Carpe Diem

The rest of that day was spent doing absolutely nothing, great isn’t it? Ha-ha. The Hit The Lights losers didn’t leave our house until gone midnight as even though they only lived next door, they refused to leave as they had “tour matters” to sort out, why they couldn’t sort those “matters” out at their own house was beyond me, but that was boys for you. As the day went on I couldn’t help but feel quite optimistic about the tour, I felt like it would be one of those times where I could just truly enjoy myself without a care in the world with the best people around me.
I woke up the next morning to Hayden bursting into my room and running over to me.

“Wake up you lazy shit, we have to go in an hour!” She exclaimed as she pulled the covers off of me.

“I’m awake, no thanks to you!” I mumbled as I turned over the opposite way.

“Don’t make me go and get water to pour over your head.” She warned as she shoved my back.

“Okay, I’m up I’m up!” I groaned as I sat up straight. “Where’s Kade?”

“Collin’s changed him and he’s downstairs” She chuckled.

A wave of guilt washed over me, I should’ve been the one to change him, I know I did it the majority of the time but I felt awful when Collin or Hayden went out of their way to care for Kade when it should be me, always. Well, that’s how I felt.

“I should go and make him breakfast.” I said guiltily as I got up out of bed and threw a hoodie on over my shorts and tank top.

“Taylor you know we’re always here to help, so stop feeling guilty.” She sighed.

“I just feel that I don’t do enough sometimes, it should be me sorting Kade out and getting him ready, not you and Collin going out of your way all the time.”

“Taylor shut up, you do enough already and you need a break sometimes, and we’re more than happy to do it, we love Kade, so stop feeling guilty.”

I sighed and nodded in response.

“Now go and get changed properly woman!” She laughed as she opened up my wardrobe and pulled out a pair of blue skinnies, a long white Hollister shirt and a pair of Chuck Taylor’s, thrusting them into my arms. I laughed and rolled my eyes as she pushed me in the direction of my bathroom.

“I can walk myself, you know!” I laughed.

“I am aware, but you don’t walk fast enough, now get moving!” She exclaimed as she pushed me into my bathroom and shut the door behind me.
I got changed quickly before brushing my teeth and sorting out my hair and applying my usual make-up. I tried to be as fast as I could because I hadn’t seen Kade yet, and seeing him never failed to put a smile on my face. I walked out of the bathroom and tossed my clothes on my bed before making my way across the stairway and down the stairs quickly.

“Mommy!” Kade yelled as I turned the corner into the kitchen to see him sat on Collin’s lap.

“Hey Kid!” I grinned as I rushed over to him and picked him up, spinning him around gently before kissing him on the cheek.

“Collin, I’m sorry I wasn’t down here sooner, I-”

“Taylor shut up, how many times do Hayden and I have to tell you? We love looking after Kade, if we didn’t want to we wouldn’t do it, I don’t want to hear anymore about it, okay?!” He exclaimed.

“Yes boss!” I laughed as I put Kade down into his chair.

“You haven’t fed him, have you?” I questioned.

“Nope, I left that to you.” Collin chuckled.

I winked in response.

“What do you want for breakfast, baby?” I grinned.

“Lucky Charms!” He yelled as he clapped his hands together.

I laughed as I walked over to the cupboard and grabbed the box of Lucky Charms, and then a bowl from another cupboard before pouring the cereal into it. I grabbed a spoon from the draw and walked to the fridge, grabbing the milk out of it and twisting the cap off before pouring it into the bowl.
I walked over to Kade and placed the bowl and spoon down in front of him and kissed his head before carrying the milk carton over to the kitchen counter to make myself a coffee.
I suddenly realised something.

“I can’t come today.” I sighed as I grabbed a mug out of the cupboard and poured myself a cup of coffee.

“Why not?!” Collin exclaimed as he stood up.

“Well I can’t exactly bring Kade.” I sighed as I brought the mug up to my lips and sipped the hot liquid.

“Oh, that’s already sorted, Mrs Parker next door is going to watch him for a while.” Collin smiled.

“You really do think of everything, don’t you?” I laughed as I walked over to him, embracing him in a hug.

“You’d be lost without me.” He said smugly as he wrapped his arms around me tightly.

“As much as your big ego doesn’t need to hear it, that is true.” I smirked as I flicked the back of his head.

“Ow!” He whined as he let go of me and rubbed the back of his head.

“Suck it up, Ross!” I laughed.

“You better watch it, Rubano! Before you’re travelling in a suitcase on tour.” He joked.

“Oh, I’m so scared.” I mocked as I stuck my tongue out.

He laughed in response and flipped me off.

The door burst open once more as David, Omar, Nathan and Nick piled in once more.

“WE HAVE ARRIVED!” David exclaimed as he closed the door behind them.

“No shit, I can see you!” I scoffed as they walked over to us.

“Oh look, you’re wearing more clothes today!” Nathan grinned.

“Oh Nathan, don’t push me.” I playfully glared as I walked up to him.

“Fight! Fight! Fight!” Omar chanted as he clapped his hands.

I smirked and jumped on Nathan, tackling him to the floor.

“Get off me!” He exclaimed as he lightly hit my arms.

“Take it like a man!” I yelled as I repeatedly hit him in the chest.

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” He squealed.

I laughed loudly as I got off of him.

“You’re such a pansy.” I grinned as I outstretched my hand to help him out.

