DJ

“Backstage pass please?” The security guard asked as I strolled up the walk with suitcase.

Backstage pass? What the fuck? Oh right, I forgot these guys were really famous or something now. That’s why my brothers kept going out on the road. That made sense now that I thought about it, though it could have just been my brain under the influence of those three cocktails I pre-gamed with at the airport. Oh, I had a good buzz going and I wasn’t about to let this guy kill it.

“I’m new on the Avenged crew,” I explained, lazily leaning on my suitcase handle. I was really sick of lugging this thing around. “The names DJ, and brothers are Matt and Jason Berry,” I continued, only to see the blank, emotionless face of the security guard. “Do you know who I’m talking about?”

Judging by the blank look, the raised brow, and the way he just crossed his arms over his chest, I’m gonna have to say that’s a no. Fuck! “Sorry no badge, no pass,” he said with a ‘fuck you’ smirk on his lips. I narrowed my eyes and took a step towards him just as the door to the party burst open, revealing one of my favorite people in the whole entire world!

“Jimmy!” I yelled, taking a step forward only to be pushed back by the guard. I waved my hands as I jumped up and down, begging his gangly body to turn around and see little old me behind this huge security guard. I mean this guy was like four times the size of me!

“This is a restricted area for pass holders only. Now if you don’t leave, I will be forced to—”

An ear-piercing shriek filled the air; cutting off whatever nonsense the guard was spewing. The next thing I knew, I was lifted into the air and spun around in a circle at least five times. “YOU’RE HERE! YOU’RE HERE! YOU’RE HERE!” Jimmy bellowed as he placed me back on my feet. I stumbled slightly from the dizziness before I turned to look at the security guard with a smirk. See, I told you I belonged.

“I can’t believe it! You’re finally here!” Jimmy breathed, looking me up and down in awe before pulling me in for a bear hug. “Easy now big guy, you’ll snap me in half,” I giggled, standing up on my tiptoes to kiss his cheek.

“What took you so long? I’ve been waiting for you forever!” Jimmy continued and I had to laugh. What did he just expect me to appaparate here? This wasn’t the fucking world of Harry Potter. But I loved that big goofball nonetheless and I couldn’t wait to start this new adventure.

“Jimmy what the hell are you over here screaming about?” My brother Jason’s voice sounded behind me and I couldn’t help but smile. I know it had only been two weeks since he left, but I missed him like crazy!

I quickly spun around and launched myself into my brother’s arms, knocking him sideways into—was that Zack Baker? You gotta be fucking shitting me? He grew up to look like that? Damn… who would have thought emo Baker would turn out so hot? I would have to keep an eye on him, now wouldn’t I?

“Dani? What-what the hell are you doing here?” Jason asked, holding me at arms length. He looked me up and down like he couldn’t believe his eyes. Was he really that surprised to see me so soon? I didn’t think so because if the twins knew anything, it was that Daniella Jane Berry marched to the beat of her own drum. I didn’t take orders or crap from anyone, and if you pissed me off I told you straight to your face.

“Surprise!” I said, letting my eyes wander back over to Zacky. He was looking me up and down with a smile on his face. “Come on, Baker, don’t be a stranger,” I quickly grabbed his arm and pulled him in for a hug, getting lost in his intoxicating scent.

“Yeah, surprise,” Jason finally said, getting over his initial shock. “I thought we were picking you up in Huston tomorrow? How the hell did you get here?”

I smirked and put my hand on my hip, shaking my head at my brother. “I know this maybe a little hard for you to understand, Jay, but there are these things that fly like birds that humans ride in. They’re called airplanes,” I teased while Jimmy and Zacky rolled with laughter.

“You think you’re funny?” Jason took a step towards me but I artfully dodged him, and hid behind Jimmy. “I don’t think I’m funny. I know I’m funny and cute too!” I stuck my tongue out at him just as my brother Matt came into view.

“Oh, now you’re asking for it little sis!” The next thing I knew, Jason had me in a headlock and was roughing up my hair as I laughed and tried to free myself.

“Jimmy help!” I cried, but it wasn’t Jimmy who freed me, it was Matt. “Oh thank god! Maybe you’re not the evil twin after all!” I laughed, hugging my brother close.

