Stall Me [Ryden] [BOOK TWO]

three

The next morning, I was awoken with one of my least favorite feelings; pain. Ian had decided to wake me up, it'd be an amazing idea to wake me up, but lunging on top of me. Of course with my luck, he had basically smothered my ankle with his weight, which sent me to hell and back five times that morning. 

"Are you still angry at me..?" Ian whimpered, his face holding guilt, from where he sat across from me. After I let out a really, really loud shriek this morning, I'd awoken the entire neighborhood. Figuratively. But I certainly woke an angry Dallon, a concerned Spencer, and a confused Zack. Turns out Ryan had already been awake, and had simply been chatting with Ian. 

I shook my head, "No. You didn't mean it, I'm sure." I muttered. The boy sighed in relief, grunting in frustration, as he pushed his curly hair out of his face. After making sure I wasn't getting murdered, Zack had insisted everybody gather their things, so we could go eat, before we hit the road again. 

So we'd all -- including Ryan -- bunched together, and followed after Zack, like we were his ducklings. It was Zack, then Dallon, then Spencer, then Ian and I walking side by side, Ian's arm around my shoulder as he helped me stay on my feet, and repeated the same apology over and over. And lastly, Ryan trailed awkwardly behind the rest of us, an emotionless expression set on his face as he walked.

He wasn't soaking wet anymore, luckily.

"That's true." Ian said, his voice muffled, as he stuffed his face with a handful of fries. I rolled my eyes at my band mate, turning instead to my left, where Dallon sat. He wore that smile, which was really unexplainable. It was just...a soft smile, I guess. Everything about Dallon's features were soft. 

He had soft blue-grey eyes, a soft voice, a soft smile, and most importantly, soft lips. Now, I know what you're thinking. Brendon! You whore! You're just as bad as Sarah if you hit on Dallon! But here's the thing; Dallon and I did stage gay, so we could keep our audience captivated, and that required me to kiss him once.

"How are they? The kids, I mean. Has Knox been giving you any trouble? Amelie?" Dallon spoke in a quiet voice. I realized then that he was on the phone. I assumed it was Breezy, his wife, as he was using the names of his children. So I turned to my right, instead, and found Zack.

"You doing good?" He asked, swallowing his bite of cheeseburger. I chuckled, leaning back in my chair and folding my arms over my chest. I myself had ordered a simple ice cream cone. I didn't have much of an appetite right when I wake up in the morning. 

"So far." I answered, a yawn taking my voice away, and refraining me from saying anymore. It was Zack's turn to laugh. I glanced at Ryan, who sat on the other side of Ian, across from Dallon. Spencer sat across from Zack, also beside Ian.

Ryan appeared to be picky, as he nosed through his food, sporadically nibbling on something. I felt a wave of nostalgia as I remember quite a lot of memories from high school. One in particular hit me rather hard. The time Ryan had dragged me into a closet, but I'd turned the tides and pinned him against the wall, stealing his sucker, before moving on. 

At that thought, I quietly giggled, my eyes dropping from Ryan, where I tapped on the table. Ryan looked up the same time I did, and momentarily, our eyes met. Then they fell apart again, and an uncomfortable silence filled the open air between the six of us.

"Do we have to cancel the tour?" I whined, tugging at Zack's sleeve. We were in the driver's section of the tour bus- at the very front of the bus, beyond the bunks. We'd spent the entire day driving. Zack driving, while I sat in the passenger side, forcing Zack to listen to Frank Sinatra with me as I hummed along, my feet kicked up on the dashboard so my ankle would be elevated again.

Although he'd recently broke the news; he was canceling the rest of the tour because of my stupid ankle. It made me angry. Leave it to me to blow something that could've been the pinnacle of my career! Everybody had tweeted at me about how siked they were for the concerts, Zack couldn't just cancel everything!

"Yes, Brendon, you can barely walk! You had me carry you around today while we all shopped." He pointed out. I dropped my eyes guiltily to the floor, grunting in distaste. I hated that he was right. I hated being wrong. I quickly adjusted my stance, confidently puffing my chest out.

"We're not quitting the tour. I've been looking forward to communicating with my fans for months and months on end since Vices and Virtues was released. Either you turn this bus around, or you stop it, and kick me out." I snapped. Wow, I went to far. The tour bus screeched to a stop, as Zack slammed on the breaks. 

I let out a cry of surprise. Although I wasn't the only one who had something to say about this. A chorus of 'hey!'s and 'the fuck?'s came from the bunk section of the tour bus. I even heard something- or somebody- fall to the floor with a rather obvious thud. Following that tumble, I heard Ian's laughter, and was sure Dallon must've fallen. 

Why did I assume it was Dallon? Because what came next was nothing short than giving it away. Another thud. Dallon's laughter. A quiet yelp. Spencer's snort. A surprised gasp, who I assumed was from Dallon, and in unison, to grunts, and another thud, and Spencer's mother hen attitude chiming in: 'Guys, cut it out!'

I snorted softly under my breath, shaking my head. Although my amusement quickly evaporated when Zack gave me a hard look, and motioned towards the back, "Get out." 

I frowned, sitting up. He couldn't be serious, could he? "What?" 

"You heard me. If you want to stay so badly, then get out. I'll take the others home. I'll call Sarah to get you tomorrow or something." Zack growled, his eyes cold and distant from my own. I frowned, my breathing picking up as I began to panic. There was no way I was backing out now; I was too stubborn. 

So I lifted myself from my seat, cursing and wincing with every painful step I took. Well, I had to limp back to the bunk compartment. Dallon was lying on the floor by the dining table, with Ian sat on top of him. Dallon was panting, whereas Ian looked victorious, as he held Dallon to the ground. 

"What was the halt for?" Spencer spoke up from his bunk, raising an eyebrow. I glanced up at him, and my expression faltered. I gave Ian and Dallon one look, and the two rolled off each other, sitting up to stare up at me for the answer.

"Zack decided to cancel the tour, and I'm not gonna let him. So he told me to get out. So I'm gonna limp down to the nearest hotel, and stay there a few nights before Sarah comes to get me," I decided, explaining my plan. I limped over to my bunk, tiredly falling down on it. 

I pulled my jacket and shoes from it, tugging my jacket on, and tucking my snap back snugly on my head. Then, I took the time to remove my brace, and very painfully slip on my shoes. Dallon looked rather concerned, where Ian just straightened up, giving me a look. 

"Then I'm coming too!" He announced, a finger sticking straight in the air. I knew there was no stopping Ian, so I just dipped my head in permission, and he automatically began gathering his coat and shoes as well. "Me too!" Dallon chimed in, and did the same.

"You guys are crazy. I'm staying." Spencer insisted, rolling over to cuddle under his blanket. I rolled my eyes at him, and hopped through the door Ian had held open for me. When I reached the concrete, I had only taken a few steps when I was swept off my feet, into Dallon's arms. I squirmed slightly in protest, but he refused to let me go.

"I'll carry you to the closest hotel. Ian, search up the closest hotel." He demanded. Ian nodded slowly, pulling out his phone to tap away, searching for one. The sun was beginning to set, and I was exhausted. All I wanted to do was curl up somewhere warm, and sleep, but I'd have to wait.

"Zack sounds like a dick." Ryan spoke up. I paused. Wait, Ryan? Dallon, Ian, and I, all three turned are heads to the left, where Ryan strode quietly beside Dallon. I hadn't even noticed him trail after us, but I didn't mind. I enjoyed the company he gave me, though it wasn't much. 

Although, out of the corner of my eyes, I noticed Ian and Dallon exchange uncertain looks. They didn't like Ryan; it was easy to tell so.