LISA | Van McCann - COMPLETED

Poetry and Fuel

We reached the venue, a three hour journey down to Cardiff isn't easy when you've got Ryan at the wheel. The van swayed as we eventually made it to the venue in Cardiff, no hotel needed since they use the van for sleeping in.
I stepped out of the van, Ryan's hand greeting mine with a smile to his lips. Nothing will be said about my family, me or what happened with Billy. Only me, Billy and Ryan are the ones who know, and that's how it should be. For now.

I helped carry their gear in. Finding their way backstage was hard enough, the security was being dicks with us, saying we wasn't on the list. I was confused too since Ryan hadn't mention it to me apart from hours before we were supposed to leave. He had to ring the manager who was inside already buying us drinks, since we were all underage. Me and Ryan were a few months apart, making us not 18 yet.

"Yeah mate, they're not lettin' us in. Sayin' we're not on the list." Ryan spoke to their manager and minutes later he sooner appeared. They discussed things over and the bouncer eventually let us all in.

"Here." Their manager lead us through to backstage, Ryan in the lead, Larry next to me with a smile to his face.

"Excited?" Larry asked me, I was a bit confused. I was excited, yes but Larry seemed way more happy that usual.
I nodded a little unsure and we made it to the stage in the dark lit venue. Larry immediately started setting up on the stage along with the boys, the manager went to lead me from backstage to go get a proper view of them before they starting their set, my arm got pulled back, my lips being hit by Ryan's.

"Love you." He breathed with a slight nod and a smile.

"Love you too. Good luck." I raised my brows and I heard him chuckle before he turned and went back to the stage. I followed their manager through the packed venue, to a table what was full of drinks and I sat down next to him.

"Ryan loves you, more than he's loved anyone." The manager made it sound so simple, taking a sip from his lager.

"Uh.." I really didn't know what to stay other than stutter in a bit of confusion.

"Here. Take your pick, they're not going to drink themselves." He smiled, pushing a pint to my hand. I shrugged, willingly accepting the drink, taking a nervous sip.

"He's told me, it's fine. Don't worry about it." He smiled, trying to help me loosen up, he could sense that I was feeling a bit tense.

"What do you mean?" I asked, over Ryan going '1,2,1,2.' In the microphone.

"He's told me about your parents, all the drama that happened between you and his ex, and your ex." I just looked at him in a bit of disbelief, sitting back in my chair, almost downing the whole pint. I didn't want them to be brought up, not here. I felt myself just space out, my mind bringing up memories of when I found the news, how me and Ryan constantly caught for weeks as I was in denial.

"You alright Lisa?" Their manager asked, the tone of his voice had changed and acted more serious. I nodded, bringing myself to smile. "Are you sure love? I can get Ryan over before they start?"

"No." I looked to his direction with a smile again, "I'm good. I'm fine." I nodded, holding another beer to my hand, clanking it to the manager's. Soon enough the lights dimmed, and Ryan spoke into the microphone.

"Hey uh, thank you guys for coming here to see us, I hope you enjoy the set. This one, it's uh, called Homesick." And their iconic riff started. Me and their manger talked, and I told him my problems in more depth, he seemed understanding. He was really nice. I might as well have told him my whole life story.