So This Is Love?
Rebel Yell
Gabby POV
As soon as Ashley ran into the toilets and slammed the door behind him, the other guys bombarded me with questions after we calmed down from our massive laughing fit. I ended up coughing and emptying my drink bottle which I pulled a sad face at, making the guys laugh and CC to ruffle my hair and then sit me in front of him so he could do some sort of hairstyle on me, or at least attempt to, seeing as my hair is extremely layered. The ‘interrogation’ they gave me while CC attempted to do something with my hair went like this:
Andy: how old are you?
Jake: how long have you played guitar for?
Jinxx: do you play any other instruments?
CC: what’s your favourite drink, alcoholic and non-alcoholic?
Me: umm let’s see, Andy I’m 20 – my birthday was in July, about a month after Download. Jake, I have played guitar for 12 years, electric for around 11 or so. Jinxx I also play keyboard along with drums, I don't play bass, just only on Guitar Hero & Rockband, occasionally I'll play flute/piccolo but rarely... as for your question CC, my fave alcoholic drink would have to be Jack Daniels, closely followed by XXXX gold beer, which you lot so have to try, it’s awesome once you get used to it. As for non-alcoholic probably either monster or coke
Andy: cool! It’s rare we find a girl who likes whiskey – that’s something Ashley really likes in girls too
Me: cool! *fist pumps, the guys all laugh*
Andy: that’s how Ashley fist-pumped at download when we were interviewed by –
Me: facial pudding! Something about playing with his boobs all day if he was Monica, you said you were more of a Chandler, like being nonsensical and wearing sweaters *we all crack up laughing, then we get back on topic*
Jake: so you’d probably be pretty good at playing by now *Jinxx shakes his head in amusement – me & Andy crack up laughing*
Me: I’d like to think so Jake! *Jake pokes his tongue out, I return the gesture*
Jinxx: how long have you been playing keyboard for?
Me: oh not as long as guitar, this is what confuses the shit out of people. I first started guitar when I was 8 which was when I was in yr 2. Hold on, the reason I'm still in school now is because I was expelled twice and I had to repeat the year 3 times, all in primary school, which was my parents way of punishing me. Anyway I did grades one, three and five twice which was a pain in the ass, but I didn’t mind so much at the time. Anyway I started keyboard when I was 12, which was grade 5 for me, by then I should have been in my final year of primary school but no.
CC: so why exactly are you only in your last ever year of school now? I'm a bit confused
Jake/Andy/Jinxx: us too
Me: well my schooling was brilliant in Kindy and preschool even though I was the loner, kid that didn’t fit in etc. and I like never wanted to fit in, I was always playing in the sandpit, on the swings, play equipment etc. It would be extremely rare that you would see me dress up with the other little girls unless we were putting on a play or anything like that... anyway I got through Kindy and preschool then came on year 1. I was teased a lot, got made fun of daily, picked on etc. and the teachers never really notices, the kids were sneaky about it, the little shits. Anyway, my parents caught on and pulled me out of that school which was Toowoomba North Primary and the enrolled me into St Saviours where I repeated yr 1 and got through yr 2 in one piece. That was the year I started playing guitar, that was a bit of a present for getting through yr 1 I think... anyway then I started yr 3, that was when the bullying made a comeback and guess who was the lucky target
Andy: you?
Me: yup. Anyway, I was always getting into quarrels, which I didn’t start all too often. Anyway, it got bad enough that there was a bit of a fistfight that I unfortunately got involved in and was expelled. By then I’d already started expressing myself more, like wearing jeans, hoodies, fishnet gloves, canvas shoes, band shirts etc. and the other girls my ages wore skirts and dresses and all that stuff.
Jake: damn that would have sucked
Me: yeah but I'm used to it by now. Then I was moved to Glenvale state school where I repeated yr 3, which was my parents punishment for me being kicked out of school.
Come yr 5, history repeats itself, except now I was a keyboardist as well as guitarist and vocalist; it was around yr 9, which was when I was 17 that I started learning Screamo at the same place I learnt electric guitar & drums at – the primary school instrumental music programs focus more on classical music and acoustic. So I had to go elsewhere when I got my first electric that was a Gibson Les Paul, which I still have at home. It was actually a present from the music academy where I still go to brush up on stuff. I’ve started learning drums there at the start of 2010 come to think of it, so coming up on 3 years
CC: awesome! Just add bass and violin and you’re a combo of all of us! *we all laughed, CC gave up on styling my hair*
Me: ha-ha I’ll keep that in mind C. Ah where was I... then I got expelled again, big surprise there, I had this gut feeling I wasn’t gonna make it through the year without something big happening and I didn’t. So then I was moved to Our Lady Of Lourdes and I managed to get through the rest of primary school there. I was doing my own thing every now and again, practicing guitar and keyboard in the music program, going to this special ed center, cos I found out I'm autistic and a bit ADHD when I was like 9. They sent me off to do courses every now and then and they had a learning support unit for kids like me, which was good. Our Lady Of Lourdes was actually the best of the primary schools I went to, so I was able to get through without anything major in terms of expulsions & suspensions happening. I was featured in a fair few things, which was neat. Anyway I graduated primary school which was bittersweet, I enrolled here at Centenary, put up with a lot of bullshit and here I am, a month from graduation at last
Andy: damn that’s a lot to go through *he leans over and hugs me*
Jake: it sure is *Jake hugs me too*
Jinxx: I’m proud of you for getting through all that *hugs*
Me: thanks Mama Jinxx, but I didn’t get through all that alone or without some battle scars *looks at forearms and rubs them, seeing pale pink scars*
Andy: did you self-harm?
Me: yes I did, I’ve been clean for a few years, but the temptation never fully went away, like 95% gone for me, it does flare up every now and again but not often. I had a few good friends, some I don’t talk to anymore, one I live with actually. Of course, once I was 18 my parents kicked me out even though I was planning on leaving anyway
Jake: do you live with your friend? *puts arm around my shoulder*
Me: yup, he moved in about a fortnight after I moved into my house, which was 2 years and a few months ago
Jinxx: cool, what’s he like?
Me: similar to me, he’s a way bigger brony than I am... he loves anime like dragon ball z and all that sort of thing. Uh he also likes super Mario bros a LOT, his fave character is Luigi
CC: what's your fave character?
Me: Rosalina or Daisy – Peach annoys me and always gets kidnapped
CC: awesome! We should play Mario kart sometime *pales at the evil smirk on my face*
Andy: CC I think you’re in trouble!
Me: are you sure you want to do that? Every time I verse someone at Mario Kart, they lose and at least half of them whinge and bitch about it
CC: *sassy bitch tone* bring it on girlfriend! *snaps fingers, all of us laugh, CC decides to tickle me to death*
“You ok now Ash?” I heard Andy ask. Looking around, I saw him leaning against the wall, watching us as I got my breath back from being tickle tortured by CC.
“Yep” Ashley replied, before looking down at me. “Now this looks familiar...” he teased, I grinned and sat up, breathing heavily still, not unlike when we had that hotel room in the UK...
“What do you guys want to do now?” I asked, shaking myself out of memory lane – as wonderful as the memories are now wasn’t the time to think of them. I was hoping to grab a drink, I was thirsty and CC tickling the life out of me didn’t help at all.
“What about getting some drinks and snacks?” Jake suggested, shrugging his shoulders. “Sounds good to me” Andy & CC said, “Sure why not,” said Jinxx. “Yeah alright” said Ashley, helping me up and hugging me, kissing my forehead. “Aww Ashley’s being all cute” Jinxx joked, grinning like the Joker – literally.
