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The Way Down

Chapter 7

Everyone was rushing around, caught up in the hustle and bustle of the show. Nothing More had just finished their set and we were on a slight intermission. I ran back and forth as people needed me, bringing different tools and checking cables, making sure everything was ready to go for the boys’ show. I was only on sound crew every once in awhile, but I was starting to get used to the fast pace of it. We had a good fifteen minutes before they needed to go on, and everything was right on track. I looked over and saw Jeremy talking with one of the sound techs. Smiling, I made my way over.

“Hey!” I grinned at him, the other guy nodding and walking away, leaving just the two of us. “I didn’t really get to thank you for the other day,” I felt my face start to warm, remembering how embarrassed I was that night. “I mean I thanked everyone, but I wanted… To thank you personally,” I looked down at my my feet, suddenly feeling shy. After a moment of silence I looked up to see Jeremy looking off to the side, his face hard set and unmoving. “Um, but yeah, that’s all… I had to say…” I felt my stomach drop. Were we right back where we started? I had felt like we had bonded recently, at least talking here and there, having normal conversations. Now everything felt tense, like it had a couple weeks ago when the tour started.

Jeremy stared at me for a long second before nodding, saying, “Yeah no problem. I would have done it for anyone. Don’t worry about it,” and walking away. I felt my face flush and I stood motionless for a second. I felt stupid for thinking we were friends. I shook my head, regaining my composure. I was at work. This was no time to feel sorry for myself.

“Hey, Holt,” someone called to me. “Can you go check those wires up there and make sure they’re securely connected?” a man with a clipboard and headset was motioning to a ladder nearby, where some cables were strung above the equipment. I nodded and headed that way, scaling the ladder slowly. I wasn’t terrible with heights, but ladders I wasn’t too fond of. It wobbled slightly beneath me, and I nervously let go of the bars to reach up and check the cables. As I was running my hands along them I felt the ladder begin to tip. I yelped, latching on to the top, bracing myself to fall, my eyes shut tight. But just as quickly as I felt the ladder move, I felt it stop, held steady. My breath caught in my throat. Jeremy?

I looked down with hope filled eyes. Maybe I just misinterpreted? Maybe he came back to clear things up? I felt my excitement crumble as I realized it wasn’t Jeremy who saved me, but Gabe.

“Are you okay?” he asked, concerned. I felt bad for feeling disappointed that it was him.

“Thanks to you,” I smiled gratefully. His face erupted with a wide grin and I couldn’t help but feel better. Gabe was good at that. He always made me feel taken care of, protected. I couldn’t help but think of my two older brothers back home, Ryan and Joey. I felt like they would all get along.

I finished checking the cables and climbed down, Gabe resting his hand on my lower back as I stepped off the last step.

“Let me do things like that next time, okay?” he said with an apprehensive tone, taking a step closer to me and looking straight into my eyes.

“But, Gabe, I have to do my job,” I laughed, but his face stayed serious.

“At least let me do the dangerous things. I don’t want you to get hurt. Come and get me next time, okay?” His voice was pleading and he gave me puppy dog eyes.

“Okay, if it means that much to you,” I nodded up at him. A look of relief spread across his features. “Thanks for helping me. I’ll buy you dinner,” I beamed at him, flashing him a toothy smile. He returned it and nodded, going back to work, seeming more giddy than he had before. I turned, still smiling, and locked eyes with Jeremy. He looked slightly upset, his mouth turned down in a dissatisfied frown. I cocked my head to the side, confused, and he turned, walking out towards the stage with the other guys. Why was he so upset? Maybe he was irritated that I took over his bunk? Maybe I really did kick him out of his own bed…

I cringed at the thought. I would be mad, too. And I even thanked him! I groaned, dropping my face into the palm of my hand. I could be such an idiot sometimes. Sighing, I turned, seeing them starting in on their first song. Their energy was amazing, and the audience was completely tuned in to everything happening on stage. Jeremy was bouncing around, screaming his heart out into the microphone. My gaze didn’t leave him, completely focused as he thrashed around, every word perfectly in sync with the rest of the band. They were playing a great show and the atmosphere reflected it, all the fans jumping with the beat of the song. I couldn’t help but admire his dedication. He looked good on stage, passionate.

