Chapter Text
Saturday, December 30th
It had been around two months since I had last seen Ryan. After Resident Vagabonds got signed to a record label it wasn’t long before they dropped their first album with all the songs Ryan had written. They were an instant success and a huge hit, I remember how it felt when Ryan told me they would be leaving for a tour that same month.
“Already? The albums only just dropped, what about your studies?” I had asked. It was Ryan’s dream but I wasn’t so sure about him dropping out. Luckily for him the school agreed for him to continue his studies on the road by watching recorded lectures and handing in assignments online.
He left right at the end of October, we spent Halloween together as a final goodbye and he flew off that same morning. I fell asleep in his arms and when I woke, he was gone.
We had been keeping in touch, Ryan assured me this didn’t have to mean the end of us, but alongside touring and all his assignments he didn’t have much time to video chat. So I did the next best thing, I would sit at the front of every lecture, pay close attention, and ask any relevant or thoughtful question I could. I volunteered to read my writing to be critiqued, I answered questions, all because I knew he would be watching them on his computer wherever he was on that tour bus. My grades were better than ever, my teachers loved me, but best of all were the texts I’d get from Ryan,
Ryan:
“I liked the questions you asked in class today, Professor Duke looked stumped.”
Ryan:
“Your poem was pretty, did you really write it in 15 minutes?”
Ryan:
“I didn’t even know the answer to that question, looks like you’ve taken my spot at the top.”
We couldn’t talk long, we never could, but the fact I knew he could at least see me made me feel more at ease, it was my way of reminding him I was there for him, the fact it boosted my academic performance was a plus.
No one had discovered Eden, the club was flourishing like no other. Grace did exactly as she said she would and the next time she spoke at Eden it was to announce her official status with the pretty librarian Jess. Kayla was the most shocked of all, with all kinds of probing questions like, “Why didn’t you tell me you were seeing someone?” and “Have you guys kissed?” while Lucy sat next to her and giggled at her girlfriend's interest in her friends love life.
I have a key to the music room now. I like to go in alone to practice my playing, I’ve learnt covers of every one of their songs. Sometimes when I would get stuck on one part I’d text Jon asking what chord progression goes next, and sometimes he would get back to me, but I’d always figure it out. I had their songs playing in my head on loop every day. I would look around at the music room. It was now abandoned apart from me, it felt like a weirdly spiritual place. I would walk around and memories of various moments would come to mind, fights we had had, getting locked in with Jon, Spencer snapping the one and only time. It’s funny to think of the things you miss.
In my better or worse judgement I reached out to Dallon, I wanted to hear what he had been up to and surprisingly, he wanted to hear about me. Dallon didn’t ask me about the band, he didn’t need to, they were on TV and social media. Dallon asked me how I was doing. We started spending time together twice a week, at first it was just to catch up, but then it became a sort of ritual. He would invite me out for breakfast on Fridays at the same small place we had gone to together before, and then on Sundays I got the honour of visiting him at the studio he worked in. We’d go into whatever room was unattended and Dallon would listen to me play and correct my form. I started composing original pieces and Dallon helped with them, bringing attention to style and melody. Then we would just sit, drink tea –or coffee in his case– and just chat. Not even necessarily to update but because it was nice to be in each other's company.
I told Dallon about today, I invited him to Grace’s New Year's Party, he said he would consider it. There were many work New Year's parties he’d been invited to, a good chance to mingle in the world of music. He had secured his position within the Label and was doing well for himself, but I hoped he would come and see the others again.
I finished my book, I have already sent it off as a first draft to multiple publishing houses and I’m waiting to hear back, nothing yet. Grace said she could be my editor and I could self-publish, which I was heavily considering, but I wanted to wait to see letters of rejection before I went through the process myself. My plan was that if I didn’t get accepted I would get the book ready with Grace and release it on the day of the next book fair, which would be in Spring, so I still had plenty of time.
While I waited to hear back though, my mind was set on what gift I could get for Ryan when I picked the three of them up from the airport. I had thought of grand gestures, written letters, songs, poems, and handmade items. But they had already received so many gifts from fans, had letters they were yet to look through, failed songs and poems. I just landed on the simple act of buying a bouquet and hoping that my being there would be enough. I stood in the airport shaking with nerves waiting for their flight to come in.
