Falling For The Shoulder You Lean On, chapter 3
(December 31, 1994.)
Seri's POV
Tonight, I was going to Tre's house for the guys annual New Year's Eve party. Liam could not make it because he had gotten called into work, so I decided to just go by myself. I pulled up in front of Tre's house and knocked on the door. Tre greeted me.
"Seri!"
He gave me a huge hug.
"Tre!"
"Glad you could make it, girl. Where's that Liam dude?"
"Oh, he had to work tonight."
"Well, sucks for him."
"Yeah."
"Ya wanna drink?"
"Sure."
Tre ran off towards the bar. The house was crammed this year, well, more crammed then usual. I guess these people must be here only because they are famous now or something. I walked into the living room and found Mike kicking back on the sofa.
"Hey, Mike."
"What's up, Seri?"
"Nothing much. Where's Billie at? Usually he'd be dancing half-naked on the table by now or something to that effect."
"Adie got sick. The flu or something has been going around. He's at home taking care of her, what with her being pregnant and all."
"Yeah. You got any guesses to what he or she will be?"
"The baby? Well, maybe a girl?"
"Wrong. It's a boy."
"How the fuck do you know? They got an ultrasound?"
"Nope, I'm good at these things. Trust me. We got a lil' Billie on the way."
"Really? I doubt it."
"Wanna bet?"
"Sure."
"I bet you five bucks it's a boy."
"Deal."
"Good. Easy money. Now, are you here all by yourself or is Stasia here too?"
"Anastatsia is spending New Years at her Grandpa's in Atlanta. I was gonna go but we're shooting our new video sometime next week."
"Yeah, that sucks. I guess a lotta people missed this years party. Only to be replaced by these strangers."
"Where's Liam?"
"At work. So it's just us then?"
"Yup."
"And me!" shouted Tre as he handed me a screwdriver. (alcoholic beverage, not the tool.)
"And Tre," I said.
We just kept drinking and partying late into the night. It really does suck being alone on New Year's without your loved ones. It was the New Year and we really did not give a shit. The radio was on and it started to play Longview. I still cannot believe they are famous. Hell, they could not be more popular than they are now.
(November 1997. Nimrod Tour.)
Billie's POV
Will this ever end? All we do now is tour. One year tour, two weeks at home, eleven months in the studio, another fucking world tour. I need to chill out. I knew that when we signed to a major label that we would have to do this. I miss my old life, before the fame. I miss being with Adie, holding her, kissing her, telling her that I love her. I miss playing with my eldest son, Joseph. Watching him grow and learn. I just had my youngest son, Jakob, two fucking months ago. I cannot even be there to change his diapers, to hold him, to put him to sleep. I miss my best friend, Seri. I miss hanging out with her and helping her out with her problems and her helping me with mine. I usually call her when I am feeling this way but I cannot even do that because we have to be up in about three hours for another show. I a tired. I am so fucking tired.
"Hey, sup Bill?" asked Tre as he sat down on his bunk.
"Nothing. I'm thinking."
"Of what? Being home?"
"Yeah, you too?"
"Yup. I hate being on these long ass tours, but the payoff's good."
"So what? We're fucking millionaires. It ain't like we have enough time to enjoy it."
"Bil? When this tour is over, all press deals done. Why don't we all take a break? Huh?"
"You know what, Tre? I'd like that."
"Yeah, I thought you would."
"Night, Tre."
"Night, Bill."
Tre's POV
In all actuality, I like being on the road. It keeps my mind off of things. By things, I mean people and by people, I mean Serenity Blake. Just thinking of her makes me hard. I wish I could stop. Can I just quit loving her? She is never going to leave Liam, I respect that. Sometimes I just wish she would open her eyes and realize he is not the only person on the planet who cares for her. I have tried getting over her, God, have I tried. I even got married. I lover her, but not like Seri. No one is like Seri. Maybe when this tour is over I can spend sometime with her?
(December 31,1998.)
Seri's POV
Billie is in New York for the MTV New Year's bash. Liam had to visit his Mom in the hospital. We have never gotten along so I stayed home. Three whole days to myself. Tonight, Tre is coming over because he said he was lonely. The doorbell rang, probably Tre.
"Happy New Year, Seri!"
"It isn't the new year yet, you dope."
He wrapped his arms around me into a hug.
"Happening party."
"Shut up, Tre."
"So what, since your boyfriend isn't here you're gonna mope around for the next three days? Not while the fabulous Tre is here."
"Okay, Tre. How does Mr. Cool kill boredom?"
"By stabbing it in the eye with a hot French fry, of course."
"Well, of course."
