So Go Ahead and Kill Yourself! It All Amuses Me, chapter 8
"Wake up Sleeping Beauty! Tre Cool is here to save you!" He shouts as he jumps on the bed threatening to bounce so hard that I fall off and into a heap on the floor. Mike's lucky, he managed to escape before Tre entered by going to take a shower.
To tell you the truth this hasn't happened to me since I was little. Yes, Tre Cool used to do this to me as a little girl. He always scared the hell out of me. I retract my head from under the pillow to give him a good 'Billie Joe glare'. His spine shook as a shiver ran down his back at how exactly like my father's glare it was.
I shove my head under the pillow again giggling lightly as Mike entered the room through the bathroom door. Tre began jumping roughly on the bed again "Mike! Help me get sleeping beauty to wake up" In response Mike threw his head back and a bark like laugh echoed through the room. "Your on your own Tre, I'm not gonna chance being on the receiving end of one of Tasha's kicks"
"But I want to listen to E. O. T. A play and I can't do that cause Tasha is sleeping"
"Tre you're so whiny" he giggled and continued his bouncing.
"Tasha Get Up! Get Up! Get Up" All you could hear was the swish of the pillow and the crash of Tre hitting the floor when I swung round and attacked him.
Crawling over to the side of the bed, I peer over to see Tre lying eagle spread on the floor pretending to be dead "Uncle Tre? Tre?" He still doesn't move a muscle, but I did see his eyelids flutter momentarily. With a wave of my hand Mike scuffled over to come and take a look at Tre.
We both stare at him carefully, expecting a loud boo to come from his motionless form at any moment. This time Mike tries "Tre? Buddy?" Tre still doesn't move a muscle. Giggling at this amusing situation I decided to try a new technique.
"Hey... Frank?" I wait patently "Frank?" He jumps to his feet with a playful murderous look attached to his face "You called me Frank... No one calls me that!" With an almost silent laugh he tackled my body back onto the bed. I let out a pathetic scream as he began to tickle me furiously.
"Do you yield? What's my name?" I started kicking and wriggling attempting to get away from the silliest man in existence. "No! And your name's Frank!" If anything his tickling became more insistent "Say you are Tre Cool! The coolest of Cool! Say it!"
"I'LL NEVER SURRENDER FRANK! MIKE HELP ME!" I yelped. Tre mocked me in a high pitch girly voice "Mike! Help me! Oh Mike... You are on your own sister". We were moving so much that we fell off the bed. A breath was knocked out of me as my body hit the floor but Tre still continued his assault in this new position.
"Ha ha! Mike Please! I'm gonna piss myself! Help Me!" My eyes were watering up and all blurry but I still saw the figure of Mike standing over Tre. My limps were starting to hurt from all the collisions they were making on Tre.
"YES!" I shouted as Mike pulled Tre off of me and held him down with one hand. "Would you like pay back Tasha?" He asks calmly ignoring Tre's shouts of "TRAITOR! TRAITOR!"
Grinning like a maniac, savoring the moments that pass I slowly and purposefully crawl over to the struggling Tre. "Come on Tasha. I was only joking. No need to try and get me back" Without answering I plunge my fingers into his sides working them mercilessly. He lets out an inhuman giggle and a screech.
I climbed on top of him holding him down with my body weight allowing Mike to aid me in my assault against the not so mighty Tre Cool. Tre was screeching louder than a banshee and wriggling like a worm attempting to squirm out of our grip. "What's my name Tre? Say my name!"
"Natasha Armstrong!" I smirk evilly in-between my bursts of tickling. He gulped. "Say my full name Tre! What's my full name?!" I make my fingers move faster extracting an even louder squeal from Tre. "I can't remember! Please! It's too long!"
"Mike tickle his feet!"
He does as I say while Tre shrieks again and again "Not the feet! Not the feet!" "SAY MY NAME TRE! It'll all stop if you say my name"
"I can't remember!" he shouts.
"Say my name!" I shout matching his pitch and volume perfectly.
"I can't remember!"
"Say my name!"
