Ghouls

I seemed to jump out of my skin as violent tapping began on the window. I spun in my seat to see Jason looking in, worry lightly lining his face. I could hear Buddy grumble ‘who’s this prick?’ under his breath before I opened up the door to speak to Jason.

“Hey, Lau, what you up to?” he asked, eying up Buddy that had leant over the cubby box to see.

“Oh, it’s just, there was a bit of a commotion and Buddy here offered to take me to the venue,” I told him.

“Ah... I guess you didn’t get Cam’s text then? He told you I was gonna pick you up..” he said, leaning back.

“Oh.. no.. my phone’s still switched off from the plane..” I told him.

“Ah, no problem.. your bags in the back? I’ll get ‘em,” he turned to the boot.

“Whoa, whoa, you know him?” Buddy grabbed my arm and I started to tear up as he pointed at Jason.

“Whoa, dude, let her go,” Jason burst, opening up the passenger door.

“Not without knowing this fine lady will be okay,” he smirked, eyeing me up.

Jason could see that I was panicking and immediately dropped my bags, taking hold of my other arm and quickly pulling me from the car.
He took hold of the collar of Buddy’s shirt, bringing him to his face. “She’d be a lot better without scumbags like you,” he spat, throwing Buddy back into his seat, turning to me, picking up my bags and leading me to the tour bus.

“Thank you,” I barely whispered as I stroked both arms, walking across the parking lot.

“No problem; you’re family now, Lauren, and I wasn’t about to sit by and watch that creep look at you like that. That’s not what family is about,” he stated as we neared the bus. Fans surrounded it on all sides and I could feel my pulse quicken again.

Jason quickly barged through the crowd, ignoring the wails as he opened up the luggage compartment of the bus and placed my suitcases inside. He then turned to me and motioned for me to get into the bus. As I pushed through the rows and rows of dedicated Avenged fans, I could hear them whispering and asking themselves ‘who the fuck is she?’ Eventually, I passed them and managed to join Jason before strapping in and pulling away from the airport and the crowd of fans.

I ended up thinking how Greg was actually probably a better guy than Buddy, before Jason pulled me out and struck up a conversation.

“So, how’s things back in Cali?” he asked, not taking his eyes from the road.

“Good... boring without you guys but a welcome break,” I smiled, and he smiled back, “how’ve you guys been?”

“I’m sure you’ve heard Brian’s been getting on our nerves.. even Jimmy’s getting fed up with him.. but other than that, really good; it’s been a really good run so far. Lots of fans really taking to the new album,” he smiled, pride lining his tone.

“Good... you love working for them, don’t you?” I stated, watching him from my seat that was slightly behind him.

“Yeah.. yeah, I do... the pay’s not bad, the work’s gotten easier since Cam’s joined, but the real reason I do it is to be with my friends. The guys have been friends of mine for years and, y’know, they’re family. Working with them is the best fun I could have,” he grinned honestly.

“You’re not jealous of the limelight at all then? You seemed pretty oblivious to those fans back there,” I asked, it was a question I’d been waiting to ask a roadie for years.

“Oh, God, no,” he scowled, “The limelight never was my kind of thing; I’m much happier in the wings, watching them do their thing. And the fans? You get used to them after a while, in all honesty, I’m just glad I’m not actually part of the band! The screams get so much louder for them, I’m surprised they’re not deaf!” he grinned, looking back at me briefly before letting the bus fall silent allowing the radio to be heard, a new Rihanna track now quietly playing.

The comfortable silence was interrupted as we pulled into the hotel, the bus rocking as it came to a stop. “We’re here,” Jason nudged me as he got out of his seat and out of the bus. I pulled my jacket on as I stretched and got up. I went to the side of the bus to take some of my bags before I was stopped dead in my tracks. Two figures stood at the side entrance. The male laid back, smoking, his black, spiked hair and black leather shirt standing out against the cement walls and the woman’s long, blonde hair. Her body was pushed against his, poking him and stroking him, both with wide grins on their faces.

Jason stood behind me, looking at what I was watching. He looked angry with a mix of disappointment. “I’m sorry about him.. he’s no good with women. He doesn’t know a good thing when he’s got it...” he apologised, holding my shoulder.

“It’s fine... just take me in..” My heart had dropped. Trust obliterated. I felt sick. I dragged my feet as I made my way inside the hotel. My mind whizzed with all of my mistakes, my eyes watering lightly before I jumped. A pair of arms suffocating me. A smile crept onto my lips as I recognised my assailant.

“You’re here!” he screamed, although muffled by my neck.

“I’m here!” I copied.

“Oh, man, I missed you.”

“It’s only been a week or so, you buffoon, it’s not like it’s been years, is it?” I laughed, pulling out of the hug, our equally green eyes equally watery.

“Okay, well, we’ve got you with Brian, if you wanna find him ‘nd go up to your room?” Cam quizzed.

“Yeeah, that’s not happening.” Jason stood up.

“Why?” Cam asked, anger rising in him quickly; he always had a problem with his anger.

“He’s being a prick right now,” Jason stated as his gaze wondered to the opening of a side door. Cam and I followed, along with the rest of the band and crew, to see grinning Brain tumble in with his ditsy blonde clinging to his shirt. The thing that hurt most wasn’t even really that she was there, although it was a factor, it was that his smile didn’t fade. He hadn’t realised what he’d done or how he’d hurt me. Part of me assumed it was ignorance and thought he was just happy to see me, not realising how it all looked. In his eyes, he probably hadn’t done anything significantly wrong; hadn’t slept with the blonde, hadn’t kissed her, but that’s how it looked. And that’s all I could expect from any man I encountered.

“I’m gonna fucking kill him,” Cam whispered, barely audible, with gritted teeth, about to storm towards Brian, fists clenched and face red.

“Don’t,” I scorned, gritting my own teeth, grabbing his shirt and stopping him.

He looked down to me, brows furrowed, “what?” he spat, still angry.

“He’s not worth your time. I should’ve seen it coming. Just leave it...” I told him, pushing past him towards Jade, the only one in the room that didn’t have anger written all over their face. Jade’s face was that of sympathy and comfort. Everyone seemed to follow me out of the lobby after giving the ‘happy couple’ evils. As we all left I could hear her, not him, the blonde call out to us, “hey, what’s up? C’mon guys!” and the both of them giggle to themselves. Anger bubbled in my veins and I almost turned back to give her what she deserved, but the safe, strong hands of Jason and Cam stopped me, Matt speaking, “Don’t worry, Lau, they’ll get what they deserve.”

Notes