He laughed and plopped down on my couch. I sat down beside him.
"You're actually watching MTV? Serenity Blake? The woman who so affectionately calls it this generation's downfall?"
"Billie's going on tonight, okay?"
"Right. You sure it isn't that Carson Daly that turns you on?"
"Eww, gross."
I hit him in his chest and he laughed.
"God, I miss this?"
"What?"
"This. Hanging out with you, goofing off, like the old days. We don't do this anymore."
"Well, I thought Mr. Big-shot Rock-star wouldn't wanna hang around with lil' old me."
"What? Why would I not wanna hang with you? You're the coolest chick ever."
"Mr. Cool thinks I'm cool?"
"Yes, Mr. Cool thinks you're cool."
We started laughing really hard and then he started tickling me. Damn Tre and his knowledge of my ticklish spots. Liam does not even know where I am ticklish at.
"Aaaahhhh! Stop it, Tre!"
"Stop what? This?"
He kept tickling me harder and harder.
"Yes... that. Oh, Billie's on." I managed to say in between the tickles and gasps for air.
We both stopped and sat back on the sofa to watch our best friend make a complete ass of himself. He had his guitar draped across his shoulder comfortably. He looked so hammered. The announcers introduced him and he started to play their new single, Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life).
"Damn, Billie's fucked up," said Tre.
"You're telling me. I just can't believe they're still making him perform."
"That's MTV for you."
Halfway through his performance, Billie stopped and grabbed the mic.
"Sorry, I'm really fucked up right now," he spoke into the microphone.
He got back to playing, though it was a bit out of tune.
"Oh my God! Billie!" I shouted at the screen.
Tre laughed.
"You tell'em, Bill."
After his performance was over he stumbled into the crowd, twice. Then, very drunkenly, stumbled backstage.
"Wow, that was entertaining," I said.
"Yup. Very."
"Ya wanna beer or something?"
"Sure. I'll get it. You want one?"
"Okay. I wanna thank you, Tre."
"For what?"
"Being here. I didn't want to be alone."
"No problemo, Seri. I'm always here for you."
Tre's POV
Did I just say that out loud? Smooth Tre, real smooth. I walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge. She really stocked up on the booze. She is not that heavy of a drinker. Why did she need so much? I decided not to think about it any longer and grabbed two Bud's.
"Thanks."
"No prob."
The telephone started ringing. Seri reached over the arm of the couch to answer it. When she did her shirt lifted up a bit. I liked what I saw. Perfect body, not lip sucked or plastic surgery but pure, natural, work out perfect. Damn, I wish she was mine.
"Hello?" she asked the voice on the other line.
"Hey, Seri."
"Bilie? We saw you on MTV. Are you okay?"
"No... I'm fucking wasted."
"I know. Where are you?"
"I... I don't know. Somewhere?"
"Billie, I need to know where you are."
"What's wrong?" I asked.
She put her hand over the receiver.
"Billie, he's really fucked up. He doesn't know where he is."
"Oh, shit."
"Yeah, I know."
She removed her hand and started talking to him again.
"Bill? Is anyone there?"
"Uuumm... yeah. I think I'm outside of a big building."
"Can you read me the sign?"
"It's... um... Ritz C... "
"The Ritz Carlton?"
"Uuumm..yeah, that's it."
"Great! That's your hotel."
She looked so relieved. I was too.
"Walk inside to the front desk and ask to be escorted to your room. Call me when you wake up so we can book you a flight home."
"Alright, thanks Seri."
"Okay Billie, keep safe."
"I love you, Seri," he slurred some of his words.
"I... I love you too."
Seri hung up the phone.
"Is he okay?" I asked.
"No, but he'll make it. We're calling for a flight home for him tomorrow."
"Okay."
"Time for us to relax."
For the next three hours, Seri did not stop. She just kept guzzling down beer after beer. By four am, I thought it was enough.
"Seri? Babe, you need to put a rest to it."
"What? I... fucking... not drunk," she mumbled.
The scent of alcohol rolled off her tongue. Seeing her like this, in a drunken stupor, was horrible. I wish I could be there for her so she would not do this. It is Liam's job, he is her supposed boyfriend. Is he the one who is going to be holding her hair back when she obviously gets sick tonight? No, me, Tre.
"Okay Seri, time for bed."
"I... I"
"Shh."
I picked her up in my arms and carried her upstairs into her room. I placed her gently on the bed and tucked her in. I kissed the top of her forehead and walked out.
"Night, Tre."
Hearing her say that made it all worth it. When most drunk people hit the bed they pass out. She actually wished me goodnight. I feel something here, like I have never felt before.
"Night, beautiful."
