9:30 was when I quickly had a shower and got changed into some black tracksuit pants, my Avenged Sevenfold shirt and my year ten jumper, had something to eat and then went up to my room to take everything down and put it in the car.

Looking at the two bags that were on my bed, I was fairly sure that I had packed everything. Still, I had to be sure, so I triple checked that I had everything and seeing that I did, I grabbed my phone and headphones off charge, stuffing my phone in my hoodie’s pocket and my headphones around my neck, stuffed the charger cords into a bag, grabbed said bags — which was my satchel that I used for school and went I go out plus my Marvel comics duffel bag — and took them downstairs, then quickly went back to my room to retrieve my bass, which I had found the case for in the garage.

There, I saw Jake sitting on the couch in the living room, scrolling away on his phone before he noticed me and got up, shoving his phone in his jean’s pocket, “ready to go, little miss?”

I nodded, “Yep.”

However, before we actually walked out, I placed my gig case and rushed off back to my room. The kitties! How could I forget about them!?

So, after giving the two Russian Blue’s, Bonnie and Western, a cuddle, I returned back to the main room, and we were off.

The ride to the airport was mostly quiet, save for the fact that Jake had his phone connected to the car, playing his music. I was humming along to The Desert by Architects when we pulled up at the airport.

Jake helped me take my bags up, grabbing my duffle bag for me as I slung my satchel around my shoulders and grabbed my gig case, heading inside the airport.

We checked my bass and duffle bag in, so I’d just be taking my satchel with me on the plane, but that’s fine, that’s why I packed my iPad, 3DS, Switch and games in there. I looked down at the ticket in my hand, flight number 1987, departure at 10:30, though it probably wouldn’t leave until about 10:45.

I was excited, nervous and sad, all in one. I didn’t want to leave my life here behind! Well... everything but anything to do with her...

I shook my head and looked up at Jake just as there was an announcement saying that my plane was now starting to board people. Without warning, I hugged him as soon as we stood up.

This caught him off guard, but he slowly wrapped his arms around me, “I’m just an email, phone call or text away, okay?”

I nodded and broke the hug, “I... I’ll see you around?”

Jake smiled softly, “Yep.”

And then that was it, I walked towards the terminal to board the plane.

I didn’t look back.

---

The ride mostly consisted of sleeping, listening to music — namely Avenged and Muse — and playing Cytus Alpha on the switch. Mostly sleep though. Despite being on a plane, it was probably the most sleep I had gotten in quite a while.

I looked out the window to see where we were, and my eyes went wide.

“We will be landing in ten minutes, please make sure you have everything and that your tray is up.”

I... I was in California. Holy hell! This was really happening.

I checked the time: 6:56 am.

As the plane got closer and closer to the airport, I got thinking. Who the hell was supposed to pick me up? Was my dad going to? And if so, how was I supposed to know what he looked like?

The plane landed too quickly for my liking, not letting me finish my mental argument. The one thing Jake didn’t tell me or ask my dad, who I’m supposed to be looking out for.

Like... was he gonna be holding a sign with my name on it or something?

...

No, that would be silly.

Everyone got off the plane, and suddenly I felt so small and clueless, just standing there for what seemed forever, when in actuality it was probably only ten minutes. In the middle of somewhere foreign, around places and people I don’t know..

But that’s when I saw something that was...

No.

That wasn’t possible. Are my eyes deceiving me?

Those two looked like... No! They even had my duffle bag and gig case... No way!

Cautiously, I walked up to the two familiar people, and my heart literally stopped.

What on Earth is Zacky Vengeance and M. Shadows doing here in an airport? More importantly, how do they have my stuff?

“Uh... hi?”

I waved at them with a confused but surprised expression, but I just got smiles in return.
M. Shadows, or should I say Matt, just grinned, “you must be Ranna?”

”I am,” I nodded. “I’m sorry, but I have to know — why are people from my favorite band here in an airport, more importantly, with my stuff??”

”Well,” Zacky started, giving me that cute smile of his. “You probably wouldn’t believe us if we told you.”

”Exactly,” Matt nodded in agreement.

Wait... my thoughts went back to the conversation I had with Jake the day before.

“You’ll absolutely love him. He’s a little like me, actually, loves gaming and heavy metal music: he knows Avenged Sevenfold, for example.”

It made more sense now. He didn’t just know Avenged Sevenfold... he was in the fucking band. And I already had a feeling I knew who my actual dad was.

Apparently I had a certain look on my face, as Matt seemed to be positively glowing. “After all these years...” he muttered.

And my presumption was correct.

”...You, Matthew Sanders, lead singer of Avenged Sevenfold, my absolute favourite band, my father?”

”The one and only.”

I just... stood there, probably looking like an idiot.

”Favourite, huh?” Zacky looked at me with interest in his eyes, “got a favourite member?”

”Well, it’s obviously-“ Matt started, but I swiftly cut him off with a grin.

”Johnny and Brooks, all the way.”

”Well, there goes my answer,” Matt laughed.

”Aw, I still think you’re awesome, though,” I hummed. “I could literally listen to you sing all day.”
”Thanks?”

“You’re welcome. Now, I don’t know about you, but being on a plane for, what, 14 hours has made me hungry, and I could go for some breakfast.”

”Good thing we planned an awesome party-breakfast thing then, eh?” Zacky grinned, but he got an elbow to the arm, “ow.”

”That was supposed to be a surprise?” Matt sighed, but he looked back at me and my blank face.

“Wait...” I looked to the side, “I’m... I get to meet everyone else?”

”Of course!”

I honestly didn’t know what to say or how to react. I actually got to meet my favorite band... my dad is the lead singer of the best band ever... my life is already looking better already!

“No way!”

”I think you mean, ‘yes way’,” Zacky corrected me, “now let’s get going!” He pointed towards the exit off the airport dramatically.

With Matt in the lead, Zacky and I followed him to his car.

Notes