I Like Playing With Fire.

“No, you cannot do that!” Mia howled.

“I can so, I’m your sister, now get the hell up, we’re going to miss the bus call.” I said, snatching the blanket off of her.

“Why is it like minus ten degrees in here?” Mia continued to whine while slowly getting dressed.

“Because we live with a herd of polar bears, now hurry up.” I called.

I grabbed my suitcase, threw all my clothes, dirty and clean, inside and zipped it up.

“You guys coming?!” Oli called.

“On our way Oli!” I called back.

“Mia, hurry!” I snapped.

She was hurriedly putting her black wavy hair into a ponytail when Lee and Jona walked in, “You girlies ready yet?” Lee asked.

“Waiting on her highness, the princess Amelia Alexander.” I said, nodding toward the bathroom.

“Haley, shut up!” Mia called.

Lee looked at Jona, “Who’s idea was it to bring Oli’s sisters along on tour?” He asked.

Jona rolled his eyes, “Oli said we needed the help, and the girls needed the jobs.” He said.

“Are we ready to go yet?” Oli asked, strolling in, completely shirtless with Starla on his heels.

“I am.” I sing-songed, picking my suitcase up and pushing past Jona and Lee.

“Wonderful, Where’s Mia?” Oli asked.

“SOMEONE,” Mia roared, “Didn’t wake me up when she got up, therefore, I’m a little behind schedule this morning.” She barked.

Oli turned to look at me, and I shrugged, “She bitched at me not to disturb her, so I left her be. Just heeding her orders.” I said.

Oli stifled laughter and nodded me along, “Go on to the bus, Matt and Matty will help you load your bags, we’ll help Mia get her shit together and be down there in ten minutes, no later.” He said.

I nodded, saluting him, “Aye, cap’n Sykes.” I said.

The elevator was empty on the first couple of floors down, but I picked up two unfortunate passengers on the third floor.

Mike had obviously already had a Monster this morning, and Jaime, who was never allowed energy drinks, had Mountain Dew in one hand when they stepped into the elevator.

“Haley, fancy seeing you here.” Jaime said.

“I stayed in this hotel too, why is that fancy?” I asked.

He shrugged, “Just making casual conversation.” He said.

“Well you suck at it. What about you buddy, you got anything to say?” I asked, looking up at Mike, who’d been silent.

He shrugged, “You have pretty hair.” He said smiling.

I laughed, “Thank you. You have pretty, erm, tattoos.” I said.

He grinned, “Thank you.” 

The door opened on the second floor, and Vic got on.

“Did you stay with Dottie?” Mike asked.

I stepped aside, out of their conversation.

None of us on this tour were too fond of Vic’s crazy girlfriend Dottie.

Vic nodded, staring at his phone, “Last time I checked, I was an adult who could do what he wanted.” he said, attempting to avoid a lecture.

Mike and Jaime shrugged, then turned their attention back on me, “Where’s Oli?” Jaime asked.

“Getting Mia’s stuff together. She wasn’t ready like I was.” I said.

They all laughed.

When we got off in the lobby, I spotted Matt and Matty talking to Dottie by the front desk.

Although I disliked Dottie immensely, she adored me.

“Haley! I’ve been meaning to talk to you about something really important.” She said running over to me.

“Oh, me? Well, you know, there’s other more experienced girls on the tour that you could ask.” 

Plus you’re a total slut, who screws everyone behind your boyfriend’s back.

I kept that comment to myself.

Dottie laughed her awful, high-pitched laugh and waved it off, “No silly, not about that. I know what I’m doing in that department, don’t I pookie?” She asked smiling at Vic.

Vic, who really didn’t like pet names, uncomfortably smiled back, “Uh, yeah babe.” He said. 

Dottie batted her eyes, “No, I wanted to ask you about what I should wear tonight, you know, to the show?” She asked.