~~One month later (Feb. 3, 2009) ~~

It had been weeks since the concert in Chicago, and Jimmy had returned to his old self. Still, he never told me what was truly on his mind that night, the night we talked in the car lot, but I was way past the point of caring.

The band had gone to two more cities after Chicago, Cleveland and Los Angeles, and now they were nearing the end of the tour. I guess that meant they were going home... And I was going home too.

"Do you have all your stuff packed?"

Jimmy and I were getting all my stuff ready (his stuff was already on the plane). I had bought a plane ticket earlier and said goodbye to the guys and Val.

"Yeah, it's all put up. I'm really going to miss you Jimmy, I mean... I've had so much fun hanging out with you guys." My eyes pricked with tears as he pulled me into a hug.

"I don't even see why you have to go home."

"You know why; I miss my family. I can't just never go back home to them."

"I know. I just can't stand a second of you being away, much less 2 weeks!" I chuckled and looked up at his face.

"Well, you're just going to have to deal with that."

"You know I fucking love you right?" I laughed again and kissed his cheek. We had discussed what was going to happen with us over the next few months; I would go back to my parents house for 2 weeks, then get a plane ticket to Huntington Beach, where all the guys lived. There I would room with Jimmy for the next 2 months, and see where things went from there.

"Oh shit," he randomly exclaimed, "I think I left my phone in Matt's room!" He pulled away and ran to the door.

"Silly, your phone's right-" The door slamming shut behind him interrupted me. I sighed, throwing his phone onto the bed. Did that guy ever actually listen? To pass the time, I decided to call my mom and make sure she would pick me up from the airport the next day.

"Hello? Oh hey Jas, it's Mari. Can you put Mom on?" Just cause I hadn't seen my family didn't mean I hadn't called and talked to them frequently. They made peace with my decision to go on the road, but still couldn't see why I left in the first place, and there was no way in hell I would tell them.

'Oh yeah mom I left cause you guys were annoying the shit out of me. By the way, can I stay at your place for next couple of weeks?' That scene playing over in my head made me giggle, even when my mom's voice sounded on the other end.

"Hey mom. I wanted to make sure we are all set for tomorrow..."

~~Zacky's Point of View~~

I hung back, not wanting Jimmy to see me as he left the room. Keeping my eye out to make sure he didn't notice, I crept up to his room door and pressed my ear against it. I heard Mari's voice from the outside; she was talking to her mom about plans for her leaving.

I took a deep breath, then quietly knocked on the door, waiting for her to open it. When she did, her face twisted in confusion to see me standing there.

"Ok, mom, something came up, I gotta go. Yes, I love you too, see you tomorrow!" She closed the phone, and looked at me, crossing her arms.

"What do you need Zacky?"

"I, uh, was just coming to say goodbye, I guess." We stood there, completely silent, just staring at each other. God, she was so beautiful, so sickeningly beautiful. Her dark brown eyes studied my face, and I couldn't help but look away. Keep it together Baker.

"Why are you saying goodbye? I thought you wanted me gone. People don't usually say goodbye to those they hate."

"I don't hate you." I mumbled. She glared at me skeptically.

"Then why do you treat me like shit? You stare at me like I'm some whore Jimmy just picked up off the street, and leave the room whenever I walk in."

I looked down in shame. I only acted like that cause if I got close to her, I was sure I would lose control.

She stepped back, sank onto the floor and squeezed her eyes shut tightly. I walked inside and sat down next to her. Should I tell her? If I did, she'd go straight to Jimmy. He'd hate me, and so would she. I could blow everything if I admitted I loved her, so I decided to bite my lip about it.

"But," she whispered, "when we're alone or during a concert, you act so weird. Like in Chicago, that move you pulled on stage. Were you winking and pointing your guitar at me?"

"I was just... I....." I couldn't hold it in any longer. She was looking at me with those eyes again, and her pink lips stuck out in a sort of pouting look. A single string of jet black hair fell in front of her face, and before she could react, I brushed it behind her ear.

My hand moved from her ear to the back of her neck and I pulled her in for a kiss. It wasn't short, but a long passionate moment. Her hands reached up onto my chest like she was going to push me back, but instead yanked me closer.

I forced my tongue past her teeth, and we kept going. Our lips moved together, our hands keeping each other close, it was the moment I had been waiting for, and it was more than anything I ever expected.

That kiss..... was the best moment of my life.