While headlining shows and having local opening acts was fun and had its perks, nothing beat festivals with other huge bands. They were the first of the acts to show up and within a few hours all the other bands had arrived. The gates would open at noon and they would go on as the second to last band about nine that night.

Per usual, it was Valarie, Michelle, and Diana’s job to set up the merch booth and run it all day just to tear it down and pack up before Avenged went on for their part of the show. The guys however would spend most of the day drinking with the rest of the bands and spend an hour before the show warming up and prepping, then they would perform and after shower. The part that everyone couldn’t wait for however was after the gates closed and everyone from every band would gather together and get plastered.

If they had been in Florida it would have felt like it was 48 Celsius outside but here in Seattle it wouldn’t stop raining off and on and having crazy winds which made it feel like 4 Celsius outside so to say they were miserable the whole time was an understatement. Luckily the day flew by quickly and they were able to close the booth smoothly and quickly to head backstage to watch the show. Diana couldn’t count on one hand how many shows she had missed or hadn’t been right on the side of the stage supporting the guys. So when she got smacked in the back of the head she immediately switched into defensive mode until she turned around to see one of her closest friends, Zack Myers standing behind her which she quickly smacked him back.

“Don’t hit me loser!” He rubbed his arm where she struck him.

“You hit me first!” They both laughed then hugged.

“Sorry I couldn’t see you guys play earlier, you know merch booth needed to be watched and all.”

“I’ll let you slide this time but next time I expect you front row fighting off those other crazy fan girls.”

“Deal. So why haven’t you guys taken off yet? I know how Brent likes to leave right after a set.”

“We convinced him to stay and have a few drinks with everyone. Mr. Hotshot needs the breaks to be put on.”

“No kidding.”

“So when are you going to get on stage and play something with them? I’ve heard you tear apart some chords before.”

Diana laughed and shook her head. “Not my thing. I prefer to stand here and watch them play any day.”

“You’re just afraid of stealing the thunder.”

Diana smiled and turned back to the stage without responding. Zack stayed there until the set was over and disappeared as soon as the guys came off the stage. The closing bands roadies were putting their set together as Avenged’s roadies tore theirs down. The band headed back to the bus to grab beers and shower and by the time they were finished and out the last band were on their encore song.

Surprisingly most of the bands had left after their sets which only left a few bands still here which meant that the group tonight would be smaller. Once all the bands were back together it was utter chaos. Everyone was either drunk or getting there. Everyone was exchanging road stories or catching up with each other. Zack had made his way back over to Diana and sat with her and got back on the discussion of starting her own band when Jimmy came over from the group he was drinking with.

“Hey Diana do you have my pack of smokes?”

“Yeah in my purse on my bunk where the other guys wouldn’t get them.”

Jimmy stumbled the few feet away to the bus and Diana resumed her conversation until she heard Jimmy call for her which she excused herself and went over to the bus and went inside.

“Did you not find them? I said it was on my bed.”

Jimmy just stared at her then brought his hand into attention which he was holding to still relatively full bottle of sleeping pills. Diana stared at him unable to speak.

“Busted.”

“Jimmy I can explain.”

“Don’t. I really don’t want to hear it. You are the only family I have left and I want you well and cared for but you can’t even take these?”

“Jimmy please I was already going to see the doctor when we got back from the road.”

“But there are too many in here for you to also not have taken them before we left which was plenty of time.”

“I’m sorry.”

He placed the container softly on the table and picked up the pack of cigarettes in its place.

“I’m getting you a plane ticket to go back to Huntington Beach tonight and I want you on a plane tomorrow morning if not sooner. Then you can go to the doctors and get this fixed.”

“You’re sending me away?”

“Yes, and you’re not coming back for the rest of the West Coast tour either.”

“Jimmy that’s unfair! There’s still two months left! You can’t leave me at home for that long! You need me here!”

“We can do just find while you work on your problem and heal yourself. Tour life is not what you need right now. End of discussion.”

“End of discussion? You aren’t mom or dad James you can’t send me away like a child.”

“You’re right I’m not but I’m better in every sense. They aren’t here for us and weren’t here for us so I still have to look out for you.”

Jimmy walked by her and down the steps of the bus leaving Diana standing there for a moment until she stormed and headed into the opposite direction he went in. It didn’t matter if she fought with him until her dying breath he would always win. And he just had.

Notes

I wanted this chapter to be what everyone wanted, Jimmy finding out which was easier said than done. I couldn't figure out if he would be super angry or like this. Then I had to figure out how he would find out either Zacky telling him or her telling him or just finding it like I chose to go with. I had a general idea that this was going to be a huge explosion in front of everyone which I set the chapter up to be but then when I came back to it I decided against it. Tell me what you think :)