“Ha-ha just like you and Sammi then?” Ashley returned the banter as I went to get my boots back on. Then I dug my wallet out of my bag and we left the hall as I led them to the tuck-shop.
“Now’s really the best time to go to the tuck-shop, it gets insanely busy at lunchtimes and the staff members in the tuck-shop start packing everything away in period 4 so yeah” I said as we walked up to the tuck-shop. We got ourselves a heap of drinks and snacks (like chocolates, lollies & hot chips etc.) then we went back to the hall.
I didn’t sit down though; I just put my stuff down and drank some of my coke. “Aren’t you gonna sit down?” asked Andy, they were all watching me. I just held up a finger and let out a huge burp, making them all laugh, especially CC.
“Not yet, there’s some stuff I want to get from the music block which I might need a bit of help with” I told him, while curiously eying Ashley out of the corner of my eye. He and Jake were talking about new songs. I had a few that I might show them at some point, I was just stuck on some of the lyrics and riffs.
“Something stored too high?” Andy guessed, I nodded, “Most likely, I keep some of my music stuff over in the music department and they move it around a lot, often to places I can't quite get to” I explained as he got up and joined me.
“Anyone else want to go with? CC you might like one item I’m going to get, it’s partially based on you after all” I said. Ashley, Jinxx & Jake said they were gonna stay in the hall, CC grinned and the three of us set off to the music block.
We went in through the middle door, the classroom on the right sounded like a yr 8 one with the kids trying to play ‘Memoriva’ which was the small song they used for keyboard, they still used ‘Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)’ by Green Day for guitar but I think they were considering changing to ‘The Mortician’s Daughter’ within the next few years.
“Any particular reason you were looking at Ashley, aside from the fact you two are totally into each other? We see the way you look at each-other and he talks about you almost all the time the way Jinxx talks about Sammi and how Jake talks about Ella,” asked CC, I just blushed when he said we were totally into each other – he sure wasn’t joking about me being crazy about Ash. It was true, no point in denying it, hell I'm pretty sure I'm in love with the guy from what my closest friends tell me, CC’s just confirming it.
“He’s an amazing guy, both as a person and in bed... he’s one of the best men I’ve ever met, aside from you guys and a few other people. If he ever asked me to be his, I’d say yes in a heartbeat... anyway does he ever complain about having to run back to the same spot whenever he has to sing? From what I know he likes to move around the stage a lot,” I asked my face still pink as I led Andy & CC into the storeroom where my headset mics and ‘Destroying Gryffindor’ guitar were kept.
“Aww how adorable!!! I SHIP ASHBY!!!” CC squealed, Andy & I raised our eyebrows at him in amusement, even though I knew Andy was itching to say the same thing.
“Yeah he’s starting to get sick of it, why?” said Andy, trying not to laugh at CC's antics, which I will admit were pretty funny.
“Well whenever I play and sing at the same time, I also like to move around, I can't stay still unless I absolutely have to. Anyway whenever I do move around, I don’t use a normal mic” I started explaining before spotting the box that had my headsets in them, out of my reach as usual.
“What do you use?” asked CC. I just pointed to the box, which Andy grabbed. I picked up my case that had my ‘Destroying Gryffindor’ guitar in it. “What's in here?” asked Andy, inspecting the box curiously.
“Open it and see” I replied, carrying my guitar case out of the room after grabbing a box of strings & picks as well, I had a feeling I was going to need them with Jake and Jinxx around, all 3 of us playing, not to mention Ashley as well but I don’t have the right strings for basses. Though I'm sure we’ll go through the picks pretty quickly.
“Headset mics?” said Andy when he realised what they were.
“Yup, that’s what I use, who knows maybe Ash might too, lets me move around, play and sing at the same time, dead convenient too” I replied as we walked back into the hall, Ashley, Jinxx and Jake were chattering about random stuff.
“What do you guys have there?” asked Jinxx.
“One of my guitars, more strings and picks and my headset mics which is what I use most of the time” I replied, grabbing the one I use the most often and checking it to see if it was still in good condition, which it was.
Then I made sure it had batteries in it then I clipped it to the back of my shorts and put it on. I put the earphone parts into my ears, and then got the mic into the spot I usually had it, and then I turned it on, my voice way louder.
“These are what I use onstage whenever I’m playing at the same time when I have the space to move around and so I don’t have to go running back to the same spot all the time, which is pretty convenient, maybe an idea for you to try out Ash” I said, going over to my guitar cases and opening them both to reveal Purdinxx and Destroying Gryffindor.
I quickly checked them to see they were in good nick as were the strings. “Hey you guys!” I called out to them, my mic still on. They walked over and saw my guitars.
“Oh wow they look cool, what sort are they?” asked Jake, Jinxx had an impressed look, Andy and Ashley had their jaws on the floor, CC was almost drooling on Destroying Gryffindor.
“Oi CC, if you get any spit on my guitars you can clean it off”, which shut him up as he poked his tongue out at me.
“And to answer your question Jake they’re both BC Rich, I’m surprised Jinxx didn’t recognise the body shape of Purdinxx, seeing as it’s partially named after him” Jake laughed as Jinxx pulled a pouty face (which I bet Sammi finds adorable) followed by a huge grin.
“This one’s Purdinxx, it’s a BC Rich Bich with Ashley’s warpaint and 'Outlaw' on the front and Jinxx's paint and ‘Mystic’ on the back. Ebony fret board, pentagram inlays with the BVB logo on the 12th fret, EMG pickups, D'Addario EXL140 10/52 strings” I explained, letting Jinxx hold it.
“Then there’s Destroying Gryffindor which is half Harry Potter with the Gryffindor colour scheme and half CC with his warpaint on it along with ‘The Destroyer’ on the edge. It also has an ebony fret board, golden pentagram inlays, D’Addario EXL140 10/52 strings and EMG pickups. They’re also both 24 frets as well, Purdinxx is obviously a BC Rich Bich, and Destroying Gryffindor is a BC Rich Warlock which is my favourite model out of BC Rich,” I explained, turning off my mic and taking the earpieces out of my ears and letting them hang on my neck.
“Neat guitars, how’d you get them?” asked CC – Jake and Jinxx were still in guitar heaven, Andy & Ashley were chattering about the headset mics, rather enthusiastically.
“Well I got Purdinxx custom made through an instrument shop here in town a few years ago, speaking of which I have to go there after school. Anyway before I get too off-topic, Destroying Gryffindor was a birthday present along with tickets to Download which was where me and Ash had some super high-quality time together” I explained, watching him talk to Andy, a smile on my face.
“GUYS!” CC suddenly yelled, causing us all to jump and look at him. “What?” said Ashley, rubbing his ear - CC sure liked shouting loudly. CC was jumping around as though he was an excited 5-yr-old, Ash & I eyed him warily.
“Ashy, you stay right here with Gabsy, Andy, Jakey & Jinxxy lets go over here!” CC said, bouncing away with Andy, Jake & Jinxx following at a more normal pace, amusement in their faces. “So you use headset mics huh?” Ashley asked me, snapping me out of my daze.
“What? Oh yeah I do, I don’t like to stay in one spot onstage, plus I can’t stay still anyway and I hate having to go back to one spot all the time whenever I have to sing, so I use a headset. It’s pretty convenient actually,” I said, picking one up and handing it to him while putting mine back on, showing him how to set it up.
