Who Are You?
Breaking Their Hold
.:.:.
The steady vibrations of her phone caused Elise to jolt awake. She blinked her eyes a few times before grabbing the vibrating device from under her pillow. The screen showed Huntington’s 714 area code but she wasn’t sure who it could be. Figuring it was one of Leana’s friends, she took a chance and answered.
“Hello?” her dry voice croaked out.
“The number you have reached has been disconnected or is no longer in service.” A female began in a serious tone but ended in a chuckle.
Elise sat on the edge of her bed and stretched, a small laugh escaping her lungs. “Hi, Gena. What’s up?”
“That’s a dangerous question to ask!” Zacky’s voice cut in and Elise realized she was on speaker phone.
“That’s just lovely, Zacky. I’m proud of you and I’m sure Gena is thrilled.” Elise tried to quip through her groggy daze.
Gena gave a sarcastic laugh before answering, “I talked to Leana who told me that Jimmy told her that he told you about our get together today. You’re coming, yeah?”
Elise smirked, “Now THAT’S a dangerous question to ask.”
“Who is that? Is that Elise? Tell her no fair, she’s supposed to wait for me!” a deeper voice could be heard away from the phone.
“Jesus, who all is there?” Elise rubbed her eyes.
She could hear the phone cut away from speaker before Gena answered. “Me, Zacky, Leana, and Matt. We are getting some booze and groceries for tonight. I was mainly calling to see if you were gonna be there and, if so, wanted us to pick you up something?”
“Shouldn’t I be offering to bring you something? Isn’t that what a good guest does?”
“True but we are an unconventional bunch of weirdos! Plus, we are already at the store.”
“Thanks, but I’ll probably pick something up while I’m out and about. Now, is there anything I can bring?” Elise asked and somehow still heard a bunch of voices jumble together over the phone.
“They said any type of alcohol. Lee said any kind of chocolate or chips. Or both together...?” Gena finished in confusion after realizing Lee’s request only after she said it out loud.
“I think I can manage that.” Elise chuckled.
Gena huffed and shushed the voices around her, “Gotta go. See you around 7:00!”
Elise ended the call and saw it was already 3:00. Cat naps didn’t exist in her world. Perhaps it was a deeply instilled habit from her days back home where she would only nap to pass the time and escape from the depression. She sat in bed before deciding to take a rinse off shower before applying a bit more makeup for tonight. First a shower, straightening her hair was after, makeup, clothes, then a Target run before she would head over to their friend’s place.
.:.:.
Target was successful seeing how Elise left with only one bag and a six pack of soda. She found some decent things for work, a nice bottle of whiskey for the guys, vodka and strawberry soda for the gals, and even some chocolate covered Wavy Lay’s for Leana.
It was barely 6:30 when she walked out of the store and wondered if the girls needed any help in setting up. A few quick texts confirmed her help wasn’t needed but a different favor was asked. Matt’s car was acting up and he needed a ride over from his place. Elise never questioned why one of them couldn’t do it she was happy to help in any way. Even if that meant being alone with him. He wasn’t a bad guy by any means but after this morning, she still felt things would be awkward.
Surprise, they were awkward. Aside from directions from him, Elise and Matt drove in complete silence the whole way to Jimmy and Brian’s place. He didn’t seem upset but she wasn’t going to be invasive. Elise believed if anyone was truly upset and wanted to talk about it, they would in their own time. The more you poke and prod and try to help, the further you push them into a shell. At least that was true when it concerned herself.
She pulled along the curb outside the guys’ condo and turned the truck off. Her hand reached to remove the keys from the ignition but a large hand stopped her. Her surprised look met with Matt’s sorrowful gaze.
She couldn’t help it any longer. “You alright, Matt?”
“No, I’m a fucking asshole and I don’t know why.” He stared at the floorboard.
“It’s ok, really.” Her voice was barely audible.
He shook his head, his hand forming into a fist.
“No, it’s not. You’ve been nothing but sweet and open with everyone and I’ve basically shat on that. I just want you to know that I’m not a steady person. I have shit in my life that I can’t figure out. It’s nothing against you, and I’m sorry if this is coming on too strong for only knowing you a day. I want you to have a good time tonight, I don’t want my sour mood to taint anything.” Matt apologized and looked up at her, “You ok?”
Elise played with her bare nails, a serious expression firm on her face. Her green eyes parted from her hands to look into Matt’s Hazel eyes. Suddenly, a devious smile formed.
“You said taint.” She snorted air from her nose in an attempt not to laugh.
Matt’s palm slid over his entire face as he groaned out a chuckle.
“Now, let’s go have some fun!”
Whatever demons he had, she hoped they would be breaking their hold soon.
But what about her demons?
.:.:.
Fly on the Wall POV
.:.:.
