"Honestly, can you believe we crossed the world while it's asleep?
I'd never trade it in, 'cause I've always wanted this!
It's not a dream anymore! Oh...
It's not a dream anymore!
It's worth fighting for." - Looking Up

My heart was pounding in my chest; the pressure that came with passing Auditions was slowly fading but the adrenaline from the performance still coursed through my veins. Sweating but grinning, Chasing Avenues unplugged their instruments, and gathered by the western wing of the stage. I was the last to leave, busy adjusting the drum set back to its default settings before I left.

Sticking Rev into my boots, I straightened my back but not before a weird feeling overcame me. The hairs on my arms began to stand as I felt the scrutinizing stares behind me. Carter? Quickly I glanced over my shoulder at where Carter and her band were sitting, but their seats were empty. Huh. Maybe they left before we performed.

A small wave of disappointment met my adrenaline; I wanted to show her that I wasn't weak. I wanted Carter to see that I was fine pretending, that I didn't need her or any 'friends'; that I was strong.

It quickly evaporated though when I made my way over to the rest of the band yet continued feeling as if someone was watching me.

To my surprise someone was.

As Xander patted me on the back with a comforting grin, my eyes locked onto the familiar emerald gaze of none other than Mike himself. His expression changed into a calculating one, watching my and Xander's friendly exchange. But more importantly, I noticed the slight cock of his head towards me, or actually. . .

Narrowing my eyes, I silently understood what he was trying to tell me. My head swiveled around to glance behind my shoulder. Tom stood on the opposite wing, his eyes on me.

They were furious.

Furious, why? I had no clue at all. Tom's eyes were boring into mine, and I realized that this man was not someone to be made an enemy. The manager of Tilted Reality was exceptionally intimidating, and judging by the calculating look in his eyes as his gaze swept over me then past my shoulder at Mike, he wasn't stupid either.

Whirling around to glance at Mike again, I almost frowned at the smug smile on his face as he quirked a mischevious eyebrow at Tom. He was taunting the other man; challenging him.

"Lacey." Drake's voice made me turn towards the guitarist. "Come on, Gabriel and Zac are gonna take everything out to the car. They said they'll meet us back at the seats."

I nodded, and together the three of us started off towards our spots. An abrupt hand on my shoulder stopped me and made me flinch. My steps faltered as I watched Xander and Drake walk on without me.

"Not so fast, Lacey." Mike's voice murmured beside my ear and I felt like shuddering. His arm guided me back into the shadows of the wings, keeping us out of earshot and eyesight. As soon as I felt his grip loosen, I spun around and slapped his hand off me.

"Don't touch me." I hissed, still feeling the ghost of the pressure of his hand on my shoulder.

Mike's eyes brightened as if he were Sherlock Holmes and had just solved another crime. "Listen, Carson-" He ignored my jolt at the sound of my real last name. "I want you to meet me backstage after the last band performs. Alone. Got it?"

"What are you-"

"Understand? It's very important." He interjected, arching one eyebrow. I shot him an irritated glance and didn't respond. Instead, I turned around and took a step towards the auditorium seats.

"It could decide your fate, you know?" Mike called after me, calmly.

A few more steps.

"It could keep you from getting kicked out of the competition."

I took a slow, hesitant step forward.

"It could save you from your father."

My footsteps and my breathing stopped entirely.

--

My heart was still pounding in my chest -thundering even- but not because of the adrenaline. No, that drained out of me as soon as my eyes landed on Mike. It was a feeling that I was too used to, a feeling that I was ashamed of.

Fear.

I was jittery all over; Rev was in my trembling hands as I drummed a nonexistant rhythm onto my lap, ignoring Gabriel's pointed glances in my direction.

It could save you from your father.

How did he know?

"- Tilted Reality!" Cindy cried ecstatically, clasping her hands together. My neck protested as I swiftly glanced my gaze up. I wasn't expecting them to be called up to audition; I thought they were already in the competition permanently. Guess they wanted to audition for show.

Feeling the ghost of a smile on my lips, I watched as our new aquaintances took the stage and were instantly showered with cheers. As usual, Blake was the last to enter, taking up his position behind the drum set. His eyes scanned the audience, as if looking for someone.

His eyes met mine.

I didn't know why, but my heart jumped a little as he gave me his familiar lopsided grin, even shooting me a wink. I blinked at him in response, starting to get annoyed with myself as a familiar blush shot up my cheeks.

"And what song will you be playing this evening?" asked Stephen, leaning forward with interest as his hands clasped together in front of him.

"We'll be playing Knives and Pens by Black Veil Brides." Vanessa replied in a short, clipped tone. Her eyes flashed -for only a splt second, but I caught it- towards Tom, who gave them a curt nod: as if they needed his appoval.

Vee turned her attention back towards the crowd, shooting us a brilliant grin. "Seattle! Are you ready to rock?!" Kat giggled at her side as the crowd erupted into cheers. Blake repeatedly the bass drum as Vee pumped up the crowd, adding to the mysterious effect she was trying to create.

