His Little Drummer Girl, chapter 12
Frankys POV
Its another hot day for their second day at Milton Keynes and I'm in the mosh pit with Charlie and my Mum. Mum said she'd stay with me for a little while but it's too hot for her and we haven't got enough to drink and we should be wearing caps. Get real mum.
It was great wandering around the venue mingling with the crowd. There were so many different looking people. There were loads of Billie Joe look-alikes with black shirts, black hair, eyeliner and red ties. So many different age groups too. Then it was time to squash into the mosh pit. If someone moved then you had to move with them. I looked over at Charlie remembering last night. I had gotten into his bed again. We kissed for a while but still nothing more. Thank goodness.
I think that mum and Tre like each other. They keep looking at each other. Tre's always winking at her and mum smiles a lot. I haven't seen her this happy in a long time. I wonder if they were boyfriend and girlfriend all those years ago? But then if they were and had split up why would they be that friendly now and if they loved each other then why didn't they stay together?
"Hey ho - let's go!" struck up the crowd. Francesca looked about her. She watched the faces as Green day came on stage. The crowd were star struck. This is the best night ever Francesca thought.
After a while mum got the security guard to get her out and he took her backstage. Oh no, everyone was watching, how embarrassing. It was just me and Charlie now. He was having such a great time.
Then Billie joe shouted "Who can play the drums?" Loads of kids were shouting and trying to get noticed. I felt guilty knowing that I was the one they would pick but I stuck up my hand and shouted "Me, I can play!" Billie came over and spoke to me then I felt myself being lifted above their heads and onto the stage and up to the drums where Tre was waiting. "Hi blue eyes" he said. "Lets show them what you can do. I know you can do it but I have to pretend to show you."
I sat at the drum kit and looked out to the sea of faces. What a buzz! I'm going to enjoy this.
I caught mums eye as I was playing and she gave a thumbs up but before I knew it I was put back in the mosh pit. I wasn't next to Charlie though this time it was a group of screaming Billie Joe girl fans. They were screaming right in my ear so I couldn't hear much. It was awesome out near the front. Billie Joe really took control and he knew just how to get the crowd going. Every time he came over to us the girly grouped screamed. He touched one of their hands and she nearly passed out! 'That's nothing' I thought. He's kissed my cheek and I've beat him at pool." giving the girl a sideways glance.
It got very emotional when Billie sang 'Wake me up when September ends'. Nearly everyone in the crowd held up their mobile phones and lighters. The whole place flickered in what looked like candlelight. Billie Joe struggled to sing that song. You could hear his voice cracking up. I really did feel for him as this song was about his dad. I'm sure everyone gave him an extra loud cheer for this reason.
I felt sad as I knew that the weekend was coming to an end. I didn't want to go back to the normal world. I loved these guys they were like a family to me and I'll miss them.
I was really thirsty but had nothing to drink. I asked Charlie if he had any water left but he didn't. "I've got some love" said this guy with spiked up green hair and black shirt with white tie. "We've got loads left if you want a bottle. Here are some glucose sweets too, these will stop your mouth feeling dry." He looked really kind.
"Thanks" I said taking the drink and sweets and having some. Craig took some too. The water tasted funny but we were so thirsty we drank it all down.
The fireworks were going off and the crowd was slowly dispersing. Charlie and I were then grabbed by a burly security guard who lifted me on his shoulder and then backstage.
Everyone seemed pleased that we were back.
"We're heading off really quickly in the coach" said Mike grabbing my hand "we're going to clean up back at the hotel" he said "and then we're gonna party!!"
The trip back was an odd one. Everyone seemed to be coming down off a high. I felt really odd and started to try and get everyone to sing but they were really being boring. Mum told me off for being stupid. She said to stop acting silly as she didn't feel very well. God why was everyone so boring I wanted to jump around the coach and sing songs.
When we got back to the hotel mum went off to the suite saying that she didn't feel very well. Everyone cleaned up and we were having a small party in the music room. I showered and checked on mum.
