Waters Ablaze

The bands first show had went perfect. The fans were as loud as the liked them! The energy from them made its way to the band as they absorbed every ounce. They all were currently in a dressing room behind the stage awaiting the Avenged guys to finish. They were on their last song and once they were done both bands would wait about half an hour to go out and meet the fans that decided to stay behind.

But someone was starting the party a little early. The guys of Ablaze were all already on their 3rd beer. They weren't buzzed yet but they were feeling pretty good. But for some reason Aron and Sean thought they were ballerinas. Trying to do the weird stances and twirls, but kept hitting each other.

Oynix just sat on the couch and watched with amusement. These guys always made her laugh no matter what they did.

“Oh, someday I wish to be a star in the ballet.” They even had girlish voices.

Sitting back, I watched as Aron attempted the spin with his leg straight out. He was half way around when the door opened, and his foot came in contact with Jimmy’s ‘special area’.

“Help, me.” He squeaked out as he went down to the ground, clutching his special area, red faced, gulping in air as if his life depended on it.

“OMG! Dear I am so sorry. I was just practicing for my audition and you area got in my way.” I swore some times I thought Aron was gay with how he could be. But I still loved him, no less. I just hope that when Him and Wes get drunk they don’t hit on everyone. Aron tends to hit on guys as a ‘joke’ but Wes will just hit on me.

“So who's up for meeting fans?!” Johnny was a little ball of energy himself. Making a mental not to myself to figure out his childhood trauma, I stood up and jumped on Wes’s back as we all made our way out to see what fans we had, if any.

Walking out on stage we were able to see how the arena actually looked without all the special lighting. It wasn't huge but not small. It was perfect size. The group of Waters Ablaze and Avenged all stood on the stage for not even a second before the arena came to life with cheers of approval.

“I think they all want to see you guys.” Smiling from my perch, I looked to the Avenged guys who stood in front of us.

“Come on guys, you all are wanted too. Just look, some of the people have even bought some of your merch.”
Jimmy had a point, about three dozen people had a form of our merch.

“On ward, Hoe!” Jimmy tried to mock me and jump on Brian’s back. After a few stumbles, he got his barrings the two began to walk down the stairs to the crowd and past the now non existence barrier.

Everyone else, excluding myself and my ride, jumped off the stage. As so as Shadow’s feet touched the ground he was swarmed by females. The fans that were left contained 80% of females. A few males that had girls with them approached Wes and myself. I had to leave my ride since a few girls wanted a picture with me.

This was what we had worked so hard for. Seeing people who enjoyed our music enough to fork over some cash to buy merch and support us.

“Hey Oynix, can I get your autograph?” Turning around I saw a pair of soft hazel eyes. A Mohawk, septum ring. A guy in a black muscle shirt. A few tattoos scattered his arms. He was hot.

“Ya, sure. What’s the name?”

“Michael.”

“Okay, Michael. Do you have anything you like for me to sign?” I hadn't realized that a few of the security guards were standing a few feet behind Michael, and the Jimmy, Brian, Wes and Aron were all watching me or watching Michael. I'm pretty sure he got the attention of all the females they were not surrounding Shadows at the moment, because he lifted his shirt up to show me a chiseled chest and abs. His abs had lettering tattoo above them. It said “Seize The day.”

“Not trying to sound Fan-Girly even thought I am, but would you mind to sign my chest?” He smiled at me.

“Sure I can do that.” Reaching in my back pocket I pulled out a sharpie marker that every member had for signing body parts. This was my first. Leaning down a few inches I held my hand off of his skin, hoping silently he was not a stalker. I signed my stage name, the only name I went by. Oynix Ablaze.

“There you go, Michael. I hoped you enjoyed the show.”

“I did, I just wish it was longer.” He did seem somewhat sad.

“Give it about a year or two, and Waters Ablaze will eventually headline a tour.” Something seemed very off about this guy, I was getting wigged out buy him. I silently screamed in side, an inch tall version of me inside my brain screaming, going insane wanting to be taken away from this guy.

“Hey, Oynix all of us are heading out. We need food.” Jimmy came over to my rescue and draped, or rested his arm over my shoulders.

“Great show, Oynix. Same for you guys. Always greeting seeing you all.” Nodding his head he walked away.

