It's a One Shot Thing

Alex Gaskarth is known as a wild party goer and a playboy wherever he goes. One night, he took it too far and almost caused him his career as a musician and his reputation. He uncouthly caused chaos in a club with media and press present to record everything and have it out in tabloids the following day. The band manager finally made the decision to give this troubled rock star a week of therapy to help him cope with his personal problems and so he would wake up from his disastrous life.

“I am not fucking crazy!” Alex yelled in the room after the manager informed him of the week long therapy

“Come on man. It doesn’t mean you’re crazy. Maybe you just need someone to help you… like professionally” Jack tried to calm down his best friend

“I can talk to you guys” Alex said

“As you remember, we have tried talking to you a lot of times man. It just doesn’t work.” Rian sighed

“We can’t help you. You need someone more trained to sort your problems out. We don’t even know why you act like that” Zack added

“I mean, partying is not bad Alex but too much of it is bad. I am done with all the calls from clubs all over the country trying to suck money out of me to pay all the damages you cause their property in a night of destructive partying” their manager interjected and motioned Alex to sit down

“I am not fucking crazy” Alex found himself repeat to himself, probably convincing himself of the hidden truth in it

“You’re not man. You just need a little more help” Jack patted Alex’s shoulder and gave him a brotherly smile

"You're old already Alex. You're not a teenager anymore. You should learn how to control yourself and act like a man, not a boy" Their manager pointed out "Maybe this therapy will help you just a little bit to get some maturity in your head"

Alex had never thought that he would ever go to a psychologist and have a real session. Maybe he did take it too far this time. The thing is, he just can’t stop himself from partying. Maybe it is his bad habit… as what others called it. He slowly walked to the room wherein his manager told him to go into. He just stood outside trying to prepare himself for the worst. He still can’t believe that he is actually having therapy for excessive partying He counted to ten in his head then he finally turned the knob to open the door.

As expected he saw a small table with sofas all around it. He also spotted the long sofa always seen in movies whenever someone is being talked to by a psychologist. He never thought he would see one this close. Maybe he really was crazy already. He sighed and tried to look for anyone in the room.

“Oh, hey, sorry, I am not yet ready. You can just sit there for a while” he heard a female’s voice come out from the slightly opened door.

Maybe it was the private room of the doctor here. Alex obediently sat down and continued examining the place. He was gonna come here for a week and if something goes wrong, the week can be extended. He told himself to behave well and get this over with just so his one week therapy wouldn’t lead to a month of hell.

The door opened and revealed an unbelievingly beautiful lady. Alex couldn’t believe his eyes. Is this person his therapist or something? He stared at her in awe and tried to not look so amazed seeing her.

“Sorry about that. So… you are…” the lady trailed off, trying to read his papers “Alexander William Gaskarth?’ she finished, probably finally spotting his name

“Y-yeah” Alex said softly, looking at how this girl was so gorgeous.

“Hi. I am Peyton, your therapist for this week” she smiled and looked down to read his papers

Her lashes were long and she didn’t have any sign of blemish in her face. Alex carefully looked at her face as she read his papers. He couldn’t help but stare in amazement. Maybe this therapy would turn out great after all. And, she told him her name, not the sir name but her name. It was like they were friends or something.

“You play in a band? All time low?” she asked and unexpectedly looked up at him smiling

Alex usually isn’t dazed by girls but this girl was surely dazzling him big time. Her smile took him off guard causing him to smile awkwardly and chuckle softly.

“Yup. I do. I am the vocalist” he answered trying to regain his composure

“That’s nice. You know, I have never been in a concert in my whole life yet” she laughed “But you must always be in one every day of your life right?”

“Yeah. Everyday indeed” was all Alex can say. Her laugh sounded so heavenly. It doesn’t sound like those squeaky kinds of laughs girls at parties usually do.

“I see that you like partying huh?” she smiled

“Yup. I mean, that is all I can do when we’re on break” he unexpectedly answered honestly.

This girl just makes him feel comfortable and relaxed. She didn’t even have a board with papers on it. She isn’t writing anything like therapists in movies do. It was like talking to a friend except he just met her now.

“Oh really? Wow. Don’t you visit your family when you’re on break?’ she asked

“Yeah I do but I don’t stay in Maryland for long. The guys and I usually fly back to L.A or go to Vegas. Basically, we’re everywhere. Sometimes I also can’t stay home the entire break because we also have some side jobs like guestings in shows and all that. I still stay with the band even if we are on break” he explained

“Oh. So even though you’re on break, you’re still in essence… working?” she clarified

“Yeahp. That’s it” he nodded

“You think you want like a real break?”

