She didn’t know why she was feeling sad over this. It’s something that she’d always wanted. No longer related with FOM and on her way to follow her favorite band on tour. It’s her dream come true. But why won’t her tears stop falling down?

Erika had been crying for two days straight. It wasn’t exactly because she was kicked out of the band. It was because Drew - someone that she trusted after Emily, someone that never made a move on her – saw her as a slut. He was now no different than Jake and Ben.

She finally parked her car, wiped her tears away and when convinced that she looked presentable enough, she went out of it.

Today they will begin their practice session for the upcoming tour next month. Erika arrived at the studio at 10 am, not too early this time. She saw that Zacky and Johnny were out in front yard, smoking. Arin was there too. But there was no sign of Brian and Matt.

“Heyy there she is! I thought you ran away or something.” Johnny, being the warmest member greeted her with a hug.
“Hey guys. Sorry I’m late.”
“Nah, you’re actually on time.” Zacky got up from his seat and hugged her.

She managed to turn off her fan girl switch this time and just calmly hugged them back and smiled. But when she was in front of Arin, she stopped. They both moved awkwardly but then Erika made a decision to just hug him. Arin wasn’t prepared, but his arms were opened wide already so they end up in a deep embrace instead of a casual hug.

“Ooh, that’s a special one right there.” Johnny teased. Hearing that, Erika quickly pulled off and gleamed at him.
“You’re early, Arin.”
“Yeah, my mom was being a pain in the ass this morning. I just gotta get out of there, you know?”
“Welcome to my world.”

Erika noticed that Arin wasn’t smoking. She wondered mindlessly that maybe he wasn’t a smoker.

“Your parents don’t approve of you being a drummer? Then what are you gonna tell them?” Zacky exhaled the smoke from his mouth as he spoke and sat back on the chair.

“It’s just my mom. She can’t stand me smashing drums, she said I’m too loud and the neighbors are complaining. I said that’s bullshit, because our house is practically at the edge of Santa Ana. We don’t have that much neighbors.” Erika explained first as they gazed at her, listening, with cigarette tucked between their fingers.

“How bout your dad?”
“He’s cool, he doesn’t really care about me, so.”
They nodded for a brief moment before she continued with a wide grin on her face.
“But I got away, I lied to my mom saying that I’m going on some kind of a piano competition tour and she believed me!”
They were all shocked, but then broke into laughter.
“Right on! Not that I’m encouraging you to lie to your parents or anything-”
“Jeez, Johnny! Quit being so innocent.” Zacky scoffed.
“That was genius Erika. I haven’t told my mom anything yet.”
Erika glanced at Arin. His round eyes rested on hers. Her heart pounded fast. But they were friends now, why did she still feel awkward around him?
“Maybe you can tell her that… you’re on a roadie job, again?”
Arin’s eyes lit up. “Huh. Why didn’t I think of that? Thanks.”

He smiled. Erika then realized that he had a killer smile. The one where the edge of his lips curled up in a thin perfect curve and it showed the end of his perfect teeth. Erika didn’t realize that she was staring at him until Zacky suddenly spoke.

“There’s Brian now.”

She quickly turned her gaze to the front. Brian just went out of the car, with his shades on and his hair gelled up in his signature spiky style. Erika smiled at the sight of him. But then someone else was getting out of his car too. It was his fiancée, Michelle. She was holding a Maltese breed dog in her arms and was wearing her shades too.

Erika watched as they greeted both Brian and Michelle. She can’t help but feel a little bit jealous towards her. She had a crush on Brian since day one. Hell, she actually had crushes on all of them, including married man Matthew. But Brian was by far her most favorite after The Rev.
She envied Michelle for having Brian in her life. Without knowing she was gawking at them, her mouth parted.

“Hello? Erika? Have you turned off that switch yet?”
Erika flinched and blinked fast. Brian was in front of her face, waving.
“Oh, um. Hi Syn.”
“Hi yourself. This is Michelle, my fiancée.”

Michelle smiled sweetly at her and held out her arm. “Hey there. Finally I get to meet these two outstanding fuckers.”

Both Erika and Arin shook her hand. They were a bit taken aback by her choice of words. Seeing her so ladylike, they didn’t expect her to be so vulgar in her speeches.

