In the Band

Chapter 23

Chapter 23 Carson’s P.O.V.

“Ah-choo!” I sneezed, causing me to receive a glare from Brendon.

“Wow, it’s a marvel you both have colds,” he pointedly said towards Ryan, who was sitting next to me while we were waiting for our plane at the airport. I looked down at the floor to hide my blush.

“Why are you in such a bad mood?” Ryan asked him as he looked up from his computer.

He rolled his eyes and spoke bitterly. “I don’t know, maybe I’m just a little pissed off that someone re-broke my arm.” He held up his right arm which was newly bound in a big, white cast that went up past his elbow.

“Stop being such a bitch.”

Last night, when we all came back to the hotel from exploring Paris, Brendon went to go talk to Ryan. Spencer, Jon, and I sat around and discussed what bar we should head to later. Allison was sleeping on the couch. Soon, we heard Brendon and Ryan yelling at each other from inside Ryan’s room. We all got up to stop the argument before it got out of hand and opened the door just in time to see Ryan roughly pushing Brendon to the ground. At the last second, Brendon instinctively held out his already injured right arm to catch himself. My stomach had churned at the audible crack that came from his arm as he hit the ground.

Brendon crossed his arms with some difficulty. “Fuck you.”

Realizing I was staring, I looked away, uncomfortable from their argument.

On the plane, I sat next to Allison. I don’t know what it was about her, but she seemed different. Different than before, like something was there to lift her up. She sat a little taller and tapped her foot to the music that was coming from her headphones.

My thoughts were interrupted by Brendon and Ryan’s dispute.

Their constant arguing was getting the best of my patience, “Great green gummy bears!” I turned to look at them. “I’ve had it up to here with your fighting! Why don’t you just shut up already?”

They were quiet for a second, then Brendon turned to Ryan.

“Yeah, Ryan, why don’t you just stop talking?”

 “Why don’t I just break your other arm?”

They’ve got to be kidding. “Honest to Buddha! Do I have to separate you two?”

********

After arriving in Pittsburgh, we collected our luggage and started to drive to my house.

“So, are you guys staying here longer?” I asked.

“Yes, we have a concert coming up,” Jon, who was driving, said.

“You just had a concert here.” It feels weird saying that because I’ve really only known the boys personally for a month, but it already feels like I’ve known them my whole life.

“Not with our new band member.” Ryan said, turning to smile at me.

I caught Allison clench her hands into fists beside me. Having a feeling I wasn’t supposed to see that, I ignored it and copied her by looking out the window. My eyes followed the streaks the rain made on the glass.

After a while of the only voice in the car being Jon’s GPS, Spencer, in the passenger’s seat, spoke up.

“Which is closer, Carson’s or Allison’s house?”

“Allison’s,” I answered without turning my head away from the window.

“Well, actually, I…” Allison paused, “left my car at Carson’s.” She said the last part quickly.