Off Your Rocker?

by K E Osborn

He takes his hand in mine. “I look forward to it.” He lets go of my hand and walks out the door. I move over to close it, but just as it nearly shuts he opens it again. “Sorry, I forgot something,” he says putting out his hand for me to shake. I look at him with a smirk and place my hand in his. “I’m Colter Slade, but everyone calls me Colt. Nice to meet you,” he says with a cheeky grin.

  I shake his hand. “Hi Colt, nice to meet you too. I’m Delia Norman, but everyone calls me Lia,” I reply. He brings my hand up to kiss gently and then the turns around and walks away while a flutter of butterflies swarm around my stomach.

  Colter Slade. His name does ring a bell.

  I close the door and walk to the en-suite. As I do I glance in the mirror and gasp as I view my reflection. “Holy fuck!” I look hideous! No wonder Colt’s band mates were laughing and digging each other in the ribs. I look shocking. My hair’s in a ponytail, but it’s all messy from sleeping and my face, well there’s no words that can describe the size of the bags under my eyes. That, plus the red and puffiness makes me look like I’ve had a severe allergic reaction to something. I sigh and wash my face with the cool water. I walk back out to my bed and sit contemplating what to do next. Maybe I should have a shower to wash away the disaster of last night I decide. So I take off my pyjamas and wrap a towel around myself and walk toward the en-suite again.

  Knock, knock.

  Oh, crap! There’s someone at the door.

  Bollocks!

  I make sure my towel is firmly wrapped around me and I move over to the door, cracking it open just a bit and peeking out.

  “Hi, I was… wait, are you wearing a towel?” Colt inquires as I try to cover myself reasonably unsuccessfully with the door.

  “Um, maybe,” I say. I watch as a mischievous grin crosses his face and he looks me up and down. I hide behind the door a little more and he chuckles.

  “Yeah, so anyway, I was wondering if you’d like to come to dinner with the band and the Slayettes tonight before the show?”

  I look at him and stutter out, “What’s... the... the... Slayettes?”

  “Hmm, that’s a tough one to define,” he chuckles. “I guess they’re groupies, but Dingo and Johnny’s chicks keep them in line. They follow us around the place and we just... well... we let them,” he says and shrugs.

  I really have nothing else to add so I nod. “Okay,” I reply as he looks me up and down again. I wish he’d stop doing that, I don’t know if it makes me uncomfortable or makes me want to drop my towel and rip his shirt off. Then the emotion of everything changing comes back to mind and a wave of despondency washes over me.

  “Good I’m glad. It’ll be nice to spend some time with you, without all the tears and drama,” he discloses as he eyes me once more, smirks and then walks off. I close the door and for the briefest of seconds I smile, then make my way to wash off the stains of last night’s life changing breakup.

  I spend the day relaxing in my suite watching movies. I surprise myself by how I’m actually feeling. Last night my world had ended, but in the light of today I kind of feel a sense of freedom. A sense of excitement as to the possibilities and new adventures I could have. Of course, I’ll have to tell Daddy at some stage that Joseph broke it off with me, but that’s not a conversation I’m willing to have anytime soon.

  I start dressing for dinner with Colt and his gang, and I figure I’ll go with what I know jeans and a vest with a little cardigan. Simple, easy and comfortable. I pull on my trusty converse sneakers and walk into the en-suite to do something with my face. I sigh as I apply makeup trying to cover up the mistakes of my past four years. I just finish putting on some mascara when there’s a knock at my door. I quickly gather up my purse and mobile phone and walk over and open it up to a really short woman. She must be only five foot, if that. Her hair is ink black with purple streaks through it and it’s so short that it sticks out everywhere. She must be a Slayette. I smile and tilt my head when she smirks and proceeds to look me up and down.

  “Hi,” I say.

  “Hmmm, I guess you’ll do,” she answers then leans in, grabs me by the arm and pulls me out of the door. I quickly shut it behind me and we’re off. I’m running to keep up with her.

  “So, um... my name’s Lia, nice to... um... meet you,” I stutter out as we walk briskly to the elevator.

  “I know, c’mon they’re waiting for us,” she replies while she presses the button over and over. We step in and I wait awkwardly for her to tell me her name, but she doesn’t volunteer any information. She looks at me and shakes her head with a slight giggle.

