Elmore [a quiet community...] shades & maple

[shades]

Levi scowled, “you realize I live with four guys, three of them are assholes.” He pressed his nose in her wet hair, taking in the smell of city water and lingering traces of her scent. “They’ll probably make it a game to shoot Nerf guns at my back if they find out.” He muttered in amusement, thoughtful of his four other band mates, and Belle (who they essentially made their wardrobe girl, she tied the ties, made sure they looked good and like a band). He didn’t always miss them, but he realized that unless it’s for the holidays they go home, they are hardly apart.

It also makes him homesick to the fact he never hangs out with the Palchaks or his biological family much either.

When they finish the tour and get a long break, Levi will be sure to fix that.

He wiggled himself onto the bed, out from under Rose, moving up to the pillows and flopping into one face-first, laying on his stomach.

[Maple ♥]

Rose Palchak

    "I have no sympathy for you," she lifted her nose in mocking snobbiness before following his pursuit and sliding into her side of the bed, under the covers. Pushing him away from her, she brought the pillow into her chest and snuggled close. "I'm sorry sir, but if you don't give me space then I'll have to kick you out," she joked, eyes closed to pretend she was asleep. 

[shades]

Levi glared, following Rose’s lead but yanking the pillow and replacing it with himself. “Have fun shoving my fatness out of bed.” The young man deadpanned, closing his eyes and wrapping Rose in his arms. He snickered, but held tight until he eventually fell asleep.

[Maple ♥]

Rose Palchak

    Maybe she was a bit sore, yeah. Maybe she was scared what was to come, sure. But as Levi wrapped his arms around her cold body and brought her tightly to him, Rose couldn't help but feel completely safe at home, and enough so to fall asleep too.

    But didn't she have a big storm comin'.

[shades]

Levi Anderson ; ;
Morning came too soon, aka Levi’s biological alarm clock woke him up at around eight. Unfortunately, he and Mike had to be at the airport before noon to go to England. Levi grumbled, bringing the covers to his nose and burying himself in Rose’s body for warmth, their legs were tangled together, and he honestly didn’t want to leave.

But unfortunately, he had to.

Fifteen minutes of laying in bed, watching the blonde girl sleep with his elbow propped, grey eyes soppy and puppy-dog-like in love. Eventually, Levi untangled himself from her, careful not to wake the girl up. He grabbed his clothes, hastily putting them on to get back to the hotel at least. Levi didn’t bother trying to work and rummage through Rose’s kitchen for coffee, instead he just took a notepad and pencil and wrote a note.

Rose,

I’m I have to leave, honestly. With having to go out of the country awhile, I really don’t think I’ll be stateside anytime soon. I would love, however, if you would come with me and the rest of the band. Mike and I are meeting at O’Hara Airport at 11:45 AM.

I didn’t want to wake you, you looked like you would kill me if I disturbed your beauty sleep…besides you deserved it.

If I don’t see you, good-bye.

With Love,

Levi

Like that, he was gone once again from Rose. Heading down the elevator and staring blankly ahead, not even acknowledging the doorman, Levi’s only intent on getting a taxi and back to where his stuff and lazy ass friend was. “Starluck Hotel in Manhattan.” Levi spoke briskly, running a hand through his bedhead and fumbling with the cash in his wallet.

Once there, he pretty much immediately woke up Mike.

“Mike. Mike. Mike. Oi you motherfucking lazy son of a bitch, wake the fuck up.” Levi jumped on the bed childishly, taking off the covers, but still Mike was curled up and sleeping. Levi gave up with his first tactics and instead moving to the small mini-fridge and grabbing some ice. Instead of shoving it down his shirt, Levi let it sit on the front of his pants.

“What the fuck!” Mike was up, swiping the cold and wet chip of frozen water, glaring at Levi. “I’m up you impregnated dildo.” His glare dissolved into a goofy grin, “so how was the sex?”

“And what the fuck makes you say that?”

“You didn’t come back-”

“She lives in Brooklyn, why would I try and make my way back from Brooklyn?”

“You’re being defensive, was it good?”

“Shut up.”

“I knew it, I give a better blow job than her.”

“You’ve never seen a dick other than your own, you straight fucker. Besides, blow job, the fuck?”

“Never got one?”

“No.”

Mike grunted, getting clothes tossed in his face as Levi rummaged for something to wear. He found a simple black t-shirt, zipped up hoodie, and jeans to wear; going to the bathroom to shower and change. Emerging fifteen minutes later fresher than before. “We have to be at the airport before 11:45.”

“I thought the flight leaves at 12:40?”

“It does, but we should meet up with the band promptly. Come on, just get ready.”