Then I turned it on for him and he tested it out, me doing the same with mine. “Hey you guys finished down there yet?” Ash called out to the other guys at the end of the hall who flicked him off and kept chattering.
“Suit yourself,” Ashley muttered, I just giggled and plugged in my amp and connected it to Purdinxx. “What are you doing?” Ashley asked me, as I made sure my guitar was in tune.
“Making sure Purdinxx is good to go, those guys down there are gonna want to see for themselves that I can actually play and sing, not just go by whatever you’ve told them about me or if they heard the CD I left behind” I said, thinking of a song to do.
“Ok cool, remind to tell Jon to bring our equipment over here as well” “Sure thing Ash,” I said, finishing my drink as the others came back from whatever they were discussing.
“You gonna play something Gab?” asked Jake, sitting down and grabbing Destroying Gryffindor so he could inspect it closely.
“Careful with it Jake, that was a birthday present,” I warned him as I picked a song that I was told described me pretty well, it was also one of my favourites then I picked up my guitar and turned down the volume on my mic.
Then I played the opening chords of Bad Reputation by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts.
I don't give a damn 'bout my reputation
You're living in the past, it's a new generation
A girl can do what she wants to do and that's what I'm gonna do
An' I don't give a damn 'bout my bad reputation
Oh no, not me
As I played the song and sang along, I noticed the guys filling in on the backing vocals that made me smile.
An' I don't give a damn 'bout my reputation
Never said I wanted to improve my station
An' I'm only doin' good when I'm havin' fun
An' I don't have to please no one
An' I don't give a damn 'bout my bad reputation
Oh no, not me, oh no, not me
I don't give a damn 'bout my reputation
I've never been afraid of any deviation
An' I don't really care if you think I'm strange
I ain't gonna change
An' I'm never gonna care 'bout my bad reputation
Oh no, not me, oh no, not me
Pedal, boys!
An' I don't give a damn 'bout my reputation
The world's in trouble, there's no communication
An' everyone can say what they wanna to say
It never gets better, anyway
So why should I care about a bad reputation anyway?
Oh no, not me, oh no, not me
I don't give a damn 'bout my bad reputation
You're living in the past, it's a new generation
An' I only feel good when I got no pain
An' that's how I'm gonna stay
An' I don't give a damn 'bout my bad reputation
Oh no, not me, oh no, not me
Not me, not me!
When I finished the guys all started clapping and cheering, I bowed.
“Quick question Gab, do you and Ashley have similar mindsets at all?” asked Andy curiously – he was soooo going to regret asking that. Ashley and I smirked evilly simultaneously after sharing a brief glance.
“Oh no Andy why did you have to ask her that?! We’re all in trouble now; Ash is bad enough with all the sex-related stuff he goes on about, but two perverts? We are so gonna be mentally scarred for life if we aren’t already” Jake & CC whined, seeing our expressions as I turned off my mic and helping Ashley with his, Jinxx just groaned and face palmed.
“Do you really want me to answer that Andy?” I asked, thinking of another song to use and texting ‘cherry pie – warrant’ to Ashley who grinned evilly when he read it and replied ‘you play, I’ll do the vocals’ I looked up at him and nodded as he started singing the lyrics, me joining in periodically.
Dirty, rotten, filthy, stinkin...
She's my cherry pie
Cool drink of water such a sweet surprise
Tastes so good makes a grown man cry
Sweet Cherry Pie
I almost laughed out loud at Andy’s ‘oh-dear-god-what-have-I-done’ face as he and the guys realised what song we were doing and exactly what Ashley was referring to.
Swingin' on the front porch
Swingin' on the lawn
Swingin' where we want
'Cause there ain't nobody home
Swingin' to the left
And swingin' to the right
If I think about baseball
I'll swing all night yea
Swingin' in the living room
Swingin' in the kitchen
Most folks don't 'cause
They're too busy bitchin'
Swingin' in there 'cause
She wanted me to feed her
So I mixed up the batter
And she licked the beater
When Ashley sang 'so I mixed up the batter and she licked the beater' I couldn't resist the temptation to lick the neck of my guitar while winking at Ashley. He grinned and winked back before continuing the song, almost laughing at hearing the other guys groan. One thing I found funny about doing this song was I remembered exactly what Ashley and I had done… makes my alone time wayyyyy more fun hehehe *winks suggestively* now it’s putting me in a very good mood just thinking about it… man the things that Ashley Purdy does to me….
I scream you scream
We all scream for her
Don't even try 'cause
You can't ignore her
She's my cherry pie
Cool drink of water
Such a sweet surprise
Tastes so good
Make a grown man cry
Sweet cherry pie oh yea
She's my cherry pie
Put a smile on your face
Ten miles wide
Looks so good
Bring a tear to your eye
Sweet cherry pie
Swingin' to the drums
Swingin' to guitar
Swingin' to the bass
In the back of my car
Ain't got money
Ain't got no gas
But we'll get where
We're goin' if we
Swing real fast
I could have sworn that that was Ashley’s favourite part of the song.
I scream you scream
We all scream for her
Don't even try 'cause
You can't ignore her
She's my cherry pie
Cool drink of water
Such a sweet surprise
Tastes so good
Make a grown man cry
Sweet cherry pie oh yea
She's my cherry pie
Put a smile on your face
Ten miles wide
Looks so good
Bring a tear to your eye
Sweet cherry pie, yeah, pie
Swing it! All night long,
Swing it!
Swingin the bathroom
Swingin' on the floor
Swingin' so hard
We forgot to lock the door
In walks her daddy
Standin' six foot four
He said you ain't gonna swing
With my daughter no more
Here Ashley and I were singing in unison, having a great time, grossing everyone else out - their faces were priceless.
She's my cherry pie
Cool drink of water
Such a sweet surprise
Tastes so good
Make a grown man cry
Sweet cherry pie oh yea
She's my cherry pie
Put a smile on your face
Ten miles wide
Looks so good
Bring a tear to your eye
Sweet cherry pie
Sweet cherry pie
Swing it!
“Satisfied with your answer Andy?” I said as we finished the song. Andy just shook his head and mumbled, “Why did I even ask that…” Ashley and I looked at each-other and shrugged, “You set yourself up for that man,” Ash said as my phone went off.
I handed my guitar to Jinxx (he cradled it as though it was a newborn baby, which I appreciated, seeing as though I may or may not be overprotective about my guitars as all of them except my Gibson and acoustic that I learnt how to play on are custom made ones) as I answered it.
“Yello” I said – yes I tend to say ‘yellow’ when I answer the phone, deal with it.
“Hi is this Gabby Metcalfe?” “Yep, who’s this?” “Sandra from Australia Post, we were informed to call you when your parcel of costume stuff and makeup for your Queen Amidala costume arrived to us ready for you to pick up”
“Sweet, I’ll drop by later to get it” “Alright see you then” “Bye” I hung up and put my phone in my pocket.
“What was that about?” asked Jinxx as he handed my guitar back to me.
“Oh that was Australia Post; I have to pick up a parcel of stage makeup & some other stuff I’m using for my costume for one of the Halloween parties I'm going to. I also have to pick up a package from a music shop, get groceries, go to 2 appointments and get more cosmetics this arvo too so I can’t dick around” I explained as I packed my stuff up.
School was finishing in 10 minutes and the crowds are a smaller version of the ones I had to weave my way through at Soundwave and Download, but all of them were a nightmare to get through, especially if you're in a hurry.
“What appointments do you have?” CC asked curiously as the guys all helped me pack away my gear and store it up on stage, they’d texted Jon to bring their equipment up tomorrow.
