Carpe Diem

“TAYLOR! WE’RE HERE!” Nathan yelled in my ear.

“No shit, fucktard! We’re pulling up!” I laughed as I got up off of the sofa.

None of us had been able to sleep since we left Lima, we were all too caught up in the features of the bus. I spent about the first four hours playing Xbox with Nathan, who I totally thrashed much to his annoyance, ha. Whereas Collin and Hayden spent their time “looking after Kade” who was still asleep, so I didn’t believe that for a second, but I was too wrapped up in the Xbox to go and investigate and ruin their fun, as for Omar, Nick and David, I had absolutely no idea where they’d spent their time during the long journey, the first time I’d seen them since six was when they bounded down the stairs screaming about how we’d arrived.

“I’m so excited!” Omar squealed. I couldn’t help but laugh.

The nervous feeling returned to my stomach as it started to sink in that we’d arrived, don’t get me wrong I couldn’t wait to see everyone, but I didn’t want any conflict with Adam, I wanted to enjoy this tour, without having anything bad that wasn’t necessary, happen.
The bus pulled up and suddenly everyone tried running for the door at once, lets just say it didn’t work out.

“Get off me! I want to go outside!” Nathan screamed as he repeatedly slapped the back of David’s head.

“Fuck off! It’s not my fault you can’t get out, considering neither can I as Omar refuses to move!” David screamed as he tried to push Omar out of the door, who just stood there, taking in the view of the outside.

“This is amazing!” Omar cheered.

“Yeah it’d be nice if you let someone else see, dick!” David scoffed as he forcefully pushed him out of the door, causing him to face plant the ground.

The bus erupted with laughter, needless to say it made everyone else’s day, and our day hadn‘t even started properly yet. I had to literally hold myself up by grabbing onto the corner of the sofa, it was that funny.

“Shut up!” Omar whined as he stood up, dusting himself off.

“My day has been made.” Nathan chuckled as he jumped down the steps and off of the bus, with David and Omar in pursuit.

“I’ll be out in a minute.” I chuckled as I wiped the tears from my eyes and walked to the spiral staircase, running up it.

I reached the top of the stairs and couldn’t help but smile at the sight in front of me. Hayden and Collin were sat opposite each other at the end of the room, Collin had an my acoustic and was playing the acoustic version of “Until We Get Caught” it was truly the sweetest thing, too bad I had to ruin it, ha.

“Sorry lovebirds but you have got caught, and we’ve arrived, if you hadn’t noticed!” I laughed as I walked over to them.

“Oh really? Well I’d..uh..better go.” Hayden said awkwardly as she rushed past me.

I couldn’t help but laugh, that girl felt so awkward so easily it was amusing, she was just like me.

“You’re cruel, Taylor.” Collin chuckled as he leaned my acoustic against one of the bunks.

“I’m not, I just thought you’d like to know we’re here.” I said innocently as I pulled back the curtain to Kade’s bunk to see he was still sleeping.

“If he carries on sleeping he’s going to be nocturnal.” I laughed as I picked him up gently.

Collin chuckled in response as he got up.

“Collin you need to tell her how you feel before this tour’s over.” I said as I wrapped my arms around Kade.

“But how do I know she feels the same way? I-”

“Collin don’t even go there, we both know she does, so you really have no excuse. If you don’t ask her out by the end of this tour you owe me twenty bucks, deal?” I smirked as I stuck my hand out for him to shake.

“Deal” He groaned as he shook my hand.

“Now come on, I want to see this place” I grinned as I gently tugged his arm before walking over to the staircase, walking down it quickly.

“Oh you missed the funniest thing, Ross. Omar face-planted the floor.” I chuckled as we walked towards the front of the bus.

“Douchebag.” He chuckled.

I picked up my sunglasses off of the kitchen counter, where Nathan had left them after he insisted in wearing them and walked down the few steps out of the bus with Collin in pursuit.

“Wow.” I breathed as I took in the sight in front of me.

The boss of Fueled By Ramen in Ohio wasn’t lying, it was exactly like Warped Tour. There were merch and signing tents, Three main stages for A Rocket To The Moon, Taking Back Sunday and Hit The Lights, as well as a smaller stage for the few smaller bands to play. As the buses were separated from the area so no-one else could try and get on them, it unfortunately required walking to get into the main area, all that said though, there was a catering tent set up for all the bands in this specific area too which made up for it, ha. My eyes flickered around the tour bus and catering section, landing on another tour bus to the left of us not too far away, a lump rose in my throat. I didn’t know if it was theirs. Before I could think anymore though, Collin snapped me out of my thoughts.

“Taylor? Come on! We’re just standing here, lets go lets go!” Collin exclaimed as he pushed my back forward towards the fence and the gate that separated us from the others.

I laughed as Collin opened the gate for us to walk through, considering I had my hands full with Kade, who remained happily asleep. Hayden bounded over to us, a grin spread across her face as she bounced up and down on the spot.

“HOLY SHIT TAYLOR, THIS IS AMAZING!” She yelled.

“I want to see I want to see!” I whined.