“Maybe. I mean, I like my work. I don’t have any problem about it”

“Of course you do.” She flashed him her bright smile again

The session continued on like that. It was like she was just getting to know him and vice versa. He wasn’t the only one sharing stuff about himself. She also drops some little trivia’s about herself. It didn’t feel like a therapy to Alex to be honest. In fact, he didn’t notice that they were on it for three long hours already. He expected it to be like hell but it did feel good. He was able to share something about himself to someone else. Maybe he would like the week long therapy after all. It was also a bonus that the girl was pretty and easy to talk to.

In the next session, Alex decided to bring out the big guns and try to lure Peyton to notice him in a not patient kind of way. He carefully chose what he would wear for that session and told himself to act nice for he knows that Peyton is no ordinary girl. She deserves his respect that he usually doesn’t give to common girls that he meets. He was honesty excited to go to their session and talk more with her. He hurriedly opened the door and sat on the sofa.

“You’re early today again Alex” he heard her heavenly voice as she came out the same room as before. “Are you naturally an early bird?” she asked amused while sitting on the sofa in front of him

“Uhm, I like being early actually” he answered trying to cover the real reason he was early. He never bothered to check the time. He was too excited. They started the session and as usual, it went well.

“So, you said you have had a lot of girlfriends already especially after your band achieved popularity?” she asked

“Yeah. A handful actually” he smiled

“You did feel love or affection for them?” she asked again

Alex just looked at her ashamed of the answer in his head. None of them were serious to him. All of them were either just a fling or a one night stand. It was all about making out or sex.

“You can tell me anything Alex. I won’t judge you for whatever you tell me. I just hope you don’t lie because-“

“I won’t lie to you. Of course not” Alex found himself cutting her. He would never ever lie to this girl. She is the only person he can be honest to so why would he ruin that?

“Okay. I know you won’t. I trust that you won’t” she nodded to him

“Well, to be honest, a lot of them were flings. Nothing was serious at all” he said

“Oh. I see.” She nodded to him again

“How about you?” he asked. He started this thing that whenever she asked him questions, he would ask something back. Usually he would ask something different to her but he also wanted to know about her love life,

“What about me?” she inquired

“Any boyfriend at present?” he asked boldly

“Hmm. None at present” she shook her head

“But… you are open to suitors?”

“Yeah of course. Every girl would want to be loved and to give her love to someone right?” she smiled to him

All Alex can do was smile at her. Maybe he had a chance with her. From that moment on, he decided to go for it and try a few tricks he has done to get girls go out with him.

The next session, he brought some snacks and he also tried to be funny. Jokes always get into girls. As other people say, you have a good chance with the girl when you have at least made her smile once or twice. He successfully made her laugh and smile a lot on that session.

A few days passed and their talks became more personal. They also shared more stories about each other. He found out that Peyton isn’t much of a party goer compared to him. She also doesn’t drink too much unlike him. She only drinks socially but not a hardcore drinking session which he usually does that usually is the reason for the chaos he causes in clubs.

“You know. If you like drinking too much, you should try to drink like when you’re at home and not in clubs especially when you’re alone. Maybe that’s why you always cause trouble in clubs you go to. It’s not entirely your fault actually. You usually are not in the right state of mind” she said matter of factly

“Yeah, I know but who can I go with in clubs? Usually people are too busy” he said

“As I said, you can always drink at home. Drink as much as you want. At least you’ll be home and you can just lay smack on your bed when you’re drunk. You wouldn’t wake up in random places with random girls and you wouldn’t cause any trouble in clubs any longer” she smiled

Alex was honestly thinking about her suggestion. He told her about all the random one night stands he had wherein he doesn’t even remember the name of the girl and how they got into that place he woke up in. he told her how he didn’t really want those situations but he also told her how alcohol controls him when he is drunk. She indeed gave him a good suggestion.

“Maybe I would try that, seriously. Drinking at home can be fun I guess” he nodded

“If you just wanna drink maybe you can just stay at home but going out and drinking in clubs at times is good too’ she smiled

“I definitely will do that” he said

“Can you promise me that you will try to control yourself whenever you drink in clubs?”

