Haley's POV
I woke up the next morning in a dark bunk wearing only a black, lace bra and underwear.
As soon as I peeled my eyes open, my head felt like it had been hit by a freight train. Then the wall of nausea washed over me. Jumping out of the bunk, I stumbled over piles of clothing and trash and burst into the bathroom. I didn't have time to even close the door before I lost whatever had taken home in my stomach.
A few pair of feet padded outside the door. I heard a few mumbling voices and looked up to see Ricky, Devin, and Brandon standing in the doorway. I gave a weak smile before once again vomiting in the porcelain bowl my arms rested atop of.
"Devin, go get her something to ease the massive headache I assume she has. Brandon, can you get Haley a cold bottle of water?" Ricky ordered as he bent down next to me, pulling my matted hair out of my face while softly rubbing my back.
Devin returned with a small bottle of pills. Ricky emptied two into his hand. Brandon returned with the water. I popped the pills into my dry mouth and downed them with a greedy gulp of water.
"Thank you." I croaked before shakily standing from the cold floor. Ricky helped me walk out to the living area, sitting me down on the long couch against the wall. He placed a trash can beside me.
It then occurred to me that the bus was still dark. What time was it?
"Can I get you anything else?" Ricky whispered.
"How about the time?" I laughed a little.
"It's four in the morning." My eyes widened in the dark.
"Babe, go back to sleep. I'll be fine out here."
"But yo-"
"Ricky, please go to sleep. You have a show today and I don't want to be the reason you fall asleep on stage." I chuckled a little at the end. Ricky sighed, running his fingers through his silky hair in defeat.
"Fine. Night, babe." He said leaning down and placing a kiss on my forehead.
After Ricky disappeared back into the alley, I stood off of the couch and walked to the counter to retrieve my IPod. After doing so, I opened the bus door. I walked a few feet to the right and slid down against the cold metal. I unwrapped the headphones from my iPod and pushed them into my ears. Silhouette by Owl City was the first song to play.
"I'm tired of wakin' up in tears, cause I can't put to bed these phobias and fears. I'm new to this grief I can't explain, but I'm no stranger to the heartache and the pain. The fire I began is burning me alive, but I know better than to leave and let it die...."
I sang softly along. Warm tears left trails down my cheeks as the song progressed. I was completely oblivious to the fact that someone had joined me until their deep voice broke my trance.
"You okay?" Josh asked, playing with his hands while staring at his lap. He was wearing only a pair of boxers and a loose black hoodie.
"I'm f-fine." I sniffled, wiping a tear that was sliding down my face.
"No you're n-"
"Josh, I said I'm fine." I snapped. We sat in silence for a few minutes.
"Haley, do you hate me?" Josh barely whispered. I took a deep breath.
"No. I hate myself. I feel awful. You were one of my best friends and I ruined it." Josh finally looked up from his lap.
"So we're not best friends anymore?" He frowned playfully. I chuckled, leaning over and wrapping my arms around him.
"We'll always be best friends, Joshy." I pulled away to see Josh smiling widely.
"So what are you listening to?" I rolled my eyes.
"Don't judge me..." Josh furrowed his eyebrows.
"Pinky promise." He said, wrapping his muscular finger around mine. My hand looked so fragile compared to his.
"I was listening to Owl City 'Silhouette' . But it just changed to 'Whore' by In This Moment." Josh just burst out laughing.
"That is- *laughs*- the most - *laughs-* bipolar mix of music ever!" He continued laughing.
"You promised you wouldn't laugh!" I yelled, smacking his arm.
"I- I'm sorry. I just can't... Owl City? Really?"
"Yeah, is that a problem?" He shook his head in disbelief.
"Why are you like naked in the middle of November?..." I looked down to remember I was still dressed in only my undergarments.
"Fuck! I forgot clothes!" Josh quickly slid his hoodie over his head and handed it to me. I slid the black fabric over my head. The hoodie was still slightly warm and it hung just above my knees.
"Thanks." I said blushing.
"Don't worry about it. It's not like I've never seen you naked before." He chuckled.
"Not funny Josh." I scolded, glaring at him.
"Sorry. The sun should be coming up soon." Josh stood, reaching out his hand, motioning for me to take it.
"Where are we going?" I questioned, unsure.
"You'll see." He said, dragging me around to the back of the bus. Josh climbed the thin, metal latter attached to the back. I followed in suit.
The view was incredible. I could see the smoldering embers that remained from the fire pit from the previous night. The corn field was framed by a dense forest and a single mountain top peeked through the tall trees.
"It's beautiful." I said in awe.
Josh and I stayed on the roof for another hour, just talking.
"We should go inside." I said, gathering my iPod.
I opened the door to see Ricky pacing back and forth. He stopped dead in his tracks and turned to see Josh and I walk inside.
"Where the hell have you been?!" Ricky shouted. I shrank into Josh's unclothed side.
"We were just outside watching the sun come up. Calm down." Josh said since I wasn't able to say anything.
"Calm down?! I wake up to see my girlfriend and you missing and I'm supposed to just calm down?! How do I know you weren't fucking each other again?!" By now Chris, Ryan, Devin, and Brandon were crowded around the bunk alley doorway. I stepped closer to Ricky, staring into his eyes. Raising my arm, I swiftly slapped him across the face. He cupped his cheek, a look of shock on his face.
"Listen here Ricky, you know DAMN WELL that I love you. I don't know how to make you realize how fucking sorry I am about what happened between Josh and I. But you have no right to say things like that anymore."
"Out. Get out." He said pointing toward the door. Chris stepped out of the doorway.
"Haley, you don't have to go."
"No, Chris. I think it's best if I leave." I went back into the alley, gathered my suitcase and laptop and went back out into the living area, leaving without a word.
I walked out into the cold morning air, still only wearing Josh's hoodie.
The smell of tobacco wafted over to me. I looked up to see Andy Biersack smoking a cigarette in front of his bus.
"Haley! Hey! You alright?" He asked, noticing my puffy eyes.
"Just peachy." I scoffed.
"What happened?" He questioned, taking one last drag of his cigarette before throwing it on the ground and stomping it out with his shoe.
"Ricky kicked me off the bus." His icy blue eyes widened.
"You wanna stay with us? We don't bite. Most of the time." He chuckled.
"Really? I'd appreciate that so much. Thank you!" I said hugging him.
"Come inside, you look like you're about to freeze to death." Andy said, guiding me onto his warm tour bus.
