Just Before You Go

The after party was insane.
There were people huddled around everywhere. I clung to Jimmy as he navigated us through the crowds and to the bar. He made the executive decision to order a whole slew of drinks out of sheer opportunity.
“Syn, why don’t go grab us a table?” Jimmy suggested as he tapped his finger on the bar top. “My lovely lady can’t be bumping and grinding into people all night.”
“A table,” Brian scoffed, searching the crowd with his big brown eyes. “I’ll see what I can do.”
Brian disappeared and Matt stepped forward into his place, shouting at the bar tender over Jimmy’s shoulder. The guy nodded in acknowledgement. I had sympathy for the bar keep; it was stressful on busy nights and this was on a whole other level. But he maintained his poise and was impressively quick.
“Keep the tray,” the bartender smirked at Jimmy.
Jimmy shrugged, pulling the tray out from the bar clumsily. Matt shooed us away, promising to open a tab on our behalf. We didn’t argue—but watching Jimmy try and carry a tray full of glass was making me uneasy.
“Why don’t you let me take that?” I grinned, pulling the tray from Jimmy’s hands.
He narrowed his eyes at me, “What? You don’t think I’m capable of carrying a tray? I’ll have you know that these hands are good at all that they do.”
“I’m not going to argue with you there,” I smirked. “But in this case, no; I don’t think you’re capable.”
He pouted at me, “You’re mean.”
“You know I lo—” I stopped myself immediately. “Where’d Brian go?”
Jimmy looked at me weirdly but moved on without hitting on my nerve. He looked over the crowd with ease, granted to him by the height gods. He pointed suddenly and gave my back a little push.
Brian was sprawled out across the bench in a booth. He sat up abruptly once we’d reached the table.
“I had two fight two midgets and a prostitute for this table,” Brian said seriously.
Jimmy grinned, “I’m sad I missed that.”
“We brought you a reward though,” I added happily, sliding two sparkling glasses Brian’s way.
He downed one immediately.
“Where’s Matt?” he asked, wiping at his lip.
Jimmy shrugged, “Dragged off by the harpies no doubt.”
“Harpies?” Brian questioned. “I don’t think there’s any harpies in here, Jim.”
“Ah,” Jimmy smirked. “Then he’s probably still at the bar.”
“Who’s at the bar?” Matt’s voice boomed as he slid into the booth next to Brian.
“The harpies,” Jimmy said seriously.
Matt nodded, “Come to think of it, I thought I saw a couple of those winged bastards.”
“What are we even talking about?” Brian groaned, rubbing at his forehead with his thumb.
“So,” I spoke up from behind my green drink, “where are the others?”
Matt shrugged, “I lost them after the show. Johnny said he’d be here…”
“He probably is,” Brian grinned widely. “Just can’t see him over all the average heighted people.”
Jimmy laughed loudly, cheersing his friend from across the table. Poor Johnny. The boys got into conversation about their show, commending one another for a job well done. Brian was nearing the bottom of his second drink already. I watched with a little concern…Brian could be a bit of a dick when he got into the liquor.
“What’d you think of the show, Aria?” Matt asked me, his dimples catching my eye.
I smiled, “You guys were great.”
“Jimmy says you’re not into metal,” Matt said but it sounded more like a question.
I shrugged, “I’m not, really…but I’ll listen to whatever’s good. If I like something, I don’t really care what genre it’s from.”
“I can see that,” Matt smiled, tipping his beer toward Jimmy.
Jimmy gasped, “Matthew! I am not a genre.”
“But you’re good,” Matt winked.
“Oh, Matt,” Jimmy fake swooned. “You sure do know the way to a man’s heart.”
“Speaking of hearts,” Matt laughed. “See your girlfriend around here, Bri?”
“I don’t have a girlfriend,” Brian said blankly, finishing his drink.
Jimmy tipped the bottom of my drink as I sipped it, he was looking at me excitedly as I struggled not to drown. As I took the last bit down in a big gulp, Jimmy released the cup.