“Was it just me or was that guy very wiggy?” Jimmy looked down at me, as he leaned his weight on my shoulders, taking one foot and crossing it over the other. As casual as he can be.

“I am so happy you came to help me. I wouldn’t know what to do.”

“Oh you know that usual, just scream as loud as you can Purple Penguins, and security will come running.”

“Purple Penguins?” Titling my head to look at him oddly, he stood up fully at his height.

“It’s the safe word. Say it and security will take down who ever is in front of you.”

“Glad to know.”

“Good, now let’s go get some grub.” Leaning down he did it again, I was scooped up onto his shoulders. Seeing his zero tattoo on his back.

“FOOD!” The bellowing sent vibrations through my stomach making me laugh, as Jimmy attempted to throat scream. Maybe I should show him how it’s done. Only Wes knows that I can do it. I have a few new songs that contain me doing such screaming. I could not wait to try them out.

Within a matter of two hours both bands were in a hotel, ready for a night of good sleep. Currently they were all going back and forth from the shared room of Johnny and Zacky to the shared room of Aron and Vince. Everyone was drinking, except Oynix. She had to make sure her guys were okay.

“Ive got a lovely bunch of coconuts, de-de-de-lee. There they are standing in a row, bom bom bom. Big ones, small ones, some as big as your fucking head.” Johnny was singing songs form the Lion King while sitting on the kitchen counter, legs crossed Indian style, a book on his head but was opened up to the middle page. Jimmy and Brian were both crawling on their hands and knees like they were on a prowl from one room to the next.
Aron, Sean and Vince were all believing they were in a ballet. Zacky and Shadows were sprawled out on the floor watching Ed Edd n’ Eddy on Cartoon Network. Wes was on the phone, he seemed sober but he was talking in hushed tones. Hum, he has been taking a lot of phone calls lately in private. Maybe I will ask him another day about it.

Hopping on top of the counter so I could see all the boys in close range, I looked around. Everything seemed like a dream. All that we had worked so hard on, the endless useless jobs we took just to barley get by, while playing gigs for food and keeping a roof over our heads. At one point we all were living in a one bedroom apartment. Rent was $125 a month, we had electricity but barley used it. Lights were turned on at night while we were asleep, windows were opened on warm nights. We lived on the top floor, so did not worry about someone breaking in while we all slept. I got the bedroom, even thought I told the guys we could switch every night. But they would not listen. But on Friday and Saturday nights when locals were out till dawn, I would share the bed with one or even all the guys. Nothing sexual, just for peace of mind. My bed was a full at the time so three of us could fit, the other two would sleep on blow up mattress on the floor.

Now we are in a nice hotel, nothing fancy, no five star hotel, but it was a hotel with room service. I had escaped my nightmare for a life of my own.

“A whole new world, a fantastic point of view.” Johnny had switched to Aladdin songs. I think he had a love for Disney movies. Jimmy and Brian were sitting side by side, Indian style staring up at Johnny who was perched up on a kitchen table against the wall, singing to his audience.

Ed Edd n’ Eddy was now on a commercial, and Shadows was now walking around. He probably got bored. Zacky stared like a zombie at the TV. As if on cue my ballerinas squealed with delight at the same time.

“OMG, you are adorable!”

“Oh wow look at his arms!”

“He’s so handsome.”

I think they have found someone to hit on. Peeking around the corner to see that poor Shadows had been dragged into their roaming hands. Seeing that I had been caught watching him he pleaded with his eyes and outstretched hands for me to help him.

“Okay, ladies you have rehearsal to go to. Now leave the poor guy alone, I'm sure he will be here when you get back.” Grabbing his hands I pulled him away, against the wins and pleas form the dancers.

“Thanks, babe.” His breath wreaked of whiskey. I knew all the guys drank, but I did not know they were kicking back hard liquor. Maybe it was just him.

“Where is your bottle?” Looking at him, I tried to hold his face to look me in the eyes so he could hopefully see I meant business.

“I don’t know. I think Zacky took it. Babe you wait right here, I’m gonna go get it.” Before I could protest he staggered away to find his liquor. He had enough, running over to Zacky before Shadows could get there I grabbed the bottle that only had a fourth of liquor left in it. Damn that was a new bottle also. I quickly ran to the make shift kitchen and dumped the rest. Zacky didn’t even know what had happened. Neither did I, until I felt two arms around my waist picking me off the ground, and placing me behind them.