Their suitcases were packed, Levi and Mike looked normal as ever with sunglasses on and checking out of the hotel. Hailing a cab, they were at the airport by 11:43, sitting in the lobby. The rest of the band would be getting off of their plane from LA to New York, the six of them then boarding the flight together. Sure, they were offered private airlines, but everyone politely declined with a simple, “we’ll show up when we show up.” Which wasn’t professional at all, but it worked.

[Maple ♥]

Rose Palchak

    Waking up, Rose blinked open her eyes and squinted in pain. Talk about migraine. 

    Groggily, she got up, not remembering obviously that there was supposed to be a sleeping Levi next to her, too caught up in the massive hangover she was experiencing. Stumbling down the stairs practically, she waltzed to her kitchen and picked three aspirins out of the cab nit before swallowing them whole, no water needed, and let her head rest back on the cabinet with a groan.

    But then she remembered. And boy did it come fast, not only in her mind, but how sore her body felt with it.

    Furrowing her brows, Rose started the coffee machine, expecting to make Levi coffee and shit too, moving up to her bedroom while rubbing her temples and scrolling through her phone. "Why does our families love us so much? I mean seriously, I have four missed calls from Carolyna and two from Angelica I-"

    Stupidly, Rose realized she was talking to thin air, because the awaiting Levi she'd been expecting was definitely gone. And on the nightstand, a note.

    "You've got to be kidding," she said, stepping over to it and really having focus her blue eyes in order to read it. Levi's hand writing had always been shit.

    But it wasn't the handwriting she was worried about.

    Unlocking her phone again, Rose blinked at the time when she'd finished reading, heart in her throat. He was leaving her. But this time, he'd asked her to come with him. That must've been some joke, right? Levi knew she was in school. Well, at least, Rose thought he knew. What if he hadn't been paying attention to her life these past few years. Of course, Rose had been the stupid one for knowing all about him. Album releases, parties, singles on the Billboard Top 100's. But Rose could almost guarantee Levi didn't know the first thing about her new life.

    And especially not about her schooling or job.

    Picking up the phone and about to dial his number immediately (she was pacing her room nervously), Rose stopped before it could hit two rings and hung up. Telling him...what she needed to tell him...would not be fair to hear over the phone. Rose knew that. Rose knew she couldn't crush him over the phone because that would be what a complete asshole would do, and she'd hate it if she was in his spot though. Of course, his whole band would be there. And Rose had no urge to embarrass him. Oh, so many fucking lame ass options, so little time to decide.

    But her conscious got the better of her, reminding her she could pull him away from his band members if need be, and Rose was running to her closet about two seconds after slapping down her phone in confidence. It was going to break her heart, and she even cried a little about it while dressing, but if she didn't get there it would make it ten times worse.

    Wiping her eyes, she ditched the make-up (no time), and was pulling on some red heels (it gave a certain 'pop' to the outfit she'd put together; washed blue skinny jeans, brown shirt and gold jewelry to accent, tan long, stylish trench coat) right as she almost slipped down her stairs on her cat, Fergus.

    "Fergus! Jesus get out of the way kitty!" she yelled at him only to hear an argumentative meow back. Sass, that's what she should've named her cat.

    Grabbing her keys, the coffee, her red purse, and dumping a scoop of cat food into Fergus's bowl, Rose was racing out the door and texting the bellman to have a cab ready for her when she came down.

    Sure enough, as she came jogging in her heels toward the front doors, there was a cab waiting for her. "Thanks Wilson!" she shouted to the bellhop who nodded to her as she slipped into the cab and leaned forward hastily, "The airport, please." And the taxi cab driver sped off.

    Seeing herself in his rearview mirror, she cursed as she saw her left over sex hair an semi-smeared make-up. After downing her coffee, she put it to the side and checked the time again. 

    She prayed to whatever God there was that there was no traffic for some miracle in Brooklyn.

    Surprisingly enough, as Rose took a brush from her purse and pulled her hair back into a tight ponytail, dabbing on some red lipstick as her only source of make-up, the roads were moving swiftly and she would have a bit of time to spare before she thought Levi's plane would take off.

    And her heart would break all over again.

[shades]

The time came around, Levi checked his watch as Mike answered the phone. “Hello? Oh in the lobby waiting for your sorry asses.” He hung up, grinning and pointing to right as four people came out of the gate with their own luggage. The rest of Phoenix Fire, and though they always saw each other most days of the week, they acted like it had been years.

Zach was the fastest, aka he had on heely’s and was rolling towards them, coming to a crashing bear hug with Mike and Levi in headlocks. “It’s been awhile!” He laughed, looking back at the approaching James, Belle, and Roxas.