I stood off to the side for most of the set, not only watching but also keeping track of everything happening during the show, making sure nothing went wrong with the sound. As one of their last songs ended Jeremy looked over, our gazes locking. I almost looked away, but decided against it this time. Nervously, I gave him a small wave and an apologetic smile. His face softened and after looking at me for a few seconds he nodded, the corners of his lips turning up slightly before he continued with the next song, no longer looking in my direction. I almost did a victory dance, and a goofy smile burst across my face. I turned, making my way to the stairs, deciding to make myself useful. The show was about to end, and they would need me more at the merch table.

As I trotted down the steps I hummed along with the familiar songs I had been hearing for a couple of weeks now. I bobbed my head up and down with the beat, almost making it to my destination before I was intercepted.

“Heyy, Casey,” Ramone, the creepy guy from the other bus appeared before me, stumbling slightly.

“Hey, Ramone,” I replied, a little confused since we hadn’t spoken for the first time until yesterday. I didn’t know he even knew my name.

“Do you wanna come… spend some time on my bus…” he slurred his words, wiggling his eyebrows. I could smell the alcohol on his breath. He was clearly very, very drunk.

“Uh, thanks for the invitation, but no thank you,” I smiled politely, trying to walk around him. I felt his sweaty hand wrap around my forearm and I swallowed nervously.

“What? Don’t be like that,” he snapped, starting to pull me in the direction of the door.

“Ramone, I don’t want to.” I grunted, trying to push his hand off of me, pulling in the opposite direction.

“Too fuckin’ bad!” his eyes were bloodshot. He jerked me toward him, his greasy face too close for comfort. “Be a good girl and do as you’re told,” he purred in my ear. I felt disgusted, dirty just for being so close to him, getting a strong whiff of his B.O. and seeing his yellowing teeth up close.

“I said no. You’re disgusting,” I grimaced, ripping my arm away. Just as I said it I felt his hand slam across my face, my cheek burning with a hard slap. My head whipped to the side and I stumbled, shocked at the situation, my hand raising to my stinging face. Tears brimmed around my eyes with the pain and I looked up, burning with rage. I stepped forward, my nostrils flaring, and I threw my entire weight into a punch right to his nose. To my surprise another fist collided with his face at the same time. Ramone howled as he fell to the floor, cradling his face in his hands. I could see some blood seeping out of his nose, but it didn’t look broken. Unfortunately.

I gazed up at the other person who came to my defense and froze. Jeremy stood there, panting, looking pissed as hell. His eyes burned with ire as he looked up at me, grabbing my upper arm, dragging me out of the club angrily. He stormed down the side of the building and as we rounded the corner he roughly pulled me to his chest, his arms wrapping around me tightly. I was stunned, standing with my mouth agape for a moment while my mind reeled over this entire situation. My face still throbbed from the slap, but I forgot it even happened for a moment as I inhaled Jeremy’s familiar scent. Laundry detergent, soap, and a whiff of cigarettes. I could feel his heart pounding with adrenaline, my face pressing softly into his collar bone. I felt his arms wrapped tightly around my waist and sides, and my own heart felt like it was going to burst out of my chest. My entire body was alight with nerves, and I felt my mouth go dry, my head starting to spin.

I took in a deep, shaky breath and Jeremy loosened his grip, though still not releasing me. His mouth was near my ear, much like Ramone’s was, but this time I wasn’t repulsed. My ear felt hot as he spoke against it.

“Are you okay?”

I nodded into his shoulder, my hands clinging lightly to his shirt. I didn’t know if I could find my voice right now, and decided not to speak. He buried his face into the nape of my neck and I stiffened. I was a nervous wreck.