“A piercing one and another at the employment agency where they often annoy the shit out of me”
“Cool, what are you getting done?” Andy asked as I dashed over to my bag and put in my lip piercing I had to take out for school - it was annoying having to take it out for school but it was only for a month longer. I turned back around and heard them gasp.
“What? Oh right you haven’t seen me with my lip piercing in, well Ashley has even though I wear a ring more often” I said as I winked at him, he returned it. “Yup, makes make out sessions more interesting” he said, walking to me, putting his arms around me from behind, and leaning his head on my shoulder (he’s a little taller than me).
I'm sure I had the silliest grin on my face as Andy took a photo of us, then I remembered Andy’s question.
“Oh I almost forgot, I’m getting the other side of my lip done and my ears, but about halfway up,” I said, pinching the spot I was talking about. “Nice, though I'm guessing you’ll have to be sneaky about them while they heal?” said Andy, laughing at Ashley’s pouty face which is adorable, I guess he remembered that he was gonna have to be gentle with me until it heals.
“Yeah it’ll take a little while to heal. Then there’s my back which will be pretty sore tomorrow arvo, just getting the outline done was major ouchie but way worth it” I said, remembering I was getting the BVB winged logo tattoo I had on my upper back between my shoulders filled in completely tomorrow arvo.
“Why’s that?” Ashley asked, leaning back on me. I turned around and held my semi-longish hair out of the way so the guys could see the BVB logo in between my shoulders. “Getting this filled in” I explained. “Oh” they said as the bell rang, all of them saying how cool it looked.
I ducked down, grabbed my Monster High bag, and put my jacket over my arm.
“You guys wanna go with me or hang out at my place, though I’ll be out for a while; traffic is a nightmare on Ruthven street which is where my employment appointment is" the guys thought for a moment, “We’ll go with you” Jinxx said, I grinned.
“Cool. How’d you guys get here, how long are you all here for and where are you lot staying?” I asked as we got to my ute where I tossed my bag into the front passenger seat floor with my jacket as I opened the driver side door, keys in hand.
“Um we’re staying at some motel and we have rental cars and we’re staying until January according to Jon, this is a holiday for us with a concert or two thrown in, probably some songwriting too” Andy replied.
I grimaced, staying in a motel for 2 ½ months wasn’t too fun…
“Well why don’t you guys stay at mine and J5’s place? That’s my best friend’s nickname by the way, there’s room for you lot, and what sort of clothes did you bring with you? You blokes look like you've been sitting in a 200° oven for the last few hours” I asked, sitting on my seat in my Ute, plugging in my phone to the hands-free jack thing so it could charge.
“Sure, that’d be awesome! And we brought basically what we’re wearing now with extras and our pyjama’s along with some canvas shoes and toiletries ” Andy replied, wiping sweat off his forehead.
I frowned, they were not gonna make it through summer with those sorts of clothes, they would roast themselves alive.
“Well for one thing, I’ll need to take you guys clothes shopping and soon, you’re not gonna last an Aussie summer in leather and skinny jeans, not to mention in all black - you'll roast yourself alive, hell I wear insanely bright colors when summer & the humidity kick in, canvas shoes are fine, I wear them when I'm not in boots of some sort or my fluffy slippers or school shoes. For now you can borrow mine and J5’s clothes” I said, grabbing my phone, unlocking it and going to the message app. “Your clothes?” Jake repeated.
“Yeah I use men’s clothes, I don’t like women’s stuff, though now and again I find something I like in women’s stuff, though at least a 3rd of the stuff I have is kids size. By the looks of it we're all relatively similar t-shirt size, pants might be another tale altogether, especially with you Andy, seeing as you're pretty damn tall” I explained while texting Ashley saying ‘don’t worry my cowboy, I still have things that are only for your eyes ;)’ he fist pumped and exclaimed quietly, CC snickered when he saw what I'd told Ashley.
“Seriously?” asked Andy.
“Yup, I have kids shirts, pants all that sort of thing, yes including Batman which I probably won’t ever see again if you lot end up raiding our wardrobes… which you guys likely will” I explained, calling J5 to see if there was anything else we needed aside from the grocery list I grabbed this morning.
“Yo 18” “Hey 5, do we need anything else aside from the list I grabbed this morning? By the way, can you please start buying your own condoms for god’s sake? You keep stealing all of mine!” I whined, attracting laughter from the guys.
“Oh yeah that reminds me, we’ll have some housemates for a few months, one of which I got to know very well at Download” I said while winking at Ashley and starting a new piece of chewing gum, he grinned and winked back as I handed him a piece of gum, and a piece to the other guys too.
“Not that I can think of aside from the paint for your project” said J5, deliberately ignoring what I said about the condoms.
“Oh yeah, I'm not in a big hurry to finish it, that can wait a few more days, besides I need to do up the templates and decide what colors I'm gonna use first before I even think about getting the paint for it, besides I only finished building it yesterday” I said, rolling my eyes, even though J5 couldn’t see it.
“OK then, are our new housemates fine with sleeping bags & air mattresses?” “yep, they aren’t too different from the bunks on our tour bus” said Andy (I’d put my phone on speaker by now), the other guys nodding in agreement. Ashley typed something out on his phone and showed it to me while J5 and Andy sorted things out, Andy was also holding my phone.
Ash had typed out ‘any chance we could share a bed? *embarrassed grin*’ I looked up at him to see he actually did have an embarrassed grin; I nodded and handed his phone back to him.
“Hey 5, set up 4 beds, don’t worry about one for Ash” “Ok then, should I bring out the earplugs?” said J5, knowing what Ashley and I were likely to get up to. I pretended to think about that while the guys, especially Ashley laughed. “That would probably be a good idea J5, we wouldn’t want to spoil your innocent kiddie ears with our adult activities” I mocked him, sarcasm dripping in puddles, all of us laughing.
“Ok, ok, ok. What are we all gonna do for dinner? You know I'm not much of a cook aside from bacon & other brekkie stuff” J5 asked.
“We’ll probably eat out though I’ll need to drop off a bunch of stuff before then” “Ok cool, see ya’s later, I'm just heading home from work now, I'll probably be working on TAFE assignments as I often am lately” “Bye 5, we'll be in sometime this arvo” I hung up and put my phone back on the hands-free thing, opening the music app. “Ok who’s going in what? With the things I’ve got to pick up this arvo and the groceries, we’re gonna need your rental car, seeing as I'll most likely need to get way more stuff than I usually do” I said.
The guys deliberated before splitting – Jinxx, Jake and CC in their car, Ash & Andy in mine. “Ok boys, hop in – you three follow me, our first stop is Grand Central where we will not being looking around – we don’t have time to today. Got it?”
“Yes ma’am!” Jinxx said, complete with a salute as I laughed, shut my door and started the engine, letting it warm up while Andy climbed into the backseat and buckled up behind me, Ashley got into the front seat next to me and did up his seat belt. "Everyone in and buckled up?" I asked, putting the ute into drive (it's an automatic, I don't mind manual but this Ute was a present so I didn't have a say in the transmission... plus it shows just how well my 'parents' don't know me - they think I hate manual when it's actually pretty fun to drive) and blowing a gum bubble, "Yep!" Andy & Ashley exclaimed, as though they were kids on a road trip.
Jinxx, Jake and CC got into the rental which was conveniently next to mine, then I pulled out of the spot I was in, Jinxx following as I drove onto Ramsay St.
