The Bodyguard (5sos)

Chapter 12

Maeve POV

I'm actually excited for the show today. This is the first show where I can stay backstage. Of course, to keep my cover, I'll be helping with the microphones and Ashton's drum kit. I'm not an expert on drums, but at least I most likely won't have to be able to do anything.

The guys have been rushing around to find all their gear for the show. They've stopped to ask me for help every once in a while. Otherwise, I've been sitting on the kitchen counter, sharpening my knives. I'm taking Jax to the show tonight, and a security guard will be taking him around. Just in case.

We all pile into the van to head to the venue. The boys are very excited to play a show tonight. They can't stop talking about the stage and what they think the show will be like in LA.

The venue is huge and there's already fans there to watch sound check. Luckily, there's not that many, and they don't scream. The boys seem to be glad even though they don't say anything. I can see it in their faces.

We are early, so I allow the boys to take a few pictures before sound check actually starts. I can see that the boys mean a lot to each of the fans. Some are crying and others have a smile from ear to ear. Music can mean a lot to different people, and I can see that in their faces.

Peeling off to the side, I start to label some of the equipment for the guys. Each member of the band gets 2 microphones (in case one breaks) with a different color tape. Michael gets red, Luke green, Calum pink, and Ashton blue. This way, tech will be able to tell which mic belongs to who, and color coordinate their tech board (the thing that controls the volume of each mic). Each member gets a set of in ears (the weird headphone things). And of course, the instruments need amplifiers but they must be wireless because the guys tend to go wild on stage. So those need to be set up. A lot needs to be done for each show.

When I finished taping the mics, I've been sent to put microphones on Ashton's drum kit. I'm hoping that I'll get more familiar with the equipment he uses. Ed Sheeran only had a guitar, so it's different setting up for drums. The task is much easier than I thought it was going to be, each individual drum gets a mic that clips right on to the rim. Two small microphones each get a stand for the cymbals. Seems simple enough.

I finished just in time because they guys climbed on stage and started their sound check.

-//-

I've been sitting in the dressing room as the boys get ready. Loud music is blasting through the speakers of Luke's phone. Calum and Michael are dancing around clumsily to the music. I laugh their childish dance moves.

A crew member informs us that they go on in five minutes. Mike and Luke are each handed their guitars and Calum his bass. Ashton has his drumsticks in hand and has a small bag full of them (in case he breaks them). The guys give each other a group hug before Ashton goes out to start the show. The others quickly follow and I'm left backstage with the crew.

Only four songs into the show, Ashton explains to the audience, "I've actually been drumming too hard, I've broken my snare. So I'm going to fix that."

Ashton walks off the stage with his broken drum as the crowd screams behind him. I can faintly hear the song that Michael is singing about not needing Ashton in the band. Ashton sets the drum down and I somehow find myself with the new one. Crew members motion me toward the stage.

I awkwardly walk to Ashton's drums and the audience roars in screams.

"Give it up for Makayla!"

Ashton takes the drum from me and places it where it belongs. He plays a quick rhythm before trying to lower the drum. Because I'm closer to the ground, I help adjust the stand, and I actually look like I know what I'm doing. I go to leave the stage but Mike calls me back.

"Do you have any last words of advice for Ashton?" He asks.

"Don't break another drum, those are not cheep." I say as a joke into the microphone.

Ashton laughs, "I'll keep that in mind next time I think about breaking my drum kit. One more time for Makayla!"

-//-

I push through the screaming girls to get to the car. The boys follow behind me as I try to clear a path with the other security. The guys really wanted to stop and take pictures, but there is too many fans. And I think Calum is starting to get sick.

After we had all piled into the car, I hand each of the boys some food and water. I pre cooked some quesadillas for them so they won't complain about being hungry. I know how tired they can get after a show.

They all thank me and start buzzing about the show. Luke and Mike start talking about a potential guitar battle that could happen. Ash chimes in every once and a while coming up with other ideas.

Calum has rested his head against the cool window. His normally tan skin looks awfully pale and he seems to be holding his stomach. He's sitting next to me and he doesn't seem to be doing well.

I ask in a low whisper, "Are you feeling alright, Cal?"

His only response is a slight shake "no" of his head. I turn up the AC for him despite the other three complaining. Air movement always helps me feel better, so I hope it'll help Calum. We'll just have to see how he feels tomorrow.

Signing off,
Maeve.

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I hope you guys like this update! I think the next chapter should be interesting with Calum.. I wonder if he'll be able to play in the show.....
Alacazzam