It seemed I wasn’t the only one who knew about their flight home, though I had been escorted by his team in LA to come and pick them up, when we arrived there was already a crowd of people waiting by the gate for them to arrive, the real rockstar treatment. Paparazzi had their cameras fixed on the point of entrance, while others tried to snap a couple of shots of me holding the flowers, just in case I was of any significance.
Just as their flight came in people scrambled to be at the front, holding out various notepads and pens to be signed. With the protection of the label's bodyguards, I, along with other members of staff, were able to move forward. Ryan was the first one through the doors and I dropped the bouquet to clasp my hands over my ears in fright at the sound of screams from his fans. Camera flashes whirred my vision and I ducked down to pick the bouquet back up, just as my eyes and ears were adjusting to the noise I felt a hand on mine when I went to pick up the flowers,
“Are these for me?” Ryan smiled, he was knelt down in front of me. Ryan grabbed the bouquet as well as my hand and helped me up, “Where do I sign?” He joked, taking out a sharpie, the cameras were still flashing.
“Come on guys let’s get out of here, I’m tired and my back aches from sitting.” moaned Jon, he pushed Ryan to keep walking forward, his hand was still holding mine and I was tugged along with them.
We all got into the large black car, it was no limo but the interior was huge, enough to hold all members of staff, but instead one car was dedicated to just us, the driver, and their agent, who sat in the front seat.
Spencer took a deep breath when we were all in the safety of the car and away from the noise and flashing lights, “I’m never gonna get used to that.” Spencer said, he looked through the back window at all the people running towards the car that were being held back from thrashing at the windows.
“I don’t mind it on a good day, but definitely not after a six-hour flight.” Jon lamented, the car started up and we drove off. Ryan was still holding my hand and was now admiring the flowers.
He squeezed my hand slightly, “Thanks for the flowers, I’m happy to see you again.” Ryan smiled lovingly. It was reassuring to feel like that hadn’t changed atleast, despite all his new attention he was still the same guy he had been before with me.
“Glad you like them, it’s hard to think of what to get for someone who gets everything now.” I chuckled, Spencer laughed at my comment.
He could’ve asked me the typical questions, ‘How’s school?’, ‘How’s Grace?’, How’s Eden?’, but I think really we were just happy to be together again. I had updated him on what I could in the limited time we had to talk in between shows and with different time zones to playing a factor, but he knew how school was going for me, he watched it almost daily.
“Are you still writing?” Ryan asked.
I nodded, surprised that would be his first question, “Yeah, I’ve actually sent my first draft of to some publishing houses.”
“That’s great! You deserve to get your work published.” Ryan sounded pleased for me.
“Well I don’t expect a yes, it’s rare anyone gets accepted first try. I was thinking of self-publishing for the Spring Book Fair, but I’m waiting for my rejection letters to come in first.” I explained.
Ryan didn’t seem to get it, especially not now, “They’re going to accept it, I’m sure they will.”
I laughed at his confidence, he seemed confused at how sure I was. The publishing business was a tough world, music was a tough world. But Ryan was someone that had something special that stuck him out from the others, I didn’t think he could comprehend what it was like for people who weren’t born like that, those normal people that fell into the large majority percentage of people who failed at the first hurdle. I was content with the fact that I wasn’t going to make it on my first try, it was all a part of the process to me, but for Ryan who’s dreams had set off so quickly and so immensely in a matter of two months that was inconceivable. I decided not to explain it for then, keeping the air in the car light as we drove to our destination. Of which, I wasn’t sure where exactly we were headed.
We pulled up to a hotel that looked so fancy I wondered if I should pay tax on laying eyes on it, there were yet again even more paparazzi and fans lined up by the entrance when the door to the car was opened and we were let out one by one, with me exiting last.
