She finally found it after walking in circles about five times. She opened it and walked out. She instantly heard screaming coming from her right. There was a line 10 miles long, mostly of girls, waiting for the guys to come out. Kate was grateful that Brian told her to go out the back because she would’ve never gotten out of there alive. She jogged over to the bus and went to her bunk to grab her laptop. Then she flopped down on the couch and hooked her camera up to it.

Kate went through the photos she took and started editing some. After a while, the guys piled on the bus one by one. Brian was last and Johnny was first. Jimmy and Matt went straight back to lie down and Zacky, Johnny and Brian lit a cigarette and opened a beer.

“I thought you guys would’ve gone to a bar or something.” Kate said while still looking at photos. Brian took a seat beside her and Zacky and Johnny sat across.

“Normally we would but we gotta keep moving.” Johnny said. Kate nodded and looked down at her clock on the laptop. It was after midnight and she was tired.

“Well, I think I’m gonna get some sleep.” She said. She powered down her laptop and turned off her camera and returned it to the case and stood up. Brian finished his beer and followed her.

“Yeah, me too. Night guys.” He said. Johnny and Zacky nodded and Brian shut the door separating the living area from the bunks.

Kate walked out of the bathroom wearing shorts and a t-shirt. She had washed all the makeup off and the bruises were once again visible. Brian and Kate looked at each other for a moment, and then she looked away. She crawled into her bed and quickly fell asleep. Brian watched her for a moment before falling asleep himself.

Around five in the morning, Kate woke up. She looked around to see him anyone else was up. No one was. She quietly got out of her bunk and went to the bathroom. She looked at her face in the mirror. It was still badly bruised. Kate brought her hand up and touched her cheek. Then she touched the cut on her lip. She pulled her shirt up and off and looked at the bruises that painted her body. She turned around and looked at her back in the mirror. It was almost solid purple. Tears fell from her eyes as she looked at herself. She heard movement in the bunks so she hurried and dressed. She took out the foundation that Janet gave her and applied it to her face. Like magic, her bruises on her face disappeared. This made Kate smile a bit, and then she walked out of the bathroom and into the living room.

She turned her laptop on and checked her email. Her father left her a few messages. She would have to get back to him later. She plugged her camera back in and continued editing the photos from the show. Matt came in and sat down beside her.

“Are those from last night?” He asked her. She nodded.

“Yeah, do you wanna check them out?”

“Sure.” He said. He sat down beside her and looked at the screen.

“Wow, these are amazing!” He said with a smile. Kate smiled.

“Is this during ‘Gunslinger’?” He pointed to the photo of the crowd singing and holding up lighters. Kate nodded.

“Yeah it is.” Matt laughed excitedly.

“Kate, these are really amazing. You are very talented.” He said. Kate blushed and continued to edit them. Matt stood up and stretched.

“So where are we headed now?” Kate asked him. Matt yawned and sat down across from her.

“Well right now we’re just going through cities til we get to Vegas.” Kate looked up.

“Vegas?” He nodded.

“Mhm.” Kate turned her computer off.

“Well what’s going on in Vegas?” She asked.

“Well, we’re gonna be there for five days, my wife Val is meeting us there. One night we’ll play a show and one day we have interviews and radio shows set up and then we pretty much just chill.” Kate nodded in excitement.

“You ever been to Vegas?” He asked her. She shook her head.

“Hey how old are you anyway?” He asked. She giggled.

“I’m 20.” He looked shocked.

“Seriously?” She laughed and nodded.

“Yes. How old did you think I was?” He chuckled.

“I thought you were at least 18.” She laughed.

“No I’m 20. I’ll be 21 soon actually.” He nodded.

“That’s cool.” She nodded too.

“So are you excited to see Val?” She asked him. Matt smiled and sunk into the couch.

“Extremely. I haven’t seen her in three months. I miss her ya know?” He said. Kate nodded.

“I mean, we talk on the phone and stuff but, I just want to see her.” Kate smiled.

“Yeah I know what you mean.” Matt smiled and stood up.

“I’m gonna go talk to the driver for a bit.” Kate nodded and picked up her cell phone.

She dialed her dad’s cell phone number.

“Hello?”He said.

“Hey dad.” Kate said.

“Kate. How are you baby?” He asked her. Kate sighed.

“I’m alright dad. How are you?” Kate heard him shift in his chair.

“To be honest, I’ll be a lot better in a few weeks.”

“Why dad? What’s in a few weeks?” She asked. Her father sighed.

“Well we’re doing everything we can to lock that bastard up. His trial starts next week.” He said. Kate shivered.

“I don’t have to be there do I?” She asked him.

“No no no. We worked it out with the judge. It’s best if you stay where you’re at for now.” Kate sighed in relief.

“Thank God.” Her father pulled the phone away and was talking to someone else.

“Hey, baby. I gotta go. We’ll talk later?” He said.

“Sure dad. Love you.” She said.

“Love you too baby.” Then they hung up.

Not too long after they talked, the bus pulled up to a truck stop. The guys were all yelling and getting excited.

“Okay I give up. What’s the big deal about the truck stop?” Brian took her by the shoulders.

“Breakfast.” He said seriously. Kate raised an eyebrow.

“Breakfast?” She said slowly. Brian nodded.

“It’s a proven fact the truck stops have the best breakfast in the world.” Zacky said. Kate started to giggle and they all looked at her like she was crazy.

“Don’t knock it until you try it.” Johnny said. Kate shook her head and they walked out of the bus and into the truck stop.