Whatever It Takes, chapter 5
Chapter 5: One For The Razorbacks
"Hello beautiful," Mike told her entering the shop with the same presence that he had before.
Something in Alicia's gut made her want to run up and full on kiss him on the lips right then, just throw her arms around his neck. But she held back and instead just managed a smile, then finished up with the last customer before telling the other person she was working with that her shift was over. The other girl who was working there just looked over at Mike then smiled knowingly at Alicia, rolling her eyes then waving her off. Alicia walked over almost shyly to Mike wondering where they were going to go or if he was serious about getting coffee.
She's so beautiful, he thought, how did I ever get myself all wound up in one of these situations again, with another pretty girl that I more than likely can't handle. Mike looked Alicia, gazing into her brown eyes filled with nervousness. He had learned over the years to never get nervous, after all almost every weekend he found himself in front of hundreds of people. Alicia had dark brown hair with pink underneath in a way that oozed punk out, she wore paper clips in her ears just like Amber did, and had a smile that some actresses would kill for. Not to mention she was skinny and perfectly proportioned.
"Hey," Alicia smiled.
He found himself staring then quickly asked, "Do you wanna get out of here?"
"Yeah, I mean after a while believe it or not this place gets pretty boring," Alicia told him with a slight laugh.
"I bet," Mike replied taking her hand in his then leading her out to his car.
He knew the perfect place to take a girl who loved punk.
They arrived at Gilman just a few minutes after they left the coffee shop. Mike watched as Alicia's face broke out in a grin, and she informed him that she had been there a few times. Right then a few local bands were playing that he didn't really take the time to know the names of. All he could remember was that later that night the Lookouts! were playing, so he planned to stick around for that. He always enjoyed watching them play, they were good and all, but he also loved Tre like a brother and enjoyed his child like antics. The girls also enjoyed the fact that Tre liked to take his shirt off during performances.
"I love this place," Alicia informed him.
"So you do like punk then?" Mike asked.
"Yup, is there any other decent music?"
"Rock," he answered.
"Well that's what I meant though."
"Okay I get it."
As Mike walked with Alicia around the club draping her arm over her 'so she wouldn't get lost' he ran into several people who knew him. Alicia was surprised that he knew so many people, Mike didn't seem like the kind of guy who'd leave an impression on a whole club at a time. Although he could just hang out all of the time, and meet new people every time he happened to come around. Though Alicia doubted that that was the case, he probably did something to make him so well known around Gilman. Perhaps he ran nude across the stage or something like that, because that would definitely leave a impression.
"So what did you do?" She asked smiling at him.
"What?" Mike asked confused.
"What did you do to have this many people know you?" Alicia asked gripping a beer in her hand.
"I'm a bassist in a band that plays."
"What one?"
"Sweet Children, but we're thinking of changing the name soon."
"Wow that's really cool, are you any good?" Alicia asked half surprised.
She should have guessed that Mike was a bassist, first off he was tall and lanky like that, not to mention he had the hands for it. Secondly he was definitely her type, and her type were bassists, just like herself. Although Alicia wasn't in the most popular band in the world, just because not most all girl bands were very popular. Not that she should consider her band an all girl band because of the fact that Joey was the drummer in the band. Although he did at times seem like a girl, and most of the time people thought that he was gay from the first impression he left on them. The lead guitarist of the band was none other than Amber who also was lead vocals, the melody was the almighty Cassady, and of course Joey was drums. All of them kicked ass, and in her opinion Amber was the best lyric writer she had ever met. Then again how many great lyric writers can a 16 year old bassist meet?
"Yeah well why don't you come find out? We have a gig this Friday, why don't you come and bring a friend?" Mike asked.
"Okay."
Alicia sat back against wall staring at the band, they were decent, but one thing mainly caught her eye. Jake, one of Amber's really good friends from school was up on stage, not just on stage, but he was the lead singer/guitarist. She lifted her eyebrows to the blue eyed, dark hair, thin, tan, boy whom she had known since 6th grade. It shocked her even more when he lifted his hand from it's place on the guitar to wave a her during a break in the song. She waved back, after all Amber was one of her best friends and she was really good friends with Jake. Amber had never liked Jake however, he was just the guy to waste time with talking to during class, not some one that you date. Alicia never found out if Jake ever liked Amber, but he did go over to her house almost every day, that would explain the fact that they constantly were talking about guitar things.
It shocked her even more when Amber walked on to the stage holding a micro phone in her right hand watching the band perform. Amber walked around the stage checking out the guys as they tried their best to ignore her, she walked up to Jake putting an arm around him. Mike knocked the guy next to him in the arm gesturing to the stage, the guy spurted out his drink then glared at Jake. Alicia smiled to herself wondering who the guy that Mike had been talking to the whole night was. She found herself extremely attracted to whoever it was, along with most if not all of the other girl at Gilman that night. She continued to watch this strange guy as girls kept coming up to him requesting dates and some other things, every time he rejected them.
"How are you doing tonight?" Amber asked speaking into the micro phone.
She grinned when the crowd roared in reply.
"And how are you Alicia?" Amber asked waving to her.
Alicia smiled and nodded her reply feeling a bit flushed as every one in Gilman stared at her wondering how Amber knew her.
"And you Ms. Susie Homemaker?" Amber asked the boy next to Mike.
He glared at her for some reason with bright green eyes.
"Mike?" Amber questioned.
Mike grinned flashing her the 'rock on' sign.
Amber nodded to all of them, "Okay this song that I'm going to be performing with my good friend Jakie over here is dedicated to Susie in the corner who isn't having the best time tonight."
The guy sitting next to Mike rolled his eyes.
"Speaking of which, I don't think that I have introduced you to Susie," Mike spoke as Amber and Jake began playing a song.
"Mike damn it you know as fucking well as every one else that my fucking name is not Susie," the boy sitting next to him angrily replied.
"Fine Billie no need to get your jockeys all up in a bunch," Mike told him as Alicia grinned moving so that she was facing the boy.