I stood with their staff while the boys wrote out autograph after autograph and took selfies with fans, Ryan was still holding onto his flowers in one arm the whole time, despite various members of staff offering to carry it for him. I watched and smiled at him, before feeling a flash to my left and noticing a crafty paparazzi sneaking a photo of me again. My eyes failed to focus in time to make out who it was.
I followed the staff behind Ryan and the band into the hotel, it looked like spending a single night there would cost more than my entire college tuition. The lobby was captivating and grand, with high ceilings almost out of eyeshot, a decorative balcony all across the front of the lobby with two lavish staircases on either side lined with red carpet that decorated the floor of the lobby. The pillars and ceilings were decorated with gold trim to match the pristine giant chandelier that hung overhead.
Despite the hotel's large size it was decently quiet, with expensive-sounding classical music playing softly from hidden speakers, sounds of guests talking being muffled by unseen noise absorption buffers. By any account this expensive building looked as if it would echo even the tiniest of whispers, but even our footsteps muted and sunk into the carpet below with each step. Every detail of the hotel oozed with luxury, it began to dawn on me just how big of a deal Ryan and the others had become. Did they stay in places like this all the time?
While their manager went to the front desk to get them checked in and their bags taken to their rooms I joined the band in sitting on one of the sofas by a small coffee table while we waited to be escorted to where they would be staying. A lady came over to offer us free beverages to which only Spencer agreed to a peppermint tea, seeing the others roll their eyes at his enthusiasm, I opted for a glass of water.
I sat rigidly on the sofa, feeling so out of place, underdressed, and not wanting to mess anything up somehow while the others let themselves relax into the cushiony comfort of the sofa chairs. Ryan caught my tenseness and laughed, placing his hand on mine. “Relax Y/N, you’re a guest.” He offered with a smile.
I readjusted my body, once again failing to allow my jaw to unclench, to let myself sit in any position that didn’t call for perfect posture. “I’m not a guest, you guys are.” I answered, still uncomfortable, “Why are you staying in a hotel anyway? Your things are still in your dorm room back at College, you never vacated your room.” Ryan left me with his spare key, I still liked to go down to their room because it had more space than mine, and it helped when I missed Ryan, the smell left on his shirts that I would refuse to wash, his vanilla deodorant which I would spray on a pillow and sleep next to, anything to feel closer to him. Additionally, being on a lower floor meant their wifi was better than mine, and I would frequently make a ritual of any time they had a performance or TV interview to watch it downstairs in their room in Ryan's bed.
“It’s safer this way, and way nicer.” Jon said, he was flicking through a music magazine placed on the table in front of us, he pointed to an article, “Can you believe this, I swear they always pick the worst pictures of me to put in these things.” Jon complained while showing us all the photoshoot. I had seen it before, I bought every magazine that so much as mentioned Resident Vagabonds, I had become friendly with my local newsagent, he’d leave copies behind for me just in case they sold out before I could get one.
Spencer laughed, Jon gave him a soft punch to the arm to get him to stop which only made him laugh more, “Ugh, just ‘cause you guys always look so great.” Jon scoffed.
Ryan looked at me, his hand was still on mine, “Y/N really, just relax, you aren’t working, you don’t have to act a certain way.” He spoke to me in a reassuring tone, “You’re my special guest so I want you to feel comfortable.” He scooched in beside me and placed his arm around my shoulder, I felt my tenseness loosen.
The lady came back over with our drinks, Spencer had his peppermint tea, and I was handed a bottle of Fiji water with a glass filled with ice and a lemon slice. I had expected tap. “Thank you.” I smiled before taking my water, when the lady was gone I freely gawked at the extravagance to Ryan. “Isn’t this a little overboard? Don’t worry, I’ll pay you back for the water when I have cash.”
The three of them laughed, “Y/N it’s included in the hotel services, which is paid for by management.” Jon explained, he continued to flick through all the magazines laid out in front of him. It continued to surprise me how quickly they had become acclimated to the celebrity culture, and it simultaneously worried me, I feared Ryan had changed, part of me doubted we would be together much longer.
Once escorted to our rooms I stood with Ryan in his suite, just the two of us, alone.
