Roman Sky
Take The Arms That Embrace, No More Being Afraid
...2005
“Thanks for letting me do this Alex.” I say to Alex as we leave Atreyu’s trailer. “It really means a lot.”
“Hey no problem,” he tells me. “Plus it gives me a chance to boss you around for once.” I just roll my eyes and push him playfully. “You know I love ya Lays.”
“Whatever you say Varkatzas.” I chuckle. “But seriously thanks. This’ll look good on my resume. I want to do a few stage managing jobs before I finish school. That’ll impress people.”
“You’ve helped Atreyu so much, it’s our time to start paying you back.” He’s right. With the amount of times I’ve bailed them out of jail or hustled to get people to even take their CDs was crazy. Alex and the boys do owe me big time. And these are the only boys that know my secret outside my inner circle.
“So what does Dad have to say about what you’re doing with your life?” Alex asks, breaking the comfortable silence that’s washed over us.
“He’s proud.” I shrug. “There really isn’t much to say. He figured something like this would happen. He’s honestly just glad I’m not in a band. He rather me stay behind the scenes then be up close and personal.”
“Smart move on your part.” Alex agrees. “The world wouldn’t be able to handle two Hetfields in the industry making music.”
“You and the guys have to stop acting like my Dad and the guys are these gods. I have pictures of Dad and Lars dressed up as princesses having tea parties with me; they are average guys that play amazing music. That’s it.”
“That’s an image that’ll stay in my head for like ever!” Alex laughs. “Please tell me you have those pictures.”
“They’re somewhere in my apartment,” I reply. “You’re not allowed to see those pictures because your ass will make fun of me.”
“I’d never!” He tries to fake innocence but fails. He can’t stop laughing.
“Alex you’re a fucking ass!” I yell as we get to another tent.
“Layla!?” A female’s voice shrieks. And before I know it, I’m tackled to the ground by a familiar face.
“Luna!” I squeal as I wrap my arms around her to form a hug. “It’s been like four years, how have you been?”
Before she answers she gets off of me and helps me onto my feet. This time she pulls me into a brief hug before punching my arm. “I’ve come onto Warped Tour every year with Zacky hoping to see you since you stopped answering me calls and what do I get? Nothing!” I feel like I’m being scolded but the smile on her lips tells me otherwise. “How have you been?”
“Busy.” I reply. “I’ve been busting my ass in school. After taking time off, I went back and I’m currently about to enter my senior year.”
“What did you end up majoring in?”
“Stage Management.” I reply. “I’ve been on tour with my dad so much, I’ve grown to respect what happens backstage that makes the band look good.”
“Matt’s been asking about you lately.” She informs me. “He wonders if we are still in contact. It’s hard to see his eye dim everytime I say no.”
“Why is he asking about me?” I question her, eyebrows raised. “It’s not like we really know each other.”
“You made an impression.” She shrugs. “I honestly think he feels connected to you because you guys and talk music and argue over small things. You keep life interesting I suppose.”
“I’m sure he meets a lot of women that keep it interesting.” I state. “I’m nothing special.”
“No, you’re something special. You’re a mystery to him; he likes challenges.”
Before I can say in response to what she just said, Matt and Zacky walk up to us. Zacky quickly pulls Luna away even before she gets a chance to wave goodbye. This leaves me and Matt alone seeing as though Alex left a while ago.
Matt just looks at me and his eyes immediately falls to my chest; smiling at the band name across it. “I see you have great taste in music.”
“I see you finally listened to me.” I smile. “Your singing is so much better than that screaming shit you did for a CD and a half.”
“If I remember correctly you thought those growls were sexy.” He smirks, earning a chuckle from me. “So how have you been? You stopped answering any of our calls.”
“Sorry, I suck at keeping in contact with people.” I admit sheepishly. “Plus school and externs and touring with dad; it got busy.”
“Excuses, excuses.” He jokes. “So how long are you on Warped this time?”
“The whole thing.” I reply with a smile. “I’m helping Atreyu with their stage shit. Alex owes me his soul so he’s letting me work on building my resume.”
“So I will actually get to spend time with you, unlike four years ago when you left tour early?”
“Family needed me.” I vaguely respond. “Family will always come first with me. But yea, you get me a lot longer this year.”
“Maybe you’ll finally tell me which band you dad’s in.” He laughs.
