Bad Management

“It was great meeting you guys and once again I am so sorry for everything that happened.” I smiled at the young band in front of me. “Good luck with everything and keep fighting for what you want.” I smiled as they all hugged me, Michael being last. “Thank you for everything.” I whispered in his ear discreetly as he hugged me tighter and longer than the rest. “If you need ever need anything then you have my number. Maybe when your next in our part of the world I can show you around the studio.” I smiled as they all agreed that would be awesome. We all chatted for 5 minutes before Sophia shouted it was time for me to go. They all gave me another quick hug before I walked off, turning to face them with a sad smile. Since the whole hotel incident I stayed out of the way of the band. I explained what happened between Michael and I was purely innocent and that I was sorry this all happened. I did spend the next two days with Michael and the rest of the band as they played me some of their new stuff which I was super excited about, even more excited that they didn’t think I was what they heard. I made my way over to the group, where everyone was except Amber. She had decided that she wanted to see more of England so she stayed, I don’t what she knew or if she knew anything at all and to be honest I didn’t care. I’d spoken to the label and told them that I needed to take personal leave, I’d arranged for one of my label friends to take-over the studio aspect and the rest I could do from home. We made our way on the plane and luckily I was sat on a row by myself; Gerard, Sophia and Frank we’re in the middle of the aisle, the others behind them. The captain came on and did the welcome message, telling us to turn our mobile phones off until further instructed, it was at this point I noticed I had a message.
“Thanks for being cool these past few days, I really had a great time. Also, thank you for the box you really didn’t need to! You have no idea how excited we all are for the gig! Seems we’ll being seeing you a lot sooner! Miss you already, M xx” I smiled a little remembering that I had put a gift box in Michael’s room that had one of the very first MCR tour shirts to replace the shirt I stole from him, Hercules on DVD and Green Day tickets to their Hall of Fame concert for the whole band.
“You’re welcome and I can’t wait to see you either! Xx” I smiled typing the message quickly before turning the phone on to flight mode and slipping my headphones in looking out of the window.

We were about an hour into the flight and I had listened to the new music that the label had sent me. There were a few decent songs that I heard, but, nothing that stood out to me. Maybe later there would be. I was looking out of the window, my body turned so my back was to the spare seat trying to sleep which was proving impossible. I’m not the best flyer in the world and I normally needed someone sat with me to hold me hand for take-off and landing, however, today was different it wasn’t the fact I hated flying that was torturing me it was the decisions I knew I had to make once I landed back in America. I started to think about all the options, possibilities and outcomes and they all lead to one thing, leaving. I wasn’t sure if that meant leaving the band, the label or the country but I knew it was something that I seriously had to think about. I was so caught up in my own thoughts that I didn’t realise the tears were rolling down my face causing my cheeks to go damp. I wiped my cheek softly not daring to turn round to see if anyone noticed, just in case they looked and saw the tell-tale signs of bloodshot eyes. I took my headphones out and turned round to stand up when I was greeted by a pair of hazel eyes staring at me.
“Gerard.” I breathed out trying to recover from the scare. “Don’t do that to me.” I smiled a little biting my lip.
“I’m going to the bar, I need help carrying stuff.” He looked at me with a smile that told me just to go with what he was saying. I nodded following him out of the seat and to the back of the plane where the bar was. He ordered everyone’s drinks, ordering two coke’s for us.
“Want to tell me why you were crying?” He asked as he sipped his coke waiting for Christa’s cocktail to be made. I shook my head as he nudged me making me look at him. “Is it because you’re leaving him?” He asked nervously.
“What?! No!” I shouted out quickly. “Look I know what you all think, but, it’s not like that. He understood, he was…” I paused frowning a little, “he was like Frank when I first met you guys. I mean yeah I’m sad I’m leaving them because they were fun and Michael was a great friend that distracted me, but, that’s not why I’m upset. I’m upset because I have some serious thinking to do about my future, Gerard. I have given everything for MCR and I wouldn’t change a thing, except maybe me.”
“George you know he didn’t mean anything that he said. He’s in bits! The last thing any of us want is you to leave this band.”
“You speak the truth when you’re angry. I don’t want to cause friction because I’m trying to make it work. This band means to much to people, it means to much to me to jeopardise it.” I told him truthfully biting my lip.
“You can’t leave us.” He whispered.
“It’s not just you I’d be leaving.” I whispered drinking my drink desperately wishing it was a Gin and Tonic.
“You mean you’re thinking about leaving America?” He asked me stunned. I just looked up at him, my tears falling again as he grabbed hold of me in the tightest hug ever.
“There’s too many memories Gerard. I love him so much and I just don’t know what to do. Where to go.” I sobbed in his chest grabbing hold of his shirt tightly in my fist. “I’ve spoken to the label told them I need to take some time off. Steven is going to take over whilst you guys are in the studio and I’m going to be booking your American shows from home. I need time to figure out what’s best for everyone involved.” I said brokenly as I tried to calm down.
“No you don’t. You need to do what’s best for you. You’ve always been there for the band, for me, and now it’s time for me to do the same for you. Whatever you decide I’m on your side.” He told me honestly, hugging me to him again.

Notes