Once a Fragile Design

I swear Tim woke me up at the crack of dawn to sit in the front lounge just to yawn. I drank coffee and watched Tim type away on the computer. He has yet to make me do something and it’s been two hours. “Tim, are you just wasting my time or am I going to be useful on this grounding?” My voice held irritation as Tim peered over his computer.

“You can organize these bills for me by date.” I felt my jaw drop as he handed me a stack of bills. They were all out of order. I groaned finding the earliest date I could and making a pile for it. I yawned again and figured this could only get worse.

One by one everyone on the bus woke up as I organized things for Tim. I was on my fifth cup of coffee and I started to become wired. I felt someone sit next to me, an arm around my shoulders and I turned to see a sleepy Kennedy next to me. I smiled kissing his cheek softly before putting the file I had in my hand in its respective pile.

“Morning prisoner and person who put her in prison,” Kennedy smiled cheekily towards Tim who just rolled his eyes.

“She’s the one who yelled at a fan, that’s bad business and judgment.”

“But she was just helping out a friend,” Kennedy pointed out but Tim just sighed.

“You know what you’re saying is pointless. She’s on grounding and that’s final, I have to have some authority.” Kennedy pouted looking at me while doing so and I shrugged.

“Come on bro, it’s our day off and I had a great date planned out,” I smiled at the thought of what our date might end up at. I felt excited and I know Kennedy was just as excited.

“Rain check it for the next day off,” I rolled my eyes at Tim’s reply as I took a sip of my coffee.

“Fine,” Kennedy huffed before kissing my cheek softly and going towards the back. A few minutes later I got a text from Kennedy. You will be saved by 5, in the mean time Acey will spend time with you. As soon as I looked up from my phone Acey was walking towards me wearing a white camisole and John’s basketball shorts.

“Hey Rox, Warden,” Acey greeted both Tim and I which I just smile and Tim didn’t. “Okay Mr. Crankypants, don’t have to get your thong in a bunch still. I was kidding.” Tim sighed but said nothing, Acey sat down next to me after grabbing an apple.

“Hi.” I smiled as I put another paper in its pile. I was almost done with the pile Tim gave me. This made me happy.

“So because you and Kennedy can’t go out, John and I can’t go out and I’m hungry for pancakes.” Acey pouted and I cocked my head.

“Why can’t you guys go out?”

“Because everyone has someone they could partner up with and chill with. I mean you and Kenny, John and I, Jared and Pat could go find Rocket or Chicks with Dicks and Versa and then there’s Garrett who can possibly just hang out with Becca.” She said the last part a little louder so Garrett could hear. I watched him stick his hand out of his bunk to flip Acey off.

“Hey, don’t flip my girlfriend off,” John told hitting Garrett’s hand as he walked through the bunk area.

“Oh my sweet prince,” Acey’s voice held sarcasm and I couldn’t help but giggle. John pouted as he sat down on Acey’s lap and took her apple from her. He took a bite then gave it back to her. Acey’s eyes got wide and she began to frown at how large the bite was from John. “Babe!”

“What?”

“This bite is bigger than my damn sister’s. Oh my God, we can never share food now,” Acey pushed John off of him and pulled her legs up to her chest. I just watched as they stared at each other with glares on their faces. They are one childish couple.

“Will you two stop distracting Roxie; she’s doing some important stuff.” John stood up and shrugged.

“She’s putting files in what, alphabetical order then by date? That’s just busy work not important work; you’re doing the important work. You know, you could get an assistant tour manager, like Colussy, and he could plan our days off so we don’t bother you,” John offered with a sly smile. Acey’s eyes widened before shaking her head.

“No. No. The next thing you’ll do is have Tim get some boring ass dude that will make us go to the mall or something. Roxie has never been to Disneyland, will she ever? Not with a boring ass dude.”

“This is why we get someone else to merch, put Rox as tour manager assistant and she says what we do for a day.” This made Acey smile, she looked at me then to Tim who I’m sure was ignoring that whole conversation.

“No. I’m fine. You guys are big kids; you can figure your days off perfectly fine.”

“Yeah but Alex told me that Colussy had them go paint ballin’! I want to go paint ballin’!” John whined and Tim finally looked up to him with a small grimace.

“And you guys hurt yourselves so you can’t play? I mean, after you broke your wrist I was fine because you’re just a singer. But what if Pat breaks a arm and they tell him not to play drums for a while, what will you do? Or if Garrett, Kennedy or Jared break an arm? They can’t possibly play right then, can they?” John just stared at Tim as he carried on complaining about if something bad happens to the band then it’ll look bad on him. “You know, I don’t get how Flyzik can do this sometimes.”

“Can I get a cigarette break?” I asked after he was finished, he rolled his eyes but said yes so I took Acey’s hand and we went outside.

“So John didn’t hear any of what Tim said, his eyes glossed over which mean he was thinking about tacos.” Acey told as shit lit up a cigarette and I did the same.

“How do you know its tacos?”

“He mouthed tacos. He’s honestly a very predictable boy if you’re ranting to him. I mean, I’ve done it so many times and each time he mouths some sort of food and I just slap him.” I couldn’t help but laugh. John is a strange, strange boy.

Becca and Sierra noticed Acey and I outside and approached us. “So did Tim let you off with a slap on the wrist?” Becca asked, Sierra laughed before pulling out her phone to text someone.

“Oh I should tell Kennedy that one, oh my God.”

“Is everyone telling Kennedy about the jail jokes?” I asked obviously lost. Acey, Becca and Sierra nodded.