As soon as Ashley ran into the toilets and slammed the door behind him, the other guys bombarded me with questions after we calmed down from our massive laughing fit. I ended up coughing and emptying my drink bottle which I pulled a sad face at, making the guys laugh and CC to ruffle my hair and then sit me in front of him so he could do some sort of hairstyle on me, or at least attempt to, seeing as my hair is extremely layered. The ‘interrogation’ they gave me while CC attempted to do something with my hair went like this:
Andy: how old are you?
Jake: how long have you played guitar for?
Jinxx: do you play any other instruments?
CC: what’s your favourite drink, alcoholic and non-alcoholic?
Me: umm let’s see, Andy I’m 20 – my birthday was in July, about a month after Download. Jake, I have played guitar for 12 years, electric for around 11 or so. Jinxx I also play keyboard along with drums, I don't play bass, just only on Guitar Hero & Rockband, occasionally I'll play flute/piccolo but rarely... as for your question CC, my fave alcoholic drink would have to be Jack Daniels, closely followed by XXXX gold beer, which you lot so have to try, it’s awesome once you get used to it. As for non-alcoholic probably either monster or coke
Andy: cool! It’s rare we find a girl who likes whiskey – that’s something Ashley really likes in girls too
Me: cool! *fist pumps, the guys all laugh*
Andy: that’s how Ashley fist-pumped at download when we were interviewed by –
Me: facial pudding! Something about playing with his boobs all day if he was Monica, you said you were more of a Chandler, like being nonsensical and wearing sweaters *we all crack up laughing, then we get back on topic*
Jake: so you’d probably be pretty good at playing by now *Jinxx shakes his head in amusement – me & Andy crack up laughing*
Me: I’d like to think so Jake! *Jake pokes his tongue out, I return the gesture*
Jinxx: how long have you been playing keyboard for?
Me: oh not as long as guitar, this is what confuses the shit out of people. I first started guitar when I was 8 which was when I was in yr 2. Hold on, the reason I'm still in school now is because I was expelled twice and I had to repeat the year 3 times, all in primary school, which was my parents way of punishing me. Anyway I did grades one, three and five twice which was a pain in the ass, but I didn’t mind so much at the time. Anyway I started keyboard when I was 12, which was grade 5 for me, by then I should have been in my final year of primary school but no.
CC: so why exactly are you only in your last ever year of school now? I'm a bit confused
Jake/Andy/Jinxx: us too
Me: well my schooling was brilliant in Kindy and preschool even though I was the loner, kid that didn’t fit in etc. and I like never wanted to fit in, I was always playing in the sandpit, on the swings, play equipment etc. It would be extremely rare that you would see me dress up with the other little girls unless we were putting on a play or anything like that... anyway I got through Kindy and preschool then came on year 1. I was teased a lot, got made fun of daily, picked on etc. and the teachers never really notices, the kids were sneaky about it, the little shits. Anyway, my parents caught on and pulled me out of that school which was Toowoomba North Primary and the enrolled me into St Saviours where I repeated yr 1 and got through yr 2 in one piece. That was the year I started playing guitar, that was a bit of a present for getting through yr 1 I think... anyway then I started yr 3, that was when the bullying made a comeback and guess who was the lucky target
Andy: you?
Me: yup. Anyway, I was always getting into quarrels, which I didn’t start all too often. Anyway, it got bad enough that there was a bit of a fistfight that I unfortunately got involved in and was expelled. By then I’d already started expressing myself more, like wearing jeans, hoodies, fishnet gloves, canvas shoes, band shirts etc. and the other girls my ages wore skirts and dresses and all that stuff.
Jake: damn that would have sucked
Me: yeah but I'm used to it by now. Then I was moved to Glenvale state school where I repeated yr 3, which was my parents punishment for me being kicked out of school.
Come yr 5, history repeats itself, except now I was a keyboardist as well as guitarist and vocalist; it was around yr 9, which was when I was 17 that I started learning Screamo at the same place I learnt electric guitar & drums at – the primary school instrumental music programs focus more on classical music and acoustic. So I had to go elsewhere when I got my first electric that was a Gibson Les Paul, which I still have at home. It was actually a present from the music academy where I still go to brush up on stuff. I’ve started learning drums there at the start of 2010 come to think of it, so coming up on 3 years
CC: awesome! Just add bass and violin and you’re a combo of all of us! *we all laughed, CC gave up on styling my hair*
Me: ha-ha I’ll keep that in mind C. Ah where was I... then I got expelled again, big surprise there, I had this gut feeling I wasn’t gonna make it through the year without something big happening and I didn’t. So then I was moved to Our Lady Of Lourdes and I managed to get through the rest of primary school there. I was doing my own thing every now and again, practicing guitar and keyboard in the music program, going to this special ed center, cos I found out I'm autistic and a bit ADHD when I was like 9. They sent me off to do courses every now and then and they had a learning support unit for kids like me, which was good. Our Lady Of Lourdes was actually the best of the primary schools I went to, so I was able to get through without anything major in terms of expulsions & suspensions happening. I was featured in a fair few things, which was neat. Anyway I graduated primary school which was bittersweet, I enrolled here at Centenary, put up with a lot of bullshit and here I am, a month from graduation at last
Andy: damn that’s a lot to go through *he leans over and hugs me*
Jake: it sure is *Jake hugs me too*
Jinxx: I’m proud of you for getting through all that *hugs*
Me: thanks Mama Jinxx, but I didn’t get through all that alone or without some battle scars *looks at forearms and rubs them, seeing pale pink scars*
Andy: did you self-harm?
Me: yes I did, I’ve been clean for a few years, but the temptation never fully went away, like 95% gone for me, it does flare up every now and again but not often. I had a few good friends, some I don’t talk to anymore, one I live with actually. Of course, once I was 18 my parents kicked me out even though I was planning on leaving anyway
Jake: do you live with your friend? *puts arm around my shoulder*
Me: yup, he moved in about a fortnight after I moved into my house, which was 2 years and a few months ago
Jinxx: cool, what’s he like?
Me: similar to me, he’s a way bigger brony than I am... he loves anime like dragon ball z and all that sort of thing. Uh he also likes super Mario bros a LOT, his fave character is Luigi
CC: what's your fave character?
Me: Rosalina or Daisy – Peach annoys me and always gets kidnapped
CC: awesome! We should play Mario kart sometime *pales at the evil smirk on my face*
Andy: CC I think you’re in trouble!
Me: are you sure you want to do that? Every time I verse someone at Mario Kart, they lose and at least half of them whinge and bitch about it
CC: *sassy bitch tone* bring it on girlfriend! *snaps fingers, all of us laugh, CC decides to tickle me to death*
“You ok now Ash?” I heard Andy ask. Looking around, I saw him leaning against the wall, watching us as I got my breath back from being tickle tortured by CC.
“Yep” Ashley replied, before looking down at me. “Now this looks familiar...” he teased, I grinned and sat up, breathing heavily still, not unlike when we had that hotel room in the UK...
“What do you guys want to do now?” I asked, shaking myself out of memory lane – as wonderful as the memories are now wasn’t the time to think of them. I was hoping to grab a drink, I was thirsty and CC tickling the life out of me didn’t help at all.
“What about getting some drinks and snacks?” Jake suggested, shrugging his shoulders. “Sounds good to me” Andy & CC said, “Sure why not,” said Jinxx. “Yeah alright” said Ashley, helping me up and hugging me, kissing my forehead. “Aww Ashley’s being all cute” Jinxx joked, grinning like the Joker – literally.
