Let Love Bleed Red

The venue was way bigger than anything we had ever played before. I could feel the nerves start to kick in. I tried to shake them. We were going to do just fine. We were ready for this. We had earned this. I made my way up to the stage and looked out. I tried to imagine the venue packed. My nerves kicked back in.

Justin had mentioned to us that the whole tour had sold out. We'd be playing to packed out venues every night. I was just making myself nervous at this point. I had nothing to be nervous about. We were fine. We were ready.

It wasn't long until I heard the guys trail in behind me. I turned to see Sam staring around, beaming. I couldn't help but smile. His excitement was contagious. I was happy for him, for us. Then Jeremy and Jason strolled in with Justin, Jack and Gabe. I wondered what was taking Kellin so long.

"Hey guys" I said, waving over at them.
"Finally you guys made it!" Jack said, climbing up on to the stage. "I feel like I've been waiting forever for this tour to start. I'm so glad it's finally here. And I'm glad you guys could make it, we were stoked to hear you were coming along."
"We wouldn't miss it!" Sam said without missing a beat. I smiled.

"So where's Kellin?" Jeremy asked. He hopped on stage and sat behind the drum set.
"I'm sure he'll come in a little later. He loves making a scene when there are fans waiting outside." I rolled my eyes. Figured. Jeremy looked over at me, smirking.
"Kira why don't you go and get him?"
"He said he'd be right in."
"Oh right cause you got to ride in the nice bus with him on the way here while we were stuck in the van."
I glared at him. This is exactly what I wanted to avoid. I didn't want people thinking like that of me.

"I told him I didn't want to.." I said quietly.
"I'm kidding, Kira" he sighed, winking at me. I brushed it off and started setting up my microphone. The openers didn't have roadies. We had to do this all ourselves.

"You want some help?" Justin asked, now untangling the wires from the amps.
"That's okay.." I said, but he continued. This was something else I didn't want. I didn't want them to think they had to take care of me, especially considering I was the only girl on this tour. Help was always appreciated, but I could hold my own just fine.

While the guys finished setting up inside, I made my way out back. I was surprised to see Kellin standing against the back wall, lit cigarette between his fingers. He quickly picked his head up, moving his hand behind his back.
"I didn't know you smoked." I said, leaning against the wall, staring back at him. He sighed, taking another quick drag before flicking it onto the floor and crunching it with his food.
"I'm trying to quit." He said, keeping his eyes on his feet.
"That's kind of ironic don't you think? You're a singer and you smoke?" He looked back up at me smirking.
"I know.." He finally sighed. "That's why I'm trying to quit."
"Why'd you start?"
"Why does anyone start?" I shrugged. I didn't know. I never understood it, especially as a singer.

"Just.. don't tell the guys. I told them I quit a while ago." I nodded.
"Your secret is safe with me." I said. He was quiet for a minute, but held his stare with mine. I enjoyed the silence.

"Just so you know though, I don't kiss smokers." He giggled. I could see his cheeks getting red.
"Noted. So, do you wanna head in?"
"Oh I thought you liked to make a scene with the fans when you finally came in?" He giggled, rolling his eyes.
"I do not. They just say that. I swear, all these rumors are started by my own band mates. I'm not a bad guy, Kira." He said sweetly. I couldn't help but get lost in those eyes again.
"I never said you were a bad guy, Kellin." He sighed.
"But I know you thought it. You probably already had an opinion of me before I walked through the door that first night, didn't you?" My cheeks burned. He got me this time. I nodded.
"Kind of.."
"That's what I thought."

We were quiet for a moment after that.
"I want you to know me, Kira. Not what you think you know. But really me."
"I'd like that." I said. He smiled, walking over to me. He stopped a few inches away from my face, grabbing my hand and intertwined his fingers in mine. I couldn't help but smile back at him, losing myself in those eyes once again.

He then leaned in, his lips almost touching my ear.
"Can you make an exception to the no kissing rule this once?" He said quietly. My heart started racing. I did want to kiss him. God, I wanted to kiss him. I nodded. His smile grew as he leaned in, kissing me gently. My heart started to race. How did he manage to do this? I had never felt like this before. I didn't want to feel like this. But I couldn't ignore the fact that I did.

I reached up, now tangling my fingers in his hair, pulling him closer. I could feel his lips curving into a smile, but he never pulled away. His kisses became stronger as his hands wandered to my waist, pulling me up against him. There was no place else I'd rather be. I wouldn't be surprised if he could feel my heart pounding through my chest. He sighed, moving away and leaning his forehead against mine. He stared at me with those beautiful eyes.

"Why do we have to hide this?" He asked "Everyone already knows we like each other."
"No everyone doesn't, Kellin" I said. He smirked.
"So you admit that you like me.." His smile grew. I playfully pushed him away.
"Shut up." I sighed "Come on, we should be heading in."
He was so cute. He was lucky he was so cute. I heard him giggle behind me as we both went back inside. As we were making our way down the hall, I felt him slip his hand into my back pocket. My cheeks burned. He pulled me closer to him, gently kissing my cheek. My heart started to pound.

"Kellin stop" I laughed, playfully pushing him away. He sighed, but came right back now slipping his hand into mine. When I looked back up at him he was already smiling down at me.
"Kellin Quinn, are you smitten?" I asked. Now he was the one shoving me. His smile got bigger, but he nodded.

"Yes" he said quietly, keeping his eyes on me. I bit my lip, staring back at him. Before I knew it we were almost to the stage. The last thing I wanted were the guys to see us like this. I'd never hear the end of it. I gently pulled my hand away before reaching for the door.
"Um.. Kira." He said. He had stopped walking at this point. I knew where this was going.
"We'll talk later" I insisted.
"Okay."

I leaned in, gently kissing his lips. I felt him smile, then he followed me inside.