“Everyone on the tour is basically giving him ideas on how to jail break you and so you can have a date. Honestly, we’re all like ‘this could honestly be a movie.’” Becca explained and Acey laughed.

“Yes, titled ‘Jail Break’ it’s about a young musician who has all of his band mates and everyone else on the OP Tour to help him get his girlfriend out of lockdown. But Warden Tim Kirch is one tough…cookie,” the last word had us all laugh as Acey just stood there confused. “I really just went blank.”

“Yeah but that was good. I think we should send the idea to Hollywood and they could make it a movie then.” I smiled while patting Acey’s shoulder. She shrugged but agreed on our plan. “Do you guys know what he has planned?” I asked in hope that they’d know and each one of them shook their heads.

“We don’t know that information and if we did I don’t think we could tell you,” Sierra offered a sad smile but I shrugged.

“I tried. Oh I see Tim telling me it’s time to go in,” each girl looked up and saw Tim at the front window of the bus staring at us with a frown on his face. “Wish me luck.”

“Good luck!” Sierra and Becca smiled before hugging us and heading back towards their van. Acey and I walked back onto the bus and I went back to my spot and Acey went to go find John. I just hope what ever Kennedy has plan it come soon.

Soon five rolled around and no one was really making any noise. At one point I dressed myself in a pair of dark blue jeans and a long black tank top with my purple hoodie claiming I was bored in my pajamas. I finished my last pile when Kennedy came running up to the front and there was yelling in the back.

“Tim! John and Acey are having a screaming match and Jared and Pat are violently punching each other over the Xbox controller.” I could hear Acey yelling about some girl and John was telling her she was jumping to conclusions. I looked at Kennedy confused, he just winked as Tim ran into the back yelling “What is going on here!?” Kennedy grabbed my hand and pulled me off the bus.

“So that was your plan? Two fights on the bus?” I asked with a laugh as Kennedy smiled.

“Yes, that was my plan all along! John and Acey are really convincing.” Kennedy half smiled confused as I just kissed him softly.

“That’s because Acey made John take Drama with her senior year.” Kennedy laughed mouthing ‘oh’ before kissing me again. “What do you have planned, Brock?” Kennedy shook his head, grabbing my hand and we began walking. I just guessed it’s a surprise so I just walked with him. I was just glad to be off the bus.

Kennedy and I walked down the street into a city I felt so lost in. I never bothered to find out where we were today and this felt so new. I felt so much like a tourist. Kennedy sensed my uncertainty and squeezed my hand. “We’re almost there,” he whispered into my ear and I felt a chill go down my spine. I played it off that it was the weather. It was chilly, where ever we were.

Kennedy smiled as he turned to me in front of a very nice Italian restaurant, I bit my lip feeling a little under dressed but the smile on Kennedy’s face told me he was excited. “So is this where we will be eating?” I asked trying to smile as big as him. He nodded before kissing my forehead.

“I had Acey help pick this out with her,” he paused to put on a very serious face, “extra cool iPhone.” I giggled at how silly he was being and we walked in. I guess Kennedy made reservations before hand because all he did was say “Brock, two” and the waiter took us to our table. It was a little secluded in a dimly lit room. I smiled when Kennedy pulled the chair out for me and helped me sit down before running to his side.

“We’ll have whatever red wine you think is best for a first date,” I felt my jaw drop a little as the host smiled wider than he already was.

“Of course sir! I will be right there and if you need anything, just ask.” He turned away but I heard him mutter, “First date, so cute.” I felt my cheeks grow warm as I reached across the table to slap Kennedy’s hand playfully.

“Are you serious? Wine? God Kenny, you spoil me.” Kennedy just smiled brightly before shrugging.

“I’d do anything for you, Roxie, you know this. I like you a lot, remember?” I nodded smiling from ear to ear before leaning over the table to kiss his lips. The host returned with our waiter, our waiter introduced himself and poured our glasses with dark red wine that smelled delicious from where I sat. He riddled off their specials and handed us our menus.

“Give us a few minutes, please?” I asked the waiter nicely and when he nodded I thanked him. Kennedy and I conversed about random things and he asked about last night. I told him everything minus my talk with Nick. I still felt uneasy after my talk with Nick. I hope this date really changes my mind.

“I think you did the right thing, Rox, you were defending your best friend. You know John didn’t tell us anything, he just went into super bitch mode. He almost fucked up the whole set.” Kennedy placed his hand over mine and I just smiled.

“Thank you.” Kennedy just winked which caused me to roll my eyes and laugh. Our waiter came back and took our orders. It wasn’t long until our food came out and boy was it delicious.

“You might not want to fill up on that or you can’t get any cheesecake,” my eyes widened as Kennedy laughed softly.

“I love cheesecake!”

“I know you do Roxie, that’s why I made sure this place had some.” I bit my lip before laughing. This boy was something else. After we finished eating and I got my cheesecake, Kennedy and I walked around the brightly lit city. I smiled at how beautiful it was.

“This was one amazing date,” I told him as we stopped in front of the bus.

“Hmm, I’m glad,” Kennedy leant down to kiss me softly. Then we heard claps and we turned away blushing like mad to see almost every band and crew clapping for us. I bit my lip as every one had huge smiles on their faces.

“You’re lucky Tim just gave up or you’d be on grounding again,” John told as he came up and put his arms around to two of us.

“We’re glad,” Kennedy mumbled and John just smiled at us.

“Alright everyone, we did great tomorrow we party!” Everyone whooped and yelled before dispersing to our busses. I guess we were about to leave for the next city. I changed into my pajamas before climbing into bed with Kennedy. We kissed before falling asleep. I felt all uncertainty I harbored earlier just wash away. It felt nice.