So Go Ahead and Kill Yourself! It All Amuses Me, chapter 4
15 days later it's Tanisha's birthday. The exams had already started and we had finished them. I now officially hated the people at my school; they are all the biggest knob heads in the world.
Somehow the fact that we got a record deal with Interscope had been leaked out to the entire school and now wherever we went we were ridiculed. People were all saying shit about how we were gonna choke up and fail completely and trying to put us down.
They were jealous! It was plain and simple. I knew they were, but it didn't hurt any less. It didn't change the fact that even our friends, our own type of people were turning their backs on us "Calling us sell-outs"
It made me realise how my father must have felt all those years ago when Green Day took the plunge and signed to Reprise Records. It made me understand how all the hatefully stares, painfully words and isolation must have felt for him. Cause now I was feeling it.
Wherever we went, in and out of class people would move away and leave us alone like we were a disease people were afraid of catching. If Andy, Tom and Tanisha weren't there to share it with me, I would have caved along time ago.
Our gig with 'The quake' had been cancelled, apparently they have overbooked but I knew that someone had told the managers that we were signing to a major record company.
I couldn't speak to Tre, Mike or my father about this particular problem cause they had no idea this was happening. I was gonna have to work through this by myself. My life just seemed to hit a really big low, as was everyone else's.
To try and cheer ourselves up we decided to throw Tanisha a close friends and family party. It was kind of a triple celebration; we were celebrating Tanisha's birthday, the end of our exams and trying to cheer ourselves up.
Another strange thing has been happening, Uncle Mike and Tre have been really secretive lately, they won't tell me what they're doing, and it's so unfair. But anyway, Tom's calling me. He must have something to say.
"Hey Tasha! You coming? Or what." I take a quick check around the room; all the students were out of their seats. No one was around except for the guys. I'm confused.
"The Bells gone, we can go now or would you like to spend your time in this shitty school" shaking my head. "No way!" It was the end of the day and I wasn't going to spend any more time in this sorry excuse of a school any longer.
We were heading down the road to my house when this car drove by and the window rolled down, all we heard was a voice that sounded vaguely familiar shout "You Suck!" and a plastic cup came flying out of the window and drenched us all in what smelt like chocolate milkshake.
The car drove away fast and we heard the distinct sound of laughter echoing all the way down the street.
"Fuckers!" I turned to look at Andy and just burst out laughing "Look at you!" he had milkshake dripping from his nose rapidly and his hair was sticking to the side of his head.
He pointed at me as well "NO! Look at you!" I laughed and jumped on top of him, but unfortunately for me Andy caught my waist and turned me upside down and began shaking me, like a bully after pocket money.
He started shouting over my incessant high-pitched scream, that's another thing I can say. I definitely have my fathers set of vocal chords. "Say Uncle!" I shut my mouth firmly, he could tell that I was gonna be hard to break.
His arms started to wobble as he pretended to drop me, I didn't know it at the time so I screamed ear drum breaking loud "Ahhhhhhh!" I felt his chest rumble as he laughed "Say Uncle!"
"Uncle" I near whispered. He pretended to drop me again "What I didn't hear that? Say Uncle!" If he wanted a scream, I could give him a scream "UNCLE!" This seemed to please him cause he placed me back on the ground right side up.
I have to say I've never loved the ground so much at that moment. I sank to my knees and kissed the floor whispering a thank you. I lifted my head from the ground to see Andy leaning against a lamppost looking extremely smug.
He opened his mouth to say something when he slipped around the post and fell to the grass with a yelp. I looked over from Tom and Tanisha who had finished their own mini fight and burst out laughing at Andy.
Andy was covered in grass, the grass had been cut and Andy was covered in sticky Chocolate milkshake, can you guess what he looked like? He looked like the grass monster.
Andy put his arm around me and we all started walking to my house in the hope of a shower. I looked at Andy's arm around me. With the way we acted together, people always thought that we were dating.
No matter how good looking Andy is, I would never go for him, we're like best friends, for fuck sake.
It took us forever to get to my house in our giggling state. I opened the door carefully expecting to see my mum ready to give me a good tongue lashing for being late, but she wasn't there.
However at the entrance to the living room was a banner saying Happy Birthday Tanisha! "Looks like mum wanted you to have at least a little bit of decoration"
None of the guys had ever been in my house before so they were looking around curiously. I had a lot of family photos around the house. I checked for the ones of me with Dad's side of the family.
There were none, Mum must have removed them. I'd have to thank her for that later. I looked at the long table in the room that held all the booze.
I love my mum she's so laid back about drinking; I think its cause she appreciates that teenagers do it and you can't really stop them.