  Hello, I’m standing right here!

  Why am I even doing this, if Colt can’t come and get me himself? The doors open and we walk through the foyer and as we get to the entrance of the Hyatt I see a black stretch Hummer and photographers everywhere. My eyes open wide as we walk toward the door and I see some girls being held back by security. They start to scream when we walk out, but it quickly dies down when they realise that we’re not the famous ones they’re waiting for.

  “C’mon, quickly,” the girl shouts as she drags me toward the Hummer. The door opens and the camera flashes daze me to the spot. I feel a hand on my arm and I instantly warm at the touch, then I’m pulled from my awe-induced coma and back to reality with Colt pulling me into the Hummer. I slide in and the security guard shuts the door behind me. The Hummer’s completely full as I shuffle in right next to a waiting Colt.

  “Wow,” I exclaim as everyone looks at me.

  Colt chuckles and rests his hand on my knee, his touch sending a mixture of cold and hot shivers up my leg.

  “Yeah, sorry about that. Some of the fans found out where we’re staying and, well it can get a little hectic sometimes,” he replies. The other people in the Hummer start to talk amongst themselves. I nod my head and look around. Everyone is dressed like rock Gods; black tops and ripped jeans seem to be the clothing items of choice. Except for me in my tight jeans and yellow cardigan. I look so out of place here with all these rockers.

  What the hell was I thinking?

  Colt’s hand on my knee tightens slightly as I look up at him.

  Why am I nervous? I guess it’s because I was brought up to never associate with these kinds of people and now I’m going to a rock concert with a guy I met last night and his rock band.

  Who the hell are you, and what have you done with Delia Norman?

  My father is most definitely going to kill me.

  “Lia, are you okay?” Colt asks looking directly into my eyes. He can obviously sense my nervous energy. I swallow the lump in my throat that’s been building and manage a nod. He smiles brightly making me melt just a little. “Just remember, you’re being spontaneous,” he states.

  “Yeah, you’re right. That’s me, livin’ it up.”

  The short girl slides her way across the seat and places her arm around my shoulders. “Don’t you worry about a thing Little Bean, Mamma Sia, will look after you,” she explains smirking at Colt.

  “Mamma Sia?” I question.

  “That’s me, Alysia, but everyone calls me, Mamma Sia. Guess ‘cause I’m like the mother of the group. I keep ‘em in line and I’m the head of the Slayettes.”

  “Don’t forget to add that you keep Dingo in check as well, Mamma,” the guy that looks like Colt yells out and the whole car explodes in laughter except for Dingo. He crinkles his nose and sticks his middle finger up at him.

  “I’m Dingo’s wife, so he better keep in line when I’m around.”

  “Right, so um why am I called Little Bean?” I ask curiously

  She smiles brightly. “Because that’s what you are, a little bean who’s trying to sprout, but she just needs a little help growing, and that’s where we come in. We’ll be your water and your sunlight and we’ll help you grow, Little Bean, into a bright and colourful new you. When we’re finished with you, you won’t be the same ever again. Isn’t that right, Colt?”

  “Sure is, Mamma Sia. We’ll help you to live
a little, and I intend on assisting you personally,” Colt answers. I’m not really sure what they’re going on about, but it sounds scary and exciting at the same time. Maybe I’ll learn to fit in with these people. They’re making me feel very welcome into their tight-knit group.

  “She isn’t one of us, Mamma, I don’t even know why she’s here,” I hear a female hiss from the other end of the Hummer. She has long mahogany hair and is covered in tattoos.

  “C’mon now Jessi, play nice,” Mamma replies then she tuts at her. Colt rolls his eyes and smiles at me. All of a sudden I don’t feel so welcome. Sia unwraps her arm from around me and moves to sit next to Dingo who leans in and kisses her passionately. I blush and turn to stare out the window as the city streets of London pass by. I feel Colt’s hand move slightly up from my knee and is now resting on my inner lower thigh. I gulp and turn to look at him.

  “You still seem nervous,” he says softly.

  I bite my bottom lip and shrug. “I guess I’m just a little out of my comfort zone.”