“What are you doing here, DJ? You were supposed to meet us in Huston,” Matt said with a frown.

“Yeah, yeah, we’ve already gone over all this,” I pulled away from my brother and rolled my eyes, not really in the mood to go over this again. “While I let Jason fill you in, I’m going to go get a beer.”

I quickly dodged through the massive crowd that was packed into this room toward the bar. It had to be around here somewhere right? Ah! There it is! Mmm… the ice-cold beer was so close that I could almost taste it right now, just a few more—

Suddenly I was face-to-face with the most stunning pair of brown eyes I had ever seen in my life. I blinked a few times and my mouth dropped open as I scanned over his flawless physique, those heavily tattooed arms, that handsome face, and then back to those eyes. If this guy wasn’t the perfect example of the sexy male physique, I didn’t know who was. Damn he was even hotter than Baker—wait a minute…

"Beer for the lady?" the guy asked with a sexy smirk on his lips.

Why did that gesture seem so familiar? I had seen that smirk before… back in high school. I raised my eyebrow as I scanned his face again, the realization of who was standing in front of me hitting me like a freight train. Sure he was thinner and more buff, didn’t have on as much thick black eyeliner, and was support this Sonic the Hedgehog hair style but there was no denying that this was Haner. Damn… if I thought Zacky looked hot, he wasn’t anything compared to this eye candy in front of me.

I crossed my arms over my chest as Haner gave me the up and down again. I was just waiting for the realization to hit him, but the only thing he seemed to notice with my cleavage. Though I had to give him credit, I did have a nice rack, or at least that’s what I had been told.

"I'd love a beer," I replied with a knowing smirk as his eyes snapped back up to mine. Haner passed me a beer and flashed me another sexy smile before taking a step forward.

“Shall we go somewhere a bit quieter?” he whispered in my ear. We were so close that I could smell his sweet cologne and a hint of smoke and mint toothpaste. I had to suppress the urge to moan because he smelled so damn good.

“And where is that ‘somewhere’?” I asked with an amused grin. Did this guy really not remember who I was? Oh, my brothers would flip shit if they found out their friend was trying to get me into his bed. This was fucking hilarious!

"That would have to be our bus, more specifically my bunk,” he replied huskily, taking yet another step closer to me. I bit my lip and playfully and looked up at him, going along with his game for now. I would play along and see how long it too him to figure out the truth and freak out. It would be fucking priceless!

"Gates!" Fuck, there was Jason ruining all my fun. Well I guess Haner was going to find out my identity sooner rather than later. Damn, it would have been fun toying with him a little bit.


"How're you guys doing?" Brian asked with a cocky smirk, his arm going around my shoulders as he tucked me into his side. As soon as our skin touched, let out a gasp, feeling an outbreak of goose bumps run over my body. Oh, he was good, I’d give him that, but I knew better.

"Gates, back the fuck off." Oh and there was Matty, playing the big brother card and flying off the handle as usual. He was always the hardest to convince and the biggest hard ass out of the two twins, which is why Jimmy and I got into the habit of calling him the evil twin. Well at least he was living up to his name.

"I’ve had a rough night, dude. So I'm just gonna go back to my bunk with-"

Oh, he thought he was going to get me all the way back to his bunk? Now this guy was funny! Sure Haner turned out to be a major hottie, but if he wanted a taste of me, he was going to have to work for it. Though I was pretty sure I would get the lecture soon about how the Avenged boy scouts were off limits, which fucking blowed.

"You're not going anywhere with Dani Berry, Haner!" Jimmy’s yelled before he pulled me into his side. I smirked as I watched the realization and shock come over his face. Oh, this was priceless! I wished I had fucking video tapped it… well, now that fun was over. I’m sure my brother was scare him away or the attraction would be gone now that he knew who I was. Oh, well… it was fun while it lasted, Haner.

“How are you doing, Brian?” I teased as he gapped at me. “Or should I address you as Synyster Gates?” God this was hilarious! Why couldn’t shit like this happen every day?

"Hey, Dani—" Haner started, looking me up and down again. Maybe he wasn’t done? Hmm… this could definitely be an interesting tour.