“Don’t mind her. She just likes to curse. Anyway, where’s Matt?” Brian explained then lazily muttered to Zacky and Johnny.
“Texted me earlier, said he’s on his way. Been waiting for him ever since.” Zacky answered after exhaling smoke from his mouth, making a perfect O shape.
“How long?”
“Half an hour already.”
“Jeez! Nevermind, let’s set it up first.”
Brian went into the studio and followed by Zacky, Johnny and Arin.

Erika pursued, but Michelle touched her arms suddenly.
“Hey, you okay? You look a little bit pale. You’ve been crying?”
Erika froze. This woman was a stranger yet she noticed. Plus she looked really pretty from up close.
“Um, no. I’m okay. Probably over-heated or something.”
“Over-heated? Bitch it’s autumn now.”
Erika blinked at her. She didn’t know why, but she liked Michelle right away. She didn’t care that Brian was engaged to her, now she thought that Brian was actually lucky to have her. Michelle looked so comfortable with herself. Despite her vulgar mouth, Erika can sense that she was actually a lovely person and she meant no harm.
“Anyway, now that you’re one of us, you can tell me anything. Well, I understand being the only girl in a group of fucking wolves like them. Anything at all. Okay?”
Erika smiled brightly and nodded.
“Now let’s go inside before they kick your ass.”

******************************************************************************************************

“I have a great news, guys.” Matthew began, after they had done practicing their numbers for the tour. Erika drank from a bottle of mineral water that Zacky handed to her, when she totally refused a bottle of beer from Johnny.

“My wife is pregnant.”
They all gasped in surprise. Except for Michelle. She already knew about this. There were murmurs of congratulations came from them after that.
“Congrats, dude!”
“Wow, you’re gonna be a dad soon!”
“Congrats Matt! Is it a boy or a girl?”
Matthew rolled his eyes at Johnny. “Still early, Johnny.”
Johnny shrugged and sipped his beer. “Who knows? With all the techs right now.”
“Still too early, Johnny.”
“I’m just sayin!”

They were all practically bullying Johnny right now. Erika and Arin just stood side by side watching how close their relationship was with smiles on their faces. Both of them laughed along when they all pretending to beat Johnny up, even Michelle joined in.

“Hey, my two favorite drummers. Arin and Erika. God I just love saying your names together. It’s like I’m saying America in a retarded voice.” Matthew called and both of them looked up.

“You are pretty retarded, Shads.” Johnny sneered as he drank his beer casually.

Matthew slowly turned his head to him, and narrowed his eyes. “Syn, finish him off.” As if he was the leader of some gang, he gave order to Brian without even looking at him.

“Yes sir.” Brian obliged from behind him and went towards Johnny in a smooth move, making Johnny scrambled away from there.

“Come here you little shit!” Brian yelled while chasing Johnny around the room.

“You can’t catch me bitch!” Johnny mocked him. Because he was the smallest among them so he can easily slid behind the speakers and amplifiers around the room for hiding.

Erika and Arin laughed hard watching the scene. Zacky cheered for Johnny to flee and sometimes Johnny ran to hide behind him.

Erika couldn’t hold back her laughter and she accidentally slammed her forehead onto Arin’s shoulder and just laughed. Arin didn’t realize it as he too was laughing at the guys. When she finally noticed it, she quickly pulled away and glared at him. Arin was still laughing but eventually he turned to look at her. His laughter faded slowly while their gazes locked. Both hearts pumped like crazy.

“Gotcha!” Brian finally caught Johnny as he locked his arm around his head. Johnny struggled to get away.
“Nice work, Gates. Now don’t let him go. On the fun part, let’s hit the bar tonight!”


Erika turned her gaze away while Arin was still looking at her. They stood side by side awkwardly, again.
“America! What are you guys doing standing over there? Let’s celebrate with us! This is really a great news!”
Erika looked up to Matthew. “Uh, but I don’t drink.”
“What? Says who?”
“Says…me?”
“That’s ridiculous! Come on! I won’t take no for an answer.” Matthew pressed, hands on his hips.
“Oh back off Matt. Come on Erik. At least dance with me tonight?” Michelle stepped closer to Erika and linked their arms together. Erika blinked at her. Nobody has ever called her Erik. Nobody since Emily.

Notes