“Not a chance.” I tell him. “You’ll never believe me anyway…”
“Thanks for letting me do this Alex.” I say to Alex as we leave Atreyu’s trailer. “It really means a lot.”
“Hey no problem,” he tells me. “Plus it gives me a chance to boss you around for once.” I just roll my eyes and push him playfully. “You know I love ya Lays.”
“Whatever you say Varkatzas.” I chuckle. “But seriously thanks. This’ll look good on my resume. I want to do a few stage managing jobs before I finish school. That’ll impress people.”
“You’ve helped Atreyu so much, it’s our time to start paying you back.” He’s right. With the amount of times I’ve bailed them out of jail or hustled to get people to even take their CDs was crazy. Alex and the boys do owe me big time. And these are the only boys that know my secret outside my inner circle.
“So what does Dad have to say about what you’re doing with your life?” Alex asks, breaking the comfortable silence that’s washed over us.
“He’s proud.” I shrug. “There really isn’t much to say. He figured something like this would happen. He’s honestly just glad I’m not in a band. He rather me stay behind the scenes then be up close and personal.”
“Smart move on your part.” Alex agrees. “The world wouldn’t be able to handle two Hetfields in the industry making music.”
“You and the guys have to stop acting like my Dad and the guys are these gods. I have pictures of Dad and Lars dressed up as princesses having tea parties with me; they are average guys that play amazing music. That’s it.”
“That’s an image that’ll stay in my head for like ever!” Alex laughs. “Please tell me you have those pictures.”
“They’re somewhere in my apartment,” I reply. “You’re not allowed to see those pictures because your ass will make fun of me.”
“I’d never!” He tries to fake innocence but fails. He can’t stop laughing.
“Alex you’re a fucking ass!” I yell as we get to another tent.
“Layla!?” A female’s voice shrieks. And before I know it, I’m tackled to the ground by a familiar face.
“Luna!” I squeal as I wrap my arms around her to form a hug. “It’s been like four years, how have you been?”
Before she answers she gets off of me and helps me onto my feet. This time she pulls me into a brief hug before punching my arm. “I’ve come onto Warped Tour every year with Zacky hoping to see you since you stopped answering me calls and what do I get? Nothing!” I feel like I’m being scolded but the smile on her lips tells me otherwise. “How have you been?”
“Busy.” I reply. “I’ve been busting my ass in school. After taking time off, I went back and I’m currently about to enter my senior year.”
“What did you end up majoring in?”
“Stage Management.” I reply. “I’ve been on tour with my dad so much, I’ve grown to respect what happens backstage that makes the band look good.”
“Matt’s been asking about you lately.” She informs me. “He wonders if we are still in contact. It’s hard to see his eye dim everytime I say no.”
“Why is he asking about me?” I question her, eyebrows raised. “It’s not like we really know each other.”
“You made an impression.” She shrugs. “I honestly think he feels connected to you because you guys and talk music and argue over small things. You keep life interesting I suppose.”
“I’m sure he meets a lot of women that keep it interesting.” I state. “I’m nothing special.”
“No, you’re something special. You’re a mystery to him; he likes challenges.”
Before I can say in response to what she just said, Matt and Zacky walk up to us. Zacky quickly pulls Luna away even before she gets a chance to wave goodbye. This leaves me and Matt alone seeing as though Alex left a while ago.
Matt just looks at me and his eyes immediately falls to my chest; smiling at the band name across it. “I see you have great taste in music.”
“I see you finally listened to me.” I smile. “Your singing is so much better than that screaming shit you did for a CD and a half.”
“If I remember correctly you thought those growls were sexy.” He smirks, earning a chuckle from me. “So how have you been? You stopped answering any of our calls.”
“Sorry, I suck at keeping in contact with people.” I admit sheepishly. “Plus school and externs and touring with dad; it got busy.”
“Excuses, excuses.” He jokes. “So how long are you on Warped this time?”
“The whole thing.” I reply with a smile. “I’m helping Atreyu with their stage shit. Alex owes me his soul so he’s letting me work on building my resume.”
“So I will actually get to spend time with you, unlike four years ago when you left tour early?”
“Family needed me.” I vaguely respond. “Family will always come first with me. But yea, you get me a lot longer this year.”
“Maybe you’ll finally tell me which band you dad’s in.” He laughs.
“Not a chance.” I tell him. “You’ll never believe me anyway…”
@Kimmie
The sequel is titled Nothing Else Matters. It's being posted now.
7/8/18