Little Lilac

Tony POV

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“Okay, let’s add two more of those E cord riffs. I wanna see how this goes before we make the change to this track.” Vic said while strumming his guitar.



“And Jaime, actually try to play along instead of pounding random strings..” Jaime blew Vic a kiss and said in his most seductive voice he could.



“I’ll do whatever you want, baby.”



This got everyone to laugh.The mood was pretty light. And I was feeling relaxed, for once.



We started the song off, and to me it sounded pretty damn good.



I smile a big, bright smile.This one should hopefully be a fan favorite. We always make bets on which tracks will be fan favorite. But we are always wrong. The fans make Pierce the Veil, you know, Pierce the veil. And that is all that matters. we are not the ones who are gonna listen to the album, they are.



The song ended and everyone started to make a whole lot of sounds.



They are some weird Mofo’s.



I laugh a little when I think of that word. Rheyanna and I used to watch the local news channel when she was on a good day. She used to call the anchors Mofos.



I smile when I think that in 2 days I will see that weirdo again.



I really hope she was alright when I was gone. She means the world to me.



I see a hand moving in front of my face..



All tattoos.



Mike.



“Dude, we are ready to record. Let’s head over to the booths.’ He nods his head over to the four individual booths.



The awesome thing about working here at Fearless is that we get our own booths that we can organize to our liking.



I mean the organization doesn’t mean much to me, It is more the silence and serenity I enjoy.



It is the only few hours a day I get to be myself, and not wear a mask. I do not need to please anyone. No faking a smile. No worrying about every little detail that goes on outside of my booth walls.



I get to center all my attention on my hands strumming over a guitar. Feeling my true nature escaping through my calloused hands. I can feel the music bleeding out of my pores.



All I really ever wanted to do is play music. Every since my Grandpa taught me how when I was 15.



But things were different back then. Almost Normal, well not in my case.



School wasn’t my favorite thing. Teachers had not cared whether I was I passed or failed.



And the Toilet became my best friend, since my face was always being pushed into it. I only had 2 real friends back then. I guess you couldn’t really consider them friends because I never talked. I was beyond shy. More of an introvert than anything.



Music came easy, and it became my way of expression. Music spoke louder than words ever did.



I guess you could say I was depressed. With good reason though.



I didn’t start getting better till I joined Pierce the Veil.



I was in a guitar shop one day and I met a guy named Vic. He noticed the guitar I was looking at and we just started talking. We really hit it off. Obviously I didn’t just join that second I met him, it was a slow process, but with hard work I finally became a member.


I still believe today, that Vic and the Band Pierce the veil, really saved me life. The great thing is that I now get to save others lives as well, the ones who had gone through the same situation as me.



The ringing of my phone interrupted my thoughts. I zone back into reality and I look down at my vibrating phone.



Blocked number.



I hit ignore call, and stuff it back into the butt pocket.



The Studio Manager hits the intercom button and announces it is time for me to record.



I put on my headphones and pick up my guitar.



I breathe in and start to play.



When I get a second call.



I huff out another breath and groan.



Who keeps trying to call me?! I drop my guitar into its case and take off my headphones only to put them around my neck.



I hold up my finger to the Studio Manager and hits hits the intercom off button, giving me privacy.



I slide the answer button.



“Hello?”



“Ah! Mr.Perry, so glad I got a hold of you!” The voice seems excited, for some strange reason. I mean the dude just called me Mr.Perry, so I know it is not an old “friend”.



‘May I ask who this is exactly?’



“I am sorry, This is Dr.Todd Billings over here at Mercy West Hospital.”



As soon as he said his title, Dr, my mind went directly to Rheyanna. Oh God, oh no, what happened?! Anger fills my veins, he better not be calling to tell me my sister is dead.



“Can you tell me why you are calling Doctor?”


“I’m over here at Mercy West Hospital in San Diego. We have a patient here by the name of Rhianna Perry, I assume she is either your sister or wife. Am I correct?”



I huff.



“Her name is pronounced Rhey-anna sir”



“Well, I am sorry. She was admitted 3 days ago with deep lacerations to the wrist and upper thighs. Severe Malnourishment, and a toxic report states she ingested a large amount of bleach. This case is very emergent, based on the fact that she still has that large amount of Bleach in her system and her blood loss is too much to account for. We, the staff, would like to know when your presence will be expected?”



I shake my head in disapproval. Why is he so damn happy? He just told me that my sister tried to kill herself again, and he doesn’t give any sympathy?



”Right now! Oh my god Now!”



Why would he even doubt my responsibility to be there? Of course I am going to be there.



“Alright, Have a nice day now!”



I could hear his smile over the phone. My disgust for his rises.



I hesitate, but I answer him to be polite. My anger simmers throughout my body. My face grows hot. I look around the booth for a second.



“Alright….. you too.”



I click end call, and I start thinking about what the guys are gonna say when I tell them I have to leave to go to San Diego to see my dying sister, you know, possibly die.



My hands start shaking uncontrollably. I give the “thumbs up” to the Studio Manager and he clicks the button and my booth now has sound. The Studio Manager hits the intercom button.



