Expectations.

Presley slips inside the van, slamming the door behind her. Elliott glances up, surprised at the sudden entrance.

His smile slips at the indescribable look on her face.

“Who do I need to beat up?” She says nothing but plops on the floor beside him and cuddles into his warm side.

Startled at the sudden affection, he hesitantly wraps his arms around her small frame.

He wordlessly hands her his earbuds and his calloused fingers scroll to a playlist tiled “sad music for when i am sad.”

King Park by La Dispute is the first song to play and she relaxes even further into his embrace, closing her eyes. Sometimes when you’re sad the best thing to do is listen to music that’s sadder than you.

Can I still get into Heaven if I kill myself?

The line of the song streaks behind her eyes, triggering several thoughts that need not be brought up at that moment.

Elliott feels her tense and gazes down at her closed eyes with a look of understanding. It was heartbreaking to see such a beautiful girl with such poisonous thoughts.

Elliott awakes several hours later and is startled by the lack of warmth in his arms.

“Where’s Pres?” His groggy, sleep-filled voice questions.

“She went back to her band’s van. We’re about fifteen minutes from Warped.” He jolts straight up.

“We are?” Matt turns from the passenger seat to look at the younger boy.

“Yes, Prince Charming. Congrats on that by the way.” Elliott raises an eyebrow, confused.

“That girl likes you, man.” A hopeful look dashes across his face “You think so?”

Everyone in the bands nods in agreement.

“But what about Bruce?”

“Forget about him,” Beau suggests. “She’ll hate him as soon as they have to spend more than five minutes together.”