Remember how I said that having Black Veil Brides promoting us would cause hate. Well I was right; Andy just announced big news and everyone seemed thrilled, but there were a few people who hated it. I always knew celebrities received hate, but I never imagined it felt this bad. I still remember getting the news from Andy and how excited my band and I got. Now though, I’m not as happy as I was.

It was the day our EP came out and lots of people loved it. I got many compliments on my singing abilities and so did everyone else. We had created a small group of fans and we couldn’t have been more happy. I wanted to do something for the release date, so I went to my old job, the music store I worked at, and had a free session there. I also had a free meet & greet.
We went that morning to the shop. I was greeted from my ex-coworkers and they helped us set up. The store wasn’t even open yet and there was a few kids standing outside already. It warmed my heart that people were already waiting for us. As soon as the store opened the walked in. My band and I, plus the employees were the only ones there.
I could see the three girls standing there, trying to decided how to approach us and what to say. I smiled to myself while everyone was engaged in conversation. I remember being in their footsteps. Now I’m on the other side of the problem. I stood up and walked over to the record player. I skimmed through the records when I found the perfect one.

“Oh my god, I haven’t listened to them in ages.” I screamed. I placed the record on and it started playing. Through the speakers came My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark by Fall Out Boy.

I began to sing along when I say the girls staring at me. “Come, sing with me.” I motioned them. They smiled and walked over to me.

“Clap for me!” I told them and they began.

I sang along with the beat.

“My songs know what you did in the dark! So light ’em up, up, up! Light ’em up, up, up! Light ’em up, up, up! I’m on fire!” we sang.

While we were singing people started coming in and watching us. Neither of the girls were aware of it. As the song was coming to a close everyone that gathered started clapping. The girls turned a bright red, but I hugged them. “Thanks for singing with me.” I told them.

The rest of the band joined me on the floor, setting up their gear. Turning down the volume so it wouldn’t be too loud. As soon as the store piled with people we figured it was a good time to start.
“Hello everyone, we are a small band from none other than Hollywood California called Literally Black. We are so thankful that you are watching us right now. Our EP just came out today and we are so thankful.” Everyone clapped.

“Thank you. How about you give it up for our drummer Anna!” everyone cheered, “Our bass player Iris!” cheers, “Our piano & violin player Scar!” more cheers.

“Now cheer for the reason why you are all here, give it up for Crystal Rose! Our sexy guitar player and the voice behind it all!” Scar said. Everyone cheered.

“Thank you!” I said, blowing kissed. “We are going to sing three songs for you guys today, first up, Resurrect The Sun.” more applause.

I sang through the whole song, some of the kids in the crowd sang along with me. It was moments like these where I loved life! I felt so free when I sang; I never understood why, but I did. I put my all into the song again. Ending it with a huge applause. The next song I sang was Iris, ending with Over The Love. As the small show continued more and more people showed up.
I was beginning to get really happy. Did we really have all these fans? Once I was done singing everyone bought their copy of the album and asked us to sign it. I meet many fans. They told me how I inspired them to follow their dreams and become singers themselves. Their was one group of girls though, that I will never forget.
It was three girls, 14 maybe 15 years old. They came up to me and before I could even smile at them they one of them asked,

“Is Andy here?” she grinned. The two behind her eyed me up and down.

“Uh, no he’s not. Why would he be?” I was slightly confused.

The girl rolled her eyes and looked at her friends, “See, I told you he wouldn’t be here. We are just wasting our time.” she looked at me and gave me a look like I was trash. You could see in her eyes that she was arguing whether she should tell me what was in her mind.

“You know everyone is just here because Andy told them to come. Do you seriously think they would come from their own will. If it weren’t for your bitch ass hanging on to Andy’s fame you would still be a stripper at some run down bar. Your career is fake and will get no where. Might as well just quit now.” Looks like she decided to tell me. She grinned at me while her other two followers flicked me off.

I was speechless; I watched them as they walked away, saying nothing. There was so many things I wanted to say, wanted to do. Like go over there and punch her face till you can’t recognize her. I stood against that and just stayed put. They were now out of sight, everyone inside were quite, they had watched the whole thing. I seriously felt like crying, I never thought receiving hate would feel this bad. If it weren’t for the shock I was in I would have cried. I was still staring at the door where the girls had walked in and out of.
My mind was distracted by a girl who came up to me. I looked at her and put on the best smile I could. Even though it was the fakest smile I’ve ever done.

“Hey there.” I said.

“Hi.” she smiled.

“What can I do for you?”

“Can you sign the CD please? And my wrist.” she looked up at me.

“Of course!” I said and took the CD from her.

“It’s not fake.” she whispered.

“I’m sorry…?” I asked.

