Welcome to the Family

“Dude, I don’t see him anywhere. Let’s just go back and get some more beer.” Johnny whined, sloppily following the rest of us as we continued to search for Matt.

“Quit being so fucking lazy.” Brian threw an empty beer can at him. Johnny swerved just in time, almost falling completely on his face as he tripped over his own feet.

“Hey, watch it damn it! That almost hit me.” Johnny slurred as he leaned against Zack. He had a few too many beers to handle tonight, and he wasn’t finished with drinking just yet.

Brian snickered. “Yeah, I know. I missed.”

Johnny looked up and smirked. “Who knows,” Zack shrugged Johnny’s hand off his shoulder. “Maybe he went back to the bus.”

“Why would he do that?” I asked. “He said he was going to see who’s playing on the main stage. There’s no way he would just ditch us like that.”

“Yeah, unless he found something better to do.” Brian said as he took the beer Johnny was spilling over and took a drink. He was so drunk he barely even noticed it was missing from his hand.

“Like what?” I asked, getting frustrated with trying to look for him. There were so many people out and the sky was becoming darker. If we didn’t find him soon, we never would, not tonight.

He shrugged. “’Dunno, maybe he’s talking to some hot chick or something.”

Johnny began to laugh, Zack shook his head at Brian, he knew how I felt, and I was the one to throw him a glare. I didn’t even want to think like that.

Matt had been dating one of our great friends, Val'. We were all friends since we were young and those two were dating since high school, but they broke up not that long ago. I didn’t want to think that Matt would already be looking for other girls since Val' and I were so close. She meant a lot to me and the guys, almost like a mother figure.

I knew she was still upset about the break up, so why wasn’t he? I don’t see how he could possibly be over it already. I knew I wasn’t ready to think about dating again. I never would be, not after what Leana did to me. I have given up on love after that. Of course I wanted Matt to be happy, but I wanted him to be happy with Val'.

“Let’s just hurry up and find him. Who knows what the hell he’s getting himself into.” I grunted and continued walking.

We searched for a while, weaving ourselves around people as we looked for him through this huge crowd. Tons of people were all ready getting the night started and were drinking, like we had, and were becoming rude every time I tried to squeeze in between them to get past. I shot them all evil glares and kept my muttering to myself. I’m sure they all wouldn’t want to hear the comments I had for them and their dirty looks.

“Dude, there he is!” Johnny pointed off in the distance.

We all followed his gaze and saw a clearing in the field occupied by several picnic tables. It took me a minute to find Matt, but it wasn’t too hard to miss a guy wearing aviators and covered in tattoos, though there were quite a few people out here just like that, but I knew it was Matt when I saw him.

We all walked over there, I sort of stomped my way, and met up with him. He had his back halfway turned to us, and it wasn’t until I called his name did I realize he was sitting with someone.

“Matt!” I called. He quickly spun around, and even though he was wearing his sunglasses, I could still see his surprised expression. I guess he wasn’t expecting us to come searching for him.

“Oh, uh-Hey guys. What are you doing here?” He said all too quickly.

We all shared a glance and then met our eyes with the girl in front of him. She instantly turned away from our stares, keeping me from getting a good look at her. “I could ask you the same thing.” I said, finally coming back to look at him.

He shrugged. “Well, I was just talking with-”

“So who’s your friend?” Brian said, sliding his way onto the bench and made Matt scoot over.

I made my way to sit on the opposite side of him while Johnny and Zack sat down with the girl in the middle. As soon as I saw her bright blue eyes, I instantly recognized her as the girl who ran into me awhile back in Florida.

For a second we made eye contact and it seems as if she recognized me too. Her mouth dropped open slightly and my eyes widened.

“Holy shit,” I muttered under my breath.

“Guys, this is Chelsea. Chelsea, I’m sure you remember my friends from the night of the bonfire. I doubt they remember you, because they were all drunk that night.” Matt laughed.

“Holy fucking shit man! You’re the chick that bumped into Matt!” Brian shouted.

Oh damn, he was right. That was the same girl! I thought I recognized her then too when I saw her later that same day, but I drank so much wasn’t too sure, until now.

All of the guys started laughing as she began to blush. “Yup. Sadly, that was me.”

“And then you fucking pulled me down with you, ya bastard!” Brian spun on Matt.

He began to laugh. “Hey, it wasn’t my fault! I had to have something to grab onto before she pushed me down. I thought I could save myself from falling, but then just made it worst and ended up dragging you both down on top of me.”

Her face turned beat red. “I didn’t push you down, I swear. It was an accident. I wasn’t watching where I was going. Curse my big hips.” She muttered the last part to herself.

Zack extended his hand out in front of her. “I’m Zack by the way. We didn’t have much of a proper introduction the first time.”

She took it and smiled. “I don’t think any of us have. Sorry again, Matt.” She slightly giggled.

I began to frown. Was…something going on between them?

“Nice to meet you Zack.” They shook hands.