I nervously started pacing and rubbed my arms with my hands in a mock self-soothing hug. Ryan opened his suitcase and unpacked his things, he took a moment before he turned to hang a suit up and noticed my discomfort. “Y/N what’s up?” He asked, concerned.
I noticed my body language and struggled to stifle it, “It’s all so— different. I worry that maybe you might be different too.” I expressed, looking back down at my palms to ground myself, tracing its wrinkled lines with my eyes.
Ryan stopped unpacking, there was a small sofa by a tv in the hotel room, Ryan took my hand and led me to sit on it next to him. “Despite everything, it’s still me,” He waved his hand in front of my face in a mock gesture, “You’re all I’ve thought about since I left, I can assure you that isn’t going to change.” He placed his hand on my upper arm and squeezed. “Would you stay with me tonight?” Ryan asked.
I looked toward the double bed, it looked soft as a cloud, I shook my head softly, “I’m gonna go back to my dorm, it’s holidays now so most people are away which means it’s much quieter over there. Plus, the wifi is faster.” I added on with a giggle.
Ryan seemed displeased as if he had expected different, but he didn’t say anything to confirm my suspicions, “I’ll get a member of staff to escort you back, it’s best you avoid any kind of fan mobbing.” Ryan said, pulling out his phone to send a text. “In the meantime, it’d be nice to catch up.” Ryan smiled sweetly.
I had so much I wanted to say. I had so much I wanted to ask. But right now, with Ryan right in front of me all I wanted was one thing, I let myself sink into his arms and brushed my fingers through his hair. I had missed that most of all, Ryan’s touch, the feel of his silky hair and slightly pimpled back, getting lost in his eyes, and being able to spot tiny barely noticeable freckles peering out from under his skin that were only seen when your face was right by his. I sank deeper and deeper into him, and Ryan let himself cushion me where I now lay on the sofa, he too was now stroking my hair and blushing.
I wasn’t aware of what had happened until both Ryan and I were startled awake by the sound of someone banging at the door. His manager had sent someone to pick me up. I couldn’t believe I let myself fall asleep and miss out on crucial alone time with Ryan.
I got up off of him as he wiped his eyes and groggily walked to the door, his hair had been bent out of shape from where he had laid on it. I got up too, quickly readjusting my clothes and standing up to walk towards the door.
“Okay, she’ll be out in a sec, thanks.” Ryan spoke to the person standing outside the door, just speaking through the small crack where he held it open. Ryan shut the door and turned to me, “They’re here to take you back to your dorm, sure you don’t wanna stay?” He asked with a hopeful glint in his eye.
“I’m sure, thanks Ryan.” I walked over and gave him a kiss on the cheek goodbye, before opening the door myself and letting myself out. As soon as I heard it close my heart ached and I missed him all over again.
The silence of the dorms was eerie yet comfortable, I spent some time sitting in the common room and typing away at my laptop, checking my email to see if there were any updates from the publishers I had sent my drafts off to. Inbox empty.
Refresh.
Inbox (1). I opened it, Dallon had sent it to me, "RE: Y/N you’re in the gossip columns". Attached to the email was a message from Dallon saying I should read the attached link, I opened it up and read through it.
Ryan Ross from upcoming band Resident Vagabonds SPOTTED with NEW ARM CANDY! Who is the Lucky Lady?
After the first run of Resident Vagabonds successful new tour the band has made a journey back to their resident town in LA. When asked for comment on why the band had stopped the tour momentarily to revisit their old stomping grounds during the new year, the bands Label simply stated
“They’re young and deserve to have fun, they all work so hard with their busy schedules and keeping on top of their classes, the New Year should be a fun break for them.”
Right they were, as it seems that lead lyracist and Guitarrist Ryan Ross has been seen with a new woman on his arm at the airport and on his way to the hotel. Many fans are speculating who this woman may be as she is not known in the industry, it is leading others to think that maybe Ryan may not have his priorities in order when it comes to the band. These two are definitely worth looking out for!
In the article there was the picture of me taken at the airport and the one by the hotel, I hadn’t imagined that I would be spread into the public eye so quickly, though I doubted it would have much impact on me personally, I’m not famous. Dallon’s message after the link seemed to voice a contrasting concern.