"Natasha Billie Joe Warning Frankie California Michaela Starbucks Armstrong"
Grinning and laughing all the way I roll off of Tre and make my way to the shower "I knew you would remember Tre. It may be a very very long name but I like it. I'll leave you two to make the bed"
Stepping into the bathroom I closed the door to block out Tre's whining at having to make my bed. I still heard the mumbling in the silence and solace of the cream walls, porcelain bathtub and shower. The double sink stood at the back wall and high above it rested an antique Mirror that mum brought at an auction 5 years ago.
I gazed into the shining surface at the face staring back at me. All my life, well up until I was seven years old I've been happy with the person I see in the mirror, but not now and I don't know why. Watching my eyes watch me. I sneer at the dull and bland oval surfaces that are found.
Closing my eyes in a vain attempt to see no more, seems foolish but I do it anyway and reopen them in an attempt to change the sight before me but I can't! It's still there, my image. Watching and laughing at me. Just standing here, looking and for the millionth time in my life I feel empty. I can't sense anything.
The hearty laughter rings out from the other side of the door like a stream of music and I still can't feel anything but the numb of loneliness. Okay so maybe I lied to you all about my life being perfect and me being completely complacent with myself. Don't look at me like that! We all lie now and again.
Looking at the mirror is too painful. I rip away from my trance and head towards the shower. Fiddling with the hot and cold trying to get the mixture right, the noise from the other room stops and I'm still alone. Always alone.
Stripping down and entering the shower I begin to contemplate. I don't always feel like this, it just happens. I could be having the time of my life, surrounded by loved ones and the warmth I feel will just dissipate and I'll be isolated and empty.
Fucked up ain't it? The guys can't really tell that I fake a lot of emotions just so they won't worry about me. I don't think anyone notices at all, it kinda makes me feel even more alone on this earth.
I grab the shampoo bottle from the shelf and work the clear liquid in my hair to form lather. Concentrating on the fragrance of my shampoo, I attempt to clear my mind. But, there's always a little voice there nagging me "If they really loved you, they would be able to tell the difference between the real you and your fake emotions"
The suds have rinsed out and the waters cold but I can't seem to move for the pain of the freezing cold droplets attacking my skin, they feel like hail stones. It feels nice to be able to feel something, even if it is pain.
I close my green eyes and rest my forehead against the cold tiles. A salty tear slides from my eye and rolls down my cheek disappearing in the shower water.
A knock at the door jars my mind from its musings. I quickly reach to turn the shower off and grab for a towel. "Hey Bugaboo, We're all going to the music room. When you're ready come down and you can show off your skills to me and Mike"
I mutter an almost silent okay, halt my movements and listen as his footsteps echo down the hall until I'm unable to hear them anymore. I jump out of the shower and run around my room collecting my clothes, avoiding any contact with the mirror until I can't avoid it anymore. Focusing solely on the flesh around my eyes, I apply my kohl eyeliner.
Running a comb through my damp hair I grab all my song notes and lyrics and make my way to the music room taking a brief rest in the kitchen to grab an apple and a glass of water. Heading there I hear the not so distant beat of the drum kit and the twang of the bass guitar. As I get closer the sounds of laughter reach my sensitive ears.
Feeling slightly left out. I take a deep breath readying myself for the day of acting. Bounding into the room with a grin on my face I glance around. Tre was sitting at the drums and Mike was holding my black bass, the guys were just sitting watching their display.
I clear my throat and Tre and Mike turn to me sheepishly. "I thought you wanted us to perform for you not the other way around" Tre coughed quite loudly and began to mumble "Err... Well. You see... We were... Err... Warming up your instruments. Yeah that's right. Your instruments were cold so we decided to..." I held up my hand halting his mindless ramble.
He hung his head and began to get up from the seat, stopping to kiss the snare drum "Bye drums" He sniffed and wiped a fake tear out of his eye "I'll miss you" Tom hurried up to him and bumped him out of the way with his ass and situated himself behind the drums. Andy grabbed the Bass from Mike's hands and stuck his tongue out in a childish gesture.
Tanisha and I picked up our guitars and began tuning them. Tre and Mike sat in some of the seats and began chanting "E. OT. A! E. O. T. A! E. O. T. A! E. O. T. A!" I let out a true giggle, Music always brings me back. It's my drug. I need music, have you ever felt like that?
