Neverland

Most of the guys left not long after, they were all desperate to see their families. Alex, Rian and Jack stayed a little longer, but eventually Lisa convinced Alex they should go see his parents and Rian finally dragged Jack to face the wrath of his mother. I felt bad for him; May was going to kill him.

Not long after everyone had left Jennie took Zack to see my dad and then she was going to take him for a drink and a meal at hers. I felt a little twang of jealousy, he wasn’t just my brother any more, I had to share him with her. I didn’t mind too much but at the same time it felt weird having someone to share him with.

“You’re going to have to learn to let go of him someday Aurora.” I cringed. Only Matt called me that, and I hated it.

“Do you have to call me that?” I grumbled as I took my seat on the opposite end of the sofa from him. Why had he not left?

“What your name? Of course what else am I supposed to call you? Now, what film are we watching?” I groaned in response.

“You know I hate it, James. Why are you even here?” I growled as I snatched the control from his hands.

His face fell slightly, “Do you not want me here?” Suddenly I felt really bad.

“No, of course I do, just why haven’t you gone to see Amber?” Amber was his girlfriend, they’d been together for as long as I could remember. We’d never been particularly close, but Lisa liked her so it was good enough for me. Rian on the other hand didn’t think too fondly of her, but he was too nice to say anything to Matt.

“Eh, she doesn’t know I’m back yet and she’s probably busy.” We both knew that was a lie, she worked night shifts at the hospital where my mom worked. I was tempted to push it, but I could tell he just wasn’t in the mood to talk about it. He was tired and I felt bad for him.

“Okay. So what do you want to watch?” I was far too nice, no matter how much I was adamant I was going to pick the first movie I knew I’d give in and let him chose.

“Sleeping Beauty.” He smirked.

“No. Why?” I whined.

“I thought you’d like it!” He chuckled as he took the DVD out the case and put it in the player. I grumbled as I got up and went to the kitchen to get us some snacks. When I came back he had the blanket out and draped over his lap. I crawled up next to him and snuggled into his side. As much as me and Matt fought and didn’t get along he was also my best friend. I was just happy my Matty Mouse was home.

We sat in silence through the film, just soaking up each other’s company. About half way through the film I felt his breathing shallow and I looked up to see he was fast asleep. I snuggled closer to his side.
When I woke a few hours later the house was dark, Matt was still sound asleep and the house was silent. I checked my phone and it was a little after ten. I began to wonder where my mom was and Zack for that matter. I thought he’d want to be home to see mom.

Trying carefully not to wake Matt I sat up and walked to the kitchen to get a drink. My mouth felt like sandpaper and I was desperate for some water. I felt pure relief as the ice cold water poured down my throat.

“What are you doing?” I yelped as a gruff voice from the doorway disturbed me. I turned to see Matt stood there, rubbing his eyes sleepily. My heart was still thumping loudly in my chest and I was so tempted to hit him for sneaking up on me, but one look at his face made all the anger I felt towards him melt away. He was so tired and worn down. No one truly appreciated what he did, he did so much for the band and got no appreciation for it. Sometimes I wished the guys would just see how important he was, they all said they did but I wasn’t sure they truly did.

“I was getting some water, do you want anything?”

He paused for a moment, “No, I just want to go back to sleep. I think I’ll go home.”

Without hesitation I sprang forward and grabbed his arm, “No, just stay here?” I suggested, it came out as more of a question than anything else. I felt my face warm slightly, there wasn’t anything romantic to it, I just missed my Matty Mouse, my best friend.

“Are you sure Aurora, I don’t want to be a pain? That being said your sofa is more comfortable than my bed.” He chuckled drowsily.

“You can sleep in my bed.” I had no idea where that came from. Not that he hadn’t slept in my bed with me before, but normally it was more of a, we were lying in bed watching a film and we fell asleep type thing than me actually inviting him to sleep there.

He looked at me oddly a moment before just nodding. I grabbed my glass of water, still shocked at what I had done and led him upstairs.

“Do you want some of Zack pyjama bottoms to wear to bed?” I knew he wouldn’t be comfortable sleeping in his jeans, and I wasn’t sure I was comfortable with him sleeping in just his boxers. Yet again he just nodded. I ran next door to Zack’s room and grabbed a pair of his bottoms, not that he ever used them.

