“I’m going to be famous.”
“You’re going to be a dropout if you don’t finish this assignment,” I replied callously, tapping the end of the pen against my skull.
“B, you don’t need a high school diploma to be a rock star,” Tyler retorted, pushing my elbow that was supporting my head out from under me.
My face thudded against the wooden desk.
“For fuck’s sakes,” I grumbled as Tyler erupted with laughter.
“You can graduate for the both of us.”
I groaned, rubbing at my pulsing temple, “That’s not how that works.”
“My band is getting pretty good,” he told me then, a devious grin forming on his young face. “We’re playing at the Cavanaugh Club next week.”
“I know,” I sighed, trying to focus on the textbook in front of me. “You’ve only told me six thousand times.”
“B,” he sung, “stop being such a stick in the mud.”
With a heave of my shoulders, I tossed the pen down and looked up at him expectantly. We were supposed to be working to finish a science project that was worth a substantial portion of our final grade. If I wanted to get into college, I needed good grades. Ty was supposed to be participating—even though he had literally no plans for after high school was finished.
“I’m not a stick in the mud,” I protested grimly. “I am going to fail if you don’t help me though.”
“We’re thinking of booting Cooper,” he told me, wiggling his eyebrows in suggestion.
“Good,” I snorted. “That guy’s a creep.”
“He knows not to sniff around you,” Ty told me with a serious look. “I’d kill him.”
“Yes, because you are just so scary,” I teased.
“Hey, I can be!” he told me seriously, puffing up his chest.
I rolled my eyes, “My hero.”
“Nothing bad will ever happen to you, not as long as I’m around,” he smiled at me. “It’s the best friend code.”
“Tyler,” I groaned, “Something bad would be failing this fucking class. Can you please, for the love of all that is holy, just help me finish this fucking thing?”
“Fine,” he relented. “But you know, if Cooper goes…we’ll have a position available.”
“A position?” I mocked sarcastically. “Give me a break.”
He laughed heartily, “I’m telling you, B. We’re going to be famous; I want you along for the ride.”
“Your band hates me,” I replied seriously. “That sounds terrible.”
“They don’t hate you,” he argued. “They just don’t know how to talk to girls.”
“They have girlfriends!”
“And?” Tyler chuckled.
“I’ll think about it,” I sighed.
“You have to join,” he continued mercilessly. “You have the best fucking voice I’ve ever heard. It would be perfect. We could tour the world together; doesn’t that sound awesome?”
“No,” I smirked.
“Blair,” he whined at me.
I groaned, “I’ll tell you what. If you help me finish this fucking assignment, I will actually think about joining your dumb band.”
“Good enough for me,” he grinned, grabbing the textbook from my hands. “What’re we doing?”
“Blair?”
Tyler was smiling at me like an idiot.
“Blair?”
I shook my head, “Huh?”
“Hi!” John grinned. “You ready to go?”
“I, uh, I lost track of myself for a second there,” I grumbled anxiously.
“I saw,” he laughed. “We have to go.”
“Yeah, yeah,” I was still trying to collect my thoughts. “Let’s go; I’m ready.”
We emerged from the dressing room and headed to the stage. Brian caught up to me, looking a little concerned.
“Everything okay?” he asked in true Brian form.
I nodded, “Yeah, I was just thinking about Ty.”
“Ah,” he nodded once.
“Memories are weird,” I said awkwardly. “They kind of—entrance you.”
“The good ones do,” Brian smirked at me.
The show went off without a hitch. Each song was smooth, each transition was perfect, the crowd was energetic and excited. Brian was particularly rambunctious; I swear his tongue was hanging out of his face the whole time.
I found myself wishing that Tyler could be here. I know that would mean that Brian wouldn’t be…but I really fucking missed my friend. The little tattoo reminded me that he was, in a way, with me. It was enough.
“It’s been a good night,” I said into the mic, pacing from Chris to Brian. “But what do you say we make it a little…better.”
The crowd roared.
“We’ve brought out the big guns for tonight,” I continued. “So, please, won’t you help me welcome to the stage M. Shadows!”
The audience went nuts as Matt jogged from the sidelines and out to center stage. He looked so…happy.
“Awesome set,” Matt said into my free ear.
I scrunched my face at him.
“How are we doing tonight?” Matt roared into his microphone.
I thought the building might collapse from the sheer chaos the crowd was causing. Brian winked at me.
We moved into a cover of Bat Country. Justin switched with Jimmy, even though Jimmy hated to use Justin’s kit.
“It’s too fucking small,” he was always groaning.
But it was one song and we’d all agreed he’d just have to suck it up.
Once we’d wrapped and my throat was officially sore, Haven bid farewell to the crowd and left them in the hands of Avenged. Who had to pause to switch out their equipment. The crowd did not seem to mind at all.
“Great as always,” Brian smirked at me, catching me in his arms the second we were off stage.
I jumped into his chest and he caught me, as always. I pushed my lips to his with great force, he returned the favor. He was my favorite after-show drug.
“Ready for round two?” I asked as we broke apart.
He nodded, “Always.”
“Syn,” Matt called from the wings, “Let’s go.”
“We shall pick this up later,” Brian said to me smugly, kissing me once more before dropping me to my feet.
I lingered around on the sideline, watching my favorite man in action. He was so entertaining to watch; he jumped around and paced like a maniac. His facial expressions were hilarious. The whole band was just top-fucking-notch to watch live.
I just wished Tyler was there to see it too.

Notes

xx