“That’s my girl,” he smiled proudly, sliding another green drink my way.
“Can I have this?” Brian asked Jimmy and I as he reached across and pulled some brown liquid drink from the middle of the tray.
Jimmy nodded.
“I’m going for a smoke,” he announced, pushing Matt out of the way so he could get out.
Brian disappeared in a huff, in true Brian fashion. Matt just rolled his eyes, sipping at his beer.
“Is he always this…”
Jimmy suggested quickly, “Moody?”
“Broody!” Matt added with a laugh.
I nodded, grinning a little, “Yeah.”
“Yes,” the two men answered in unison.
A small group caught my attention. Not that they were particularly loud or demanding of anyone’s attention at all, but I couldn’t help but stare. There were four of them—my heart got really excited when I realized who they were.
“Guys,” I said quietly—like anyone else could hear our group over the music. “Isn’t that Brian’s crush?”
Jimmy and Matt whipped their heads around to look, both nodding excitedly.
The girl was busy talking, only one of the guys seemed to be listening to her. It was the guy I’d nearly run over with my speed earlier in the day. He was attentively nodding along as she laughed—maybe I did have a girl crush. She was mesmerizing. There was a particularly hunky man walking with them, his arms were muscular and his eyes were brilliant.
“Hey, who is that?” I asked Jimmy specifically.
“Who?” he asked dumbly, scanning the crowd.
“The guy who said hi to you earlier,” I tried to explain without blatantly pointing him out. “The drummer.”
“Oh,” Jimmy replied loudly. “That’s Justin DeBore. I met him a few weeks ago. Cool guy.”
Matt grinned deviously, “Brian was pissed.”
“Brian was not pissed,” Jimmy laughed. “Brian was…oh, what’s the word the kids are using these days…Jealous.”
“Why?” I asked curiously.
Jimmy shrugged.
“Because Brian missed out on a sweet concert,” Matt told me. “And he assumed when Jimmy met Justin DeBore that he’d also met Blair Peterson.”
“Okay,” I sighed. “Does Brian actually have a crush on this girl or is it just an on-going joke?”
Matt shrugged, “Doesn’t matter if he does or doesn’t.”
“Brian’s really fun to torment,” Jimmy cackled.
By time I’d turned around, the group was gone. I couldn’t help but wonder about the mechanics of crushes and how they presented themselves. Brian must have said something at some point to give these guys ammunition to tease him relentlessly. There must have been some merit of truth to it, judging by Brian’s outlandish reactions.
I looked back at Jimmy, “Do you get teased about me?”
“Sometimes,” Jimmy shrugged.
“Mercilessly when he met you,” Matt told me happily. “You’re all he’d talk about. There’s no way you can like someone that much without being teased about it.”
“I guess,” I laughed, thinking about Jen before all the Jimmy drama had started.
“We need more drinks,” Jimmy announced, squeezing passed me but lingering for a minute. He smiled down at me, “You’re pretty.”
“Go away,” I giggled, swatting him away.
He disappeared and left Matt and I in an awkward silence alone. Matt sipped at his beer, looking around at all the people dancing and enjoying their lives.
We didn’t speak while Jimmy was gone, which I didn’t really mind. I was people-watching and it appeared to me that Matt was doing the same. Every so often he’d check his phone quickly but then stuff it back into his pocket quickly.
But the last time, he groaned.
“Brian forgot his smokes,” Matt told me, his thumbs sliding across his phone’s keyboard.
I smirked, “It took him this long to figure that out?”
He shrugged, “No one ever said Brian was smart.”
Silence.
Matt glanced down to his lap and then rolled his eyes. He grabbed Brian’s pack of cigarettes, which we assumed had fallen out of his pocket, and tossed them onto the table.
“Is he coming back for them?” I asked curiously.
Matt shrugged.
“Hey!” a girl shrieked, leaning against the end of our table. “You’re M Shadows!”