  “Well, don’t worry, I’m here, and I know that when I’m not Mamma Sia will take care of you, you’re safe with us Lia, so just let go. Enjoy yourself and remember, be spontaneous,” Colt reiterates, his eyes glistening in the light. I nod my head and settle back into the seat, taking in all the weirdness that’s currently surrounding me.

  We have dinner at a nearby restaurant, but the place has been cleared out so we can eat in peace. After dinner, we all head back into the stretch Hummer and drive off toward Wembley Stadium for my first ever rock concert, with my new found friends. We pull into an underground parking lot and we’re ushered out. I move out first since I was the last in and Colt follows closely behind me. He places his hand on the small of my back and walks with me toward the building. I can hear screaming in the distance and I look around to try and see where it’s coming from, but Colt walks me so fast that I’m inside and walking down a hallway before I can really see anything. A group of people with those headphones that have microphones attached and swanky lanyards hanging around their necks come up to Colt and start asking him questions one after the other. Everything’s happening so fast I can’t seem to concentrate.

  I quickly glance at one of the passes attached to the lanyard and it says, ‘Slayed World Tour.' Wow, maybe he isn’t joking when he says that his band is really huge. I look up at him while he answers the barrage of questions these people are throwing at him. His hand leaves my back while he reaches out to sign something and I can’t help but feel a wave of anxiety at the loss of his hand. One of the people who is talking to him pulls him along, so he’s walking faster and I’m struggling to keep up, but the hallway is small and there are people everywhere. I suddenly walk into a trashcan, which halts me in my tracks, but Colt and the people just keep walking. He turns back but then he’s pulled away. I feel anxious as I try to walk around the trashcan and I feel an arm wrap around mine. It’s Mamma Sia and she starts to walk with me.

  “It’s okay I got ya, Little Bean. I know this can be a little overwhelming the first time, but you’ll get used to it. Colt’s life is hectic and this is all part of it. If you’re going to stick around, you better learn how to adapt and to walk quickly,” she tells me with a slight chuckle.

  I nod and keep up with her while I watch Colt in the distance being led into a room. Sia turns taking me with her and we head into a different room a few doors down from him. I guess this is like a dressing room. There’s a big mirror with lights all around it and plush red lounges around the edges of the room. There are bottles of Champagne on ice and a fruit and cheese platter on a small table. The small room starts to fill with females, there’s about seven of us including me. Sia lets me go and makes her way over to the champagne.

  “Well, slags and sluts, here’s to the final night in our home town, then we’re off to take over the rest of the world,” Sia exclaims as the other females in the room take their champagne flutes and cheer loudly. I’m a little taken aback at the words she uses to describe us, so I stand in the corner as far away from the alcohol as possible, especially after last night’s vodka binge I don’t think I could stomach any kind of fluid other than water. All the girls look like they belong here. They pull off the rock chick vibe perfectly, and then there’s me, standing in the corner in my jeans and yellow cardigan.

  Hell yeah, I really belong here... not!

  The girls start chatting amongst themselves as the tattooed girl goes and sits in front of the mirror, playing with her long dark mahogany hair. She’s so beautiful and I don’t know why I didn’t notice that before. She spots me eyeing her in the mirror and she rolls her eyes as she turns around to face me.

  “You know you don’t belong here with us, don’t you?” she advises, staring at me with a look of contempt written all over her face. The room hushes to silence.

  “Jessi, be nice,” Sia berates.

  “Seriously, what the hell does Colt want her around for? Why go for something sweet, when he always goes for something spicy? And we all know how spicy I can get, and he loves it. I just don’t get it,” Jessi questions as she turns back to face the mirror. Oh, so her and Colt are a thing. I guess I should’ve known that he wasn’t available. I mean he didn’t even try to kiss me or anything, so it’s all making sense. And if she’s his bit on the side, no wonder she hates me. I kept him overnight in my bed when he was supposed to be with her. I’d hate me too!

  “I’m sorry I didn’t realise Colt had a girlfriend,” I say sheepishly. The whole room laughs and I flick my head back slightly in confusion.

  “Oh honey, Colt doesn’t have a girlfriend. He’s not the type to commit, never has been, never will be,” Sia answers as Jessi furrows her brows.