That music brings forth our emotions, shapes them to its own needs. Music pulls at our inner strings, making us feel, making us think. It gets wrapped up in your life, to the point where you can see yourself in the chords, the notes. The lyrics reflect how you see your life, and shows you the you inside.
Grabbing my pick, I can feel the adrenaline start pumping in my blood stream. The excitement and apprehension gave me the sensation of floating on air.
I winked at Tre and Mike and grinded my hips in a circular motion against the back of my guitar. Plucking the beginning notes of the first song I wrote, we flung straight in attacking our instruments.
The feelings of emptiness began to fade as the music began to flow through the airwaves. I was getting so lost in playing that I didn't acknowledge Tre and Mike exchanging words over the music and looks of awe.
We continued playing all of our best songs. The vibration of the guitar against my body floods inside me every time I play, filling my soul, humming, almost guiding my movements.
As the final notes hung throughout the air, I held my arms in the air signaling quiet, Tre and Mike both fall silent, even my band made no sound. My now small voice breaks though the silence. "I now want to play a song that I've loved and respected since I heard it not long ago. It's Hazy Eyes by Fightstar"
I nodded at Tom signaling him to count us in. He slammed his sticks against each other as he shouted "1. 2... 1, 2, 3, 4!" We leapt straight into the final song for the day. I let Tanisha take most of the song so I could concentrate on putting emotion into the words.
"You smash my heart with your words
It won't break
It won't break
This anaesthetic won't work
It just hurts me
I wish I knew where I came from
I wish I knew where I'd been
I don't
Need you
I don't
Need you
The lights are going down
Look at us we're fading out
It's been good to have you
That look across your face
Distorted, Crushed and hazy eyed
Fuck your white lies
You pull me back all the time
I won't wait
I won't wait
You drag me down but I'll climb
I won't fall down
I wish I knew where I came from
I wish I knew where I'd been
I don't
Need you
I don't
Need you
The Lights are going down
Look at us we're fading out
It's been good to have you
That look across your face
Distorted, Crushed and hazy eyed
Fuck your white lies
Look away
And I'll be
And I'll be there"
I tore the Mike towards me and let out the last line in pained cry
" In Front"
Letting the final notes play out into the atmosphere, I take a deep breath almost trying to absorb the music in the air. The silence is almost deafening until a whistle pierces the stillness and clapping joins it.
I peer through my long eye lashes at Tre with his flattering wolf whistles. A long drawn out breath leaves my lungs in relief. He grins at me and engulfs me in a hug minding my guitar which still hung round my shoulders. His enthusiasm and loving hug is returned ten-fold.
The others had already removed their instruments as Tre released me, I followed their examples. Mike was already congratulating Tanisha, Andy and Tom on their performances. He breaks away from the others as Tre joins.
Mike cocks his head to the side gives me a cute little smile and a light in his eyes "Do I even need to say it?" he asks gently. I shake my head slightly and give him my puppy dog eyes "No. But It would be nice to hear it" I hinted.
He playfully rolls his eyes and also gives my a giant bear hug "You were amazing... Billie Joe will be so proud of what a great person you've become and how kick ass your music is" We break apart and watch Tom's amusing tale of how he almost fell back off of his amply titled 'Drum Throne' in the last song.
Andy trotted off to the cooler in the middle of the room, with all our eyes following him. He pulls out 6 bottles of beer and chucks us all one. Tanisha grins at him and chuckles knowingly. "I was wondering when you'd break out the beer. Who had 5 minutes after practice?" she asked the room.
Tom jumped up and down madly "Me! Me! I had It. Pay up people!" We all grumbled to ourselves and began searching through our pockets. Even Tre and Mike joined in our little bet. We each handed Tom 20 quid, while Andy stood by with an appalled look on his face.
"You bet on when I was gonna break out beer?" We nodded and he began babbling "But... I... You... Why... That's not..." Tre giggled and wrapped an arm around Andy guiding him back to the group "Come on kid, open your beer, drink and be merry"
After our beers we headed down into the kitchen to get some dinner seeing as it was 8 o'clock in the evening. I sat down on one of the chairs and looked around expectantly "So... Whose going to cook? Cause according to mum 'You didn't come down when I called you so you shall have to fend for yourselves'"
Tre tapped the side of his nose and smirked at us all "The better question is, Chinese or Pizza?" The band huddled together and began discussing Tre's question. We turned back to him and Mike to answer.
