It felt almost never ending and Una jumped in a couple of times when the press got a little too personal or she felt a need to intervene. We were all forcing smiles until a familiar gossip blogger threw out the next question.
"So, how do you feel about Christopher Mason's recent response to the question 'How is it traveling with an all-woman band that shows as much promise as The Forgotten?" His eyebrows raised and a sly smile played on his lips.
"I'm sorry, we aren't aware of any comment made." Una jumped in and tried to redirect the press. Mr. Gossip rag wasn't having it.
"Oh well, allow me. His comment was, and I quote; "You know girls, their cycles all synchronize. We'll have to deal with the largest menstrual cycle imaginable", and he continued, "As for this promise they seem to be getting credit for, well we'll have to wait and see if they can take us out of the number one song position and keep it for as long as we have, won't we?," end quote."
The entire room fell silent and now every reporter was on the edge of their seat salivating for our reaction. Inside I was boiling mad and could already hear Kat growling low.
"I'm sorry, but –"
"Well, what can we say, but we are honored." I smiled and winked at gossip reporter.
"Honored?" Mister gossip blogger choked out in confusion.
"Of course we are," I shrugged and could even feel the eyes of the band on me, "What other woman out there can say that the Christopher Mason is monitoring her menstrual cycle for her?" The reporters burst into laughter and mister gossip rag gave me a nod of approval.
"Yeah and since he is paying such close attention, he can make sure we stay stocked up on tampons." Kat quickly added earning another round of laughter.
With a large smile, I continued. "As for getting to the number one spot and keeping it, we are always up for a challenge and again honored that he feels we are possible competition."
Una put her hand on my shoulder and squeeze before she began taking back control of the press. This time she was able to get everyone back on track and eating from the palm of her hand.
"That was so great," Serena hugged me once we were free of the pressroom.
"I have no idea what you are referring to," I laughed.
"Shit, Mia, I couldn't be prouder." Kat caught up to both of us and wrapped her left arm over my shoulders.
"Hey, the tampon comment deserves some serious cred," Laney added.
We fell into a fit of laughter.
"You think you're funny?"
We fell into silence and turned. Chris was standing to the left of us. His eyes burned with anger, all directed at me. It took a moment, but I finally found the ability to pull my eyes away from his.
"Don't you have tampons to go buy? I'm feeling a little bloated." Kat snapped at him.
Our group walked away in hysterics. When Una regrouped with us, I gave Chris one last look. He scowled. I gave him a fake smile and a small condescending wave.
His face darkened.
I effectively avoided Christopher as much as possible for the remaining time in Seattle and he did the same. Sunday morning arrived and we headed to the bus, which would take us to Whidbey Island. We were staying until Wednesday. Then we would leave for Los Angeles. I had my coffee and my messenger bag as I headed toward our bus.
"Mia, do you wanna hang out on the guy's tour bus for the trip to Whidbey?" Laney asked me smiling.
"Umm…thanks, but no thanks. I think I will stay as far away from Christopher as possible. Good luck with the asshole though." I chuckled and stepped on the bus.
"Alright, but I think you would –" I didn't hear anything after that, because all sound ceased to exist when I saw Christopher in the background and he had been in hearing distance of my comment.
Shit.
His face clearly revealed the answer to the one question that instantly went through my head. Yes, he heard you Mia. His angry eyes locked onto mine.
"Mia?" Laney said bringing me out of my trance.
"Huh?" I shook my head.
"Are you sure you will be okay by yourself? We are going to go on their bus." Laney stood with her head tilted.
"Yeah, I'll be fine." I forced a smile. "You know me I'll just sleep the whole way."
"Are you okay?" She eyed me closely.
"Yep, I'm fine. Go have fun, later chick!" I waved her off and climbed onto the bus. I made myself comfortable on a large couch that had a table in front of it.
I must have dozed off during the trip because Serena was currently shaking me awake.
"What?" I asked half asleep and half pissed for being woke up.