Billie was gorgeous, with dyed blonde hair, bright green eyes that seemed to be illuminated by the multi colored lights going around on stage, and slightly puffy cheeks. His complexion was perfect, he had a clear face, and seemed some what like a doll to her, like he was made of porcelain. He was incredibly small with narrow hips a small torso, she was some how even drawn to his bushy black eyebrows. Billie's nails were painted black, some of the polish had been scratched off, he had on a striped yellow and olive green shirt to go along with a pair of black Dickies. Because he was grinning she could see that some of his teeth were crooked in an irresistible way that made her stomach turn.
"Hi I'm Alicia," Alicia extended her hand to shake his.
Billie shook her hand, "Billie Joe."
"So Joe is your last name?" Alicia asked confused.
"No it's part of my first name, I have no middle name it's just Billie Joe," Billie Joe told her shaking her hand.
She smiled it was a nice name, "Okay Billie Joe, then what's your last name."
"Armstrong," He informed her trying not to flirt, after all his girlfriend was on stage.
"So it's William Joseph Armstrong?"
"No, just Billie Joe Armstrong. And what's your last name Miss Alicia?"
"Damis."
"Hmm, so you know Amber?" He asked.
"Yes, she's in a band with me," Alicia informed him.
"Really?"
"Yup, SOS."
"So you must be the bassist that she has spoken about."
"Yes. Funny I don't think I know how you know her?"
"She's my girlfriend, I'm going out with her."
"Oh, so your the lead singer in that one band, um, Sweet Children."
"Yes."
"Aren't you guys going to play here tonight?"
"Yup."
"Cool, I'll stick around and watch you."
"Okay see you around then," Billie Joe told her standing up.
Amber had just walked off stage and he planned to thank her for the song even though he wasn't really listening to it. He walked around the crowd of people occasionally being stopped by a few just to say hello or how great their band was. As always he rejected the girls for their offers then attempted to find Amber, when he was right before the back stage place he was stopped by a blonde. She looked at him with blue eyes that would normally make guys stop in their tracks, but he didn't care. The only eyes he wanted to see were the green eyes that belonged to Amber, this girl was pretty, but Amber was gorgeous to him. He tried to push past her but she stopped him making him look at her smiling face, her teeth were straight and while. Billie Joe noticed that she was wearing a short skirt and just a tank top staring at her with those beautiful eyes.
"Hello?" He asked.
"Hi, Billie Joe right?"
"Yes."
"I'm Cindy," She extended a hand.
Billie Joe shook it, "Nice to meet you Cindy now if you'll excuse me I really need to be getting backstage."
"Oh come on," Cindy pleaded. "We just met, we should hang out, go out, get to know each other better, then we can go back to my place for a while."
He stared at her smirking face, normally he'd jump on the opportunity but he had a girlfriend who he really wanted to see, "Sorry, but I'm gonna have to say no."
"What," Cindy asked drawn back, "Are you gay or something?"
"No I have a girlfriend," Billie Joe told her grinning when he saw Amber approaching them.
Cindy looked over her shoulder at Amber then lifted an eyebrow turning back to him, "What ever, you deserve better than that girl. She's nothing but sloppy seconds for a really broken heart needing to be mended."
Billie Joe looked at her evilly then spat, "That wins you the bitch of the year award, and she's about 50 billion times more beautiful than any blonde could ever be," he looked her up and down, "Not to mention your a fake blonde."
"You don't really understand," Cindy wrapped her arms around his, then gripping his arm tighter she added, "I get what I want Billie Joe Armstrong. And right now your the tastiest item on the menu."
Amber approach them lifting an eyebrow at Cindy noticing that her arms were around Billie Joe's as he attempted to shake him off, "Uh am I missing something Susie?"
"Amber could you stop calling me that?" Billie Joe asked pushing Cindy's hands off of him.
"Amber is it?" Cindy asked, when Amber nodded she added, "Get the fuck away from him."
Amber lifted her eyebrow higher, "That's my boyfriend that your holding onto."
"No, he's decided to leave you for me," Cindy replied.
"Since when?" Billie Joe asked tearing her off.
"I don't think that Billie Joe would leave me for some fake and bake wanna be naturally blonde loser, who's dye job turned out so bad they look like they might have gone swimming in an pool with too much chlorine. Not that you'd know what that does to blonde hair, although you seem like such a intelligent person, intelligent means smart by the way."
Cindy narrowed her eyes at her then released Billie Joe, "What ever, if he wants a stupid punk poser who doesn't know to apply eyeliner the right way then fine. You can have him."
Finally she walked away allowing Billie Joe to sigh shaking his head, "Not even a major label yet and I'm already surrounded by fans who'd kidnap me at any chance."
"Yeah I know," Amber told him rolling her eyes.
He put his arm around her waist then led her through the crowds back to their small little group in the corner. Amber grinned when she spotted Cassady and Tre making out not that far down the graffitied wall of 924 Gilman. Later down the line Amber found her self up against the wall snuggling into Billie Joe for even more warmth. By then he had his arm around her shoulders, in his other hand he was gripping onto a beer staring blankly at the stage where another band was performing it was just an hour before they were going on stage. Amber was talking to Alicia, who was now sitting next to her talking about how she met Mike at the coffee shop. They than began having a conversation with Mike about a new bass line that Alicia had come up with when she was bored at home. Mike was thoroughly impressed with the fact that Alicia played bass too, not to mention he liked it when he could talk to a girl about that stuff and have her understand what he's saying.
Finally Amber gave up trying to keep up with their talk about bass and watched the band on stage, it seemed like the more Mike and Alicia talked the more they liked each other. Cassady and Tre had stopped their little make out session to talk to every one then put it on pause to get something to drink. Amber had considered going to get one with them but she thought that they might want to be alone, she didn't want to move, and she had to stay sober so she could drive Billie Joe back home. Amber kissed Billie Joe's neck softly moving so that she was impossibly close to him as he moved so that he could kiss her lips. All that she could think about was how soft Billie Joe's lips were even though he insisted that he was too manly to wear chap stick.
