She Is My Baby, I Love Her So, But It's Too Late Now, I've Let Her Go, chapter 6
Six Weeks later
Bailey shook her hair out of her eyes as she leapt off the stage. BSN, or Sweet Children, as they had changed their name to, had just finished a two hour set, their first proper gig that they weren't part of a line up or support act. Bailey was now living with Billie Joe, Adie, Joey and Jakob Armstrong, and the boys were living just down the street, where they had bought a house with a "live- in" chaperone guy, Ray. Ray was pretty cool, he was 24, and was hardly ever around their house, leaving the boys free to do pretty much whatever they wanted.
Bailey walked to the boys, who were giving their instruments to a roadie- bloke. Nibs caught her around the waist, and they did their normal thing of dancing round like sugar crazed loons, which they were. Mike and Tre came up, and Tre joined in with the mad loony dancing. Billie Joe was coming over, but he had been spotted by some fans, and was posing for some photos, and signing autographs.
"Great show guys," Mike congratulated. "Loved your drum solo, Nibs."
Tre, Bailey and Nibs were now on the other side of the room. Tre bounced onto Nibs skateboard, which slid out from underneath him. He fell over, dropping Nibs, but pulling Bailey on top of him. Bailey giggled, before taking Nibs hand, and pulled herself and Tre up. Mike pretended not to notice the way Tre's hand rested gently against Bailey's hip, reminding himself Tre had had several beers, and would flirt with anything remotely female, including drag queens and once, even a tree.
Billie Joe walked up, the fans now satisfied, and pulled his daughter into a warm hug, and congratulated the boys over her shoulder. A photographer snapped a quick picture, muttering something about happy families before running off. After the NuRock competition, Billie Joe and Bailey had released several press statements about their whole father- daughter relationship thingy, and everything. Billie Joe released Bailey, and glanced at his watch. He swore gently.
"Jeez, we'd better get home. I told Adie we'd be back by ten, and it's now quarter past." Adie had planned a "small" party for no particular reason.
The two bands raced out of the back door, into Mike's BMW, and PeeWee's brand new black Lamborghini. The boys went into PeeWee's car, and Bailey and Tre jumped into the back of Mike's, Billie Joe and Mike in the front. Bailey poked the back of Mike's head.
"Mike. Mike. MIIIIKE! Hurry UP! Come on. Put your foot down!"
"Shut up."
Tre joined in. "Hurry uuuup! Mikey, MIKEY, hurry UP." Tre nudged Bailey, and they chanted together.
"Hurry UP, hurry UP, hurry UP, Hurry UP! HURRY UP... "
"SHUT THE HELL UP!"
Back at Billie Joe's house, Bailey ran straight to the back garden, where Billie Joe had had the pool house converted for her. She had a quick shower, and changed into a new black dress, bought in New York when they had been on tour there last month. She flicked at the charms on the little silver charm bracelet that Billie Joe had bought her. The charms were in the shapes of a microphone, a guitar, a bass guitar and a tiny drum kit. She stroked the drums gently, thinking of Tre. She looked at the clock. Her new boyfriend, Liam should be arriving soon. She pulled on a pair of black boots, and reapplied her eyeliner and lip-gloss, and ran across to the main house.
She found Adie mixing drinks in the kitchen. Adie glanced up as her stepdaughter entered, and clacked across the floor.
"Hey, Babes. Good set?"
"Mega. Can I get a drink?"
"Sure." Bailey grabbed a can of Coke, and eyed the bottle of Malibu. Adie chuckled.
"Tiny drop. And don't... "
"... Tell Dad or Mike." Bailey finished, pouring a modest amount of Malibu into her glass. Adie raised an eyebrow. Bailey smiled innocently and changed the subject. "So, can we go to the MTV awards next month?"
"Yeah. Just, try and be sensible. And don't do anything... stupid"
Bailey spluttered on her drink in mock outrage. "AdriENNE! I can't believe you just said that. I am the very epitome of sensiblityness! And I never do anything stupid. Ugh." Nibs, Chalky and PeeWee walked in, followed by Billie Joe and Rob Cavallo, and burst out laughing at that.
"So says the girl who blew up the school toilets... "
"And jumped out of a second storey window because there was a spider... "
"And skate boarded down a slide."
"And told a six foot twelve, two hundred and fifty pound security guy to eff off!"
