I woke up in the morning to find someone jumping on my bed. Cracking an eye open I looked to see Chance there. What the hell was this idiot doing waking me up so early in the morning? Groaning I sat up and then kicked him to the floor. He landed with a satisfying –oof!- and was up before I knew it.
“Senna, get up!”
“Why Chance?”
“Cause I’m gonna do it today!”
My eyes widened as I hurriedly sat up, “What!? Do you have everything planned out? Where is it going to be and who should I call?”
“Whoa, whoa! Calm down please. Yes I have everything planned out, I was going to propose in the park when we take Max for a walk and I’m going to need your help with that part. Also you don’t need to call anyone because I’ve already taken care of that.”
“Alright but what am I gonna be doing exactly?”
“I’ll let Max go off his leash and you ‘re going to get him to go over to you. You give him the ring box and then text me when we’re a go. I’ll call him back and then boom I’ll pop the question.”
“Alright but are you sure Max won’t eat the box?”
Chance grinned as he turned toward the door and took the velvet box out of his pocket, “C’mere Max!” He called.
Quirky little Max came up into the room and before Chance could say anything leapt onto my bed; right on top of me. The air left my lungs while his furry little paws dug into my stomach. Throwing him off me I took a couple of deep breaths while Chance laughed his ass off.
Glaring at him I looked to Max, “Max, attack.” I simply ordered. In an instant Max leaped off the bed and crashed into Chance. Chance let out a surprised yell as the dog tackled him down and began to nibble on his arms and fingers. He tried to push him off but Max was not going anywhere.
After a few minutes of the entertainment I whistled for Max to stop. The lovely collie stopped and then trotted right back to beside my bed. I scratched behind his hears and began to tell him about how much of a good boy he was; oh how Max loved this.
“O-okay… Come here Max.”
Max walked over to the winded Chance and sat down; looking up with bright icy blue eyes.
“Open.”
Max opened his mouth while Chance set the box into his mouth. He then looked up at me with triumph.
“See? Now after this you’ll send me a text and then say ‘Go find mommy!’”
At that moment Max perked his ears up and then ran out of the room; with the ring.
“Did-”
“Chance he has the ring and he’s going to find Val!” I yelled before pelting out of my room.
Racing down the hallway I saw Max just beginning to go down the stairs. “Max!” I called out but he ignored me; he was on a mission of his own. I really wanted to curse that dog out for just following one direction at a time but I had to admire his concentration.
He hit the bottom of the stairs and took off in a run. I jumped down the last three steps and was almost hit by the door as Andy and the other brides stepped in. “Whoa! Where’s the fire Senna?” Andy asked but I was too focused on catching Max. I quickly cut around the corner and scrabbled on my hands on me feet to avoid completely wiping out.
Making it into the kitchen I saw Max was just coming out of the dining room and coming toward me. I stopped and went to catch him when the little fucker jumped over me! Growling I quickly turned and then went running full pace past the brides and slid down the hallway when I tried to stop to see if Max went into the library/ office. However I overshot it and was about to go into the game room when I crashed into Max.
However before I had a chance to catch that damn dog he got up and raced away toward the living room. Chance came rushing down stairs and saw me just getting up while urging the guys to go into the room and talk to Val to keep her busy. Reluctantly they did and then I quickly ran up to Chance.
“Where the hell is he?” Chance asked anxiously.
“The living room!” I whisper screamed.
“Hey there Maxxie what do you have there?” We heard Val ask.
Peering around the corner we saw Val reaching for the box in his mouth and Chance sighed sadly, “I don’t want her to find out yet…”
Clenching my jaw I sighed, “You so owe me Chance.” Throwing up my hands I took a deep breath, “VAAAAAAALLLLLLLLL!” I screamed while running full speed toward her.
Everyone’s eyes were on me as I completely flying tackled her off of the couch and away from Max. I heard Chance give a sharp whistle which Max gladly ran off to him. Hearing the brides laughing made me want to crack a smile too but I had to keep it together at the moment.
Throwing my arms around my stunned cousin I hugged her tightly. “Vallie I missed you so much! Why don’t you wake me up anymore? Do you know how painful it is to have to wake up to Chance’s face every morning?” I fake cried into her shoulders. In the background there was a protest of ‘Hey!’ but no one heard it over the laughter.