Billie Joe, however, couldn't stop thinking about how he wished that he could do this the rest of his life. He wished that he could just forever have her in his arms, here at Gilman the only place that felt like home more than his house. In this moment, he wished that they could stay forever young, that he could just be with his band, at Gilman playing to live and living to play. Everything was so perfect then, it was just the two of them and the sound of guitars blaring from the speakers along with drums. More than anything Billie Joe wished that he could just live his life in the moment that was happening right that second. It was like a sudden dream that you never wanted to wake up from. Wishing nothing would change, not even the feelings in the pit of his stomach every time that kissed her lips.
Tre felt slightly nervous walking up on stage shirtless after being introduced along with the rest of his band. He wasn't nervous because it was Gilman, or even because this was the last performance that he was ever going to do with the Lookouts!. But he was nervous because he knew that some where out in the crowd Cassady was watching him with those beautiful brown eyes. He couldn't stand screwing up in front of her so he was nervous, but he couldn't be nervous because he would screw up. As he walked out on stage he managed to put on a silly grin then run to his drum set twirling his sticks in the air before beginning to play. Finally he decided that it would just be best if he didn't look into the audience at all, that way he wouldn't have to risk meeting eye with her and freezing.
Cassady watched Tre up on stage grinning, she couldn't believe that she was dating the drummer to on of her favorite bands. Let alone that he was performing at Gilman, and told her that he dedicated the whole performance to her. She smiled at the thought, singing along with every song that they decided to play. Although Cassady loved the Lookouts! she still was even more excited for the performance that was going to be done by Sweet Children after they were done. Even though the Lookouts! were great, Sweet Children were even better than them, and she really wanted to see them. Shaking the thought of how much hotter Billie Joe looked with out his shirt on out of her head Cassady took another sip of her drink. She had been avoiding Amber and Billie Joe all night just because she couldn't stand seeing the two of them together. No matter how much she hated being jealous of Amber she couldn't prevent the strong feeling in her gut.
Mike looked around the audience searching for Al, he knew that he was supposed to be here, so he couldn't have just not come. Maybe he had something important to do, but still the Lookouts! were nearing the end of their performance. And Billie Joe had already gone back stage, there was only one drummer who knew all of their stuff, and he was on stage. Mike knew that Tre would once again have to take Al's place in the band, he was starting to realize that Tre did a better job at it too. Billie Joe and Mike had been talking about how Al was going off to college and searching for a replacement drummer. But every time the subject came up the only name mentioned was Tre's. It seemed that both of them knew that the band would only benefit form Tre, soon they'd ask him to join in.
"Have you seen him?" Billie Joe asked as Mike entered the room.
Mike angrily shook his head, "Damn lazy ass. I don't know why we ever let him be in the band, he doesn't show up for practice, he doesn't come to the gigs. He doesn't tell us that he's not going to show up so we have no time to ask a replacement."
Billie Joe scratched the back of his neck, "I think we should kick him out of the band, I mean he is going to go to college anyways. There's no way that he would have time for a band in between all of his classes, not to mention he's going to move. Why didn't we just ask Tre in the first place?"
Mike kicked a bunch of plastic wrap randomly lying on the floor, "I don't know, maybe it was because he was always in the Lookouts!"
"True."
"So when are you going to ask him?"
"Why do I have to ask him?"
"Because, Billie, you're the lead singer of the band, and I appointed you leader of the group, and you're fucking going to do it."
"What?!? Just because I'm the lead singer, or the only one who has the ability to hit some notes doesn't make me the appointed leader. You're the one who likes to take control all the time, I don't want to ask him, you ask him and I'll make some noises in the back ground to sound like your making a speech."
"I'm not going to ask him Billie."
"Ask me what?" Tre asked walking in at the same time wiping his face with a towel.
Billie Joe and Mike angrily looked at each other then blurted out, "Will you join the band?"
Tre grinned, "Yeah, man, do you know how long I've been waiting for you guys to ask me that?"
"No," Billie Joe replied. "So you'll perform with us tonight?"
"Yeah, but I got to tell you guys that we should more than definitely change the fucking name of the band. 'Sweet Children' doesn't exactly describe us," Tre told them gesturing to the joint Billie Joe had just finished smoking.
"Yeah," Mike said laughing slightly.
He scratched the back of his head looking around awkwardly for something to smooth out the moment. Mike needed some sort of alcohol, and judging by the way that Billie Joe was looking around also, he did too. Tre always had a thing for drinks so they were sure that he wouldn't mind something either, after all he was the one who always one the drinking contests. They knew that they really shouldn't be drinking, after all they were only 17, Billie Joe turning 18 in not too long. But it was the one thing that seemed like it could calm the nerves of every one, Tre was beaming in the corner taking a sip of his water.
Billie Joe coughed slightly, Tre got it then handed him the water watching as his friend proceeded to drink some then gargle the other part of the bottle. When he had some left he dumped it on his head before jumping up and down a few times trying to calm his nerves. It wasn't that they were in front of that many people, it was that Amber was out there and was going to be watching him the whole time. She had only seen them a few times, and he still had too big of an ego to screw up in front of her while she was looking. Mike didn't feel as nervous just because he didn't have many words to remember, and he didn't have to sing and play at the same time much. Not to mention he didn't know Alicia very well anyways, and playing bass had always come pretty naturally to him. He never had to try very hard.
Tre knew every beat on the drums better than he knew the drum beats for his past band, and he was too excited to be nervous. For that time he had forgotten that Cassady was even out there, and he had a big goofy grin on his face. He couldn't believe that he was actually in the band like he had wanted to be for so long, it was practically his dream. Now that Tre was with Sweet Children he knew that he'd make it in this world, he wouldn't be known for flipping burgers for a part time job. And he wouldn't be known for being the drummer of the Lookouts! for a short time. He'd be known for being the drummer in the band Sweet Children, along with some of the most talented people that he'd ever gotten to know.
