What A Catch.

Chapter 94

Pov Beth

I stand on stage, after finishing my final performance of Just One Yesterday on tour, tears in my eyes threatening to spill.

"Thank you everyone, this has been the best experience of my life." I gasp into the microphone.

I wipe my sweaty hands on my jeans before swapping the microphone between my hands. I wave at the audience and Patrick is talking about our tour and experiences.

"Thank you, for the final time, Foxes, or as we know her, Beth!" Patrick shouts.

The audience roars and I walk off, to the side of the stage. As soon as I am safely off side I drop to my knees, letting myself cry.

"Hey, whats wrong?" Gerard asks, kneeling next to me.

"I-Its all o-over." I cry.

"All good things have to end. You can still keep making music."

"I know now, that I-I-I love this."

He grins at me, pulling me into a hug.

"We all go out at the end... You can have a moment more of the spotlight soon."

I laugh at him, holding his hand. Mcr line up and we all hold hands. I have a spare hand and wipe the tears from my face.

"Lets go, motherfuckers." I whisper.

We walk out in a line along the stage, joining in with Fall Out Boy. The audience scream and I smile a teary smile. This is it. I wave at Casey at the side, and she runs on and joins the line of us. We bow all together, the audience going wild.

Soon we are forced to walk off the stage and I leave my ultimate dream.

We all grab each other into a giant hug and I cry onto their shoulders.

"I love you guys so much!" I yell.

"Im gonna miss this." Mikey whispers.

"Lets go, the picnic awaits!" Pete shouts.

Pov Pete

The sun is going to set soon, still high in the sky. We all asemble on the roof with a basket of food or two. The bus is parked on a hill and is big enough that we can fit in a circle on the warm roof.

We all talk calmly as the sun starts going down.

"Guys, you dont know how grateful I am for this experience." Beth laughs.

"You got us actual jobs." Casey adds.

"And you are the best, good natured, funny people I personally have ever met."

"Ditto!"

"What if we didnt have those backstage passes?"

"What if we didnt go to the concert?"

"What if you guys didnt notice us and chose us?"

"What would have happened if I never came back?"

"Or if anything?"

"Hey guys, too scary, calm it." Joe says and we laugh.

"Im so glad things turned out the way they did.

Beth turns to look at me and we share a kiss.

"Im eternally in debt. To our new lives, away from pain and hurt, most of the time!"

We all clink our glasses and celebrate a new start. Chatter is rife and as the sky starts to turn orange the group splits into lots of little conversations.

Pov Mikey

Ray, Joe, Andy and I split off into a small group, sitting at one end of the bus.

"Im so glad that I got to bond with you guys." Ray says.

"You guys are the funniest Bastards ever!" Joe says.

"Who knows, another tour one day?" Andy says.

"Sounds great." Ray says with me.

"I feel like everyone has personally grown from this experience... You know?" I say.

"Thats deep Mikey. Do deep for a clear sunday night like this." Ray tells me.

I laugh quietly, "it just feels like... The end. Its going to be so boring after this."

"I second that."

Pov nobody/me/ghost

Over on the other side of the bus, Gerard, Pete, Patrick and Frank sit discussing the past few months.

"Yeah, that was really funny." Pete finishes.

"This has been such an experience and... Even though there were some shitty times, this was rad as." Gerard says.

"If this ever happens again... Or if I could repeat this... I wouldnt change a thing."

"Possibly the abductions?" Patrick asks.

"It made me appreciate what I now have."

Moving on to the front of the bus. Two girls, who started off as simple girls, who had troubled thoughts and a self esteem to match, watch the sun set and speculate over the best year of their lives.

"Beth. Thank you so much for the tickets. I dont even know what would have happened if-" Casey starts.

"Look. That is past us. This is now, we have so much fun to look forward to."

Beth grabs Casey into a hug, a meaningful one, translating how they got to experience such experiences with each other.

Beth dangles her legs over the end of the bus and Casey copies. As the sun is on its last legs they watch, in quiet thought. Their silhouettes against the bloody sky.

Two more silhouettes join on the end of the bus, those of Pete and Patrick. They watch quietly, gently printed into the silk sky.

"Im so happy we found you guys." Petes voice is let out into the warm summery air.

"And I cant believe that you are mine." Patrick says to Casey, taking her hand.

"We are lucky to have such beautiful girlfriends. Hey, you know what they say?" Pete chuckles. "What a catch."

The End