There are 3 bathrooms in the house so I gave Tom and Andy two spare pairs of some of Uncle Tre's clothes that he left over here from the last time (they didn't know that) and two towels's and sent them to the main bathroom. The clothes I gave them were for the party so they didn't need to change later.
I let Tanisha use my bathroom and some of my clothes, while I used my mum and Leo's shower. After my shower I got dressed in a pair of my dad's boxers and Mike's shirt and made my way to my room.
I stepped inside and saw Tanisha peering around at all the things in my room. My mum had removed the photos from my room as well, all except one and this was the one Tanisha's eyes were drawn to.
I looked at it as well. I remember that day well that was the day that I went to see them perform at Milton Keynes. They had just got off stage; they were all sweaty and hugged me that was at the point when the photo was taken. I was so happy that day.
She spun around with murder in her eyes when I spoke "That was taken at the MK Bowl" I stepped back slightly at how angry she looked "You met Green Day and you never told me! I love Green Day and you never told me!"
"I'm sorry. I didn't think it would affect you this much, I didn't tell you cause I didn't want you to get jealous!" I felt really bad at lying so blatantly at my friend/band member, but there was no other way. Was there?
The end of her lips started to curl upward into a smile "I'm overreacting. Aren't I?" I rolled my eyes and glared playfully "No! Not at all" You could just hear the sarcasm rolling off my tongue.
I pulled her into a one armed hug "I'm sorry I never told you that I met Green Day" I could hear her sigh "And I'm sorry that I shouted at you" she pulled back and playfully punched me in my shoulder "We still friends?" I returned her punch with a jab of my own "Don't be stupid. Of course we're still friends"
She collapsed onto my bad and started bouncing "So what you gonna wear?"
After a half-hour debate, we had picked our outfits out and done our make up. We made our way into the rec. Room to see Tom and Andy watching cartoons with my little brother. "Well, well, well. What do we have here?"
They all turned around except Mike who was too engrossed in the television. I cleared my throat trying to grab his attention "Hem, Hem" He didn't move or even acknowledge me. His eyes just stayed glued to the screen.
I decided to try again "Hem, Hem" I still got no reaction, can you believe my own brother was ignoring me. Tom and Andy were sitting in silent hysterics. Just as I was about to give up hope of an answer the ending credits and theme song for What's new Scooby Doo began.
He turned around and noticed us at the entrance to the room "Hey Tash Tash. Did you call me?" I shook my head "No" "I've been watching Scooby Doo with Tom and Andy" "That's nice Mike"
Tom patted both of his legs and looked at Tanisha and I. "I think your boyfriend is trying to hint at something Tanisha" She looked thoughtful and began to tease him "I wonder what it is"
He sighed with exasperation and winked at us "How would you girls like a seat. There's plenty of room for the both of you right here" he tapped his legs again.
We pretended to ponder his invitation. We both sat down and Tom sighed with contentment "This is the life, right here between two beautiful girls and a record deal. Can life get any better" Andy coughed and we looked at him "Are you a little lonely there my friend?" Tom asked.
Andy stopped from his internal monologue and looked at us blankly "Oh Andy! Are you jealous of the girls? Never mind there's still room for you between my legs". Andy shuddered at the thought of sitting between Tom the pervs legs. "No thanks mate! I have my own leg warmer right here"
Andy pulled my brother onto his knees and pretended to kiss him. Mike began giggling at Andy's antics. "Get off me! I don't want Andy cooties" "Andy Cooties! I have only beauty cooties" We all laughed and settled down as Tom and Jerry came on.
After 3 hours of entertaining my brother he was off to bed and some of the people that stayed true to E. O. T. A had came to the mini party. We were all chilling out, drinking, smoking and listening to music well into the night.
Halfway through the party Tom and Andy grabbed a guitar each and took requests from the guests and the birthday girl. I danced with everyone and then some. Lots of the guests were beyond hammered and had begun to vacate the premises so to speak.
We were all left alone. Mum and Leo had gone to bed, everyone had left to go and do something else. The music was still pouring through the speaker's a little quieter. The floor was littered with cigarette buts, empty beer bottles, used shot glasses and articles of clothing. "That was fun" I said a little breathless, as I watched Andy smoke the rest of the joint we had been sharing.
Without warning the doorbell rang, I glanced at the living room clock, it read 1:30am. I called out to Tanisha cause she was the closest to the door "Get that will you before it wakes up my mum"
She trudged her way to the door slowly until I couldn't see her slightly drowsy from all the booze.