  “Oh, but I thought Jessi—”

  “Oh no, Little Bean. Jessi’s just his go to girl. Isn’t that right, Jessi?” Sia asks, shocking me.

  Jessi grunts and shakes her head. “He keeps coming back for more and the other girls are only ever one nighters, so he must feel something for me otherwise he wouldn’t keep coming back,” she explains and skulls the last of her champagne.

  Well, this just got really awkward!

  The other girls laugh and Jessi sticks her middle finger up at all of them. I swallow a lump in my throat the size of a large golf ball and wrap my arms around myself for some sort of protection.

  Sia walks over to me and smiles. “Look Little Bean, he obviously has a past, and yes some of the girls in this room are a part of that, but he’s taken by you. He doesn’t get taken very easily, but you’re definitely different from what he usually goes for,” Sia explains while she rubs my shoulder and walks off to sit on the lounge.

  Did she just say some of the girls in the room?

  Holy crap!

  He really is a bit of a man whore. I guess the effect he’s having on me, he has with all women, and I certainly don’t want to be another notch in his belt.

  “I… um... I think I might go,” I babble, but no one takes any notice. I bite my bottom lip, while the realisation of how very stupid I’ve been for trying to be spontaneous hits me like a truck. It’s just not me, and this world; well I’m definitely never going to fit in here. I think in my desperation of being lonely and the thought of having nothing to go back to, scared me into making a stupid, irrational decision in coming here with these people, who I hardly even know.

  I exhale and walk out the door and turn down the hallway. It was so jam packed before, that now it’s empty, it kind of matches my mood. I don’t know what I was thinking. Maybe that’s it, I wasn’t thinking because I got so caught up in a web of exciting new possibilities, only to be left feeling overwhelmed and alone once again. I wrap my arms around myself and walk toward the exit. I start to feel emotional at the thought of not seeing Colt again, and I don’t know why. After all, I only met the guy last night, on the night that I broke up with the man I loved.

  Seriously Lia, get a grip!

  I’m obviously so upset about Joseph that I’m
trying to distract myself from the pain of losing him by thinking about another man. Girl you need to get back to the hotel and wallow, because that’s what you’re good at and that’s what happens when you break up with someone.

  You don’t go to a rock concert with strangers!

  I find my way to the door and open it to the dark night sky. I take in a deep breath into my lungs of the cool winter air and exhale it slowly. I can see my breath as the white vapours stream from my mouth in the cold night air. I wrap my arms tightly around myself as I walk. I don’t know where I’m going, but I just want to get away from here. Jessi’s right, I’m not a part of them and I probably never will be.

  I hear some people screaming and I’m assuming that it’s fans out the front of the stadium waiting to be let in to see Colt and his band play. But to be honest I’m not caring about anything at the moment. I feel so down and I don’t know whether it’s from walking away from Colt or because I’m feeling grief from the break-up with Joseph. I scuff my converse along the gravel pathway as I walk out onto the street. I hear the screaming getting louder and then I feel someone tackle me. I look up and there are girls all around me pulling at my clothes and yelling. I start to panic as they crowd around me.

  “You’re her, the girl that got into Colt’s Hummer.”

  “We saw your picture on Facebook. You’re, Delia Norman.”

  “Are you really his new girlfriend?”

  “Is he as good in the sack as he looks?”

  “Can you get us backstage?”

  “I hate you, you slut! He’s mine.”

  “No, he’s mine,” they all start yelling.

  Suddenly my hair is yanked and I’m being pushed around in a circle by all these crazy lunatics. I start to cry while they continue to slap at me and pull my hair.

  “Stop it, you’re hurting me,” I try to call out over their incessant yelling, but it doesn’t stop them. They just laugh and push me to the ground on my knees so violently, that I feel my jeans rip.

  “Hey!” I hear a voice call out and then the screaming begins again, but even louder if that’s even possible. The girls all rush away from me as I hold my head where they were pulling at my hair. I look up and see two security guards making their way over followed by a pack of screaming girls. The guards finally make it over to me and one puts out his hand to help me up. Someone’s pushing their way through the crowd of screaming imbeciles as I wipe my cheeks and straighten out my slightly torn clothing.