Launi

I've spent the day filming content for each social media platform. The band members are good sports, but they often don't understand what I'm asking them to do because they don't follow the trends. Each of them is willing to do as instructed and I try to explain or show a video, but they have more important things to do than cater to me and the ideas I have to get them more traction online. Tonight, they play one of the largest arenas on the tour.

When I'm confident I have enough content to fill in the gaps when we are on the road for the next stretch, I take a break and check up on Parker.

Me: Hey girlie.

Me: How's it going?

Parker: It's so boring without you

Me: Duh

Parker: I'm feeling antsy

Parker: My sister doesn't want to do anything because she's too tired.

Me: Wish you were here. I have some free time and we could go exploring

Parker: UGH! Me too!

Parker: How is Rye?

Me: It might be in my head but he's acting weird

Parker: Weird how?

Me: I'm calling you

I find a quiet room that no one is in. I hit the video icon on her contact and wait for it to connect. When it finally does, Parker is making a face as she slouches on her bed. I laugh. "Cute," I tell her sarcastically.

"I'm so boreddddddd," she replies, flipping around to get comfier. "Tell me about your exciting life."

"I don't know," I continue from our texting. "I've had to film him today for some things and he does it, but it's almost like he's angry at me."

"You always think people are mad at you, Launi. Knock it off." She isn't wrong.

"No, I just thought it would be different," I tell her.

"You said it can't be different, right? It's like you set him up for failure. He can't act into you or you both would be cooked," she states.

I nod. "I know. It's like a war inside me. I want him to be nice and into me, but I know he can't."

"See," she agrees, "Impossible.

"There was a seat open next to me at lunch, and he literally stood in the corner and ate. It was like I am diseased," I tell her.

"Knock it off," she says with a chuckle. "You're so dramatic Did you want him to clear the table and do you right there?"

"Parker," I scold.

"Launi," she mocks.

"Tell me about what's going on there," I say switching the subject.

'Well, my sister is being bridezilla. I'm not a fan and I want to hold her under water. Nothing new," she smiles innocently into the camera.

The door to the room I've snuck into opens and Sean enters. I can tell he's been looking for me.

"What's up, Sean?" I ask over my phone.

Parkers eyes grow wide, and she moves the camera so her face is no longer in view.

"You love to disappear," he says. "You're like a special project for me every day. A puzzle I have to solve at the beginning of my shift."

I look up to the large clock on the wall. I hadn't realized what time it is. The band will go on in two hours.

"Keeping you on your toes," I say. "I'm just chatting with Parker. You remember her?" I ask.

Sean takes a few steps over to my phone and glances at the screen which is now just a pillow on her old bedspread.

"Imaginary friend?" he asks.

"Parker don't be rude," I say, shaking my phone even though she won't feel it.

Parker's pretty face appears, the rage behind her expression only communicated to me. She smiles at Sean. "Hey Sean," she says while she fixes her hair and sits up higher so that she doesn't have two chins. I hold in my laugh.

"Oh, shit. Parker!" Sean shouts. "You're all grown up!"

I scoot over and give him some space on the chair next to me. His hand cups mine as he helps direct the screen in front of both of us so he can see her better. We lean close so both our faces are displayed for Parker to see.

"You too," Parker replies. "It's been a long time."

"It has!" Sean agrees. "Man, I didn't think I'd see either of you again. I thought you both took off for school and left us in the dust."

"That was for sure the plan," Parker teases. "You can only harass us so much, you know?"

"Fair," he says with a chuckle. "But for the record I wasn't the ringleader. I just followed Ryan."

Parker rolls her eyes, but I know she's just playing. "Ok, Sean. Just say you're weak," she teases.

Sean doesn't let go of the camera, but he slips one arm out of his jacket and flexes his muscles. "Parker does this look weak to you?" He continues to make silly faces and strains to show her his huge bicep.

We are all laughing when the door opens again. It's Rye. His eyes land on me first but then drift over Sean and the way his hand holds mine on the phone and the half-undressed state of his suit.

"Launi is lucky to have such a strong man protecting her," Parker says unaware of Rye's presence. She also gags and rolls her eyes, but he can't see that from his position.

I watch over the phone as Rye asks, "You're done with me, right?"

My brain scrambles to try and make sense of what he's asking. "What?" I reply to stall before answering.

I let go of my phone and allow Sean to pull it in front of him. Is Rye really going to do this right here? What if Sean tells my dad?

"You're done with me for today, right?" Rye asks again. He looks annoyed. Shifting his weight before pointing to my equipment.

"Oh, yea. I'm done until the show," I say, and move to stand up to go talk to him, but he just gives a small salute and closes the door as he leaves.