Bailey looked pissed. "Shut up. And, Nibs, FYI I never blew up the toilets. I put chemicals in the bowl and cistern and flushed. It foamed everywhere. NOT exploded. And Dad, the security guy was six ten."
Adie, Billie Joe and Rob looked amused.
"Whatever," said Billie Joe. "Rob wants you to meet someone." Rob stepped forward. A dark haired girl was standing just behind him. A strangely familiar girl.
"Guys, I'd like you to meet my new adopted daughter... "
"... NAOMI?" Bailey screamed.
"No freakin" way!" The boys yelled in unison.
"Yeah way!" Naomi answered.
Half an hour later, Bailey, Naomi and the boys were all installed in Bailey's pool house. Naomi had just finished telling them about how Rob had adopted her and everything.
"So, you're, like, living here permanent?" Bailey asked.
"Yup, hopefully!"
Bailey's phone buzzed. It was Billie Joe, calling her to say Liam had arrived.
"OMFG, Nay you have to meet Lee, he's eighteen and GORGEOUS!" Bailey grabbed Naomi's hand and dragged her back to the house. Liam was sitting at the kitchen table with Billie Joe and Mike, talking about guitars or something. He jumped up as Bailey Jade walked in, and planted a kiss on her cheek. Tre made a puke noise, and Bailey flipped her finger at him.
"Lee, this is Naomi."
"Hi, Bailey has told me so much about you." Lee grinned. Bailey was right- he was gorgeous. In a jock sort of way. He was built like an American football player- tall and broad and muscly. He had dark blonde hair and a deep brown tan. He turned to Bailey.
"Uh, hope it's ok, but I asked some others here tonight."
"How many?" Bailey asked, shooting a furtive glance to her dad and Adie.
"Just Jon and Brad and Kurt."
"Ok."
Ten minutes later, Sweet Children, Naomi and Lee were in the garden when Lee's friends arrived. Bailey waved to Kurt, Brad and Jon, but nearly choked on her drink when she caught sight of Rhea Allison, Lee"s ex girlfriend. Rhea was a blonde, skinny cheerleader, who had dumped Lee, but was now doing all she could to get him back from Bailey.
"Uh hi guys. Um, I just have to get something from the pool house. Lee, help me." Bailey dragged Lee by the hand into the pool house. She slammed the door and faced her boyfriend.
"Ok, why the fuck is your ex girlfriend here?"
Lee held up his hands. "No idea. She tagged along with the guys. Honestly, Bee, I had no idea." Bailey bristled.
"Kay. Just don't call me Bee."
"Tre does." Liam pouted.
"Yeah, well Tre and me... Uh, Tre's an ass. Come on, let"s go back." Bailey moved towards the door, but Liam grabbed her hand, and pulled her onto the sofa with him. He leaned in and kissed her hard, hurting her lips. Bailey was cool with that, until his hand began to creep up under her skirt. Bailey pushed him off, giggling nervously. Liam grinned back and moved in again. Bailey pushed him away again, harder.
"What?"
"Just- don't."
"Why?"
"Because... " Bailey was cut off by Nibs" manic hammering on the door. She jumped up, tugging down her skirt and rubbed at her smudged lip-gloss. Bailey yanked open the door, and was nearly knocked down by Nibs, Chalky and PeeWee. They ran and locked themselves in her bathroom. Bailey stared after them.
"What the fu... ?" Bailey saw Naomi dragging herself from the pool, looking spookily like that creepy, pale girl from The Ring and The Ring 2.
Bailey threw the boys out of the bathroom, and gave Naomi some towels and dry clothes. The boys ran back to hide in the big house, and Bailey turned back to a mad looking Liam.
"What?"
"Bailey... " Liam sighed. "Are we ever going to get past making out?"
"Again, WHAT?" Bailey folded her arms, glaring at her boyfriend. Adie had taught her how to glare at a guy until he backed down. It seemed to work now.
"Well, I, I mean, um, are we ever going to, y'know, do anything?"
"I dunno. Christ, Lee, I"m only fifteen, and we've only been together for what... five weeks?"
"Five weeks and three days."
"Whatever. And, well, I don't know yet."
"So I have to wait until you're ready?"
"Yes. Problem with that?"
"Yeah."
"Tough."
Liam glared back at Bailey, when an idea hit him. He knew how much Bailey hated Rhea, and had to do EVERYTHING better than his ex. He pouted again.