"You OK Mum?" I said going over. She didn't answer. I could feel the heat coming off her. I touched her head. She was burning up! "Charlie?" I said. "Go and get Adie, I think mum's ill."
He ran off and mum started saying that her head and eyes hurt. I was really worried. Mum is never ill.
Adie arrived and took over. She immediately knew what was wrong.
"She's got sunstroke" said Adie. She needs to cool her body down and drink loads. "Have you got any paracetemol?" she said pulling back the bedcovers.
"Yep I'll just get them and some water" I said going off.
Adie made mum take her top and skirt off and she lay there in her black lacy bra and underwear. Charlie left the room.
"I'm just going to wet some towels and get your mum to cool herself down with them then she should be OK in a while."
Mum was grateful. "Thanks Adie, wouldn't know what to do without you. I feel so stupid. How can anyone get sunstroke in England!"
"Do you feel sick too?" said Adie.
"A little"
"I'll sit with you for a while then until the feelings ease off a bit" she said. She turned to us.
"You go on and enjoy the party" she said. "I'll stay with Sammi"
We went to the party and Tre was concerned about Mum. "I'll go along and see her later." He said.
"You like Mum don't you?" I bravely said.
"Yes I do" said Tre looking at me in an odd way. "Francesca have you been drinking?" Tre asked quite seriously.
"No" I said.
"It smells like you have. Breathe on me, let me smell your breath". I breathed on him and he was definitely convinced I'd been drinking.
Mike and Billie came over. "Whats up?" they both asked.
"I think Francesca has been drinking and won't own up to it." Said Tre.
"I have not been drinking" I said getting really angry. "Why don't you all just fuck off!" I said not caring what I said or who to. I turned to go but Tre grabbed my arm.
"Look at me?" he said. I looked at him, really cross.
"Your pupils are huge, what have you been doing?" Mike and Billie looked disappointed in me. "What do you mean what have I been doing?" I said.
"What have you taken?" Tre said in a not very kind voice.
"I haven't' taken anything" I said and started crying. "I don't know what you mean. I want my mum" I said tears running down my face. I tried to get away but he wouldn't let me. Tre became a little softer, it was as though something dawned on him.
"When you were in the mosh pit, did anyone give you anything?" said Tre.
"No" I said then it dawned on me "Yes. Some guy gave us some water and glucose sweets. We were so thirsty we drank it all and ate the sweets ."
"Shit" said Billie. "What were the tablets like?" He looked totally fucked off. I have never seen that look on him before.
"Purple with the letter E on". I said "Why?"
"Why?" said Mike. "Because some asshole has given you a mixture of drink and drugs, that's why"
I burst out crying. Everyone was being so cruel. Why was Mike being so horrible.
"I didn't know. Charlie took some too. We were thirsty. Sorry." I pleaded with them all to understand then they seemed to calm down.
"I fucking don't believe this" said Billie. "Fucking bastards doing that to kids" he kicked a table.
"Calm down Billie" said Tre and took me across to the other side of the room. I was crying so much I couldn't catch my breath. My face was soaking wet and I knew my nose was snotty. I didn't care. I didn't like this situation. I wanted mum.
"Francesca has anyone told you much about drugs?" he said sitting next to me.
"Not really. I thought drugs were either the type you smoked or an injection."
"Oh baby, you do live another life." Said Tre. "Listen. Your mum is ill tonight. We can't bother her with this. Do you feel OK?"
"Yes, fine" I mumbled, embarrassed now.
"If you feel ill at all later on you must come to me OK. Now go and get Charlie and I'll have a word with him."
I sloped off really embarrassed and had to walk past Billie and Mike. They grabbed me as I went past.
"Look baby" Mike said. "I'm sorry we snapped at you earlier. There is no excuse but it's been a long weekend and well we just hate that shit."
"Yeah" said Billie giving me a hug. "We just care about you, you know?"
"I know" I said and went off to get Charlie.
I felt really shocked after this conversation. I knew Charlie was shocked too so we just sat quietly for the rest of the evening. I noticed Tre left soon after. Probably gone to visit mum I thought...
