Let the Flames Begin prt.13

*Ryan*

A week and a half has passed since the press frenzy went about. The love of my life and I have been on dates, proper ones. Rhea has seen me practice with the band. She even practiced her fangirl side with us, which is so adorable. I saw her practice with Fall Out Boy too. It was fun, actually. I never got nervous in performing before, let alone our practices, since I've been doing it half of my life. I don't know how, but she makes me feel vulnerable. But I have to show her that I am strong to be her other half. Her on the other hand was flawless. She says as long as I'm there, she's trying to impress me. It worked. Now, I'm thinking of something special we'd share when we all start touring. It's in two days, the kick-off party. Rhea and FOB are gonna perform songs from An Evening Out With Your Girlfriend up to IOH. It amazes me that she can handle all that. Anyway… something to share? I guess I could-

"Ryan! Get your bum outta here." Brendon shouted from our room. "What now Bren?" I groan. "I don't like being interrupted from writing you know…" I closed my notebook, a bit angry and huffing as I came back from the balcony.

"What is it? New delivery of Capri Suns or Red Bull?" I rolled my eyes. "Oh, I don't know… I think you'll be happy like me about this…"

I gave him a confused look. Then Jon and Spence went in our room a few moments later. "Rybear…" Jon cooed. Spencer was grinning too. "Okay, what the fuck guys? Did something bad happen?" I glared at them. "Far from that best friend." Spencer put an arm across my shoulders.

"Right…" I sighed heavily. This is too much antics for me. "Guys, cut the crap please? Or I swear, I'd drink, well maybe throw, all of Brendon's Red Bull, burn Jon's flip-flops and tell the world Spencer thinks Jon's butt is cute." They all fell silent. "Well?!"

They all burst into a fit of laughter. "I don't think emo Ryan can handle all that." They teased. "Then just tell me what it is assholes! We've been here for ten fucking minutes already." I crossed my arms and huffed again. "Rhea's gonna perform with us!" They all shouted in unison and suddenly jumped up and down, just like the kids we are. "Oh. Uh-what?" My smile couldn't be helped, but my excitement and shock kept my comprehension from working. "Ryan! Your baby is gonna play beautiful music with us!" Brendon kept pinching my cheeks. Then Spencer explained. "Although, my dear friend, we're not only performing our songs. We're also gonna cover for-"

"Paramore!" Brendon jumps over and over again. Is Brendon really twenty? Jon just smiled. "Brendon's gonna sing like a girl?" I smirked at him. He stopped jumping and gave me an offended look. His mouth opening a bit, then turns to a pout. "As much as I can sing high notes George, your girlfriend's gonna sing the songs and play guitars as well." Brendon stormed to our sofa, fuming. Jon laughed. "Oohh… Mr. Sunshine is all gloom and doom today…"

We all smiled. Brendon's upset, oh boy.


There was a knock on the door. Spencer opened it and in comes a sight to lighten my mood. "Hey everyone." Rhea smiled. She noticed Brendon was feeling down and she frowned a bit. "Hey Bren. What's wrong?" She sat next to him.

"Chelli…" Bren hugged her and she hugged him back, rubbing his back. "Beeden…" She smiled. Brendon sobbed a bit. "Ryan's being mean to me… He sucks." Bren cried a bit. Rhea smiled at him, making him happy. "Does my Beeden want ice cream? How 'bout sweets? With Red Bull? Or…"

Brendon's smile went from ear to ear. "Or everything?!" It's working pretty, it's working. "Of course!" She smiled. When Brendon jumped up and down again, Rhea gave me a quick wink. "Oh no…" Spencer smiled and closed his eyes, amused. Jon tried to put Bren's hyperness down a notch. "Give me a few minutes Bee?" She asked. "Sure Chelli. Tick-tock!" He giggled.

This is just adorable, and I can't help but smile. She looked at me and motioned for the bathroom, so I let her use it. When she disappeared, Brendon's face became serious again. He glared at me. "You're lucky I like your girlfriend this time George."

I smiled at him, because I know he's right. "C'mere…" I called, opening my arms. He grinned and hurriedly hugged me. When we let go, what Brendon said irked me. "If things don't work out between you two, can I have her?…" Brendon bit his lips, looking at the ceiling. Jon and Spence fell silent. I was about to tell him to fuck off. "I'm kidding Ross. Don't you think me, as your best friend, respect that?" He grinned his red glasses smile. I let out a sigh of relief. "Not just that man. The thought of me and her breaking up is..." My eyes became wide.