James merely smiled and waved shyly, he was excited to be traveling. But planes were never really his favorite way to travel, despite that it was better than boat. Brown eyes looked up at the sound of heels, James recognized the girl from a few photos; particularly a book series by her that Levi had bought for James, and James adored and got Belle to read it. James tugged on Belle’s sleeve, pointing at the familiar face of Rose Palchak who seemed deadly intent on their group.

Roxas had wrapped himself fully around Mike, but like James, he noticed when Rose approached. They knew Levi had foster siblings, and except for maybe a few photos; it was always Roxas who was more oblivious. Plus, none of the band (the exception being Mike) had even been to Elmore or met any of the Palchaks. Except for maybe one or two on a Skype call, by that it was someone just being an idiot and then leaving them be.

“Holy fucking hotness, hot woman alert coming this way.” Roxas breathed, causing heads to snap in the direction as the young man ran a hand through his bleached locks, letting them stick up. He did the cliché pretend to spray mist in his mouth. “Dibs.”

“Too late.” Mike laughed as Levi seemed to brighten up with a small whisper of her name.

“Rose.”

[Maple ♥]

Rose Palchak

    Rose had pushed and shoved her way through people, blinking around intently to try and find who she was looking for. Sure enough, there they were. There he was. 

    But her heart was in her toes.

    Panting heavily, she stepped up to them and pressed her hand to her forehead. "Fucking hell," she bent over from the amount of running she'd just done in heels while having a massive hangover still. But she was also afraid that if she looked up, she'd have to face what she'd came here to do. 

    And she was so scared, she felt like throwing up. Not just because of the hangover, either.

    "L-Levi," she huffed, out of breath and stepping over to him with a stricken look toward the other bandmates. "Levi, w-we need to talk-"

    But she was cut off.

    Belle was smiling next to James, arm interlaced with his like an old English couple. She was excited to be in the Big Apple, having been her multiple times for her Juilliard auditions. But of course, it was kind of bittersweet because, well, Belle wasn't dancing anymore. Not since cancer.

    It was exciting to see one of James' and her favorite authors right before them, having loved her series on disabled teens fighting to save the world, but even more happy when she saw the look on Levi's face. Oh, she'd heard about Rose Palchak plenty of times. In fact, Levi was one of the few in the band that she'd actually had a close heart to heart to when they were sober (most times they would spiel to her only when wasted and after she had rubbed James' back until he fell sleep), and he'd told her about his long lost love Rose. So, naturally, Belle was excited for the kid who she'd also grown pretty fond of after hanging out with him and the rest of the band for so long.

[shades]

Levi had moved to bring James and Belle forward, knowing they were the ones who would be most excited to meet her. “Rose, this is Belle and James. I gave James your book after I read it, and they loved it; I’m sure they’ll love to talk to you, especially since Belle is our only other girl when it comes to traveling.” Levi practically rambled, James smiling shyly and waving. His hand clutched Belle like a teenager about to faint from meeting their favorite actor (James was so hunting Tom Hiddleston down in England).

Before Rose could react, Levi was bringing Roxas and Zach forward. “Roxas and Zach, they are our bickering wives and wonderful causers of mischief and destruction. They are Loki and the Joker, pretty much.” Levi said, smiling at Rose.

“Holy shit, it’s smiling…” Zach muttered, receiving a smack to his head.

Mike looked uncertain, already figuring something was wrong with how Levi was acting and Rose’s somber face. He almost looked sorry, biting his tongue and turning away.

[Maple ♥]

Rose Palchak

    "Levi," she tried to get his attention again, repeating his name in between every person he introduced her to, more and more panic building upside of her each time, eyes flickering over everyone. "I need to talk to yo-" But once again, she was cut off.

    The frustrated tears were building thanks to all the heavy emotions filling her. Frustration that he wouldn't let her talk, that he still believed she was coming with him, that she was going to have to wait a fucking year to see him again, that he was so happy right now and she'd have to crush it and it was just all too much.

    Too much.

    "Levi!" she cried out, tearing at his bicep to turn to her as the tears streamed down his face. Her whole body was shaking with adrenaline and exhaustion, her heart beat fast as she painfully clenched her teeth. The crying didn't stop, pathetically, but she couldn't stop it. "Levi please stop," her voice was still shrill and high pitched, obvious depicting she was in distress. Now her shoulders heaved from her sobbing. Miserable. That was the word to describe her in that moment.

    She was fucking miserable, staring into his beautiful, hopeful eyes and having to say it in front of all his bandmates. But she could see the people boarding their flight already, the only plane heading for England two gates down, and she realized she didn't have time to pull him away. 

    Rose just had to say it now.

    "I can't go with you Levi. Don't you get it?" she whimpered terribly, covering her face. "I can't come with you," she shook her head, feeling sick.