"Pit stop" was all she said before walking off the bus.
I stretched and groaned before walking off the bus. Coming off the last step, I stumbled and thought I was going to hit the ground, but I felt two arms hold me up. I looked up.
"Thanks Rob," I smiled at our sound system engineer.
"No problem." He smiled warmly and walked into the small gas station store.
Once in the small store I went for my standard purchases. I grabbed my large bag of red fish and went for my large bottle of water.
"You do realize they stock the bus don't you?"
I cringed and turned. It was Christopher. Ugh.
"Yeah, but this is sort of like a tradition for me. Besides I doubt they have these stored on the bus." I lifted the bag of red fish.
"Uh-huh…" He scowled at me. I grabbed my Smart Water and tried to walk around him hoping that he was finished talking to me. No such luck.
"So that was some press meeting you had." He stated in a cocky and annoying tone.
"Yeah, I think we handled it pretty well. Thanks for caring," Making my sarcasm very clear.
I made a final attempt to get the hell out of this little situation with him.
"You know I would love to hear exactly what makes me an asshole, in your opinion."
I crinkled up my face, harshly huffed, and turned around.
"Oh I'm quite sure you know what makes you an asshole and you enjoy every minute of it." I spit out exactly what was on my mind before I could filter my thoughts. I turned back around and walked away, not missing how his sharp blue eyes felt like daggers in my back.
Back on the bus, I sat and waited for the bus to start moving. I put my earbuds in and started listening to some songs I'd been working on. Closing my eyes, I sang out loud trying to work through some lyrics.
The bus shift and I opened my eyes. Kat walked on with Serena close behind. They found seats around me and I pulled out my earbuds.
"What's up?"
"Let's just say Christopher isn't exactly in the best of moods, so we decided to finish the trip over here." Kat rolled her eyes.
"That guy is a real piece of work," Serena said and pulled my notebook toward her to read what I'd been writing down. "These are good Mia. What song are you putting them with?" I handed her my earbuds. "That is going to be killer." She smiled.
"I want to hear." Laney whined and took the earbuds and notebook from Serena.
The bus shifted again. Jimmy and Elliott climbed onto the bus.
"Do you mind?" They asked.
"Of course not," Kat motioned for them to take a seat. The rest of the trip was relaxing and the conversation was good. Everyone avoided the topic of Christopher. I noticed Kat getting close to Jimmy and putting on the full flirt factor.
Chapter Five
I saw her in his arms as he caught her from falling off the bus. My stomach turned at her damsel in distress act. Learn to walk.
Walking the aisles of the store, I noticed Mia. She was strolling from the candy section and opening a cooler filled with water bottles.
"You do realize they stock the bus don't you?" I couldn't control the urge to go to her. It pissed me off that I couldn't ignore her presence.
"Yeah, but this is sort of like a tradition for me. Besides I doubt they have these stored on the bus." She lifted a bag of red fish.
I didn't realize adults ate that crap.
"Uh-huh…" I scowled in confusion. She attempted to walk away from me. Not so fast little girl.
"So that was some press meeting you had." I baited her. I'd heard her response to my comment. I was not impressed.
"Yeah, I think we handled it pretty well. Thanks for caring." Her voice was dripping in sarcasm.
She tried to escape me quickly, but I couldn't resist egging her on more.
"You know I would love to hear exactly what makes me an asshole, in your opinion." I was waiting for her to stutter or quickly run from me, but she didn't.
She turned around and just spat out her response.
"Oh I'm quite sure you know what makes you an asshole and you enjoy every minute of it." I stood in anger and shock as I watched her go out of the store. I finally moved myself and headed back to the busses.
Taking a last moment detour, I headed toward the girls bus, but when I got to the open door, I could hear her singing. There was no music just her voice. I walked away and got onto my bus instead. How the hell does she affect me? Why did I allow it?
"Hey did you grab me that –" Jimmy began.
