STORIES TOLD, STORIES LIVED

Chapter 9

ARINA'S P.O.V

"...And this is my bunk right here."

"Wow. Tour bus. Just like the one you showed me in that update video something-"

I quickly put the Facetime on hold and plugged the headphones in. You've met my dear friend, Alessia. First, she would always say anything she wanted. Second, she talked very fast. So let me conclude here, that yes I was afraid she would tell everybody in this bus how I last year freaked out over a tour bus video update. No, not now. Got self pride here to hold high. Better to keep it between her loud voice and my ears only.

"Dang, you mute my excitement." She frowned.

"Because I know you and your tricky little move." I rolled my eyes. "How's there? Who's the new roommate?"

"Nobody. I like to keep it that way."

"You must miss me so much."

"Ha. Don't force your luck. I just don't like to spend my free time taking off your masterpiece wall for a stranger. Because girl, it'd take me a week."

"I miss you, Less." I giggled from my little bunk.

The Facetime thing lasted for a good hour. We were currently heading to the first city. Time flies. Tour was about to start. Speaking of which, this first ride of tour was likely filled by Toby's soft snore, Connor and his amazing brain on his protools, Riley with his novel - which I didn't expect to see - and other normal stuff people would do on a lazy day. I saw James Facetiming his family too. And Anthony continued to play that X-box where Toby left off before he slept, at the back lounge, with Connor.

"Say hi from me to Alessia."

I swear it was Riley talking from his half covered bunk, so I checked him, and smiled.

"Less, Riley said hi." I turned my phone so Alessia could see him.

"Hello!" Riley waved warmly.

"Heeey!" She basically screamed in my ears.

"She freaked out." I explained to Riley since he couldn't hear her voice.

"Hahaha..." He chuckled. A cute chuckle.

"Oh your darling is looking awesome right there. You sure you'll survive the entire tour with his bunk across from yours? Dang, girl. You barely made it with me, let alone with the guy himself."

Alessia's rant made me laugh pretty hard. I needed to close my bunk curtain to avoid Riley from seeing me blushing. But yes I was.

"I'm gonna kill you." I groaned in the lowest tone possible.

"Muahahahahahaha... You're so dead." She laughed louder than the loudest laugh ever recorded on earth, for quite a while, before decided to end the torture. "Alright my love, it's late here."

"Wow, you read my mind. I was about to end this too." I rolled my eyes.

"Hang in there and stay healthy, alright? Don't involve into something you can't save yourself from."

"Wait- What's that supposed to mean-"

"Byeeeee!"

And the Facetime disconnected.

I breathed. Tried to find my rhythm. Funny thing here. I hope I tried hard enough not to make myself look ridiculous around them. I kept remind myself that I was now part of the crew, not a fan. So we should be good. I should have not been nervous to open my bunk curtain.

Should have not. Right?

I decided to climb out of my bunk to enjoy the view with Lonnie, by the foldable extra couch next to him. I found that spot perfect for me. I made myself a cup of coffee, brought along my journal, and a pen.

Why think of being someone else when you are created with your own qualities? God knows what's good for you and what's not. There's a reason why we don't have what someone else's has. There's treasure inside us that makes us different from others.
So why change into someone else when you're already a masterpiece?
- Arina Shaw

"Aint it calming right here?" Lonnie suddenly mumbled.

"Yeah... I envy your spot. It must be amazing to see world the way you see it." I smiled to him.

"That's deep. But that's also true. I always wonder how big this world actually is, and now I have a job that can make me at the same time see it through my eyes."

"Deep." I chuckled.

"You have a big talent, girl."

"Lonnie, that's very nice of you, thanks so much." I closed my journal.

"Don't bother."

"What?"

"Hiding what you just wrote from me."

"You saw that?" I almost screamed but huh that's too late.

"Apologize my eyes for not sticking around the street during traffic light." Lonnie laughed and I followed.

The rest of afternoon I spent by making Lonnie some coffee to make him stay awake. I also kept making mine, too. Guess it's already the fourth cup. I found a perfect spot to write that could give me the same feeling as my bunk back in the college dorm once did. On the brighter side, I also could always accompany Lonnie throughout the day, so why not.

Today I made two more writings, plus the list of upcoming ideas, of what I thought would come from the fans later. I was in my best mood. Tour life wasn't always stressful.

The peaceful writing time continued as Lonnie occassionally talked to me about random things, until a text beeped my phone.

Riley:
It's a pretty spot from here too.

I coughed, or safe to say, choked. I didn't entirely get what he meant because I wasn't sure if he's in his bunk or some spots else, and clearly I was too nervous to turn around and check.

"What?" Lonnie noticed my stiff move.

"Uhm. Nothing. Some random text." I hid my phone.

Then another notification immediately came in.

Riley:
Random? ;)

Holy guacamole what should one do to calm this fast heartbeats. I glanced at the distance. Damn, I was trapped in a feeling that was too early to exist, over a guy I haven't even quite known yet.

I turned around.

There he was, sitting on the middle room couch, staring back at me.