Getaway

[03] Candyvanned

Flashback.

To The Maine and Golden Atlas gig, Leeds, UK. February 2012.

Streetlights glow on the path as girls line against the wall.

Hundreds have had to go home, crying, balling.

Let down.

Because Blu Lawless, was nowhere to be seen.

He had not come out to see even one of his loving fans.

Jayla and Sapphire, still stand there.

Around nine or ten other girls shivering with them in the icy city air.

Persistent to meet John'O from The Maine, and staying in a hotel walking distance from the venue, The Cockpit, shaped like a bridge inside, they argue to their dad they don't have to go home just yet.

It gets to 3am, though.

"Come on girls," their dad looks at them sternly, "what are you waiting for?"

"John'O," they parrot in unison.

Mad, he flares.

"There is no John'O!" he rages.

Mouths drop open.

Tears begin to stream.

Jayla and Sapphire begin to keel over laughing.

"You're so funny," they bubble, "dad."

---

Jayla acts on instinct.

There he is, she walks towards him.

"Hey, Blu," he looks at her, no time to waste, "Can I have your autograph?"

Cocking his head slightly he spreads her a grin, breaking wildly into song and dance, skipping around her, throwing his head back, chorusing:

"'Tis the season to be jolly, falalala, lalalala..."

Jayla blinks at this random outbreak. It's February.

He is so funny! She thinks to herself. And kinda cute. Aw.

Then he throws his arms wide around her, and squishes her in tight.

Links, with her, arm in arm, and before anyone can stop them, he skips her onto the tour bus, the door being right there beside them. And it slams shut closed.

Moments later the loud humming then coughing and revving of the engine sounds.

Sapphire panics and sees her dad looking sweaty and stressed stepping out from the venue.

"WHERE IS YOUR SISTER?!" Sapphire and Jayla's dad demands, so everyone can hear.

They don't care.

"She got a hug."

"She got loved by Blu Lawless."

"She got on the bus."

"Oh my god!"

Then that man just stands still.

"Sapphire, is Jayla on that bus?" He points a finger to the now distant black vehicle, a tear falling down his cheek.

Sapphire has never seen her dad cry.

She is about to choke, "Yes," she replies, staring into nothingness, through her tear-clogged vision, "Yes she is."

She was torn between lying for her sister so she could have a dream come true and be with Blu Lawless and telling the truth to her dad. As usual, Sapph went for the truth. She was, after all, a terrible liar.

Till just then...

"She got offered work experience as a crew member and is going to be paid for it, she talked to their manager before the gig as well and didn't think he was being serious. Turns out he was," Sapphire gulps. "I'm just so happy for her..." she half lies.

As soon as they get back to the hotel, she rips out her phone from her pocket and texts her sister, at a furious speed.

'I lied to dad. I told him you got offered work experience by their manager. Please tell him this when he calls you I think he is going to ask you a lot of questions. Please be okay. I want you to have fun but I am worried about you. I didn't even get to say bye. Please come back soon, I love you, <3 Sapphy. Xx'