A Few of My Famous Friends

"OHEMGEE, IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!" Brendon woke me up with a shrill squeal six days later. I was actually sleeping in his bed today, I don't remember why.

"Let me get more sleep." I moaned. I glanced at my watch. "What the frick, it's 5:30. Go away Brendon."

"BUT IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!" Brendon shouted.

"If you don't shut up and let me get more sleep, I'm going to shove a sock in your mouth and kick you in the balls." I said, throwing my arm over my eyes.

That shut him up. I managed to fall back asleep and get three more hours of sleep.

I was awoken, again, to Brendon screaming in my ear. "Present time?" he asked hyperly.

"No Brendon," I groaned, getting out of the bunk. "Did you get me coffee?" I asked, walking into the kitchen-type area.

"No. Did you get me a present?"

"Yes, but soon, I'm just gonna give it to Spencer."

"Nooo!"

"Don't get on my nerves at all today, and I'll give it to you, okay?"

"Yes ma'am."

I left the bus to go find a Starbucks. I was able to pay for the bands' coffees too because I swiped some money from Jon.

After my Java Chip Frappuchino, I was in a better mood. Unfortunately, Jon Spencer and Ryan weren't too happy with me leaving and unleashing the hyper maniac that is Brendon upon them.

"So, where are we today?" I asked, sitting in Jon's bunk, watching The Breakfast Club on my iPod.

"Kansas City Missouri," Jon answered.

"Wait, wait, wait. Kansas City Missouri? Don't you mean Kansas City Kansas?"

"No. I don't know why they named it that, but if you go a couple miles west, you'll be in Kansas."

"Oh, well, it's still pretty confusing."

"Don't question the insanity of the United States. In Alabama, it is illegal to wear a fake moustache that causes laughter in church," Ryan advised.

"How do you know that?" I asked, throwing him a baffled look.

Ryan shrugged and took a sip of his coffee.

I shook my head and continued watching The Breakfast Club.

Around 3 o'clock, we decided to have cake and give Brendon his presents, although the real partying would come after the concert.

Inside the brightly wrapped box that was my gift was a gray t-shirt with a Guitar Hero guitar on it. Brendon saw it, and a smile lit up his face.

"I love it Kate, thanks so much!"

"You're welcome." I said, smiling back. He got up, and ran around the table we were sitting at to hug me.

I hugged him back, and made him open his other presents.

The guys from Panic had given him a guitar, and Hayley was the artist who drew pictures of him just being him. Pete was being a smartass and gave him a huge bottle of vodka and a couple pixie sticks. Patrick got him a pimp hat. Well, okay it wasn't actually a pimp hat, but all hats similar to the ones on Patrick's head are pimp hats.

Joe got him a Hannah Montana coloring book and Andy got him a pretty rad sweatshirt. Josh got him a purple belt with studs on it, while Zac had given him a pair of aviators and a bunch of colorful shoelaces. Jeremy got him a pair Converses.

The rest of the day was spent setting up for the concert and playing. I got Paramore and Fall Out Boy's merch people to cover for me, so I could go onstage briefly before Panic's last song, Mad as Rabbits.

"Hey everybody!" I said into the microphone I stole from Ryan. "I'm Kate, Jon's sister and the merch girl for Panic."

A cheer went up through the crowd. "Today's a very special day, and I think you know why. I want you all to sing Happy Birthday to Brendon. He's turning 21. Ready?"

I walked back to Ryan and we started singing into the microphone. Soon, everybody joined in.

"Thanks you guys," Brendon said into his microphone after we finished singing. "I only have one question though. Who's selling our merch?"

The crowd laughed and I blushed. "Um, I left that to the other merch guys. I'll get right on that though."

I waved and exited stage right.

After the concert, we celebrated Brendon's birthday at a local bar. Brendon got drunk, of course, but I decided to be responsible and drink soda. Jon saw me sipping Sprite and gave me a thumb's up of approval.

Everyone over 21 and Josh Farro had a few drinks, but not enough to get drunk. Everyone under 21 didn't have any alcohol, which I thought was very mature of us.

We were getting ready to leave and I decided to use the bathroom because you're not allowed to flush toilet paper down the toilet in the tour bus, and I didn't feel like making the bus driver stop so I could pee.

As I was coming out of the bathroom, Brendon staggered over to me. "Kate, since it's my birthday, I think you should give me a kiss," he slurred.

"Brendon, you're so drunk," I said, laughing. But I decided, what the heck, a peck on the cheek wouldn't hurt anyone. I leaned over and kissed his cheek.

"That's not what I meant," Brendon growled and shoved me against the wall. Before I could protest, he stuck his tongue down my throat.

I was stunned momentarily. When I recovered my senses, I bit down on his tongue. Hard. I tasted blood.

"You little bitch," he said, slapping me across the face. He then grabbed my arm tightly and held me against the wall by my neck. He started making threats and a few tears rolled down my cheeks. I began gasping for air and suddenly he was pulled off of me. I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths before opening them.

Joe and Spencer had slammed him against the opposite wall and Hayley and Ryan were checking to see if I needed to be checked out by a doctor.

"What the hell were you doing?" Spencer shouted at Brendon.

"Yeah man, are you fucking insane?" Joe asked.

The tears started flowing quicker now as I ran out of the bar. I kept running and only stopped when I reached the buses. I leaned against Paramore's bus and started crying even harder.

A minute later, Hayley appeared at my side. "Do you want to sleep on our bus tonight?" she asked, putting an arm around me.

I nodded and we straightened up. We entered Paramore's bus a few minutes before the rest of Paramore did. Josh, Zac and Jeremy were extra nice to me. Josh and Zac even offered to share a bed so I could have my own.

I declined and optioned to bunk with Hayley for the night. It made me feel safer if I was with another girl.

I woke up uncharacteristically late the next day; around 11 AM. We were already in Denver, but we had a day off today. The members of Paramore surprised me with hot coffee and Swedish Fish, my favorite candy. Either they were really good guessers or they had asked Jon because I didn't tell them.

After I drank the coffee and ate the candy, I left Paramore's bus to talk to Joe.

"Hey, are you okay?" He asked when I entered.

I nodded and hugged him. "Thanks for what you did last night." I muttered into his chest.

"No problem," he said, hugging me back. "You're like my sister. I couldn't let him do anything to you."

I smiled and let go of him. "Thanks again. I'm gonna go thank Spencer. See ya later."

I left Fall Out Boy's bus and hesitantly entered Panic's. I knew Brendon was completely wasted last night, but I didn't want to see him so soon. I hadn't really forgiven him.

Luckily he was asleep, so I could thank Spencer in Peace. Ryan was awake too, so I thanked him for making sure I was okay.

I walked into the bunk area to get my iPod where I had left it the day before. Brendon's curtain was open slightly and I couldn't help but to peek in.

He looked so innocent as he slept, I couldn't help but pity him. He was going to have a huge hangover and probably wouldn't remember anything that happened last night. If he did, I knew he'd regret it.

I got him a couple Advil and a glass of water. I placed these on the table with a note saying:
"B-
I forgive you. Feel better.
-K"