We'll Make It Through ~ Bret Von Dehl x Ronnie Radke

Chapter One

*Bret's P.O.V.*

The smell of alcohol assaulted my nostrils as i sat at the bar, tapping my foot in rhythm to the music that played. I watched people of all different kinds mingle, flirt, embarrass themselves in their drunken stupors... Nothing i haven't done before.

I downed the rest of my whiskey and looked over at my band mates, who were laughing about something i didn't quite catch. i was too busy thinking; thinking about my successful career, my non-existent love life, and other things that i honestly wished i could change.

Don't get me wrong, i loved my band with all my heart and i was very happy with where we were. I just figured that we could always be a bit more well-known...

But it was ok, we had thousands of loving fans and that's what mattered. We were there for them and they were there for us.

I got up from where i was sitting and walked through the large crowd, accidentally bumping into people. I grunted as a tall man in black was shoved into me, and he quickly turned around with his hands held up as if to say "whoa sorry", but his expression quickly changed to one of cheerful recognition.

"Hey, Bret! Sorry about that, CC is crazy drunk right now and he won't settle down."

i laughed, "It's ok, i know how he can be. How you been, Andy?"

"Pretty good, actually. Things are going great with Juliet, the guys have been getting along better then ever, our merch has been selling like crazy... I really can't complain. What about you guys? Everything been good?"

"Well that's good to hear," i started, "And yeah, we've been great. There's not really much to tell, but we haven't had any problems or anything, which is better than nothing, i guess."

Andy nodded understandingly, "I hear ya, no news is good news."

I nodded and was about to open my mouth to speak, when suddenly Jake appeared by Andy's side, giving CC a piggyback ride.

"Bret!!" CC exclaimed when he saw me, "How are ya buddy?!"

"Good?" i laughed, and he quickly turned his attention back to Andy who was looking at them with a "WTF" look on his face, but was grinning at the same time.

"CC, What the fuck are you doing?"

"Taking it to the next level!!" he yelled as he raised his hand, then smacked Jake on the shoulder, "Go!"

Jake rolled his eyes playfully and took off past me, running into the sea of fellow drunks. I hoped he didn't drop him.

"Wow," Andy shook his head, "you're lucky you don't have THAT to deal with, though. I swear CC is a man-child."

"Eh," i shrugged, "he's not all that bad. I guess i was just blessed with normal-ish band mates."

He chuckled, "I'd agree with that. Your band mates are pretty cool... Speaking of, are they here?"

"yeah, actually. They should be at the bar."

"ok, cool, i'll go over and say hi," he said, and i started to turn away. "Alright, i'm going to go to the bathroom. I'll be over there in a minute."

"'kay," he smiled, then made his way to the bar.

I finally walked into the bathroom and did what i needed to do, and i looked at myself in the mirror after i washed my hands. I fixed my hair quickly so i wasn't in the way of whoever was behind me, and then left.

I pushed through dozens of sweaty bodies once again in order to find my friends, and i found them all doing a round of shots. I sat down next to Andy and they smiled wider as they noticed me, Andy giving me a friendly slap on the back.

"Hey, you're back. Up for a round of shots?"

"i thought you just did...?" i said in a weird tone, and he chuckled.

"Yeah, but you weren't here."

i shrugged, "Eh, i don't know."

"Come on, its on me."

i pursed my lips as i thought about it, and Alex leaned forward so he could look at me past Andy.

"C'mon, Bret. Don't be such a pussy!" he said. l frowned yet smiled at the same time.

"shut up! I'm not a pussy."

"Then do the damn shot!"

"Fine!" i rolled my eyes, and Andy ordered another round. Once everyone had their shots in hand, CC raised his in toast.

"To taking it to the next level!!"

everyone laughed - some rolling their eyes ~ and did the shots. I slammed my glass onto the bar and looked over at Alex.

"Happy now?" i asked in a fake angry voice, and he shrugged with a smile on his face.

"Maybe, maybe not."
i shook my head dismissively and looked at Andy, who was running a hand though his hair as he looked over at CC. he seemed to be trying to hit on some girl, but failing miserably. Ashley went over to them and slowly pulled CC away.

"We should probably get CC back to the hotel," Jinxx laughed, and Andy sighed.

"I suppose." He looked over at me and stood up, and i did the same.

"We gotta run, but it was nice seeing you guys again. Maybe you could come to the party we're having tomorrow over at the hotel we're staying at. I got a big room just so we could do that; there should also be some other bands there too."

"Ok, cool," i smiled, see you tomorrow, then."

Andy smiled back and turned around, and everyone said their goodbyes. I watched them as they left, and JC stood up.

"we should probably go as well," he said, then smirked at Alex, "We don't want Alex getting so drunk that he ends up hitting on some dude again."

"That was one time!"

"Uh-huh."

i laughed at them, "Come on guys, let's go."

After a few minutes of playful bickering, we finally managed to leave the large bar, and we walked down the street in the quiet, chilly night to our hotel

~*~