Prologue

Life isn’t always fair. That was true for the fifteen year old girl, Gabi, and her nineteen year old sister, Scarlet. As their home burned down, with their parents inside of it, the two girls could only cry and scream, for no one to hear.

The only sound on the cool, country night was the crack of the burning embers and cries of the grieving girls. As morning broke, the flames calmed, and finally went out, and the only thing left of the white country house and two loving parents was a pile of black ashes.

Chapter 1(Scarlet’s POV)

“Scar…what are we gonna do.” I couldn’t answer. Instead, I sat down on the singed grass, pulled my knees up to my chest and wrapped my arms around them protectively. My tears had long since run out. I could only stare at the pile of ashes and silently mourn for my parents, and childhood home.         “Scar?” Gabi asked meekly, plopping onto the grass next to me. “Scarlet…we have to go somewhere…” Gabi said, poking me. I didn’t move. Suddenly, I heard a deep voice behind me.

“Hey, what happened? Are you girls ok?” The voice sounded familiar. It sounded like the voice of my idol, Andy Six.

“Uh…not…not really…” Gabi stuttered. I continued staring forward. Suddenly, a pale face appeared in front of my vision. Ice blue eyes stared at me in concern. It was Andy Six.

“What happened?” He asked softly, putting his hand on mine. Before I knew what I was doing, I had burst into tears. Without hesitation, he put his arms around me and pressed my face into his shoulder. I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to hold myself together. Suddenly, a voice cracked with tears, Gabi’s voice, started singing out.

“I never meant to be the one who kept you from the dark. But now I know my wounds are sewn because of all you are. I will take this burden on and become the holy one, but remember I am human and I’m bound to sing this song.” Five more voices joined in.

“So hear my voice remind you not to bleed. I’m here. A savior will be there when you are feeling alone, oh. A savior for all that you do, so you live freely without their harm. So here I write my lullaby to all the lonely ones. Remember as you learn to try to be the one you love. So I can take this pen and teach you how to live. What is left unsaid, the greatest gift I give. So hear my voice remind you not to bleed. I’m here. A savior will be there when you are feeling alone, oh. A savior for all that you do, so you live freely without their harm. When I hear your cries, praying for light, I will be there. When I hear your cries praying for light, I will be there!” By the end of the song, my tears had dried and I had joined in singing.

“So what happened?” Jake asked carefully. I looked up at his concerned hazel eyes.

“I…I don’t know. I was just lying in my bed. My mom and I had just had a fight, then suddenly, the smoke alarms go off and my dad comes rushing in and tells me to get out. So I get Gabi and I run outside. We waited but…they never came out…” I looked down. “I never even got to say ‘I love you’…” I closed my eyes. “It was over something stupid…I was angry because she wouldn’t let me go to the movies.” I choked up and buried my face in my hands, sobbing again. “I’m so sorry!” I cried. “I’m sorry mom…I love you.” I whispered, closing my eyes and clenching my fists. I sat there for a few seconds before standing up, wiping my cheeks. I grabbed Gabi’s hand.

“Scarlet?” She asked in confusion.

“Well, we gotta keep going, kiddo.” I said in a thick voice. “Let’s move forward. Mom and dad would’ve wanted us too.” At the mention of mom and dad, Gabi’s face fell a little more, her brown eyes getting duller, if that’s even possible.

“Hey, where are you going to go?” CC asked softly. I shrugged.

“Wherever the wind takes us.” I answered, raising my face to the sky. “Whatever the world has in store for us, we can endure it.” I said confidently.

“Come with us.” Jinxx said suddenly. I glanced over at his face.

“Yeah, we can’t just let you leave like that, with no home, nor money.” Andy agreed. CC, Jake, and Ash nodded in agreement.

“Come on! We can take you shopping, buy you some new clothes, new phones, all that.” CC exclaimed. I shook my head.

“Absolutely not. I was considering it, but if you’re going to buy us tons of new things then no.” I said.

“Scar, we need the help.” Gabi muttered. I looked down at her and my shoulders drooped.

“Fine.” I muttered. The five guys grinned and led us to their tour bus. I climbed on reluctantly, following my sister. She immediately fell onto the couch and closed her eyes, exhausted. She was asleep within minutes. I stared at her sadly.

“She’s so young…” I heard a voice next to me. I turned to see Jake sitting next to me. I nodded.

“This is going to have a huge impact on her. I hope she’s gonna be ok.” I said in concern.

“What about you?” He asked suddenly. “Are you gonna be ok?” He asked, turning his hazel eyes onto me.

“I…I don’t know.” I answered honestly, staring out of the window as we drove away from the remnants of my home. “WAIT!” I shouted, jumping up. I ran to the door of the bus and threw it open, jumping out of the rolling bus.

