Four Years

Rachel's POV

"This next song is about someone so close to me. She's my best friend despite everything that's happened. It's called Remembering Sunday," Alex said, grabbing his acoustic from Danny as the crowd went apeshit. Matt set out a stool and fixed Lex's mic. "So, uh, sing along, Maryland. Make me proud."

He started strumming the familiar chords and began singing. Courtney and her little friends were fangirling and staring at Jack in awe as he came up to me, wrapping an arm around my waist. He pulled me in for a good luck hug, as he said.

"Good luck, Rachel," Lisa smiled at me as I took the mic from Matt. She was so sweet. And I was such an asshole.

I smiled back at her, "Thank you, Lisa."

"Kick some ass, Rae!" Kara squealed, hugging me before I walked out on stage.

I went and sat on the edge of the stage. I listened as Alex sang his heart out. "The neighbors said she moved away. Funny how it rained all day. I didn't think much of it then, but it's starting to all make sense. Oh, I can see now that all of these clouds are following me in my desperate endeavor to find my whoever, wherever she may be."

"I'm not coming back. I've done something so terrible. I'm terrified to speak, but you'd expect that from me..." The crowd went absolutely crazy. I wondered why they were going so fucking crazy. I turned and noticed Brendon walk out on stage. He sat next to me on the edge and wrapped his arm around my shoulders. Oh, no.

"I'm mixed up, I'll be blunt, now the rain is just washing you out of my hair and out of my mind. Keeping an eye on the world, from so many thousands of feet off the ground..." He sang along with me. I glanced back at Alex who was laughing as he played.

"I'm over you. Now, I'm at home in the clouds, and towering over your head," I sang with Brendon. I was so surprised he knew the words.

"Well, I guess I'll go home now. I guess I'll go home now. I guess I'll go home now. I guess I'll go home..." We finished together. The memories of writing my letter flooded back. It was in this state that I broke Alex's heart. Damn. I sat there for a few minutes, completely silent. I listened to the crowd roar and Alex chuckle.

"Rachel Woods and Brendon Urie, everyone!" He yelled into his mic. I took that as my cue to get up and leave the stage.

I hugged Alex on my way back to the side of the stage. "You were fantastic," He whispered in my ear.

"So were you," I whispered back before I actually left the stage. When I got back to the side of the stage, I was attacked in a hug. By Kara. Who was crying.

"You were so amazing!! And you sung what you wrote to Alex! That was so powerful!" She bawled, hugging me tightly. I tried to leave her arms and go hug Pete when she stopped me, pulling me even closer to her. "No, no, no. You are not going anywhere. You are staying in my arms!"

I giggled and stretched my arms out behind Kara, waving Pete in to hug me that way. "Nah, Rae, I'll wait," He laughed.

"Oh, you wanna go hug Pete?" She asked. I nodded my head. "Too bad. You are mine."

"What happens when I have to go out and sing?" I smirked.

She paused, thinking about it. "Um..."

"I thought Brendon was singing?" Patrick asked, appearing at me and Kara's side. He was all dressed up in his costume. They were going on soon. Kara needed to let go so I could give Pete his good luck hug and kiss before they went on.

"I will be singing as well as Mr. Urie," I explained, still engulfed in Kara's arms. "We're singing together again!"

"Ahh, I see. Well, I'll be expecting you. Kick some ass, Rae," He smiled, grabbing his guitar from some tech I didn't know.

"No, you kick some ass, Trick," I laughed, giving him a thumbs up since I couldn't hug him. "Kara, if you don't mind, my boyfriend, cousin, and two best friends are about to go on stage and I'd like to wish them luck."

"Fine," She said, releasing me out of her grip.

I ran and collided into Andy, wrapping my arms around him. "Good luck, Andy. Show Maryland why you're my best friend. You too, Broseph," I said, pulling him into this hug. Patrick walked over and joined the hug, wrapping his arms around us the best he could. "Pete! Join us!"

He laughed and ended up jumping on Joe's back, weighing us down, "I love you fuckers. Let's go put on a fucking show."

Pete and Joe got their instruments and listened to the kids chanting Fall Out Boy. I pulled Pete in for a kiss, "Have fun. Let this crowd know why I love you so much."

He smiled and ran out on stage after the rest of the guys. They were gonna give their all tonight.

Five songs later and Pete said the famous, "Please stand for your national anthem." That was me and Brendon's cue to get ready to go on. The last part of the song was ours. We stood there and watched, waiting for the right time to go on.

"You need him, I could be him. I could be an accident, but I'm still trying. That's more than I can say for him."

"One, two, three, four!" Pete and Joe yelled. That was our cue.

Bren handed me a mic, "You ready for this?"

"Of course I am," I smiled, grabbing his hand and running out on stage.

