Blogger | Josh Dun

We got back to the bus in one piece.

"I'm sorry for ruining your paintballing trip guys." I apologised, once I'd washed the blood from my face.

"You didn't, don't worry about it." Jenna smiled at me. "Now, I need to wash this paint out of my hair."

"Wait! Photo!"

I grabbed the camera from my bag and pointed it at them. 

"Say cheese!"

I snapped the photo and laughed at the paint splattered faces in the picture. 

Jenna and Tyler left the room, presumably to go and shower.

Michael and Mark had gone to visit the other bus, so it was just Josh and I left in the lounge area. 

"You sure you're okay? Your nose still looks a little red. I might start calling you Rudolph."

I crossed my arms over my chest and stared at the grinning boy sat in front of me, his tongue poking out between his teeth. 

"You wouldn't dare."

He shrugged. "Wouldn't I, Rudolph?"

I lunged at him but he was prepared for my attack. His fingers found my middle and all of a sudden I was writhing underneath him as he tickled me relentlessly. 

I gasped for breath between laughs.

"Please... stop..."

Josh eventually stopped, and I realised the position we were in. I was lying on the sofa, and Josh was straddling my thighs, his hands holding my waist, and his face just millimetres above mine. We were both breathing heavily, and staring unashamedly into the others eyes. I noticed how Josh's brown eyes also had flecks of yellow in the irises, and they crinkled at the corners. 

I cleared my throat, snapping out of my daze.

"You know, I could easily punch you in the face right now, and give you a red nose to match."

Josh giggled quietly, and leaned his head against my shoulder quickly whilst he tried to control his laughter. He then sat up, pulling me up with him, and hugged me. He buried his face in my neck. 

"God, I love you."

I stiffened and pulled away. 

He had only meant it as a friend. Chill out, Liz. 

"Right back atcha." I punched him in the shoulder gently. "Now move, I'm hungry."

...

The last few weeks of my time on tour passed in a blur. 

Time does fly by when you're having fun. 

It was the day before I was due to go home, and the boys had a show. I was taking pictures from the side of the stage, so when the boys came off, I was the first person they greeted. Josh picked me up in a sweaty hug, spinning me around as I tried to push him off me. 

"You're gross," I said, blowing my hair out of my face when he finally let me go.

"You love it. I'm gonna shower." 

He ran off after kissing my cheek.

I helped the crew load the buses and went inside, flopping onto my bunk and pulling the curtain closed. I wanted to wallow in my self-pity for a moment, before everyone else got back. 

I loved tour, and didn't want to leave. 

I didn't want to miss all of the other shows.

I didn't want to stop writing and taking pictures all the time.

I didn't want to leave the friends I'd made in the form of the band and crew.

But mostly, I didn't want to leave Josh. 

He'd wiggled my way into my heart, and I wasn't sure what to define it as. Was he a really close friend, or did I feel something more? 

Either way, there was no way I'd ever work it out after tomorrow. I was being dropped off at home and then they were leaving, back to America to finish their tour and get on with their lives. 

I was so caught up in my sadness that I didn't notice my curtain being pulled open. 

"Lizzie?"

Josh climbed into my bunk, lying next to me. It was a small space, so our arms were pressed against each others. He was warm, so I shifted so that I was even closer to him.

"Wanna talk about it?" He asked quietly.

"Just gonna miss you, is all. And the rest of the guys. And touring. It's been amazing."

Josh moved onto his side so that he could look at my face. 

"Lizzie, you're amazing at what you do. And it'll all work out, you'll see. Dreams have a way of making themselves come true."