“Get off of me! What the hell has gotten into you?” Val yelled while pushing me off of her. I pouted and then stood up looking all offended. Val looked up at me and then her face softened, “Sen I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to yell at you.”
“No, I think you did.”
“Senna-”
“Forget it I’m leaving.”
I pretended to storm out of the room and as soon as they thought I was stomping up the stairs I made a quick detour to the kitchen where Chance was sitting in the floor with a hand over his mouth; trying hard to not laugh. Tears were flowing from his eyes and Max was wagging his tail at me.
Sitting down next to him I grinned before giving him a high five. He gladly returned the gesture and then we looked at the slimy felt box in Chance’s hand. All of that commotion and stuff because of a stupid ring. “You so owe me.” I muttered as I went over to the fridge and got out the cool-aid. Pouring two cups I gave one to Chance and then took a sip from my cup.
“Really, I don’t think I could thank you enough. Your insane crazy bitch tackle was great by the way.” He took a sip from his cup while I had to spit my mouthful back into my cup before it choked me. I couldn’t help the silent chuckles that racked my body so hard that I had to put my cup down.
It was true; my insane crazy bitch tackle was great because no one ever expects it. Shaking my head I then managed to get my breathing under control. Picking my drink up before Max had a chance to stick his nose into it I glared at him for a moment before taking a sip out of it.
“So I hope you’re going to propose to her today.” I started.
“Yeah I was thinking about it. Do you mind?”
“Why the hell would I mind? I just insane crazy bitch tackled her for that ring. I’d be insulted if you didn’t propose to her today.”
“Cool. So I was thinking about four we would head out to the park. Can you be there fifteen minutes early?”
“Course. Now I’d better go and get ready for all of this.”
“Alright and make sure that we have a camera.”
“Yup, I know the drill, and Chance?”
He stopped and looked up at me, “Yeah?”
“I’m gonna be glad to have you in the family. You’re the best thing that’s happened to Val in a long time. I look forward to the day you two actually get married.”
“I… Come here.”
I walked over to Chance and he hugged me while trying to fight the tears that were thick in his voice. We stood there hugging for a few moments until I saw that it was already 2:45. Separating from him I grinned and then flounced out of the kitchen and upstairs to my room.
Shutting the door and making sure to lock it this time I went into my bathroom and started up a shower. Getting into the shower I began to wash all over but then caught the sight of the tattoo on the inside of my elbow. Feeling a bit of sadness at what it represented I quickly began to wash up and then got out.
Rough drying my hair with a towel I walked over to my dresser and picked out a dark blue shirt, black skinny jeans, and all of that good stuff. Once I was dressed I went back into my bathroom and began to dry my hair. It fell down in a wavy mess but with a bit of styling gel I made it look acceptable. Throwing on my eyeliner, deep gray eye shadow, and mascara I looked at myself and decided that I was good. Going over to my closet I picked out my black and white jacket and threw that on along with my fingerless gloves; it was starting to snow like a motherfucker.
Checking my phone to see that it was 3:45 I figured that I’d better get going. Grabbing up my purse and stuff I walked down into the kitchen to see Chance, Andy, Jinxx, and Ashley deep in conversation. Entering into the room all gazes were on me as I held out my hand. “Ring please.” I said to Chance. He took it out of his pocket and then carefully gave it to me. I put it into my purse and then announced loudly that I was going out.
Making my way outside I shivered at the temperature and shoved my hands into my pockets to keep what little feeling they had in them. Hearing someone call my name I turned back to see Andy quickly catching up to me. I let a small smile tug at my lips as he finally came to stand beside me. His hair was all fluffed up as the wind blew it around. He was wrapped up in a leather jacket and dark skinny jeans complete with combat boots.
“Going somewhere?” I asked knowing what his answer would be.
“With you of course.”
“Ah I see but weren’t you just out earlier?” We made our way to my car.
“What can I say, I like road trips. Especially with cute girls like you.”
“Ah in that sentence you made a mistake.”
He raised an eyebrow as I unlocked the car, “You said girls, as in plural. So who else do you think is cute?”
Getting in I noticed that his face was pretty red; “Well I didn’t mean it like that. You’re the only one that I think is cute because you know you’re... uh can I plead the fifth to that?” He sputtered.
Laughing at him I started up the car and then we were on our way, “I’ll remember that one Mr. Biersack.” He made a face at the last part of my sentence. “What’s that face for?”