“My friends call me Zacky and my stage name is Vengeance. You can call me either one, I don’t care.” He shrugged.

She nodded. “I like Zacky.” Her eyes lit up for a moment. “So wait a minute. Are you in Matt’s band?”

Brian snorted before anyone could answer. “It’s not Matt’s band. We all have our own part in it too, ya know.”

Matt rolled his eyes at him as she began to apologize. “Don’t mind him. He’s had a few too many beers tonight.”

“I have not,” Brian interjected. “I’m just getting started.” He said, raising his beer up in the air.

“We’re all in Avenged Sevenfold,” Johnny leaned in and told her, trying to whisper but it came out more of a shout. She backed away a little, probably smelling the ton of alcohol on his breath.

“Really?” She asked, still being polite though he was practically in her face. “What do you play?”

“I’m…I play the uh-yeah.” Johnny slurred, fixating his attention on some brunette walking by. Chelsea shook her head at him and chuckled.

“He’s the idiot gnome we use to carry around the bass on stage, not that he can actually play it or anything.” I too shook my head at him.

She laughed. “And what is this gnome’s name?”

“Johnny, but nobody gives a shit.” Brian waved her off. “I play lead, amazingly, I might say. Zack plays rhythm, short-shit is the bass player,” He pointed at Johnny. She held in her laugh at the nickname once he turned back around, hearing it and scowled. “Matt sings, and Jimmy plays the drums.” Brian introduced her to everybody.

Her eyes flickered to me, but only for a second. I couldn’t read what she was thinking, but it had me curious. She turned her attention back to Brian.

“My friend Cody actually listens to you guys. He says you guys are amazing.” She smiled.

Brian chuckled. “And what do you think of us?”

She dropped her eye contact with him for a second. “Oh, sorry, I don’t really know. I haven’t had the chance to listen to your music yet.” She shrugged sheepishly. She came off as very shy.

Brian gave her a knowing look as he pursed his lips and nodded. “I see,” He looked to all of us. “Well then, we should be going gentleman. It doesn’t seem as though we are important enough for her to talk to.” He began to stand. He was being snotty on purpose, just messing around with her but she took him way too seriously.

“No, wait!” She almost shouted. “I’m sorry, I was just being honest. I didn’t mean to-”

“Just ignore him,” Matt shook his head. “He’s only pretending to be that big of a snob. He’s just testing you.”

Her face fell. “Oh,”

“Well way to ruin my fun there Matt. Now I’m going to have to find something else to do to entertain myself.” Brian grunted. Matt rolled his eyes.

“Well, there is going to be that fireworks show tonight. Are you guys going to go see them too?” She asked us all.

Johnny jumped up so quickly he almost scared her. “Hell yeah! Let’s go you guys! I wanna see the fireworks!” She looked as if she didn’t know whether to laugh at him or back away a little.

“Wait, ‘too’? Are you going to watch them tonight with us?” Zack asked.

Her eyes went to Matt and caught him smiling at her. “Yeah, you should come with us. I could use someone else to hang out with other than these freaks.” Matt said, looking back and forth at us with a grin.

Why the hell was he inviting her? I didn’t want her to come. It’s not that I had anything against her, but we didn’t even know this chick! And now, here he is, completely flirting with her right in front of us. I knew Matt all too well, and I knew when he was flirting, and I did not like it one bit. I don’t know who this girl thinks she is, but she was not going to get with Matt. I was bound to keep that from ever happening, no matter what it took. If I had to be a complete asshole to keep her away, so be it.

It has been my intention to get Matt and Val' back together ever since they broke up. I couldn’t stand to see my two best friends unhappy, especially with each other. I figured Matt was only thinking of this girl as some type of booty call, maybe hoping to use her to get his mind off Val', but I’d be damned if I let him get that far. I was going to have to find a way to keep these two from ever happening.

Chelsea’s P.O.V
I couldn’t believe that these guys were inviting me to go out with them. I hardly even knew them! Would it be a mistake if I agreed to tag along? Even if it was just long enough for me to find the guys? I didn’t want to go on an endless search for them, especially since it was going to be night soon. Who even knows if I would ever find them? I doubt that I would even be able to find our bus.

I was about to give Matt an answer when Jimmy, who turned out to be the guy I met twice before spoke before I could. “I’m sure she’s busy you guys.” He told them, then looked at to me and practically smirked. “Maybe another time.”

I was kind of taken aback by the sudden mood change. Did I do something wrong?

“Nah, it’s cool. She agreed to hang out with me already. Well, until she found her friends of course.” Matt smiled politely at me, almost as if he were apologizing for Jimmy’s comment.

The others looked to me for an answer. I shrugged. “He’s right, I did agree.”

His smile turned into a pleasant grin, one that brought a smile to my face, just seeing those cute dimples again. “Good, it’s settled. You’re coming with us.”

I laughed. “Yes sir.”

Brian gave me a sly look. “So, do you always give into commands?” He wagged his eyebrows up and down.

