Ghouls

That night we all made our way up the floors to our rooms, leaving Brian and his new love interest downstairs drinking. Jade let me sleep in her bed with her while Cam slept on the sofa in the room. I felt awful; this was supposed to be a break from the bus for all of them, that and Cam and Jade need their couple time y’know.. still, Jade insisted.

The morning came way too fucking quickly, in my eyes. It felt like my head had barely touched the pillow before I had to get up. Even so, I got up, showered and followed Jade downstairs for breakfast.

“So, what are the plans for today?” I asked her as we took the elevator down to the lobby.

“Well, the guys have press all day until the show tonight so that means we’ve basically got the day to ourselves. I’m not sure what the other girls were thinking but I was thinking about just going out for lunch and a movie,” she smiled at me.

I smiled back at her, “well, I’m doing whatever you’re doing,” we giggled.

As we entered the lobby it seemed that everybody was already there. They all looked mine and Jade’s way with a sympathetic smile as we walked to the bar of people, I smiled weakly in return. Jade guided me away from the guys as she noticed Lacey sat at the bar, calling us over.

“Hey, girlies, how you doing?” I couldn’t help but feel that was directed more at me than Jade.

Jade noticed I wasn’t really up for talking, “yeah, we’re both good, how’re you all doing?” she asked.

“Yeah, everyone’s good,” Lacey smiled, looking back to Caitlyn and Georgie who sat behind her.

There was a seriously awkward silence as we sat down and ordered ourselves drinks. “So, what’re you guys planning on doing today?” Jade asked, leaning over me to talk to the other girls.

“We’re not 100% sure, we weren’t going to decide until you guys joined us,” Lacey answered.

“Well, I, for one, think we should take Jade’s idea and see a film. A funny one, at that,” Georgie chimed in, finishing off her glass of apple juice.

Everyone in unison agreed with her before Lacey whispered an ‘oh shit’, looking over to the elevators.

All of our heads turned, the girls gasping whereas I just grunted. That was the last thing I wanted to see. Jade rubbed my back to comfort me as he made his way across the lobby. He looked awful... slouched, dragging his feet, his eyes were sunken in, red and puffy like he’d been crying.. his hair was messy, unlike his usual, perfectly styled spikes, and it wasn’t sex hair; no. It was more like he’d had a restless sleep or had been dragging his fingers through it in frustration. His eyes seemed to burn into my skull as he got closer, heading straight towards me.

“Hey,” Matt whispered, although loud enough for us all to hear. He stood from his seat, arm stretched, stopping Brian in his tracks. It was then I realised Cam was walking behind him. He’d spoken to him. Fuck. Cam can be way too harsh when he’s angry which is probably what’s reduced Synyster fucking Gates to tears.

“Right, we better get moving,” Jason announced, causing all the guys to get to their feet. Jimmy and Matt made their way over and kissed their girls on the cheek while Johnny air-kissed towards Caitlyn. Matt pet my back as he passed and Jimmy quickly, tightly held my shoulders. Brian stood in the middle of it all like a lost puppy, his head shook from my direction to the door, as if he couldn’t decide whether to say goodbye to me or not. Cam made his choice for him. He barged past Brian, making him stumble slightly. The normal Syn would’ve started a commotion right there and then if someone knocked him like that, but he didn’t. He saw it was Cam, his face dropped from frustrated to upset, then turned around and head to the door.

I watched him walk before Cam caught my attention; spinning me around on my stool and hugging me.

“He’s not gonna be bothering you anymore,” he whispered.

“What?” I spat, pushing him away.

“What? He was a prick, Lau, I just put him in his place. No one fucks around with my sister,” he said with gritted teeth, turning away.

“No, Cam. No,” I grabbed his arm to look at me, “he wasn’t a prick.”

“He cheated on you,” he scorned, confused.

“How do you know that?”

“Did you not see the ditsy blonde he was with?”

“Just because he was drunk and flirting does not mean he definitely slept with her. Anyway, we’re not even officially together. And I know you well enough to be sure that whatever you said to him, does not warrant whatever he’s done.”

“Lauren, are you insane? The guy’s a tool!”

“If that’s really what you’ve thought, why didn’t you tell him to back off before? Why didn’t you warn me? Why the fuck did you invite me to meet your friends if you thought they were such assholes?”

“Because I never expected them to go for you!”

“What, because I’m not attractive enough? Is that it? I’m not a ditsy blonde?”

Cam’s face dropped, “no, Lauren, I didn’t mean it like that.”

“Oh, fuck off, Cameron. You’ve done enough to piss me off this morning.” I started to walk away, “and for your information. Two of your friends went after me. Two. They fucking fought over me. Whatever you’ve done to ‘protect’ me has failed. You failed to realise the real issue in Zacky and pushed away the good guy. Fucking, thanks.” I went to turn only to see everyone staring at me. Most faces were a mix of confusion and pride. Zacky’s seemed upset; like I’d stabbed him. And Brian. Brian still looked worried and upset, but a shimmer of hope lined his features. I looked back at Cameron, he was hurt, but before he could speak again, I ran.

Notes