(featuring Blair Kingston)
Road to Nowhere
Life or Something Like It
Chapter Six:
“Bastard! You cheated!” Tennille looked up from the magazine she had been reading as the shout sounded from farther down the bus. It was however followed by laughter so she knew that it was all in jest. Getting to her feet, she wandered into the bus’s back lounge to be greeted with the sight of her two bandmates fully engrossed in the xbox360, each shoving the other and trying to knock controllers out of hands as they sought to outdo one another on whatever racing game they were playing. Finally, Ryan dropped his controller onto the small table in front of the couch and stood up to stretch out his back as Ashley placed hers to the side before noticing the dark haired girl standing in the doorway.
"Tenni!” the drummer exclaimed with a grin, “Come play a few games! Purple here’s no fun!” Ryan rolled his eyes. “That’s because I totally kick your ass at this game.” He paused, "And when are you gonna stop calling me that ridiculous nickname?" Ashley giggled. "Well you *did* have purple in your hair at one point." Ryan sighed, "That was *years* ago, Ash." he whined. He glanced at Tennille. "Where'd the others get off to?"
Tennille shrugged as she moved further into the room and dropped her magazine onto the table. “I think the boys are at an interview or something, and Candace took Blair out for the day," she made a rotating motion with her hand, "Y'know, "spending some quality time". Ryan gave her a weird look at the sarcasm in her tone. "Ooookay. And Sam?" Tennille shrugged. "Who knows." Ashley elbowed her friend, "You aren't *still* sore at her, are you? Come *on*, Tennille! That was weeks ago!!" Ryan decided then was a great time to leave the room before another potential argument took place.
It *had* been a few weeks since the events that lead them to join up with A7X's tour, and Ryan was personally having a hard time believing it. Still believing it. Which lead to another thing. Zacky and Candace had been getting progressively cozier with eachother as time went on and it certainly helped that Blair had taken a shine to the lefty guitarist too. Course neither of them would admit to anything going on. Still, Ryan wondered if he and the others would have to give Zack the 'you hurt her, I kill you' talk.
They had eventually decided to scrap the old van they had been using and share the large bus with the other band. Sure, things got a little crowed from time to time. But it worked. They planned on getting a second bus soon with the pending release of their second CD. Boy had the guys been surprised when they discovered that "Road to Nowhere" had a first self-titled CD out already. "Well, what'd you expect?" Sam had remarked. "We may be newer than you but we aren't exactly unknowns either."
It was now down to the last few shows of said-tour and he wasn’t exactly sure what they were gonna do after it ended. Luckily they discovered that they didn’t live too far away from the ‘Beach where the guys lived so they could just take basic transportation. His thoughts were cut off as he wandered into the front living area and just about tripped over Sam, who was on the couch. "So here you are." She looked up, "What are you talking about?" "Tennille didn't know where you were. Kinda strange I think, considering she was out here too." Sam shrugged, looking back at the tv. "Selective sight and hearing? Would certainly explain a few things."
Before either of them could continue, the door of the bus flew open and the missing bnd and bandmates all clambered onto the bus in a hurry. “Damn rain.” Johnny was grumbling as he stalked past them on his way towards the bathroom. “Freaking raining buckets out there!” All weren't very pleased with getting wet it seemed, except for Blair. "Can we do that again?" the five year old was asking his mother, jumping up and down with a huge smile. "Which part? The park?" "Or running around in the rain?" Zacky finished with a grin, as he scrubbed a towel over his dark hair.
"Alright guys, listen up." Matt cut in. "We have another concert in two days so we're gonna make a stop at a hotel tonight and get some proper sleep. Clear?" Everyone nodded in agreement, including Tennille and Ashley, who had come out from the back room. Candace smirked as she scooped Blair up into her arms. "Well, that's all good and settled, but now I'm going to get Blair some dry clothes before he catches a cold. I suggest the rest of you do the same." There was no arguments there, as everyone who had gotten wet, followed her advice. Zacky glowered and flipped Brian off as he friend elbowed him in the side with a knowing grin. "Bastard."
It wasn't long before the group re-assembled. "So!" Johnny clapped his hands together. "If we get a hotel tonight, then I want to get some fun and some drinks. Who's coming with?" Matt rolled his eyes. "God, is that all you think about?" "Hell yeah." "Fine. I guess I'm in." This was followed by agreements all around till it reached Candace. "Sorry guys, count me out. I've got a previous engagement." Sam laughed. "Movie night with the kidlet. Right." Zacky also declined, which semi-surprised and yet didn't surprise anyone at the same time.
As night came on, the group pulled up to the latest hotel in the long string of many and booked themselves in for the night. Roommates were left up in the air, meaning whichever room whatever person ended up in, and soon the others left for a nearby pub, leaving Candace and Blair alone at the hotel.
The five-year-old was completely absorbed in his current favourite from the disney picks, when Candace was startled by a knock on the door. She was surprised to see Zacky standing in the hallway, fidgeting. "Uh, hi. Mind if I come in? It's kinda boring by myself." She grinned. "Might as well." She stepped aside and shut the door after him.
Blair glanced up and grinned. "Lefty!" Zacky couldn't help but laugh. "Hey, kiddo." he ruffled Blair's hair as Candace gave him a strange look. "Lefty?" Zacky shrugged. "I don't know either. But... he keeps calling me that."
Feeling a little awkward, Candace and Zacky both decided to watch the rest of the movie with Blair until it was over, and Candace carefully scooped up the now sleeping child and tucked him into one of the beds. Sprawling out on the other bed, the two began to chat and make small talk until sleep soon overcame them both as well.
(argh!! sorry about the rushed ending!! It just WOULD NOT cooperate with me, so I finally left it as is... *sigh*)
(also make note: both are sprawled on top of the covers... ^^;)