Ronnie

6

Cassie woke up to the sound of the door opening and Cliff walking out. He didn't notice that she had woken up, but she wouldn't have asked him to stay anyway. He probably had a stage check or something he needed to be at.
A raging headache soared through her brain. She climbed out of bed and dug through her bag for some ibuprofen. After waiting it out and realizing the pills weren't going to work she took a shower, hoping the heat would ease the pain.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
The pain did not get worse or better.
She knocked on the guy's room door. To her surprise, Kirk opened the door. He gave her a half-ass, snotty smile and walked away.
James was sitting on a bed in front of the door messing with a guitar. He looked up and smiled at Cassie.
“Oh, hey,” he stood up and greeted the girl.
“What are you guys up to?”
“Nothing. We gotta ride to the arena soon. Are you gonna sit this show out?”
“No. Why would you think that?”
“Uh, not to be rude, you just, uh, don't look too good, Cas.”
“So you don't want me to go cause I'm ugly?”
“No. You know that's not what I meant. You just look sick.”
“Well, I have a fuckin' hangover from hell.”
“Hey there, no need for the attitude missy.”
“Whatever. Do I need to go to the bus?”
“Yeah, I guess,” he said with a slight attitude.
She rolled her eyes and walked to her room to grab her purse.
Once on the bus, she walked to the back, so she could have some quiet time. She ended up falling asleep before anyone else could join her on the bus.
Cliff was still completely confused with the situation he faced last night. He wasn't sure what it meant; he wished that it meant nothing, but he knew better than that. It was strange for him and Cassie to have not already had a conversation this time of day. He was worried that she was sick in her room while everyone else was on the bus.
Uneasiness started to settle in. He didn't want to ask any of the guys if they had seen Cassie because he knew they would pick on him, and he did not want to deal with it. Specifically Lars and James. Kirk, as far as Cliff knew, hadn't said anything about Cas. James and Lars always picked on Cliff for talking to Cassie so often. Cliff didn't mind their meaningless words though, because he gave them hell right back.
His stomach started to turn, and he made his way to the bathroom as he felt like he was going to puke. The stomach pain went away as his eyes fell on Cassie who was curled up in a seat.
Another issue arose, his heart. It started to run again, beating at an unpleasant pace.
He snapped the bathroom door shut and stared at himself in the mirror. He splashed water on his face and took a deep breath. This time he avoided looking at the girl. For some reason, it was difficult to do the simple gesture.

“Should I wake her up?” Cliff asked the group of guys as the bus pulled up to the arena.
“Nah man, she had a hell of night. Let her sleep,” James responded.
Cliff and James walked off of the bus while Kirk stood there, looking at Cassie.
Lars nudged him, “What's your deal? We have to go.”
“Shit, sorry,” he glanced at her once more before exiting the bus.

Hours later she woke up, alone on the bus. The headache had gone away but now she has nauseous. The only thing she could find to eat was half a bag of chips and a can of beer.
While snacking on the chips, she listened closely to the music being played. She was hoping that she had slept through most of the set list.
“One. Two. One, two, three, four!” James yelled into the mic.
Continuing to listen, she heard the beginning of Whiplash. It was the last song of their set.
Shortly after, the guys made their way back to the bus.
“Thought you weren't gonna sit this one out?”
“Someone didn't wake me up.”
“I told you, you looked rough Cassie. I think the nap did you good.” James walked over and pinched her cheek, “Your beauty is really shining through,” he said with a wink and went to the bathroom.
Cliff walked onto the bus with a beer in his hand.
Cassie met his eyes for a split second before he took a seat.
She didn't know why he wouldn't talk to her. Did she upset him?
“Cliff.”
“Hello, Earth to Cliff.”
“Cliff!”
Kirk, Lars, the bus driver, and Cliff all turned to look at her.
Cliff had heard her calls, he couldn't bring himself to get up and face her.
She waved him over so he defeatedly obliged.
“Hey,” he said almost in a whisper.
“What's wrong? Why won't you talk to me?”
“You've been sleeping. I didn't want to bother you.” His heart began to speed up.
She looked at him deep in the eyes. But only for a second before his eyes shot away.
“You're lying.”
“No, I'm not.”
“Yes, you are Cliff. Just tell me what's wrong. I'm not going to get mad.”
“Nothing's wrong, okay?”
“Then why do you keep looking away from me?”
His eyes darted from hers, he couldn't handle this. How was he supposed to tell her that he felt like he was going to die, but only when he looked at her?
Her soft hands cupped his jaw and turned his head to look towards her.
“Cliff,” she whispered. “Tell me what's wrong. Please?”
Suddenly, his heart stopped pounding.
“I-”
“Wait, wait. I know what it is.” She let go of his face and his heart slowly started to speed.
“Last night. I asked you to stay with me and it weirded you out. That's what it is, isn't it?”
A nervous laugh left his mouth, “Yeah. Yeah, it is.”
She punched him lightly in the arm. “Cliff, you could've just told me that. It's not even weird that you stayed with me. We're friends.”
Those words slowed his heart once more, and he was taken out of his trance.
“Why did you ask me to stay?”
She laughed a bit, “Its kinda embarrassing.”
“Tell me.”
Her voice turned low so no one could hear her. “Used to, whenever I would get drunk, Kirk would stay up for me. To make sure if I needed something he was there. I guess I'm not used to being alone yet,” she stated with another laugh.
He let out a fake chuckle.
“Yeah, I guess not.”