"Ryan, don't worry about that." Jon assured. Just then she came out of the bathroom and looked more radiant. She tied her hair up in a ponytail with her bangs resting perfectly on both sides of her face. "Ready to go Bee?" She smiled. Brendon's giddiness came back and he pulled her arm. Rhea bid us all goodbye. She gave me a nod, but before they left from the door, "Oh Ry Bear..." Brendon sing-sang "Don't think I'd forget you." He blew me a kiss. Everyone laughed.

"Just keep her safe okay?" I chuckle. "Who says Brendon's gonna watch out for her?" Spencer said. "Yeah. Rhea should watch out for Bren cause he's bound to do something stupid." Jon chimed. "Well. Fuck you Jon." Brendon sticks out his tongue and Jon grinned.

"Take care pretty." I waved with a loving smile. "I will baby." Brendon answered for her. She smiled and then Brendon pulled her out. I let out a happy breath. My best friend and my girlfriend.

...

"Thank God Brendon approves of her right?" I asked my two band mates. "Yeah. If not, again, Bren would be bitching us about it." Spencer said. "At any rate, let's discuss our work. Two days to go guys. We're gonna play for most of the Family and our friends, then work on the press coverage for the album and the Honda Civic Tour." Jon laid on my bed.

Spencer sat on the sofa and I sat on the recliner. "Tenth of January right?" They nodded. "We've got that covered guys." I smiled. They smirked. "Yeah… well." Spencer proudly said. "But we do need to work on that kick-off performance." He giggled. "I know. I guess we're gonna have soundcheck later?" I asked. Jon sighed, content. "It feels good to perform again…"

I know it will be fun.


While we continued our discussions on how we're gonna cover for Paramore, my Sidekick vibrated.

Rhea: Hey Ry… Sorry I didn't get the chance to talk to all of you with the cover and all… Weird that Mclynn just asked us when it's two days away. (no complaints though ^^.)  Forgive me? >.<
RyBear: It's okay baby. I really want to thank you for cheering up my mate. *lmfao*
Rhea: It's no problem. Besides, he's happy (hyper really ^^) I'm happy.
RyBear: Don't let him get too much sugar love (although that's impossible…) Uhmm… Are you happy when I'm happy?…

I shifted in my seat a bit. This girl can do things to me…

Rhea:</u> Of course I am Ry… That's why I keep whispering things to you. To make you laugh, you know? Cause your smile makes my day. *huggles*

A smile slowly crept on my face, followed by my blood to my cheeks. "Ryan?" Jon asked. "What do you think?" Shit. I was paying no attention at all. "Sounds great." I nodded.

RyBear: You just made my day again pretty. I miss you already… ='[
Rhea: Don't worry. I'll make up for it baby. ^.^

Interesting…

RyBear: Oh really now… XD
Rhea: Perv! T_T

"Oh God." I upset her now. "Are you sure Ryan?" Spencer giggled. "Oh. Yeah, sure." Before, I could reply, Jon and Spencer burst into laughter. "What?" I cocked a brow. "Dude…" Jon giggled. "You-haha!" His breaths were short. "You just agreed to wear panties to the party!" Jon laughed, completely lying on my bed. Spencer had his eyes closed too, laughing. "You're sure huh?" He said, patting my knee.

I blushed furiously at them and rolled my eyes. "Haha, whatever." I stared at my Sidekick again. "Can't you pay attention while texting your girl?" Spencer asked. "Obviously, I can't." Isn't that why the idiocy just happened? Jon and Spencer looked at each other.

"You weren't like that before Ry." Spencer finally said. "What is it you call it… uh… multitasking?" I smirked. So I IMed my exes while doing other things before. This is different. I just stared at him. "Is it bad?…" I lowered my head, my hair covering my face. Jon sat on the elbow rest of the recliner I'm sitting on. "You got it bad dude." Jon smiled, putting his arm across my shoulder. My dearest friends smiled at me and I did too.

"Just a few more minutes and you'll have my full attention okay?" I bit my lip. They nodded. Jon sat next to Spencer now and they continued on talking about plans.

