One Million Branches

Part Sixteen

“What the fucked happened in here?” I hear.

I pull my eyes open and the sunlight outside blinds them. My head throbs and I slam my eyes shut again.

“Liz?” I hear by the bathroom door.

I open my eyes again and see Mitch standing there.

“Lizzy?” He says looking at me.

I stare at him and he pulls me out of the tub.

“Come on Liz. We have a show in half an hour. It’s the last day of Warped. Let’s have fun.” He says with a smile.

“Okay.” I say returning the smile.

Even though I feel like my heart was ripped in half I finally get to go home after today.

I get dressed in black high waisted shorts and an All Time Low crop top. I pull on my purple vans, do my makeup and pull my hair up into a ponytail. I grab a Monster from the fridge and we all head off the bus. As we walk in silence I notice a bus missing.

“Where’d they go?” I ask pointing to the empty spot where PTV’s bus once was.

“They all headed home since they finished earlier and since we’re already in San Diego.” Travis says.

I nod as a rush of sadness overcomes my body.

We do our set and then run off the stage to the bus. The boys pack up before me as we drive off to our houses. Once they finished the all came into the front of the bus. I walk back to the bunk area and close the door quietly behind me.

I pack up all of my clothes and shoes when I see all the pictures and my turtle sitting in my bunk again. My heart drops and I hold back tears. I grab them into my arms and put them in my backpack. I unplug my phone, I’m guessing Aaron plugged in, and check new messages.

Vic: Hey kid. Sorry we missed your last performance. How are you feeling today?

Me: It’s fine. And I’m fine.

I shove my phone into my pocket when suddenly the bus stops.

Aaron’s house.

I walk out and give him a huge hug.

“Bye Air-bear!” I scream out the window.

He smiles and waves.

The next stop is my house. Fuck. I forgot Tony lived with me.

I sigh as I shove myself into Travis’s arm.

“How are you holding up kid?” He asks quietly.

“I’m abso-fucking-loutely amazing.” I say rolling my eyes.

He frowns and gives me a small hug.

“I’m sorry, Lizzy. I’m here for you though. Remember that!” He says smiling.

My phone buzzes and I pull it out of my pocket.

Jacky: Lizzy! Can Alex and I crash at your place until we find a place there in San Diego?

Me: What you’re moving to San? And yeah come on over.

I need a distraction anyways and Alex and Jack are always the best distractions.

My ringtone starts playing so I answer it.

“Hello?” I ask.

“Hey Liz!” Austin says.

“Hey dude! What’s up?” I ask.

“I was wondering if Alan and I could stay at your house tonight.” He says hopefully.

“Yeah that’s fine. But just to let you know Alex and Jack are going to be over too.” I say.

“That’s fine. I’ll see you in like an hour.” He says.

The bus stops and I see my house.

I hug Mitch and Travis and thank them.

“I love you guys!” I call out the bus door.

I unlock my front door and breathe in the familiar smell and sigh.

I drag my suitcase upstairs and drop it in the laundry room. I walk into my bedroom and collapse on my bed. I fall asleep until I wake up to the doorbell. I run downstairs and open the door, revealing Alan, Alex, Austin and Jack.

“Hey Liz!” They all say in sync.

I step to the side and let them in.

“I brought pizza.” Alex says smiling.

“I brought soda and your favorite movies.” Austin says smiling.

“I brought your favorite candy.” Alan says smiling.

“I brought you your favorite-est thing of all. Me.” Jack says.

“How’d you know you were my favorite?” I say pinching his cheek.

I closed the door and headed upstairs along with the rest of the boys.

I climb onto my bed and sit in the middle of all the guys.

We all dig into the pizza and candy as we drink soda and watch Tangled.

My phone starts going off and all of us turn our attention to my nightstand.

“Who is it?” I ask.

“Tony.” Alan says sheepishly.

“Ignore it please.” I say turning back to the movie.

It starts going off again and I sigh.

Alan ignores it again until it goes off a third time.

I grab the phone and climb out of bed.

The boys follow close behind me, but I go into the bathroom and shut the door.

“Hello?” I ask.

Silence fills the other line but I know Tony’s there.

“If you don’t say anything I’m going to hang up.” I sigh.

“Liz.” He says quietly.

“Tony.” I say back quietly.

Tears fill my eyes and pour down my cheeks.

“I’m so sorry.” He says.

“I can’t do this right now.” I say trying to not have my voice break.

“But…” He says quietly.

“Goodbye, Tony.” I say hanging up the phone.

I sob into my hands until there’s a knock at the door.

The door opens and the boys slowly walk in.

“Lizzy?” Austin asks sitting on his knees in front of me.

He holds out his arms and I fall into them.

“Sorry guys. I just want to sleep right now.” I say pulling myself off of Austin.

“That’s fine.” They all say.

We all walk back into my room and spread across my bed.

I grab the little turtle from under my bed and snuggle up to it.

Tonight mainly consisted of them trying to make me feel better but Tony kinda ruined it by calling me.