I turned off the lights and walked out.
Seri's POV
Tonight, I was going to Tre's house for the guys annual New Year's Eve party. Liam could not make it because he had gotten called into work, so I decided to just go by myself. I pulled up in front of Tre's house and knocked on the door. Tre greeted me.
"Seri!"
He gave me a huge hug.
"Tre!"
"Glad you could make it, girl. Where's that Liam dude?"
"Oh, he had to work tonight."
"Well, sucks for him."
"Yeah."
"Ya wanna drink?"
"Sure."
Tre ran off towards the bar. The house was crammed this year, well, more crammed then usual. I guess these people must be here only because they are famous now or something. I walked into the living room and found Mike kicking back on the sofa.
"Hey, Mike."
"What's up, Seri?"
"Nothing much. Where's Billie at? Usually he'd be dancing half-naked on the table by now or something to that effect."
"Adie got sick. The flu or something has been going around. He's at home taking care of her, what with her being pregnant and all."
"Yeah. You got any guesses to what he or she will be?"
"The baby? Well, maybe a girl?"
"Wrong. It's a boy."
"How the fuck do you know? They got an ultrasound?"
"Nope, I'm good at these things. Trust me. We got a lil' Billie on the way."
"Really? I doubt it."
"Wanna bet?"
"Sure."
"I bet you five bucks it's a boy."
"Deal."
"Good. Easy money. Now, are you here all by yourself or is Stasia here too?"
"Anastatsia is spending New Years at her Grandpa's in Atlanta. I was gonna go but we're shooting our new video sometime next week."
"Yeah, that sucks. I guess a lotta people missed this years party. Only to be replaced by these strangers."
"Where's Liam?"
"At work. So it's just us then?"
"Yup."
"And me!" shouted Tre as he handed me a screwdriver. (alcoholic beverage, not the tool.)
"And Tre," I said.
We just kept drinking and partying late into the night. It really does suck being alone on New Year's without your loved ones. It was the New Year and we really did not give a shit. The radio was on and it started to play Longview. I still cannot believe they are famous. Hell, they could not be more popular than they are now.
(November 1997. Nimrod Tour.)
Billie's POV
Will this ever end? All we do now is tour. One year tour, two weeks at home, eleven months in the studio, another fucking world tour. I need to chill out. I knew that when we signed to a major label that we would have to do this. I miss my old life, before the fame. I miss being with Adie, holding her, kissing her, telling her that I love her. I miss playing with my eldest son, Joseph. Watching him grow and learn. I just had my youngest son, Jakob, two fucking months ago. I cannot even be there to change his diapers, to hold him, to put him to sleep. I miss my best friend, Seri. I miss hanging out with her and helping her out with her problems and her helping me with mine. I usually call her when I am feeling this way but I cannot even do that because we have to be up in about three hours for another show. I a tired. I am so fucking tired.
"Hey, sup Bill?" asked Tre as he sat down on his bunk.
"Nothing. I'm thinking."
"Of what? Being home?"
"Yeah, you too?"
"Yup. I hate being on these long ass tours, but the payoff's good."
"So what? We're fucking millionaires. It ain't like we have enough time to enjoy it."
"Bil? When this tour is over, all press deals done. Why don't we all take a break? Huh?"
"You know what, Tre? I'd like that."
"Yeah, I thought you would."
"Night, Tre."
"Night, Bill."
Tre's POV
In all actuality, I like being on the road. It keeps my mind off of things. By things, I mean people and by people, I mean Serenity Blake. Just thinking of her makes me hard. I wish I could stop. Can I just quit loving her? She is never going to leave Liam, I respect that. Sometimes I just wish she would open her eyes and realize he is not the only person on the planet who cares for her. I have tried getting over her, God, have I tried. I even got married. I lover her, but not like Seri. No one is like Seri. Maybe when this tour is over I can spend sometime with her?
(December 31,1998.)
Seri's POV
Billie is in New York for the MTV New Year's bash. Liam had to visit his Mom in the hospital. We have never gotten along so I stayed home. Three whole days to myself. Tonight, Tre is coming over because he said he was lonely. The doorbell rang, probably Tre.
"Happy New Year, Seri!"
"It isn't the new year yet, you dope."
He wrapped his arms around me into a hug.
"Happening party."
"Shut up, Tre."
"So what, since your boyfriend isn't here you're gonna mope around for the next three days? Not while the fabulous Tre is here."
"Okay, Tre. How does Mr. Cool kill boredom?"
"By stabbing it in the eye with a hot French fry, of course."
"Well, of course."
He laughed and plopped down on my couch. I sat down beside him.