“I don’t like being called that…”
“Wha?”
“Mr. Biersack… makes me feel like we aren’t that close…”
“Okay then… fluffy.”
Andy shot me a look that made me want to burst out laughing. “Fluffy?” Stopping the car at a red light I noticed that he was still waiting for an explanation.
“Well your hair is pretty much always fluffy so that’s your new nickname; since you don’t like me calling you Mr. Biersack.”
Pulling the car into the back parking lot that hardly anyone used I killed the engine and then got out. My teeth were immediately chattering from the cold. Small flakes of snow were beginning to fall and Andy wrapped an arm around me; pulling me into his side.
A squeak of surprise left my mouth at the feeling of his cold jacket but soon enough it began to get warmer. We walked around for a bit until I got a text on my phone telling us to get into place. We hid behind one of the larger trees and I pulled the ring out of my purse. Now all we had to do was wait for Max to come and find us.
As we sat there at the base of the tree I began to shiver again. “God I hate the cold.” I growled while trying to wrap my coat tighter around me. Andy pulled me to sit in between his legs and rubbed my arms in an effort to warm me up; it didn’t help much.
“How are you this cold? This is not as bad as it will get.”
“Have you forgotten that I’m a Florida native? The coldest weather we get there is about seventies and even then we can pretty much wear shorts and t-shirts.”
“Why the hell did you move to Ohio then? It snows like a motherfucker up here.”
“Because I had nowhere else to go. It was my best chance at not living in a box.”
“Again, you could have come on tour with us.”
“Let’s not relapse Fluffy.”
“Whatever you say Princess.”
I glared up at him, “You did not just call me Princess.”
“Oh but I did. If you can call me Fluffy then I get to call you Princess.”
Glaring at him I rolled my eyes before sitting up and away from him. Yet as soon as the wind blew I was right back there huddling up to his for warmth while he laughed up a storm. I so wanted to smack him but I knew that he could possibly get up and walk away which meant I would get cold again.
Just as I was about to say something we heard the jingling of a dog tag. Before I knew it Max had rounded the tree and jumped into my lap. I was about to scream when Andy put his hand over my mouth. Max growled at Andy when he did that but I quickly removed his hand before Max decided to bite him and subsequently me.
“Max, open.” I ordered. He did and I put the box back in his mouth which he quickly closed around, “Go find mommy!”
Max ran off and I then nodded to Andy; he let me go and we both got up. Taking the camera I started it up and then peeked around the tree. Pressing the zoom I then focused it onto Chance and Val. She noticed that Max had something other than a stick in his mouth and bent down to get it.
Taking the box from his mouth she looked at the slimy thing before putting her personal disgust aside and opening it. The look on her face was priceless; she looked so surprised that she might faint. Then I thought she really was going to keel over when Chance gingerly took the box from her and got down on one knee.
Deciding that I should go and tape this up close I nodded to Andy and we snuck forward. As we got slightly near them I was finally able to hear their voices. Val kept opening and closing her mouth like a fish while Chance couldn’t help but start out laughing.
“Valerie Clay Rayne would you marry me?” He asked while looking up into her eyes.
“Y-yes of course I will!”
Chance got up and put the ring on her finger. She jumped up and hugged him around his neck before crushing her lips to his in a nice kiss which I snapped a pic of. Next thing I knew there was a lot of cheering and I turned to see that the entire gang was here.
Val and Chance broke their kiss and looked around at everyone. When she spotted me with the camera she immediately tackled me down onto the partially snowy ground. I groaned but then she hugged me tightly around the neck babbling on about the proposal; tears of happiness flowing down her face. “Not to worry you but I think my head wound is bleeding again.” I remarked.
Immediately she leaped off of me and helped me up. After checking me over we all determined that I was gonna be fine but no more being jostled around for the time being. They were all probably planning to stay out here in the wonderful snow but once they noticed me shaking like a Chihuahua they decided to head to a bar to celebrate.
Shakily taking out my keys to unlock the driver’s side of the car Andy came up behind me and took the keys. Turning around I pouted at him but he just steered me over to the passenger’s seat and made me get in. Buckling me in he got into the driver’s seat and started up the car. It took a little bit for warm air to blast into the car but when it did I was feeling very comfy.
