A New Hope

Chapter 11: Let's Do This!

"Come on, we're gonna be late!" Brendon called up to me.

"Late where? I thought the tour bus was coming here?" I called back.

"Yeah, but if it leaves late we'll be late to the first venue so hurry up."

"I'm almost done, hold on!" I yelled, shoving the last book, Cinder, into my already almost full duffle bag full of books for on tour.

I ran downstairs. "Finally. Come on, the bus just pulled up," Brendon said, grabbing his stuff and opening the door.

I grabbed my suitcase, duffle bag, and backpack and followed him out the door to the big tour bus that was parked in front of the house. "Wow, nice bus," I said as Brendon entered the code next to the door and opened it.

"Why thank you, it took some convincing to get the one with four beds since there was only three of us and Dallon kept saying that one of us could sleep on the foldout in main lounge," Brendon explained.

"Ok then. Where do I put my stuff?" I asked.

"That bed's yours, and you can have that drawer," he said, pointing at one of the top bunk beds and the drawer in the upper right of a square of drawers.

"I need more than one drawer. I have my whole wardrobe in this suitcase," I said.

"Ok, then you can also get half of the closet," he said with a frown.

"Deal," I said with a smirk.

He sighed. "Why do teenagers have to be so difficult?"

"All kids are dude. No one will ever explain it," Dallon said, making me jump.

"Don't sneak up on people like that! Ever heard of knocking?!" I yelled.

Kenny appeared in the doorway. "Dude, you need some ice for that burn?" he asked sarcastically.

"Shut up dude. We haven't welcomed the newest person on this tour bus. Hey girlie," Dallon said, giving me a hug.

I hugged him back. "Thanks buddy."

He let go of me and I walked over to where Kenny was now standing by my suitcase. "Hey. Nice to have you on tour with us. You'll fit in here just fine," he said with a smile.

I returned his smile with one of my own. "Thanks, that means a lot. Anyway, I should probably unpack my stuff. I have a lot. Now, where can I put my books?" I asked, pointing to the overstuffed duffle bag.

"Uh, that's a lot of books. Are you planning to just read all day?" Brendon said.

"Yeah, I mean, since you guys are gonna be performing and stuff I'll just be sitting there waiting, so why not read a new book or fifteen," I said.

"Fine, just put the bag in the main lounge under the couch," Kenny said.

"Which one's the main one?" I asked.

"Here, I got it," Dallon said, taking the bag out of my hand.

"Thanks. I'm gonna go unpack the rest of my stuff," I said, putting my suitcase down on the ground and opening it.

It took about half an hour for me to unpack, mainly because I had issues walking when we started moving. I eventually got the hang of it and went up in my bed to relax. I plugged my earbuds in and hit shuffle on my Spotify playlist I named "Emo Trinity Shtuff". Mama by My Chemical Romance, aka my favorite MCR song, came on. After the intro I sang along, "Mama we all go to hell. Mama we all go to hell. I'm writing this letter and wishing you well. Mama we all go to hell."

"Hey Chloe, we have something to ask you!" Brendon called to me.

I got out of my bed and walked into the lounge where the guys were. "What's up?"

"Well, we were wondering..." Kenny started before Dallon cut him off.

"Do you want to do a cover song at our first concert?" he asked excitedly.

My eyes got wide and my mouth dropped open. They wanted me to sing at their concert? All I could think was have I died and gone to heaven? "Of course! I would be honored," I said while trying to hide my excitement.

"That's great. Now we need to figure out what song you're gonna do. Have any ideas?" Brendon asked.

"Yeah, I think I do. Maybe I could do The Ghost of You by My Chemical Romance?" I asked.

Everyone nodded. "Sounds good to me. Can you guys get it memorized by tonight?" Kenny asked.

Brendon and Dallon nodded. I smiled. "Thanks so much for this opportunity. It means so much to me. Before now I was a nobody with no friends, and now my whole school loves me and I have five best friends. My life has changed for the better, and hopefully that trend will continue."

As I started to tear up and looked around, I saw I wasn't the only one with wet eyes. I honestly think there wasn't a dry eye on the bus, except maybe the driver. "It's no big deal kiddo. Really, it's our honor for you to perform at our show. And not only that, but this show will be televised live," Brendon said.

"Live? OMG, I gotta go tell Alex and Baylee, and I need to practice, and figure out what I'm wearing, and..." I muttered, walking toward my bunk.

I heard everyone blow their noses as I started my computer up to Skype Alex and Baylee. When I called, they both almost immediately picked up. "Guys, you'll never believe what I get to do tonight!" I squealed excitedly.

"OMG, don't tell me, let me guess. You get to meet someone?" Baylee said.

I shook my head. "Guess again."

"You get to cover a song at the concert?" Alex guesses.

I nodded. "Yeah! I'm so excited! I can't wait. And it's gonna be on T.V., and live!"

"That's amazing C, I'm so happy for you," Baylee said.

"Good luck!" Alex said before following it up with a question, "What song are you singing?"

"The Ghost of You by My Chemical Romance," I said.

"I love that song! MCR is my favorite band," Alex said.

"OMG, guys, we're the Holy Emo Trinity," Baylee said.

"YAAAASSSSS! Amazeballs!" I said.

"Chloe, we need you!" Brendon called.

"I gotta go guys. Ttyl!" I said.

They both chorused a bye and hung up. I closed my computer and went into the back lounge where everyone else was. "What's up guys?"

"We wanted you to run through the song with the music on your phone real quick. Just so we know," Brendon said.

I nodded. "Of course, let me just get it up..." I said before starting the song, "I never said I'd lie and wait forever..." As I sang, I registered the song in my brain, and the sad song about death made tear up. "At the end of the world or the last thing I see you are never coming home, never coming home. Could I? Should I?" I continued to sing, the song taking its toll on my emotions, almost making me cry, "For all the ghosts that are never gonna..." I finished.

"Thanks. That's all we needed. You can go back now," Brendon said.

"No problem. Just yell if you need me, and if I don't come just go yank one of my earbuds out," I replied.

I got up and walked back to my bunk. Tonight was gonna be awesome.