The weeks flew by, and before I knew it I was on the next plane to the United States along with Queen and their army of road crew. The long flight meant that I had time to become acquainted with the many people I'd be working along side with, including roadies, technicians, personal assistants, security guards, costume designers, and more. Basically a lot of names that I would somehow have to try and remember.

Usually being one of very few women on these types of tours, I always felt a little bit nervous when I first arrived as I never knew how the rest of the crew would react. Some of them would welcome you with open arms, others would refuse to acknowledge that you were even there and completely ignored you. You could never tell.

But luckily, that wasn't the case with Queen's road crew. They were extremely welcoming - some of them had even heard of me - and by the time we landed in Dallas, our first stop on the tour, I'd vaguely gotten to know everyone and knew what they did. My favourite person who I'd met so far definitely had to be Peter - or Ratty as he was known as by the rest of his colleagues - a long time roadie and also a keen photographer. He was very easy going and quite the character too, always joking around with his partner in crime Crystal, also known as Chris. They really made quite the double act.

Anyway, once we'd landed firmly back on the ground again, we got off the plane before entering the airport where I collected my mountain of luggage from the baggage claim. I made my way through the airport with everyone else, eventually reaching a back entrance where three large coaches were waiting to take the crew and myself to the hotel, two for transporting us and one just for the tonnes of suitcases.

We clambered on board, and soon we were cruising through the streets of Dallas with the city lights flashing by us, as I struggled to keep my eyes open for any length of time. After the long 13 hour flight, I couldn't wait to get to the hotel and slip underneath the covers of my bed and drift off into a much needed deep sleep.

So when we finally arrived, I found whatever energy I had left in my body I hurried off the bus, collecting my stuff from the other, before following the rest of the crew who were already making their way inside. The check-in process took a while mainly because there were so many of us, but eventually we were all allocated to our given rooms for the night, even if my legs were about to give way from exhaustion whilst waiting in line.

'Your room is number 410,' the receptionist told me when I reached the front desk and she handed over my room key, 'Breakfast is served from between 6:30 to 10am in the dining room. If you need anything, feel free to use the phone in the room to call the front desk. Other than that, I do hope you enjoy your stay.'

'Thank you,' I replied graciously, whilst grabbing my suitcases and heavy camera equipment.

'Ma'am, I could have someone come and take those bags upstairs for you, if you'd like.' the receptionist told me with a worried expression as she watched me move clumsily towards the nearest lift.

'No thank you, I'll be alright.' I assured her with a smile as I trundled into the metal box as the doors closed shut behind me.

It felt like forever, but when I finally arrived at my floor, I practically fell out of the lift trying to carry all of my stuff. Why did I have to bring so much crap with me? and Maybe I should have asked for assistance were my thoughts as I staggered along the seemingly endless corridor ahead of me, trying to not fall flat on my face or my backside, without dropping anything either (if I dropped and broke my camera that would undoubtedly be the end of the world).

But I soldiered on, and the more I walked, the more the numbers on the doors around me were starting to look promising. 403..404...405...I was getting closer to my room, closer to my bed, and closer to being able to put down all of my shit. But before I could progress any further, a voice from somewhere at the end of the corridor called out to me, stopping me in my tracks and making me almost drop everything on the ground.

'Y'know a porter could have taken your luggage up to your room for you, right?'

Because I was also carrying stuff in my arms, it was blocking my vision straight ahead of me, but I didn't have to be able to see to know who it was that was trying to get my attention. I'd managed to stay clear of him for the last couple of weeks since the day at the office, so this is was the last thing I needed...

'Yes, I'm aware of that. Thank you for reminding me, Roger.' I couldn't hide the sarcasm in my voice. Thank god for the stuff blocking my face or he would have certainly seen me rolling my eyes.

'Do you need a hand? You seem to be struggling.' he asked, as I heard him approaching.

'No,' I quickly replied, taking a few steps back, 'I can manage on my own. J-just go back to your room. I don't need your help'

I heard him snort, 'Doesn't look like it to me.'

'Wanna bet?'

Before I could argue with him any further, I felt the weight of the bags I was carrying lift from my arms as Roger took them from me and held them in his own.

He flashed me a playful smile, 'So, where's your room?'

I swallowed hard, 'Just down this corridor. 410.'

He just nodded and headed back down the corridor once more, as I trailed apprehensively behind him. When we reached my room, I put my suitcases down so I could get my keys out and unlock the door. As I did, I could feel Roger's eyes on my back watching me as I fumbled about with my keys in the lock, even though I couldn't see him. Trying to ignore it, I hastily opened the door and stepped into the dark, before flicking on the light switch.

The room was definitely more spacious than I'd anticipated. Burgundy walls matched the cream coloured bed sheets and carpet, with large draping curtains hanging over the window looking out onto the city and an en suite bathroom to my left. I put my keys down on the dressing table as well as putting my bags down on the bed. Roger followed behind, doing the same as he looked at the mountain of stuff in front of him.

'Looks like you've taken your entire house with you on tour.' he observed.

I shrugged, 'Most of it's camera equipment, but you can never be too organised. At least I know I've brought everything I could possibly need.'

'I suppose that's true.'

There was an awkward silence between us as I stood there waiting for Roger to leave. I glanced up at him with an eyebrow raised.

'Well...you can go now,' I said bluntly, 'You've done your good deed for the day.'

He just smirked at me, 'Bit rude, isn't it, kicking me out after just helping you there? I was hoping for a bit more gratitude.'

'What do you want, bellboy - a tip?' I sassed, 'I'm really not in the mood right now, Roger, I just want to go to sleep. So if you'd be so kind as to please go, that would be great.'

'Alright, alright, I'm going,' he sighed making his way towards the door, 'All I was fishing for was a thank you, but I guess I don't deserve even that, do I?'

I looked down at the floor to hide face which was now red with both embarrassment and guilt. I knew he was right, even if I didn't want to admit it. I may felt uncomfortable as hell when I was around him, but I was being petty; taking my frustration out on him when I was really just frustrated with myself. Not even he deserved that sort of treatment.

Looking up at the drummer again, I sighed heavily and stopped him before he left the room, 'Wait,' he turned around, 'I'm...I'm sorry, okay? Then, trying to put everything aside for a millisecond, I gave him the best smile I could muster, 'I appreciated the helping hand with my bags. Thank you, Roger. I mean it.'

Happy that he'd received the thanks he'd been hoping for, he smiled back at me sweetly, 'You're welcome, Charis...G'night.'

'Night.'

And with one last smile, Roger left the room, leaving me to sort out the pile of suitcases that were covering the top of my bed and preventing me from getting into it.

I unpacked a few essentials, like toiletries and pyjamas, until I decided taking out the rest and putting them in the wardrobe required too much effort as of now. I'd do it in the morning. So instead I put the remainder of my crap in the corner of the room and got ready for bed, before slipping underneath it's welcoming covers and drifting off to sleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

-

Hey everyone!

Sorry for such the long wait for this chapter. I was having one of my no-inspiration spells if you get what I mean. This might be kind of shit because of this - I'll probably go over it again and re-edit stuff as I nearly always do - but I didn't want to leave you waiting any longer than necessary. Hopefully, this story will get more interesting with time. Anyway, I hope you still liked it and if you really liked it, a vote/comment would be appreciated too.

Thank you!

- Anna :-)

P.S. Hope you like the new cover too. It took bloody ages to make haha!