Warped

Chapter Two

Before I could gather any measurable amount of logic, I had parked my car in the parking lot and was already making my way to the entrance of the bus with the shirt clenched in my hand. I had yet to see a band member or even Merch Guy step off the bus, but I was ready to unload the entirety of my anger on the first living thing that stepped off that bus. How self entitled were they that they would ditch out on fans or refused to take half a minute to sign a shirt for a boy who really wished that he could come see them? I was going to get some answers and I didn't care who I needed to yell at.

The first person to step off the bus was not Derrick Frank as I had so desperately hoped. Instead, it was Merch Guy who was nearly falling out of the bus, giggling and apparently drunk.

"So Utah, huh? This must be such a rough drive," I said, my words dripping with every ounce of sarcasm that I could possibly muster.

He turned around, apparently missing the sarcasm before smiling, "Do I know you, Dollface?"

I nearly screamed. Was he really that trashed? "No. You don't know me."

To this, he ignored me and grinned mischievously, "I remember now. We talked on the phone, right? The girl going up to the guys' room for a little pre-tour relaxation?"

What came next, I will never be able to explain in my entire life. A normal person would have set him straight and then went on their way after not getting their way, yet again. I was not normal though. In fact, I wasn't even mildly rational. So, I did the best thing I could think of.

"Yeah! I was afraid you wouldn't remember me," I smiled sweetly.

"Okay, Sweetheart. Just let me check the guys in and then we can all head up there," He said, walking into the lobby, "Go say hello if you want."

My plan had gone from ripping Derrick Frank a new place to wipe, to getting into that hotel room to get the one thing that Kyle had asked me for. Besides, it wasn't like I could get into trouble. I wasn't breaking in, they were letting me in of their own free will. It wasn't my fault that they were a bunch of drunken idiots.

I knocked on the door of the tour bus to have it open surprisingly fast. I recognized the momentary gatekeeper as the drummer, Dustin Moore. He waggled his eyebrows suggestively before shouting back into the bus, "Guys, Chase got us a present!"

I stepped in while making the mental note that Merch Guy was to be referred to as 'Chase' from now on. Or at least while he was still relevant to my life and/or goals. 

The inside of the tour bus was ridiculously nice. You know, aside from the massive guy-mess that had exploded all over the inside of it. The guys were lounged across some comfy looking leather couches were set against the wall while their eyes were glued to the huge flat screen television mounted to the wall. A small mini-kitchen that contained a coffee maker, microwave, small oven with a stove-top and dishwasher also occupied space, albeit, not very much of it. With granite counter tops, of course. I secretly wondered how much of that they even used. They probably had Chase the Merch Guy bring them everything just like they were having him check into the hotel for them.

"So do you have a name, pretty lady?" Dustin asked as he shut the door behind me.

"Yeah, my name is Alison, but you can just call me Ally," I said before mentally kicking myself for giving them my real name.

The guys took turns giving me hugs, which i awkwardly returned and introducing themselves. So once I knew that Dustin was the drummer, Caleb was the bass player, Jason was the rhythm guitarist, Max was the lead guitarist and that Derrick was the vocalist, I was free to sit down. We talked a little about their upcoming spot on Warped Tour. When I admitted to having been at the show that night, they naturally assumed I was a fan.

"Actually, "I explained, "My brother is a fan. He really wanted to be there, but it's difficult for him to be out and about since his accident."

Max looked sympathetic, "That sucks, man. I'm stoked that he's a fan, though."

Derrick, who hadn't said a word aside from introducing himself, suddenly appeared as if he had connected some mental dots but said nothing about it. Instead, he jumped out of his seat and headed to the window, "That's all fine and dandy boys and girls, but Chase is back and I'm ready to kick it in our presidential suite."

Before I had time to finish processing what had been said, or the fact that he had again blown me off, the guys were stampeding off the bus. Although, to his credit, it wasn't likely that he knew he had already blown me off. Dustin had taken the initiative of dragging me along by my hand while proclaiming loudly that I was clearly his present since he had let me in. Try as I might, I couldn't get a breath in soon enough to deny being anyone's present.

Before i knew it, I was stepping off the elevator into paradise. That is, if paradise was a gorgeous hotel suite decorated in all while with gorgeous paintings and a killer view. Speachless wasn't even the right word for how I was feeling. More like awestruck. It was like seeing my dream laid out right in front of me. Everything that I wanted, these guys had. Maybe I would be able to pick their brains a little bit.

"Try not to drool," A voice said from behind me.

I jumped at the said and turned a bright shade of read that nearly matched my hair. Was I really being that obvious? I probably looked like a peasant wandering around a castle. Actually, that was exactly what I was. My humiliation tripled when I turned to see that it was Derrick who was standing behind me with a drink in his hand.

"As long as you try not to barf up your brains up, Rockstar," I replied with an edge.

He shrugged, "Fine. I guess you didn't want it."

I took the drink without a word or any desire to keep verbally sparring with Derrick. I was unbelievably uncomfortable which was strange enough. Stranger still, I found myself accepting another drink. And another. And a few more. And probably another one after those.

Eventually I had forgotten the whole reason that I had even come in the first place. Instead we were all seated on the U-shaped white sectional sofa in the main room while Max strummed on a gorgeous Taylor acoustic. Eventually I recognized the chords to Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd. 

"I know this song!" I shouted enthusiastically while sitting up quickly to sing along.

After the song was finished, the guys gave a round of applause while I bowed and Dustin handed me another drink.

These guys were actually kind of cool.