Looking over to Andy I saw that he was about to die from the heat. I took a moment to relish the comfortable heat before turning it to a more reasonable temperature for him. He looked over at me about to argue but I cast him a large smile and smacked his hand away from the air.
To say that the ride to the bar was boring would be a total lie. We cranked up the radio and began to sing the entire way there. I probably would have stayed silent but I sang and moved around in an attempt to forget about how cold I was. Parking the car Andy killed the engine and we got out.
“You know you’re a pretty good singer.” He commented.
“I guess but it’s not really anything I want to pursue.”
“What do you want to do?”
“Well I’m already a registered nurse so I thought I might do some EMT work or acrobatics, writing, or even modeling. Not really sure which ones yet.”
“Cool, I think you’d be a good model or an author.”
“Thanks now come on Fluffy, I’m freezing my ass off.”
Andy held the door open for me, “Right after you Princess.”
Rolling my eyes I stepped into the bar to see that everyone else was already there and had ordered drinks. Sitting down next to Ashley he grinned and tossed his arm over my shoulder; pulling me close. “How are you doing?” He asked while taking a swig of beer.
“Pretty good Ash, you?”
“Better if you’d dump him for meeeee~”
“Sorry but I’m not even dating Fluffy. Besides I’d probably date him over you; sorry but it’s the truth.”
Ashley’s mouth dropped open while everyone else laughed raucously. Grinning I ordered a soda before sitting back down to watch everyone else get drunk; if they were like this then when they got wasted it would be great.
An hour later pretty much everyone was wasted except for me. CC and Jake were dancing around like idiots while Ashley was sitting here drunkenly flirting with my coke can. Andy wouldn’t quit hugging me but Chance and Val were making out in the corner. Jinxx and Sammi stopped before they got too drunk and then said they’d be going home. Ella left a long time ago in a huff when Jake said that she was being a spoil sport.
Shifting my shoulder again Andy whined before hugging me tighter to him and rubbing his face against mine. Rolling my eyes I tried to push him off but it was no dice. Then, seeing Andy and getting jealous, Ashley decided to join in on the hug. Both of them were flush up against me and fighting for my attention.
“Boys! You’re both pretty now can I get some space?” I asked as they began to fight one another yet again. Ashley and Andy glared at each other then backed away for about half a second. Then before I knew it they were once again hugging me tightly and trying to pull me into their laps.
Growling I squirmed around and attempted to get out of their grips when someone else came and sat down across from the three of us. Looking up I saw it was Ella who was scowling at me. Why did she have a problem with me? I never did anything to her.
“Hey Ella, can you help me out here?”
“Why should I?”
“Okay why do you have such a problem with me?”
“You’re a nobody and yet somehow you ended up around here with us.”
“You’re not making sense to me at all.”
“What I’m saying is that you’re nothing special. Andy probably only felt bad for you and is taking pity on you. I mean think about it he’s dated movie stars and other rock stars; why would he suddenly go for a girl who doesn’t even have a home?”
I stood up suddenly and both Ashley and Andy tumbled away from me; I should have done that earlier. “Listen here I do have a home and it’s with Chance and val. Now listen to me bitch, I’m tired of you! I don’t care if I’m a nobody because at least I know the people who like me don’t like me for my money or fame!”
Prying Andy and Ashley off of my as they tried to latch onto me I pushed them off of me and just sat down alone at the bar. Why the hell did Ella have to hate on me? Taking a deep breath I just sat there trying to forget all about what just happened.
Somebody took a seat down next to me and then ordered a drink. I still sat there tracing a pattern into the counter top when a coke was set down in front of me. Looking up at the bartender I noticed him smile slightly and then motion his head over to the guy sitting next to me. Daring to look over I saw a guy with black hair and a lot of tattoos. He flashed me a smile, “Couldn’t help but noticed that you seemed a little off put about something.” He stated.
“Thanks but how did you know that I don’t drink alcohol?”
“Well I noticed you drinking a coke when I came in with my friends. Take it you’re the designated driver for the night?”
“I guess so. Why are you here instead of with your friends?”
“Well my friends are chatting up girls and getting drunk. You could say that I’m the unfortunate designated driver as well.”
“Ah I see.”
“So I’m Oliver Sykes but call me Oli, and you are?”
“I’m Senna Traverston.”
“Nice name.”
“Thanks.”