“What The Hell Did You Do That For?”

“You have had enough to drink, Shadows. No more. No go to bed.” It was kind of hard to be intimidating to a guy who stood at least 5-6 inches more then me. He had to have at least 50 extra pounds on me, pure muscle.

“Dammit! What gives you the right to tell me what to do?” He seemed to get a little mad. I was alone on this one, all the guys were pretty much wasted to know that this may end badly. I couldn't not let my temper show, that would just be a disaster.

“I’m just looking out for you. You have had enough to drink for tonight. Do you really want a hangover at 8am when we all pile in one bus tomorrow? Think about it, you with a hangover on the bus with your band.”

I tried to reason with him, his nostrils were flaring, but slowly they seemed to get smaller and smaller with every breath he took. He seemed to understand what I was telling him. He was standing pretty close to me, but I had a feeling with all the liquor he drank I could get one good punch in and he would be out. Irish Whiskey is strong.

Is face was emotionless, his eyes held no sorrow, pain nothing. He just stared at me. As if challenging me to do something.

“Fine, I’ll go to sleep.” He sighed in defeat and walked over to the door, and across the hall to his room. Just hope he would really go to sleep. Now back to what Wes has been hiding from me.

My ballerinas were currently ogling over Brian and Jimmy, poor guys. I just walked passed them to the bathroom where I heard his hushed voice. The door wasn't closed all the way, I saw that he was sitting on the sink counter facing the mirror with the basic cell phone that we all had been given by Avenged’s management. Leaning on the wall next to the door, I listened to what was happening. For the past week or so he had been going off every other day at odd hours on the cell phone. Vince and Sean had asked him but he didn’t say anything except it was family.

“No, she has no clue.” That caught my ears, who has no clue? Did he mean me?

“I know I should tell her, but it will only frighten her more.”

“I know, I have told management. Along with the other band. I just wish she would let it all go.”

“No, Renee has no clue.”

My blood ran cold. My heart stopped. I felt the color drain from my face. He said my real name. He only ever said my real name when something was bad. Well there goes my heart its beating again, faster and faster. My blood was now boiling, I was getting mad at Wesley. He had to be talking to my mom. All this time and he never told me. I thought I could trust him to tell me everything, I assume he felt he could trust me. Apparently not.

Without a second thought I slammed the door open, jerking the phone out of his hand, I threw it in the toilet. Then looking at his stunned face, I glared with hatred that seeped out of my pores.

“How dare you.” He was till sitting on the counter, but I did not care I still got in his face.

“I’m trying to protect you.” He matched my tone with his own. How could he protect me. That was my mother and he hadn't told me they had been talking for god knows how long.

“No, you were lieing to me. I thought I could trust you.”

“What the fuck, Rene-.” But I cut him off, I hated my real name and he knew it. I punched him in his mouth. I felt the cool liquid seep out of his lip as I busted it open.

“AH! You fucking Bitch!” He was yelling, I just walked out slamming the door behind me.

This could be bad. I wish my guys weren't drunk now. But it did seem quiet all the sudden.
Jerking the door open, I heard him come after my. Turning around in time I felt his arms around my waist as he tackled me to the bed. I could use a good fight now.

“Get off me you lieing piece of shit!” Struggling in his grasp, he was strong. He was always able to pick me up and throw me a good five or six feet. I managed to get my hands free as I punched him again. He knew not to hit me, he would regret it. We had been in fights that were bad were he hit me, but he always asked for forgiveness the next day. Apparently all the scuffling we were doing got everyone's attention. Had they sobered up already?

“How did I lie to you?” Holding me on the bed, staring in my eyes merely inches away. He seemed angry, maybe it was the busted lip or the cut cheek.

“I heard you on the phone.” I was still struggling, but he wouldn’t let me go, “ I know you were talking to my mother. You lied to me!” Releasing my hands was a mistake for him, I threw myself on him to tackle him back but we fell off the bed.

“No, guys they need to get this out.” I hadn't heard thea Sean, Vince and Aron were trying to keep the Avenged guys back.

“He’s gonna hurt her!” Zacky and Brian were being held back by Sean and Vince. Jimmy and Johnny just watched, their buzz still intact.