“Ha-ha just like you and Sammi then?” Ashley returned the banter as I went to get my boots back on. Then I dug my wallet out of my bag and we left the hall as I led them to the tuck-shop.
“Now’s really the best time to go to the tuck-shop, it gets insanely busy at lunchtimes and the staff members in the tuck-shop start packing everything away in period 4 so yeah” I said as we walked up to the tuck-shop. We got ourselves a heap of drinks and snacks (like chocolates, lollies & hot chips etc.) then we went back to the hall.
I didn’t sit down though; I just put my stuff down and drank some of my coke. “Aren’t you gonna sit down?” asked Andy, they were all watching me. I just held up a finger and let out a huge burp, making them all laugh, especially CC.
“Not yet, there’s some stuff I want to get from the music block which I might need a bit of help with” I told him, while curiously eying Ashley out of the corner of my eye. He and Jake were talking about new songs. I had a few that I might show them at some point, I was just stuck on some of the lyrics and riffs.
“Something stored too high?” Andy guessed, I nodded, “Most likely, I keep some of my music stuff over in the music department and they move it around a lot, often to places I can't quite get to” I explained as he got up and joined me.
“Anyone else want to go with? CC you might like one item I’m going to get, it’s partially based on you after all” I said. Ashley, Jinxx & Jake said they were gonna stay in the hall, CC grinned and the three of us set off to the music block.
We went in through the middle door, the classroom on the right sounded like a yr 8 one with the kids trying to play ‘Memoriva’ which was the small song they used for keyboard, they still used ‘Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)’ by Green Day for guitar but I think they were considering changing to ‘The Mortician’s Daughter’ within the next few years.
“Any particular reason you were looking at Ashley, aside from the fact you two are totally into each other? We see the way you look at each-other and he talks about you almost all the time the way Jinxx talks about Sammi and how Jake talks about Ella,” asked CC, I just blushed when he said we were totally into each other – he sure wasn’t joking about me being crazy about Ash. It was true, no point in denying it, hell I'm pretty sure I'm in love with the guy from what my closest friends tell me, CC’s just confirming it.
“He’s an amazing guy, both as a person and in bed... he’s one of the best men I’ve ever met, aside from you guys and a few other people. If he ever asked me to be his, I’d say yes in a heartbeat... anyway does he ever complain about having to run back to the same spot whenever he has to sing? From what I know he likes to move around the stage a lot,” I asked my face still pink as I led Andy & CC into the storeroom where my headset mics and ‘Destroying Gryffindor’ guitar were kept.
“Aww how adorable!!! I SHIP ASHBY!!!” CC squealed, Andy & I raised our eyebrows at him in amusement, even though I knew Andy was itching to say the same thing.
“Yeah he’s starting to get sick of it, why?” said Andy, trying not to laugh at CC's antics, which I will admit were pretty funny.
“Well whenever I play and sing at the same time, I also like to move around, I can't stay still unless I absolutely have to. Anyway whenever I do move around, I don’t use a normal mic” I started explaining before spotting the box that had my headsets in them, out of my reach as usual.
“What do you use?” asked CC. I just pointed to the box, which Andy grabbed. I picked up my case that had my ‘Destroying Gryffindor’ guitar in it. “What's in here?” asked Andy, inspecting the box curiously.
“Open it and see” I replied, carrying my guitar case out of the room after grabbing a box of strings & picks as well, I had a feeling I was going to need them with Jake and Jinxx around, all 3 of us playing, not to mention Ashley as well but I don’t have the right strings for basses. Though I'm sure we’ll go through the picks pretty quickly.
“Headset mics?” said Andy when he realised what they were.
“Yup, that’s what I use, who knows maybe Ash might too, lets me move around, play and sing at the same time, dead convenient too” I replied as we walked back into the hall, Ashley, Jinxx and Jake were chattering about random stuff.
“What do you guys have there?” asked Jinxx.
“One of my guitars, more strings and picks and my headset mics which is what I use most of the time” I replied, grabbing the one I use the most often and checking it to see if it was still in good condition, which it was.
Then I made sure it had batteries in it then I clipped it to the back of my shorts and put it on. I put the earphone parts into my ears, and then got the mic into the spot I usually had it, and then I turned it on, my voice way louder.
“These are what I use onstage whenever I’m playing at the same time when I have the space to move around and so I don’t have to go running back to the same spot all the time, which is pretty convenient, maybe an idea for you to try out Ash” I said, going over to my guitar cases and opening them both to reveal Purdinxx and Destroying Gryffindor.
I quickly checked them to see they were in good nick as were the strings. “Hey you guys!” I called out to them, my mic still on. They walked over and saw my guitars.
“Oh wow they look cool, what sort are they?” asked Jake, Jinxx had an impressed look, Andy and Ashley had their jaws on the floor, CC was almost drooling on Destroying Gryffindor.
“Oi CC, if you get any spit on my guitars you can clean it off”, which shut him up as he poked his tongue out at me.
“And to answer your question Jake they’re both BC Rich, I’m surprised Jinxx didn’t recognise the body shape of Purdinxx, seeing as it’s partially named after him” Jake laughed as Jinxx pulled a pouty face (which I bet Sammi finds adorable) followed by a huge grin.
“This one’s Purdinxx, it’s a BC Rich Bich with Ashley’s warpaint and 'Outlaw' on the front and Jinxx's paint and ‘Mystic’ on the back. Ebony fret board, pentagram inlays with the BVB logo on the 12th fret, EMG pickups, D'Addario EXL140 10/52 strings” I explained, letting Jinxx hold it.
“Then there’s Destroying Gryffindor which is half Harry Potter with the Gryffindor colour scheme and half CC with his warpaint on it along with ‘The Destroyer’ on the edge. It also has an ebony fret board, golden pentagram inlays, D’Addario EXL140 10/52 strings and EMG pickups. They’re also both 24 frets as well, Purdinxx is obviously a BC Rich Bich, and Destroying Gryffindor is a BC Rich Warlock which is my favourite model out of BC Rich,” I explained, turning off my mic and taking the earpieces out of my ears and letting them hang on my neck.
“Neat guitars, how’d you get them?” asked CC – Jake and Jinxx were still in guitar heaven, Andy & Ashley were chattering about the headset mics, rather enthusiastically.
“Well I got Purdinxx custom made through an instrument shop here in town a few years ago, speaking of which I have to go there after school. Anyway before I get too off-topic, Destroying Gryffindor was a birthday present along with tickets to Download which was where me and Ash had some super high-quality time together” I explained, watching him talk to Andy, a smile on my face.
“GUYS!” CC suddenly yelled, causing us all to jump and look at him. “What?” said Ashley, rubbing his ear - CC sure liked shouting loudly. CC was jumping around as though he was an excited 5-yr-old, Ash & I eyed him warily.
“Ashy, you stay right here with Gabsy, Andy, Jakey & Jinxxy lets go over here!” CC said, bouncing away with Andy, Jake & Jinxx following at a more normal pace, amusement in their faces. “So you use headset mics huh?” Ashley asked me, snapping me out of my daze.
“What? Oh yeah I do, I don’t like to stay in one spot onstage, plus I can’t stay still anyway and I hate having to go back to one spot all the time whenever I have to sing, so I use a headset. It’s pretty convenient actually,” I said, picking one up and handing it to him while putting mine back on, showing him how to set it up.
Then I turned it on for him and he tested it out, me doing the same with mine. “Hey you guys finished down there yet?” Ash called out to the other guys at the end of the hall who flicked him off and kept chattering.