"We. Are. Tilted. Reality!" Vanessa yelled, and instantly Zeke played the opening riff, shredding through the silence and sending goosebumps up my arms. Blake joined in, and the two shared the opening duet with Zeke's vicious playing and Blake's chill movements.

"Alone at last we can sin and fight. And I've lost all faith in this blurring light. Stay right here we can change our plight, storming through this despite what's right." Vanessa sang and strummed a minor chord on her guitar, with Katerina entering the song as well. The three other members sang beautiful harmony as their lead vocalist passionately drew out the chorus. I saw her tilt her head back before releasing a loud scream in accordance to the song and I could say she brought Black Veil Brides justice with her powerful vocals.

The boys were transfixed beside me, trapped in Tilted's aura of music. Even I felt myself drawing closer, almost forgetting that this wasn't the real them. This wasn't the Tilted Reality I knew. But even so, I couldn't deny their skills.

My eyes kept getting drawn back to Blake and I gulped at the muscles in his biceps rippling as he struck his instrument, bobbing his head in time to the beat making his messy black locks swish around in an attractive way. My breath caught in my throat and I forced myself to tear my gaze away. Was that my heart or the vibrations of the bass drum?

Instead, I found myself looking back towards Tom and Mike, noticing how they were once again giving each other dirty looks. This time, Tom was the one looking smug as he nodded his head along to his band's music. Mike mouthed something, and I could read lips well enough to know he had just cursed the other man out.

Just then, his head suddenly jerked towards me, and I held his gaze defiantly. He held up his wrist, revealing an expensive looking wristwatch. He tapped the tiny clock, a simple reminder. Then he switched his gaze elsewhere. I felt a lump form in my throat as Tilted Reality's music began to fade as the song almost finished.

My heart was pounding in my chest - was it my heart or the vibrations of the bass drum?

--

"We fucking rocked." Zac grinned, enclosing Gabriel and Drake in a hug. The two boys squirmed, but you could see the friendship glistening in their eyes. Xander and I exchanged a glance, shifting uneasily at their affectionate display.

Seeming to notice us, Drake smirked, ducking out of Zac's grasp. "Xander... Lacey... Give Papa a hug!"

"Oh, no, no, no-" I started to mutter but my breath was knocked out of me as Drake tackled me and Xander with a giant bear hug. Xander sputtered beside me, obviously having the same reaction that I did. But nonetheless, it was a. . . nice gesture. I patted Drake awkwardly on the back, unsure how I should be feeling.

Suddenly more pressure was applied as Zac and Gabriel joined the hug, and I groaned a bit but couldn't help the small chuckle that escaped my lips. As if a fog lifted from my crowded thoughts, I realized something that startled me: the hug was becoming warm, and I... liked it. The last time I was hugged was well-

It's been a while.

My arms found their way around the boys' waists, drawing them closer, as I laid my head on a familiar chest. I felt his heartbeat against my ear and I closed my eyes, listening to the natural drum beat of the world. I didn't mind that it was Xander I chose; all I could think about was how much I missed feeling appreciated. And how their hug made me catch a glimpse of who I was before everything happened.

Guilt clenched my gut.

I was the first to pull away from the group hug, clearing my throat awkwardly. The hug had only been a few seconds, but to me it felt like forever. Xander's cheeks were lit up like Christmas lights, and the guilt continued to eat at me. I had to start getting that under control before I lost control. They rest of Chasing Avenues quickly dispersed after that, patting each other on the back with grins on their faces.

But my focus on them was lost as soon as I glanced over their heads. Mike was standing a few yards behind the band, tapping his wristwatch again. I shot him a scowl.

"Hey guys?" I called, turning back towards the boys. "I'm going to head to the bathroom real quick, okay?"

"Sure. We'll be in the van. Just meet us outside. You remember where we parked, right?" Zac piped up, ducking out of the way as Drake tried to noogie him. Waving him off with my hand, I pretended to head in the direction of the bathrooms before taking a detour and heading backstage.

It was dark, extremely dark, and I fumbled a bit as I walked forward. As I started to take another step, a hand shot out and covered my mouth, keeping me from screaming. I instinctively elbowed my attacker in the gut. The person let out a breath of exhalation and dropped his hand, wheezing out, "Wait, L-Lacey it's just Mike" as I readied to punch his nose through his skull.

Dropping my fist while trying to calm my heart rate, I hissed venomously in his direction, "Don't fucking scare me like that. Just tell me what you want so I can get out of here."

After a series of coughs and wheezes, Mike finally straightened and glared at me. "You're lucky you're important, otherwise I would have you sued and-"

"Cut to the chase, old man."

Mike let out an irritated sigh before shaking his head and composing himself. As if realizing what he was going to ask me, his face brightened and he grinned from ear to ear. "Lacey."

"Mike."

"What if I told you I had a proposition for you?"

--

Finally, an update. Hope you enjoy this chapter. Song on the side is Knives and Pens by Black Veil Brides. (Actually, it's the acoustic version because it's pretty as hell. Go look up the original if you'd like.)

Comment. Vote. Promote.

Stay lovely~
Isabelle