Its another hot day for their second day at Milton Keynes and I'm in the mosh pit with Charlie and my Mum. Mum said she'd stay with me for a little while but it's too hot for her and we haven't got enough to drink and we should be wearing caps. Get real mum.
It was great wandering around the venue mingling with the crowd. There were so many different looking people. There were loads of Billie Joe look-alikes with black shirts, black hair, eyeliner and red ties. So many different age groups too. Then it was time to squash into the mosh pit. If someone moved then you had to move with them. I looked over at Charlie remembering last night. I had gotten into his bed again. We kissed for a while but still nothing more. Thank goodness.
I think that mum and Tre like each other. They keep looking at each other. Tre's always winking at her and mum smiles a lot. I haven't seen her this happy in a long time. I wonder if they were boyfriend and girlfriend all those years ago? But then if they were and had split up why would they be that friendly now and if they loved each other then why didn't they stay together?
"Hey ho - let's go!" struck up the crowd. Francesca looked about her. She watched the faces as Green day came on stage. The crowd were star struck. This is the best night ever Francesca thought.
After a while mum got the security guard to get her out and he took her backstage. Oh no, everyone was watching, how embarrassing. It was just me and Charlie now. He was having such a great time.
Then Billie joe shouted "Who can play the drums?" Loads of kids were shouting and trying to get noticed. I felt guilty knowing that I was the one they would pick but I stuck up my hand and shouted "Me, I can play!" Billie came over and spoke to me then I felt myself being lifted above their heads and onto the stage and up to the drums where Tre was waiting. "Hi blue eyes" he said. "Lets show them what you can do. I know you can do it but I have to pretend to show you."
I sat at the drum kit and looked out to the sea of faces. What a buzz! I'm going to enjoy this.
I caught mums eye as I was playing and she gave a thumbs up but before I knew it I was put back in the mosh pit. I wasn't next to Charlie though this time it was a group of screaming Billie Joe girl fans. They were screaming right in my ear so I couldn't hear much. It was awesome out near the front. Billie Joe really took control and he knew just how to get the crowd going. Every time he came over to us the girly grouped screamed. He touched one of their hands and she nearly passed out! 'That's nothing' I thought. He's kissed my cheek and I've beat him at pool." giving the girl a sideways glance.
It got very emotional when Billie sang 'Wake me up when September ends'. Nearly everyone in the crowd held up their mobile phones and lighters. The whole place flickered in what looked like candlelight. Billie Joe struggled to sing that song. You could hear his voice cracking up. I really did feel for him as this song was about his dad. I'm sure everyone gave him an extra loud cheer for this reason.
I felt sad as I knew that the weekend was coming to an end. I didn't want to go back to the normal world. I loved these guys they were like a family to me and I'll miss them.
I was really thirsty but had nothing to drink. I asked Charlie if he had any water left but he didn't. "I've got some love" said this guy with spiked up green hair and black shirt with white tie. "We've got loads left if you want a bottle. Here are some glucose sweets too, these will stop your mouth feeling dry." He looked really kind.
"Thanks" I said taking the drink and sweets and having some. Craig took some too. The water tasted funny but we were so thirsty we drank it all down.
The fireworks were going off and the crowd was slowly dispersing. Charlie and I were then grabbed by a burly security guard who lifted me on his shoulder and then backstage.
Everyone seemed pleased that we were back.
"We're heading off really quickly in the coach" said Mike grabbing my hand "we're going to clean up back at the hotel" he said "and then we're gonna party!!"
The trip back was an odd one. Everyone seemed to be coming down off a high. I felt really odd and started to try and get everyone to sing but they were really being boring. Mum told me off for being stupid. She said to stop acting silly as she didn't feel very well. God why was everyone so boring I wanted to jump around the coach and sing songs.
When we got back to the hotel mum went off to the suite saying that she didn't feel very well. Everyone cleaned up and we were having a small party in the music room. I showered and checked on mum.
