Casualties

t h r e e

t h r e e

Lilliah Jaid Bryon

"I think we should name it 'Stuck'"
"No, definitely not. It repeats too much."
"Isn't that what you're supposed to name a song after?"
"If you're mainstream, Michael."
"Okay Kenzie, what the hell should we name it then?"
"'Chapped Lips' the first two words of the song."
"... I hate how good you are at this."

I smiled at the two bantering. Over the past two days we've written five songs and completed our set list. Today was the day that we were to all perform together, in front of almost five thousand people, and finally go our separate ways.

To be completely honest, I was kind of sad. As much as I would've loved to not see Ashton every day, I became pretty good friends with the other boys, Cal especially. I'd definitely miss them. Plus, we were pretty kickass at making music together.

"Hey guys, listen up!" I yelled over everyone. "We've got seven hours until the gig. I say we go do something memorable, since we probably won't see each other again after this." I gave them all a sad smile, and they agreed with me.

"Well, what do you suggest we do?" Cal asked.

"I actually have no idea." I laughed. "Let's try and find something to do." Everyone took their phones out and started searching up things to do.

"We could go to this really cool sushi place."
"How do you know it's cool, you've never been there."
"Shut up Blondie."
"It's Luke."
"I don't care."

"What about the drive in?"
"What are they playing tonight?"
"Guys, it doesn't matter, we'll be doing a gig."
"Right."

It didn't matter what they came up with, nothing felt right. We needed to do something really cool. I scanned the faces in the room, all of them stuck in their phones, except one. He was laying on the floor, staring at the ceiling, with just a ghost of a smile on his face.

"Hey Jaid?"
"Yeah Ashton?"
"What about an amusement park? Isn't there one around here, it has something to do with adventure, I think."

I giggled at my boyfriend. "It's called Michigan Adventures."

"I like that word," he smiled at the ceiling, "adventure. Everywhere I go with you is an adventure and I don't ever want it to stop." I broke out into a smile, right then I knew I was in love with him.

"That was so cheesy."

"Yeah, I think it's called Michigan Adventures," I cleared my throat, trying not to get choked up over the memory, "It's about an hours drive away from here." I looked over at the smiling boy as he sat up.

"Guys," he got the group's attention, "Lets go to ride some roller coasters!" I stared at him while the others agreed, wondering what game he was playing at.

After clearing the idea with Mr. Tane, we all packed a bag for the day with snacks and extra clothes, as it was beginning to get cool out. Since we couldn't all fit in Kenzie's car, Ashton was also driving one. "Okay so let's have Kenzie, Jaid, and Michael in a car, yeah?" Luke proposed.

"But I want to be with Jaid." Calum pouted.

"Yeah, and I want to be with Cally Wally." I ruffled his hair.

"Okay, how about Jaid, Cal and I in one car, and Kenzie, Michael and Luke in the other?" Everyone agreed, even though my mind was setting off huge warning signs an flashing lights the whole time. I did not want to be in a car with Ashton for over an hour.

"I don't want to be with her!" Luke shouted, pointing at Kenzie. "I agree. I don't want to be with him either." She nodded.

X

Calum, Kenzie, Michael and I ended up being in a car together while Luke and Ashton were in the other with all of our stuff. Calum called shotgun as soon as we stepped foot outside, and I was driving so that left Kenzie and Mikey to the back seat. I can't say that either of them looked upset about it.

"Come to the bathroom with me." Kenzie nudged my side. I nodded and followed her, telling the guys we'd only be two seconds. Once Kenzie was sure no one else was in the bathroom, she locked the doors and turned to me. "They're not that bad, are they?" I smiled sadly.

"No, they aren't. I wish they were but they aren't.

"We came here before, you know." I laughed at the puzzled expression on her face. "Ashton and I. We came here spontaneously one time, and we couldn't figure out what to do. We were just sitting in the hotel room and he asked about the amusement park." I sighed. "We're going to the same one. It's going to eat me alive just being there with him again."

"Jaid.." She trailed off sadly, and settled for just giving me a quick hug. I nodded. She's doesn't know how to deal with this type of stuff, and that's totally okay. She's always there to listen and that speaks volumes.

"Let's get this road trip on the road." I chuckled.

X

"Turn right here."
"No, you idiot. Its the next block, make a u-turn."

I groaned, silently cursing Michael for getting the directions wrong again. Finally turning the right way, I saw it. The Shivering Timbers, the largest wooden roller coaster in the US of A. I would finally get to ride it, there was nothing stopping me now.

"You see that guys?"
"See what, the roller coaster?"
"Not just any roller coaster, that thing is a beast that I am determined to slay."

They looked at me like I was a mad woman, but I didn't care. Ashton couldn't keep me off of it this time.

it's been so long I know I'm sorry please forgive me. bUT omg over 100 reads? you guys are the best I love you all.