Life On Tour (Peterick Sequel)

ShowBiz

"Are you okay dad?" I asked, unsure of the answer.

"Yeah, I'm fine," he replied. He looked at his watch and his eyebrows went up. "Looks like it's time for us to be heading backstage. We'll see you guys after the show." My mother argued that they had a little more time to talk to us, but my dad quickly shooed her off the bus with him. I sighed and leaned into Pete's chest.

"Why must family drama be so difficult?" He chuckled lightly in response and ran his fingers through my hair under my hat.

"All drama is difficult. At least when it's in your family you're kind of forced to work it out, unless you never want to see each other again like whiny middle schoolers." I smiled as that was the truth that no one could avoid.

The four of us sat there for a moment, enjoying the comfortable silence until we heard feet on asphalt outside the bus. Erica open the door and popped her head in.

"Hey guys, management needs you. Paramore is about to start their set and you guys need to get ready."

I was taken back at how much time had already passed since we've gotten to the venue. We stood up and made our way off the bus and followed Erica to the back of the stage. I finally broke away from the group to do my mandatory voice warm-ups.

As I started them, I could hear the chords of "Still Into You," signaling that Paramore has started their set for the night. I smiled, Setting the tune of some of my warm-ups to their songs. "That's What You Get" was up next, making my mind flood with memories from Warped Tour. I shook my head, urging myself to get back to the warm-ups, as our time was limited before we had to get on stage.

I forced my nightly routine to go on longer than normal, making sure my voice was alright, seeing as I was crying before then and I didn't want my voice to be scratchy.

I could hear the strum of the guitar through the walls to the other room, telling me that Joe was finishing up with a short run through and that the guys were almost ready. I took one last sip of water and came out of the dressing room, ready to meet up as I heard "Part II" begin to play.

My feet continue to walk down the hallway, searching for the room where I could find my prized guitar. I ran into Jack along the way, relieved to see him before the show.

"Hey Jack!" I beamed. "Could you do me a favor please?"

"Sure! What's up?"

"My parents are here tonight," I began to explain. "And they will be standing on the side of the stage as we perform. Do you think you could get a few cool shots of them watching us? I had a cute Christmas present idea and a picture of them enjoying the music would be amazing for it." Jack smiled and nodded his head.

"No problem Patrick, I'd be happy to. Just meet up with me sometime tomorrow and I'll let you see what I was able to get."

"Thank you so much! Don't know what we'd do without you man!" I grinned and gave him a quick hug before jogging the rest of the way down the hall to make it to the instrument room as the beginning of "Ain't It Fun" blasted out of the amphitheater speakers.

"Where have you been?" Andy asked. "One of us were about to come and look for you!"

"Sorry, sorry," I started, with a little bit of labored breath from the short jog. "I went a little late on the warm-ups and I ran into Jack on the way. Had to ask him a few questions before the show started."

Some member of the stage crew came marching in and pulled us out to the right of the stage just as Paramore came off.

"Great show guys!" Pete exclaimed as the three walked off past us. They all express their thanks and went off to the dressing rooms to clean up. We continue to stand in an area where the audience couldn't see us, and we briefly went over the pre-show basics.

After about 15 minutes, The lights at the amphitheater went out and the only thing that was audible was the screams of the enormous crowd. My heart raced, as it did before every concert, no matter how prepared I was. It wasn't like I was a ball of nerves, most of it was just from excitement.

The four of us took our places behind the long white curtain that was draped over the front of the stage as the big screens played the video before we started. We strode around for a moment, getting out the pent-up energy and giving our famous good luck high-fives. Joe and Andy returned to their spots and I jogged over to Pete who was grinning at me with anticipation.

I did the quick high-five and laced our fingers together and pecked him on the lips. He smiled and whispered good luck and I was off to the mic stand at the center of the stage.

The speakers soon went quiet, signaling that the video was over and we had about ten seconds. I smiled over at Joe, who smiled back just in time for the curtain to rise. I felt the adrenaline rush through my veins as I looked out over the crowd and down and the pit in front of me.

"Put on your war paint!"

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I walked off the stage, thankful for the towel and bottle of water waiting for me there. I caught a quick glance at Jack, and he gave me a thumbs-up rushing off to do whatever he did after shows. Erica was there also, running away and squealing from Andy who tried to enclose her in a sweaty hug.

"Great show babe," Pete said to me, walking over, wrapping me in his arms and kissing me messily. I smiled and kissed him back, squeaking happily from the sudden contact. We continued until someone cleared their throat.

"Oh sorry." I blushed a deep red once I pulled away from Pete and faced my parents. "So did you guys enjoy the show?" I asked, hoping to break the awkwardness.

"Of course we did honey," my mother responded sweetly. "We just wanted to say goodbye because we are leaving."

Even though I was still mad at my dad, my heart ached for the fact that I had to see my parents go. It's not often that we see our relatives much anymore, especially when were on tour, so when they come for surprise visits like that it's quite exciting.

I gave my mother a nice long hug, and Pete did the same. As for my dad, it was more of a goodbye and a quick embrace.

We watch them walk off, the two of them saying goodbye to Joe, Andy, and multiple people we've worked with over the years. Once they were out of sight, I turned towards Pete and laid my head in his chest.

"I'm tired, could we go back to the bus?" I asked, feeling a bit of homesickness and frustration at the same time.

"Of course," he said with a whisper and a kiss to my temple. But as always, there was something else to add to the drama...