(( the video of idkhbtfm is actually one of the videos online of the show i went to and it still makes me cry ngl ))

I woke with a start in an unfamiliar room. Where am I again? 

I sat up and looked around in the dark, recognizing it to be the dressing room I decided to hide in last night. Knowing the boys I'm either gonna be yelled at for not coming back to the bus or no ones going to notice. I moved towards the light switch, slicing it on and rubbing my eyes as the harsh light filled the room. My chest hurt from the sobs I coughed out last night but I pushed aside the pain and stood, stretching my arms up high and letting out a sigh before leaving the room. 

The halls were still empty and dark as well as the stage which meant I was up early. After glancing at my phone I saw it was 6am. That means none of the boys are up and I shouldn't be up either. I started walking back to the bus, smiling at the security guards who were conversing amongst themselves. As I made it back to the bus I saw a light on and a curtain in the gathering room swished closed as I got closer. 

Confused, I entered the pin to the door and opened it gently, careful not to make too much noise. Immediately as I stepped into the gathering room I was met with a grumpy looking George and a sleeping Matty. I gulped, trying to just walk past the boys but George wasn't having it at all.

" Willow Cook get your arse over here. We are going to talk, " he growled just loud enough for me to hear.

Having George's anger directed at me was rare and anxiety inducing. I turned back towards the two boys before sitting on the couch across from the one they were on. My hands convulsed with paranoia as I stared into my ' best friend's ' eyes.

" Where the hell were you all night? Matt said he tried talking to you but you ran off... " he whispered, obviously worried. 

My throat was hoarse as I replied, " I slept in one of the dressing rooms...I didn't want to come back to the bus in the state I was in. "

George seemed unimpressed and not very happy at all. 

" You could've come to my bus Will... " 

Tears pushed at my eyes. 

" And why would I do that? Since when have you cared about me. Ever since the party I've been nothing but a god damned burden to everyone including you! You're supposed to be my best friend George, but you're treating me like a child and you don't even seem to trust me anymore so how the fuck am I supposed to trust you, " my voice shook with every word but I finally got them out.

George looked shocked and embarrassed, his cheeks tinged pink with shame because he  knew  I was right! 

" Listen...Will... " he struggled with his words " I.. "

" Fuck off George...I'm already dealing with enough bullshit without you causing more problems. " I stood and moved towards the bunk room but he had more to say.

" Let me finish damn it! What I'm trying to say is that I'm sorry...I...I sort of just sided with everyone else because it was easy to do. I was shocked that you punched that girl but that didn't give me an excuse to just drop you.. " he let out a shakes breath, " So I'm sorry...and I hope you can forgive me because I'm worried about you and I just want to help in any way I can. "

I sighed, staring at George and murmuring a quiet, " Fine. " A look of excitement covered his features but I quickly continued, " However! That doesn't mean I'm just gonna go straight back to normal with you...I'm still hurt okay? Give me some time. "

He nodded so I nodded back, carefully tiptoeing into the bunk room and grabbing my ukulele case. I went back into the gathering room and murmured, " I'm gonna be at the stage if you need me okay? "

George looked apprehensive but made a sound of approval. I stepped of the bus and went back to the venue. I went back stage and made my way to the stage area itself. I walked to the middle of the empty wooden platform and sat myself down before removing my uke from its case and setting it on my lap. The beautiful wood shone under the limited light on the stage. I held it close to my chest, strumming a few chords of some songs. I tweaked the tuning a bit and started to play some Arctic Monkeys songs as it's all I could think of.

Most of it was stuff Al had shared with me for their upcoming album. He played some songs for me the other day and the tunes were just stuck on repeat in my head. I played a song he called ' A Certain Romance before moving onto some other artists I knew and some of my own songs. No one really knew bout my songs other than myself and Al and George. To me they weren't very good at all but Al and G liked them so I was learning to like them. Lyrics flowed through my lips as the chords rung out through the empty and echoing venue. 

I thought I heard a sound like someone gasping so I turned but saw no one. My eyebrows scrunched together but I continued to play, enjoying the sound of my voice ringing out towards the ceiling. I heard more noises and looked off stage to see an angry looking Al and a curious Jamie. My playing immediately stopped at the sight of Jamie and I stood, trying to shove my uke back in my bag and jump off the stage to escape but before I could, Jamie ran over and grabbed me.

" Why didn't you tell me you've been writing songs?? " he asked excitedly. 

Al followed close behind him and looked angry though I was sure the anger wasn't directed towards me .

" Will!! Snap out of it!! You have to be one of the openers for us. " Jamie grinned.

" WHAT?! "

-

HEY ALL I hope you enjoyed that chapter and that it wasn't too boring for you. We are gonna get to some good stuff soon but we need to take our t i m e. Also anyone else still mad at Matt bc just thinking about the next chapter I'm planning makes me remember how mad I am at him lol. 

Thank you all for sticking by me through my sporadic updates and horrible unkept promises.

Tell me what you thought of the chapter int he comments and look forwards to more future updates of this story and my others. At the end of this week I won't be working outside of my home anymore so I'll have more time to write and I'll hopefully actually use that time to write!!

Have a good night/ day!

Xx Alex ( ghxstlyxterrors )

( no outfit for will today as it's the same as last chapter's )