“Scarlet!” Jake yelled after me, hanging out of the door as I sprinted back towards my old home. I dropped to my knees and started digging through the ashes frantically. “Scarlet, what the hell were you thinking?!” Jake shouted, panting behind me. I didn’t answer as I finally saw what I was looking for. The family portrait. It had escaped with minimal damage. I smiled as I stared down at it, then hugged it to my chest and stood up, turning to face Jake. He was standing behind me, his chest rising and falling quickly as he panted. The bus had stopped moving and I could see four guys hanging out of the door.

“I’m sorry…I needed it.” I said in a meek voice as my knees shook. Suddenly, I fell forward. Jake caught me and hoisted me up, holding me bridal style.

“Let’s get you into a bed. It’s been a long night.” He said and started hiking back to the bus. We finally got on and Jake passed me off to Andy. I don’t remember much after that. Just that I was laid on a bed and asked Andy to stay with me.

I woke up in the middle of the night screaming into Andy’s chest. He held me tightly, rubbing my back.

“Shhh shhh. It’s ok. Everything’s going to be ok.” He whispered into my hair. It almost sounded like he was about to cry. “I’m here now. Nothing’s gonna hurt you.” My eyes drooped and I fell asleep again.

The rest of my sleep was without interruptions. I woke up when Andy was climbing out of the bunk.

“Andy?” I asked blearily, squinting up at him.

“Sorry, hun. I have a gig I have to play. Go back to sleep.”  I nodded and listened as the five band mates moved quietly around the bus, whispering to each other occasionally. A few minutes later, the bus door closed and it was silent again.

“Scar?” Gabi’s small voice asked, and she moved the curtain aside. “Can I come lay with you?” She asked. I opened my arms to her and she climbed into the bed, nestling her face into my neck. I hugged her tightly and started softly singing the lullaby that mom used to. Soon after, she was asleep, and I fell asleep not too far after her.

I woke up to the sound of a female’s voice yelling. “You know what, Andy?! I’m so done with this!” A girl screamed.

“Scout would you please just let me explain?” I heard Andy plead.

“Ok, please do explain why there are two girls curled up in your bunk.” The girl, Scout, said angrily.

“We found them. Their home had been burnt down. They had nowhere to go!” He exclaimed.

“Well why didn’t you just give them a couple bucks and send them on their way?” She asked snottily. “That’s what I would’ve done.

“We couldn’t. You should’ve seen their faces, Scout. They had looks of pure desperation and desertion on them! We couldn’t just leave them on the street!” Andy exclaimed.

“Why your bunk then?” She inquired.

“It was the closest one.” Andy answered without hesitation. “They were dead on their feet. One of them actually collapsed, and my bunk was the easiest to put them in.” He explained. Scout sighed and I heard some rustling.

“Good night, Andy. We’ll talk about this later.” And then the bus door slammed. Andy groaned quietly.

“Andy?” I murmured.

“Did we wake you up? Sorry.” He said tiredly.

“No, it’s fine. Are you okay? That sounded pretty nasty.” I asked, slipping away from Gabi and standing up to look at him.

“Yeah, just more Scout drama. I don’t why I keep running back to her.” He sighed. “She was my first true girlfriend, and I genuinely fell in love with her, then she just took my heart and dumped it in the trash.” He shook his head. “I’m gonna get some sleep. The rest of the guys should be coming in soon.” He grabbed a blanket and a pillow from the bunk above the one I was in.

“Andy, don’t make us kick you out of your bed. We’ll sleep on the couch.” I said, stealing the blanket and pillow. I threw them on the couch and bent over, picking up Gabi. I laid her on the couch, then turned to Andy. He looked so helpless, standing in the aisle watching me. I walked up to him and embraced him. “Thank you so much for everything you’ve done. I’m so sorry about the problems we’ve caused.” I muttered. He hugged me back, pushing his face into my hair.

“Thanks.” He whispered. “Now go to sleep.” He instructed, laying in his bed and pulling the curtain across it. I laid on the couch and took Gabi back into my arms, closing my eyes. I fell asleep soon after, and didn’t wake up again that night.

Chapter 2(Andy’s POV)

“No, Scout.” I muttered, rubbing my hand down my face. It was 10:00 in the morning, and Scout had called me wanting to talk.

“So you’re sure you weren’t cheating on me, then?” She said.

“I’m sure.” I said, rubbing my eyes blearily.

“Alright. I have to go, but I’ll talk to you later, babe. Kisses. Buh-bye.”

“Bye.” I said, then hung up, throwing my phone on the table next to me. There was movement behind me, and I looked back. Gabi was sitting up, rubbing her eyes and looking around.

“Oh…morning Andy.” She said quietly.

“Morning, kiddo.” I answered, standing up. “What do you want for breakfast?” I asked, looking back. She stood up and I noticed that we hadn’t gone shopping yesterday. She was still wearing her shorts and tank top.

“Eggs and bacon…?” She asked shyly. I smiled at her and nodded.