Tom spoke for the group "We like the way you think Tre, but we're not having Chinese and we're not having pizza" He and Mike both looked confused "Then what are we going to have?" "Fish and Chips!" we shouted simultaneously.
"What? That sounds not so good. Why would anyone eat fish with chips? I didn't think they would go together" Tre said, with confusion written on his face. I giggled and turned to both Mike and Tre.
"Oops. Looks like I have officially spent too much time in England. What we mean Tre is English fish and chips. Just trust me; it's amazing" I turned to Tanisha "Go and order it okay. We will force them to eat it if they won't" I was of course referring to Mike and Tre.
Half an hour later we were just finishing our meals surprisingly Mike and Tre finished first "That was actually quite good. I enjoyed eating it. Why don't they make it this good in California?" He asked directing the last part to Mike. He shrugged his shoulders and let out a loud burp.
Tanisha and I giggled as Tom tried to match and exceed Mike belch. This in turn led to an all out burping contest between the guys. Mike won if you're interested. We were all settling down in the furniture of the living room when Tre brought up the subject that I was desperate not to come up.
"It's about 1 in the afternoon in California. Now would be a great time to call Billie Joe, It's a Saturday so he should be there" I nodded my head in his direction weakly "Okay I guess I should" I was somehow quite excited to get this over with.
Tre and I both raised ourselves out of our sitting positions slowly. He started to walk over to the living room phone but stopped when my voice penetrated his thoughts "I kinda want to use the kitchen phone"
He agreed and we made our way into the dull kitchen, strangely it reminded me of the walk of shame in the Weakest Link. I grabbed the cordless phone and settled myself on one of the kitchen chairs. After two minutes of just staring at the phone Tre prodded my foot with his gently.
Shaking my head slowly I start dialing my dad's home number. Tre placed his hands on my shoulders in a comforting gesture. Taking a large breath I raise the phone to my ear and listen to the ringing on the other end.
The phone was picked up and a voice spoke out.
"Hello?"
To tell you the truth this hasn't happened to me since I was little. Yes, Tre Cool used to do this to me as a little girl. He always scared the hell out of me. I retract my head from under the pillow to give him a good 'Billie Joe glare'. His spine shook as a shiver ran down his back at how exactly like my father's glare it was.
I shove my head under the pillow again giggling lightly as Mike entered the room through the bathroom door. Tre began jumping roughly on the bed again "Mike! Help me get sleeping beauty to wake up" In response Mike threw his head back and a bark like laugh echoed through the room. "Your on your own Tre, I'm not gonna chance being on the receiving end of one of Tasha's kicks"
"But I want to listen to E. O. T. A play and I can't do that cause Tasha is sleeping"
"Tre you're so whiny" he giggled and continued his bouncing.
"Tasha Get Up! Get Up! Get Up" All you could hear was the swish of the pillow and the crash of Tre hitting the floor when I swung round and attacked him.
Crawling over to the side of the bed, I peer over to see Tre lying eagle spread on the floor pretending to be dead "Uncle Tre? Tre?" He still doesn't move a muscle, but I did see his eyelids flutter momentarily. With a wave of my hand Mike scuffled over to come and take a look at Tre.
We both stare at him carefully, expecting a loud boo to come from his motionless form at any moment. This time Mike tries "Tre? Buddy?" Tre still doesn't move a muscle. Giggling at this amusing situation I decided to try a new technique.
"Hey... Frank?" I wait patently "Frank?" He jumps to his feet with a playful murderous look attached to his face "You called me Frank... No one calls me that!" With an almost silent laugh he tackled my body back onto the bed. I let out a pathetic scream as he began to tickle me furiously.
"Do you yield? What's my name?" I started kicking and wriggling attempting to get away from the silliest man in existence. "No! And your name's Frank!" If anything his tickling became more insistent "Say you are Tre Cool! The coolest of Cool! Say it!"