I scoffed and felt the heat rise from my cheeks. The others started bursting out laughing while Jimmy only chuckled and Matt punched him.

“Ow! What the fuck was that for? I was only kidding!” Brian shouted, clutching his leg from the hard hit.

“Dude, have some respect. You can’t just ask that, especially to a girl you don’t even know!” Matt scowled at him.

“I was just joking! She knows that, right?” Brian looked at me, but before I could even move from the shock of his statement, he continued on. “Besides, I’m Synyster Gates. I can do whatever the fuck I want damn it.”

“So your stage name gives you the rights to do anything you want?” I questioned, raising my eyebrow at him.

He placed his arms down on the table and slowly leaned in to lower his voice. “Whatever I want, babe.” He suddenly winked and backed off.

That’s when things got serious for me. Nobody and I mean absolutely nobody, calls me by a pet name. That was one of my biggest pet peeves, when someone I hardly even know calls me anything other than my actual name. I stood up and leaned towards him in return.

“My name is Chelsea. Rather call me that, or don’t call me at all. Mmk, Pumkin’?” I smirked and sat back down.
Where the hell did the courage to do that come from? It wasn’t usual for me to stand up for myself, but damn that was one of the quickest ways to get on my nerves.

His expression suddenly changed, and the air around me grew silent from all of them. I looked and saw everyone staring at me. I looked back at Brian, trying to ignore them and waited for a comeback. Guys like him always had something to say, rather it be flirting or some kind of retort. Whatever it was, I was definitely waiting for it.

That’s when he began to smile. “I like you,” He shook his finger at me.

My face twisted in confusion. “You what?”

He nodded. “Yeah, you’re alright in my book.”

Well I definitely wasn’t expecting that. I shrugged. “And what the fuck does that mean?”

Zack chuckled and turned to me. “In other words, you passed his test.”

That just confused me further. “What are you talking about?”

Matt shook his head and rolled his eyes. “It’s a stupid test that he does with almost every girl he meets, and sometimes with guys. I don’t know what his problem is. Anyway, he asks the most stupid questions or says almost anything to get on people’s bad sides and see how they react.” He shrugged. “Apparently you responded correctly.”

“Which makes you alright,” Brian nodded, before adding “So far.”

I tried to take in all that they had said and find a way to respond, but I was almost left speechless. So, they, as in Brian in particular, liked me because I told him off? Cool. Maybe I should speak up more often. Who knows where my smart mouth could lead me. Hopefully not into any trouble.

“So are you coming with us?” Matt asked with hopeful eyes, thankfully changing the subject.

“Only if you guys want me to.” I shrugged.

Most of them smiled and had said they did, but when I saw that flash of a grimace on Jimmy’s face, I felt my self-confidence fall into my gut. No one else saw, because it was gone within the second I had noticed it. Now I didn’t even feel like talking to them anymore.

If one person didn’t want me to be here, I don’t think I wanted to be around them either. I hated to know that someone disliked me. I wasn’t a bad person. I didn’t deserve any kind of hatred. I did nothing wrong, but by the distaste in his eyes, something told me I wasn’t welcome, and so I didn’t want to stay.

I turned to Matt. “Uh, actually, I think I should be going. I really need to find my friends soon.”

They all looked at me and silenced their conversations with each other about the show. I saw Matt’s face fall at what I had said, and then Jimmy’s eyes lit up.

“What? I thought you wanted to hang out with me- I mean us until you found them? I’m sure you can still find them after the show.” He suggested.

I only shrugged. “Yeah, well you see, I-”

“Oh come on, don’t be shy. We’re all good guys once you get to know us.” Brian gleamed, which wasn’t convincing me to stay.

Zacky chuckled. “I know you just met us, but I can promise you that someday you will come to like us.”

“We already like you.” Johnny whisper-shouted in my ear, which accidentally caused me to back up into Zacky. I felt the vibrations of his laugh against my back and so I retreated into the middle, trying not to touch either of them.

“Johnny, get the hell out of her personal space.” Matt growled. "You can see that she doesn't like it."

Johnny waved him off and looked back at me. “Ah come on, you don’t mind, do ya?” He slurred with a crooked grin.

“We’ll see how much you like it when I push you off this bench and onto the fucking ground here in a second.” I threatened, ready for him to get out of my face. There was so much alcohol on his breath I was starting to become dizzy.

I heard Brian and Zacky snicker and Matt laugh. I couldn’t help myself and glanced to see Jimmy’s expression change slightly surprised, but once he saw me look, he turned cold as stone again.

At that, I tried to hold myself back from smirking at him and looked back to Matt. “Okay, sure. I’ll come with you guys.”

Notes

Okay, I'm a really impatient person, and was originally going to write more for this chapter before I updated it, but I just couldn't help myself, so I'm gonna go ahead and publish this chapter and will write the second part of this later. Love you guys, and I'll try to hurry up with the second part and get it done. Also, feel free to send me some feedback! I would love to hear what any of you have to say or if you guys have any ideas for me.

~Love,
Elena Rose ♥