“Your career, its not fake. And I’m not here because Andy told me to, I don’t even know who Andy is. You’re also not a bitch. And I’m sure you’re not using that man for fame. I’ve been of fan of you since you were singing at my dad job. I’m so proud of you that you’ve come this far. You are an inspiration, you’re my inspiration.” she smiled at me.

This time I gave her a real smile. “Thank you so much. That means a lot. What was your name again?” I asked.

“Sam.” she smiled.

I gave her a hug, “Thank you Sam. It was great to hear that. You just made my day.” I let her go.

“Those girls don’t know what they are talking about. They probably just want that Andy guy’s dick!” she laughed.

“They probably do.” I laughed with her. “Let me see your wrist?” I held my hand out.

I took her wrist and moved her sleeves up, that’s when I saw tiny little lines on them. I looked up at her and saw her looking down at her shoes. I went against asking her about them and just said, “Promise me this will never happen again?” she looked back at me. Her eyes filled with tears, they slowly poured out. Until they all just came spilling out, she threw her arms around me and I held her tight.

“I swear. Next time you see me, they’ll be gone and I won’t have fresh ones.” she said.

I held her tighter and took her wrist again, I wrote, “Keep your promise” with a heart and my signature. “There you go. Don’t ever break it, ok?” I smiled and she nodded. I whipped the tears from her face and hugged her one last time.

After that time flew by and I managed to sign lots of CD’s and sold every copy in the store. I sat down in the back of the store and played some records. I was tired and today was a long day filled with many emotions.

“Today was fucking crazy!” I hear Anna scream.

“Crystal how did you let those girls say things to you?” Iris asked me. Iris was always one of those little sweet hearts. She never swore and she was always gentle.

“Oh my god! If it weren’t for Anna holding me back, I would have beat the fucking shit out of those bitches. Who the fuck do they think they are? Little ugly sluts talking shit when they need to take care of their own fucking problems, like their ugly faces! What the fuck man! They killed my mood!” Scar furiously said.

“Just drop it. They aren’t worth our time. Little people like that are never worth our time.” I said.

“Still, those bitches need to fucking get a self cheek on life.” Scar said.

I decided to not talk about it anymore and just listen to music. While I had my eyes closed listening to the beautiful sound coming out through the speakers I heard the front door open.

“Sorry where closed.” I said. I looked up and saw Andy. He was taking off a hoodie and sunglasses.

“Aw what a shame. I was wondering if I could buy Literally Black’s new EP? I heard it’s the best thing out this year. Behind Wretched & Divine of course.” he laughed. I joined him.

“Oh well in that case, sorry dude but we sold out! Every freaking copy!” I smiled. “Lucky for you,” I said while taking out a copy from my bag, “ I saved you one. Its even signed. You may fangirl now.” I said. He took it form my hand and laughed.

“Did you guys really sell out?” he asked.

“Yeah! Best day ever!” I said.

“Not till those bitches came!” I heard Scar say.

“Will you just drop it Scar. It’s not important.” I said.

“What happened?” Andy asked, Scar then told him the whole story. “Just ignore people like that. The best thing you can do in those moments is just stick your middle finger in their face!” I smiled at me and hugged me. “Don’t let those girls get to you, ok?” he whispered. I just nodded.

“Putting that behind us, I have some great news for you guys!” he grinned.

“Oh do tell sexy boy.” Scar said. We all laughed at her remark. We were all use to it by now.

“All right, what are you guys doing for the next three months?” he asked.

We looked at each other, “Nothing” we all said at once.

“Well now you have something to do.” he grinned.

“What are you up to Biersack?” Anna said.

“How would you guys like to open for Black Veil Brides’ upcoming tour?” he smiled.

All of our mouths dropped. “What!” we all screamed.

“You heard me! Can Literally Black please open for Black Veil Brides?” he asked again.

“YES!” We all screamed.

Without knowing we all hugged Andy. Since I was the closest I was right against his chest. With the force the other three girls were putting my forehead was slammed right against his. I was laughing and trying not to make things awkward.

“Thank you so much Andy! Oh my god, I love you!” I said.

“You are the best Andy!” Iris screamed.

“Dude I fucking love you!” Anna said.

“I’m so happy, I could just- I could just make Crystal kiss you!” Scar said.

Before Andy or I could even speak, she slammed my head against his making our lips connect. I heard cheers from the other girls behind me. I elbowed Anna in the ribs making her move back, causing everyone to move make, parting my lips from Andy’s.

“I’m going to kill you Scar!” I yelled.

“No time for killing her Crystal, we can do that later. Right now, we need to celebrate. BOYS!” Andy yelled and in came CC, Jake, Jinxx, and Ashley with bottles of Whiskey in their hands.

We all cheered loud! They all served us our shots and we celebrated the rest of the night till we, besides Iris, were shit face drunk! It was also moments like these, with my friends, that I felt more alive than anything. I felt like I could control the world…