They were going to go down in history, and all three of them knew it, it was just that none of them had the slightest clue when they'd get a major record deal. Sweet Children had already put out some EPs, and they had a minor record deal with Lookout! Records for their first CD. Billie Joe and Mike just had to record a few more things then they'd be done with the CD, because Al had done his part before leaving the band. Now it was their job to finish that then finally pick up a major label, even though none of them were really sure if they should. Or if they could find a MAJOR record label.
The band was told that they were on in five, Billie Joe quickly ran to the corner where he had put when they first got there. He started tuning it while singing some of the song lyrics to himself aloud, just quietly enough for Mike and Tre to hear it. Tre was holding his drum sticks pounding at the air as Mike laughed slightly grabbing his bass. He talked to Tre about how they planned to make another CD with him included this time as Tre suggested they get a new name yet again. Mike agreed then put off tuning his bass telling Billie Joe that he would need to stall for a minute or two while he got it done on stage. Billie Joe quickly agreed getting back to telling himself about what he was going to do then listing the songs on his hand with his finger. Mike put a firm hand on his shoulder while Tre lifted an eyebrow wondering if that was what it was going to be like at every show. Quickly Mike explained that this was like Billie Joe's sacred ritual and that if he didn't do it before every show he'd screw up. Billie Joe rolled his eyes, and they were told to go out on stage.
Billie Joe walked on stage first keeping a straight face then searching the audience for Amber's face, he needed to stall. Not only that, but he wanted to make sure that she knew how much he really did care about her, as if he needed to try harder. He was squinting in the spot light as Mike backed off swearing in his mind at the people who were spot lighting him like he was on cops. When he found her in the back against the wall his face broke out into a wide, and cheeky grin.
Amber watched as Billie Joe walked on stage with a serious expression on his face, his guitar slung over his shoulder and hanging low near his hips. He gripped the neck of the guitar squinting in the light from the stage, then took both hands placing them on the micro phone. Before even saying anything into the mic. Billie Joe searched the audience with his eyes, when he found her sitting against the wall in the back with Alicia he grinned. She looked up at him smiling too, she couldn't help it, even though she was at least 100 feet away she could see his green eyes shimmering like emeralds from up on stage. Everything he did up there made him feel more and more like this was what he was meant to do, and he pulsed energy even when he was just walking up on stage. From her spot up against the wall she could see his crooked smile and made eye contact with him for about 20 seconds before he looked around the crowd.
"How are you doing Gilman?" Billie Joe asked the crowd.
Every one yelled back causing a roar.
Billie Joe smiled again unable to keep his excitement and happiness from being known, "Well then how about we start this fucking show?"
The crowd roared again, and with that Billie Joe looked back to Mike and Tre seeing that they were ready then began to play. While Amber was concentrating on Billie Joe scanning the crowd Mike had been turning the knobs on his bass making sure it was in tune. Alicia watched him hunch over his bass trying hard to be noticed by the crowd, Billie Joe always worked the crowd. While he hobbled along in the dark, Tre was tapping his drum very lightly in the background watching Billie Joe. He tapped his foot along then scratched his bare back with his drum stick, Billie Joe was also shirtless at the time. It was too hot to play with your shirt on in Gilman, but Mike only took his off mid way during the show or when he got hot. Cassady bit her lip, trying not to think too hard about how hot she thought Tre looked with out his shirt on then leaned her head on Amber's shoulder.
Amber's eyes then looked down to the top of Cassady's head, she smoothed out her best friend's light brown hair. Her eyes then drifted back up to Billie Joe, who was doing a cover of The Who's 'My Generation' Amber really loved that song. She looked over at Alicia, who was looking at her, the grinned while singing the words to themselves knowing that they had done a cover at the school's talent show. Cassady also mouthed the words quietly to herself, but she was sort of staring at the stage with out really seeing it. At the same time Cassady was only thinking about how she thought Billie Joe looked hotter than Tre, and how talented he was. But she didn't really want him, after all she was sort of dating Tre in the first place wasn't she. So why couldn't she get her mind off of Billie Joe's eyes?"
"Okay this is a song that I would like to dedicate to my gorgeous girl friend over there in the corner, who I will not nickname. I really care about her and I want to make sure that she know that I do," Billie Joe announced suddenly, pointing to her when he mentioned the spot where she was.
Amber felt her cheeks flush as a crowd of people looked over to her, though it was embarrassing she smiled all the same. Who wouldn't smile when Billie Joe Armstrong just dedicated a song to them, and said that they cared about them very much in front of about 300 people? Her cheeks were warm, and she got looks from both friends sitting next to her, both smiling, but her eyes never left the stage. Billie Joe also stared at her as he sang along to the song that he had wrote for her after the first time that they kissed. 2,000 Light Years Away.
After Billie Joe finished the song Amber blinked several times then looked away from the stage not knowing how long she could do it. For some reason she couldn't look at the stage with out getting that feeling in her guy, by now it had started to disturb her. Instead she leaned her head on Cassady's, who still had her head on Amber in the first place. Amber decided that it was a good time to close her eyes listening to the songs still going on and blaring from the amps. She felt her self drift away as Billie Joe announced yet another new song he hadn't told her about.
"This one my friends is called 'One For The Razorbacks'." He began then sang.
"Juliet's trying to find out what she wants,
But she don't know,
Experience has got her down,
Look this direction,
I know it's not perfection,
It's just me,
I want to bring you up again now,
'Cause I'm losing what's become my dignity,
A small price I'll pay to see that you're happy,
Forget all the disappointments you have faced,
Open up your worried world and let me in,
Juliet's crying, 'cause now she's realizing,
That love can be filled with pain and distrust,
I know I am crazy,
And a bit lazy,
But I will try to bring up again some how,
'Cause I'm losing what's become my dignity,
A small price I'll pay to see that you're happy,
Forget all the disappointments you have faced,
Open up your worried world and let me in,
Juliet's crying, 'cause now she's realizing,
That love can be filled with pain and distrust,
I know I am crazy,
And a bit lazy,
But I will try to bring up again some how,
'Cause I'm losing what's become my dignity,
A small price I'll pay to see that you're happy,
Forget all the disappointments you have faced,
Open up your worried world and let me in."