"Where is your boy tonight? I hope he is a gentleman. Maybe he won't find out what I know. You were the last good thing about this part of town," Patrick sang, smiling widely when he noticed Bren and I run out on stage.

"He won't find out," Pete and Joe sang, backing Trick. "He won't find out."

"Where is your boy tonight? I hope he is a gentleman," Brendon sang, staring directly at me.

I smiled and sang back at him, "Maybe he won't find out what I know. You were the last good thing about this part of town."

"Where is your boy tonight? I hope he is a gentleman," Brendon sang again, this time looking out into the crowd.

"Maybe he won't find out what I know..." I started.

"You were the last good thing about this part of town!" Brendon, Patrick, and I finished together. The crowd went nuts as the song ended. I ran and hugged Brendon and Patrick.

"Everyone give it up for Brendon Urie and Rachel, the girl this next song was written about!" Pete yelled as I ran back to the side of the stage.

The guys immediately dove into Of All The Gin Joints. I could feel my lips tug up into a smile. God, I loved Pete so much.

***

Everyone on tour was crammed either in Jack's parents house, their backyard, or the pool. As soon as we got here, Jack brought out an iPod dock to the backyard, declaring this the "dancefloor". The thing though, was he didn't have an iPod to hook up to it. He left his on the bus. But, I, on the other hand, had mine. I gave it to Jack, who hooked it up and put it on shuffle.

People were talking, drinking, and dancing. Jack's parents were perfectly fine with this. They were inside, talking with my dad and Melanie, and...I didn't know who else.

Jack walked up to me, a small smile on his lips. "Mind if I steal her for a second?" He asked Pete.

"Go ahead," Pete said, letting go of my hand.

I shot Pete and look and he just shrugged, sipping whatever was in his red Solo cup. I rolled my eyes and followed after Jack into the house. He led me up to his room, shutting the door behind me.

"Jack, I swear to God, if you even think about - "

"No, Rae. I didn't bring you up here for that," He said, chuckling a bit. "I just wanted a quiet place to talk."

I raised my eyebrow at him, a little skeptical, "Alright. What do you want to talk about?"

"Us, I guess," He said softly, sitting on his bed. I went and sat next to him. "Well, mainly me and how I've been acting around you. I'm really sorry about how I have been these past four weeks. I don't know why I thought you'd just like...jump right back into my arms. You and Pete have a great thing, and I don't want to be responsible for ruining that."

"Jack - "

"No, let me finish. The way you and Pete looked at each other tonight on stage...the way he talks about you, the way you talk about him, it's obvious you guys love each other. I'm sorry for trying to tear you two apart. I just wanted you wrapped around my finger like I did in high school," He finished, looking down at the floor. "Really, Rachel, I'm sorry."

I felt my bottom lip quiver. Jack was gonna make me cry. That was so sweet. I wrapped both my arms around him for a serious hug. He hesitated, but wrapped his arms around me eventually. "Jack, that was the sweetest thing you've ever said," I said, still hugging him tightly.

He laughed and let go of me, causing me to let him go, "Rae, seriously. No more sleeping with each other. No more sneaking around. Just friends. I swear."

"Thank you, Jack," I said softly. I got up and headed to the door, him close behind. "Now, care to party?"

"Fuck yes!" He laughed, racing down the stairs. I ran after him, pouncing on his back when I caught up to him in the living room. He fell due to that. We both laid on the floor, laughing hysterically. Everyone in the house stared at us.

Brendon walked over, red cup in hand. He stared down at me and extended his hand to pull me up. I grabbed his hand, getting to my feet, "Hi, Brenny."

"...Can I talk to you?" He asked, still holding on to my hand. Before I could say yes, he pulled me into the hall bathroom. He locked the door and set his drink down on the sink, sighing, "Really, Rae?"

"What, Brendon?" I asked, sitting on the edge of the sink. "Jack and I just talked."

"That's it? No...no sex whatsoever?" He cocked his eyebrow up at me. "What'd you talk about?"

"He said he was sorry about trying to tear me and Pete apart," I said softly. "That's it Bren."

"That better be it, or else I'm killing him," He warned, pointing his finger at me. He picked his drink up and left the bathroom. I followed after him, through the house and out to the backyard.

People was standing around a large bonfire. They must've created that while Jack and I were talking. Pete was seated next to Gabe, laughing about something stupid most likely.

I went over and sat on his lap, smiling. I rested my head on his shoulder, whispering, "I love you."

"Aw, I love you, too," He mumbled into the side of my head before kissing it.

I giggled and quickly pecked him on the lips. Gabe awww'd next to us. "Aren't you two just the cutest!"

"Fuck off, Saporta," Pete laughed, giving him the finger. He leaned up and kissed me again, this time more passionate. I could feel all the love in his body with just this little kiss. I loved it.