"Little Dani, I think you should go say hello to Shadows and Christ now,” Jimmy interrupted, and before I could say anything, I felt Zacky tug on my arm. What the fuck?

Zack chuckled as he pulled me through the crowd. “It must be time for the big brother talk. You don’t want to be there for that,” he advised and I frowned.

The big brother talk? As in where they told Haner to stay away from me? What was the point? I could do that myself. I didn’t need someone else to make decisions for me or babysit me. I was a grown woman who could make her own damn choices. And hell, if at some point in time I wanted to fuck Haner, I would. I didn’t need permission from anyone.

“I can take care of myself, you know,” I said with a pointed look at Zack. “I don’t need a babysitter.”

“Don’t think of me as a babysitter, think of me as a friend,” Zack chuckled, looking at me with those gorgeous green eyes. “Who happens to have a Mary Jane in his back pocket.” I raised my brow and smiled at him, okay so maybe now he was speaking my language.

“So you mean to tell me that you’ve been standing here with a joint the whole time and just decided to mention it now? Hand it over, Baker,” I stuck out my hand as Zack threw his head back with a laugh. He placed the beautiful creature in my hands and I pulled it up to my nose, breathing in the delicious aroma. Ahh… marijuana, such a beautiful little plant!

“You are such your brothers’ sister,” Zack laughed before a hand landed on his shoulder.

“Hey Zee, is this who I think it is?” I looked up to see the very familiar grin of Matt Sanders and his side kick Johnny Seward. I guess puberty wasn’t very good to him because the poor bastard was still my height. Well, growin’ aint for everyone.

“Sanders and Johnny! No fucking way! It’s been way too long,” I said, putting the joint in my back pocket before hugging each of the guys. I think the last time I saw them was six or seven years ago at our families pool party. Johnny and I were still in our senior year of high school back then. Well, before he dropped out to go on tour with these assholes. I’m just glad it worked out for him because school really wasn’t his thing.

“Welcome to the family, Dani,” Matt said with his dimpled grin. “Have you met Nancy yet?”

I raised a confused brow at Matt just as Jimmy’s yell sounded behind me, causing me to jump. I swear that guy was going to give me a fucking heart attack! “What about Nancy? Is she here?” he asked, looking around the room like a lunatic. “Did she finally come to her senses to come see me—I mean the party?!”

Wow, whoever this Nancy chick was, Jimmy seemed to have it bad, or at least that’s what I could gather from his behavior. Were they an item or was he just really excited about everything to night? Either was a possibility because I was pretty sure my good friend was on some kind of drugs right now. I just hoped he was willing to share.

“I haven’t seen her,” Matt chuckled, looking between his band mates that were wearing the same expression. “But why don’t you take Dani down to the buses and get her settled in. We’ve got a big festival show tomorrow in Huston. She’s gonna want to get her rest because it’s a crazy ass fan base down there.”

“What about the party?” I asked gesturing around the room. It was the whole fucking reason I came out here a day early! Not to mention that the Mary Jane was burning a hole in my back pocket. Damn, I wanted to light it up and smoke it in the worst way!

Jason and Matt looked at each other and then back at me with knowing smirks on their faces. “How about we go introduce you to your new co-worker and then you can come back to the party?” Matty said, and I let out a loud sigh.

“Fine but lets make it quick,” I said, shot gunning the rest of beer Gates had passed me a good twenty minutes ago. Damn, warm beer tasted like ass. Hopefully when I got back I could find something a little stronger. Maybe one of my favorite men: Jose, Jack, or Jim? “Take me to see… Nancy was it?”

“Yes! Her name is Nancy and you will love her!” Jimmy said, pulling me onto his back in one swift motion. He didn’t have to pull my leg to carry me around. “She is very organized and has everything together! It’ll be a dream working with her!” he gushed as we pushed through the crowd to the back door. “And she can show you the ropes too.”

“So is it just Nancy and I in the booth?” I asked, looking down at my brothers who had decided to tag along. “Or are there other people I have to try to get along with too?”

“Don’t start that shit, DJ,” Matty groaned as Jason laughed. What? They knew I was temperamental and liked things just so. I just hoped Nancy was the same way or was open to some change. “Just be civil and do the job. Don’t make me fire you on your first day?”