"Hello beautiful," Mike told her entering the shop with the same presence that he had before.
Something in Alicia's gut made her want to run up and full on kiss him on the lips right then, just throw her arms around his neck. But she held back and instead just managed a smile, then finished up with the last customer before telling the other person she was working with that her shift was over. The other girl who was working there just looked over at Mike then smiled knowingly at Alicia, rolling her eyes then waving her off. Alicia walked over almost shyly to Mike wondering where they were going to go or if he was serious about getting coffee.
She's so beautiful, he thought, how did I ever get myself all wound up in one of these situations again, with another pretty girl that I more than likely can't handle. Mike looked Alicia, gazing into her brown eyes filled with nervousness. He had learned over the years to never get nervous, after all almost every weekend he found himself in front of hundreds of people. Alicia had dark brown hair with pink underneath in a way that oozed punk out, she wore paper clips in her ears just like Amber did, and had a smile that some actresses would kill for. Not to mention she was skinny and perfectly proportioned.
"Hey," Alicia smiled.
He found himself staring then quickly asked, "Do you wanna get out of here?"
"Yeah, I mean after a while believe it or not this place gets pretty boring," Alicia told him with a slight laugh.
"I bet," Mike replied taking her hand in his then leading her out to his car.
He knew the perfect place to take a girl who loved punk.
They arrived at Gilman just a few minutes after they left the coffee shop. Mike watched as Alicia's face broke out in a grin, and she informed him that she had been there a few times. Right then a few local bands were playing that he didn't really take the time to know the names of. All he could remember was that later that night the Lookouts! were playing, so he planned to stick around for that. He always enjoyed watching them play, they were good and all, but he also loved Tre like a brother and enjoyed his child like antics. The girls also enjoyed the fact that Tre liked to take his shirt off during performances.
"I love this place," Alicia informed him.
"So you do like punk then?" Mike asked.
"Yup, is there any other decent music?"
"Rock," he answered.
"Well that's what I meant though."
"Okay I get it."
As Mike walked with Alicia around the club draping her arm over her 'so she wouldn't get lost' he ran into several people who knew him. Alicia was surprised that he knew so many people, Mike didn't seem like the kind of guy who'd leave an impression on a whole club at a time. Although he could just hang out all of the time, and meet new people every time he happened to come around. Though Alicia doubted that that was the case, he probably did something to make him so well known around Gilman. Perhaps he ran nude across the stage or something like that, because that would definitely leave a impression.
"So what did you do?" She asked smiling at him.
"What?" Mike asked confused.
"What did you do to have this many people know you?" Alicia asked gripping a beer in her hand.
"I'm a bassist in a band that plays."
"What one?"
"Sweet Children, but we're thinking of changing the name soon."
"Wow that's really cool, are you any good?" Alicia asked half surprised.
She should have guessed that Mike was a bassist, first off he was tall and lanky like that, not to mention he had the hands for it. Secondly he was definitely her type, and her type were bassists, just like herself. Although Alicia wasn't in the most popular band in the world, just because not most all girl bands were very popular. Not that she should consider her band an all girl band because of the fact that Joey was the drummer in the band. Although he did at times seem like a girl, and most of the time people thought that he was gay from the first impression he left on them. The lead guitarist of the band was none other than Amber who also was lead vocals, the melody was the almighty Cassady, and of course Joey was drums. All of them kicked ass, and in her opinion Amber was the best lyric writer she had ever met. Then again how many great lyric writers can a 16 year old bassist meet?
"Yeah well why don't you come find out? We have a gig this Friday, why don't you come and bring a friend?" Mike asked.
"Okay."
Alicia sat back against wall staring at the band, they were decent, but one thing mainly caught her eye. Jake, one of Amber's really good friends from school was up on stage, not just on stage, but he was the lead singer/guitarist. She lifted her eyebrows to the blue eyed, dark hair, thin, tan, boy whom she had known since 6th grade. It shocked her even more when he lifted his hand from it's place on the guitar to wave a her during a break in the song. She waved back, after all Amber was one of her best friends and she was really good friends with Jake. Amber had never liked Jake however, he was just the guy to waste time with talking to during class, not some one that you date. Alicia never found out if Jake ever liked Amber, but he did go over to her house almost every day, that would explain the fact that they constantly were talking about guitar things.
It shocked her even more when Amber walked on to the stage holding a micro phone in her right hand watching the band perform. Amber walked around the stage checking out the guys as they tried their best to ignore her, she walked up to Jake putting an arm around him. Mike knocked the guy next to him in the arm gesturing to the stage, the guy spurted out his drink then glared at Jake. Alicia smiled to herself wondering who the guy that Mike had been talking to the whole night was. She found herself extremely attracted to whoever it was, along with most if not all of the other girl at Gilman that night. She continued to watch this strange guy as girls kept coming up to him requesting dates and some other things, every time he rejected them.
"How are you doing tonight?" Amber asked speaking into the micro phone.
She grinned when the crowd roared in reply.
"And how are you Alicia?" Amber asked waving to her.
Alicia smiled and nodded her reply feeling a bit flushed as every one in Gilman stared at her wondering how Amber knew her.
"And you Ms. Susie Homemaker?" Amber asked the boy next to Mike.
He glared at her for some reason with bright green eyes.
"Mike?" Amber questioned.
Mike grinned flashing her the 'rock on' sign.
Amber nodded to all of them, "Okay this song that I'm going to be performing with my good friend Jakie over here is dedicated to Susie in the corner who isn't having the best time tonight."
The guy sitting next to Mike rolled his eyes.
"Speaking of which, I don't think that I have introduced you to Susie," Mike spoke as Amber and Jake began playing a song.
"Mike damn it you know as fucking well as every one else that my fucking name is not Susie," the boy sitting next to him angrily replied.
"Fine Billie no need to get your jockeys all up in a bunch," Mike told him as Alicia grinned moving so that she was facing the boy.
