Tour Manager's Daughter

baby carrots

*Shawn pov*

Though the first show was nerve wracking as always, it felt amazing having so many people supporting me. I had family there watching, many agents and non tour team members. The first stop was a success.

It was nice to have Sadie with me while I got ready. We talked about concert stuff and though I wasn't able to give her a tour of stage at this venue, it made me excited to possibly show her stuff at the next one. She just settles me. Her presence really puts me at ease.

I was happy with our new bus. It was much nicer than last tours. It was kinda fancy but it still felt like home. The front was wide and had living space, dining space the kitchen and bathroom. Then we had the hall of bunks. Then in the back was the 'chill room' with couches and another TV and music station. We had a couple instruments stored there like my guitar and keyboard set up and nailed to the wall. We had separating doors, ones to seal off the bunks in the hall which was really nice for sleeping on the road or during the day.

This year, we also had another bus for my other team members, lights and sound people. And Sadies dad, David, and Lewis. 

After being on stage and running off all sweaty I was craving a shower I knew I wouldn't be getting quite yet. I dried off with a towel and a change of clothes before helping Sadie pick up the dressing room. We had this thing called "Gots to go" time where we had 20-30 minutes to load up and be in the bus. This was to ensure we got going with spare time to do things like stop for dinner or get showers the next day. The other component to this was that fans would start lining up at the bus. It broke my heart having to say no because I had to get going. 

*Sadie pov*

It was weird being the only girl on the bus. I guess that's not true, gloria, my new friend, was indeed there. But for the most part I didn't have girl friends to chat with.. basically at all here on tour.  

The first night on the bus was very weird and different for me. I didn't really realize I guess that I haven't really had sleepovers with a bunch of dudes prior to this. I felt weird getting ready for bed and having sleep clothes on. I ended up down in my bunk with a movie playing before I drifted to sleep.

The first few tour stops went by quickly. I believe it to be because everything was new and exciting. Also, everyone was getting in some kind of a groove. I found myself sleeping quite well on the bus and in particular with sleep phones in. The food situation drove me nutty, I felt so unhealthy and it started to make me feel physically ill. I know I shouldn't be one really to talk about food since I've been cooked for 80% of my life by an amazing man named Randy. I just wanted healthier options. Even if I had to make myself something.

Another thing, I rarely found myself alone. Which was very hard to get used to.. and still is. Luckily I am able to focus with the crazy around me and get school work done. 

"What are you always doing on your computer?" Shawn asked curiously sitting across from me in the main living area. I looked up from the screen. Before I could say anything Gloria snickered, "Getting her ed-u-ca-tion on."

"You've been doing school? This whole time..?" Shawn asked half impressed half like I was completely insane. This whole time meaning this week. 

"I answer emails too." I added. 

"That doesn't make sense." Eh said now coming and sitting by me looking at my screen. I looked at him like 'what are you doing?"

He continued, "We are far too distracting for you to be a genius and get a degree.."

"Cmon leave me beee" I whined.

"cmon and beeee fun, lets play some cards or something." He mocked me.

"Shawn I am in the middle of a lecture." I said placing my headphones back onto head. I visibly say he sigh with a dramatic pouty face and went back into the backroom.

"Poor girl can't catch a break with that boy." Gloria laughed.

--

*Shawn pov*

"Okay, today is for real the day you get the stage tour by yours truly." I say to Sadie. She rolled her eyes smiling.

"We never have time, you are just too busy for me.." She frowned. I picked her chin up making her look at me. "How bout now?"

"Shawn there are girls just outside that gate staring at this bus, you're gonna make them freak out." She said softly. 

"Let them freak out, its okay, they're excited. Plus I already went out there for photos." I assured her. 

Without much forethought about what was going on at the stage, I grabbed her hand and swiftly escorted her inside, through two sets of doors, down a hallway and up onto the stage. Only then, did I let her hand fall as we walked down the middle strip in the arena. The lights were on and you could see even the highest of seats. 

"Hey Shawn lets check mic..yeah?" I was asked. I nodded and was hooked to a head set. As someone was doing that I watched Sadie wander down stage to a piano where she stood and pressed a few keys gently before turning back to me. I pretended to be completely in tuned with my mic testing. She wandered back to me and turned around on her heels taking in the view. It was something pretty spectacular. Imagine every seat filled, triple wow. 

My band came out for sound check and I never finished my tour of this stage. Sadie wandered as I was given various instructions for my mic and guitar. She walked out in the floor seats as we did 20 second trials of a few songs. I walked my stage cues and Sadie sat dead center as I stood on stage in front of her and did as I was told. My face was incredibly hot and I am sure as red as a ripe tomato. She giggled and grinned as I sang a few sentences after a few sentences.

 After I thought it was over, and knelt down from stage to her. She stood leaning cooly on the barricade.

"It is snowing in DC now.. If I asked you to ice skate with me would you?" I said and it boomed throughout the arena. Shit.

Not only did every crew member hear it, they all reacted quite hilariously.Whether it be through complete confusion, laughter or variations of "Did he just? He just? What?" Sadie smiled real wide and nodded her head yes before breaking out in a belly laugh that I wish I could hear every day. I was incredibly embarrassed by this point before my drummer lance said into the microphone, "well, did she say yes?" I would not hear the end of this. Sadie stuck her thumbs up in the air high enough he could see em from up stage.

"That was embarrassing" I said out loud again through every speaker. Can the sound guy please turn these off? I took it off myself and quickly left the stage to my dressing room. Not without remarks and funny looks of course. 

Minutes later my band came in and gave me the most shit of that tiny mishap. I started to feel annoyed and they stopped.

"So you have a tiny crush.." My drummer snickers. I looked at him through the mirror.

"yes." I muttered and the door opened revealing a beautiful girl in her winter bomber jacket and knit beanie carrying a box of tea and baby carrots. She set them down in front of me. She looked from me to my band, "Did I walk in on something?" She asked referring to awkward looks she had received.

"No, Nope. And baby carrots?" I asked her. "Eat them. Do I need to get you peanut butter or feed them to you?" She asked sassily. The band laughed trying not to let me see.

"I'll only eat them if you tell me a fact about them.. since you're so educated." two can play at the sass game. 

She stuck her tongue out at me. My band mates looked as though they wanted popcorn.

"Baby carrots are just big regular carrots cut up."

If there was a mic she would've dropped it. I felt my jaw drop at the swiftness of her answer. She smiled at the boys, "anything you guys want?" They looked intimidated to say the least. Spitting straight carrot facts from nothing. They quickly said no and let out breaths when the door shut.

"Damn" my bass player Preston laughed.

"Its all in good fun." I said turning back to the mirror and eating my so called baby carrots. Yum.