Not Broken, Just Bent: The Band Perry Sister Story

Chapter 4: Night Gone Wasted

The next few days seemed to drag on forever. Being here was making me restless. We did the same things every single day and I was just getting so tired of it. Spending the days at the beach and hardly talking because I was just so angry about being here wasn't really satisfying me. I needed something to keep me busy for the next 3 weeks.

Ever since my talk with Kimberly a few nights ago, she has backed off and they don't really force themselves on me. But you could tell she still worries. I'm pretty sure my whole entire family worries about me actually.

"Hey Caitlin," my dad said as he came to sit down next to me on our couch. It was about 3pm and I was so bored I was scrolling though channels trying to find something decent to watch on TV.

"So I was just in town getting some food for dinner tonight, and I found a flyer for a carnival that they are having on the boardwalk tonight about a mile away. I think Kimberly, Reid, Neil, and you should all go tonight. Plus you always are going on and on about how bored you are, so this will be fun!"

I turned my head to face him. Was he kidding? He had to be kidding. How the heck was I going to have any fun with Kimberly, Reid, and Neil around?!

My dad went on, "I already asked Kim and the boys and they said they'd be happy to take you!" He said with a huge grin across his face. He seemed proud of himself that he actually was going to get us to go to a carnival and do something together. And to be honest a carnival sounded fun. But not with my older brothers and sister.

"Fine, I'll go." I muttered.

"Awesome! Y'all can leave after dinner!" My dad said jumping up and leaving the room.

I slumped back into the overused couch, starting to already dread the night to come. 

"Are you ready Caitlin?" Neil asked poking his head into Kimberly and I's bathroom.

I glanced at myself one more time in the mirror to make sure I looked ok. It's 6:30 and we are about to go to a carnival for the rest of the night. "Yep." 

"Oh you sound so excited!!" Neil said, saracstically.

"Oh don't worry, I am," I said just as sarcastic as I walked out of the bathroom.

We met Kimberly and Reid in the car and they started to navigate through the city to get to the carnival.

"You excited?" Reid asked nudging me in the side. We were in the back seat and Kimberly and Neil were in front.

Instead of beating around the bush I just came out and asked the question that had been burning in the back of my mind all night, "Are y'all gonna have to stop and talk to people?" I asked.

They all turned around and looked at me, "What are you talking about?" Reid asked.

"I mean.. Are y'all gonna have to stand around and say hi to fans? I know it's part of your job and everything but I kind of hate it when I have to do those things."

I know that may sound rude but last time I went in public with them it didn't go so well. We were basically mobbed and a simple half an hour shopping trip turned into a 3 hour meet and greet and no shopping at all.

After that day about a year ago I tried to refrain from much as possible going out with them. I wasn't a very sociable person and to be honest all those people so close kind of scare me.

"Well.." Kimberly said calmy from the drivers seat, "If we say fans we have to say hi. We can't ignore them and its just something we have to do. They make our jobs possible. We'll do our best to keep it to a minimum though."

"Sorry hun, it's our job." Neil added simpatically. 

I slumped back into my seat and looked out the window. It's not that I don't like the fans, I do! But being in the entertainment buisness is just something I'm not interested in but because I'm related to The Band Perry I feel like I'm kind of forced into and it's really one of the things I've always hated about my life.

We pulled into the carnival. There was so many different kinds of people there! And it just looked so fun! The smell of popcorn filled the air and everywhere you looked there was some kind of carnival ride with bright lights.

We started off by going on the rides! It was actually more fun then I had expected! Kimberly, Reid, and Neil, weren't as much of buzzkills as I thought they would be and I even laughed and had fun with them. It was actually starting to feel like old times.

"Are y'all hungry?" Kimberly asked as we all stepped off the ferris wheel and started walking away from it.

"Yeah!! Let's go get the cotten candy!" Reid suggested.

"Yes!!!" I agreed.

Kimberly rolled her eyes, "I meant REAL food! Not sugar and air!" 

"Aww come on Kimberly, pleaseee!!" I begged.

"Alright fine! Where's it at?" She said finally giving in.

I started walking straight, because that's where I last saw a stand. "I think it's this way y'all. I saw it right by the lemonade!" I told them.

I waited for an answer or correction but nobody responded. 

I whipped around to make sure they were still there and I found nobody. There was no sight of them anywhere! I looked in every direction frantically. Where could they have gone!? Did I loose them in the crowd?!

"It's The Band Perry!" I heard a teenage girl tell her friend as they started running in the direction I had just came from.

Oh no. This can't be happening.

I pushed through a few people and tried to follow the girls. After a few moments I found a crowd of about 15 people and growing, surrounding my siblings. They were all smiles as they graciously took pictures and chatted with the crowd.

I can't believe this! How I could I be so STUPID!? I could I let them convience me that coming here would be ok? How could I do this to myself. Just when I thought things might actually get better they went back to square one. I'm done with this. I'm done with them.

I turned around, with tears forming in my eyes. I wasn't sure exactly what to do at this point. Walking home wasn't really an option because it was a little far.. but I sure as heck WASN'T sticking around for this.

I decided to sit down on a bench that was far away from the crowds. I sat my head and my hands trying to fight back the tears. 

"Hey.. are you ok?"

I looked up to find 2 figures standing above me. A girl wearing white shorts and a gray top with her hair pulled back asked me. Next to her, was a boy who was wearing khaki pants and some type of Nike shirt.

"Umm yes... Yes I'm fine." I said trying my best to look like everything was ok.

"Alright, well we just thought we'd make sure." The boy told me, "Are you from around here? Do you need us to call you a cab or something?"

"Um no, that's ok. I'm not from around here but.. my siblings... are around here somewhere,"

"Ok good!" They chipper girl said, "I'm Liz by the way, and this is my friend Micheal!" 

"Hi. I'm Caitlin." 

"Do you want to walk around with us for a bit?" Micheal asked me.

Good God, why are these people so friendly!?

"That's ok. Thank you though. I think we are about to leave," I lied.

"Ok, well let us know if you need anything! We usually come to the carnival every night. Maybe we will see you around?" Liz said.

I nodded, "Yeah. See y'all around!" As they walked away waving.

I glanced over at my siblings to see if they were almost done or making their way over. They hadn't moved an inch. And their seemed to be even MORE people crowding them. They didn't even look like they were about to quit. 

You know what... screw them. I'm not going to let them ruin my night. I can do my own thing.

"Hey.. Liz, Micheal! Wait up!!"