Matt straightened himself out, garnering a ballsy grin on his dimpled face, “I am.”
“I just love you,” she gushed sloppily, and then extended her hand with spirit. “I’m Amanda!”
“Amanda,” he repeated happily, shaking her hand.
“Mind if I join you?” she asked, batting her eyelashes.
I couldn’t help but laugh a little under my breath. I hoped I didn’t look so desperate when I’d started pursing Jimmy. Something about the whole mating ritual was a little grotesque.
“Shoot, I was just going to meet someone,” Matt frowned. “I just gotta bring him something…Give me five?”
She pouted.
“I can bring Brian his smokes,” I volunteered like the wingman I apparently was. “Where is he?”
Matt smiled at me, “He’s upstairs on the roof. Thanks, Aria.”
I nodded, snatching the pack of smokes and stuffing them into my jacket pocket, “Just tell Jimmy I’ll be right back.”
Matt nodded at me as his groupie slid into the booth next to him, giving him sex eyes and giggling like a teenager.
I slipped out of the booth and headed in the direction Brian had gone. I could see Jimmy looming everyone at the bar, I assumed he was still waiting to be served. The line at the bar was insanely long—I figured he’d be there a while.
A couple of people were heading up a flight of stairs, so I followed. I was relieved to find myself in the night air, but didn’t spot Brian right away. I walked around, checking each and every table and group—lit only by strung neon colored patio lights. Finally, I spotted him. He was off in the corner chatting with a couple of guys I didn’t recognize.
“Hey,” I said nervously as I neared Brian’s side. “I have your smokes.”
“Oh!” Brian grinned. “Thanks!”
“No problem,” I smiled politely and turned to leave.
“Have you met Fieldy?” Brian asked me, grabbing my arm so I couldn’t stray away.
I looked at the man Brian was gesturing to, “Hi.”
“This is Rev’s girlfriend, Aria,” Brian told him.
He shook my hand, “Nice to meet ya.”
“You too,” I said politely. “I don’t mean to be rude but I should get back…”
“I’ll be down soon,” Brian smirked at me. “Thanks for bringing these up.”
I nodded, “No problem. It was nice to meet you.”
They waved me off and as I stepped away, I made a mental note to ask Jimmy who the fuck Fieldy was. I made my way through the crowd once more, heading for the stairs when something caught my eye.
To my left, the black-haired beauty was slumped on a couch. She was all alone, a half-emptied drink in her hand. I wouldn’t typically approach anyone I didn’t know…but something about her made me curious. It was probably just that her name had come up so often with Jimmy’s friends that it felt almost like I knew her.
Against my better judgement, I neared her. Her green eyes looked up at me curiously as a lingered.
“I’m sorry,” I laughed nervously, turning on my heel.
“Hey!” she called after me. “I know you!”
I turned around slowly, she was smiling at me.
“You’re the girl that spilled Ty’s drink,” she said. “He’s probably still whining about it.”
I blushed hard, “I’m so sorry about that.”
She shrugged, “Hey, it wasn’t my shirt."
I laughed awkwardly, shifting my weight from foot to foot.
She eyed me lowly, "Did you want to join me?”
I hesitated, “I…”
“Oh, come on,” she laughed, patting the cushion next to her. “Come have a drink with me. My friends abandoned me...and if you sit with me, there's a far greater chance that other people will leave me alone.”
“If you think I can help,” I smirked, sitting next to her slowly.
She was more beautiful up close than she was from afar. She eyed me up suspiciously, sipping at her drink. She had her black hair tucked neatly behind her ear, the other side hung in her face. She pushed it back.
“I’m Blair,” she said to me.
“Aria,” I smiled weakly.
She sighed, looking around at all of the people, “Were you trying to escape the crowds too?”
“No,” I said coolly. “I was just bringing my friend his cigarettes…he forgot them downstairs.”
“Ah,” she nodded once.