I threw my head back with a laugh, “you fire me? I thought the only one who could do that was the Avenged guys? You two dorks are stuck with me until Jimmy and the guys get bored with my antics,” I teased, playing with Jimmy’s hair.

“That’s right! Little Dani is not going anywhere!” Jimmy shrieked as we reached the bus. I really wished they’d all stop calling me little Dani Berry. I wasn’t little anymore and I preferred to go by DJ. I just didn’t want to crush Jimmy’s spirit by telling him… “Dani and Nancy are going to be best fucking friends and we are going to have the best time on the road! You’re gonna love it!”

Jimmy quickly ushered the four of us onto the bus, coming face-to-face with a tall brunette in shorts and a t-shirt. So this must be Nancy, huh? Well she was definitely pretty and I could see why Jimmy would be attracted to her. I mean, if I was into that kind of thing, she was very good looking woman.

"And little Dani's here!" Jimmy sang before carefully placing my feet back on the ground. I was thankful he was gentle this time because the last time he dumped my ass on the floor and took off without looking back.

“Surprise!” My brother’s sang as Jimmy pulled me into his side, as we all looked a very confuse Nancy. What was her deal? Didn’t she smile? I was always leery of people that didn’t smile… they were either plotting something or hated the world, neither of which I was a fan of.

"Nancy, meet our sister DJ." Jason said, earning a raised brow but no smile. Hell she didn’t even say anything, she just looked between Jimmy and I with a frown. What did she think Jimmy and I were—oh no. She didn’t have anything to worry about. Sure we were good friend but I would never date him. He was way too crazy for me to keep up with. Though I did willingly climb aboard the crazy train by joining this tour. What was I thinking? Oh, right, I fucking loved these guys!

"And DJ, she's Nancy,” I smiled and nodded in her direction as my brother continued. "We all know what you've been dealing with for the past two days. Jimmy freaked out and that's why asked us to call DJ and check whether she's free to give you a hand with the merch. So long story short: DJ is your new co worker."

"Yeah, Nancy. This is your.... surprise." Jimmy said and wiggled his eyebrows at her. Ah! And there it was! The first smile from the mysterious Nancy! Okay, I could work with her now, but we were going to have to work on lightening her up a little bit. I could tell by her posture that she was way too uptight, especially if she wanted to anything to do with Jimmy.

"Hi, Nancy. I'm DJ as in Daniella Jane,” I said, taking the initiative to step forward and shake her hand. And there was another small smile. This was a good start.

"Okay, we'll leave you ladies alone. Get some rest both of you 'cause tomorrow's gonna be a hectic day." Matt said, being all business again and I rolled my eyes. When would the evil twin ever get the stick out of his ass?

"Oh, maybe we can get to know each other a little bit tonight. Right, Nancy?" I offered with a smile, thinking about pulling out a round of shots and lighting up that sweet sweet Mary Jane that I stole from Zack.

"She agreed, Dani!" Jimmy exclaimed before wrapping his arms around me and placing a sloppy kiss on my head. I couldn’t help but laugh as I looked up to meet those stunning blue eyes.

“Yes, I heard her, Jimbo, but I was kind of thinking it could be just us, girls,” I said, watching his face fall. “Oh, don’t look like I stole your puppy! Nancy and I will be here for a while. You go back to the party with the guys and maybe when you come back we can have one big cuddle puddle? What do you say?” I asked, looking at Nancy out of the corner of my eye. She looked a little apprehensive but nodded in agreement nonetheless. That’s my girl!

“Fine! But you two owe me!” He said, point his fingers at his eyes and then back at us as he walked backwards down the stairs. “YOU OWE ME!”

I chuckled and quickly moved over to the cupboards, opening each one in search of something to drink. Come on, I knew these guys had to have some booze here somewhere! “Can I help you find something?” Nancy asked, coming up behind me with her hands on her hips.

“Yeah, were do you guys keep the booze on this bus? It’s time to break out the shots,” I said and she just gapped at me. What? Was I speaking French or something? Oh, Nancy wasn’t one of those celibate none drinkers, was she?

