There's more to life (Adopted by Brendon Urie) | #2

#24

Song of the Chapter: The Other Side by Presence

Cali's POV

Listening to Anna was life changing. She dedicated Home to me and that just made me start bawling. Ryan places his hand on my shoulder in a comforting way. I couldn't believe I was watching two of my favourite musicians perform and I was backstage and Anna had followed me on Twitter. I had to pinch myself multiple times tonight to make sure I was alive and awake.

When Anna finished, she saw me crying and hugged me again.
"I'm ok," I reassured her, "I'm happy, really happy. Thank you so much for tonight. I'll never forget it."
"It's no problem. It was amazing to meet you and never forget that you can DM me anytime ok?"
I nod.

We watch IDKHOW play their set and Anna and I dance along. Once it was over, Anna asked if I was getting picked up.
"No I'm walking home, I don't live too far away."
"No that's crazy. You can't walk home it's too late."
"I'll-"
"Cali, we're taking you home." Dallon butts in.
"Dallon I'm ok."
"No way. I wouldn't let my kids walk home after a concert."
I try arguing with them but they are very persistent so finally I give in and Dallon, Anna and I get into an Uber after I give them my address.

I get out of the car after saying goodbye and quietly sneak back into my house. Once I do, I fall asleep with a huge smile on my face.

Anna's POV

"You're really nice." Dallon says.
"Huh?"
"I mean, you really care about her."
"Yeah, she's very similar to me and I was making sure she knew she could message me anytime."
He smiles and nods as the Uber pulls up back at the venue. We get out and hop on the tour bus. I hop in my bunk and scroll through Twitter. I click on my mentions and read a few of them.

@/annarurie who is that girl?

@/annarurie what do you mean 'almost lost it all?'

Now I'm looking at @/annarurie 's music, it's pretty dark and sad. What's that about?

"What have I done?" I mutter. I knew I shouldn't have said that on stage but it was too late I had already said it.

From James: everything ok at tonight's show? I've seen a few videos on twitter
To James: Yeah. I met a fan and it make me realise that people need to know that they have someone but now I'm kinda regretting it because I should have known what the internet is like
From James: it's ok. And that's really sweet of you. You don't have to tell the internet if you don't want to.
To James: I know but I don't know, I didn't realise that telling one person struggling would help them. I got her to open up and eat and she said my music helped her.
From James: that's good but I hope you've eaten something
To James: I have. I ate both breakfast and lunch and I ate a muesli bar about 10 minutes ago
From James: well done. I'm proud of you. I think you should get some rest
To James: Yeah probably
From James: goodnight love you xx
To James: goodnight love you too xxx

I plug my phone in and go have a quick shower. When I've done that, I get back in my bunk and fall asleep.

———

When I wake, the bus was still moving. I knew we were due to arrive in Austin, Texas at about 2 pm and looking at the clock we still had about 5 hours.

"You know people are asking questions?"
"Good morning to you too Dallon. And yeah I guessed so."
"You going to explain it to them?"
"Nah I don't think so. At least not right now."
"Alright."

He leaves me sitting on the couch to watch YouTube videos. Ryan comes past a few moments later with coffee and toast.
"Thanks." I say and he nods and smiles.