If I'm there

SEVEN.

We'd pulled up to the parking lot where the busses rested.
"Okay. Grab your things, we'll find you a bunk somewhere" I tap Riley's shoulder.
"Great." She rolled her eyes. I gritted my teeth, casting a forced smile.
Noah opens the door to the bus and we are instantly met by loud chatter and barking.
"Do you guys have dogs?" Riley asked .
" no but we have a Laney and a Justin morrow." I laugh.
"Wait.. THE Justin morrow , like from-" she starts
"Motionless in white?" I finish her question. "Yep.. the one and only."
I see her breathing pattern shift as if she was panicking on the inside.
We walk further onto the bus, I see Riley grasp her bag a little harder.
"LANEY- SHYT THE HELL up." I yell, causing Aliyah to laugh.
"this is my sister, Riley. She's gonna be coming with us too." I say introducing her to the bus full of people.
"Riley, this is bad omens, you've met Noah. But the others are nic, jolly and the other nick but you can call him folio." I smile moving along. "you seem to know MIW already but, Chris, Ricky, Ryan, Vinny, and Justin" I point.
"H-hi." She smiles.
"Hi. Riley." Justin responds, causing Riley to awkwardly turn away. Mouthing the words " oh my god"
I went to the girls that were chatting at the back of the bus
"These are the girlfriends, laney, Aliyah and Charlotte."
"Nice, who are you with?" She asks bluntly earning a widened expression from char.
"well, the short dumb ass with red money pieces happens to belong to me." Laney laughed.
"So Vinny." Riley giggled in response
"I'm with jolly" char said shyly.
"Folio is mine. Even THOUGH SOMETIMES HE DOESNT ACT LIKE IT." She raised her voice.
"IT WAS FOURTY FIVE MINUTES. I LEFT FOR NOT EVEN AN HOUR LIYAH." Folio yelled back.
" is it always like this...? " Riley asked.
" yeah pretty much" I replied standing in the doorway.
As Riley settled into the dynamic of our tour family, she couldn't help but be drawn into our conversations and banter.

Nic, grinned at Riley. "So, you're Lillian's sister, huh? Brace yourself for the madness."

Riley smirked. "I've dealt with worse."
Folio chimed in  "Yeah, Lillian has a way of bringing chaos wherever she goes."
"...I can see that." Riley slowly puts in her headphones drowning us all out.
I noticed Mia playing in the floor, climbing jolly  and Justin like a trees. 
"Hello my little love," I smile at the baby.
"So, Riley, huh?" Justin says quietly.
"an angsty little shit. But I mean I get it, she's seventeen, just lost her mom." I lean back against the wall. "I'm telling you right now. You are most definitely her celeb crush."
"Oh.. so I have to terrorize her every chance I get" he laughs.
"Absolutely." I nod.
"I think she'll get better as we go along, she just needs to warm up to all of us first." Jolly spoke with the same monotoned voice he has for everything he says.
"You aren't wrong." I sigh. "watch her for just a second. I need to talk to Chris." I stand up and walk over to the couch.
"ugh, did you have to deal with the attitude When it came to laney?" I ask him.
"Oh absolutely. like four years of pure attitude. Her just being pissed off at the world." Chris laughed. "But look at her now."
"A feral adult?" I chuckle watching laney air guitar in the distance.
"That's my fault, but no she's kind and sweet to everyone but Noah and Vinny." He laughs. "I believe that you can do this with riley. You aren't gonna be doing it alone." He nudged my shoulder.
"Thank you uncle Chris"

I returned to where Justin was entertaining Mia, and I couldn't help but smile at the adorable chaos that had become a part of our daily lives. Riley had removed her headphones, and though she still seemed guarded, there was a glimmer of curiosity in her eyes as she observed our interactions.

"Riley, you should come meet Mia," I encouraged her.

She hesitated for a moment before slowly making her way over. Justin gently lifted Mia, who immediately reached out with chubby hands toward Riley.
"is she yours?" Riley asked
"Yeah, I mean I didn't birth her if that's what your asking, but she is most definitely mine." I smile.
Riley's guarded expression softened as she tentatively held Mia, who gurgled in delight.
"Hi Mia. I'm your aunt riley."
It was a simple moment, but one that seemed to break down a barrier between Riley and the rest of the group.
after some time, she'd given Mia back to me and went to engage with everyone else, talking to Noah and Ricky first.
I watched as the exchange from my spot on the floor.
She fist bumped Noah and made Ricky laugh causing me to smile.
she'd eventually moved onto Vinny and nick who'd been talking about drums for the past hour.
I watched with bated breath as her serious face turned into a goofy smile.

Vinny and Nick seemed genuinely impressed by Riley's enthusiasm and curiosity about their world of drumming. Her serious questions had turned into a playful banter that filled the air with laughter. It was as if she had always belonged with us.

"WAIT , you DID WHAT during a show?" she laughed.
The conversation continued and  I felt a presence behind me- laney.
"I guess she's found her place for now , I suppose." Laney sits down beside of me.
"seems to feel comfortable around the drummers"
"Yeah, I guess so. I wonder if she plays?" I ask.
"I dunno. But what I do know, is that she's gonna be just fine here with us."
As the day on the tour bus continued, Riley's presence became increasingly integrated into our dynamic. She laughed, conversed, and even shared some of her own stories with the group. I could tell she was slowly warming up to everyone, and it was a relief to see her beginning to find her place within our diverse and sometimes chaotic family.

Throughout the journey, I watched Riley's interactions with interest. She not only engaged with the drummers but also chatted with Chris, Ryan, and Justin, exploring their interests and sharing her own. It was clear that she had a genuine passion for music, which was a common thread that bound us all together.

After a while, Riley took a seat next to Noah and joined in on a conversation about their favorite bands and live performances. I could see the glimmer of connection forming between them, and it made me grateful for the way Noah had always embraced those close to me.

Noah's eyes lit up with enthusiasm as he recounted a particularly epic concert experience. "You should have seen it, Riley! The crowd, the music, the energy... It was like being part of something bigger than yourself."

Riley leaned in, her face mirroring Noah's excitement. "That sounds amazing, maybe I could go to a show , one day."

"You definitely will, tomorrow actually" he laughs, "I know you'll have fun."

Their connection was undeniable, and it warmed my heart to see Riley opening up to Noah. He had a way of making people feel at ease and welcome, and I knew that he would be an incredible source of support and friendship for my newfound sister.
as the night went on and everyone settled into their bunks , the bus fell quiet.
"I'm glad you made her feel welcome today." I whisper to Noah.
"she's part of our little family now; she's always gonna be welcome." He grins. "Get some sleep. We've got an early day tomorrow."
"Goodnight Noah."
"good night lil."