“Hey Tony, dude you alright? You like you are gonna drown some puppies or something.”



I shake my head.



“Dude, you have no idea.”



He laughs, and I put my guitar away. Zipping it into it’s black case. The Studio Manager looks at me weird.



“Tony, what are you doing? We have 2 more tracks to record before we release.”



“I understand but this is important, more than you will ever know. I have to do this now.”



I fidget with my fingers as I wait for him to respond.



He sighs. Looking at the other members booths.



“Fine. But I am not the only one you need to talk to about this. This record needs to be released A.S.A.P. Vic is gonna be pissed dude. Good luck. Hopefully he isn’t the one you talk to.”



“I understand. I will just have to work from my home studio. Send you guys the finished pieces. This is desperately important. I’m pretty sure if you were in my position you would do the same thing.”



“You’re probably right, even though I have no idea why this is important. But it is none of my business. So go! Lock up your booth and head out buddy.”



I grab my case, my lucky pick and head out of the booth door. Locking it behind me. I walk to one of the couches and set down my case. I sit down. Waiting for someone to walk out and talk to me.



Just my luck.



Vic.



“Hey, Tony, aren’t you supposed to be recording right now?”



My face grows hot and I look down.



“About that Vic.”


He looks confused and raises an eyebrow internally asking for an explanation.


“What’s up?”



“Uhm..-” I cough hard, trying to clear a lump that has formed in my throat.



I look down at my sweaty palms. I can’t even get the words out.



“Well, I need to go to San Diego.”



Vic looks at me with a ghostly stare. His eyes were burning holes in me.



“Like right now?”



I nod my head slowly.



“We have to finish and publish this album in 2 days Tony!” Vic runs his hands through his hair while he paces back and forth in front of me.



“You don’t think I know that? That’s why I’m freaking out!” My face turns hot. I need to get out of here.



“Why do you need to go anyway?” He stops and turns to me, trying to be a little reasonable. He must be really restraining himself.
I’m stumped. What do I say to him?! He doesn’t even know I have a sister.



“Well?” He holds up a hand like he is asking for me to hand him an explanation.



Vic’s brow is heavily furrowed and his body is in the ‘what the fuck’ stance.



“I don’t know what to say Vic. I can’t really tell you”



“I swear to God, Tony if you are going back to San Diego to sleep with your girlfriend forget it. What’s more important making music and saving lives or screwing some whore?” Vic says through clenched teeth.



Anger fills my veins once again. I am burning up now. Erin has nothing to do with this! I have the sudden urge to punch him in the face. But I restrain myself. I really wish I hadn’t.



“Don’t you ever, EVER talk about Erin like that! She is not some whore. She has nothing to do with this.” I emphasize my words with a hard stern finger point at Vic.



I move closer to Vic, we’re 2 feet from each others faces. Practically breathing the same air. Seething is more accurate.



“‘Then what the fuck is going on Perry? You can’t just up and leave whenever you please, especially not 2 days before our album releases. God what are you thinking!”



My mouth opens, about to throw an insult at Vic, one that he has hard earned...



When all of a sudden the door of one of the booths flies open. And Jaime bursts out of the doorway. He looks highly confused.



“What the Hell is going on out here with you two!” he is holding up both hands. Looking from Me, to Vic, then back at me.



Vic looks up towards me.



“Yeah, Tony, why don’t you tell Jaime what the hell is going on” Vic stares at me, angrily, and with an evil grin that slowly eases up onto his face.



Jaime lifts an eyebrow, and straightens up.


“Uhm, well.. I uh- I gotta go to San Diego, like right now” I mutter under my breath. I pull my arms behind my back and start to itch my sweaty wrists.


Jaime’s mouth hangs open a bit as he looks over at Vic.



“Dude, you have got to be kidding me.”



Vic sneers at me.



“Why?!” Jaime looks at me impatiently. Why can’t they understand that I cannot tell them? Not everything that goes on in my life needs to be broadcasted.


“I don’t have enough time to explain guys!” I cross my arms against my chest.



“Yeah and we don’t have time to lose a member. Our album comes out in 2 days Tony fucking Perry, TWO DAYS! We aren’t even done yet!” Jaime exclaims. Throwing his tattooed arm up in the air.


“I ALREADY KNOW THAT! SO STOP GUILT TRIPPING ME! I AM ALREADY FREAKING OUT! YOU ARE NOT HELPING ME AT ALL!” I scream at them. I am surprised at how loud I can be. I am on the verge of tears, but I wouldn’t let them escape my eyes. Thankfully.



“WELL, WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO FOR YOU? GIVE YOU A BACK MASSAGE, HOW ABOUT SOME NICE AROMA THERAPY? TONY! SERIOUSLY YOU JUST THINK THAT YOU CAN COME AND TELL US YOU ARE LEAVING DURING THE MIDDLE OF FINAL RECORDING TIME AND EXPECT US TO ACCEPT THIS AND HOLD YOUR FUCKING HAND DURING THE WHOLE THING?!!!” Vic has his arms out and is inches from my face.



Vic’s fists are balling up at his sides.