"You OK Mum?" I said going over. She didn't answer. I could feel the heat coming off her. I touched her head. She was burning up! "Charlie?" I said. "Go and get Adie, I think mum's ill."
He ran off and mum started saying that her head and eyes hurt. I was really worried. Mum is never ill.
Adie arrived and took over. She immediately knew what was wrong.
"She's got sunstroke" said Adie. She needs to cool her body down and drink loads. "Have you got any paracetemol?" she said pulling back the bedcovers.
"Yep I'll just get them and some water" I said going off.
Adie made mum take her top and skirt off and she lay there in her black lacy bra and underwear. Charlie left the room.
"I'm just going to wet some towels and get your mum to cool herself down with them then she should be OK in a while."
Mum was grateful. "Thanks Adie, wouldn't know what to do without you. I feel so stupid. How can anyone get sunstroke in England!"
"Do you feel sick too?" said Adie.
"A little"
"I'll sit with you for a while then until the feelings ease off a bit" she said. She turned to us.
"You go on and enjoy the party" she said. "I'll stay with Sammi"
We went to the party and Tre was concerned about Mum. "I'll go along and see her later." He said.
"You like Mum don't you?" I bravely said.
"Yes I do" said Tre looking at me in an odd way. "Francesca have you been drinking?" Tre asked quite seriously.
"No" I said.
"It smells like you have. Breathe on me, let me smell your breath". I breathed on him and he was definitely convinced I'd been drinking.
Mike and Billie came over. "Whats up?" they both asked.
"I think Francesca has been drinking and won't own up to it." Said Tre.
"I have not been drinking" I said getting really angry. "Why don't you all just fuck off!" I said not caring what I said or who to. I turned to go but Tre grabbed my arm.
"Look at me?" he said. I looked at him, really cross.
"Your pupils are huge, what have you been doing?" Mike and Billie looked disappointed in me. "What do you mean what have I been doing?" I said.
"What have you taken?" Tre said in a not very kind voice.
"I haven't' taken anything" I said and started crying. "I don't know what you mean. I want my mum" I said tears running down my face. I tried to get away but he wouldn't let me. Tre became a little softer, it was as though something dawned on him.
"When you were in the mosh pit, did anyone give you anything?" said Tre.
"No" I said then it dawned on me "Yes. Some guy gave us some water and glucose sweets. We were so thirsty we drank it all and ate the sweets ."
"Shit" said Billie. "What were the tablets like?" He looked totally fucked off. I have never seen that look on him before.
"Purple with the letter E on". I said "Why?"
"Why?" said Mike. "Because some asshole has given you a mixture of drink and drugs, that's why"
I burst out crying. Everyone was being so cruel. Why was Mike being so horrible.
"I didn't know. Charlie took some too. We were thirsty. Sorry." I pleaded with them all to understand then they seemed to calm down.
"I fucking don't believe this" said Billie. "Fucking bastards doing that to kids" he kicked a table.
"Calm down Billie" said Tre and took me across to the other side of the room. I was crying so much I couldn't catch my breath. My face was soaking wet and I knew my nose was snotty. I didn't care. I didn't like this situation. I wanted mum.
"Francesca has anyone told you much about drugs?" he said sitting next to me.
"Not really. I thought drugs were either the type you smoked or an injection."
"Oh baby, you do live another life." Said Tre. "Listen. Your mum is ill tonight. We can't bother her with this. Do you feel OK?"
"Yes, fine" I mumbled, embarrassed now.
"If you feel ill at all later on you must come to me OK. Now go and get Charlie and I'll have a word with him."
I sloped off really embarrassed and had to walk past Billie and Mike. They grabbed me as I went past.
"Look baby" Mike said. "I'm sorry we snapped at you earlier. There is no excuse but it's been a long weekend and well we just hate that shit."
"Yeah" said Billie giving me a hug. "We just care about you, you know?"
"I know" I said and went off to get Charlie.
I felt really shocked after this conversation. I knew Charlie was shocked too so we just sat quietly for the rest of the evening. I noticed Tre left soon after. Probably gone to visit mum I thought...