“I’m so fucking pissed,” he muttered, his breath trailing across my collar bone. I swallowed and tried to talk, but a throaty squeak was all that came out. He pulled back, seeming to come back to his senses, shaking his head and releasing me. “Sorry,” his voice was gravelly and he looked down. I shook my head, stepping back.

“Thank you for coming to help me,” I breathed out, not sure where to look. I could feel my face was on fire and I hoped it wasn’t too obvious.

“You seemed to have things under control, though,” he chuckled, breaking some of the tension. I smiled down at my feet and laughed quietly. “Can we just… Stay out here for a few minutes?” He implored. I nodded, taking a few steps towards him and leaning on the wall next to him. “I’m sorry I got so pissed… I can’t believe that scumbag,” his voice was venomous, his hands balled tightly into fists, knuckles turning white.

“Thank you for getting angry on my behalf,” I said quietly, taking his hand between both of mine. He tensed at first, but then seemed to calm down, his shoulders relaxing, eyes fixed on the ground. “I don’t know if it’s another something you would do for anyone, but I really do appreciate it.”

His eyes flashed up at me and his face softened. Shaking his head, he began, “No, I wouldn’t do that for just anyone. I wouldn’t have done either of those things for just anyone,” my head snapped up and I looked at him, confused.“I get protective over my friends,” he clarified.

I smiled, happy he considered me a friend, but for some reason I felt my stomach sink, and disappointment crept over me. Why was I hoping he would say something else? I should have been plenty content just knowing that we could go back to talking normally, but for whatever reason I couldn’t shake the feeling of discouragement.

“We should get back in there,” I said, releasing his hand. He nodded, following me back towards the doors. Ramone was nowhere in sight and I could only assume he was escorted away by staff. He likely wouldn’t be continuing the tour, at least I hoped he wouldn’t.

“Casey!!” Shae shouted as she ran at me, wrapping her arms around my neck, practically lifting me off the ground. “Are you okay?! Where did he hit you?! What the hell happened?!” she was talking a mile a minute. I chuckled, pushing her back gently.

“I’m fine,” I said,” my cheek hurts a little but no real damage.”

“I can’t believe that asshole, I’m gonna beat the shit out of him,” she sounded angry as she hugged me again.

“We already took care of it,” I laughed, sharing a glance with Jeremy, hugging her back. Gabe jogged over, wrapping the both of us in a hug.

“Oh god, Casey, I’m so sorry I wasn’t there,” he sounded distressed, lifting us from the ground, squeezing tightly.

“Gabe… Need air…” I wheezed and he set us down, not pulling back from the hug.

“I told you I would help you and I wasn’t there when you needed it the most,” his face looked pained.

“It’s okay! It’s not your fault that guy is a creep,” I comforted, setting my hand soothingly on his shoulder. “It’s all over now.” I looked over at Jeremy again, but this time he looked frustrated, and I followed his gaze to my hand on Gabe’s arm. I pretended I didn’t see it, returning my attention to my friends, but still mulling over his irritated face in my mind. Why was he so frustrated all the time? Why did it always seem like one minute he hated me and the other he was protective? There was only one thing I could gather from all of the questions swimming in my mind, and that was that Jeremy was hands down the most confusing individual I had ever met. And also that I was falling for him. Hard.

Notes

Comments

@Pikaponn
I literally just started reading it last night. I'm also building up the courage to post my own. And thank you!!!

@Miss Hathor
Ask and you shall recieve! Haha I'm sorry I haven't been keeping it as updated on this site, I didn't know I had anyone who was really into it! It's up to chapter 13, so I'll keep it updated here, too ^ ^ Thank you for the comment :)

Pikaponn Pikaponn
2/19/16

I absolutely love it!!! We need a chapter 10.

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Pikaponn Pikaponn
1/17/16