“You might want to stay away from being spotted with Ryan in public again or more rumours will pop up. It’s best for the bands image, as well as your safety, if these things are kept secret. I’m not just saying this either, secret dating is common in the music industry. Just take care.
- Dallon”
It was nice of him to be concerned for me, part of it worried me too. I looked over my pictures on the website again, they weren’t the best, in the first I was blurry from standing around other members of staff, one was of Ryan walking holding my hand taken from behind, and the third by the hotel my hand covered my face as I protected myself from the harsh flash. No one outside of my personal life would know it was me, as long as I made sure to keep it that way.
I texted the link to Ryan.
Y/N:
“Should I be worried?”
Ryan:
“My manager’s showing it to me now, should be okay but I’m being encouraged that we lay low.”
Everything was fine, it was no cause for concern. Not for now.
Sunday, December 31st, New Years
Grace was holding a party at her house for New Years and a lot of people were coming. The whole band would be there, friends from College, Kayla and Lucy, even Dallon said he’d come despite me knowing he’d been invited to multiple industry parties. It was set to be a big deal. I told Grace I would help out with setting up so I got dressed to go over to hers that morning.
I waited by the car park for Grace to pick me up, I was a couple of minutes early and Grace often ran a couple of minutes late, so I pulled out my phone to send her a message saying ‘I’m here’ as well as to play some solitaire, it was a good time passer.
Across the car park were two girls whispering to each other and looking at me. The whole place was practically entirely empty due to it being the holidays so it was unmistakable that I was the one they were whispering about. The more confident of the two girls approached me.
“Um, excuse me, are you– the girl from that magazine?” She asked, I pretended to look confused.
“I don’t model.” I responded plainly.
The two girls giggled, they weren’t being mean at least, just curious, “No, no– the girl spotted with Ryan Ross from Resident Vagabonds, you kinda look like her, and I know he goes here. He talked about Lial in an interview.” Her friend stayed standing behind her, it looked like she was trying to film secretly, I spotted the camera in my peripheral and tried to pretend I hadn’t noticed it.
“I’m sorry, I don’t know what you’re talking about, I hope you find who you’re looking for though.” I smiled ingeniously.
Grace’s car pulled up to save me from this interaction, I had never felt so relieved to have an excuse to stop talking about Ryan. Before Grace even parked the car I promptly excused myself and hopped in the passenger seat. “Drive.” I instructed, trying not to come off as too pushy.
Grace sensed my nervousness and drove off, without questioning it. “Have you seen–” Grace looked at me, she saw the fretful look on my face, I took a deep breath to try and calm my anxiety, “I’m guessing you have then.”
“Ryan assured me I wouldn’t be recognised.” I started, “But those girls were asking me if I was the girl, they were filming me discreetly. What if they post the video?” I asked Grace worriedly.
“Well did you admit it was you?”
“No.”
“Then I’m sure it’ll be fine, no ones gonna know. Let's just try and relax and have some fun tonight, last day of the year!” Grace reassured me, I agreed and tried not to let myself think so much, I didn’t want to allow it to ruin my night.
We pulled up to Grace’s house, Kayla and Lucy were staying over at hers together just for New Years, they had both just flown in from visiting their homes in various states, since it was an early flight, Grace offered to let them stay in her guest room as long as they helped set up (and if they would have their stuff packed to go the day after). We planned to stay up all throughout the night tonight, Kayla and Lucy had packed away their things to take them back to their dorms the next day, and when we arrived they were sorting through boxes of decorations laid out by Grace’s mum.
It hadn’t been long since I had last seen them before winter break, but that didn’t stop Kayla from running up and giving me a bone-crushing hug. “Hey guys.” I wheezed under the immense pressure of Kayla's arms.
Everyone had seen it. It was all Kayla wanted to talk about, she couldn’t understand why I might not want to be known or spotted with Ryan despite my best efforts to explain it. While I was hanging bunting with Lucy, Kayla asked again, “-But seriously what’s the worst that can happen if you two are found out to be dating?”