Gena, Lacey, and Leana were singing and laughing in the kitchen while their men sat on the couch, deeply involved in their Angel’s pre-game on tv. This was usually how it went when the gang could come together and hang out. The ladies would be making custom drinks while getting the snacks set out and dinner started. The men would be chased out of the kitchen every time they tried to sneak in and grab a beer or taste what they were making.
Their relationship as friends was just about as close as any family, if not closer. They say blood is thicker than water which some interpret as family being more important than friends; that is false. The true saying is “The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb.” In simple terms, the blood shed in battles bonds soldiers more strongly than simple genetics. Every person in this room has been there for one another with no questions, no strings attached.
“So,” Leana suddenly spoke which startled the other two girls, “What do you think of Elise?”
“I think she seems pretty cool so far. Definitely has the sarcasm to put Johnny in his place.” Gena shrugged.
Lacey chuckled. “She seems a little spacey but not as bad as Zacky. Isn’t that right, Zee?”
She spoke a little louder while peeking her head around the kitchen corner but got no reaction from the left-handed guitarist.
Gena shook her head in affirmation about her man.
"She’s spacey? How about Matt lately?” Leana asked in a hushed tone.
The other two sipped their margaritas, pity showing on their faces. In regards to Matt’s situation, the group of women decided to try their best in not bringing up anything that would remind the vocalist of the past few months. This one got away from Leana.
Gena sighed, “Lee, it has to be hard on him. Especially since someone like Elise has just showed up. Sure, she looks and acts nothing like Val but we all saw the way he looked at her the second she stepped onto the parking lot.”
“He feels guilty having any sort of thoughts about someone else. It’s starting to become worse; the distance from us and the guys, constantly checking his phone, the drinking…”
Lacey added to Gena’s thought.
Leana shook her head in agreeance. “He needs to let it go, as heartless as that sounds. He needs someone positive in his life to remind him of all the good. The band is doing so well, even Warner Bros. is looking at them. Jimmy told me he spends a lot of time writing. And, like you said, drinking. That’s not good for him. He needs us more than ever to pull him out of whatever shit hole he’s created around himself.”
They all nodded and looked into the living room at the smiling faces of the guys since the baseball game had just begun. Their gazes landed on a half-smiling Brian. He was a whole ‘nother can of worms that now needed his friend’s reassurance.
The steady vibrations of her phone caused Elise to jolt awake. She blinked her eyes a few times before grabbing the vibrating device from under her pillow. The screen showed Huntington’s 714 area code but she wasn’t sure who it could be. Figuring it was one of Leana’s friends, she took a chance and answered.
“Hello?” her dry voice croaked out.
“The number you have reached has been disconnected or is no longer in service.” A female began in a serious tone but ended in a chuckle.
Elise sat on the edge of her bed and stretched, a small laugh escaping her lungs. “Hi, Gena. What’s up?”
“That’s a dangerous question to ask!” Zacky’s voice cut in and Elise realized she was on speaker phone.
“That’s just lovely, Zacky. I’m proud of you and I’m sure Gena is thrilled.” Elise tried to quip through her groggy daze.
Gena gave a sarcastic laugh before answering, “I talked to Leana who told me that Jimmy told her that he told you about our get together today. You’re coming, yeah?”
Elise smirked, “Now THAT’S a dangerous question to ask.”
“Who is that? Is that Elise? Tell her no fair, she’s supposed to wait for me!” a deeper voice could be heard away from the phone.
“Jesus, who all is there?” Elise rubbed her eyes.
She could hear the phone cut away from speaker before Gena answered. “Me, Zacky, Leana, and Matt. We are getting some booze and groceries for tonight. I was mainly calling to see if you were gonna be there and, if so, wanted us to pick you up something?”
“Shouldn’t I be offering to bring you something? Isn’t that what a good guest does?”
“True but we are an unconventional bunch of weirdos! Plus, we are already at the store.”
“Thanks, but I’ll probably pick something up while I’m out and about. Now, is there anything I can bring?” Elise asked and somehow still heard a bunch of voices jumble together over the phone.
“They said any type of alcohol. Lee said any kind of chocolate or chips. Or both together...?” Gena finished in confusion after realizing Lee’s request only after she said it out loud.
“I think I can manage that.” Elise chuckled.
Gena huffed and shushed the voices around her, “Gotta go. See you around 7:00!”
Elise ended the call and saw it was already 3:00. Cat naps didn’t exist in her world. Perhaps it was a deeply instilled habit from her days back home where she would only nap to pass the time and escape from the depression. She sat in bed before deciding to take a rinse off shower before applying a bit more makeup for tonight. First a shower, straightening her hair was after, makeup, clothes, then a Target run before she would head over to their friend’s place.
.:.:.