"Rhea let me. After dating for two weeks."
"Again, TOUGH."
"Fuck this, I'm going." Liam crossed to the open door.
"Good. Get out. And take your meat-head friends and bimbo slut with ya." Bailey slammed the door behind him.
"Bai?" Naomi walked out of the bathroom.
"Oh God. Say you didn"t hear that." Naomi pulled her BF into a tight hug.
"Yeah. But he's a jerk. It's a cliché, but you can totally do better than him. Anyway, I've spoken with Rob and Billie Joe, and I'm staying here for tonight. AND, Miss B, YOU so have to tell me exactly what happened between you and Tre in London."
Bailey flushed a deep pink, as she pulled some jeans and a t-shirt on from her clean laundry basket. "Later. C'mon, lets go throw the boys into the pool."
Tre was sitting on the outside seat and smoking a cigarette. Mike came out and flopped beside him. Tre offered him a cigarette.
"Cheers, dude." Mike took one. "Watcha doing?" Tre pointed at Bailey and Naomi sneaking up behind the boys, ready to shove them into the pool.
"Deciding whether I can be bothered to warn the boys. Nah." Bailey and Naomi kicked PeeWee and Chalky in. Nibs twisted out of the way, and began to chase Bailey. She squealed, and took a flying leap over the bench where Mike and Tre were sitting. She crouched behind Tre and pulled him against her, like a shield. Tre laughed and threw his arms around Bailey protectively. Bailey snuggled against him, sticking her tongue out at Nibs. Tre grinned evilly.
"What makes you so sure I'm gonna save you?" He asked, scooping Bailey up.
"Tre, don't, Tre... NOOOOO!" Bailey screamed loudly as Tre threw her into the deep end of the pool. "You complete bastard, Tre Cool." Bailey spluttered as she surfaced. She swam to the side, and held out her hands to a weeping Tre. "Get me out. NOW!"
Tre reached for her hands, and pulled her up. She slipped slightly, and he wrapped his arm tightly around her waist. Now Bailey grinned evilly at him, as she kicked herself off the poolside, yanking Tre back into the pool with her. They sank, with their arms still around each other. Bailey squinted through the chlorinated water, and felt Tre's lips gently brush hers just before they surfaced.
Bailey shook her hair out of her eyes as she leapt off the stage. BSN, or Sweet Children, as they had changed their name to, had just finished a two hour set, their first proper gig that they weren't part of a line up or support act. Bailey was now living with Billie Joe, Adie, Joey and Jakob Armstrong, and the boys were living just down the street, where they had bought a house with a "live- in" chaperone guy, Ray. Ray was pretty cool, he was 24, and was hardly ever around their house, leaving the boys free to do pretty much whatever they wanted.
Bailey walked to the boys, who were giving their instruments to a roadie- bloke. Nibs caught her around the waist, and they did their normal thing of dancing round like sugar crazed loons, which they were. Mike and Tre came up, and Tre joined in with the mad loony dancing. Billie Joe was coming over, but he had been spotted by some fans, and was posing for some photos, and signing autographs.
"Great show guys," Mike congratulated. "Loved your drum solo, Nibs."
Tre, Bailey and Nibs were now on the other side of the room. Tre bounced onto Nibs skateboard, which slid out from underneath him. He fell over, dropping Nibs, but pulling Bailey on top of him. Bailey giggled, before taking Nibs hand, and pulled herself and Tre up. Mike pretended not to notice the way Tre's hand rested gently against Bailey's hip, reminding himself Tre had had several beers, and would flirt with anything remotely female, including drag queens and once, even a tree.
Billie Joe walked up, the fans now satisfied, and pulled his daughter into a warm hug, and congratulated the boys over her shoulder. A photographer snapped a quick picture, muttering something about happy families before running off. After the NuRock competition, Billie Joe and Bailey had released several press statements about their whole father- daughter relationship thingy, and everything. Billie Joe released Bailey, and glanced at his watch. He swore gently.
"Jeez, we'd better get home. I told Adie we'd be back by ten, and it's now quarter past." Adie had planned a "small" party for no particular reason.
The two bands raced out of the back door, into Mike's BMW, and PeeWee's brand new black Lamborghini. The boys went into PeeWee's car, and Bailey and Tre jumped into the back of Mike's, Billie Joe and Mike in the front. Bailey poked the back of Mike's head.