I was holding the tape in my mouth and ripped off a piece to stick it to the ceiling, “Worst thing that could happen is mobs of paparazzi, the sudden need for me to have security I can’t afford, and fan girls mobbing Ryan with hate because in their eyes he belongs to them.” I trailed off before adding, “Or Jon… I’ve seen a bunch of fanfiction of Ryan and Jon out there already, some of it’s pretty good actually.” I started laughing to myself. I had recalled reading through a bunch of fanfiction out of curiosity one night and being pleasantly surprised by a lot of it. Eventually, I fell down a rabbit hole of x readers purely out of missing Ryan and finding myself getting frustrated at all the minor inaccuracies in his character that the author had no way of knowing anyway.
“Okay that’s fair, still though, being famous sounds fun, I’d go for it if I were in your position and Lucy became famous.” Kayla continued, the air now lighter as the conversation switched to one of hypothetical ‘what if I was famous?’ scenarios. I let myself fade into the background while the others happily discussed the possibilities.
We took a pause around lunchtime, the whole house was looking really good, Grace’s mum had even put in coloured lighting that she’d switch on once the lights went out. Kayla had found someone to buy some alcohol, beer mostly, but also some tequila which she claimed we could mix with coke and no one would know, or use as shots for party games. I opted to not question her sources though I was disappointed in the beverage selection.
“What?” Kayla asked, looking at my scrunched-up face.
I waved my hands in defiance, “Nothing, it’s fine, I just don’t really drink whiteclaw. Did you get any Malibu?” I asked, it was my favourite drink back home, I’d mix it with pineapple juice as my go-to party drink.
“I’m not made of money, you’ll have to make do as you didn’t get anything yourself.” Kayla jabbed lightheartedly. I helped her lift the boxes of booze into large coolers with ice hidden in the garage.
Grace’s garage was pretty dusty, they didn’t keep their car in there, opting to use the driveway instead, so there were a couple of old sofas laid out in the middle, I tapped on one and a cloud of dirt puffed up, I coughed, holding my hand to my mouth.
“What are you doing?” Grace asked.
“Well we probably shouldn’t put it on display that we have alcohol, we don’t have enough to cater for a whole party. This place seems quiet enough, we could drink in here?” I suggested, looking around for a reaction.
Kayla and Lucy smiled excitedly at Grace who sighed. “Fine, we’ll clean up in here after we eat lunch. And no one tells my mum, or anyone else.” She pointed to Kayla accusingly, and we all mocked zipped lips before following Grace back into the kitchen to eat.
In order to keep our affair a secret, one or two of us would sneak away at a time to clean up the garage while the others would work with Grace’s mum to help set up catering. The garage was becoming moderately clean, though you would have to keep your shoes on or the concrete floor would get your feet cold and arguably a little dirty. The dust was out of the air though, and there were plenty of places to sit. Grace had a picnic blanket which we used as a rug, but the sofas themselves would not be able to be cleaned in time. To make do, Grace scoured around and found two large quilts to cover each of them with, good enough in the time we had. One mood lamp was placed strategically leaning towards the centre of the area, and its colourful glow was gentle on the eyes. It was all set for some secretive fun.
The House itself was ready too. There were plenty of drinks laid out, Grace’s mum had bought alcohol for any adults that were arriving which was leagues fancier than the stuff Kayla had brought us. There were fruit platters, a chocolate fountain, crisps and little bowls of nuts were placed all around in case anyone felt the need for a quick snack. The sun was starting to set and the ambient lighting was taking effect, making the house glow a plethora of deep colours. It looked like the perfect place for a party.
Grace’s mum had been invited to a party of her own, not wanting to witness the possible devastation that could occur while she was away. Valuables had been safely hidden and stowed away, rules were laid out for Grace, and with that, her mum left, we had the place to ourselves.
Kayla immediately went over to the speakers and hooked up her playlist to it, the bell rang not moments later. Grace went to answer it, “Hi Jess, glad you could make it.” Grace smiled and the two of them leaned in for a soft kiss, Jess had brought flowers which Grace took over to the kitchen to put into an appropriate vase, finding a good place to display it.
