Before It's Over

"Surprise!" The boys yelled from their scattered places amongst the car.

They were all turned back to face me and the smiles they wore on their faces were genuine. A bit stunned, I pulled Shane's phone away from my ear and let my mouth hang open. When I composed myself, I let out a joyful shriek and climbed over the two rows of seating to embrace all of the guys.

Aiden was first. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him close to me. He laughed into my shoulder and patted my back in a brotherly manner. Adam was next. His hug was gentler and he pulled away quickly. Ross was eagerly awaiting my embrace in the front seat. I laughed at his excited expression before leaning forward and wrapping my arms around him. We held each other for a while before giggling and leaning away from each other. Shane's arms engulfed me next. His hug was the shortest, but I wasn't disappointed.

"Thank you guys so much!" I said as I leaned back in the seat between Aiden and Adam.

I had always wanted to visit Disneyland since I was a little girl. There was something so appealing about the magic that seemed to come from that place. However, my parents were not big on traveling out of state, so I never went. Aiden and Ross knew I had always wanted to go, so it was only logical to think that this was their idea.

"Wait a sec," I said just as a thought occurred to me. "How are we paying for this?"

"Mom and Dad," Aiden answered. "We knew you'd always wanted to go. Since we were going to pass through, they offered to fund our trip."

"This is amazing! Oh gosh, I have to call them and thank them! I need to get dressed too! And I probably smell horrible!"

"Whoa, Ave, calm down," said Ross as he pulled back out onto the road. "We have a hotel room up the road."

"Jeeze. This day keeps getting better."

;;

Two hours and five showers later, the boys and I loaded into the van again. Ross was still driving, but this time I took shotgun. The other three boys sat behind us in the first row of seating. Ross parked in a lot a few blocks away from the park and we walked the rest of the way to the entrance. I could barely hold in my excitement. I hopped my way into the entrance, slid my ticket into the machine and hurried the boys through as quickly as possible.

We spent the whole day in the park. Ross made it a necessity that we all ride every attraction in the park. That plan, however, fell through when Shane refused to go on It's a Small World. Aiden even let loose a little; enough to buy everyone a churro. If you know Aiden, you know he's not a very generous person when it comes to treats. The only down side to the trip was the heat. It was hot enough outside the park, but with thousands of people walking around on a black top it seemed intensified. Everyone was quite happy when the sun went down and it was time for the end of the day fireworks show.

"Does anybody else feel like they left their feet in Frontierland?" asked Ross as we all took our seats on the pavement in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle.

"Oh, yeah. I think they might even have fell off back in Fantasyland," I said, rubbing the top of my shoe.

I rested my head on Ross' slumped shoulder and let out a tired sigh. Soon, an ominous voice came from seemingly invisible speakers scattered about the park and the fireworks show began.

"Everyone enjoy this," said Aiden. "Because after we leave, we're grown ups again."

Ross let out a groan and I laughed at him tiredly before turning my attention back to the fireworks show.

The show didn't last long, which disappointed more than Ross. As it ended the five of us stood from our spots on the pavement and began the trek back to the entrance of the park. As I walked, I felt as though I was back at Warped Tour, weaving my way through the crowds of teens and adults. I was lightly bumped and shoved and jostled, but not enough to annoy me. I was too tired to notice.

Finally we were out of the park and back in the van. The ride back to the hotel was silent due to everyone's exhaustion, and when we finally reached the hotel everyone practically fell out of the van. We stumbled our way through the parking lot and through the glass doors of the hotel. We reached the elevator and Ross pressed the button hastily. It took a few moments for the elevator to reach the first floor. Enough moments, in fact, to give Kyle Burns time to show up next to me.

"Avery!" he said excitedly.

His loud greeting caused a collective groan to erupt from the band and Aiden. I let out a tired sigh and rubbed my face with her palms.

"I didn't know you were staying in this hotel!" Kyle's voice had softened but the excited tone remained.

"Yeah," I said. "I didn't know you were."

As I spoke the elevator dinged and the metal doors slid open. Kyle, me, and the rest of the boys shuffled into the elevator. It was a tight squeeze and my arm was touching Kyle's.

"Are you staying the night or heading out? The guys and I were just loading back up to leave," he said.

I was surprised when I felt no sigh of relief wanting to escape from my lungs. Instead I felt my stomach drop in an unpleasant way. I felt my face contort into an expression of confusion so I shook my head and tried to look tired again.

"We're heading out in the morning," Ross spoke up.

"Oh, we've never been introduced," said Kyle, looking about at the four other boys in the elevator.

Kyle introduced himself and the other boys gave him their respective names. They judged Kyle quietly. All of the boys, apart from Aiden, had been trying to get me a boyfriend since the band was formed. Kyle seemed to be reaching for the same goal and they noticed.

The doors to the elevator opened to the 10th floor and Kyle stepped out of the elevator, my arm brushing his chest in the process. He offered a goodbye to the boys and I, then, with one last glance at my exhausted form, he started down the hall.

The elevator doors closed and the metal box was lifted up another story. The doors opened at the group filed out. Ross and I headed to the left and Adam, Shane, and Aiden started straight down the hallway and into their room. Ross and I had a bit longer of a walk until we reached their hotel room. When we finally entered we both collapsed onto our own beds and let a simultaneous sigh.

"He so likes you, Ave." Ross whispered loud enough for me to hear.

"Don't harass me now, Ross. I'm tired," I responded, turning onto my side and snuggling into my pillow.

"What have you got against him? He seems nice."

"Travis said he's a flirt."

"And how long have you known Travis? Maybe he's a flirt too."

"He's not. Besides, Ross, I'm on tour. I need to focus on that, not on boys."

Ross turned onto his side, toward me, and leaned his head on his hand.

"Tour should be fun, Ave. Give Kyle a chance. At least be his friend, even though eventually he'll want more."

I didn't answer; I merely stood and walked into the bathroom to shower and change. When I emerged, freshly clean and clad in pajamas, Ross was snoring lightly on his bed.