Playing With Fire

My fingers ran slowly through my hair while waiting for the water in the tub to fill. Once the water was at a reasonable level, I climbed in and my muscles immediately began to relax in the warm water. My eyes remained closed while I laid there for a second. These last two weeks have been hell for me. House of Syn is getting ready for our first fashion show and it has drained all energy from me. A noise came from the doorway and forced me to open my eyes and see Brian leaning on the doorway, looking at me.

"What?" I asked and he smirked at me before walking over by me, slowly stripping and then climbed into the water with me. I leaned forward and wrapped my arms around his waist and laid my head on his chest.

"I don't like seeing you this stressed out you know." He said into my ear.

"I don't like being this stressed out. But with Val being about eight months pregnant, a lot of the work has fallen on my shoulder." I sighed and he rubbed my back.

"What is Michelle doing?" He asked.

"She is working with Eric on the technical stuff, like lights, sound, music, and the overall production. I have been in charge of the clothes, the models, making the show run smoothly. I am the director of the show, Eric and Michelle are the tech directors." I said and he nodded.

"The show is tomorrow, right?" He asked and I nodded and sat there for a second before grabbing my shampoo.

"What are you doing?" He asked.

"I am going to wash my hair. I don't care if you are in here with me, I actually came in here to take a bath and clean myself. So watch me wash my hair if you want." I said and put some shampoo in my hand and then put it in my hair and got to washing my hair. He smirked and helped me, kind of.

After I cleaned myself and got out, Brian got to washing himself, apparently he is too self-conscious to wash himself in front of me. When I got into the bedroom, I got into a pair of shorts and one of Brian's t-shirts. I laid on the bed and curled into the blanket, but didn't fall asleep. A few minutes later Brian came out of the bathroom, shuffled around the room and then laid down next to me.

"Tired?" He asked and I nodded. I moved under the blanket and Brian pulled the blanket over him and we got comfortable with my laying on his chest and fell asleep.



The next morning, I woke up with a blinding headache and the worst pains in my stomach. It was those kinds of pains that make you really nauseous. I was supposed to be getting ready for the show right now, but instead I was residing in the bathroom, in front of the toilet. Brian had left before I woke up to practice for the gig at the fashion show. I heard my phone ringing in the bedroom, but I was too weak to get up. My head rested on the side of the toilet and I sighed. My phone went off again and I decided to find the strength to get up. When I did, I walked into my room and grabbed my phone.

"Hello." I said groggily.

"Hey, where are you? The show starts in like an hour and a half, the models are freaking out." I heard Eric ask.

"I'll be there soon. I woke up with a headache and an upset stomach, but I will be there soon. I promise." I said quietly.

"Ok, I will let them know. Feel better." He said and hung up. I walked over to my closet and grabbed my work suit and walked back out to change. Once I was changed, I went to the bathroom and brushed my hair. I walked downstairs and grabbed my portfolio, notes and purse and then walked out of the house and got into my car. A big sigh escaped my lips and I made my way to the show.

Once I got there, I walked inside and Michelle immediately saw me and ran over.

"You look like dog shit, are you ok?" She asked. I nodded and looked at the room. The models were scattered around and nothing was on them.

"What is even going on here?" I asked Michelle.

"I have no idea what your plans were, since I was working on the tech stuff. And they were clueless as well." She confessed.

"Models! Get into your clothes now. We are starting in twenty five minutes!" I yelled and they all shut up, looked at me for a second, and scrambled to grab clothes and get dressed.

"This is my plan, including, who goes when, how long they are on, what songs are being played and what the lights are going to do." I held a paper out to Michelle and she looked it over.

"There are a bunch of sponsors out there, by the way." She said. I looked at her.

"We're looking for sponsors?" I asked.

"Well, they wouldn't hurt." She said and I sighed before walking out of the backstage and to the sponsors.

"Hello. I am so sorry for such a long wait on knowing anything about this line. I am Everleigh, the director and designer of the show." I held my hand out and they all smiled and shook my hand.

"We read about what you guys were trying to accomplish with this line and got intrigued." One lady said.

"Yes, it is intriguing, isn't it. Well, we wanted to personally explain what to expect. Me and Michelle both worked very hard on this, designing and creating. And we hope that you all like it. I feel it really takes what Avenged Sevenfold is about as a band and en wraps it in it well." I explained and they all nodded.

"Well, I hope you will consider letting us sponsor you and Michelle for further lines." The lady said.

"I hope we will too. Now, if you would excuse me, I need to get back so the show can go on." I said and walked backstage and saw everyone was dressed.

"Alright, you guys know the line up, get ready, we go on in two minutes." I said. The music started out on stage and I heard the talking stop. I stood on the side and fixed some of the outfits before they all began going out. I stood there and sighed, my stomach was threatening to make me throw up again. Suddenly I felt arms around my waist and a head on my shoulder.

"Hey." I said and swallowed.

"Are you feeling ok?" He asked. I nodded and watched the models.

"Ever, you were late getting here, and you hate being late. Are you feeling ok?" He asked me again and I turned to face him.

"I have a head ache and a stomach ache that is making me want to throw up. I spent most of the morning planted at the toilet." I said to him and he hugged me.

"When this is over, we are going to go home, get in pajamas, sit on the couch and watch movies all night." He said and I smiled.

"Sounds like a wonderful plan." I said and looked up at the clock. "You have to be on in five minutes babe."

"I know. I came to say hi, since I left while you were sleeping." He said and then kissed me before walking away. I rested my hand on my currently flat stomach and yawned. Val came walking over and I smiled at her.

"You should be at home resting Val." I said.

"It's fine. I feel good today, but you look like you feel like crap." She said.

"I do. Stupid pregnancy hormones making me feel sick." I sighed and then heard the announcer on stage.

"And now, the band that inspired House of Syn, Avenged Sevenfold!" And then the guys started playing. Thank god they are the last thing going on today, I need to go home and sleep.

Notes

Yes, new chapter. Finally! I re-read through this story and then got an idea to type. I think I might make some updates tomorrow since I have off, and then wednesdays. Yes. I will have updates at least every Monday, and then one other day of the week. As well as every other Sunday. So look for a new chapter tomorrow, then probably Wednesday, and then Monday again.

So what do you think, was it good???

~Dallas