"I'LL NEVER SURRENDER FRANK! MIKE HELP ME!" I yelped. Tre mocked me in a high pitch girly voice "Mike! Help me! Oh Mike... You are on your own sister". We were moving so much that we fell off the bed. A breath was knocked out of me as my body hit the floor but Tre still continued his assault in this new position.
"Ha ha! Mike Please! I'm gonna piss myself! Help Me!" My eyes were watering up and all blurry but I still saw the figure of Mike standing over Tre. My limps were starting to hurt from all the collisions they were making on Tre.
"YES!" I shouted as Mike pulled Tre off of me and held him down with one hand. "Would you like pay back Tasha?" He asks calmly ignoring Tre's shouts of "TRAITOR! TRAITOR!"
Grinning like a maniac, savoring the moments that pass I slowly and purposefully crawl over to the struggling Tre. "Come on Tasha. I was only joking. No need to try and get me back" Without answering I plunge my fingers into his sides working them mercilessly. He lets out an inhuman giggle and a screech.
I climbed on top of him holding him down with my body weight allowing Mike to aid me in my assault against the not so mighty Tre Cool. Tre was screeching louder than a banshee and wriggling like a worm attempting to squirm out of our grip. "What's my name Tre? Say my name!"
"Natasha Armstrong!" I smirk evilly in-between my bursts of tickling. He gulped. "Say my full name Tre! What's my full name?!" I make my fingers move faster extracting an even louder squeal from Tre. "I can't remember! Please! It's too long!"
"Mike tickle his feet!"
He does as I say while Tre shrieks again and again "Not the feet! Not the feet!" "SAY MY NAME TRE! It'll all stop if you say my name"
"I can't remember!" he shouts.
"Say my name!" I shout matching his pitch and volume perfectly.
"I can't remember!"
"Say my name!"
"Natasha Billie Joe Warning Frankie California Michaela Starbucks Armstrong"
Grinning and laughing all the way I roll off of Tre and make my way to the shower "I knew you would remember Tre. It may be a very very long name but I like it. I'll leave you two to make the bed"
Stepping into the bathroom I closed the door to block out Tre's whining at having to make my bed. I still heard the mumbling in the silence and solace of the cream walls, porcelain bathtub and shower. The double sink stood at the back wall and high above it rested an antique Mirror that mum brought at an auction 5 years ago.
I gazed into the shining surface at the face staring back at me. All my life, well up until I was seven years old I've been happy with the person I see in the mirror, but not now and I don't know why. Watching my eyes watch me. I sneer at the dull and bland oval surfaces that are found.
Closing my eyes in a vain attempt to see no more, seems foolish but I do it anyway and reopen them in an attempt to change the sight before me but I can't! It's still there, my image. Watching and laughing at me. Just standing here, looking and for the millionth time in my life I feel empty. I can't sense anything.
The hearty laughter rings out from the other side of the door like a stream of music and I still can't feel anything but the numb of loneliness. Okay so maybe I lied to you all about my life being perfect and me being completely complacent with myself. Don't look at me like that! We all lie now and again.
Looking at the mirror is too painful. I rip away from my trance and head towards the shower. Fiddling with the hot and cold trying to get the mixture right, the noise from the other room stops and I'm still alone. Always alone.
Stripping down and entering the shower I begin to contemplate. I don't always feel like this, it just happens. I could be having the time of my life, surrounded by loved ones and the warmth I feel will just dissipate and I'll be isolated and empty.
Fucked up ain't it? The guys can't really tell that I fake a lot of emotions just so they won't worry about me. I don't think anyone notices at all, it kinda makes me feel even more alone on this earth.
I grab the shampoo bottle from the shelf and work the clear liquid in my hair to form lather. Concentrating on the fragrance of my shampoo, I attempt to clear my mind. But, there's always a little voice there nagging me "If they really loved you, they would be able to tell the difference between the real you and your fake emotions"
The suds have rinsed out and the waters cold but I can't seem to move for the pain of the freezing cold droplets attacking my skin, they feel like hail stones. It feels nice to be able to feel something, even if it is pain.
I close my green eyes and rest my forehead against the cold tiles. A salty tear slides from my eye and rolls down my cheek disappearing in the shower water.
