Dedication Takes a Lifetime (Jalex boyxboy)

vii. We Don't Need No Shows

The time was passing quickly with the same mundane routine. Wake up, mess around, sound check, eat, perform, sleep, repeat. The routine itself was repetitive and overdone, but the performance we put on at the end of each day more than made up for it. We were about a week away from the end of the tour and this was going to be our last for a little while as we were taking some time off to write and record our new album. I was excited for the time off. I knew I would miss touring, performing every night and living claustrophobically close with at least four other people at all times.

Throughout the tour I had written down the odd lyric and I had my book, but I was looking forward to getting some time to piece them together to form actual songs. I had one that was almost finished, which was the one I spoke to Vic about earlier in the tour.

"Yo, do you wanna come and hang out with us for a bit? We're going down to the beach for a while," Zack asked me.

"Who's we?" I asked.

"Jack, Rian, Pierce and some of the crew. I don't know who exactly and I think Alan and Phil might join us a bit later," he replied.

"Sure, why not?"

"Great. We'll be there in about ten minutes."

"Wait, we're parking at the beach?"

"Yeah. The venue's down the street so we can just walk there."

"Cool." I made my way back to the bunk room and changed into some swimming trunks and an old-ish t-shirt that I didn't care if it got ruined; knowing Jack I was going into the sea, whether I wanted to or not. Soon enough I felt the bus slow down, telling me that we had arrived. When it stopped, I saw Jack standing in front of the steps, so I took the opportunity and jumped on his back as I exited the vehicle.

"Hey Jacko."

"Someone's cheerful today," he commented.

"Mmm I wouldn't say cheerful so much as lazy," I replied. He took the hint and started to carry me down to the sandy beach.

"Children! You are actual children," Jaime greeted as he approached us with Vic trailing behind.

"You can't speak Hime," Vic replied. "You run around with more energy than a three year old on a caffeine high!"

"Eh it's just my personality," he shrugged.

"Have you seen Jack and Alex?  They're possibly more childish than you and no, that's not a challenge," Vic told him as he laid his towel down on the sand. Jack dropped me and I laid my towel down next to Vic's. I took my shirt off and laid down hoping to just be left alone to sunbathe. I didn't even get into a comfortable position before Jack was sitting on me just below my ass, so I couldn't move if I wanted to.

"Don't forget to do your back babe."

"Mmm thanks for reminding me. Hey Jaime, get my back would you?" I asked, grinning at Jack, purposely trying to annoy my boyfriend. Jaime gave me a weird look of confusion as my boyfriend was already sitting on my legs, lathering up his hands with the lotion.

"Uh sure?" He walked over and Jack pouted at me as he climbed off my legs.

"Thanks, maybe next time Jacko," I called as I lay back down again.

"I hate you." He told me

"No you don't," I called after him as he stormed off.

"Hey Tony!" He called.

"Yah?"

"Alex is being annoying again!"

"Actual child," I heard him mutter causing me to grin. "What do you want me to do about it Jack?"

"I don't know," he pouted yet again.

"Then there's nothing I can do to help you Jacko. Suck it up and go pester someone else."

"You're boring. Rian! Alex and Tony are being mean to me!" Jack stormed off again.

"Come here, I'll play with you!" Our friend humored him.

"God you're mean," Jaime told me as he finished rubbing the lotion into my back. "Do me?"

"Course," We swapped places and he pulled his shirt off as he lay down on his stomach.

"Do I even want to know what's going on here?" Tony asked as he joined Vic next to us.

"Alex is being a tease," Jaime replied.

"He's not the only one," Tony muttered. I looked over at him confused and he looked down at Jaime and then Vic. I smiled in understanding and mouthed a 'we need to talk' to Vic who nodded, silently agreeing.

"So Tony, any plans?" I asked, speaking normally again so Jaime didn't get suspicious of what we were talking about.

"When?"

"Today, later, next year, last week," I shrugged.

"How has Jack not killed you yet?" He asked.

"He's not into necrophilia. At least I hope not." I replied with a small shrug.

"Jesus fucking Christ. Can I kill you?" Jaime asked leaning up a little.

"Sure. Just don't tell Jack that it was you."

"You're weird Gaskarth."

"You still love me."

"You keep believing that," he muttered.

"Rude!"

--

"Thank you guys, you were great!" I called into the crowd and their cheers rose by several decibels.

"I love you, you know that right?" Jack called into his mic.

"Are you talking to me, them or your guitar?" I joked.

"Your dick actually," he deadpanned.

"Of course, of fucking course you were," I muttered. "Shall we finish this up then?" I was met by more screaming which was now at an almost deafening volume.

"This tour has been fucking amazing. We have met loads of fucking awesome people, made some new fucking friends for life, gotten absolutely fucked a few times and just had the fucking time of our lives. But now that has to come to an end. The tour may now be over but the music lives on. We'll see you guys later, this is Dear Maria Count Me In." We started to play and throughout the song Jack made full use of the stage, running and jumping around everywhere. At one point he came over to me and we played back to back for a chorus before he kissed my cheek and went over to play with Zack. All too quickly the song came to an end and when the last chord finished the lights went black and we walked off stage to the deafening screams with massive grins plastered on our faces.