The Band And The Busker (All Time Low/Alex Gaskarth) *COMPLETED*

Time-Bomb

Chapter Fifteen: Time-Bomb

KARA

Today we were having a meeting with the label about doing Warped Tour, our meeting was first up with All Time Low and Taste Of Poison being after us later on in the day. It was exciting to be asked to do the tour, especially being the only British band member who hadn't been able to experience like the other band members had growing up and going as fans instead of performing.

We weren't on the main stage but one of the side stages, which we understood because our status as a band wasn't that big compared to some of the other bands performing. We'd be sharing a bus with another band on the same label, Neck Deep who seemed like really cool guys to hang out with.

The meeting wasn't that long, we just had to sign some things agreeing to appear and being spoon-fed rules we hadn't to abide by. The label also kind of apologised for taking us off the All Time Low tour without warning us, though they were more than happy to receive credit for us touring with Bring Me The Horizon and Asking Alexandria when that meeting was random.

Once outside the conference room, we go about our own business when a familiar high pitch laugh makes us all flinch on the spot. Dylan shakes her head while the rest of the guys look like they want to be anywhere but here.

Max and the rest of Taste Of Poison walk around the corner talking obnoxiously loud along with All Time Low. Max was hanging off Alex's arm, looking like a clingy girlfriend. So much for the rumours that he still liked me, he had no interest in anything romantic. But the potential of friendship made me slightly happy.

'Can some gauge my eyes out please, I'll pay good money.'

Harry hangs onto Johnny dramatically, who pats the other male's hand reassuringly.

'How did you guys meeting go?'

Zack knew how to break the very apparent tension in the hallway. Kol shrugs his shoulders looking up from his phone, 'as well as a meeting can go, I mean we got to read a lot of rules and had to sign things. So exciting.'

Jack laughs, 'Yeah, the label aren't exactly the best people to make meetings less dull.'

My phone goes off, and I excuse myself from the group, the caller ID read 'mum' who I was very surprised was calling me out of the blue. We hadn't spoken since I told them I was packing my bags and moving out to America.

'I'm just going to take this call outside guys, be back in a second.'

I walk outside the building and accept the call putting it on loudspeaker as I find a comfortable spot on the wall.

'Hi mum, long time no speak. How are things back home?'

Mum snorts, 'Like you care how we are, you ran off to America to pursue a hobby.'

I roll my eyes, 'then why did you call mum?'

'Are you coming home anytime soon? I mean you're not accomplishing anything over there, come back home and get a real job like your siblings. Do something that makes dad and me proud to call you our daughter, instead of faking smiles to all our friends.'

I scoff, 'err mum the band as a debut album that's selling very well, our music videos get lots of views online, and we get to tour with some of our favourite bands playing to hundreds of people nightly. I think I've accomplished a fair bit without yours and dad's negativity hanging over me.'

Of course, mum had only rung to rain on my parade, my parents couldn't be happy with my success because they had no say in any of it as they did with my siblings.

'Don't take that tone with me, young lady. I'm stating the truth, your music is a glorified hobby that will fizzle out in a couple of years. You're not even on the radio like good music, you make noise that makes people depressed and suicidal. Also what's with the goth image, you use to have such a nice body, but now you've let yourself go...'

'Wow mum thank you for the support, this is the reason I moved out here to get away from negative people like you and dad. And before you say anything, yes that first part was sarcasm. Goodbye, mother, call me when you grow a heart.'

I hang up and make a point to block her number. Her words cut into me, after being surrounded by positivity now I felt deflated and worthless. Maybe the music was only meant to be a hobby and the debut album a flash in the pan. Perhaps I should go home and live off my parents like my siblings. Tears threaten to spill, so I quickly wipe them away.

ALEX

I followed Kara outside, wanting to talk to her when I overheard the whole conversation between her and her mum. Damn her mum knew how to pack a punch with her negative words. Kara looked like she keeping it together, but the second she hung up I saw her wipe her eyes on the back of her sleeve. She'd come so far in such a short space of time, accomplished so much that she needed to be made aware that this is where she needed to be making music.

'Are you okay Kara?'

She sniffles, 'how much did you hear Alex,' turning around to face me.

I sigh and sit down next to her on the wall, 'I heard every word, Kara. I didn't mean to, I came out here to talk to you, and the call was on loudspeaker. Sorry about your mum.'

She snorts, 'yeah, she's Mrs positive. Do you think I've made a mistake coming out here?'

I shake my head and dare to pull her into a hug which she accepts, 'Jack and I wouldn't have shown your singing to the label if we didn't think this was your calling Kara we'd have left you in London. Now you have a successful band that are going places.'

She cracks a small smile playfully punching me in the shoulder, 'you know what to say Alex to make someone feel better, Alex.'

I laugh, 'plus you're getting paid to do what you love, along with travelling and having young girls look up to you. I'm pretty sure you're meant for this life Kara, I have faith in you.'

'Thank you Alex. Do you think we could maybe try and be friends again? I understand if you don't want to because of your relationship with Max, but I do miss hanging out and having these one to one talks.'

I nearly fall off the wall in shock at what I was hearing coming from her lips. Kara was asking if we could be friends again. Of course, I still wanted to be more than just friends with her, but like she said I was in a relationship with Max, which had driven her into Oli's tattooed arms.

'I would like that Kara, and we have the whole summer to work things out.'

She smiles, 'so we're friends again, Alex? Now I can unblock your number. But I better get back to my band. See you later.'

I watch her jump off the wall and walk back into the building right past my band members as well as Max, who looked very pissed off at what she'd just seen. Max doesn't say anything, but her death stare told me I was going to be in trouble later before she storms back into the building.

Jack comes up to me and slaps me on the back, 'congratulations man, that's what you want. I mean we know you want more than friendship, but a friendship just before Warped Tour could turn into something more.'

I shake my head when Jack wiggles his eyebrows suggestively, 'she's with Oli, and I'm with Max.'

Rian chuckles, 'dump Max, she's clingy, and no one likes her. Whereas Kara is perfect for you, Alex. I'm pretty sure she doesn't love Oli as much as she loves you deep down in her heart.'

I scratch my head, Rian made a very good point. I had the whole summer to make a plan to get Kara back. Now I was happy we accepted playing Warped again. I didn't love Max as much as I loved Kara, and that was obvious to everyone around me. I just needed to find a way to let Max down without starting any drama.