As Bottles Call My Name

Chapter 16

im soooo sorry that between uploads is like, FOREVER soo I'm really really sorry, I've just been like, super busy this whole summer. hopefully, I can start uploading more often now that my scedule is more clear.

but, i'm starting high school in a few weeks. fuck.

anyway, enjoy!

(Megan's POV)

As Matt's voice cracked again, me as well as the rest of the crowd knew something was up. I could hear the murmuring of voices as the band waited for Synyster Gates. It seemed to be taking quite a while, so I started talking with Mckenna.

"Sooo, do you think we'll win?" I asked her. "I mean, you know your brother and his band's taste in music, right?"

She shrugged. "I've only just met the band. And I haven't talked to Brian in years before last month."

"Ah." I said.

I turned the other way to face Charlotte, realizing straight away that her temporary glory was done. Now she was fixed in a depressed state.

"Charlotte?" I said softly.

She continued staring without focus at the floor. "Hey, Charles?" I asked this time, a little bit more upbeat.

She shook her head. I sighed and put an arm around her, hoping little gestures like that could cheer her up. Just then, Synyster Gates walked on stage and the audience cheered, while the lights dimmed until everything but the stage was pitch black.

I was shocked to say the least when I saw Brian walk on the stage. He was a mess!

I had seen him earlier but I guess the light must not have been very good or something. He was not usually like this... but as weird as this may seem, he was still beautiful and amazing in every way.

Since the bright spotlight shone on his face, I could make out all of his fatigued features almost immediately. Bags hung under his eyes, his face was unshaven, his usual gelled hair was now messy and ungelled- he looked tired, stressed... I felt sorry for him even though I didn't know what was going on.

Mckenna took hold of my hand and whispered, "This is it!" as if we've been best friends for years.

I grinned back at her and squeezed her hand. I'd really grown to like her these past couple of hours.

I glanced over at Charlotte, and sure enough, unlike the rest of the band who was grinning like idiots, she was still silently screaming 'depressed'.

I grabbed her hand and she jumped slightly, as if she didn't know it was me. I smiled at her- the best 'it's gonna be okay' smile I could conjure up. She smiled back, but it was clearly forced, as her eyes certainly didn't smile.

"Okay guys," M. Shadows began.

The audience shut up right away and turned their attention to Avenged Sevenfold and that annoying intercom lady.

The Avenged Sevenfold girlfriends and wives went up the stairs to the stage too; to stand there with the guys. At this point, since no one onstage was smiling or talking..... I think everyone knew something was wrong.

"So, as you all probably noticed, our brother..." his voice trailed.

"the Reverend isn't here with us today."

Everybody was dead silent, anticipating the moment when the winners would be announced. I was so nervous that my stomach hurt and my palms were sweating ridiculous amounts into Charlotte and Mckenna's hands.