"Babe," I say as he collapses beside me in bed. "Are you sure nothing's wrong?" He turns to me, placing his hand on my cheek.

"You worries too much." His expression tells me he's tense, even though his tone says anything but. As if he feels he needs to convince me, he leans forward and halts my about-to-be protest with his lips. I can't seem to stop myself from practically melting in his arms. It feels too soon when he does pull away.

"Everything ams fine," he says softly, allowing me to settle into our usual sleeping position. He holds my head to his chest and leaves it at that. It's not long before he falls asleep, which makes it even worse when I can't. Despite all my questions, as well as his answers, I'm still not convinced. Although I haven't spent nearly as much time with the rest of the band, I can see that things have been more than just weird. The way they're speaking to each other isn't right. Or really, the way they interact with Skwisgaar isn't right.

Nathan and I were friends, or at least I think we were. That look he gave me earlier made it clear that if we ever were, that's not the case anymore. I've decided that's what bothers me most, and it's what feeds my suspicions. Sure, things can be weird between the band members, it's likely not unusual. But for Nathan to all of a sudden hate me? What could I have done?

My eyes shut and I try to clear my head of all these things in hope of actually getting some sleep. It works, to some extent, as I seem to asleep but semi-concious until morning comes.

A loud buzz comes from Skwisgaar's side of the bed. He shifts, probably awoken by it as well, and picks up his phone. I turn over, holding on to however much time I have left to rest. This doesn't stop me from hearing his conversation.

"You have to get down here, we're recording," Nathan's deep voice says, barely loud enough for me to hear it. It doesn't seem like Skwisgaar knows I'm listening.

"You could haves just woken me up," he whispers back.

"We didn't want to," Nathan replies.

"Why?"

Nathan tries to stutter out some sort of explanation before Murderface's voice chimes in with, "We thought you might be f-cking your girlfriend!"

My eyes fly open at this, but I still don't turn to Skwisgaar, even though I can feel him move off the bed.

"Whatever, I ams coming," he says before letting out a short sigh.

It's not long before the bedroom door clicks shut, giving the cue that it's safe to get up. His phone lays beside me on the bed. I stare at it, almost anticipating something, even though whatever it is never comes. Still, it frustrates me that something's wrong, something I may be able to help with, and I have no answers. What are the chances there are any sort of messages from the band on there?  Ones that elaborate on certain problems and situations that may have come up?

I pick up his phone carefully, avoiding the spikes that protrude from it. It's screen lights up, taunting me. Before I can think twice I'm speeding through to his messages, searching for anything that gives me an answer.

After a minute of searching, I see my name come up in a conversation with Nathan.

---

Did you goes out without me?
-
N

athan- Yeah

Why didn'ts you says something?
-
N

athan- You were with Bea. You don't want to be bothered when you're with her.

I would haves came if you asked
-
N

athan- No, you would've told me to leave you alone before I could. You need to get your priorities straight, it's her or the band.

---

I shut the phone and put it back where it was, shaking my head in shame that slowly rises inside me. It was stupid. Although I have no more questions, at least not now, I went about it the wrong way. If he finds out...

Downstairs I stand outside the recording room. The only thing that keeps me from going inside is the loud voice that erupted from inside only seconds ago. It prompted a few other loud remarks before a flustered Pickles swings the door open and rushes away, only glancing at me once. He's followed by Skwisgaar, who jumps a bit at the sight of me.

"Hey," he says looking back into the room before grabbing my hand and leading me the opposite way of his bandmate. "We shoulds go out."

"Right now?" I ask as he walks, almost dragging me along.

"Yeah, why's not?"

"Where?"

"Anywhere," he says with a trace of desperation in his voice.