"I'll place the world right in your hands,

Never left behind,

Forget the past, remember me,

With the brightest eyes." - Bach's Revenge debut album, track 2

Charlie held up her pointer finger in protest. "One minute." She dug through her purse and pulled out a camera. "Let me get a picture of you guys for keepsake seeing as how it's your first tour and all."

They'd been to countless photo shoots in the last few months so quickly, yet very strategically they placed themselves next to each other. She got her shots in and shoved the camera back in her purse.

Surely they looked hilarious. Going from model stances for her to mimicking a line of well trained soldiers, they moved single file toward the steps of the giant bus which would substitute as their home for the next two months. Sawyer, Robbie and Lane stepped on without another thought, but Sebastian lagged behind while William stowed the luggage into the compartment below.

"Whatchu waitin' for?" William asked him.

Sebastian scowled. "Christmas. The white trash kind."

Charlie's mouth dropped and William's eyes went wide. "You aren't going to give me trouble, are you boy?"

Sebastian turned away. "Not at all, Captain Bill." He gave William an obnoxious salute and extended his arm, indicating Charlie or better yet William should go first. He didn't like the guy. He was an adult. Who was technically paying raging Bill's wages? Sebastian wasn't too sure where he thought he got off trying to tell any of them what to do.

Charlie grabbed at the sleeve of his shirt. "C'mon. I want to see the bus."

Sebastian gave the driver one more disapproving glance and headed up the stairs.

When they entered the bus, he was floored. He'd seen tour buses in pictures but they sure didn't do it any justice. It took him about ten seconds to decide it was nicer than his house, which was arguably a charming abode.

The freaking thing was massive, just as Lane acknowledged. There was a bedroom in the back and even though it hadn't been said, the band was going to give it to Charlie and him because it was the right thing to do. Right outside the bedroom, six bunks flanked either side of the bus, followed by a bathroom complete with a shower. Near the front was a fully stocked kitchenette and dining table big enough for all six of them. Across from it, a ridiculously long leather couch and large flat screen TV mounted to the wall. Speakers were abundant and theatre lighting was imbedded into everything.

Sawyer and Lane sat comfortably at the kitchen table and Robbie sank into one of the overstuffed couch cushions.

"Oh my God!" Charlie mumbled.

"Don't kid yourself sweetheart," Sawyer said. "Even God couldn't have thought this shit up."

Sebastian whistled. "Nice digs." He moved to the back bedroom to inspect it, but moments later flopped on the couch next to Robbie, seemingly satisfied. Charlie squeezed herself between them.

Robbie threw his arm across her shoulder. "I already feel like a rock star."

Sebastian glanced fleetingly. "Enjoy it while you can bro, she's mine."

"A shrink might tell you that sounds possessive," Robbie advised. "Besides, Charlie doesn't mind, do you, beautiful?"

"As long as your hands stay where they are, I don't mind," she conceded.

Robbie gave her arm a light squeeze. "Wouldn't dream of overstepping my bounds."

William boarded the bus, coffee in hand and took his place in the driver's seat. "Okay boys and girl, any questions before we leave?"

Everyone shook their heads indicating a resounding 'no'. Bill mumbled something and fired the engine, allowing all of them to collectively relax and settle in.

"So," Charlie rubbed her hands together. "What is one supposed to do on a tour bus to keep oneself entertained?"

"TV," Lane suggested, reaching for the remote.

Sebastian looked at his watch, "It's ten in the morning on a Sunday. What do you think is going to be on? Reruns of 'Days of Our Lives?"

"Well you know," Lane said, "It's hard not to get caught up in the trials and tribulations of Hope and Bo or John and Marlena."

"The fact that you can even name characters from a soap opera makes me question our friendship," Robbie said.

Lane rolled his eyes. "Whatever dude. I've had stay at home mom for my entire life. You can't seriously think I'd escape childhood unscathed."

"She should be investigated for child negligence," Sawyer said.

"Don't talk about my mom that way," Lane warned. "I assume you have a better idea."

"The ant stuck to the gum, stuck to the bottom of my shoe could produce a better idea than watching a soap," Robbie said.

Sawyer made a face. "You're both as dumb as you look. You think it's regular cable. On a bus? It's satellite TV. That means instead of a hundred channels of nothing there are a thousand channels of nothing. Gimme the remote. The minute both of you said the words soap and opera, you forfeited the remote holding privileges."

