Things I Can Change

April’s pov
I was so pumped for the interview, but I was a tad nervous. That filling meal didn’t seem like the smartest idea at the moment. I closed my eyes in attempt to ease the nausea overcoming me. A few deep breaths later and I felt more composed. I can do this! Why doubt myself?! I have obviously proven that I am talented enough to have this position. Even if I don’t get it, it is not the end all be all. There are other opportunities out there.
I am pretty sure Emma sensed some tension so she spoke up reassuringly.
“You know this is cake right? They would be fools not to hire you. And if they don’t, there are millions of other places that will bow down to the famous April.” Can this bitch read my mind?
I smiled and looked out the window and just set my mind at ease, trying not to worry about anything, just going wherever it takes me.
***
Emma just dropped me off since she had to run to work for a bit. I was currently standing in front of the shop, staring at the front door like a doe-eyed deer. After a few minutes of complete idiocracy, I grew a pair and walked in.
The first person I saw was a big tattooed guy that made me tremble with fear with just a glare. I was astounded when I heard him talk. He was like a giant teddy bear!
“Hey, my name is April. I am here for the job interview.”
…..
So the guy’s name is Joseph but he told me to call him T-bone, still not sure why. Everything was going great. He asked me the typical job interview questions and then some info about my tattooing license, and then he took a look at my portfolio and seemed to love it, so overall, I felt okay about this.
He was scribbling stuff on a little notepad every time I responded to something. Every scratch of that pen to that paper was a new bead of sweat down my forehead.
“So what brings you to California? You don’t seem like you’re from around this neck of the woods.” Bingo was his namo.
“I came with a close friend of mine to get out of our small town haha. Nothing interesting going on there so we just up and left. Found a new home for ourselves.” Nervously, I chuckled. Hopefully he wouldn’t pry.
“Well I hope you don’t plan on doing that any time soon. I don’t like when my artists just up and leave on me.”
“Oh, no! You won’t hav-, wait I got the job?!” The doe-eyed deer was back.
“With the talent you have, I’d be a fool to say otherwise! Welcome to the team.” He grinned from ear to ear. If I wasn’t so scared he’d rip me in half, I’d hug the ink out of his big tattooed self.
“Thank you so much! You won’t regret it!” I spoke excitedly. We got up and shook hands.
“Today is slow and we are closed tomorrow so are you ready to start Tuesday? We can go over everything then.”
“More than ready! Thank you again!” I had this smile etched on my face. Not even the road kill I almost stepped on could make me frown.
I excitedly called Emma, but no answer. My idiotic self also didn’t pay attention to where I was walking and I ended up in sketchy neighborhood. The only person I knew to call was Brian. Would he think I am clingy if I call for help? Nah, I just seriously need help, he can’t take that the wrong way.
I anxiously dialed his number. He picked up after two rings.
“Hey Emma.” I don’t know if I am imagining this but I swear I could hear the smile in his voice.
“Hey Brian uh-”
“Are you okay? You sound nervous.” He cut me off suddenly.
“Yeah I am fine, just lost and I can’t get ahold of Emma and this neighborhood seems odd.”
“Read me a street sign or something.” He seemed a bit worried which made me smile.
“I think I am by Slater on Beach Blvd.”
“How’d you end up there? That place has a mobile police station set up for monitoring. Walk to Slater’s Burgers a block up, closer to the beach. I will meet you there in 20.”
“Thanks Brian, you’re a life saver.”
“Anytime babe.” He hung up.
Woah, my heart fluttered when he said that. Did I really feel that? Should I be feeling that? Is it in any way healthy for me to feel that way? He probably said it in an affectionate friendly way right? Right. Still felt nice though.
I walked up and found the burger joint. That shit smelled amazing! I took a seat on a bench right in front and played some stupid game on my phone to kill time. 15 minutes later, Brian was here.
“Should I buy you a tracker? Wouldn’t want you to end up lost again.” Brian said as he walked over to me with the cutest grin ever!
“Ha ha, very funny Brian. Thanks but no. I will figure my way around here eventually.”
“What were you doing wandering anyways?” Brian questioned as I stood up from the bench.
“I was at a job interview and then I got lost..” I trailed off blushing.
“Well did you get the job at least? and what was it for?”
“I did! I’m officially a tattoo artist.”
“Wow that’s great April! I’m so happy for you!” He beamed as he hugged me. “How about I buy you a congradulatory burger and fries.”
I tried to play off my heat that had rushed up to my face, which he luckily did not notice.
“Sure, sounds great!” He led the way into Slater’s.
After ordering the food, and Brian paying, despite my persistence to pay half, we took a seat outside. The closest bench to the sand. After we took a seat, conversation began to flow. He was so easy to talk to. No awkward silences at all. I was trying my hardest not to say anything too personal to mess this up. It was just so hard with him because talking to him was like talking to an old friend. After having a general conversation about everything ranging for ass vs tits to childhood stories, things started to open up a bit more.
“Why did you come out to California?” Twice today, damn.
“A long story.” A giggle shyly.
“If you don’t want to tell me now, its fine. But just know, we aren’t the type of people to flake on you cause of a tough past. If we meet people who we think are genuine, we are in it for the longrun. That’s for all the guys. We’re like a brotherhood of sorts here.” He finished it off with a laugh.
“You have no idea how it feels to hear something like that. Thank you for understanding though. It’s just something both Emma and I are not ready to open up about just yet.”
“Yeah I understand. Just remember, we’re all here when you’re ready.” The expression on his face was so understanding and, I don’t know, caring maybe?
“Thank you Brian.” I smiled back to him.
After that, he offered to take me back to my place to get ready for the bbq, which I gladly took.
The car ride was quiet, not awkward though. Just a peaceful silence, besides the roaring of his engine. Guess he is into cars too.
“alright here we are.”
“Thank you so much Brian. Ill see you later today.”
“Can’t wait.”
Ugh Butterflies.