    In that moment, Rose decided something. She decided that the second worst day of her life was when she'd almost lost Levi to the pills ingested into his system eight years ago. But now, this day, it was the first.

    Because it felt like she was literally bring ripped apart inside for having to leave him again, and vise versa. 

[shades]

“Oh.” Levi looked crestfallen, turning away to grab his bag. “Uh, but I’ll be back…I promise you that.” He said, trying to ignore the stares of his band mates; Zach looked pissed off as he folded his arms and muttered about heading to make sure they got a seat. Roxas was confused, but otherwise felt bad for his friend. James hopped from foot to foot.

Mike, he just sort of placed a hand on Levi’s shoulder, speaking to Rose. “I’ll make sure he doesn’t jump off the Great Wall of China, or fall out of the London Eye.” He half-heartedly joked, his other hand running through his dirty blond locks.

Lackadaisically, Levi hugged the tensed up, crying Rose; a finger brushing under her cheek where her tears were staining. Levi looked at the girl blankly, placing a quick peck to her cheek. “See you soon.” Not really, but he wanted to keep the small amount of optimism. “I’ll go make sure Zach doesn’t kill anyone.” His voice deadpanned, it was obvious there was disappointment and sadness.

Most of all Levi was cursing himself thinking she would jump from her life and into his. Leaving the other band members, Levi hastily made towards where Zach had gone. Only looking back once to give Rose a grim smile.

“He’ll be fine.” James spoke quietly, looking down. “He just missed you a lot.” Like Levi, James was quiet and much more of a listener. Sometimes he’d hear Levi talking to Carolyn and asking about Rose, too afraid to talk to her after so long.

[Maple ♥]

Rose Palchak

    Hand placed on the cheek he'd just kissed, Rose watched him go sadly, heart breaking but also even more so when he hadn't said much. But had she really expected this long ass speech confessing his love to her? It was Levi. Still the same though so much had changed. Except now, she could see the hurt in his eyes as he turned away from her and that about stabbed her in the gut.

    Watery eyes blinking at James, Rose looked over at the slightly worried looking Belle and sniffled. "You're Belle, right?"

    "Hi Rose," Belle smiled sweetly and almost read Rose's mind, opening her arms to let the slightly shorter girl fall into them. And so Rose did. 

    Giving James a sympathetic look, she bushed her hand over Rose's hair as the stranger pretty much cried into her shoulder and she tried to comfort her. Belle was just naturally motherly and sweet, which made it easy for her not to be awkward but sincere. 

    "He'll be back Rose. He'll wait for you," Belle said, but it went up into the air freely because Rose didn't believe it. She really thought this was the end.

    After a few seconds, Rose pulled away and wiped under her eyes, shuddering, as Belle patted her back. "I'm sorry," she said, smiling through the tears at James and the rest of the band members around them meaning Mike and Roxas. "You guys need to get to your flight."

    Belle patted her on the arm before looking to follow James whenever he decided to leave. "I'll get your number from Levi, Rose. We can check in once in a while, all right?" she tried to be nice and Rose nodded, thanking her.

    But Rose still felt like shit, staring off longingly to where Levi had disappeared to.

    

[shades]

James gave the girl a shy, awkward smile. He wasn’t much a touchy-feely person, so hugs from anyone but immediate family and Belle were out of the question. Instead, he gave Rose a small pat on the shoulder, brown eyes looking sympathetic. “Thanks for writing your book.” He said simply, before walking towards the gate. Belle would probably have to explain it later since unless Levi told her about him, James Asperger’s wasn’t common knowledge.

Roxas decided to give woman an awkward, one-arm hugged and patting her shoulder. “You’ll see us soon. Or everywhere. This place has so much paraphernalia of us it’s actually really horrifying.” He shrugged helplessly, following until it was Mike as the last guy.

Mike gave Rose a hug, running his fingers through her hair in the brotherly way he knew with his own older sister. “Don’t worry, he still loves you. He just hoped chasing you would be over, but if you wait, he’ll return.” He said wisely, because shit Mike can get deep. Then again, he was number one for all girl problems when it came to those odd relationship problems that woman have.

“Like I said, I’ll keep an eye on him,” Mike knew about Levi, most of the story he was willing to give and even once in awhile he would ask Carolyn for advice and she would tell him about the mysterious young man. “Remember man stealer, I love him like the Homoeo and Leviet we are. And you best remind him that you are his Juliet, and the distance won’t change that.” He smiled, “bye! Don’t have too much fun without us in the states!” Waving, Mike ran to catch up.

[Maple ♥]

Rose Palchak

    Only nodding and hugging herself, Rose watched them all board the plane before turning around and having to leave the only love of her life to fly away across the world. Without her.