No one's POV
She made my way to the door clumsily, she pulled the door open ready to give the person at the door a good telling off, but stopped, you could tell that she was no longer drowsy.
Standing at the door was Tre Cool and Mike Dirnt. Tre moved his face really close to Tanisha's and spoke very excitedly "Heellllllllo! I'm Tre... " "Cool and Mike Dirnt" "Yeah that's it! We're here to see... " Mike never got to finish what he wanted to say cause Tanisha fell backwards onto the floor with a loud bang. She was out cold.
Natasha's POV
I heard was a loud thump coming from the front door, where Tanisha had gone. I was first to react and dashed out of the room with Tom and Andy behind me. I stopped at the sight that greeted my eyes.
My friend was out cold on the floor and Uncle Tre and Mike were standing in the doorway looking sheepish. "Uncle Tre?" He jumped slightly at hearing his name "Yeah that's me" "What did you do?"
"Me! I... I didn't do anything! All I did was say hello and she just fainted" He could tell that I didn't believe him.
"Uncle Tre?" I turned to Andy and Tom's confused looks "Yes Uncle Tre and Uncle Mike. Guys help me get Tanisha to the sofa" Tom lifted her up bridal style and took her into the living room with all of us following.
Tre and Mike were both admiring the mess that had been made of the living room. Tre took particular notice to a bra lying on the floor "Boy you guys sure know how to party"
Once Tanisha was safely on the sofa I turned to look at them. As if I was just coming out of a coma, my eyes focused on them. "Uncle Mike!" I flung myself into his arms; he swung me around in a circle excitedly. I could feel him inhaling my scent.
When he placed me on the ground I jumped into Tre's arms and gave him a huge hug "Uncle Tre! I missed you" We broke apart and I couldn't hold it in "What are you doing here? Is Dad here?" I ask feeling excited once again.
This feeling was almost deflated when Tre and Mike just glanced down at the ground answering my question perfectly. "Well, we got a break and Frankito is with his grandparents, Ramona is with her mum as is Estelle so we thought we'd come here and cheer you up"
I noticed that they steered clear of mentioning my dad. "I'm so glad you're here. I've got so much to tell you" I hear a groan from the sofa/couch and I hear Tanisha's voice speak out "You've got so much to tell us as well"
I close my eyes wishing that I didn't have to do this now, when we as a band and as best friends are at our greatest. My eyes flutter open and I turn towards my friends with a look of remorse. "Well, you see the thing is...."
Somehow the fact that we got a record deal with Interscope had been leaked out to the entire school and now wherever we went we were ridiculed. People were all saying shit about how we were gonna choke up and fail completely and trying to put us down.
They were jealous! It was plain and simple. I knew they were, but it didn't hurt any less. It didn't change the fact that even our friends, our own type of people were turning their backs on us "Calling us sell-outs"
It made me realise how my father must have felt all those years ago when Green Day took the plunge and signed to Reprise Records. It made me understand how all the hatefully stares, painfully words and isolation must have felt for him. Cause now I was feeling it.
Wherever we went, in and out of class people would move away and leave us alone like we were a disease people were afraid of catching. If Andy, Tom and Tanisha weren't there to share it with me, I would have caved along time ago.
Our gig with 'The quake' had been cancelled, apparently they have overbooked but I knew that someone had told the managers that we were signing to a major record company.
I couldn't speak to Tre, Mike or my father about this particular problem cause they had no idea this was happening. I was gonna have to work through this by myself. My life just seemed to hit a really big low, as was everyone else's.
To try and cheer ourselves up we decided to throw Tanisha a close friends and family party. It was kind of a triple celebration; we were celebrating Tanisha's birthday, the end of our exams and trying to cheer ourselves up.
Another strange thing has been happening, Uncle Mike and Tre have been really secretive lately, they won't tell me what they're doing, and it's so unfair. But anyway, Tom's calling me. He must have something to say.
"Hey Tasha! You coming? Or what." I take a quick check around the room; all the students were out of their seats. No one was around except for the guys. I'm confused.
"The Bells gone, we can go now or would you like to spend your time in this shitty school" shaking my head. "No way!" It was the end of the day and I wasn't going to spend any more time in this sorry excuse of a school any longer.
We were heading down the road to my house when this car drove by and the window rolled down, all we heard was a voice that sounded vaguely familiar shout "You Suck!" and a plastic cup came flying out of the window and drenched us all in what smelt like chocolate milkshake.
The car drove away fast and we heard the distinct sound of laughter echoing all the way down the street.
"Fuckers!" I turned to look at Andy and just burst out laughing "Look at you!" he had milkshake dripping from his nose rapidly and his hair was sticking to the side of his head.