A knock at the door jars my mind from its musings. I quickly reach to turn the shower off and grab for a towel. "Hey Bugaboo, We're all going to the music room. When you're ready come down and you can show off your skills to me and Mike"
I mutter an almost silent okay, halt my movements and listen as his footsteps echo down the hall until I'm unable to hear them anymore. I jump out of the shower and run around my room collecting my clothes, avoiding any contact with the mirror until I can't avoid it anymore. Focusing solely on the flesh around my eyes, I apply my kohl eyeliner.
Running a comb through my damp hair I grab all my song notes and lyrics and make my way to the music room taking a brief rest in the kitchen to grab an apple and a glass of water. Heading there I hear the not so distant beat of the drum kit and the twang of the bass guitar. As I get closer the sounds of laughter reach my sensitive ears.
Feeling slightly left out. I take a deep breath readying myself for the day of acting. Bounding into the room with a grin on my face I glance around. Tre was sitting at the drums and Mike was holding my black bass, the guys were just sitting watching their display.
I clear my throat and Tre and Mike turn to me sheepishly. "I thought you wanted us to perform for you not the other way around" Tre coughed quite loudly and began to mumble "Err... Well. You see... We were... Err... Warming up your instruments. Yeah that's right. Your instruments were cold so we decided to..." I held up my hand halting his mindless ramble.
He hung his head and began to get up from the seat, stopping to kiss the snare drum "Bye drums" He sniffed and wiped a fake tear out of his eye "I'll miss you" Tom hurried up to him and bumped him out of the way with his ass and situated himself behind the drums. Andy grabbed the Bass from Mike's hands and stuck his tongue out in a childish gesture.
Tanisha and I picked up our guitars and began tuning them. Tre and Mike sat in some of the seats and began chanting "E. OT. A! E. O. T. A! E. O. T. A! E. O. T. A!" I let out a true giggle, Music always brings me back. It's my drug. I need music, have you ever felt like that?
That music brings forth our emotions, shapes them to its own needs. Music pulls at our inner strings, making us feel, making us think. It gets wrapped up in your life, to the point where you can see yourself in the chords, the notes. The lyrics reflect how you see your life, and shows you the you inside.
Grabbing my pick, I can feel the adrenaline start pumping in my blood stream. The excitement and apprehension gave me the sensation of floating on air.
I winked at Tre and Mike and grinded my hips in a circular motion against the back of my guitar. Plucking the beginning notes of the first song I wrote, we flung straight in attacking our instruments.
The feelings of emptiness began to fade as the music began to flow through the airwaves. I was getting so lost in playing that I didn't acknowledge Tre and Mike exchanging words over the music and looks of awe.
We continued playing all of our best songs. The vibration of the guitar against my body floods inside me every time I play, filling my soul, humming, almost guiding my movements.
As the final notes hung throughout the air, I held my arms in the air signaling quiet, Tre and Mike both fall silent, even my band made no sound. My now small voice breaks though the silence. "I now want to play a song that I've loved and respected since I heard it not long ago. It's Hazy Eyes by Fightstar"
I nodded at Tom signaling him to count us in. He slammed his sticks against each other as he shouted "1. 2... 1, 2, 3, 4!" We leapt straight into the final song for the day. I let Tanisha take most of the song so I could concentrate on putting emotion into the words.
"You smash my heart with your words
It won't break
It won't break
This anaesthetic won't work
It just hurts me
I wish I knew where I came from
I wish I knew where I'd been
I don't
Need you
I don't
Need you
The lights are going down
Look at us we're fading out
It's been good to have you
That look across your face
Distorted, Crushed and hazy eyed
Fuck your white lies
You pull me back all the time
I won't wait
I won't wait
You drag me down but I'll climb
I won't fall down
I wish I knew where I came from
I wish I knew where I'd been
I don't
Need you
I don't
Need you
The Lights are going down
Look at us we're fading out
It's been good to have you
That look across your face
Distorted, Crushed and hazy eyed
Fuck your white lies
Look away
And I'll be
And I'll be there"
I tore the Mike towards me and let out the last line in pained cry
" In Front"
Letting the final notes play out into the atmosphere, I take a deep breath almost trying to absorb the music in the air. The silence is almost deafening until a whistle pierces the stillness and clapping joins it.