Billie was gorgeous, with dyed blonde hair, bright green eyes that seemed to be illuminated by the multi colored lights going around on stage, and slightly puffy cheeks. His complexion was perfect, he had a clear face, and seemed some what like a doll to her, like he was made of porcelain. He was incredibly small with narrow hips a small torso, she was some how even drawn to his bushy black eyebrows. Billie's nails were painted black, some of the polish had been scratched off, he had on a striped yellow and olive green shirt to go along with a pair of black Dickies. Because he was grinning she could see that some of his teeth were crooked in an irresistible way that made her stomach turn.
"Hi I'm Alicia," Alicia extended her hand to shake his.
Billie shook her hand, "Billie Joe."
"So Joe is your last name?" Alicia asked confused.
"No it's part of my first name, I have no middle name it's just Billie Joe," Billie Joe told her shaking her hand.
She smiled it was a nice name, "Okay Billie Joe, then what's your last name."
"Armstrong," He informed her trying not to flirt, after all his girlfriend was on stage.
"So it's William Joseph Armstrong?"
"No, just Billie Joe Armstrong. And what's your last name Miss Alicia?"
"Damis."
"Hmm, so you know Amber?" He asked.
"Yes, she's in a band with me," Alicia informed him.
"Really?"
"Yup, SOS."
"So you must be the bassist that she has spoken about."
"Yes. Funny I don't think I know how you know her?"
"She's my girlfriend, I'm going out with her."
"Oh, so your the lead singer in that one band, um, Sweet Children."
"Yes."
"Aren't you guys going to play here tonight?"
"Yup."
"Cool, I'll stick around and watch you."
"Okay see you around then," Billie Joe told her standing up.
Amber had just walked off stage and he planned to thank her for the song even though he wasn't really listening to it. He walked around the crowd of people occasionally being stopped by a few just to say hello or how great their band was. As always he rejected the girls for their offers then attempted to find Amber, when he was right before the back stage place he was stopped by a blonde. She looked at him with blue eyes that would normally make guys stop in their tracks, but he didn't care. The only eyes he wanted to see were the green eyes that belonged to Amber, this girl was pretty, but Amber was gorgeous to him. He tried to push past her but she stopped him making him look at her smiling face, her teeth were straight and while. Billie Joe noticed that she was wearing a short skirt and just a tank top staring at her with those beautiful eyes.
"Hello?" He asked.
"Hi, Billie Joe right?"
"Yes."
"I'm Cindy," She extended a hand.
Billie Joe shook it, "Nice to meet you Cindy now if you'll excuse me I really need to be getting backstage."
"Oh come on," Cindy pleaded. "We just met, we should hang out, go out, get to know each other better, then we can go back to my place for a while."
He stared at her smirking face, normally he'd jump on the opportunity but he had a girlfriend who he really wanted to see, "Sorry, but I'm gonna have to say no."
"What," Cindy asked drawn back, "Are you gay or something?"
"No I have a girlfriend," Billie Joe told her grinning when he saw Amber approaching them.
Cindy looked over her shoulder at Amber then lifted an eyebrow turning back to him, "What ever, you deserve better than that girl. She's nothing but sloppy seconds for a really broken heart needing to be mended."
Billie Joe looked at her evilly then spat, "That wins you the bitch of the year award, and she's about 50 billion times more beautiful than any blonde could ever be," he looked her up and down, "Not to mention your a fake blonde."
"You don't really understand," Cindy wrapped her arms around his, then gripping his arm tighter she added, "I get what I want Billie Joe Armstrong. And right now your the tastiest item on the menu."
Amber approach them lifting an eyebrow at Cindy noticing that her arms were around Billie Joe's as he attempted to shake him off, "Uh am I missing something Susie?"
"Amber could you stop calling me that?" Billie Joe asked pushing Cindy's hands off of him.
"Amber is it?" Cindy asked, when Amber nodded she added, "Get the fuck away from him."
Amber lifted her eyebrow higher, "That's my boyfriend that your holding onto."
"No, he's decided to leave you for me," Cindy replied.
"Since when?" Billie Joe asked tearing her off.
"I don't think that Billie Joe would leave me for some fake and bake wanna be naturally blonde loser, who's dye job turned out so bad they look like they might have gone swimming in an pool with too much chlorine. Not that you'd know what that does to blonde hair, although you seem like such a intelligent person, intelligent means smart by the way."
Cindy narrowed her eyes at her then released Billie Joe, "What ever, if he wants a stupid punk poser who doesn't know to apply eyeliner the right way then fine. You can have him."
Finally she walked away allowing Billie Joe to sigh shaking his head, "Not even a major label yet and I'm already surrounded by fans who'd kidnap me at any chance."
"Yeah I know," Amber told him rolling her eyes.
He put his arm around her waist then led her through the crowds back to their small little group in the corner. Amber grinned when she spotted Cassady and Tre making out not that far down the graffitied wall of 924 Gilman. Later down the line Amber found her self up against the wall snuggling into Billie Joe for even more warmth. By then he had his arm around her shoulders, in his other hand he was gripping onto a beer staring blankly at the stage where another band was performing it was just an hour before they were going on stage. Amber was talking to Alicia, who was now sitting next to her talking about how she met Mike at the coffee shop. They than began having a conversation with Mike about a new bass line that Alicia had come up with when she was bored at home. Mike was thoroughly impressed with the fact that Alicia played bass too, not to mention he liked it when he could talk to a girl about that stuff and have her understand what he's saying.
Finally Amber gave up trying to keep up with their talk about bass and watched the band on stage, it seemed like the more Mike and Alicia talked the more they liked each other. Cassady and Tre had stopped their little make out session to talk to every one then put it on pause to get something to drink. Amber had considered going to get one with them but she thought that they might want to be alone, she didn't want to move, and she had to stay sober so she could drive Billie Joe back home. Amber kissed Billie Joe's neck softly moving so that she was impossibly close to him as he moved so that he could kiss her lips. All that she could think about was how soft Billie Joe's lips were even though he insisted that he was too manly to wear chap stick.
