muster up a smile for their sake. It really was a joyous thing for the two of them. I could just picture them in a small house in the suburbs, a beautiful green lawn and a flourishing garden. Inside, Piper would be rocking their new baby in the yellow nursery, singing songs of sunshine and happiness. Asher would stand in the door and watch as his favorite lady serenades their bundle of joy. They deserved all the happiness in the world, even if that meant one of my dreams crumbling like sand between my fingers.

Carson patted his friend on the shoulder, and a little bit of the light returned. We laughed and suddenly, we were those four friends from back in high school. Nothing mattered but each other. "Do I hear wedding bells?" he joked. "Your parents won't be so happy if you have a baby out of wedlock, dude."

"Yeah, dude," Piper said with a small smile. "And I expect a big diamond ring."

The chatter died down once again and the silence returned. Carson was the one who broke it this time. "Trina," he said quietly. When I met his gaze once more, he continued. "I am sorry." He didn't have to say anything else. We had been through it all before. "I really am."

"I know," I responded. He stood up and I followed his lead, meeting in the middle for a hug. I needed that hug more than he knew. "I'll forgive you if you forgive me," I said with a shaky laugh.

"Done." Piper and Asher stood up and joined in on the hug. The four of us stood in the hallway and embraced each other for what seemed like minutes but must've only been a few seconds before we all pulled away. "So... is this it?" Carson asked.

"We finish out this tour and then take a break for a while?" Asher asked, making sure we were all on the same page. "It doesn't have to be forever. Just for now."

My eyes fluttered from each of my friends as I chewed the inside of my cheek. When I looked at each person, I felt nothing but love and support for each of them. We had all changed so much in the course of a few months. "It's been a wild ride," I said wistfully. "And I'm glad I got to share it with you guys."

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I couldn't sleep; my mind was racing. I could see the glow of the early morning sun rising outside, painting the sky beautiful shades of yellow and orange. What an odd sensation, watching the sunrise when you haven't slept. Soft snoring filled the bus as I made my escape.

My fist barely tapped Ross's bus door before I was met by a familiar face. Although the circles under his eyes were growing and his eyelids drooped, he immediately perked up at the sight of me. His smile made my heart pound. "Wanna get away for a few?" I ask.

Ross could tell something was up. It wasn't exactly rocket science. "You didn't sleep either, I take it?" he chuckled as he slid on a pair of sandals and joined me outside. He took my arm in his and kissed my forehead before leading me down the sidewalk. We had no idea where it led, but there didn't need to be a destination. "Rough night?"

"Ross," I sighed. "I feel so different. I can't even explain it, really. It's as if I am a new person. I barely recognize myself." He just listened as I spoke without interrupting or trying to console me. His eyes were locked on the pebbles on the pavement beneath our feet. "We decided to take a break after these last few shows. An indefinite break."

There was a bench in our path that faced the rising sun, a beautiful view over a city we've never seen before. I rested my head on his shoulder as we watched the birds fly from tree to tree, cars pass on their way to work, couples like us jogging along the path. "What now?" he asked.

"I'm not giving up," I decided. I lifted my head and met his brown eyes. Whenever I looked at him, I couldn't help but smile. I ran my thumb over his cheek and felt him grin, causing the corners of his eyes to crinkle. "I like you a whole lot," I whispered, kissing his lips gently. I wouldn't give up on anything I had now. I felt different, and maybe different wasn't so bad after all.