The next week were hectic. Not only did I have to arrange everything with my future school, but I also had to prepare myself for the next months. Of course I had endless discussions with my parents, but eventually they agreed that this next year would be a gap year for me. Even more so, they even thought that it would be good for me. If I really wanted to, I could always take an online class while on the road. But I don't think that's going to happen, to be honest.
Then there was the preparing for the tour. In opposite of the guys, I had no idea what and how to pack. The five of us would be living with our belongings in a suitcase. The boys are used to that now, but obviously I'm not. Taking all my shoes was, sadly enough, no option for me. Calum said that I could leave some stuff at his house in LA, but we wouldn't be heading out there until September. I just had to pack all the essentials, and clothes for all the weather you could think of. The five of us had decided that I didn't have to come to all their rehearsals and concerts. That wasn't going to work out for me. But, as Calum had asked, I would come to fifty percent of the shows. That way I had enough time to explore the cities we would go to, and when the band was busy practising, I would look for thing we could do in their rare time off. So I was, as Luke had stated, "A small and way too giggly tour guide."
And now here I stand, after five weeks of waiting. I'm in front of my parents, my sister, and Donya, ready to say goodbye. Well, not exactly ready. I'm excited and scared all at the same time. I have no idea how it will turn out to be, and the idea of not being able to go hom immediately when something's wrong is awful. But I have Luke, Michael, Ashton, and most importantly, Calum, by my side. They are standing beside me as I hug my parents, sister, and best friend. We are all close to crying, and it's not long until my mom starts crying. So I start crying too, of course. My parents smile, and then my dad shifts his attention to Calum. To Calum's surprise my dad hugs him. "Take care of my youngest daughter, Calum," my dad says, "I know you're old enough to be able to do that. And if there's something wrong with her, don't even think of not telling us."
Donya hears that too, and she nods in approval. "Calum, if you hurt her, I will end you," she says, and as Calum starts to look a little scared, she grins. "Just kidding. Kind of. I know you won't. But as her best friend I'm obligated to say that."
Calum smiles, visibly relieved. Then my sister hugs Calum, and then hugs me one last time. "Send me a lot of pictures, and we'll Skype." She smiles and I promise her that I will.
"We have to leave." Luke says, pointing at the driver. Calum grabs my suitcase, but immediately groans. "Jesus, Sara, did you pack an elephant in this or something?"
I laugh. "What? A girl has always have to be prepared for things you won't ever know."
"I just pack my favourite shirts and pants." He says and I grin. "I just have a lot of favourite shirts, don't judge!"
I hear laughter behind me, coming from Luke and Michael. "This is gonna be great. Whenever we get bored we can just listen to your bickering."
I raise an eyebrow at him. "If you think this is bickering, you should hear me and my sister sometime."
"Time to go," the driver says, "I don't want you to be late for your plane. First stop is JFK airport." In surprise I look at Calum. "First stop is New York? Oh my god!"
He nods and I practically jump into the taxi. It's a one-hour drive to the airport from my house, and in the meantime I get all the updates from the flight, the plan after we land, and where we're gonna be staying. Because the boys are playing in Madison Square Garden, we're going to stay at a hotel for the entire stay in New York. After that, it's sleeping and living in the tour bus. Not that I have something against that, but I really hope I don't get sick when driving like I usally do in busses.
The plane ride is long, but luckily the guys keep me entertained. I'm sat between Calum, who's sitting by the window, and Luke, who's sitting by the aisle because he's so tall. Ashton and Michael are sitting behind us, playing a game. I brought a book with me in my hand luggage, and downloaded a few films on my laptop.
"I'm nervous," I say, biting my nails, "Is that normal even when I'm not performing like you?"
Luke nods. "You should see our stylists and managers, I think they're even freaking out more like we are."
"You never seem nervous." I say surprised.
"Calum's usually the worst." Luke says, and I look at Calum. He looks at me and shrugs. "I can't help it. I mean, you get used to the performing, but you're always being judged. I love doing this, of course, but the thrill never goes away."
"Well at least Sara's here to help you relax a little, if you know what I mean, huh mate?" I hear from behind me and Calum and I turn around in sync. "Shut up!" We say defensive, and that makes Michael laugh. Then we turn around again, and Luke's already asleep.
"Should we play a game?" I ask and Calum nods. "I saw a cupboard with games in the front of the plane, should we go check that out?" I nod, and since there's no other way, me and Calum climb over Luke.
"No Monopoly," Calum says, "that usually ends with me throwing the board at people, and I really don't want to hurt you." He then kisses me on the cheek, making me blush. "A card game then? Nothing can go wrong with that. But I'm so doing a drinking game when we land in New York."
That makes Calum laugh, and we find ourselves a quiet spot in the plane. It turns out we both suck at card games, and we quickly give up. By then it's only four hours of flying left, and I decide to read the book I brought with me. Calum climbs over Luke first, even though he's awake by now. He's just too lazy to move. I climb over him next, making him sigh. "What? If you're so lazy you have to deal with the consequences." I say and grab my book. That's how I spend the next two hours, and then I decide to ask a little more about touring. The guys are happy to answer my questions, and I get to know what I can expect. A lot of screaming fans (which I'm one of), getting drunk - when there's time -, and exploring cities.
"You'll be getting bored of our music pretty soon," Ashton says, "And of us too."
"She won't get bored of me." Calum says and wraps an arm around me. I grin and that makes Michael do vomit-noises. "What?" I say, "Don't pretend like you never bring a girl over to the tour bus. But god forbid I ever hear noises of you-know-what."
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The plane has landed, and as we go grab our travel luggage I look out the window. So this is what New York looks like...