Billie Joe, however, couldn't stop thinking about how he wished that he could do this the rest of his life. He wished that he could just forever have her in his arms, here at Gilman the only place that felt like home more than his house. In this moment, he wished that they could stay forever young, that he could just be with his band, at Gilman playing to live and living to play. Everything was so perfect then, it was just the two of them and the sound of guitars blaring from the speakers along with drums. More than anything Billie Joe wished that he could just live his life in the moment that was happening right that second. It was like a sudden dream that you never wanted to wake up from. Wishing nothing would change, not even the feelings in the pit of his stomach every time that kissed her lips.
Tre felt slightly nervous walking up on stage shirtless after being introduced along with the rest of his band. He wasn't nervous because it was Gilman, or even because this was the last performance that he was ever going to do with the Lookouts!. But he was nervous because he knew that some where out in the crowd Cassady was watching him with those beautiful brown eyes. He couldn't stand screwing up in front of her so he was nervous, but he couldn't be nervous because he would screw up. As he walked out on stage he managed to put on a silly grin then run to his drum set twirling his sticks in the air before beginning to play. Finally he decided that it would just be best if he didn't look into the audience at all, that way he wouldn't have to risk meeting eye with her and freezing.
Cassady watched Tre up on stage grinning, she couldn't believe that she was dating the drummer to on of her favorite bands. Let alone that he was performing at Gilman, and told her that he dedicated the whole performance to her. She smiled at the thought, singing along with every song that they decided to play. Although Cassady loved the Lookouts! she still was even more excited for the performance that was going to be done by Sweet Children after they were done. Even though the Lookouts! were great, Sweet Children were even better than them, and she really wanted to see them. Shaking the thought of how much hotter Billie Joe looked with out his shirt on out of her head Cassady took another sip of her drink. She had been avoiding Amber and Billie Joe all night just because she couldn't stand seeing the two of them together. No matter how much she hated being jealous of Amber she couldn't prevent the strong feeling in her gut.
Mike looked around the audience searching for Al, he knew that he was supposed to be here, so he couldn't have just not come. Maybe he had something important to do, but still the Lookouts! were nearing the end of their performance. And Billie Joe had already gone back stage, there was only one drummer who knew all of their stuff, and he was on stage. Mike knew that Tre would once again have to take Al's place in the band, he was starting to realize that Tre did a better job at it too. Billie Joe and Mike had been talking about how Al was going off to college and searching for a replacement drummer. But every time the subject came up the only name mentioned was Tre's. It seemed that both of them knew that the band would only benefit form Tre, soon they'd ask him to join in.
"Have you seen him?" Billie Joe asked as Mike entered the room.
Mike angrily shook his head, "Damn lazy ass. I don't know why we ever let him be in the band, he doesn't show up for practice, he doesn't come to the gigs. He doesn't tell us that he's not going to show up so we have no time to ask a replacement."
Billie Joe scratched the back of his neck, "I think we should kick him out of the band, I mean he is going to go to college anyways. There's no way that he would have time for a band in between all of his classes, not to mention he's going to move. Why didn't we just ask Tre in the first place?"
Mike kicked a bunch of plastic wrap randomly lying on the floor, "I don't know, maybe it was because he was always in the Lookouts!"
"True."
"So when are you going to ask him?"
"Why do I have to ask him?"
"Because, Billie, you're the lead singer of the band, and I appointed you leader of the group, and you're fucking going to do it."
"What?!? Just because I'm the lead singer, or the only one who has the ability to hit some notes doesn't make me the appointed leader. You're the one who likes to take control all the time, I don't want to ask him, you ask him and I'll make some noises in the back ground to sound like your making a speech."
"I'm not going to ask him Billie."
"Ask me what?" Tre asked walking in at the same time wiping his face with a towel.
Billie Joe and Mike angrily looked at each other then blurted out, "Will you join the band?"
Tre grinned, "Yeah, man, do you know how long I've been waiting for you guys to ask me that?"
"No," Billie Joe replied. "So you'll perform with us tonight?"
"Yeah, but I got to tell you guys that we should more than definitely change the fucking name of the band. 'Sweet Children' doesn't exactly describe us," Tre told them gesturing to the joint Billie Joe had just finished smoking.
"Yeah," Mike said laughing slightly.
He scratched the back of his head looking around awkwardly for something to smooth out the moment. Mike needed some sort of alcohol, and judging by the way that Billie Joe was looking around also, he did too. Tre always had a thing for drinks so they were sure that he wouldn't mind something either, after all he was the one who always one the drinking contests. They knew that they really shouldn't be drinking, after all they were only 17, Billie Joe turning 18 in not too long. But it was the one thing that seemed like it could calm the nerves of every one, Tre was beaming in the corner taking a sip of his water.
Billie Joe coughed slightly, Tre got it then handed him the water watching as his friend proceeded to drink some then gargle the other part of the bottle. When he had some left he dumped it on his head before jumping up and down a few times trying to calm his nerves. It wasn't that they were in front of that many people, it was that Amber was out there and was going to be watching him the whole time. She had only seen them a few times, and he still had too big of an ego to screw up in front of her while she was looking. Mike didn't feel as nervous just because he didn't have many words to remember, and he didn't have to sing and play at the same time much. Not to mention he didn't know Alicia very well anyways, and playing bass had always come pretty naturally to him. He never had to try very hard.
Tre knew every beat on the drums better than he knew the drum beats for his past band, and he was too excited to be nervous. For that time he had forgotten that Cassady was even out there, and he had a big goofy grin on his face. He couldn't believe that he was actually in the band like he had wanted to be for so long, it was practically his dream. Now that Tre was with Sweet Children he knew that he'd make it in this world, he wouldn't be known for flipping burgers for a part time job. And he wouldn't be known for being the drummer of the Lookouts! for a short time. He'd be known for being the drummer in the band Sweet Children, along with some of the most talented people that he'd ever gotten to know.
