can i lay by your side|corbyn besson

7

Today was our first press interview for the band and we were kind of nervous. It was mostly so we could get publicity for our upcoming tour. The interviewer had been talking with us and was actually asking good questions.

"Max." The interviewer said, grabbing my attention. "The fans have been asking for a while about the tattoo on your wrist. I believe it's scripture, correct?" He asks. My eyes widen and I look down to my wrist.

"Uh, Yeah, Revelation 21:4. 'And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.'" I look back up at the interviewer and it's quiet.

"Is there any reason behind it? Why that one?" He asks, looking genuinely interested. I guess their job is to look interested but it made me feel a bit better about taking about it.

"It was my mom's favorite. I guess I'm not too religious but she would always tell me about different Bible stories and verses."

"You don't talk about your family much. Did something happen with them?" He asks.

"Uh..." I trail off. To be honest, I've never really talked about my family with anyone, even the boys. They all looked at me, waiting for an answer and I kind of stumble around for words.

"I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable-" he started but I cut him off.

"No, it's not that. I just don't want to ruin this, interviews are supposed to be happier." I put on a slight smile.

He furrows his eyebrows, still looking at me. All the guys are looking at me. It'd be even worse if I didn't tell them now since they seem so interested.

"Well, there's not really any family to talk about. The only living member is my dad and he's... well he's not really easy to talk to." I trail off again and sigh, running a hand through my hair.

"Is he..." Zach started from beside me but never finished his sentence. I knew what he meant, of course I did, it was the truth. I simply nodded.

"If you don't mind me asking, what did he do?" The interviewer questions.

"He was abusive toward my mother." I replied simply but then paused. I wasn't exactly sure how they'd take in this information. "She turned him in one day and his sentence wasn't supposed to be too bad... until he confessed to selling illegal drugs." I kept glancing to the boys who were silent and just kept looking at me. "My Mom past away a couple years ago." I added.

"I'm sorry I brought up a sore subject." He said solemnly and I shook my head.

"No, you're alright. I don't mind talking about it." I smiled slightly. To be honest, it felt good to talk about it. I haven't said anything concerning my family since my mom passed away.

Thankfully, it didn't take too long for the interview to get happier. The seven of us were all laughing again in no time and I was grateful that I didn't ruin it.

After the interview, we all piled into the van and drove back home. Once we got inside the house, I sat down on the couch to scroll through my phone. The boys joined and we were all silent, just relaxing.

"Max?" Jonah's familiar voice spoke up and I looked to him. He looked down and back up, messing with his hands, this caught the attention of some of the others. "Do you need to talk about your parents? I feel like we were kind of insensitive and didn't say anything back there." He looked directly at me and so did the others.

"I'm alright, really. It was such a long time ago, I don't really need to get emotional about it or anything." I shrug.

"Yeah But," Jack joins. "What really happened? I feel like your story doesn't match up." I look to him with my mouth slightly ajar. "You can tell us anything." I look around at them and they all have serious looks. I sigh and finally give in.

"My Mom turned in my dad the day he hit me. She told me that she tolerated his but promised herself to leave if he ever hurt me. We lived together in an apartment because we didn't have much money. When she passed away, I got three jobs just to pay for it. But I had been on the streets for about three weeks when you guys contacted me because I was evicted after not paying rent. Does that make sense now?" I raise an eyebrow and the boys all have shock expressions on.

"How is it so easy for you to talk about that?" Zach blurts out and Jonah lightly punches him. I just shrug and look at them again.

"Don't dwell on the past."