The others all knew Jess by now, Grace and her had been official for over a month by this point, which we were happily updated with through Grace most days at Eden.
At 10 pm most of the guests had arrived and were happily partying, sprawled about various rooms, there was not yet any sign from Ryan or the rest of the band, I sent Ryan a text,
Y/N:
“Party’s started, will you be here in time?”
Ryan:
“Sorry, work stuff, we’ll be there before midnight, I promise.”
My stomach churned in anxiety that he wouldn’t make it, I had built the moment up in my head for so long that I started fearing for it all crumbling around me. I gripped my phone to my chest when I felt a pat on my shoulder.
“You okay?”
“Dallon!” I gave him a hug, I never would have known we would become such good friends, “I was beginning to think you’d bailed for one of your work parties.” I nudged him.
“Wouldn’t miss it, it’s good to see you– you know, outside of small coffee shops and music studios.”
“You too.” I smiled again before offering him a drink. Dallon helped himself to a glass of champagne and offered me a sip. Grace’s mum really hadn’t cheaped out, it tasted slightly sweet but still fragrantly alcoholic with a light fizz that tickled my tongue.
While Grace was stressing herself out trying to make sure people behaved, Kayla urged her to relax, I found the others and suggested we move to the garage to start the party of our own. Grace seemed so dishevelled and let out a deflated, ‘Sure, why not.’
We sat around on our makeshift get up with Dallon sat next to me looking incredibly awkward.
“Who’s that?” Kayla asked me, pointing at Dallon but not addressing him.
Unfazed Dallon spoke for himself, “Dallon. I was um… in the band Resident Vagabonds.” He hoped this might get some kind of a reaction out from Kayla, who instead opted to follow up with an additional question, now posed directly to Dallon,
“What happened?”
“I didn’t sign.”
“Well you must feel really dumb now!” Kayla laughed, Dallon was tensing up. I shot Kayla a look to tell her to stop being so rude and she let it go, after a moment of additional laughter.
A welcome interruption came in the form of the doorbell ringing, which was odd since the front door was wide open. I went with Dallon to see who was at the door, as we both wanted to avoid Kayla's rude prying.
I saw from down the hall the band was standing by the front door, with Ryan at the front. I pushed past everyone to go and greet them, but stopped when I noticed shuffling in the bushes. “Guys come inside!” I shouted from behind a sea of people. A sea which very quickly parted when they realised who had just walked in. The loud murmuring of people talking turned to hushed whispers. I beckoned them to follow me as I hid them in the garage, closing the door quickly behind me, hoping no one noticed.
Finally I embraced Ryan, “You made it!” I exclaimed.
He kissed my shoulder as he continued to hold me tight, “Told you I would.”
Now with the rest of the band here Dallon was given the welcoming atmosphere that he deserved. Kayla set up some drinking games, and the others just grabbed drinks without intending to need a game in order to convince them to get drunk.
We all sat around in a sort of circle formation, drinks in hand or resting on the floor, all off in our own little conversations. I was busy being dazzled by Ryan when Kayla insisted we play a game of truth or drink, which we all begrudgingly agreed to.
“Okay, I’ll start us off,” Kayla said, as if we expected anything different, “Dallon, Do you regret not signing to join the band?” It seemed she couldn’t quite let this fact go, Dallon seemed more annoyed that she hadn’t remembered watching him on stage perform with the others.
“No, I don’t. I’m really happy at my position in the label, I’m learning a lot about music producing and have plans on recording my own stuff in the future, I’m not looking for a band where I have to run my ideas through a bunch of other people, I want to have full creative freedom.” Everyone seemed satisfied at Dallons answer, apart from Kayla who seemingly was hoping to hear something a little more juicy, “Okay my turn then, Jon, how many girls have you hooked up with since starting touring?”
Jon flushed as we all looked at him, before grabbing his drink and taking a hefty swig. Spencer gasped in disbelief, “Dude we share a tour bus! Gross!” Spencer stuck out his tongue in disgust. The rest of us all laughed.
“Grace, who’s that girl sitting next to you?” Jon asked, seeming to misunderstand how truth or drink worked, or maybe it was because he had already drunk too much tequila.