Lane forked over the remote. "Give me your Rubik's cube then."

Sawyer reached into a bag he'd brought to retrieve it and threw it in Lane's direction.

"I feel like writing a song," Sebastian said. Charlie could see a slight twitch in his jaw, a telltale sign he was irritated. At what?

"So write one. Quietly. This is a good movie," Sawyer waved his arm to the TV."

Seb rose to his feet and looked at her, a silent cue that she should follow. Charlie did as she thought he expected and let him lead the way to the back.

She sat on the bed, which was surprisingly comfortable given that it was on a bus and looked up at her boyfriend. Sebastian wasn't exactly known for his short fuse but since they'd eaten breakfast, he was testy. She watched as he thrust his hand into the deep duffel bag he'd brought, probably looking for a pen.

"Are you alright?"

He stopped rooting through the bag. "Fine. Why?"

"I dunno. You seem grumpy."

He moved his hands behind his back and laced their fingers together, bringing them back in front of him. "I'm not angry. I'm distracted. There's something I need to tell you."

She didn't like the sound of that. And she didn't like that he hadn't exactly been himself on the way here either.

Tears burned her eyes, a premature reaction to something he hadn't even said.

Sebastian looked fully alarmed. "Why are you crying?"

"Did I do something?"

Sebastian laughed softly. "No." He sat on the bed and pulled her beside him. His hands brushed the hair that hung loosely at her sides behind her shoulder. "I just want to talk to you."

She swiped at her eyes, sure her mascara was running. "About what?"

The pad of his thumb traced lines on her face. "About this morning, about tomorrow, about next month, about next year."

She exhaled. That didn't sound too bad. "Okay."

"I got a text this morning. From McKenzie."

She stiffened.

"I didn't answer it or anything," he continued. "But you know I can't stop her from coming to the shows and stuff right?"

It was something she avoided thinking about as much as possible. Yes, he couldn't stop her but regardless, she didn't have to like it. "What did the text say?"

"Does it matter?"

Her eyes went wide. "Of course it matters!"

"She said she'd be seeing me lots this summer," he admitted.

Charlie crossed her arms over her chest. "So she's coming to the shows?"

"I guess, yeah."

"Why can't she leave us alone? We're good you and me."

Sebastian sighed. "We're still good you and me. I won't let anyone or anything come between us. I promise."

"I hate her," she mumbled.

"Listen. I know we don't talk about it, but I screwed up. You know it and I know it. I'm sorry. I'll be sorry forever about it. But I swear Charlie, with everything inside me; you have nothing to worry about."

"I know."

He put his hands on either side of her face. "So let's not let her ruin this. It's what she wants. To ruin everything."

"Are you still going to write a song?"

He kissed her nose. "Unquestionably."

For the next half hour, Charlie lay beside him while he scribbled lyrics on paper. She watched the intense expression in his face and admired how determined he was. When he was done, he tore the sheet of paper out of his notebook and handed it to her. "For you," he said.

She glanced at the words he'd scrolled across the paper.

Don't turn around to see the past, keep it locked away,

Face the future with bright eyes, hear the words I say,

I'll love you till the end of time, until my heart stops beating,

I'll shelter you from any storm, until my breath stops breathing,

I'll do anything to show you, so keep your bright eyes open,

You're the light inside my darkness, the hope when I've stopped hoping,

I'll love you till the end of time, until my heart stops beating,

I'll shelter you from any storm, until my breath stops breathing,

The future lets you see things, the truth, it cannot hide,

So face the things that try to break you, with the brightest eyes,

I'll love you till the end of time, until my heart stops beating,

I'll shelter you from any storm, until my breath stops breathing,

I'll always be the one for you, no more careless lies,

I see the way that you see me, with your brightest eyes,

I'll love you till the end of time, until my heart stops beating,

I'll shelter you from any storm, until my breath stops breathing.

I'll place the world right in your hands, never left behind,

Just forget the past, remember me, with your brightest eyes.

"What do you think?" he asked.

She smiled and set the paper on the bed before bringing her lips to his. "You really want to know?"

"Really," Seb said. She could feel him smile.

"God. You're smooth."