I peer through my long eye lashes at Tre with his flattering wolf whistles. A long drawn out breath leaves my lungs in relief. He grins at me and engulfs me in a hug minding my guitar which still hung round my shoulders. His enthusiasm and loving hug is returned ten-fold.
The others had already removed their instruments as Tre released me, I followed their examples. Mike was already congratulating Tanisha, Andy and Tom on their performances. He breaks away from the others as Tre joins.
Mike cocks his head to the side gives me a cute little smile and a light in his eyes "Do I even need to say it?" he asks gently. I shake my head slightly and give him my puppy dog eyes "No. But It would be nice to hear it" I hinted.
He playfully rolls his eyes and also gives my a giant bear hug "You were amazing... Billie Joe will be so proud of what a great person you've become and how kick ass your music is" We break apart and watch Tom's amusing tale of how he almost fell back off of his amply titled 'Drum Throne' in the last song.
Andy trotted off to the cooler in the middle of the room, with all our eyes following him. He pulls out 6 bottles of beer and chucks us all one. Tanisha grins at him and chuckles knowingly. "I was wondering when you'd break out the beer. Who had 5 minutes after practice?" she asked the room.
Tom jumped up and down madly "Me! Me! I had It. Pay up people!" We all grumbled to ourselves and began searching through our pockets. Even Tre and Mike joined in our little bet. We each handed Tom 20 quid, while Andy stood by with an appalled look on his face.
"You bet on when I was gonna break out beer?" We nodded and he began babbling "But... I... You... Why... That's not..." Tre giggled and wrapped an arm around Andy guiding him back to the group "Come on kid, open your beer, drink and be merry"
After our beers we headed down into the kitchen to get some dinner seeing as it was 8 o'clock in the evening. I sat down on one of the chairs and looked around expectantly "So... Whose going to cook? Cause according to mum 'You didn't come down when I called you so you shall have to fend for yourselves'"
Tre tapped the side of his nose and smirked at us all "The better question is, Chinese or Pizza?" The band huddled together and began discussing Tre's question. We turned back to him and Mike to answer.
Tom spoke for the group "We like the way you think Tre, but we're not having Chinese and we're not having pizza" He and Mike both looked confused "Then what are we going to have?" "Fish and Chips!" we shouted simultaneously.
"What? That sounds not so good. Why would anyone eat fish with chips? I didn't think they would go together" Tre said, with confusion written on his face. I giggled and turned to both Mike and Tre.
"Oops. Looks like I have officially spent too much time in England. What we mean Tre is English fish and chips. Just trust me; it's amazing" I turned to Tanisha "Go and order it okay. We will force them to eat it if they won't" I was of course referring to Mike and Tre.
Half an hour later we were just finishing our meals surprisingly Mike and Tre finished first "That was actually quite good. I enjoyed eating it. Why don't they make it this good in California?" He asked directing the last part to Mike. He shrugged his shoulders and let out a loud burp.
Tanisha and I giggled as Tom tried to match and exceed Mike belch. This in turn led to an all out burping contest between the guys. Mike won if you're interested. We were all settling down in the furniture of the living room when Tre brought up the subject that I was desperate not to come up.
"It's about 1 in the afternoon in California. Now would be a great time to call Billie Joe, It's a Saturday so he should be there" I nodded my head in his direction weakly "Okay I guess I should" I was somehow quite excited to get this over with.
Tre and I both raised ourselves out of our sitting positions slowly. He started to walk over to the living room phone but stopped when my voice penetrated his thoughts "I kinda want to use the kitchen phone"
He agreed and we made our way into the dull kitchen, strangely it reminded me of the walk of shame in the Weakest Link. I grabbed the cordless phone and settled myself on one of the kitchen chairs. After two minutes of just staring at the phone Tre prodded my foot with his gently.
Shaking my head slowly I start dialing my dad's home number. Tre placed his hands on my shoulders in a comforting gesture. Taking a large breath I raise the phone to my ear and listen to the ringing on the other end.
The phone was picked up and a voice spoke out.
"Hello?"