“Oh, no… that’s not the kind of getting to know you things I agreed to,” Nancy said, waving her hands in front of her. I raised a brow at her just as my hand hit a glass bottle in the cupboard. Oh, yeah! That’s what I’m talking about! Come to me Mr. Daniels!

I pulled the bottle down and cracked the seal on the new bottle before pouring myself a nice tall glass. “Nancy, are you telling me that you don’t drink?” I asked her incredulously. “Because I don’t know if this is going to work out if the person I spend the most time with doesn’t indulge in the goods of life.”

Nancy sighed and looked up at the ceiling. “I do drink,” she said cautiously. “Just not very often. Alcohol and I don’t have a very good history.” Nancy looked down at the floor and scuffed her foot.

“Ah, I see, one good black out and a shag and you swore off the stuff, huh?” I asked bluntly. “Well let me tell you something Miss Nancy, it’s time to get back on the wagon. If we are going to get to know each other, you better loosen up a bit because I am a free spirit,” I explained, looking at her over the rim of my glass before taking a sip.

“Fine pass me a glass. I’ll have one,” she sighed, looking like I was holding a gun to her head. What was with this girl? Didn’t she like to have fun? I would definitely have to change that.

I pour Nancy a nice stiff glass of Jack before we both headed over to the living room area. This bus wasn’t too bad if you asked me. Flat screen TV, booze, a mini kitchen. I could dig this. “So lay it on me, Nancy. Why was there such a rush to get me here? What happened to the other girl,” I asked, leaning toward her and taking a sip of my drink.

Nancy let out an exasperated sigh and went into this whole long and story about some chick named Fay. Apparently she looked like snow white and also indulged a little bit too much in the spirits one night and hooked up with the devil himself, or at least that’s what Nancy made it sound like.

“So she hooked up with some guy and he didn’t call her. Who cares? It happens all the time because men are jerks,” I sighed, looking at my nail beds. If that’s all it took to get rid of the girl it was probably good she didn’t stay on a heavy metal tour. Neither of those things were for the light of heart, or at least that’s what my brothers always told me.

“Not just some guy,” Nancy scoffed, shaking her head as she finished her drink. Well, look at that, the girl could drink. I knew I would like her. “Brian fucking Haner, her boss.”

My eyebrows shot up in surprise when she said that Brian was the evil demon himself. Well tickle me surprised! He was the last one out of the group that I would have expected to be the womanizing bastard, considering he was super shy and reserved in high school. I guess stardom changed people. Though, I guess it all kind of made sense with the moves he was trying to put on me. Hmm… who would have thought Brian Haner as Synyster Gates?

“I suggest you stay as far away from him as you can,” Nancy continued, pouring some more of the amber liquid in her glass. “Hopefully he wont mark you as one of his targets to sleep with and leave like all the rest. Don’t get me wrong, the guy has charm and good looks.” Good looks was an understatement for that man if you asked me. “But he is a snake and will bite you if you let him too close.”

I threw my head back with a laugh, all of this just sounding too funny. We were talking about Brian Haner here! I didn’t believe for a second that he had that in him so I guess I would just have to see for myself. If Mr. Haner or Synsyter Gates I guess I should call him now wants to play games, then I would play them right back. Only I didn’t lose… ever.

“It’s not funny, DJ,” Nancy said, shaking her head. “I’m serious. Watch your back around him.”

“I will,” I said, rolling my eyes. I couldn’t guarantee that I would behave but I could at least try. That’s all anyone could ask from me. I was a free spirit!

And speaking of being a free spirit, I still had that delicious Mary Jane in my back pocket. I think now was as good of time as any to crack out that little bad boy.

“Promise me,” Nancy said, her eyes pleading.

“Fine, but I’ll only promise if you indulge a little with me,” I smirked, pulling the joint out of my pocket and holding it up with a wicked smirk. Nancy opened and closed her mouth a few times and when she finally opened her mouth to speak, it wasn’t her voice that came out.

“You’ve been in here holding out on me the whole time? Ladies I’m disappointed!”

Notes

So there is your first real taste of Miss Berry. She is definitely a character, right? Who do you think walked on the bus, interrupting the girls?

Please tell us your thoughts! We love hearing for you! :)