As I walk up to the front porch, I notice Emma peeking outside the window. She ran to the door to then swing it open to badger me with questions.
“Relax girl, damn. Thanks for picking up your phone though.” I shot back at her, jokingly.
“Sorry it was dead! What happened?!” She persisted
“Well I got lost and I didn’t know who else to call so he came, bought me a burger and fries, then bought me back. I got the job by the way”
“That’s it? and Congratz! I knew you would” She hugged me.
“Did you expect us to elope in Vegas or something?” I said as I collapsed onto the bed.
“No, I actually didn’t know what to expect. Maybe for him to sweep you off your feet, knight in shining armor style.”
“Oh you sappy fucker. But we did talk a little bit. Emma, I think we made the best decision possible coming here. These people are good people.”
“I know, I’m happy we did too.”
“Alright lets go sexify ourselves for the bbq!” April yelled, earning a chuckle from Emma.
***
Matt’s POV

The anticipation is killing me! I just want to see Emma and get to know her better. She is so intriguing and beautiful. I just don’t want to begin to care for someone and have her reject me. I am not that ready for that type of pain. I know its soon too, to say I am developing feelings. For now, lets just call it a crush. She is just so free spirited and genuine, even though she seems like she has stuff on her plate she has yet to share, but who am I to say anything. We just met. If she has her own demons to fight, she can open up when she feels ready. I just can’t help but want to know her better, so she doesn’t have to feel as alone in this new territory. I’m also happy for Brian, he seems to be in the same boat as me, just wanting to get to know April better.These two girls are just like nothing we have ever seen before. They aren’t superficial and they live for themselves, not to please anyone. They are passionate to strive for what they want out of life. I admire them, despite not really knowing them.
Despite having such wonderful thoughts about such a beautiful woman, my mind can’t help but wander to the possibilities of shit going downhill. I can’t stop thinking about Val prancing in here like she still owns the fucking place. I never truly saw what a greedy person she was until I asked for a break for a few weeks. She didn’t want to let go of the house, the money, or the fame she got from mooching off of the band. She wasn’t always like this though. The woman I fell in love with was sweet and caring. I wish I knew if it was a front or something along the lines brought out her true colors. Whatever it was, I was sick of it. I kicked her out and left it at that. I just wish she got the message. She shows up when she wants to, sneaks into bed with me, then cries hysterically when I am forced to call the cops to get her out. Her name isn’t on the lease anymore, so technically it’s trespassing. She even tried that pregnancy bullshit with me, as if it would work. I took her straight to the OB/GYN to have an ultrasound to find no fetus inside of her. That lying bitch.
That’s enough of her.
After getting the grill going, a few people showed up. I looked over to Zack, who had come alone. What was up with Camilla?
I walked up to him. He looked really downtrodden. His expression honestly hurt to look at. He cleaned up nicely, but he had some scruff, like he didn’t bother to shave and his eyes were a bit puffy. He looked lke he was crying but tried to cover it up. I wonder if Camilla told him what was going on.
“Hey man, are you okay?” I put my hand on his shoulder reassuringly.
“She decided to stay at her sisters for a few days. I still don’t know what happened or what this means. All she has said is she doesn’t know how to say it but I didn’t do anything wrong. She is constantly crying and her anxiety is on full gear. She couldn’t even look me in the eye when talking to me. I just don’t know what to do man. She is my anchor. I can’t help but feel like I did something even though she says I didn’t. But if someone did something to her, I swear I’ll kill them.” He got angry towards the end. I had to calm him down some.
“Woah, Zack. You need to calm down some. It won’t do much to get yourself worked up. All you can do is be ready for when she comes to talk. I know it hurts but you can’t help her if you’re wrecking yourself in the process. She obviously has something on her plate that she doesn’t know how to share yet. She loves you so she can’t not be near you for long. I mean who can really resist you?” I ended it on a lighter note. It earned a smile out of him so I felt I did something right.
“Thanks man.” he smiled to me and went to distract himself with small talk.
Not too long after, the girls arrived. They had huge smiles plastered on their faces. Emma’s face was so bright. It could make the saddest parts of me happy. Everyone greeted them like old friends. Brian ran up to them, introducing them to everyone. I’m so happy to see them becoming part of something here.
Emma and I made eye contact, earning a smile from the both of us. I walked up to them to greet them, but right before I had the chance, the devil came walking in.
“Hey Matty!” Val came in planting a big kiss on my lips.
My eyes went wide as I tried to pry her off.
The worst of it all had to be Emma having to see this. What would she think? Would she believe my explanation?

Notes

Hey guys, Lara here.
I am so sorry this came so late but there has been a shitload of turbulence in my life that stems from the loss of my grandmother to junior year to being diagnosed with anxiety and chronic adolescent depression. I don't feel the need to hide it from here since this is one of the few places I feel I can escape judgment. This is no excuse haha just an explanation. It basically drained my initiative and motivation to do anything. But I have found methods to defeat those moods and writing just happens to be one of the best methods, it just sometimes takes some more to pull me out of that funk to actually get shit done lol
Anywayyyssss, I hope you like this chapter, way more exciting shit to come. What do you think is going on with Camilla?
Now on to my lovely co-author DaniVengeance

xoxo
ShepherdxOfxFire