Target was successful seeing how Elise left with only one bag and a six pack of soda. She found some decent things for work, a nice bottle of whiskey for the guys, vodka and strawberry soda for the gals, and even some chocolate covered Wavy Lay’s for Leana.
It was barely 6:30 when she walked out of the store and wondered if the girls needed any help in setting up. A few quick texts confirmed her help wasn’t needed but a different favor was asked. Matt’s car was acting up and he needed a ride over from his place. Elise never questioned why one of them couldn’t do it she was happy to help in any way. Even if that meant being alone with him. He wasn’t a bad guy by any means but after this morning, she still felt things would be awkward.
Surprise, they were awkward. Aside from directions from him, Elise and Matt drove in complete silence the whole way to Jimmy and Brian’s place. He didn’t seem upset but she wasn’t going to be invasive. Elise believed if anyone was truly upset and wanted to talk about it, they would in their own time. The more you poke and prod and try to help, the further you push them into a shell. At least that was true when it concerned herself.
She pulled along the curb outside the guys’ condo and turned the truck off. Her hand reached to remove the keys from the ignition but a large hand stopped her. Her surprised look met with Matt’s sorrowful gaze.
She couldn’t help it any longer. “You alright, Matt?”
“No, I’m a fucking asshole and I don’t know why.” He stared at the floorboard.
“It’s ok, really.” Her voice was barely audible.
He shook his head, his hand forming into a fist.
“No, it’s not. You’ve been nothing but sweet and open with everyone and I’ve basically shat on that. I just want you to know that I’m not a steady person. I have shit in my life that I can’t figure out. It’s nothing against you, and I’m sorry if this is coming on too strong for only knowing you a day. I want you to have a good time tonight, I don’t want my sour mood to taint anything.” Matt apologized and looked up at her, “You ok?”
Elise played with her bare nails, a serious expression firm on her face. Her green eyes parted from her hands to look into Matt’s Hazel eyes. Suddenly, a devious smile formed.
“You said taint.” She snorted air from her nose in an attempt not to laugh.
Matt’s palm slid over his entire face as he groaned out a chuckle.
“Now, let’s go have some fun!”
Whatever demons he had, she hoped they would be breaking their hold soon.
But what about her demons?
.:.:.
Fly on the Wall POV
.:.:.
Gena, Lacey, and Leana were singing and laughing in the kitchen while their men sat on the couch, deeply involved in their Angel’s pre-game on tv. This was usually how it went when the gang could come together and hang out. The ladies would be making custom drinks while getting the snacks set out and dinner started. The men would be chased out of the kitchen every time they tried to sneak in and grab a beer or taste what they were making.
Their relationship as friends was just about as close as any family, if not closer. They say blood is thicker than water which some interpret as family being more important than friends; that is false. The true saying is “The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb.” In simple terms, the blood shed in battles bonds soldiers more strongly than simple genetics. Every person in this room has been there for one another with no questions, no strings attached.
“So,” Leana suddenly spoke which startled the other two girls, “What do you think of Elise?”
“I think she seems pretty cool so far. Definitely has the sarcasm to put Johnny in his place.” Gena shrugged.
Lacey chuckled. “She seems a little spacey but not as bad as Zacky. Isn’t that right, Zee?”
She spoke a little louder while peeking her head around the kitchen corner but got no reaction from the left-handed guitarist.
Gena shook her head in affirmation about her man.
"She’s spacey? How about Matt lately?” Leana asked in a hushed tone.
The other two sipped their margaritas, pity showing on their faces. In regards to Matt’s situation, the group of women decided to try their best in not bringing up anything that would remind the vocalist of the past few months. This one got away from Leana.
Gena sighed, “Lee, it has to be hard on him. Especially since someone like Elise has just showed up. Sure, she looks and acts nothing like Val but we all saw the way he looked at her the second she stepped onto the parking lot.”
“He feels guilty having any sort of thoughts about someone else. It’s starting to become worse; the distance from us and the guys, constantly checking his phone, the drinking…”
Lacey added to Gena’s thought.
Leana shook her head in agreeance. “He needs to let it go, as heartless as that sounds. He needs someone positive in his life to remind him of all the good. The band is doing so well, even Warner Bros. is looking at them. Jimmy told me he spends a lot of time writing. And, like you said, drinking. That’s not good for him. He needs us more than ever to pull him out of whatever shit hole he’s created around himself.”
They all nodded and looked into the living room at the smiling faces of the guys since the baseball game had just begun. Their gazes landed on a half-smiling Brian. He was a whole ‘nother can of worms that now needed his friend’s reassurance.
Notes
I'm trying to move this along, I really am. Haha Next chapter or so will go into Brian's story along with more detail on Claire. Thanks to everyone that has continued to read!
Well damn! ;) glad you’re back!
6/2/19