I guess the mention of cigarettes lit up a spot in her brain because she immediately pulled a pack from her pocket and placed one between her lips. She offered the pack to me. I wasn’t a smoker…but I took one anyway. She lit it for me and I tried to pretend like I knew how to smoke it.
“I hate crowds,” she grumbled. “We were supposed to come for one drink and go home…We’ve been here for a fucking hour.”
I frowned sympathetically. I’d never minded crowds. If anything, I flourished in them. I could disappear into them.
“So who’s your friend?” she asked me then, her eyes lit up by the ember of her cigarette. “Your forgetful friend, I mean.”
“Brian Haner?” I said in a way that was curious if she knew who he was.
She puckered her lips to one side, “Nothin’.”
“Synyster Gates!” I blurted out.
I was always forgetting about their stage names. I’d never known them as anything other than their true persons.
She shook her head, “Don’t know him. Is he a musician?”
I nodded, “You’re a singer, right?”
“Yep,” she replied, emphasizing the ‘p’.
“I caught your show tonight,” I told her happily. “It was really good. Your voice is insane.”
She blushed a little, “Oh, thank you.”
“I don’t usually come to concerts or festivals…” I trailed off. “But I’m glad I did. I really enjoyed your music.”
“Why don’t you go to shows?” she asked me, breezing passed the compliment.
I shrugged, feeling a little bit invaded, “I don’t know…music’s just never been my thing, I guess.”
She looked confused by this.
“I’m here with my boyfriend,” I said weakly.
She took another long drag of her cigarette, staring into my soul, “And who’s that?”
“Jimmy—um…The Rev.”
Her face lit up.
“Jimmy?” she gasped. “I love Jimmy!”
The way her words slurred through that made me suspect she may have been a little bit drunk. You almost couldn’t tell though—she was coherent and communicative…I thought then that maybe she was just that cool. I definitely had a girl crush.
“Oh, you…you know him?” I asked, trying not to choke on my own cigarette.
“Not really,” she waved. “We’ve met a few times in passing recently…He’s honestly just such a sweet guy. You’re a lucky girl!”
“I am,” I was blushing.
“Can I ask you something…Aria?” she said that last bit like she was looking for more of a confirmation of my name than anything.
I nodded, “Sure.”
“Do you ever…” she hesitated, looking around the crowd impatiently, “Do you ever feel like you’re missing something?”
I furrowed my brows, “I don’t know what you mean.”
She sighed, “Like….there’s a void. And…you’re not sure how to fill it…or what’s supposed to be filling it anyway…” she finished her drink, looking at me with embarrassment on her face. “I don’t get out much. Never mind.”
I desperately wanted to understand what she was asking…but I didn’t. Maybe I just wasn’t on the level she was on.
“Anyway,” she smiled, smashing her cigarette onto the ground and pulling herself to her feet—only stumbling a little. “I should go find my friends.”
I nodded at her nervously.
“It was really nice talking to you though,” she said happily. “Thanks for distracting me. Maybe I’ll see you around.”
I smiled, “Maybe.”
She waved once with a tilt of her head and disappeared into the crowd. I couldn’t bring myself to move for a few minutes—I’d never met a celebrity but I imagined that this aftershock was normal. I ran the conversation over in my mind a few times, kicking myself for not being more open and talkative. But she was a force that made me feel small.
I understood Brian’s crush; even if he’d never met her. I decided not to mention to him, ever, that she didn’t know who he was.
But I thought that maybe now having heard his name, she might look him up…or perk up when she heard it again. Maybe I could be a matchmaker.
Or…maybe I was just an awkward girlfriend trying to make conversation with someone from Jimmy’s universe. Either way, it was a good sensation.
I made my way back downstairs and slid into the booth, Jimmy wrapped his arm around my neck immediately and kissed the side of my face.
“Where’d you go?” he asked me. “Did you get lost?”
I grinned from ear to ear, “You’re never going to guess who I just met.”

Notes

Blair <33

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