I handed Matt the bottoms and went to get changed in my bathroom. Taking my time to make sure I didn’t walk in on him. When I did eventually returned he was already fast asleep. I couldn’t help but smile, he looked so sweet and innocent when he slept. So at peace with himself which was something I hadn’t seen Matt in a long time. I clambered into bed next to him and switched off my lamp. I was just about to fall asleep when I felt a dead weight flop across my weight. Matt had wrapped his arm around me and was pulling me closer to his chest in his sleep. I decided not to fight it and snuggled against him before drifting off to a peaceful night’s sleep.

When I woke the next morning there was someone stood in my doorway staring at me.
“Why is he in your bed?” Zack hissed.

I stared hazily at the still sleeping figure next to me, “He was tired so I asked him to stay here, why?” I mumbled.

“There was no need for him to stay in your bed. He could have slept in the spare room.” I didn’t understand what his problem was. He’d never had problem with Matt sleeping in my bed before, he knew it didn’t mean anything. Zack trusted his friends, they’d all been sleeping in my bed with me since I was fourteen and it was no different from me having one of my girlfriends there, they never tried anything.

“What’s your problem?” I growled.

“It’s not right.” I gawked at him in disbelief. Had he really just said that?

“Get the fuck out of my room and mind your own business. I’m not a kid anymore!” I was so tempted to shout at Zack, but I didn’t want to wake Matt. With that Zack stormed out my room. What the fuck had got into him?

“I’m sorry I got you into trouble.” I jumped at the sound of Matts voice.

“You have got to stop doing that! Don’t worry about that though, I don’t know what’s gotten into him, he never normally cares.” I grumbled as I pulled myself from his grip. He seemed to suddenly notice where his arm was and yank it back quickly. “You want some breakfast?” I offered.

“Yeah I’ll be down in a second, I’ll just get dressed.” I nodded and left him to it. I decided to make some blueberry pancakes for breakfast. They were my favourite and I had a real craving for them. When I got downstairs my mom was sat at the kitchen table with Zack and Jennie.

“How’s Matt sweetie?” She asked over the top of her paper.

“He’s good, he’ll be down in a moment, I’m about to make pancakes, does anyone want any?” I offered.

“I’ll help!” Jennie offered, I nearly told her to sit back down but the look in her eye told me she needed to tell me something important. She followed me over to the stove on the other end of the kitchen.

“What’s up?” I questioned cautiously.

Her reply was whispered. “Zack really isn’t happy about you sharing a bed with Matt.”

“I got that, why? He’s never had a problem with it before.”

“I think something happened while they were on tour, he wont tell me, but I just have a feeling. I got a drunk phone call from him a few weeks ago and he was shouting something about Matt. I didn’t really understand but he really wasn’t happy. I think maybe you should ask one of the others…I’m not going to say anything bad about Matt, but I know Zack and I know he wouldn’t get this mad if it wasn’t something important.” And In my heart I knew she was right, but I just couldn’t think anything bad about Matt.

“I’ll ask Rian.” Rian always knew everything.

“Good idea, just try not to piss Zack off, I think he’s been having a rough time.” I knew exactly what she meant. I’d been watching their interviews and if it were possible Zack was getting quieter, and it wasn’t that he didn’t have anything to say, he just wouldn’t say it. He was beginning to feel underappreciated and unworthy of being in the band.

“Fine, but he can’t be mad at me when I don’t know if Matt has done something wrong.” I loved my brother, and I always would, but sometimes he frustrated me so much.

“Yeah, by the way, Lisa wanted to talk to you. She showed up earlier but she didn’t want to disturb you. She asked you to go see her at work if you got the chance. She’s there till 8 today.” I rolled my eyes. I knew exactly what Lisa wanted to talk to me about too. It was the same thing that happened every time they came back from tour.

“I’ll pop by and see her in a bit.” I said as I plated up the first load of pancakes.

“Something smells good.” Matt chirped from behind me. He’d not only got dressed but showered and I couldn’t help but notice how good he smelt.

“I know.” I muttered. I think Jennie understood what I meant because she laughed. I handed Matt a plate as he gave me a bewildered look.

“Did you sleep well?” I asked as I took a bit out of my own pancakes.

“Like a baby. Right, I have to pop home and see Amber, but I shall be back about two and I am taking you out! You’re all welcome!” Someone was in a really good mood. With that he finished his pancakes and gave me a peck on the cheek before running out the door. I stared after him in confusion, what the fuck just happened?