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26

"Hi Mom." Tyler said, embracing a tall woman in a hug.

"Oh Tyler, look at you! How are you Jenna?"

"I'm good thanks, and you?"

"I'm well. Anything new with you Josh?"

"Apart from this kid," Josh pointed to me. "Not really."

"I don't believe we've met. You're Ariana right?"

"Aria," I corrected with a small smile.

"Aria, that's right. I'm Tyler's mom Kelly, but I think you gathered that." Kelly said with a chuckle.

"Where are Maddy and Zack?" Tyler asked.

"They're here somewhere," Kelly began. "Pretty sure they went to get a coffee. There's a van over there somewhere."

Tyler nodded with an 'ah.'

"What time does the show start tonight?"

"Gates open at 6, but the show won't start until about 7:30."

Sitting in soundcheck with Josh and Tyler, we were interrupted by a loud shriek, followed by "OH MY GOD, IT'S TYLER JOSEPH!"

I thought for a moment a fan had somehow gotten in before they were supposed to, but I was proven wrong by Tyler smirking before putting the microphone down and mocking the person.

"OH MY GOD, IT'S MADISON JOSEPH!"

I knew that name. It was Maddy, Tyler's sister.

Tyler jumped off the stage and walked over to his sister, engulfing her in a hug. While the two siblings had their own little reunion, Josh beckoned for me to come over to him. I climbed up onto the stage and walked over to his drum kit.

"Come sit." Josh pat his lap. I sat on his lap, and Josh wrapped his arms around my shoulders, crossing over my chest.

"You alright Ari?"

I nodded. "I'm fine."

Josh leant down beside him and picked his drumsticks up off of the ground. "Wanna play?"

I took the drumsticks and hit the drums a few times before handing them back to Josh.

"You're better at it than me."

"And you're too hard on yourself." Josh said with a chuckle.

I leant bank into his chest. "I'm cold." I said, stealing the warmth from Josh.

"Wow," Josh touched my hand. "You're stone cold."

I nodded and balled up.

"Ari, take my jumper. It's over near Tyler's piano." Josh pointed over to a dark pile over in the corner.

I got up and went over to it, picking it up. It was huge — it had Josh's name on the front in small lettering and on the back, it had the clique symbol with 'crew' underneath it. I pulled it on top of my jumper that I was already wearing and went to sit back with Josh.

"Is that any better?" Josh asked.

I nodded. "Thanks."

As Josh pulled me into a hug once again, Tyler and his sister climbed up onto the stage.

"Hey Joshie." Maddy waved. I hopped down from Josh's lap when I saw her coming over in out direction, presumably to give Josh a hug.

I was right — while Maddy and Josh had a short conversation, Tyler came over to me.