New Beginnings

The Studio

*Jimmy’s POV*

“Yeah, right? Well I should probably get her those bagels before she throws a fit. It was nice meeting you!” I smiled brightly at the girl and turned and moved towards the cash register to pay for my hot chocolate. She was a nice girl; nice looking too. With those long curls and tattoos covering her shoulders. Would be a nice catch for Brian, if he ever gave into having some fun again.
“Thank you,” I told the lady behind the counter after paying for my drink. I headed back out to my car and stopped by the local bagel shop and ordered some blueberry and cinnamon raisin bagels for my girl. God, was she a pain in the ass sometimes- my pain in the ass. I smiled to myself and grabbed the bag of bagels the man handed me once they were put together for me and left the store and headed back home to drop them off.
I walked through the front of my house and ran down the hall to the bedroom where I figured Leanna was, and dived onto the bed next to her, “Think fast!” I yelled mid-air and tossed the bagels at her.
“You’re gonna crush my future breakfast!” she yelled back, holding back laughter and trying to give me a serious, angry look.
“You’re cute,” I said looking up at her.
She slid down from resting against the headboard and layed facing me, “and you’re late,” she smiled cheekily and pecked me on the nose.
“Shit Bri will kill me if I end up being the one late,” I agreed, sitting up. She sat up as well, “I love you, boo,” I said, and kissed her.
“Love you, and don’t forget your sheets of music.” God what would I do without her.
“How could I forgot such a thing,” I winked at her and ran out of the room, grabbing the folder full of potentially new songs for Avenged, “Love you!” I shouted one last time before heading out of the house.

***

I pulled into the parking lot of the old blue building and could already spot Zacky and Johnny outside sitting in some lawn chairs around a table smoking a cigarette. No sign of Brian’s car. Rev one. Gates zero. I hopped out of the car with my folder and the guys all stood up once they saw me walking towards them, “Long time no see, man,” Zacky said, stepping forward and pulling me into a hug. Johnny did the same.
“Yeah, well. Had to clear my mind, you know? Plus, I’ve got a ton of sick ideas to show you all,” I said excitedly and held up the folder. Johnny tried to snatch the folder from me, “nuh uh, short shit. We can look over it as a group,” I joked, shoving him back a little.
“Jimmy!” I heard a voice call behind me. I turned around to find Matt walking out the back door of the building with Val, hand in hand.
“Hey dude!” I smiled, “dudette,” I looked down at Val and bowed. She laughed and they both hugged me.
“Typical Jimmy. Gone into hiding,” Matt said, walking towards the table and having a seat in the chair Zacky had been sitting in.
“Yeah, well just wait until you hear what I’ve got.” I replied, smirking.
“Oh yeah, with all those ridiculous guitar riffs and-”
“There’s that fucker,” Zacky cut in, pointing over to Brian’s car that was just pulling into the parking lot. I chuckled to myself. He was really gonna get it.
As soon as he parked in the space next to my car, I sneaked over to the front of the car once he turned facing the back. After he closed his door I ran up behind him and threw him over my shoulder before he could grab his guitar from the back seat.
“Jimmy you asshole!” he yelled. He cursed all the way to the grass by the tables where I carried him to until I threw him onto the ground, “Jesus Christ, I hate you sometimes,” he said, laughing quite a bit while remaining on the ground looking like an idiot.

*Brian’s POV*

“Fuck,” I said to myself as I got up off the ground. I looked at Jimmy, who looked very pleased with what he had just done, and I shoved him, “God damn.”
“I warned you,” he shrugged, barely moving by the shove I gave him.
“Still,” I smiled, and pulled him in for a hug, “Missed you dude.”
I hugged the rest of the guys and we all went inside after Zacky and Johnny finished their smoke and after I grabbed my guitar out of my car. We all took seats in the chairs and couches and just talked for a bit.
“So, why were you fashionably late again this time, Gates?” Zacky asked me, half smirking.
“Well actually,” I started, sighing a little, “I was going to be one time. I was all ready and shit until my new next door neighbor decided to leave her front door open and make it look like a robbery had taken place. So me, being the great guy I am,” Jimmy rolled his eyes at me, but I ignored, “I went to check out the house but turns out she just left it open without thinking,” I finished, shrugging.
“She?” Johnny asked, “is she hot?”
Before I could even reply, Jimmy cut in, “Oh wait! Maybe that’s the girl I met at the corner store… She asked me directions to your street because she just moved from Tennessee or something,” he said, looking from me to Johnny, “and yeah, she’s pretty hot.”
“Anyways, she was nice,” I shrugged. I just wanted to drop it. I knew the guys, and they’d keep nagging at me to tell me things about her, or to try and convince me to ask her out. I’ve only been on one date since the break up. Don’t get me wrong, the girl was nice, I guess, but she was awkward, and it was too soon.
“What’s on your mind, dude?” God, Matt could read me like a book sometimes.
“I don’t know, I’m just tired,” I lied, and Matt knew it.