Grace looked to her side at Jess, “Jess, my girlfriend.” Grace beamed as Jess placed her arm around her.
Spencer and Jon looked stunned, “Grace is gay?” They both asked in surprise, to the tune of now more raucous laughter as the rest of us realised no one had ever told them. Jon looked at everyone laughing and clarified, “What? I just thought they were good friends.”
“And they were roommates.” joked Lucy, followed by more laughter which Jon and Spencer now joined in on.
“I guess that makes it my turn?” Grace asked, not quite sure herself, “Spencer, what’s been the worst thing about being on tour?”
“Finding out that Jon has been bringing chicks back to the bus.” Spencer joked, “Okay no let me think of a real one, how about, the paparazzi and the tabloids, god I will never get used to that camera flash." I looked at Ryan nervously, he held me tighter in his arms to comfort me. “Y/N, Do you still play keyboard?”
I smiled, “Yeah, I’ve learnt every one of your songs on the keyboard, I think Dallon and Jon can both attest to that.”
“Yeah, she won’t stop texting me about chord progressions.” Jon moaned.
Spencer looked to Dallon and he nodded his head in agreement, “We’ve been meeting every week, Y/N’s actually good at the keyboard now, you’d be impressed.”
Ryan looked at me, surprised and proud, “How come you never told me?” He asked, squeezing my side lovingly.
“We never had the time.”
It was approaching midnight, everyone shuffled out into the living room to join the rest of the party for the countdown. Ryan and I stayed back and sat alone together on the garage sofa. He held my wrist when I went to walk out with the others, “Let’s make time now.” Ryan suggested sweetly. I sat back down next to him and the garage door closed, the sounds of cheering still heard through the cracks in its frame.
“I’ve missed you.” Ryan said.
“I know, I’ve missed you too."
“No, I’m not done. I think you should come with us, on tour. You can study online like I am and be at all our shows. You could play keyboard!” Ryan was getting excited at the idea, he held my hands, more seriously now, “I can’t stand to be away from you again, two months was hard enough.”
“I don’t think that’s your call to make, it’s not so simple Ryan.” I caressed his face with my hand, tucking his hair behind his ear.
10
9
“I can make it happen, but only if you want to.” Ryan looked into my eyes deeply, “Please say you want to.”
5
4
“I– I do.”
2
1
As the countdown ended Ryan pulled me into a sweet kiss, the sweetness of the mixer with the strength of the alcohol lacing his tongue as I took in the sweet nectar of the boy I had grown to love so deeply. The one who wore a dorky fedora on the first day of College, the one I swore I didn’t want to have anything to do with. He would be the one to change my life.
I had no sleep. We stayed up all night partying and drinking, after it had ended, Ryan came with me calling someone to escort us to my dorm so I could pack up my things. Dallon had taken the liberty of talking to various managers about the idea as he was the only one who remained sober, and he had arguably much more knowledge on the music business than a then-sleeping Jon. It could have counted as a crime, if Jon had been at all mad at the news upon waking up, instead in his half-drunk state he nearly kissed Dallon, only missing his lips by a few centimetres.
I didn’t get to say goodbye to the others, they were all sleeping when the time came for me to leave. Cameras flashed as I was spotted once more loading my suitcase into the back of the band's van.
A Budding Romance Turns Professional! Mystery Girl Y/N Joins Resident Vagabonds on Tour as NEW LEAD KEYBOARDIST
After an eventful trip back for the Resident Vagabonds, they came back from their little holiday with a souvenir, the very girl spotted with lead guitarist Ryan Ross has joined the band as their keyboardist. We hope this happy couple don’t have any lovers quarrels, as it has been announced that Y/N Y/LN will be joining Ryan to write lyrics for their next upcoming album.
Fans are loving the music scenes hottest new couple as the two of them are electric on stage together! Also in the works, Y/N recently released a statement announcing future publication of an upcoming novel, bound by a local company started in LA by a family of authors she has been found saying she met by chance at a book fair back in October of last year. What can’t she do!
The Music Worlds latest star shines bright, and we can’t wait to see where her path will take us!