"Go get your own shit! I'm not your errand boy." I spit out.
Still angry with Mia, the confirmation of her talent was making me angrier. I stormed to the back of the bus and threw myself on my large bed. I laid there trying to figure out how to change my plan around and make it work. I need her gone.
By the time, we'd gotten to a ridiculously small town I'd figured out my plan. I just had to set it in motion. It was going to take a little more effort than my original plans, but it would definitely be effective as long as it all went according to schedule.
I realized everyone else was already off the busses by the time I came out of my room. We were in front of a large white house and I heard yelling. As I got closer, I saw a child.
"Mommy! I miss you!" It was a little brown haired boy with hazel eyes wrapped up in Red's arms.
"Oh baby I missed you. I love you so much!" she exclaimed back while squeezing his little body.
I walked up next to Elliott. "She has a kid?"
"Yeah, he is going to be four, I think." Elliott replied.
"An Mia" the boy cried and reached out for her. She wrapped him around to her back and he latched on.
"Hold on tight monkey boy," she said to him and offered a red fish over her shoulder.
Everyone started into the large house where a black woman with long braids stood on the porch. For a moment, I wondered who she was.
"Ganma, mommy home!" The little boy yelled excited to the woman.
"I see Ry." She smiled at him.
"Hey, Linda," Mia kissed her cheek and then Red did the same thing. Blondie and Tiny hugged her and made our introductions. We said hello and followed them into the house.
Once inside I looked around. The rooms decorated simply with the biggest flashes of color from toys. When everyone sat in the large living room, I sat between Elliott and Jackson on the couch.
"Eww tant catch me!" the boy came running in yelling.
Mia came stomping in after him. Her face was lit up with the biggest smile I'd ever seen on her.
"Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum, I smell a Ryan and Ryan is yum!" She laughed, tackled and tickled him. Then he started tickling her back. He was laughing so hard he got hiccups.
It made me remember my mother chasing me around our back yard. I shook the unwelcome memory out of my head and went outside for some air. Sitting on the front porch steps, I heard someone approaching.
"You okay?" I turned to see the woman they had called Linda.
"Yeah, long trip." I forced a small smile. "Just needed some air," I turned back around.
"You're going to freeze out here," she warned.
"I'll be fine." I tried not to sound irritated, but I don't think I succeeded.
"Okay. Well you just let me or the girls know if you need anything." Then she was gone.
Yeah well, I need your girls to be off my tour, can you make that happen, Linda? I need to sleep without episodes, think you can manage that while you're at it.
I was about to go back to the bus when I heard loud music inside. Walking back inside, Mia, Elliott, and Ryan were playing the Rock Band video game. The three of them were playing and singing 'Are you gonna be my girl?' by Jet. I had to smile. The little boy knew every word.
"Amelia Marie Ryder!" Red yelled from the stairs.
I watched Mia cringe and try to hide behind a giggling Ryan.
"That was supposed to be for his birthday tomorrow! I told you to wait!" She stood in true mother form with her hands on her hips. "Ryan tell Aunt Mia she is bad and to stop hiding from mommy."
I watched Mia's lips move silently and then the boys spoke. "I don see An Mia mommy, where she?" His smile turned into a giggle.
"Mia, do not have him lie for you!" She was trying to hide a smile that was working its way over her lips.
The girls stayed at their house while we stayed at a local hotel. We'd been in this rinky-dink town long enough for them to visit their family and for Ryan's birthday. Elliott, Una, and Nicholas went crazy buying gifts for a kid they just met.
Elliott's behavior was the strangest of all. He wasn't this guy. He was a strip club going, body shot drinking womanizer. However, it seemed that aliens had replaced him with this father-like figure. He interacted with Serena and her son like it was his goal to be a part of their family. This new Elliott completely confused me.
Today the girls were playing at their old high school. We were required to tag along for 'good press.' Arriving to a very small school that looked nothing like the high school I went to, there were no metal detectors or chain link fences anywhere.