He pointed at me as well "NO! Look at you!" I laughed and jumped on top of him, but unfortunately for me Andy caught my waist and turned me upside down and began shaking me, like a bully after pocket money.
He started shouting over my incessant high-pitched scream, that's another thing I can say. I definitely have my fathers set of vocal chords. "Say Uncle!" I shut my mouth firmly, he could tell that I was gonna be hard to break.
His arms started to wobble as he pretended to drop me, I didn't know it at the time so I screamed ear drum breaking loud "Ahhhhhhh!" I felt his chest rumble as he laughed "Say Uncle!"
"Uncle" I near whispered. He pretended to drop me again "What I didn't hear that? Say Uncle!" If he wanted a scream, I could give him a scream "UNCLE!" This seemed to please him cause he placed me back on the ground right side up.
I have to say I've never loved the ground so much at that moment. I sank to my knees and kissed the floor whispering a thank you. I lifted my head from the ground to see Andy leaning against a lamppost looking extremely smug.
He opened his mouth to say something when he slipped around the post and fell to the grass with a yelp. I looked over from Tom and Tanisha who had finished their own mini fight and burst out laughing at Andy.
Andy was covered in grass, the grass had been cut and Andy was covered in sticky Chocolate milkshake, can you guess what he looked like? He looked like the grass monster.
Andy put his arm around me and we all started walking to my house in the hope of a shower. I looked at Andy's arm around me. With the way we acted together, people always thought that we were dating.
No matter how good looking Andy is, I would never go for him, we're like best friends, for fuck sake.
It took us forever to get to my house in our giggling state. I opened the door carefully expecting to see my mum ready to give me a good tongue lashing for being late, but she wasn't there.
However at the entrance to the living room was a banner saying Happy Birthday Tanisha! "Looks like mum wanted you to have at least a little bit of decoration"
None of the guys had ever been in my house before so they were looking around curiously. I had a lot of family photos around the house. I checked for the ones of me with Dad's side of the family.
There were none, Mum must have removed them. I'd have to thank her for that later. I looked at the long table in the room that held all the booze.
I love my mum she's so laid back about drinking; I think its cause she appreciates that teenagers do it and you can't really stop them.
There are 3 bathrooms in the house so I gave Tom and Andy two spare pairs of some of Uncle Tre's clothes that he left over here from the last time (they didn't know that) and two towels's and sent them to the main bathroom. The clothes I gave them were for the party so they didn't need to change later.
I let Tanisha use my bathroom and some of my clothes, while I used my mum and Leo's shower. After my shower I got dressed in a pair of my dad's boxers and Mike's shirt and made my way to my room.
I stepped inside and saw Tanisha peering around at all the things in my room. My mum had removed the photos from my room as well, all except one and this was the one Tanisha's eyes were drawn to.
I looked at it as well. I remember that day well that was the day that I went to see them perform at Milton Keynes. They had just got off stage; they were all sweaty and hugged me that was at the point when the photo was taken. I was so happy that day.
She spun around with murder in her eyes when I spoke "That was taken at the MK Bowl" I stepped back slightly at how angry she looked "You met Green Day and you never told me! I love Green Day and you never told me!"
"I'm sorry. I didn't think it would affect you this much, I didn't tell you cause I didn't want you to get jealous!" I felt really bad at lying so blatantly at my friend/band member, but there was no other way. Was there?
The end of her lips started to curl upward into a smile "I'm overreacting. Aren't I?" I rolled my eyes and glared playfully "No! Not at all" You could just hear the sarcasm rolling off my tongue.
I pulled her into a one armed hug "I'm sorry I never told you that I met Green Day" I could hear her sigh "And I'm sorry that I shouted at you" she pulled back and playfully punched me in my shoulder "We still friends?" I returned her punch with a jab of my own "Don't be stupid. Of course we're still friends"
She collapsed onto my bad and started bouncing "So what you gonna wear?"
After a half-hour debate, we had picked our outfits out and done our make up. We made our way into the rec. Room to see Tom and Andy watching cartoons with my little brother. "Well, well, well. What do we have here?"
They all turned around except Mike who was too engrossed in the television. I cleared my throat trying to grab his attention "Hem, Hem" He didn't move or even acknowledge me. His eyes just stayed glued to the screen.
I decided to try again "Hem, Hem" I still got no reaction, can you believe my own brother was ignoring me. Tom and Andy were sitting in silent hysterics. Just as I was about to give up hope of an answer the ending credits and theme song for What's new Scooby Doo began.
