Party 'til you pass out / When the party's over

Alison

We were all sitting around the bonfire near the lake; it had been hot today, so many of the bands and crew had gone swimming or relaxing at the lakeside. I had spent most of my day hanging around with Tom, who grew to be my best friend on this tour.

The past three weeks we had been around each other the entire time, laughing and joking and just enjoying the tour in general. While I shot photos and videos for the band, he had taken the task upon him to edit them and use them as promotional material, and working together had only strengthened our bond.

Time had flown by and despite having to be around Oliver and his annoying vibe, I had entertained myself and had made quite some friends; I got along really well with the guys from All Time Low and Of Mice And Men, and I also like hanging out with Pierce The Veil. There were so many people around, and even after more than three weeks it felt like I still didn't know everyone.

I was glad that I got to know the lads in Bring Me, though, because they were hilarious and fun to be around - except for Oliver, that was. I had no clue what it was about him that made me annoyed as soon as I saw him, other than my bad memory about him. His energy was weird, he seemed to be off this world very often. He had this strange look in his widened eyes and between performing and hanging out, he was quiet and often asleep. Something about him just didn't feel right, and so I just tried to stay away from him as much as I could.

Right now I was staring at him, while he tried to pick up some merch girl from another band while he was beyond wasted. They were sitting at the other side of the fire place and Oliver seemed to be a bit pushy by touching her hair and leaning in while talking. The girl laughed as he whispered something in her ear, and somehow they reminded me of Lilian and Oliver on the New Year's party years ago.

A tight feeling grabbed around my throat and I inhaled deeply a few times.

'Are you okay?,' Tom asked while he handed me another beer. I shook my head.

'No. I could use some fresh air away from the fire,' I said, standing up. Tom followed me. 'Tom, I just want to be alone for a while...'

'No, you don't.' I sighed and kept walking towards some rocks a few hundred feet away from the bonfire and sat down on them, staring to the moonlight reflecting the water in front of me. Tom caught up and sat down too, taking a sip from his bottle.

'What's bothering you?,' he then asked. I pulled my knees up and wrapped my arms around my legs, resting my chin on top. 'You seem to be a bit... eh, off, sometimes.' My eyes met his intense stare and I bit my lip, wondering whether to tell him what was going through my mind lately.

'Well... It's eh... It's complicated,' I said, looking back at the water. Tom shrugged.

'I've got the time.' A chuckle escaped my throat.

'Sure you do...' Tom smiled too and took another swig of beer.

'Ali, I believe I can say I know you well enough by now to tell something is messing with your head. Just tell me, so I can help you.'

'You can't, really. I did this all to myself. You would judge me anyway...'

'But that doesn't mean you should have to deal with it yourself. And I would never judge you. Come on, I'll be leaving in a week. I don't want to go, leaving you behind without knowing why you seem so sad sometimes.' I sighed deeply and didn't respond immediately. In the meantime, Tom finished his beer and put the bottle next to him in the grass.

'I eh... How am I gonna tell this?,' I mumbled.

'Easy; just open your mouth and start.' Tom laughed when I shot him a glance. 'What?'