“Of course. Starting today, I’ll drink moderately to avoid one night stands and disturbing behavior” he laughed

“That’s good. I wouldn’t want you to risk your life. You never know when a person might just snap at a drunken person like you usually are”

“You’re worried about me huh?” he smirked at her

She laughed and shook her head

“Of course I am Alex. We are friends now right?”

His smile faded a bit as she said this. They were only friends.

“Yeah of course. We are friends” he stated

“You’re really a nice guy. I even think we can be good friends even after this week of therapy you’re having, you’re a really nice guy to talk to when you’re sober” she joked

Alex’s face lit up and looked up at her

“Really? We can still talk even after this week?” he asked happily

“Of course. Why not?” she smiled at him

“That’s great!” he shouted and jumped around the place

“Whoa there. I think we have a five year old in the room” she said amused with how Alex was acting. Alex was really relieved that he can still talk to her even after the sessions they are having. He really does like her and he would love to try to ask her out soon.

“So, man how’s therapy?” Zack and the others asked Alex when they all met up in Alex’s place

“Good. It’s all good’ Alex answered thinking about Peyton

“Wow. That’s an unusual answer from you” Rian commented

“I think he has a thing with his therapist” Jack muttered

“Oh, is that the girl you were saying…uhm, that pretty girl?” Rian tried to recall from their previous conversations

“She’s really nice, I think… I think I might really like her, seriously” Alex found himself tell his friends

“Shit. Alex likes someone. That’s abnormal” Jack whispered

“Whoa there man. You must really fancy her” Zack added

“I do. I really do” Alex said honestly

“Wow. That’s all I can say.” Rian said

“So, no more one night stands or girl hunting for you huh?” Jack asked

“No more man. I am changed now. I will master the art of moderate drinking” Alex said proudly

“Now that’s taking it too far dude” Jack joked and smacked Alex’s back

“I am serious!” Alex told his friends

“Yeah right” they all said at the same time

“Fine, prove it then” Zack dared Alex

“How?” Alex said confidently

“Party with us tonight.” Jack interjected

“I don’t think I can do that yet. Our manager migh-“

“Oh, No man, no buts. You have to prove it to us or else we won’t believe you” Rian said

“Yeah” the others responded

“Fine. I’ll prove it to all of you. It’s not that hard” Alex said feeling pressured

The four guys immediately went to the nearest club after their deal. They danced and drunk but it seemed like Alex wasn’t gonna budge. He had serious control with himself. This can be something good or something frightening because Alex Gaskarth never leaves a club without having a drink… lots of it. It may only take a few more minutes before he goes back to how he was before. He felt so tempted with all the drinks around and all the slutty girls seducing him.

“Hey, what’s up with you tonight? You seem out of your element/” a blonde girl said sitting on his lap

“Oh. Uhh, I just don’t feel like-“the girl didn’t even let him finish the sentence and instead stopped him in the middle of it by kissing him straight on the lips.

Alex was taken off guard which made him push the girl away from him.

“What is up with you? Not too adventurous tonight eh?” the girl asked him touching him all over

“Please. I don’t wanna-“

“Come on, you know you want to” the girl seductively whispered to him

The girl was tempting him too much that a part of him wanted to go for it but of course a bigger part of him wanted to keep his promise to Peyton. He didn’t want to break a promise he made to a girl he actually wanted to be with.

“I am sorry. I gotta go now” he said standing up and pushing the girl away from him for the nth time

“You are such a joy killer tonight Alex” the unknown girl sighed to him

“I am sorry. I am not that guy anymore. Tell the other I left already” he said as he walked to the nearest exit he spotted

After stepping out the club, Alex actually felt good about himself. He felt proud that he was able to overcome all the temptations... the alcohol, the girls and most definitely, sex.

He quickly went straight home and prepared himself to tell his story to Peyton. He was sure she would be proud of him as well.

Alex Gaskarth slept soundly that night, not expecting what was coming for him the following day.

“Alex wake up, right now!” Alex heard his manager yell at him

“What now?” he asked grudgingly

“What the hell is this? Care to explain?” Alex felt his manager throw him pieces of paper which felt like newspapers.

He opened his eyes and looked at what lay in front of him. His eyes almost bulged out of his sockets when he saw himself and the girl form last night. The catch was it was a snapshot of them kissing.

