Summer Driscoll's Story

Groaning in frustration, Summer pulls a hand through her hair as she tries to decide what's more important to shove in her duffel bag; an extra pair of socks or her calculator. She throws the socks back in her drawer. It's summertime, she won't need extra socks, right?

When she was all packed and ready made her way downstairs, calling out to her parents. "I'm going to Jen's house. I'll see you guys later." She smirks and heads out the door though she's stopped by her mom calling out to her. "Don't you wan to wait to see Julia off." Summer bites her lip and shakes her head. "No! She'll be back eventually. I love you guys and I see you."

With that she was out the door and creeping on to the tour bus that was parked in front of the house. They had all agree it was better to all meet at the Driscoll house instead of the bus driving around and picking every one up. She looks at everything in awe as she skulks around inside. This was already the coolest thing ever and she couldn't wait till they got moving.

After she gave herself a tour, she slips into the small bathroom and made herself comfortable in the small shower stall. Summer just really hoped no one had to pee in the first hour or so of driving, otherwise this would get really awkward. Summer pulled out a book and started reading. It wasn't long until she was falling asleep, face smashed into her pillow and book in her lap.

Julia's grin dropped a little at her sisters words, "No! She'll be back eventually. I love you guys and I see you."
"That's odd," Her mother says, bustling around the kitchen, while Julia nods slowly.
'Did I do something?' she thinks to herself, biting her lip but then furiously shakes her head, 'I'm sure she was just upset about me leaving, I should just focus on the tour.' and with this thought Julia squeals, jumping off her stool at the breakfast bar - where she was engrossed in eating her extremely nutella'd toast - and beginning to dance around the kitchen while singing a random made-up song that went a little like "Aw yeah! Tour time, tour time! We gonna rock it!"

Running up the stairs she grabs her bag and brings it down to rest by their maple door, for want of something to satisfy her hyperactivity.
She then decides to pinch her pale arm, not quite believing that what was happening was real, but alas she didn't wake up and so her grin just grew wider.

Dashing into her bedroom, she bounds onto her red bed staring at the walls plastered with pictures of her band, family and favourite bands.
"I can't wait," She whispers to no-one, rubbing her hand over her face, "I can't believe this happened to me."
Then it hits her, "I do not look respectable!" She notes, looking down to her black pajama bottoms and red vest top.
Picking a outfit that was comfortable but not sloppy. (http://d1285xx0wu5t9z.cloudfront.net/images/outfits/14680/winter-outfit_web.jpg)

Julia then walks downstairs, more relaxed, and settles on the sofa waiting for her band-members.

She couldn't really believe that the day had come; that her own son was about to go on tour, that her son was going to be away and on his own, that her son...was standing in his room, staring down a sparsely packed duffel bag, his hands on his hips.

"Francis."

He turned, his expression quizzical.

"What are you doing? Have you finished packing yet?"

The young man paused, eyes distant. Mrs. Malory waited a moment, not wanting to interrupt his thought. Suddenly, he mumbled a "Toothbrush..." before proceeding toward the bathroom to grab it, along with some deodorant, which he also apparently forgot. She smiled, laughing under her breath as she set down the basket of laundry.

"Don't forget some underwear."

After another ten minutes of disorganized packing (underwear included), Francis rejoined his mother downstairs. His sister, Penelope, was texting as always, but as soon as his foot crossed into kitchen territory, she sprung on him.

"Are you excited? I wish I could come with...maybe I can join as a backup singer or something when you guys get back. Or maybe violin? There are rock bands that have violins you know, adds a classy feel." She spoke all at once, following her older brother to the dining table. He raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to finish before replying.

"Yes. No. No. True but still no."
"I could sneak on the bus you know, force you guys to take me with you."
"Ah I don't think so young lady." Their mother interrupted, giving way to half-smiles on her children's lips. Pocketing a buttered bagel, Francis proceeded to hug his family and give a kiss on his mother's cheek before leaving. Expectedly, he rang the doorbell a second later to grab the umbrella from his sister's waiting hand.

"What's he going to do without us." Penelope asked, locking the door behind him.

Not wishing to crowd up the Driscoll driveway, Francis opted for the public transit. On the bus, he pulled out a small camcorder and did a bit of vlogging. Though he spoke quietly, other passengers eventually looked his way. The young man was talking to himself after all, it was only natural. Within minutes, he arrived at their doorstep. Just outside the household was the large tour bus, and it was only then that the reality of the situation began to soak in. What began as a hobby and a fun way to pass the time became this, whatever this was suppose to be. The thought was crazy in itself, and even now he couldn't really wrap his head around it. Ignoring the sense of excitement and apprehension, he quickly took a shot of the tour bus before ringing the doorbell, his duffel and keyboard bag hanging off each shoulder.