A slow song started playing. I recognized the song as Here In My Arms by The Sunstreak, a small band in New York. One of my friends had turned me on to this band. She was a friend of theirs. It was a super cute song. Pete grinned, "May I have this dance?"

"You may," I blushed as he grabbed my hand and got up. He led me out into the middle of the backyard. Surprisingly, people were actually finding someone to slow dance with. Alex had Lisa. Patrick had Jess. Rian had Kara. Gabe had...Suarez. I giggled at that.

Pete rested both of his hands on my hips and I wrapped my arms around his neck. We both just started swaying to the music.

"I remember days when loving you wasn't so hard. From the moment I saw you just knew that you had stolen my heart. We'd be lying on the rooftop laughing, just counting the stars. Now I wonder if you see them in the sky from wherever you are."

I looked around, smiling at everyone dancing. Jack was dancing with Vicky and I thought it was the cutest thing ever.

"So stay strong and breathe in, and don't try to pretend nothing lasts forever in the end. Here in my arms is right where you belong, slow dancing every night. And I hear your voice, and I've known all along that it's only a matter of time until you're here by my side. 'Cause you're the love of my life."

I mouthed the last line to Pete. He smiled and pressed his forehead to mine, "I really love you."

"From the moment you were gone things had never really been the same. In the middle of the night I found myself calling your your name. But I know I can't take anymore. I can't walk away. I'm trying so hard to let it go, and just take the blame."

"You know, this song describes us perfectly," Pete whispered.

"It does."

"So stay strong and breathe in, and don't try to pretend nothing lasts forever in the end. Here in my arms is right where you belong, slow dancing every night. And I hear your voice, and I've known all along that it's only a matter of time until you're here by my side. 'Cause you're the love of my life."

Pete and I actually ended up singing the last line together. I smirked and he did too, leaning in and kissing me.

"So stay strong and breathe in, and don't try to pretend nothing lasts forever in the end. Here in my arms is right where you belong, slow dancing every night. And I hear your voice, and I've known all along that it's only a matter of time until you're here by my side. 'Cause you're the love of my life..."

We stopped dancing as the song ended and some random T.I. song came on. Yes, I had T.I. on my iPod. Pete grabbed my hand and led me back to the chair we were sitting in earlier. I sat on his lap, cuddling my head into his neck.

"So, you two are the cutest couple I've ever seen in my life," May, Jack's sister, said, sitting down in the chair next to us.

I giggled, "Thank you, May. How are you? I haven't seen you in forever!"

"I'm fantastic. Tonight has been so fun so far. You were awesome up on stage tonight with Lex," She smiled, glancing over at Lex, who was laughing at Jack running around the yard, completely shirtless, hip thrusting at people. How he went from so cute and sweet, dancing with Vicky, to running around, shirtless, thrusting at everyone. "He's so stupid."

"Naw, he's just drunk," I laughed, watching as he pounced on Zack's back. Zack grabbed Jack as he started to run away. He walked over to the pool and threw him in.

"Zack, you penis! Get back here!" Jack yelled, splashing around in the pool.

"Did he - "

"Yes," May sighed, rubbing her temples. "I'm getting out of his range before he pulls me in. He's done it before."

"Wanna jump in?" Pete asked, a little hopeful. He obviously want to go in. How could I say no?

I nodded and got up with him and stripped down to my bra and underwear. Pete stripped down to nothing but his boxers. He grabbed my hand and started running to the pool. We jumped in the pool, hand in hand.

"Fuck yes!" Jack laughed, swimming over to us as we surfaced. "You guys are officially the shit."

Suddenly, a bunch of people started jumping in after us. That's Pete for you, Mr. Trendsetter.

"Can we play chicken?" I gasped, already jumping up on Pete's shoulder. I scanned the pool. Jess. "Jessica Evans, get your white ass over here! It's a game of chicken!"

"Fine!" She yelled, swimming over here with Patrick. She got on his shoulders the game began. I immediately tried shoving her shoulders, but she ducked down and shoved my stomach. Fuck. Pete's grip on my legs tightened as he tried holding me up.

I evened out and got my balance back, shoving Jess again. Patrick's grip on her was tighter than I thought. She kept attacking me, her arms tangling with mine as we stated lunging at each other.

Her arms were above mine, leaving her stomach fair game. I untangled one arm and grabbed her waist, knowing how squeamish and ticklish she was. She screamed and fell backwards into the water, bringing Trick down with her.

"Boo-fucking-yah!" I yelled, raising my arms victoriously over my head. "Who's next?"

"Why don't you and Pete do it?" Alex suggested, leaning against the edge of the pool, his arms folded across his chest. "I'd like to see that."