*Later that night*

It had been a long day at the studio, about 7:30 when I finally got home. Whenever Jimmy came back after going into hiding for a while, we all knew we would spend our whole day there going through each and every little note he had written down. Not that they were bad, they were brilliant, actually, but a drummer shouldn’t make someone like me or Zacky play such crazy, unheard of chords on the guitar.
I had spaced out on the couch, TV remote in one hand, beer in the other, when a knock and barks from my dog brought me back. I stood up, furrowing my eyebrows. Who would be knocking on my door at this time? I opened my front door, finding Hailey standing on the steps, “Oh hey,” I smiled at her, taking a step back to let her inside.
“Hey,” she smiled coming in, “sorry if it’s late or if you were busy. You just said I could come by when I wanted. I’ve had a long day, I just kind of wanted someone to talk to,” her hair was pulled up into a bun now, and it really showed off her tattoos, which I got a better look at. She was wearing a black tank top and ripped grey shorts. God, she had nice legs.
I brought my focus back to her eyes. They looked tired, “No worries,” I smiled, “I wasn’t lying when I said you could by whenever. Make yourself comfortable. You want a beer?” I asked, leading her to the living room and showing her the couch. She nodded, taking a seat. I quickly moved to the kitchen and grabbed a beer from the fridge. By the time I was back Pinkly was already all over her, “excuse my dog,” I sighed, opening the beer and handing it to her, “Pinkly, down,” I said firmly, and he obeyed.
She laughed lightly as I took a seat next to her, “He’s cute,” she said as she took a sip from her beer.
“And quite the pest. But he’s the most loyal friend I’ve got,” I joked.
She smiled, “I noticed on my way in some awards,” she began, looking over towards a shelf by the doorway where I held all the music awards I’ve gotten through the years, “what are they for?”
“Ah, my music awards,” I replied, smiling. She tilted her head a little, as if she wanted to know more, “I’m a guitarist for a band. Avenged Sevenfold’s our name.”
“Oh no way, I knew I recognized you from somewhere,” she smiled, blushing a little.
“Haha, yeah. Pretty proud of those. Never thought we’d become what we are today.”
“Must be a fun career. Doing something you love. I tried picking up the guitar once. I can strum a few chords,” she laughed, “no expert though.”
I laughed, “Yeah, I don’t mean to gloat but, I never thought I’d be that great either,” I winked. She blushed again. God, she was easy to talk to, “anyways I’m sure you didn’t come over here for me to tell you my life story. What do you do? Tell me your story.”

*Hailey’s POV*

Talking to Brian really took my mind off things. He was so welcoming. We shared a few laughs. I told him about my life back in Knoxville, and he told me about his music career. How was I so stupid not to realize he was in Avenged? I’d seen them live, for god’s sake! May I say I’ve always been a fan, but I wasn’t going to let him know that.
“I guess since then our band’s hit it off pretty well. Playing live is a blast. Just being with my best friends is the best part of it all,” he smiled at me. The looks he gave could melt any girl’s heart.
Before I could reply, my phone began to vibrate in my back pocket. I excused myself and walked into the hall by the front door and looked at the caller ID. I didn’t recognize the number, but I answered, “Hello?”
“Hello, may I speak to Hailey Grey?” an anonymous male’s voice answered.
“This is…?” I replied quizzically.
“Sorry for calling so late at night,” he said. Was it really so late already? “I’m the
owner of the funeral home of which will be holding you grandfather, Henry’s funeral, and I just wanted to inform you that because of a possible rain storm tomorrow night we will be holding the funeral at 12 PM, rather than two. I hope that isn’t a bother.”
I sighed, “No, that is fine. Thank you for letting me know, sir.” I almost forgot about the funeral after talking with Brian. At least it’s public, and I’m about the only real invited family member attending, besides some close family friends that were invited. It is really too bad my parents couldn’t afford tickets to come over and see him one last time…
“Alright thank you for understanding. I will see you tomorrow, and I send my condolences.” he said, and hung up.
I locked my phone and stuck it back into my butt pocket. I let out a deep breath and turned around, startled by Brian who was standing there, “Everything alright?” he asked, raising his eyebrows.
“Yeah,” I smiled weakly, “how long have you been standing there?”
“Only just before you hung up. Sorry if I jumped you,” he replied with a soft voice, giving me the most reassuring smile.
“It’s fine. I didn’t realize it was so late. I should go, though. That was the funeral home owner letting me know my granddad’s funeral is being held a little earlier than planned tomorrow.”
“Ah, alright, I understand,” he said. We both moved towards the door.
“Thanks for having me over, Brian,” I said as I opened the door resting my other hand on the wall.
He rested his hand on the wall as well, barely touching mine. I shivered a little, “It’s my pleasure, really,” he winked, “and if you need someone to talk to again tomorrow, you know where I live.”
I nodded, “Of course. Goodbye,” I said, walking out onto his front steps and closing the door behind me. I was going to need him tomorrow.

Notes

Wow! Another update already! I hope you guys are liking the story alright so far. I wanted to have a little fun with this chapter. Hope you enjoyed! Comments and rates are encouraged!! :) Hope everyone had a great turkey day!