“Suit yourself,” Ashley muttered, I just giggled and plugged in my amp and connected it to Purdinxx. “What are you doing?” Ashley asked me, as I made sure my guitar was in tune.
“Making sure Purdinxx is good to go, those guys down there are gonna want to see for themselves that I can actually play and sing, not just go by whatever you’ve told them about me or if they heard the CD I left behind” I said, thinking of a song to do.
“Ok cool, remind to tell Jon to bring our equipment over here as well” “Sure thing Ash,” I said, finishing my drink as the others came back from whatever they were discussing.
“You gonna play something Gab?” asked Jake, sitting down and grabbing Destroying Gryffindor so he could inspect it closely.
“Careful with it Jake, that was a birthday present,” I warned him as I picked a song that I was told described me pretty well, it was also one of my favourites then I picked up my guitar and turned down the volume on my mic.
Then I played the opening chords of Bad Reputation by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts.
I don't give a damn 'bout my reputation
You're living in the past, it's a new generation
A girl can do what she wants to do and that's what I'm gonna do
An' I don't give a damn 'bout my bad reputation
Oh no, not me
As I played the song and sang along, I noticed the guys filling in on the backing vocals that made me smile.
An' I don't give a damn 'bout my reputation
Never said I wanted to improve my station
An' I'm only doin' good when I'm havin' fun
An' I don't have to please no one
An' I don't give a damn 'bout my bad reputation
Oh no, not me, oh no, not me
I don't give a damn 'bout my reputation
I've never been afraid of any deviation
An' I don't really care if you think I'm strange
I ain't gonna change
An' I'm never gonna care 'bout my bad reputation
Oh no, not me, oh no, not me
Pedal, boys!
An' I don't give a damn 'bout my reputation
The world's in trouble, there's no communication
An' everyone can say what they wanna to say
It never gets better, anyway
So why should I care about a bad reputation anyway?
Oh no, not me, oh no, not me
I don't give a damn 'bout my bad reputation
You're living in the past, it's a new generation
An' I only feel good when I got no pain
An' that's how I'm gonna stay
An' I don't give a damn 'bout my bad reputation
Oh no, not me, oh no, not me
Not me, not me!
When I finished the guys all started clapping and cheering, I bowed.
“Quick question Gab, do you and Ashley have similar mindsets at all?” asked Andy curiously – he was soooo going to regret asking that. Ashley and I smirked evilly simultaneously after sharing a brief glance.
“Oh no Andy why did you have to ask her that?! We’re all in trouble now; Ash is bad enough with all the sex-related stuff he goes on about, but two perverts? We are so gonna be mentally scarred for life if we aren’t already” Jake & CC whined, seeing our expressions as I turned off my mic and helping Ashley with his, Jinxx just groaned and face palmed.
“Do you really want me to answer that Andy?” I asked, thinking of another song to use and texting ‘cherry pie – warrant’ to Ashley who grinned evilly when he read it and replied ‘you play, I’ll do the vocals’ I looked up at him and nodded as he started singing the lyrics, me joining in periodically.
Dirty, rotten, filthy, stinkin...
She's my cherry pie
Cool drink of water such a sweet surprise
Tastes so good makes a grown man cry
Sweet Cherry Pie
I almost laughed out loud at Andy’s ‘oh-dear-god-what-have-I-done’ face as he and the guys realised what song we were doing and exactly what Ashley was referring to.
Swingin' on the front porch
Swingin' on the lawn
Swingin' where we want
'Cause there ain't nobody home
Swingin' to the left
And swingin' to the right
If I think about baseball
I'll swing all night yea
Swingin' in the living room
Swingin' in the kitchen
Most folks don't 'cause
They're too busy bitchin'
Swingin' in there 'cause
She wanted me to feed her
So I mixed up the batter
And she licked the beater
When Ashley sang 'so I mixed up the batter and she licked the beater' I couldn't resist the temptation to lick the neck of my guitar while winking at Ashley. He grinned and winked back before continuing the song, almost laughing at hearing the other guys groan. One thing I found funny about doing this song was I remembered exactly what Ashley and I had done… makes my alone time wayyyyy more fun hehehe *winks suggestively* now it’s putting me in a very good mood just thinking about it… man the things that Ashley Purdy does to me….
I scream you scream
We all scream for her
Don't even try 'cause
You can't ignore her
She's my cherry pie
Cool drink of water
Such a sweet surprise
Tastes so good
Make a grown man cry
Sweet cherry pie oh yea
She's my cherry pie
Put a smile on your face
Ten miles wide
Looks so good
Bring a tear to your eye
Sweet cherry pie
Swingin' to the drums
Swingin' to guitar
Swingin' to the bass
In the back of my car
Ain't got money
Ain't got no gas
But we'll get where
We're goin' if we
Swing real fast
I could have sworn that that was Ashley’s favourite part of the song.
I scream you scream
We all scream for her
Don't even try 'cause
You can't ignore her
She's my cherry pie
Cool drink of water
Such a sweet surprise
Tastes so good
Make a grown man cry
Sweet cherry pie oh yea
She's my cherry pie
Put a smile on your face
Ten miles wide
Looks so good
Bring a tear to your eye
Sweet cherry pie, yeah, pie
Swing it! All night long,
Swing it!
Swingin the bathroom
Swingin' on the floor
Swingin' so hard
We forgot to lock the door
In walks her daddy
Standin' six foot four
He said you ain't gonna swing
With my daughter no more
Here Ashley and I were singing in unison, having a great time, grossing everyone else out - their faces were priceless.
She's my cherry pie
Cool drink of water
Such a sweet surprise
Tastes so good
Make a grown man cry
Sweet cherry pie oh yea
She's my cherry pie
Put a smile on your face
Ten miles wide
Looks so good
Bring a tear to your eye
Sweet cherry pie
Sweet cherry pie
Swing it!
“Satisfied with your answer Andy?” I said as we finished the song. Andy just shook his head and mumbled, “Why did I even ask that…” Ashley and I looked at each-other and shrugged, “You set yourself up for that man,” Ash said as my phone went off.
I handed my guitar to Jinxx (he cradled it as though it was a newborn baby, which I appreciated, seeing as though I may or may not be overprotective about my guitars as all of them except my Gibson and acoustic that I learnt how to play on are custom made ones) as I answered it.
“Yello” I said – yes I tend to say ‘yellow’ when I answer the phone, deal with it.
“Hi is this Gabby Metcalfe?” “Yep, who’s this?” “Sandra from Australia Post, we were informed to call you when your parcel of costume stuff and makeup for your Queen Amidala costume arrived to us ready for you to pick up”
“Sweet, I’ll drop by later to get it” “Alright see you then” “Bye” I hung up and put my phone in my pocket.
“What was that about?” asked Jinxx as he handed my guitar back to me.
“Oh that was Australia Post; I have to pick up a parcel of stage makeup & some other stuff I’m using for my costume for one of the Halloween parties I'm going to. I also have to pick up a package from a music shop, get groceries, go to 2 appointments and get more cosmetics this arvo too so I can’t dick around” I explained as I packed my stuff up.
School was finishing in 10 minutes and the crowds are a smaller version of the ones I had to weave my way through at Soundwave and Download, but all of them were a nightmare to get through, especially if you're in a hurry.
“What appointments do you have?” CC asked curiously as the guys all helped me pack away my gear and store it up on stage, they’d texted Jon to bring their equipment up tomorrow.