“I thought I could trust you. Everything we have been through, this is what you do?!” I was mad, I was hurt. I was…crying? I let go of his arms. I had bit his forearm and drew a line of blood. I sat up with my back to the bed, looking at him, I felt betrayed.

“Listen to me. I did not want to lie to you. I had to keep it form you.”

“What the hell is going on in here?” I hadn't realized that Shadows had come back, clad in his Jack and Sally boxer shorts, with a muscle shirt. He must have heard the shouting.

“Come on you guys. We need to let them sort this out.” Sean and Vince were now sober, to know we need privacy.

“Sort this out, she just tried to kick his ass! I'm not leaving this room!” Jimmy plopped on the small couch to watch if anything else would happen.

“We got picked up by Avenged Sevenfold to tour with them, because Greg told them too. Even thought they had decided they want us with them before Greg said anything. So do not thing they its for pity. We are moving around so He will not find you. Police are trying to locate him as well.”

This is what scared me. I was terrified of him. My step dad had gotten out of prison, and was after me?

“Why didn’t you tell me? All my guns are back home, I have not ways to protect myself.”

Grabbing my waist, he lifted my to his lap. I felt drained. I didn’t want to fight anymore, nor did I want to hide. Being in a band that was on tour with a well known band was not good, but this is what we loved.

“Look at me, we have plenty of security now with us. You have all of us and you know damn well that us Ablaze guys will not let him any where near you.”

“You got us here too, sweetness.” Johnny was sitting next to Jimmy eating popcorn. Really guys?

“Do they all know?” He shook his head no.

“Guys, tomorrow all of us on one bus. There are some things we need to tell you all.”

“You got it, Diva.” Where did that come from? Was Jimmy still drunk?

“Come on, I’ll clean you up.” Standing off him, I reached for his hand to help him up. Walking past the shocked looks of the Avenged guys we went into the small bathroom where he took his seat on the counter again.

“I'm sorry I blew up on you.” I spoke softly as I dabbed his cheek with a cotton ball to take some of the blood off.

“Babe, don’t worry about it. I wanted to tell you but was dreading it.”

“I just wish you would have come out with it.” Dabbing at his cheek with an alcohol wipe, he hissed and moved away.

“Stop being a baby. Hold still.”

“Yes ma’am.” Chuckling softly, he held still. Holding my hips seemed to make him hold still.

Finally cleaning up his cut cheek and busted lip that wasn't as bad as I thought, I tried to step away. But his grip on my waist wasn't helping. Leaning down he put his forehead on mine.

“I promise, he will not touch you.” Whispering the same promise I had heard for the past 3 years, I grinned softly. Pecking his lips with mine, I moved away cleaning up the mess on the counter.

“I know.”

I felt his arms again on my waist as he wrapped around them, leaning his chin on my shoulder I leaned my head back to his chest. I wouldn’t know how I could stay sane without him around. Had he been drinking also? I thought I smelt a faint sent of whiskey on his breath. He probably only had a shot or two.

“Stay with me tonight.” His voice was soft, his breath was cool as his breathed on my neck. I had missed sleeping in his arms. What we had was purely for sex, but I had told him I did not want more, now I have been changing my mind. I did want more, but with who?

“Always.”

Grinning, his reaction was as always expected. Turning around to face me he bent down and hoisted me over his shoulder. Walking out the bathroom, I did not know that the guys were still out here. Shadows stood next to the door waiting. Winking at him made him smile. But me perched on Wes’s shoulder he didn’t seem to like. Oh well

“Everyone out.” Tossing me on the bed, he turned and began to clean out the room. I think he wanted alone time with me. “Come on you drunks get out.”

“But man we were enjoy a lovely conversation on lint!” Johnny may have still be buzzed, but he obliged and left the room.

“Do I even wanna know?” Brian asked as he leaned an arm on Shadows shoulder smirking at me as I sat crossed leg on the bed. Winking at him, he winked back and grinned like Cheshire cat.

“Get out guys.” Grabbing each guy by a shoulder he walked them to the conjoined door, shutting it and locking it, he turned to look at me and I knew that face. I wanted the same thing. NSA seemed always enjoyable.

I know it is now. Especially since I know that the Avenged boys were listening.

Notes