"Fine. Brendon!" I screamed, catching his attention. I jumped off Pete's shoulders and waited for Brendon. He set his drink down and walked over to the pool. "Get in. We're playing chicken."

"Do I have to?" He whined, pouting.

I grabbed his arm and yanked him in, "Yes. Take off your clothes. That's gonna weigh you down."

"You know, fuck you. It's hard getting undressed under water," He said, matter-of-factly. "And now my clothes are wet. And I'll have to walk out of here in just my boxers. And the neighbors will stare. And I'll be all like fuck you, Rachel Woods."

"Shut up, Bren," I laughed, climbing on his shoulders after he pulled his pants off. It did look hard getting undressed under water. Oops. "You ready, Pete?"

"You're fucking on," He smirked, sitting on Zack's shoulders. Ugh, you're kidding me. He had Zack? Mr. Muscley Man. Fuck.

"You better not let me go," I warned Brendon.

"I promise I won't," He said, rolling his eyes.

Pete tried grabbing my arms, causing Brendon's grip to tighten on my legs. He also backed up a bit. I was on the defensive. Pete then tried shoving my shoulders. I smirked and swatted at his hands.

He returned the smirk and grabbed my hand. Fuck. He yanked me forward, causing me to scream and fall into the water. I ended up bringing Brendon down with me. Great. Shortest game ever.

"Still the champion!" Pete yelled, jumping off Zack's shoulders. They did the classic little bro hug thing. Stupid bassists.

"Fuck you," I said, splashing Pete.

"Oh, you really wanna say that?" He said, a devilish grin growing across his face. He lunged at me and pulled me down under the water.

I surfaced and jumped on him, shoving him under the water this time.

"You two have issues," Bren laughed, leaning up against the pools edge, next to Alex.

Pete and I looked at each other before grabbing Brendon's arms and yanking him forward. He came up, gasping for air, "Okay, I might have deserved that."

"Guys, you wanna play some volleyball?" Jack called from behind us. While we were trying to drown each other, he must've set that up.

"Yes!" I said, swimming over to him. "I'm on Jack's team!"

"Yay!" He squealed, pulling me close to his chest. "Pete, you're the other captain. Chicago versus Baltimore!"

Pete nodded and called Patrick, Jess, Andy, and Joe over while Jack called Zack, Rian, and Alex over.

"Shouldn't I be over there...?" I asked, pointing to the Chicago side.

"No! You said you wanted to be on my team!" Jack whined. "You're from Baltimore, too. So fuck you, you're over here for tonight."

"We need six members on a team," Alex pointed out. "Let her be on team Chicago. Get Lis and Kara in here on our team."

"Ugh, okay," Jack sighed, letting me go. I swam over to team Chicago and took my place next to Andy.

Four games later, neither team was winning. Jack had decided we were doing the best three out of five. We had two, they had two. It all came down to this last game. Pete served the ball, sending it flying over the net.

"Get it!" Kara screamed at Lex, who lunged at the ball. He bumped it back over to us.

Andy dove and sent it back over to their side. Rian scrambled to get it. He reached out and bumped it back over. Joe jumped up and spiked it, right in front of Lex. He couldn't get his arms out in time to hit it back over.

"Fuck yeah! Team Chicago!" Joe yelled.

"Guys, it's two in the morning. Bus call is at three thirty," Cassadee said, getting out of the pool.

"Oh, fuck," I muttered, swimming to the edge and pulling myself out. It took an hour to get back to the venue where the buses were. So we had like, twenty minutes to get out of here. I ran to the chair Pete and I were at two hours ago and grabbed my clothes, not bothering to put them on. I ran to the back door and poked my head in, not wanting to get the Barakat's floor wet, "Bye, guys, it was - "

Jack opened the door further and ran in, soaking wet, hugging his mom and dad goodbye. Alex and the rest of the guys in All Time Low followed suit. I shrugged and stepped in, hugging my dad goodbye, "I'll come back soon, Dad. I promise! Bye!"

I ran out of the house and around to the front yard, where everyone was loading up their vans. I jumped in the Fall Out Boy van, diving over the middle bench to the back where Pete was.

"And she sticks the landing...with her face!" Joe laughed, looking over the bench at me, face first on the seat.

"Go away, Broseph," I sighed, sitting up. I rested my head on Pete's shoulder, feeling my eyes become heavy. They dragged down and I eventually fell asleep.

It felt like two minutes later when I was shaken awake by Pete. I groaned and climbed over the middle bench, getting out of the car. I grabbed my clothes and stumbled to the buses. I was so damn tired.

"Do you want me to carry you?" Pete asked softly. I stopped and nodded. He picked me up bridal style. "Have fun tonight?"

"Tonight was one of the best nights of my life," I smiled, cuddling into his chest.