"Mike. Mike. MIIIIKE! Hurry UP! Come on. Put your foot down!"
"Shut up."
Tre joined in. "Hurry uuuup! Mikey, MIKEY, hurry UP." Tre nudged Bailey, and they chanted together.
"Hurry UP, hurry UP, hurry UP, Hurry UP! HURRY UP... "
"SHUT THE HELL UP!"
Back at Billie Joe's house, Bailey ran straight to the back garden, where Billie Joe had had the pool house converted for her. She had a quick shower, and changed into a new black dress, bought in New York when they had been on tour there last month. She flicked at the charms on the little silver charm bracelet that Billie Joe had bought her. The charms were in the shapes of a microphone, a guitar, a bass guitar and a tiny drum kit. She stroked the drums gently, thinking of Tre. She looked at the clock. Her new boyfriend, Liam should be arriving soon. She pulled on a pair of black boots, and reapplied her eyeliner and lip-gloss, and ran across to the main house.
She found Adie mixing drinks in the kitchen. Adie glanced up as her stepdaughter entered, and clacked across the floor.
"Hey, Babes. Good set?"
"Mega. Can I get a drink?"
"Sure." Bailey grabbed a can of Coke, and eyed the bottle of Malibu. Adie chuckled.
"Tiny drop. And don't... "
"... Tell Dad or Mike." Bailey finished, pouring a modest amount of Malibu into her glass. Adie raised an eyebrow. Bailey smiled innocently and changed the subject. "So, can we go to the MTV awards next month?"
"Yeah. Just, try and be sensible. And don't do anything... stupid"
Bailey spluttered on her drink in mock outrage. "AdriENNE! I can't believe you just said that. I am the very epitome of sensiblityness! And I never do anything stupid. Ugh." Nibs, Chalky and PeeWee walked in, followed by Billie Joe and Rob Cavallo, and burst out laughing at that.
"So says the girl who blew up the school toilets... "
"And jumped out of a second storey window because there was a spider... "
"And skate boarded down a slide."
"And told a six foot twelve, two hundred and fifty pound security guy to eff off!"
Bailey looked pissed. "Shut up. And, Nibs, FYI I never blew up the toilets. I put chemicals in the bowl and cistern and flushed. It foamed everywhere. NOT exploded. And Dad, the security guy was six ten."
Adie, Billie Joe and Rob looked amused.
"Whatever," said Billie Joe. "Rob wants you to meet someone." Rob stepped forward. A dark haired girl was standing just behind him. A strangely familiar girl.
"Guys, I'd like you to meet my new adopted daughter... "
"... NAOMI?" Bailey screamed.
"No freakin" way!" The boys yelled in unison.
"Yeah way!" Naomi answered.
Half an hour later, Bailey, Naomi and the boys were all installed in Bailey's pool house. Naomi had just finished telling them about how Rob had adopted her and everything.
"So, you're, like, living here permanent?" Bailey asked.
"Yup, hopefully!"
Bailey's phone buzzed. It was Billie Joe, calling her to say Liam had arrived.
"OMFG, Nay you have to meet Lee, he's eighteen and GORGEOUS!" Bailey grabbed Naomi's hand and dragged her back to the house. Liam was sitting at the kitchen table with Billie Joe and Mike, talking about guitars or something. He jumped up as Bailey Jade walked in, and planted a kiss on her cheek. Tre made a puke noise, and Bailey flipped her finger at him.
"Lee, this is Naomi."
"Hi, Bailey has told me so much about you." Lee grinned. Bailey was right- he was gorgeous. In a jock sort of way. He was built like an American football player- tall and broad and muscly. He had dark blonde hair and a deep brown tan. He turned to Bailey.
"Uh, hope it's ok, but I asked some others here tonight."
"How many?" Bailey asked, shooting a furtive glance to her dad and Adie.
"Just Jon and Brad and Kurt."
"Ok."
Ten minutes later, Sweet Children, Naomi and Lee were in the garden when Lee's friends arrived. Bailey waved to Kurt, Brad and Jon, but nearly choked on her drink when she caught sight of Rhea Allison, Lee"s ex girlfriend. Rhea was a blonde, skinny cheerleader, who had dumped Lee, but was now doing all she could to get him back from Bailey.
"Uh hi guys. Um, I just have to get something from the pool house. Lee, help me." Bailey dragged Lee by the hand into the pool house. She slammed the door and faced her boyfriend.
