It was now October, and the halls of the high school were filled with Halloween drawings and décor. I’ve now lived in this town for three months, and most of my time was spent away from the place I was forced to call ‘home’. I spent many nights at Matt’s house. He acted as if I were his little sister. He would never let anyone hurt me. A couple weeks ago I had gone home to pick up a few things, and when I returned to Matt’s house I had bruises on my arms and a bloody nose. The first thing Matt did was storm out of his house and into mine to threaten my father that if he ever touched me again he would kill him. I loved him for that. He protected me from everything, even the boys at school and shows. The gang brought me to a show in downtown LA, and while I went to go buy water a few boys gathered round me and tried to make me leave with them. Matt saw, and quickly ran to where I was, beating the boys until they were in tears. “You ever fucking mess with her again and I’ll slit your throat.” He said to them. To anyone else it would seem as if he was way over protective, but to me he saves my life. Derek and Travis like to stick up for me at school. If I was late to class, or didn’t have my homework, they would say it was there fault and take the detention I deserved. I absolutely loved these boys to death. As for Sonny, well he has a new girlfriend, and the only time I really see him is at band practice three times a week. He didn’t want to be around me or the gang. He was to busy trying to impress Emily. He didn’t even realize that he changed for her. He doesn’t wear black anymore, he doesn’t wear makeup anymore, and he doesn’t goof off anymore, because of her. I hate the new him. I miss the Sonny that would sing to me, that would hold me when I was sad, and the one that wanted to hang out with his best friends! Now he only comes to band practice because he’s forced.
“Victoria do do do do! Victoria do do do do!” Derek sang in the ‘notorious do do do do’ way.
“Yes Derry?” I replied, sitting in biology not really paying attention.
“Guess who just called me!” He said in a hushed voice.
“Your mother?” I responded not really wanting to play guessing games.
“No.” He said angrily. “It was Epitaph record label! I think they want to sign us!” As he said this I screamed jumping out of my chair to hug Derek. Everyone in the room stared at us. Even Travis was staring at us. We completely forgot we were still in class.
“Is there something you would like to say to the class, you two?” The teacher said looking at us like we were crazy.
“No…but, Travis, Vicky, and I suddenly have to pee really badly.” Derek replied pulling me and Travis out of the class room, not waiting for the ‘ok’ from the teacher. We ran out into the hall and Derek dialed back the number for Epitaph. As he waited for somebody to pick up he whispered to me to go get Matt and Sonny out of there classes. I ran down the hall as fast as my little legs could go. I swung open the door to the class that Matt was in. Everyone turned to me and I froze.
“Uh…I need Matt, his goldfish died.” I said making up an excuse to get him out.
“When did I get a goldfish?” He said. I didn’t reply and just dragged him out of the room. “Dude, what are you doing?” He asked as I dragged him down the hall.
“We need to go get Sonny, and then go find out what they said to Derek!” I said running to Sonny’s class. I opened the door and ran to Sonny’s desk. The teacher stared at me funny as did the others. “Sonny, Sonny, Sonny, this is really important! Uh…your dog has a bad case of…gas!”
“I don’t have a dog…” He said standing up. I shrugged my shoulders and dragged the boys out of the room and down to where Derek and Travis were on the phone. We reached them and Derek had a huge smile on his face, phone still pressed to his cheek.
“Yup…of course…sure will…uh huh…thank you so much! Bye!” He shut his cell phone and stood there with the biggest smile on his face. “You guys, you won’t believe what happened. Epitaph called, and WE WERE JUST SIGNED!” He yelled. We all screamed in excitement, danced around, and hugged each other. “And we start our first tour on October 31. We have two weeks to get ready for tour!” He smiled. I just stood there in shock.
“Vicky what’s wrong? You were just so excited for us!” Matt said still dancing around.
“Wha…” I got cut off by a teacher yelling at us to either go back to class or leave the building. We chose to leave. “Matt?” I asked as we all walked to his car. He looked at me seeing something was wrong. “Matt, what about me?” I saw the shock pass from my face to his. I was scared, I’ll admit it. If Matt, Travis, and Derek weren’t there for me, who was? I’d have to go back to my parents. I’d probably be dead by the time there first tour was over. I didn’t want them to leave me, I loved them to much, but if I got to go with them Sonny would fight to take Emily. I don’t think I could stand her for that long.
“Vicky, I was so caught up in this I completely forgot. I love you so much and I’m gunna keep my promise, and I wont let anyone hurt you. Maybe, just maybe, if we ask Epitaph, you could be the merch girl! That way you wouldn’t be left behind! I might just through in that you’re my sister, maybe that will soften them up.” Matt said smiling at his brilliant idea. “I’ll tell the gang and I know they’ll agree.”
“Matt, what about Emily? Wont Sonny fight to take her if I get to go?” I said.
“He’s just awestruck by having a girlfriend. I don’t think he’ll notice she isn’t there.” He replied.
Going on tour with from first to last, this will be an amazing vacation, even if it means dropping out of school.