“A piercing one and another at the employment agency where they often annoy the shit out of me”
“Cool, what are you getting done?” Andy asked as I dashed over to my bag and put in my lip piercing I had to take out for school - it was annoying having to take it out for school but it was only for a month longer. I turned back around and heard them gasp.
“What? Oh right you haven’t seen me with my lip piercing in, well Ashley has even though I wear a ring more often” I said as I winked at him, he returned it. “Yup, makes make out sessions more interesting” he said, walking to me, putting his arms around me from behind, and leaning his head on my shoulder (he’s a little taller than me).
I'm sure I had the silliest grin on my face as Andy took a photo of us, then I remembered Andy’s question.
“Oh I almost forgot, I’m getting the other side of my lip done and my ears, but about halfway up,” I said, pinching the spot I was talking about. “Nice, though I'm guessing you’ll have to be sneaky about them while they heal?” said Andy, laughing at Ashley’s pouty face which is adorable, I guess he remembered that he was gonna have to be gentle with me until it heals.
“Yeah it’ll take a little while to heal. Then there’s my back which will be pretty sore tomorrow arvo, just getting the outline done was major ouchie but way worth it” I said, remembering I was getting the BVB winged logo tattoo I had on my upper back between my shoulders filled in completely tomorrow arvo.
“Why’s that?” Ashley asked, leaning back on me. I turned around and held my semi-longish hair out of the way so the guys could see the BVB logo in between my shoulders. “Getting this filled in” I explained. “Oh” they said as the bell rang, all of them saying how cool it looked.
I ducked down, grabbed my Monster High bag, and put my jacket over my arm.
“You guys wanna go with me or hang out at my place, though I’ll be out for a while; traffic is a nightmare on Ruthven street which is where my employment appointment is" the guys thought for a moment, “We’ll go with you” Jinxx said, I grinned.
“Cool. How’d you guys get here, how long are you all here for and where are you lot staying?” I asked as we got to my ute where I tossed my bag into the front passenger seat floor with my jacket as I opened the driver side door, keys in hand.
“Um we’re staying at some motel and we have rental cars and we’re staying until January according to Jon, this is a holiday for us with a concert or two thrown in, probably some songwriting too” Andy replied.
I grimaced, staying in a motel for 2 ½ months wasn’t too fun…
“Well why don’t you guys stay at mine and J5’s place? That’s my best friend’s nickname by the way, there’s room for you lot, and what sort of clothes did you bring with you? You blokes look like you've been sitting in a 200° oven for the last few hours” I asked, sitting on my seat in my Ute, plugging in my phone to the hands-free jack thing so it could charge.
“Sure, that’d be awesome! And we brought basically what we’re wearing now with extras and our pyjama’s along with some canvas shoes and toiletries ” Andy replied, wiping sweat off his forehead.
I frowned, they were not gonna make it through summer with those sorts of clothes, they would roast themselves alive.
“Well for one thing, I’ll need to take you guys clothes shopping and soon, you’re not gonna last an Aussie summer in leather and skinny jeans, not to mention in all black - you'll roast yourself alive, hell I wear insanely bright colors when summer & the humidity kick in, canvas shoes are fine, I wear them when I'm not in boots of some sort or my fluffy slippers or school shoes. For now you can borrow mine and J5’s clothes” I said, grabbing my phone, unlocking it and going to the message app. “Your clothes?” Jake repeated.
“Yeah I use men’s clothes, I don’t like women’s stuff, though now and again I find something I like in women’s stuff, though at least a 3rd of the stuff I have is kids size. By the looks of it we're all relatively similar t-shirt size, pants might be another tale altogether, especially with you Andy, seeing as you're pretty damn tall” I explained while texting Ashley saying ‘don’t worry my cowboy, I still have things that are only for your eyes ;)’ he fist pumped and exclaimed quietly, CC snickered when he saw what I'd told Ashley.
“Seriously?” asked Andy.
“Yup, I have kids shirts, pants all that sort of thing, yes including Batman which I probably won’t ever see again if you lot end up raiding our wardrobes… which you guys likely will” I explained, calling J5 to see if there was anything else we needed aside from the grocery list I grabbed this morning.
“Yo 18” “Hey 5, do we need anything else aside from the list I grabbed this morning? By the way, can you please start buying your own condoms for god’s sake? You keep stealing all of mine!” I whined, attracting laughter from the guys.
“Oh yeah that reminds me, we’ll have some housemates for a few months, one of which I got to know very well at Download” I said while winking at Ashley and starting a new piece of chewing gum, he grinned and winked back as I handed him a piece of gum, and a piece to the other guys too.
“Not that I can think of aside from the paint for your project” said J5, deliberately ignoring what I said about the condoms.
“Oh yeah, I'm not in a big hurry to finish it, that can wait a few more days, besides I need to do up the templates and decide what colors I'm gonna use first before I even think about getting the paint for it, besides I only finished building it yesterday” I said, rolling my eyes, even though J5 couldn’t see it.
“OK then, are our new housemates fine with sleeping bags & air mattresses?” “yep, they aren’t too different from the bunks on our tour bus” said Andy (I’d put my phone on speaker by now), the other guys nodding in agreement. Ashley typed something out on his phone and showed it to me while J5 and Andy sorted things out, Andy was also holding my phone.
Ash had typed out ‘any chance we could share a bed? *embarrassed grin*’ I looked up at him to see he actually did have an embarrassed grin; I nodded and handed his phone back to him.
“Hey 5, set up 4 beds, don’t worry about one for Ash” “Ok then, should I bring out the earplugs?” said J5, knowing what Ashley and I were likely to get up to. I pretended to think about that while the guys, especially Ashley laughed. “That would probably be a good idea J5, we wouldn’t want to spoil your innocent kiddie ears with our adult activities” I mocked him, sarcasm dripping in puddles, all of us laughing.
“Ok, ok, ok. What are we all gonna do for dinner? You know I'm not much of a cook aside from bacon & other brekkie stuff” J5 asked.
“We’ll probably eat out though I’ll need to drop off a bunch of stuff before then” “Ok cool, see ya’s later, I'm just heading home from work now, I'll probably be working on TAFE assignments as I often am lately” “Bye 5, we'll be in sometime this arvo” I hung up and put my phone back on the hands-free thing, opening the music app. “Ok who’s going in what? With the things I’ve got to pick up this arvo and the groceries, we’re gonna need your rental car, seeing as I'll most likely need to get way more stuff than I usually do” I said.
The guys deliberated before splitting – Jinxx, Jake and CC in their car, Ash & Andy in mine. “Ok boys, hop in – you three follow me, our first stop is Grand Central where we will not being looking around – we don’t have time to today. Got it?”
“Yes ma’am!” Jinxx said, complete with a salute as I laughed, shut my door and started the engine, letting it warm up while Andy climbed into the backseat and buckled up behind me, Ashley got into the front seat next to me and did up his seat belt. "Everyone in and buckled up?" I asked, putting the ute into drive (it's an automatic, I don't mind manual but this Ute was a present so I didn't have a say in the transmission... plus it shows just how well my 'parents' don't know me - they think I hate manual when it's actually pretty fun to drive) and blowing a gum bubble, "Yep!" Andy & Ashley exclaimed, as though they were kids on a road trip.
Jinxx, Jake and CC got into the rental which was conveniently next to mine, then I pulled out of the spot I was in, Jinxx following as I drove onto Ramsay St.
@Comatose69
I'm glad you're enjoying it
3/21/15