“I’ll take Kade for you, if you want?” Collin offered.

I looked down at Kade who was still happily asleep.

“You don’t have to if you want to look around first, Collin. I-”

“It’s fine Tay, I just offered didn’t I? plus I can tell how much you want to go and I want to spend some time with Kade.” He chuckled as he pointed to my legs, which I hadn’t realised that I’d been jumping up and down a little.

“Thank you!” I exclaimed as I kissed the top of Kade’s head and carefully handed him over to Collin, who smiled.

Collin really did treat Kade like he was his own son.

Before I had a chance to say anything else though, Hayden had pulled me off in a random direction, barely able to contain her excitement.

“Look at this! And that! AND THAT!” She exclaimed as she pointed at one of the stages, one of the merch tents, and a random crew member.

“Hayden calm down, you might burst of excitement otherwise.” I chuckled as I grabbed her wrist.

Her eyes flickered around the sight slowly. “Hey, who’s bus do you suppose that is?” She questioned as she pointed to the bus that I’d previously spotted earlier.

“I’m hoping it’s A Rocket To The Moon’s.” I chuckled.

“Taylor you know that today’s the day, it isn’t going to change regardless of who’s bus it is.” She stated.

I sighed. “I know I know, but I can wish, can’t I?”

“You can, but it’s not going to change anything kid” She laughed.

“I know, I know bu-” Before I could continue she cut me off by yelling at someone who was walking past.

“Hey! You’re Nick Santino!” She grinned as he chuckled in response.

I was a huge “A Rocket To The Moon” fan, needless to say I felt a bit starstruck.

“That’s me! And you are?” He grinned and outstretched his hand.

“I’m Hayden.” She laughed as she shook his hand.

“And you are?” He grinned once more as he turned to me.

“I’m Taylor.” I smiled as he outstretched his hand. “I don’t do handshaking, I’m a hug person.” I chuckled.

“Hug me!” He exclaimed as he pulled me into his arms.

“Finally! Someone who isn’t formal.” He laughed as he hugged me tightly.

I just stood there grinning whilst hugging him back.
“I’m definitely not formal.” I chuckled as we broke apart.

“It’s nice to meet you guys, are you in any of the bands?” He questioned as he pushed his hair out of his face.

“I wish.” I chuckled. “But no, we’re here with Hit The Lights.”

“Ah, that’s cool! I love those guys. Taking Back Sunday are great too, I heard they’re nearly here. You’re in for a good few weeks. Plus, I’m sure we’ll hang out loads.” He grinned.

“You can count on it!” I grinned back.

He chuckled and winked at me in response, I melted, without a doubt.

“Anyway, I-” Nick started but he was cut off suddenly.

“TAYLOR!” I heard from the side of me as I was pummelled to the ground.

My head hit the floor and I groaned in pain, opening my eyes slowly.

“MATT!” I exclaimed as I saw him grinning down at me. I immediately wrapped my arms around him tightly, fearing he might disappear.

He chuckled and stood up, pulling me up with him.

“I’ve missed you so much!” I said as my eyes began to well up and I hugged him tighter, I found that since I’d left New York it was always emotional being reunited with Matt.

“Hey! What about me?!” Lidia whined from behind Matt as she grinned at me.

“I’ve missed you too, Lid!” I chuckled, realising that they were all there, and when I said all I meant all.

Before I could even take a glance though, Fred, Eddie, Mark and Lidia had joined in with the hug that Matt and I were currently having.

“Guys I love you and I’m so glad to see you, but I can’t breathe.” I laughed as she all squeezed me.

“Sorry!” They all said in unison as they all let go of me.

I noticed Nick had disappeared from Hayden, but as I was about to make my way over to her Matt and Lidia jumped onto her. As well as Fred, Eddie and Mark all firing questions at her at once. Which left me with Adam. I took this as an opportunity to let my eyes flicker to him slowly, he hadn’t changed one bit. Sure he was older, but he had the same dark messy hair, still had his nose pierced, and from what I could see, the same sense in fashion. I didn’t want to look at him for too long as I’d have looked like a bit of a creep, so to avert that, I decided to swallow my pride and also swallow a deep breath of air and made my way over to him.

“Hi.” I said slowly as his head suddenly snapped in my direction.

“Hi.” He said bluntly.

“How are you?” I said awkwardly.

“Fine.” He replied.

“Look Adam-” But before I could finish, he cut me off.

“Don’t worry about it.” He said as he rolled his eyes, walking over to the others.

I scoffed to myself and rolled my eyes. I was hoping it was going to go a little better than that, but then again I knew it was my fault why he was being how he was, I just thought it might have gone a bit differently, but, clearly not.

“Hey, are you okay?” Hayden questioned, startling me.

“Well things with Adam are still the same, not that I expected anything different.” I sighed.

“Just give him time, we’ve still got three weeks, who knows.” She said as she placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

“Maybe you’re right.” I shrugged. “I don’t bet on it, though.”

“Just forget about him for now, come on, we’ve got a lot of catching up to do.” She grinned pulling me towards everyone.

Like I could forget.