He scoffed as he grabbed my hand and got up.

“I’ll get you back, mark my words!” He grinned evilly.

“I’ll be waiting, VanDame!” I taunted as I slammed my two fists together.

“Okay losers, it’s time to go!” Hayden exclaimed as she ran down the stairs.

I laughed as I walked over to Kade and picked him up out of his chair as he wrapped his arms around my neck.

“Okay well I’m going to take Kade next door, I’ll meet you outside?”

“Sure thing!” Collin smiled as he walked over to Kade and I and ruffled his hair. “Love you, Kade” he grinned.

“Love you!” He giggled.

“Aw!” Nathan cooed as Hayden then walked over to us.

“Bye Kadey! Love you!” Hayden exclaimed as she kissed his cheek.

He grinned and removed his arms from my neck in order to grab hold of her arm with his little hands and pulled her closer before he kissed her cheek. “Love you Aunty Hayden!” he said before he wrapped his arms back around my neck. Kade really was the sweetest kid.

“I’ll be back in a minute.” I grinned as I walked out with Kade as he waved goodbye to everyone.
I walked down the path past the car with Kade in my arms and walked through Mrs Parker’s gate and up the path before knocking on the door.

“Hi Taylor, How are you?” She said as she smiled warmly.

Mrs Parker was the perfect babysitter, she was the type of good hearted person to help anyone out, no matter how small or how big the problem, and she absolutely loved Kade, which made it even better.

“I’m great thank you Mrs Parker, and thank you so much for watching Kade for me.” I smiled.

“It’s no problem at all, you know you’re both always welcome here.” She smiled.

“Thank you, I really appreciate that.” I grinned at her before turning to Kade.

“Be a good boy for Mrs Parker okay kid? I love you.” I smiled as I kissed him on the cheek as he wrapped his arms around my neck tightly as I wrapped my arms around him tighter.

“I love you Mommy!” He exclaimed as he kissed me on the cheek gently and removed his hands from my neck in order for me to hand him over to Mrs Parker.

I handed Kade over as she smiled and wrapped her arms around him securely.

“I’ll be back as soon as I can, I promise.” I said.

“Don’t hurry on my account, take as long as you need.” She smiled as Kade wrapped his arms around her neck.

“Thanks again, Mrs Parker” I said as I kissed Kade on the cheek once more and made my way back down the path and through her gate.

“Bye Mommy!” Kade yelled as he and Mrs Parker both waved at me.

“Bye Kade!” I shouted back as I waved at them, walking back up the path to the car and everyone that was stood around it in our driveway as I heard the door close next door.

“Lets get this show on the road!” Hayden cheered as she opened the door for me to get in. I laughed as I got in, followed by Hayden, Omar, David and Nick whilst Nathan sat shotgun and Collin got into the drivers seat.
The drive to the Fueled By Ramen Ohio headquarters didn’t taken that long luckily, considering we all had to sit and endure Nathan’s non-stop talking, I swear that kid didn’t take a breath. As soon as the car came to a halt we all piled out and made our way up to the revolving door.

“Wow, posh place.” Hayden grinned as she took in the sight in front of her.

I laughed in response. “I couldn’t agree more!”

“It’s weird being here, we usually have to fly to L.A to go to the main Fueled headquarters, we’ve never met anyone here before.” Collin laughed.

“I’m sure it’ll be fine.” I chuckled reassuringly.

As we made our way through the building and up the stairs into the direction we were pointed in I couldn’t help but feel a little nervous, and I wasn’t even part of the band, I guess it was just the part that it was being finalized and that meant I’d definitely be coming face to face with Adam again.
We found ourselves in a rather large room, centred with a big oval shaped table with numerous amounts of chairs around it, as well as a man sat at the far end of it.

“Come in, come in! you must be Hit The Lights.” He smiled as he got up.

“Yes sir that’s us, these two girls here are with us, is it okay if they’re part of this too as they’re coming on tour with us?” Collin asked as he shook the mans hand.

“That’s fine, welcome ladies.” He smiled as he outstretched his hand for us to shake.

We both smiled in response as we shook his hand one at a time before we sat down as he shook Omar’s, David’s, Nathan’s and Nicks before they all chose a chair and sat down around the table.

“Okay well, you’re here to go over details of the tour, correct?” He smiled.

“Yes sir!” Nathan chimed in.

“Okay so, we’ve put you on a three-band tour with Taking Back Sunday and A Rocket To The Moon. The tour will take place over three weeks in numerous different cities including Los Angeles, Arizona, New York, of course you’ll be notified of all the individual cities before you leave. The tour will last three weeks and tickets have already gone on sale for it, now I know it’s short notice but with the ticket sales doing as well as they currently are and considering summer vacation starts next week the tour will start next Monday. Any questions?” He stated.

“So it’s kind of like Warped Tour, then?” Omar asked.

“Yes, very much so. Are there any problems with anything I just said? Are you able to start the tour next Monday?”

“We’re more than ready!” Collin laughed as they all nodded in unison.

“That’s great, now I have papers for you to sign, but after that it’s all sorted and you’re ready to go. Oh and of course you’ll have your own tour bus, it’ll be waiting in front of your house with your designated driver at six in the morning on Monday in order for you to reach your first destination on time.” He smiled.

As the guys all signed their names on the papers my heart sank a little, there was no escaping it now, I was going to come face to face with Adam again, in less than a week.