He turned around and noticed us at the entrance to the room "Hey Tash Tash. Did you call me?" I shook my head "No" "I've been watching Scooby Doo with Tom and Andy" "That's nice Mike"
Tom patted both of his legs and looked at Tanisha and I. "I think your boyfriend is trying to hint at something Tanisha" She looked thoughtful and began to tease him "I wonder what it is"
He sighed with exasperation and winked at us "How would you girls like a seat. There's plenty of room for the both of you right here" he tapped his legs again.
We pretended to ponder his invitation. We both sat down and Tom sighed with contentment "This is the life, right here between two beautiful girls and a record deal. Can life get any better" Andy coughed and we looked at him "Are you a little lonely there my friend?" Tom asked.
Andy stopped from his internal monologue and looked at us blankly "Oh Andy! Are you jealous of the girls? Never mind there's still room for you between my legs". Andy shuddered at the thought of sitting between Tom the pervs legs. "No thanks mate! I have my own leg warmer right here"
Andy pulled my brother onto his knees and pretended to kiss him. Mike began giggling at Andy's antics. "Get off me! I don't want Andy cooties" "Andy Cooties! I have only beauty cooties" We all laughed and settled down as Tom and Jerry came on.
After 3 hours of entertaining my brother he was off to bed and some of the people that stayed true to E. O. T. A had came to the mini party. We were all chilling out, drinking, smoking and listening to music well into the night.
Halfway through the party Tom and Andy grabbed a guitar each and took requests from the guests and the birthday girl. I danced with everyone and then some. Lots of the guests were beyond hammered and had begun to vacate the premises so to speak.
We were all left alone. Mum and Leo had gone to bed, everyone had left to go and do something else. The music was still pouring through the speaker's a little quieter. The floor was littered with cigarette buts, empty beer bottles, used shot glasses and articles of clothing. "That was fun" I said a little breathless, as I watched Andy smoke the rest of the joint we had been sharing.
Without warning the doorbell rang, I glanced at the living room clock, it read 1:30am. I called out to Tanisha cause she was the closest to the door "Get that will you before it wakes up my mum"
She trudged her way to the door slowly until I couldn't see her slightly drowsy from all the booze.
No one's POV
She made my way to the door clumsily, she pulled the door open ready to give the person at the door a good telling off, but stopped, you could tell that she was no longer drowsy.
Standing at the door was Tre Cool and Mike Dirnt. Tre moved his face really close to Tanisha's and spoke very excitedly "Heellllllllo! I'm Tre... " "Cool and Mike Dirnt" "Yeah that's it! We're here to see... " Mike never got to finish what he wanted to say cause Tanisha fell backwards onto the floor with a loud bang. She was out cold.
Natasha's POV
I heard was a loud thump coming from the front door, where Tanisha had gone. I was first to react and dashed out of the room with Tom and Andy behind me. I stopped at the sight that greeted my eyes.
My friend was out cold on the floor and Uncle Tre and Mike were standing in the doorway looking sheepish. "Uncle Tre?" He jumped slightly at hearing his name "Yeah that's me" "What did you do?"
"Me! I... I didn't do anything! All I did was say hello and she just fainted" He could tell that I didn't believe him.
"Uncle Tre?" I turned to Andy and Tom's confused looks "Yes Uncle Tre and Uncle Mike. Guys help me get Tanisha to the sofa" Tom lifted her up bridal style and took her into the living room with all of us following.
Tre and Mike were both admiring the mess that had been made of the living room. Tre took particular notice to a bra lying on the floor "Boy you guys sure know how to party"
Once Tanisha was safely on the sofa I turned to look at them. As if I was just coming out of a coma, my eyes focused on them. "Uncle Mike!" I flung myself into his arms; he swung me around in a circle excitedly. I could feel him inhaling my scent.
When he placed me on the ground I jumped into Tre's arms and gave him a huge hug "Uncle Tre! I missed you" We broke apart and I couldn't hold it in "What are you doing here? Is Dad here?" I ask feeling excited once again.
This feeling was almost deflated when Tre and Mike just glanced down at the ground answering my question perfectly. "Well, we got a break and Frankito is with his grandparents, Ramona is with her mum as is Estelle so we thought we'd come here and cheer you up"
I noticed that they steered clear of mentioning my dad. "I'm so glad you're here. I've got so much to tell you" I hear a groan from the sofa/couch and I hear Tanisha's voice speak out "You've got so much to tell us as well"
I close my eyes wishing that I didn't have to do this now, when we as a band and as best friends are at our greatest. My eyes flutter open and I turn towards my friends with a look of remorse. "Well, you see the thing is...."