"Ok, why the fuck is your ex girlfriend here?"
Lee held up his hands. "No idea. She tagged along with the guys. Honestly, Bee, I had no idea." Bailey bristled.
"Kay. Just don't call me Bee."
"Tre does." Liam pouted.
"Yeah, well Tre and me... Uh, Tre's an ass. Come on, let"s go back." Bailey moved towards the door, but Liam grabbed her hand, and pulled her onto the sofa with him. He leaned in and kissed her hard, hurting her lips. Bailey was cool with that, until his hand began to creep up under her skirt. Bailey pushed him off, giggling nervously. Liam grinned back and moved in again. Bailey pushed him away again, harder.
"What?"
"Just- don't."
"Why?"
"Because... " Bailey was cut off by Nibs" manic hammering on the door. She jumped up, tugging down her skirt and rubbed at her smudged lip-gloss. Bailey yanked open the door, and was nearly knocked down by Nibs, Chalky and PeeWee. They ran and locked themselves in her bathroom. Bailey stared after them.
"What the fu... ?" Bailey saw Naomi dragging herself from the pool, looking spookily like that creepy, pale girl from The Ring and The Ring 2.
Bailey threw the boys out of the bathroom, and gave Naomi some towels and dry clothes. The boys ran back to hide in the big house, and Bailey turned back to a mad looking Liam.
"What?"
"Bailey... " Liam sighed. "Are we ever going to get past making out?"
"Again, WHAT?" Bailey folded her arms, glaring at her boyfriend. Adie had taught her how to glare at a guy until he backed down. It seemed to work now.
"Well, I, I mean, um, are we ever going to, y'know, do anything?"
"I dunno. Christ, Lee, I"m only fifteen, and we've only been together for what... five weeks?"
"Five weeks and three days."
"Whatever. And, well, I don't know yet."
"So I have to wait until you're ready?"
"Yes. Problem with that?"
"Yeah."
"Tough."
Liam glared back at Bailey, when an idea hit him. He knew how much Bailey hated Rhea, and had to do EVERYTHING better than his ex. He pouted again.
"Rhea let me. After dating for two weeks."
"Again, TOUGH."
"Fuck this, I'm going." Liam crossed to the open door.
"Good. Get out. And take your meat-head friends and bimbo slut with ya." Bailey slammed the door behind him.
"Bai?" Naomi walked out of the bathroom.
"Oh God. Say you didn"t hear that." Naomi pulled her BF into a tight hug.
"Yeah. But he's a jerk. It's a cliché, but you can totally do better than him. Anyway, I've spoken with Rob and Billie Joe, and I'm staying here for tonight. AND, Miss B, YOU so have to tell me exactly what happened between you and Tre in London."
Bailey flushed a deep pink, as she pulled some jeans and a t-shirt on from her clean laundry basket. "Later. C'mon, lets go throw the boys into the pool."
Tre was sitting on the outside seat and smoking a cigarette. Mike came out and flopped beside him. Tre offered him a cigarette.
"Cheers, dude." Mike took one. "Watcha doing?" Tre pointed at Bailey and Naomi sneaking up behind the boys, ready to shove them into the pool.
"Deciding whether I can be bothered to warn the boys. Nah." Bailey and Naomi kicked PeeWee and Chalky in. Nibs twisted out of the way, and began to chase Bailey. She squealed, and took a flying leap over the bench where Mike and Tre were sitting. She crouched behind Tre and pulled him against her, like a shield. Tre laughed and threw his arms around Bailey protectively. Bailey snuggled against him, sticking her tongue out at Nibs. Tre grinned evilly.
"What makes you so sure I'm gonna save you?" He asked, scooping Bailey up.
"Tre, don't, Tre... NOOOOO!" Bailey screamed loudly as Tre threw her into the deep end of the pool. "You complete bastard, Tre Cool." Bailey spluttered as she surfaced. She swam to the side, and held out her hands to a weeping Tre. "Get me out. NOW!"
Tre reached for her hands, and pulled her up. She slipped slightly, and he wrapped his arm tightly around her waist. Now Bailey grinned evilly at him, as she kicked herself off the poolside, yanking Tre back into the pool with her. They sank, with their arms still around each other. Bailey squinted through the chlorinated water, and felt Tre's lips gently brush hers just before they surfaced.