We fell somewhat silent again and then Andy stumbled over. He looked to see me sitting there and immediately hugged me. I could already smell the alcohol coming off of him and he hugged me tightly. I blinked back the tears that were being pulled out of my eyes by his rough smell.
Andy kept up his tight hug on me before he looked over to Oli and glared. “Who is he?” He asked. I was just about to answer when Oli beat me to it.
“I’m Oli Sykes; are you her boyfriend?”
“Despite what he says he’s not.” I cut in before Andy could reply.
“Then he’s your friend?”
“Yeah but in five days I’ll be m-more.” Andy slurred before puking all over my shoes.
“Uh…”
“Yeah I think I’m gonna just take him and my stupid friends home now…”
“Well call me some time.”
“I don’t have your number.”
“Not yet you don’t.”
He gently took my arm and pulled out a black pen. Scribbling down his number he then winked as I grabbed Andy and walked toward the door with him. Strapping him into the front passenger’s seat I went back inside and then grabbed CC, Ashley, and Jake who were laughing and pointing at the floor. Making my way back out to the car I threw them in and then started up the car; I’d be back for Chance and Val soon enough.
Starting up the car I was constantly keeping Andy’s hands off of the radio dials and from unbuckling his seatbelt. Ashley was messing with my hair since he was sitting behind me and CC and Jake were both snoring. “Andy if you touch the radio again I will hurt you!” I snapped. Andy looked up at me with wide eyes.
I made it back to the house and then spent fifteen minutes moving all of these drunk idiots into the living room where they wouldn’t hurt themselves. Making sure that they were all tucked in and not likely to go anywhere I then kicked some different shoes on and headed out once more.
Getting into the bar I saw Val and Chance were still sitting there in a dark corner making out. Sighing I began to walk over to where they were when I was intercepted by Oli once again. He grinned as soon as he saw me and gave me a hug, “Hey there! I never got your number by the way.”
“Here gimme your phone.” Taking it I plugged in my number and then handed it back to him.
“Cool thanks! I’ll text you some time.”
“That’s cool now if you don’t mind I need to get to my cousin and her fiancé.”
“Oh sure, see you!”
Quickly walking back to where the two were all over each other I pulled Val up. Chance glared at me but none the less followed wherever I took a giggling Val. Going out to the car I put them in there and quickly made it home; hoping that I was not going to come home to a trashed place.
Opening the door slowly I had to quickly sidestep to avoid getting trampled by Val and Chance. They moved onwards upstairs and I prayed to every single deity that I wouldn’t be able to hear them when they got to their destination. Putting that to the back of my mind I continued on into the living room to see that all of the brides were laid out. Sighing happily I went up to my room and took a shower; I would never get the disgusting feeling of Andy’s puke off of me.
The warm water hit me and I sighed happily; the feeling was beginning to get back to my fingers. Staying in there for longer than usual I got out, dried off, and then changed into my pajamas. Putting curling serum into my hair in favor to blow drying it I then checked the brides once more before going up to my bed. Sighing I popped an advil PM then laid back and then closed my eyes; I was so ready to go to sleep.
***
Andy’s eyes opened to a blurry world; where was he? That was his first through but then thoughts of Senna ran into his mind. Getting up onto his feet his head began to spin around and around and around… or was it the room? In all honesty he had no idea of which one was correct but it didn’t matter.
Walking (stumbling) into the hallway he used the wall as support to make it to the stairs. Getting there he giggled as he crawled up the stairs. This house was more fun than he last remembered it being. He finally made it up the stairs when he felt his stomach swirl and churn; uh oh. Holding back the best he could Andy waited until his stomach settled down to move again.
Getting on his hands and knees he began to crawl in what he thought was a straight line… until he hit a wall. Rolling his eyes along with how he thought his head was spinning he continued on until he got to a door. Reaching up it took a few tries before he finally got it open.
Tumbling inside he fell onto something soft that smelled nice. Picking it up he focused his bleary eyes long enough to make out a shirt. Tossing it down he rolled over onto his back and chuckled a tiny bit before using his feet to propel him. His head hit something hard and he rolled over muttering. Reaching up he felt the softness of a mattress. Mattress, sleep; yeah he was feeling tired.
Getting up onto the bed he flopped down and didn’t move from there. This bed smelled better than his own and it was warm. Rolling over onto his back he moved up a bit toward the pillows and then closed his eyes; his thoughts of Senna.