As the girls set up and rehearsed, I decided to set my plan into motion. We took the principle up on his offer for a tour and when we reached the music room, I instantly knew how to start my plan. Sitting down to the piano, I started playing. Nicholas and Jackson walked over slowly. I knew sitting at a piano again would strike at their curiosity.
"Christopher…um…what's that you're playing? I don't think I've heard it before." Nicholas spoke hesitantly, probably waiting for me to yell at him.
"You wouldn't have heard it. It's something I'm working on." I shrugged "But it's missing something and I haven't been able to figure it out until just now."
"What?" Jackson inquired. From the corner of my eye, I saw his eyes shift to Nicholas who was still staring at me like I was a bomb about to go off.
"Collaboration."
"Collaboration?" Nicholas was feeding right from my hand.
"Yes, I think it should be a duet, so it's hard for me to get the lyrics set properly being one perspective." I shrugged and stood up. "I'll figure it out eventually." I left the room smiling to myself.
Let the games begin.
Once the high school concert was out of the way, it was time to return to the hotel and get ready to leave the next morning. Our next stop was Los Angeles.
We left early Wednesday morning for L.A. and once we arrived, we went to our respective rooms.
Thursday brought with, it plans for the night including a trip to a club. Elliott finally convinced me to try going out with them and if I hated it, I could always leave whenever I wanted to. I reluctantly agreed.
Stepping into the darkened club, the random multicolored lights began circling around me. We were ushered to a private room by the club manager. The room already seemed full for being a private room. Then I saw Red and Tiny dancing together. I should've known they would be here. Is that how a mother should be dancing? Christ.
I walked over to the bar and got water. Jackson was quick to my side.
"It's only water Jackson. Do you want to smell it before I drink it?" I held the glass over to him and glared.
"Kill me for caring," he said as he walked away.
I sighed and took a big drink. Well, where are the other two? If Red and Tiny are here then where are Blondie and Mia? I looked to my left and saw Blondie and Mia sa
ndwiching Jimmy as they danced. This is just disgusting.
The song changed to some heavy hip-hop song about 'hips swinging' and that's when Mia and a couple of girls I had seen around backstage, started dancing in synchronization. I'll give them the credit. They were good at dancing like strippers. I half smiled into my glass of water.
"She's a trained dancer you know?" Looking down at my side, Tiny had appeared next to me staring at where I'd been looking.
"Oh-Kay" I rolled my eyes and took another drink of water.
"I mean she is actually a trained classical dancer, like ballet. You should really see her. She is really good. It's crazy though how much she likes this and is good at –"
"Is there a particular reason you're telling me this?" I glared down on her.
She shrugged. "Just making conversation," she walked away smirking.
Crazy little freak.
I eventually made it to one of the tables in the room. Jimmy arrived from the dance floor and sat with me. When I was about to say something to him two familiar groupies appeared in front of me.
"Come dance with us Chris," groupie one whined and pulled on my hand.
"Sorry, not my thing," I motioned around the club with a look of disgust on my face.
"Then we'll just have to dance for you," Groupie number two smiled seductively and pulled the other girl against her body.
They slithered and ground against each other for the sole purpose of my entertainment. I felt Jimmy nudge my arm when the two kissed each other. I glanced at him. He mouthed the words 'nice'.
I raised my bottle of water to him and smiled large.
* * * * *
Being home was so revitalizing after all the crap that had already started with Christopher. Seeing Ryan was the definite highlight. He was my angel in the beginning of what felt like would be my hell, especially if Christopher had anything to do with it.
Playing at our high school was nostalgic and it felt rewarding. My old chorus teacher had puffed her chest and held her head high, boasting to Una how she had molded my voice.
Stepping onto the large black canvas tarp the smell of the gymnasium was so familiar. Taking one deep breath and exhaling, I glanced around to Kat, Serena, and Lane – all looking the same as I felt. Ecstatic.
Falling Stars Page 5