“What the fuck?” he exclaimed

“Don’t tell me that. You have to explain why you were in a club last night when I strictly instructed you to not be in one anytime soon. We are still trying to make the other club scandal subside and now we have another one.” His manager said angrily

“I… this is all taken out of context. It’s all exaggerated. She kissed me”

“I don’t care about the girl Alex. You can date any girl you want but see, if you were in a club that means you were drunk too. Here I am trying to save your reputation but there you are drinking your ass off!”

“In all honesty, I wasn’t drunk at all”

“Yeah, he wasn’t drunk. He didn’t drink anything alcoholic actually” Jack defended him as he went in the room with the other three

“Oh, well that’s not what the tabloid says. And that’s what most people believe and read” their manger said with aggravation

Hearing the last part of what their manager said sent panic to Alex.

“Most people believe and read it.”

“Oh shit. I have to go” he stood up immediately and grabbed a jacket to wear.

“Where the hell are you going? We aren’t through with this yet!” his manager yelled after him but he ignored it for now.

Alex had to go to Peyton and explain himself before things get out of hand. He ran straight to her building where they have their sessions. He didn’t even have time to change. He was still wearing his sleeping clothes only he had a jacket to cover some of it. He opened the door despite of Peyton’s secretary’s attempt to stop him.

“Peyton!” he called out to her but there was no one around.

He decided to go in her private room in the office. He hasn’t been in there himself but it was urgent for him to talk to her. And, low and behold he saw her sitting on a chair, reading the same newspaper his manager threw to him early this morning.

“I… I can explain” was all he said as he saw her scanning it

“You don’t have to Alex. The paper says it all. You promised me but you broke it. This picture is a proof” she sternly said pointing at the picture of him and the girl kissing

“You don’t understand. She kissed me” Alex explained

“Oh. Yeah. Of course. She kissed you. That is such an overrated reason already Alex. You don’t expect me to believe that” she said blankly “You were in a club which means you drank. One piece of advice, don’t promise anything you can’t fulfill”

“No, I wasn’t drunk at all! I didn’t drink!” Alex defended himself.

“Oh, right. So you kissed this girl and you were sober the whole time?” she asked

Alex couldn’t believe how everything was being misunderstood and how things are getting out of hand. It was all exaggerated in the paper and Peyton was interpreting it all wrong.

“No, it’s not like that-“

“Sorry Alex. I can’t listen to this now. I am afraid we can’t have this last session anymore. Here are your papers and my assessment in your case. I can’t believe I wrote that conclusion about your behavior but what the hell. I was fooled” she said bitterly and stood up to walk out the room

Alex read the papers she handed to him. He was amazed how Peyton believed in him and how she defended him with all the scandals he was involved in. she basically found a valid reason for every misbehavior he had done in the past.

In conclusion, as the therapist of Mr. Alexander William Gaskarth, I have observed that the reasons for his misbehaviors are all out of lack of control which I am sure everyone is guilty of. The only thing he has to work on is how to control himself and drink moderately so as to avoid causing any more trouble in clubs or in any place at all.

She believed in him when everyone was doubting and judging him. Alex realized that he just lost a very special girl that would have been his first serious relationship. He couldn’t accept it that he was going to lose her for a false assumption. But, for this time, he just can’t do anything about it. Anything he does might just make things worst. He decided to let the storm past first and let the heat cool down before he does anything.

A few months passed and things were quite normal again, at east for the rest of the band and Alex’s reputation. The whole issue was cleared out already and everything was explained appropriately. As for Alex and Peyton, not much. She and he haven’t had any contact since that day in her office. Alex was scared of talking to her and being sent away again. He was waiting for himself to gain enough confidence to come talk to her.

“Hey man. You still haven’t talked to her eh?’ Zack asked him as he sat beside Alex

“Nope’ he answered lowly

“You know we are really sorry for dragging you in the club in the first place. We knew it was forbidden but we still lured you to come with us” Rian said as he sat beside Zack

“That’s alright. You guys have apologized lots of times and I will say the same thing over and over again. It’s all good” Alex smiled to all of them

“It’s bad news that we caused the breakdown between you and that chick. We didn’t even get a chance to meet her” Jack butted in

All Alex could do was laugh it off and try to forget about how he lost the only person he was willing to respect and be with badly. The only girl who cleaned up his mess and gave him confidence to start anew.