“Eggs and bacon it is!” I said, starting to make them. She came and sat at the small table, looking up at me with half open eyes. The next person to wake up was Jake, followed by Jinxx, then CC and Ash. Scarlet was the last to wake up, and in fact didn’t wake up for a while. Suddenly, I heard movement behind me. We were all sitting at the table, eating eggs and bacon. I looked back to see Scarlet sitting up and rubbing her beautiful brown eyes. She stared at us with sleepy eyes before standing up and shuffling over to the table, plopping down in between Jake and CC.

“Want some eggs? Or maybe some bacon?” Jake offered her. She shook her head.

“I’m not hungry.” She said. I shook my head.

“You need to eat, Scarlet.” I said softly, offering her some bacon. She turned it down, pushing it away.

“I’m not hungry” She repeated, almost forcefully. I sighed.

“Please eat…for me.” I begged. She sighed and took the bacon, biting into it reluctantly.

Half an hour later, she was at the toilet with CC holding her hair up for her.

Scarlet soon came out. She looked flushed and sweaty. I stood up and took the thermometer, putting it under her tongue as she sat down. When it beeped, I took it out and looked at it.

“You’re running a fever. You, little missy, are staying in bed all day.” I went to my suitcase and pulled out sweats and a shirt. She changed in the bathroom and came out. “Take my bunk.” I said. She nodded and fell onto it. I pulled the blankets up to her chin before going to get her some ice water. “If you need anything, just call. Someone will always be here.” I said. She nodded.

“Andy?” She asked sleepily.

“Yeah, hun?” I answered.

“If it isn’t too much trouble, can you get some red popsicles?” She asked. “Mom…mom always got me red popsicles when I was sick.” She whispered. I smiled softly at her.

“Sure, sweetie. I’ll get you some red popsicles.” I said.

“Thank you, Andy.” She said softly. I didn’t answer, instead tip toed out.

“I’m going to run down to the corner store and get some red popsicles.” I told the guys. Gabi smiled softly, a faraway look coming onto her face.

“Mom always got us red popsicles when we were sick.” She said dreamily. “And daddy would read us stories. All kinds of stories. And Lily would lay on the bed and lick our hands. And then, when we were feeling better, we would all watch a movie in the living room.” She looked down, smiling. I watched her for a while before leaving the bus and walking down to the corner store. I bought the popsicles and was on my way back to the bus when I heard her voice.

“Andy!” Scout called. “There you are! I went to the bus, but Jake said you’d gone to the corner store!” She said. “Do you want to go out tonight? We could go clubbing!” She said, grinning seductively. “I know you don’t have a gig tonight.” She said, winking.

“I can’t, sorry.” I said, stepping around her. “I’ve gotta take care of a sick friend.” I said.

“It’s one of those girls, isn’t it. I bet she’s just faking it.” She scoffed. I closed my eyes and counted to ten before answering.

“Thanks for the offer, but we’ll have to do it another night.” I said, turning around. “I’ll talk to you later, ok?” I asked.

“Yeah I guess. I just can’t believe you’re choosing some street girl over your own girlfriend, but whatever.” And then she turned on her heel and walked away. I rolled my eyes and stepped onto the bus, popsicles in hand. I smiled at what I saw. Jake was reading a book to Gabi, who was curled up at his side, her eyes closed and a soft smile on her face. The rest of the guys were sitting around, eyes closed as well. It was a very relaxing moment. I tiptoed through silently and went into the bunk area. I peeked in on Scarlet and was glad to see that she wasn’t fidgeting or anything. I put the popsicles in the freezer and went to join everyone else. Jake stopped reading when Gabi had fallen asleep, and now he was just sitting with his arm around her shoulders, eyes closed, though I knew he wasn’t asleep. It was cute to see, like a little girl and her big brother.

Suddenly, I heard a meek call from the bunk area. I stood up and walked quickly to my bunk, pushing the curtain aside.

“Can I have some more water?” Scarlet asked, handing me the empty cup. I nodded and went to get her more ice water. When I got back, she was sitting up and looking around for something.

“What’s up?” I asked. “You should by laying down.”

“We have to go, Andy. I feel like a burden, like we’re just taking up space.” She finally found what she was looking for, her shoes, and put them on, clumsily tying the laces. She stood up and took a few staggered steps forward before she swayed and started falling. I caught her and put her back on my bed, taking her shoes off and pulling the sheets back over her.

“You’re not a burden. I promise.” I whispered, brushing back her sweaty hair. “But you can’t keep getting out of bed.” I sat down on the bed next to her and took her hand in mine. “I swear to you, cross my heart and hope to die, that you’re not a burden. We really enjoy having you girls here. Now you have to stay in bed, so you can get well soon and we can all watch a movie together.” I smiled at her as her eyes brightened and she nodded, snuggling into the sheets.

“Andy? Can I have a popsicle?” She asked shyly. I nodded, walking quickly to the freezer.