Diana looked out her bedroom window to see the two tour buses sitting outside on the street. She was the last stop before they hit the road for Phoenix, which was their first stop on the cross country tour. All of her bags had already been packed and sat by the front door when the group arrived. Jimmy and Jason were the only two who came inside, Jason to gather her belongings, and Jimmy to fetch his sister. Now, they were just waiting for her to come down and get in the bus. She walked away from the window and back to her bed where her purse sat and threw it over her shoulder. She started to walk out the room when the little orange bottle caught her eye and decided to take them just in case. She took two stairs at a time and bounded out the front door as she heard a few people call for her and tease her for her usual tardiness. Finally settled into the bus with Matt behind the wheel they headed off towards Phoenix.
The first few hours consisted of everyone laughing, calling bunks, and have a good time. The last few hours were just people doing their own thing. Jimmy decided on a nap, Johnny, Zacky, and Syn decided on some drinks, Val was sitting next to Matt while he drove, and Diana was sitting in her bunk and was nose deep into a book. Phoenix was only a five to six hour drive and when Diana cracked open her book they were less than two hours away.

It wasn’t that the book was uninteresting; Diana just couldn’t keep her eyes away from her bag. As much as she wanted to deny it, she had been thinking nonstop about taking another one of her sleeping pills. She came to the conclusion that since she never wanted to take the pills in the first place that’s why she had a horrible first experience with them. But she knew they were only a few hours away from the theater and to sleep ten hours wouldn’t work for everyone. Quietly sitting her book down she grabbed the orange bottle and opened it, dispensing one of the pills into her hand. Easily cracking it half, she returned one to the bottle and closed the lid and popped the other one in her mouth. She laid back and waited for the pill to take over.

Diana felt a shifting weight on her bunk and groaned. Soft hands pushed her hair off of her face.

“Diana,” it was Jimmy from the obvious softness of his voice.

“What year is it?” Diana sat up and rubbed her eyes.

“2035. You’re late for your Presidential speech.”

Diana fell back onto the bed and laughed.

“Who’s my Vice President?”

“Me!” Johnny walked by and smacked Jimmy in the back of the head which caused jimmy to jump up and chase after him. Diana searched the bed for her phone which slipped out of her pocket and checked the time. It was only five which meant they probably got there an hour ago and that she had slept for three. Getting out of bed was harder than she thought with her limbs screaming for her to get back into bed.

Most of the noise came from outside the bus and when she stepped out the door realized that’s where everyone had ended up.

“Hey sleeping beauty.” Valarie nudged her with her elbow and offered her a beer which she declined.

“How long have we been here?”

“About twenty minutes. Matt got lost which isn’t surprising.”

She easily got a chuckle out of Diana.

“When are they supposed to go on?”

“Not until nine. Maybe earlier since the three opening acts are just local bands that caught a break.”

“Weren’t we just a local band once that was able to catch a break? Give them a chance. When does the first one go on?”

Valarie checked her watch. “About seven. They haven’t even got here yet. You probably didn’t see the front of the venue when we got here but there’s a line from the front door down the street until you can’t see anymore. None of the guys will admit it but they are so excited and stoked that these people are here to see them.”

“I know they are. This is what they always wanted. To perform in front of sold out concerts and venues. This is their dream and their living it.”

“What’s your dream?”

Diana looked at her and shrugged.

“Never gave it too much thought. I always figured growing up that I was never set off into this world on the right foot to have a dream. I guess the only dream I have is to support these freaks.”

As she said that Johnny had decided to pour his beer all over his face and act like an animal with rabies. The few remaining hours passed quickly as the opening acts arrived, set up, introduced themselves, and then played. Diana was surprised at how good some of the openers were and made a mental note to get a copy of their albums. When it was finally time for the guys to go on the venue was roaring with excitement and the chants of “Sevenfold” could be heard even out back. After preshow ritual the guys hit the stage and tore it up with one of their most pumped and vicious shows ever. Michelle, Valarie, and Diana all stood to the side of the stage and watched like they always did.

After an hour and a half of a sweat dripping performance the guys did an encore song and left the stage. Each grabbed a beer that one of the bartenders had brought out minutes before and chugged then everyone headed back into the bus so they could change. There were plans to meet lingering fans at the gate after the initial crowd dispersed. After reducing their after show performance odor the group headed out to the gate. The second a few girls saw them they started screaming for them which caused a small crowd to come over. Each guy took their time taking pictures and signing anything that was handed to them. Each guy was smiling from ear to ear which made Diana think about what Valarie had said about dreams. This was theirs, but what was hers?

Notes

Sorry guys I didn't leave an update but the day after I posted the last chapter I had a death in the family and I had to fly home to Italy for the funeral and I just got back today. I know this chapter isn't really good especially since it was written on a plane but I couldn't go another day without giving you guys something so I hope this tides you over until I can get another chapter thought out and together.