“Come on, let’s go out of this bus and go around town. We haven’t been here in a while” Jack cheered and opened the bus door at once

“Yeah come on guys” Zack said and the four of them went out to walk around

They passed the building where he used to have therapy with Peyton. He can’t help but wonder if she still worked there. What if he paid her a visit? Will she get mad and send him away again? All he can do was ask these questions to himself. He was still scared to go up the building. He’s afraid to get rejected by the girl he almost loved. They walked passed it and as they did, Alex saw a familiar brunette girl walking in front of them. He knew the color shade too much to have mistaken it for someone else. He knew it was her and she is walking just a few feet away from them. He can’t believe it.

Alex didn’t even think anymore. He took his chance and walked swiftly to her. He could hear his friends call out to him but he couldn’t care less. All he cared about was catching her and talking to her. He finally caught up and grabbed her arm to see her face. He couldn’t help but smile as he saw her beautiful face look up to him.

“Alex” was all she said as she glanced back to him

“Peyton.” He said back

“What… what are you doing here?” she questioned

“Tour just ended and we are back again. I thought I saw you and I was correct.” He explained

She just nodded

“Peyton… I just… wanted to talk to you” he said shyly

“About what?’ she asked

“About… you know, the paper” he answered

She unexpectedly laughed

“Oh, Alex, that’s all good already. I was just disappointed that you broke your promise but then after a few days, I got over it already.”

“Really? No hard feelings?” he asked hopefully

“Yeah sure. I mean, who am I to be mad at you right? I am just your therapist” she said

This hit Alex like a knife because she wasn’t just a therapist to him. She was something way more than that.

“Right. Of course” he replied

“Are you okay?” she asked him

“Yea- no actually I am not.” He answered

“Why? What’s wrong? I mean, I forgive you already” she said

“You were mad just because I broke the promise? Nothing more? No other reason?” he asked expecting her to say she was also mad because of the picture

“Ye-yeah’ she said softly avoiding his eyes

“I am really not okay now. I think I am gonna be sick” he sighed

“Why? Did I do something wrong?” she asked, still avoiding eye contact

“No. it’s just… Pey, can you look at me?” he said finding it hard to talk to her when she was looking down

She didn’t budge. She continued looking down.

He sighed and decided to go for it. This was his last chance. It’s either he gets it all or loses it all. He was willing to take the risk.

“Pey, I am feeling sick because… because…” he can’t seem to get it out so he followed his instinct and kissed her straight on the lips.

She jumped as a reaction to this unexpected move. He pulled away immediately and looked at her reaction. She was blushing badly.

“I feel sick because you were mad at me for breaking that promise. You weren’t mad because you were jealou-“

“I was jealous” Peyton suddenly interjected

“You were… you were?” he asked

“Yes. I was. The picture just… I don’t know. Maybe that was the one that made me realize…. Realize my feelings.” She muttered

“Feelings? What feelings?”

“My feelings for you. It wasn’t just friendship. It was something more. I mean, after hearing all your stories and getting to know you more, I… I don’t know. I was liking you a bit more each day I talked to you”

Alex laughed

“I feel the same. I do like you Peyton. I have never wanted a girl this bad in my life. I was so devastated when you were mad at me. I didn’t know what to do. I wanted to talk to you so bad but I am such a coward to do that sort of thing” he explained

“I am a coward to admit my true feelings too” she laughed

“So… does this mean… we like each other, so…? “

“So what? She smiled at him

“And I kissed you.” He added

“So?”

‘Does this mean we can… date?’ he asked hopefully

She looked straight to him

“Are you asking me out Gaskarth? She grinned

“Oh... Well. I guess I am. And, this is an offer you can’t resist” he pointed out feeling lucky today.

Peyton was about to respond when Jack cut her.

“Oh man, is she the chick you have been feeling down about these\past few months? She is pretty” Jack’s loud voice came

Peyton smiled evilly at Alex and threw him a questioning look.

“Oh. Uhm, guys, this is Peyton. Peyton, meet All Time Low” Alex said awkwardly completely ignoring Jack’s question

“Hey” the guys all greeted her with smiles on their faces

“So, since Jack wanted to go around, we will go now” Zack said, trying to drag Jack away from them and stopping him from throwing Peyton any more embarrassing questions.

“So, am I the reason for your feeling down lately?” Peyton turned to Alex after the guys left

“Uhm, well, you know, we can talk about this over lunch” Alex smirked at her and grabbed her hand as they both walked… each starting a new beginning and forgetting about all the bad memories of the past in order to change for the better.

Alex Gaskarth was a mess but there came a girl who fixed everything and cleaned him up to be a better person.