Sleeves and Masks (Pierce the Veil Fanfiction)

Chapter Nine: Props & Mayhem

~~~on the way to Val's house~~~

*Val's P.O.V.*

My head is busting. The bruise on my cheek is throbbing and I feel like I am going to vomit. Vic must have noticed that I was uneasy because he was driving below the speed limit. I silently thanked him for doing the kind gesture and turned to look out the car window. A crescent moon glowed underneath the fluffy clouds and the stars were shining bright. It was beautiful. Dani and I would go to the park that was a few blocks away from here and lay on the jungle gym when we were young, to look at the beautiful stars that lined the sky of San Diego. Everywhere that I went, the stars were different from here and I realized that stars are different anywhere you go. It just so happens that the jungle gym held the best view of the little specks of space. Next time I see her, we're going to the jungle gym and watching the stars fade as the sunrise wipes them clean.

I leaned my head back at the thought of Dani and felt a pair of eyes on me. I knew the eyes belonged to Tony, so I didn't bother opening my eyes to confirm it. Ever since they brought me to Vic's house, he had been watching me like Mother Bear and I was his cub. I didn't mind, I was flattered he had an interest in me. But I couldn't help but wonder why Tony took an interest in a girl like me.

I felt his right knee nudge my left, a gesture asking, Are you okay? I replied by nudging his knee back with mine to say Yes.

I slowly opened my eyes when the car came to a hault, which meant we were at my house. I was glad to see a familiar place. Vic put the car in park and I fumbled with my seat belt to get out but Tony's butt was on top of it, which made me chuckle. I playfully pushed his arm to get him off the seatbelt, but I ended up distracted by his arm muscles that were tense underneath my fingertips. I looked up to see him looking at my face with longing and a wide smile across his face. I quickly looked down and felt my face grow hot with embarrassment. I finally unbuckled and slid out of the car.

"I'll be right back," I stammered over my shoulder.

I slammed the car down behind me and walked around the car to the porch stairs. The windows looked bland and empty, the paint on the steps were chipping, and the mahogany door looked welcoming. I have lived here my entire life and I wouldn't want another home. Whenever I go to college, I'll probably end up skipping out on the dorm life and continue living here. I didn't want to leave my comfy bed, and certainly didn't want to leave Dad with an empty house that held so many memories, good and bad ones.

I took a deep breath before starting up the stairs. The white stairs were steep and it didn't help that my left leg kept buckling underneath me whenever my foot landed on the next step. There were only four steps and I felt like I was climbing Mount Everest. My lungs felt like they were burning from the inside out from the lack of efficent oxygen and my breathing was raspy. I composed myself long enough to look back at the car and shot the guys a weak smile so they knew I was okay. I could see Tony starting to unbuckle to come help me so I quickly hobbled up the stairs onto the porch, ignoring the pain shooting through my body. Whew.

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad Tony cares about my safety and if I'm okay. But I haven't known him that long, like, personally. I've kept up with the band for years and fell in love with them even more after a new album was released. I had slightly different impressions about the guys than I did before. Vic was more laid back than I imagined, Mike seemed mature, and Jaime acted more thoughtful and serious. But Tony...he was just what I imagined. He was humble, thoughtful, charismatic, protective, and downright amazing. They were all amazing. Tony was just slightly more amazing, especially after that little moment we had in the car. That gorgeous smile of his could end wars.