Jaime sits there looking from Me to vic then back at me again. He is angry, but more restrained than Vic.



“OBVIOUSLY I DO NOT THINK THAT! THIS EFFECTS EVERYONE I KNOW, YOU HAVE MADE THAT VERY CLEAR. BUT THIS ISN’T MY ONLY PROBLEM RIGHT NOW VIC! GOING TO SAN DIEGO MEANS LIFE OR DEATH! AND YOU EXPECT ME TO JUST SIT HERE ON MY ASS AND HOPE FOR THE BEST. IF YOU DO THEN YOU ARE FUCKING MENTAL!”


We are screaming at each other at this point. Inches from each others faces. Jaime has to nudge between us and pull each other off.


“TONY! VIC! CALM IT THE FUCK DOWN!”



We lunge at each other, I grab his shirt collar.



“Guys! Guys, knock it off! LET’S FIGURE THIS OUT SOME OTHER WAY!” Jaime grabs me by my neck and Vic by his hair. Forcing us to both stop.



We stop for a second, adjusting our clothes. Both panting. Our pores are practically bleeding anger.



”I am sure there is a reasonable explanation for all of this.” Jaime looks up my eyes. Leaning forward towards me.



“I can’t say it.”



Vic groans then scoffs. Looking away in disgust. What has gotten into him. Who Peed in his Cheerios? Oh, right, Me.



“Himes, just give up man. He is like a fucking Clam. Just let him go Fuck his whore.”



He turns his back away from me, putting his hand on Jaime’s back,pulling him towards the booths.



Jaime hesitates.


“EXCUSE ME? WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU SAY?”



Vic’s hand flies up into the air, revealing his middle finger.



“You heard me, Don’t pretend. I said go FUCK YOUR WHORE!”



“So you are giving up just like that?”



“Yep, Useless stress is bad for your health.. and that is why you are out of the band.”



He slams the booth door shut, and the walls vibrate. I scream at the top of my lungs.



“YOU HAVE TO BE FUCKING KIDDING ME RIGHT NOW! WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN TO ME?!”



I rip my guitar case off the couch, grab my lucky pick- well not so lucky anymore, and I head straight out of the room.



I run down the hallway not caring is I ran over someone. I am too fucking angry.



Vic has overreacted once again. But this time I don’t think he deserves the satisfaction of knowing where I am going and why. Why couldn’t he understand that this was personal?


The lady at the front desk smiles, then frowns once she see’s what mood I am in.



I guess when you see a Tall, angry tattooed guy, you are not supposed to mess with him.



“Tony, are you alright?”



I understand she is just trying to be polite, but this is none of her god damn business.



I storm out of Fearless records.



Goodbye.



I get to my car and I jam my key into the door, unlocking the vehicle, and opening in the backseat and lightly tossing my guitar case in.



I slam the door shut, and open the drivers door. I sit down, and jam my keys into ignition.



I back up the car. And curse when I go too far and hit the curb. This is going to be a long trip.



I connect my phone to the AUX cord and I blast, I mean I fucking blasted Of Mice and Men’s ‘You Make Me Sick’



This should be interesting.


******************************

Vic’s POV.


Jaime looks at me like I am a monster.



“DUDE! ARE YOU SERIOUS RIGHT NOW!!”



“What?” I act all innocent.



“You know exactly what you did. you fired TONY FUCKING PERRY!”



I heard a door close behind me. Fuck.



“What did you do Vic?” I heard Mike growl from behind me. I turn and face him.



“I did what I had to do Mike. This had to happen!”



“Are you really sure? I have known you all my life, and you are not the best at making desicions”



Mike’s fist ball up.



“Dude, he was about to leave to go to San Diego to fuck his whore. DURING THE MIDDLE OF RECORDING TIME!” I try and reason with him.



“Oh sure, yeah whatever” Jaime mutters under his breath.



Luckily I catch the end of it.



“Excuse me?”



“Dude, you didn’t even give him a chance to explain, you jumped to conclusions. Yet, you fired him on a whim. Couldn’t you see he wasn’t in the best mood to begin with?Obviously whatever is going on in San Diego is pretty damn important because he didn’t even fight back when you fired him.”



I just ignored him



“Dude, now we are really screwed, how are we gonna finish the album without a guitarist? Himes can’t even play his parts” This got Himes to look up.



“Whatever, we will be just fine without him. We do not need him. it is too late, he is gone now.” I throw up my hands in the air. Why can’t they see how much better off we are now.



“I can’t fucking believe you man,” Mike growled lowly.



“After everything he has done for you.”


Mike came up to me and punched me hard in the jaw.



The impact knocked me to the floor.



Mike just watched as I lay on the floor bleeding. He smirks a bit when he walks away.



Jaime just stands there as well. Not knowing what to do. If they can’t understand.. Fuck them.



“Tony doesn’t deserve this. Fuck you Vic. I am going home. Finish the record yourself.”



He exist the booths and slams the door, hard.



I just lay there and think. Was I too harsh? No I wasn’t.


I just couldn’t let him find out. I should have told him the moment it happened.




I am really in for it now……………….






Oh… shit...

Notes