"You're actually watching MTV? Serenity Blake? The woman who so affectionately calls it this generation's downfall?"
"Billie's going on tonight, okay?"
"Right. You sure it isn't that Carson Daly that turns you on?"
"Eww, gross."
I hit him in his chest and he laughed.
"God, I miss this?"
"What?"
"This. Hanging out with you, goofing off, like the old days. We don't do this anymore."
"Well, I thought Mr. Big-shot Rock-star wouldn't wanna hang around with lil' old me."
"What? Why would I not wanna hang with you? You're the coolest chick ever."
"Mr. Cool thinks I'm cool?"
"Yes, Mr. Cool thinks you're cool."
We started laughing really hard and then he started tickling me. Damn Tre and his knowledge of my ticklish spots. Liam does not even know where I am ticklish at.
"Aaaahhhh! Stop it, Tre!"
"Stop what? This?"
He kept tickling me harder and harder.
"Yes... that. Oh, Billie's on." I managed to say in between the tickles and gasps for air.
We both stopped and sat back on the sofa to watch our best friend make a complete ass of himself. He had his guitar draped across his shoulder comfortably. He looked so hammered. The announcers introduced him and he started to play their new single, Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life).
"Damn, Billie's fucked up," said Tre.
"You're telling me. I just can't believe they're still making him perform."
"That's MTV for you."
Halfway through his performance, Billie stopped and grabbed the mic.
"Sorry, I'm really fucked up right now," he spoke into the microphone.
He got back to playing, though it was a bit out of tune.
"Oh my God! Billie!" I shouted at the screen.
Tre laughed.
"You tell'em, Bill."
After his performance was over he stumbled into the crowd, twice. Then, very drunkenly, stumbled backstage.
"Wow, that was entertaining," I said.
"Yup. Very."
"Ya wanna beer or something?"
"Sure. I'll get it. You want one?"
"Okay. I wanna thank you, Tre."
"For what?"
"Being here. I didn't want to be alone."
"No problemo, Seri. I'm always here for you."
Tre's POV
Did I just say that out loud? Smooth Tre, real smooth. I walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge. She really stocked up on the booze. She is not that heavy of a drinker. Why did she need so much? I decided not to think about it any longer and grabbed two Bud's.
"Thanks."
"No prob."
The telephone started ringing. Seri reached over the arm of the couch to answer it. When she did her shirt lifted up a bit. I liked what I saw. Perfect body, not lip sucked or plastic surgery but pure, natural, work out perfect. Damn, I wish she was mine.
"Hello?" she asked the voice on the other line.
"Hey, Seri."
"Bilie? We saw you on MTV. Are you okay?"
"No... I'm fucking wasted."
"I know. Where are you?"
"I... I don't know. Somewhere?"
"Billie, I need to know where you are."
"What's wrong?" I asked.
She put her hand over the receiver.
"Billie, he's really fucked up. He doesn't know where he is."
"Oh, shit."
"Yeah, I know."
She removed her hand and started talking to him again.
"Bill? Is anyone there?"
"Uuumm... yeah. I think I'm outside of a big building."
"Can you read me the sign?"
"It's... um... Ritz C... "
"The Ritz Carlton?"
"Uuumm..yeah, that's it."
"Great! That's your hotel."
She looked so relieved. I was too.
"Walk inside to the front desk and ask to be escorted to your room. Call me when you wake up so we can book you a flight home."
"Alright, thanks Seri."
"Okay Billie, keep safe."
"I love you, Seri," he slurred some of his words.
"I... I love you too."
Seri hung up the phone.
"Is he okay?" I asked.
"No, but he'll make it. We're calling for a flight home for him tomorrow."
"Okay."
"Time for us to relax."
For the next three hours, Seri did not stop. She just kept guzzling down beer after beer. By four am, I thought it was enough.
"Seri? Babe, you need to put a rest to it."
"What? I... fucking... not drunk," she mumbled.
The scent of alcohol rolled off her tongue. Seeing her like this, in a drunken stupor, was horrible. I wish I could be there for her so she would not do this. It is Liam's job, he is her supposed boyfriend. Is he the one who is going to be holding her hair back when she obviously gets sick tonight? No, me, Tre.
"Okay Seri, time for bed."
"I... I"
"Shh."
I picked her up in my arms and carried her upstairs into her room. I placed her gently on the bed and tucked her in. I kissed the top of her forehead and walked out.
"Night, Tre."
Hearing her say that made it all worth it. When most drunk people hit the bed they pass out. She actually wished me goodnight. I feel something here, like I have never felt before.
"Night, beautiful."
I turned off the lights and walked out.