Nicholas grabs his pre-packed 'Nike' duffle-bag and heads down to the kitchen where he spotted his mother frowning into her newspaper.
"What's up mum?" He asks, taking a seat on the chair identical to his mothers.
She bats his question away, "nothing, nothing dear - Don't you need to leave?" She asks, looking intently at the clock, "You better not be late for another thing. Especially this important!"
Nick laughs, poking his mum's wrist "Yeah, yeah I was just trying to say goodbye to my only mother." He says, emphasising the 'only' part as to make his mother feel mock guilt.

His smile brightens as his mother giggles, liking it when she's happy.
"Well, like you said, I best be off." He finally said, standing up and kissing his mum on the cheek.
Just as he was about to leave he hears his mother's soft voice call to him through the rooms "Goodbye love."

Racing down the roads that connect the Gellar's to the Dricoll's Nicholas clings onto his bass, making sure his knees don't hit into the delicate instrument as he sprinted.
Arriving at their street, he takes a couple deep breaths before carrying on, suppressing his excitement - for the moment - and keeping his head up, taking swift strides as he spots the maple door he knows all too well.

Spotting two figures standing at the door Nick grins, running over as soon as he recognises them.
"Francis," He gasps, still out of breath from his intense running, "Kels, what's up?"
He looks at the door and waits for it to open, while still talking to his friends.

Julia's ears perked up as she heard the doorbell ring, after squealing once more she realises she needs to relax, otherwise she could freak everyone out and so balls her fists, trying to calm down.
Walking slowly to the door she glances out the peephole and a small smile plays its way onto her lips.
"Sorry, no-ones home." She half shouts, half sings to the people the opposite side of the door.

Laughing at her own joke she flings open the door, grinning her friends names one by one.
"Kelsey!" She yells, her happiness getting the best of her as she flings over arms around her bestfriend.
Realising her friend she latches onto another, male this time.
"Francis! Blogging as ever huh?" She giggles, finally releasing her friend and sticking her tongue out to the camera.
Glancing to her next friend (victim) she assumes the position, ready to perform their handshake.

Julia grabs onto his left wrist with her right hand, while Nick grabs onto her left wrist with his right hand.
She then shakes their connected wrists and bursts into laughter.
"Okay, possibly the worst handshake ever?" She says into his neck, as she envelopes him in a huge hug.

Realising her final friend she looks at the all as a group, "I am," She takes a deep breath "So damn excited."
Grinning Julia then adds, "I bet you couldn't guess that."

Julia grinned once more, posing with her friends for the group photo.
"How about this for our first album cover?" She jokes, taking the old polaroid camera from her mum and shaking the picture.
Glancing down at all of their happy faces, frozen in time.

She looks to her parents, still full of excitement and hugging and kissing them one by one, thinking all the time 'I wish Summer were here, she would have loved to see the inside of the bus and say bye to everyone.'

Her joy then ebbs into fear as she watches everyone pack their things, is this really happening? She would often think.
Shaking her head she grabs her bags, shoving them onto the bag compartment of their bus and then turning to see whether anyone else needed help.
Julia then watches Francis get on the bus and decides to follow him, gasping she notes the 'vintage' interior of the massive coach.

Sitting next to her friend on a slightly broken, red couch, Julia looks at his camera and then back at him.
"Its great you brought that, not only for your subscribers but it's memories I know we'll want to remember." Julia nods as she glances around their new home.
"Oh! Where are we going to sleep?" She whispers to herself, getting up and looking in all the pint-sized rooms.
The first she looks in is the grimy bathroom, giggling a little as she mumbles to herself "Oh no! I hope the boys learn to put the toilet seat down."

The next room is what she decided to claim as the girl's, it wasn't the most amazing room, but she liked the 'rustic' feel it held.
A large, extremely old guitar shaped rug adorned the dirty floor, forming the only nice thing to look at in the whole room, with a rusting metal bunkbed on one side, a very small desk (very small) with a matching chair, that looked like it would break apart if you sat on it.
A little record player was situated on the desk, a pile of old vinyl resting next to it and Julia walks over picking one up and studying it.
She nods, playing the record and hoping someone realises what it is.

"This is going to be great." She says, yet again to herself, tapping her foot intime with the music.

_________________________~*~_________________________

Watching Mitch's performance, Nick lets out a soft chuckle.
"Hey Mitch," He smiles, patting his friend on the back "ever the entrance."
He then looks at the drumset, "You want some help getting that on, it's obviously not just a one man job."

Running inside the coach Nick sets his precious bass down on the sofa, next to Francis "Can you look after that?" He asks before running out of the vehicle once more.
But not before greeting their driver, "Hello, I'm Nick," He greets before adding, "Sorry, got to go." And darting off.

Once outside again, Nicholas sees Kelsey asking Mitchell if he wants any help with the drumset.
"Oh Kelsey, you wouldn't want you to brake a nail," He teases, and the notices her massive suitcase, "Actually, if you managed to get that massive thing on the coach - Maybe we do need your help!"