They were going to go down in history, and all three of them knew it, it was just that none of them had the slightest clue when they'd get a major record deal. Sweet Children had already put out some EPs, and they had a minor record deal with Lookout! Records for their first CD. Billie Joe and Mike just had to record a few more things then they'd be done with the CD, because Al had done his part before leaving the band. Now it was their job to finish that then finally pick up a major label, even though none of them were really sure if they should. Or if they could find a MAJOR record label.
The band was told that they were on in five, Billie Joe quickly ran to the corner where he had put when they first got there. He started tuning it while singing some of the song lyrics to himself aloud, just quietly enough for Mike and Tre to hear it. Tre was holding his drum sticks pounding at the air as Mike laughed slightly grabbing his bass. He talked to Tre about how they planned to make another CD with him included this time as Tre suggested they get a new name yet again. Mike agreed then put off tuning his bass telling Billie Joe that he would need to stall for a minute or two while he got it done on stage. Billie Joe quickly agreed getting back to telling himself about what he was going to do then listing the songs on his hand with his finger. Mike put a firm hand on his shoulder while Tre lifted an eyebrow wondering if that was what it was going to be like at every show. Quickly Mike explained that this was like Billie Joe's sacred ritual and that if he didn't do it before every show he'd screw up. Billie Joe rolled his eyes, and they were told to go out on stage.
Billie Joe walked on stage first keeping a straight face then searching the audience for Amber's face, he needed to stall. Not only that, but he wanted to make sure that she knew how much he really did care about her, as if he needed to try harder. He was squinting in the spot light as Mike backed off swearing in his mind at the people who were spot lighting him like he was on cops. When he found her in the back against the wall his face broke out into a wide, and cheeky grin.
Amber watched as Billie Joe walked on stage with a serious expression on his face, his guitar slung over his shoulder and hanging low near his hips. He gripped the neck of the guitar squinting in the light from the stage, then took both hands placing them on the micro phone. Before even saying anything into the mic. Billie Joe searched the audience with his eyes, when he found her sitting against the wall in the back with Alicia he grinned. She looked up at him smiling too, she couldn't help it, even though she was at least 100 feet away she could see his green eyes shimmering like emeralds from up on stage. Everything he did up there made him feel more and more like this was what he was meant to do, and he pulsed energy even when he was just walking up on stage. From her spot up against the wall she could see his crooked smile and made eye contact with him for about 20 seconds before he looked around the crowd.
"How are you doing Gilman?" Billie Joe asked the crowd.
Every one yelled back causing a roar.
Billie Joe smiled again unable to keep his excitement and happiness from being known, "Well then how about we start this fucking show?"
The crowd roared again, and with that Billie Joe looked back to Mike and Tre seeing that they were ready then began to play. While Amber was concentrating on Billie Joe scanning the crowd Mike had been turning the knobs on his bass making sure it was in tune. Alicia watched him hunch over his bass trying hard to be noticed by the crowd, Billie Joe always worked the crowd. While he hobbled along in the dark, Tre was tapping his drum very lightly in the background watching Billie Joe. He tapped his foot along then scratched his bare back with his drum stick, Billie Joe was also shirtless at the time. It was too hot to play with your shirt on in Gilman, but Mike only took his off mid way during the show or when he got hot. Cassady bit her lip, trying not to think too hard about how hot she thought Tre looked with out his shirt on then leaned her head on Amber's shoulder.
Amber's eyes then looked down to the top of Cassady's head, she smoothed out her best friend's light brown hair. Her eyes then drifted back up to Billie Joe, who was doing a cover of The Who's 'My Generation' Amber really loved that song. She looked over at Alicia, who was looking at her, the grinned while singing the words to themselves knowing that they had done a cover at the school's talent show. Cassady also mouthed the words quietly to herself, but she was sort of staring at the stage with out really seeing it. At the same time Cassady was only thinking about how she thought Billie Joe looked hotter than Tre, and how talented he was. But she didn't really want him, after all she was sort of dating Tre in the first place wasn't she. So why couldn't she get her mind off of Billie Joe's eyes?"
"Okay this is a song that I would like to dedicate to my gorgeous girl friend over there in the corner, who I will not nickname. I really care about her and I want to make sure that she know that I do," Billie Joe announced suddenly, pointing to her when he mentioned the spot where she was.
Amber felt her cheeks flush as a crowd of people looked over to her, though it was embarrassing she smiled all the same. Who wouldn't smile when Billie Joe Armstrong just dedicated a song to them, and said that they cared about them very much in front of about 300 people? Her cheeks were warm, and she got looks from both friends sitting next to her, both smiling, but her eyes never left the stage. Billie Joe also stared at her as he sang along to the song that he had wrote for her after the first time that they kissed. 2,000 Light Years Away.
After Billie Joe finished the song Amber blinked several times then looked away from the stage not knowing how long she could do it. For some reason she couldn't look at the stage with out getting that feeling in her guy, by now it had started to disturb her. Instead she leaned her head on Cassady's, who still had her head on Amber in the first place. Amber decided that it was a good time to close her eyes listening to the songs still going on and blaring from the amps. She felt her self drift away as Billie Joe announced yet another new song he hadn't told her about.
"This one my friends is called 'One For The Razorbacks'." He began then sang.
"Juliet's trying to find out what she wants,
But she don't know,
Experience has got her down,
Look this direction,
I know it's not perfection,
It's just me,
I want to bring you up again now,
'Cause I'm losing what's become my dignity,
A small price I'll pay to see that you're happy,
Forget all the disappointments you have faced,
Open up your worried world and let me in,
Juliet's crying, 'cause now she's realizing,
That love can be filled with pain and distrust,
I know I am crazy,
And a bit lazy,
But I will try to bring up again some how,
'Cause I'm losing what's become my dignity,
A small price I'll pay to see that you're happy,
Forget all the disappointments you have faced,
Open up your worried world and let me in,
Juliet's crying, 'cause now she's realizing,
That love can be filled with pain and distrust,
I know I am crazy,
And a bit lazy,
But I will try to bring up again some how,
'Cause I'm losing what's become my dignity,
A small price I'll pay to see that you're happy,
Forget all the disappointments you have faced,
Open up your worried world and let me in."
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