RyBear: Baby… I'm sorry. It's just, my perv side gets to me sometimes… I'm just kidding… D:
Rhea:</u> I know you're a horny boy…
RyBear: I can't say that I'm not, cause sometimes I am… >.<
Rhea: Oh George. I bet you're upset right now… ;DDD

"What the fuck?" I mumble.

RyBear: Brendon?!
Rhea: Bingo!

Oh how I can just imagine that toothy grin.

RyBear: Where's my pet? >=[
Rhea: Getting our ice cream. She let me borrow her phone. Fucking chill man… >=]]]
RyBear How long have you been using it? *deathglare*
Chelli: I was just browsing her phone till you texted suggestive words Ry… *ROFL*

Whew… I thought Brendon made up the whole conservation.

RyBear: Good. Just tell her to have fun and /you/, don't IM me with her phone anymore. *!*
Chelli: I love you too Ryan. *evillaugh* Bye bye. ICE CREAM… =] *squeel*

I shook my head, smiling. I hid my Sidekick and went to sit on the couch with the guys. "Now where were we?" I smiled. "Panties?" Jon wiggled his brows, Spence suppressing a giggle. My grin crept up up. "Shut up…"


*


After hours of deciding which songs to play for the party, we got up to practice and decided to wait for our two singers. "This hall is huge! So much bigger than I remembered." Jon stretched up his arms. "That's cause they moved the tables to the sides stupid." Spencer mocked. I grinned at them.

"Hey Ryan. Why don't we practice for it now? We can warm-up a bit." Spence asked. "Okay. Just IM Brendon to go straight here and we'll start." I walked over the stage and reached the grand piano. I slowly let my fingers linger on the ivory keys. "I haven't heard you played in a while…" I mumble. Yeah, I miss the sound of the piano. They help me relax. "Yo! They're gonna be here in a few. Let's practice." Jon shouted at me.

I grabbed my guitar and started playing a bit. Spence sat with his drum set and Jon picked up his bass. "You sing while they're gone." Jon smiled. I nodded. I exhaled heavily.

"Here we go." We were playing Behind The Sea, and instantly, all three of us felt happy. I remember all the happy memories of my life. I have changed, and it's fine, because I'm still me, only happier.


"Oh, you know…" Brendon sang in, playing the piano. Rhea was playing the guitar as well. "That those watermelon smiles…" We all smiled.


When we got to the part where everyone was singing, we all got silly and played our instruments while swaying and talking to the mics., just like the record. Although, we're the only once who understood what we said. I shook my head happily.

"Isn't Ryan's voice dreamy Chelli?" Brendon cooed. She nodded at all of us and smiled. "Thanks love." I smiled back shyly. Yeah, I am shy. Stop laughing. So yeah, practice… You'd think that we'd slack off. We didn't.

We chose to cover Pressure, Here We Go Again, Conspiracy, My Heart, Franklin and all the songs from Riot!. Then we decided to play everything from Pretty. Odd. We wanna make sure we give people a nice, happy, and content feeling and all that when welcoming the New Year. And I guess we're sort of promoting the album. We're gonna be bushed by then.

...

"Great guys." Spence got up from his set and smiled at us. "I'm beat! If you wanna practice again soon, I'm out." Jon grinned. "Whaaat?! You're tired already?" Brendon giggled. "Just cause we don't have sugar for blood Brendon." I said to him. "Whatever Ry." Bren rolled his eyes. "Just so you know, me and Chelli have a plan for that party."

I raised a brow. "Oh yeah?" I asked both of them. "We do. But we're so not telling anyone else." They giggled. Jon and Spence just grinned. "Oh, we don't know it too Ry." Spencer held his hands up. "We just think all of this is cute." Jon smiled. They decided to drop it and started to clean up the set.

...

I took Rhea to Fall Out Boy's room. "See you tomorrow?" I smiled. "I don't know… I think me and the guys have practice too." She bit her lip and fisted her left hand. I held it. "Are you gonna be fine?" I kissed her hand. "I think so. That's like seventy songs or so, but who's complaining?" She giggled. "You're gonna be awesome sweetie." She kissed my cheek and turned the door knob. "If you're not busy later, oh I don't know, about nine… maybe we could practice Franklin and My Heart together." Then she disappeared.

Interesting…