Between The Roses

The atmosphere that surrounded me as I sat in the dayroom of the rehab center Zara was at was something that I had never really felt before. There was definitely a sense of betterment and recovery, but it also overwhelmed with sadness and desperation. Across the table sat Zara, who had her right foot up on the chair so her knee was in her chest. She was staring at me and I could see the brokenness inside her.

“So how have things been?” I asked her to break the silence between us.

“Like they always are. I talk with my therapist and I go to group and whatever. I’m just so ready to get the hell out of here,” she sighed and I chuckled.

“I still don’t understand why you did it,” I sighed and she clenched her jaw as she looked at me.

“I’ve come to realize that I don’t either. It wasn’t CC that started it. I had a lot of emotional trauma that factored into it,” she half-heartedly smiled and then cleared her throat. “How are things with you and Mr. Biersack?”

“Great actually, uh, you know I’m pregnant. I’m off bedrest and I found out a week ago that I am having a little boy,” I smiled at her as I rested my hand on my belly.

“That is so cute! I am hoping to get out of here soon, you have to let me plan the baby shower,” she told me and I chuckled.

“You, Lettie, and my sister are planning it. Lauren actually told me that the other day. She was like, ‘I know you don’t want a baby shower because you are a loser, but me, Lettie, and Zara are going to plan one whether you like it or not,’,” I laughed and her entire face brightened up. I think hearing that Lauren included her in something so important meant a lot to her. And Lauren has always hated her.

“Really? Has your sister been smoking some grass or is she really that happy and open to things?” She asked with a chuckle.

“Uh, I’m pretty positive she isn’t getting high, so. But I see her with Matt, her husband, and she is genuinely happy. When she was with Gustav she was never happy. It might also be because she’s doing something she loves on the job front, so, yeah,” I shrugged and Zara nodded. The two of us got quiet after that, she was picking at her fingernails and I was watching the rain fall down the window. I’d been here for about an hour and it was really nice to see her.

“Hey Sadee,” I suddenly heard.

“Yeah?” I turned my head back to face her.

“What has Matt said about me being in here and the whole band thing?” She asked. I sighed and stared at her.

“Matt is being an ass at the moment about that,” I began and she furrowed her eyebrows.

“How so?” She asked.

“How so? He wants to bring in a temporary drummer to drum for us on a new record while you are in here, as if you are going to be in here for a year or more,” I told her and immediately I watched her face go from happy and upbeat to completely drained and upset.

“Really?” She asked quietly.

“He did, but I told him that it would kill you if he did that and I told him that we should all take time to write songs and spend time with our families. You’re in here and once you get out I’m pretty sure Chris isn’t going to let you do much in the way of work. I’m pregnant and feeling rather tired all the time. Cal has full custody of his kids and has a great relationship going and Brett and Lettie just got married. We all have things going on in our personal lives and I’m positive that every one of us wants to focus on that and not a new record,” I rambled on and Zara nodded.

“Did you tell him fuck off?” She asked with a smirk.

“More than once, yes. I also told him to go fuck himself after the initial meeting,” I chuckled and she smiled.

“At least one of my bandmates cares about me,” she said and it was my turn to furrow my eyebrows.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“I haven’t seen Cal or Brett at all and I just feel like they don’t care,” she said and I looked at the table.

“Oh, wow. I hadn’t realized that they were like that. I can talk to them if you would like,” I told her and she shrugged.

“If you want,” she said quietly and I could tell she was shrinking back into herself.

“Hey, uh, I think I’m going to go back to my room, I’m a little tired. It was nice seeing you,” she told me as she shifted and stood.

“You too Zar! I’ll come back, don’t worry. And I will make sure it’s nice out and see if your doctors will let me take you somewhere that isn’t here,” I smiled and she smiled back before the two of us hugged one another and when we separated, she turned and left the room, leaving me standing there alone. A sigh left my chest as I grabbed my bag and made my way from the room and towards the exit. She is definitely doing better, but she is still keeping things to herself that she should be sharing.

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Three Days Later
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An irritated sigh left my mouth as I sat in the uncomfortable chairs of the Atlantic Records conference room. Andy sat beside me and he could tell, any sane human could tell, that I was irritated beyond belief. The bosses at Atlantic have decided to allow Matt’s friend Aidden become a temporary replacement for Zara while she is out; something that I am very against. From the other side of the table, I heard Matt begin talking about the new album we are apparently going to make.

“Look guys, your last three full-length LP’s sold fantastically and you’ve had some great headlining tours, but now is time to buckle down and try to out do yourselves. Let’s make a new album that knocks the others out of the picture. Got it?” He looked at the three of us and I swallowed as I clenched my jaw and stared at him.

“Callum?” He asked.

“I mean, I guess. I’ve been working on a few songs, but I was sorta hoping we’d have a bit more time before we had to get back into the studio,” Callum furrowed his eyebrows and shrugged as he leaned back in the chair and crossed his arms over his chest.

“I’m not saying we have to start right now at this very moment, you’ll have some time, like a week, but we’re going to start soon. How about you Brett?” Matt looked at Brett, who let out a heavy sigh as he leaned forward and put his elbows on the table.

“I was kinda planning to take my new wife on a vacation, but if you want me to stay here to record some bass, I guess I can cancel the trip,” he sighed again and I watched as Matt swallowed nervously. The big wigs were still in the room and watching Matt with narrow eyes.

“Sadee?” He looked at me with pleading eyes.

“You already know how I feel about it,” I snapped at him and he dropped his shoulders.

“Matt, correct me if I’m wrong, but did you not tell us that Falling For Fatality were willing to begin work immediately?” One of the bosses asked Matt.

“I did tell you that,” he looked at the man who had asked him the question.

“What I am hearing from them right now is that none of them want to begin right away. They all want to take some time off. What do you have to say about that?” The man stared at Matt with an irritated expression. Matt remained silent as he stood there, rubbing his arm nervously and avoiding eye contact with anyone.

“Matt met with us like four weeks ago about it and we all told him we wanted to take time off. He apparently didn’t listened to us,” I told the big bosses and they nodded.

“Thank you Sadee. You three are dismissed, Matt follow me,” the CEO of the company stated as he stood and left the room, Matt following close behind.

“You guys are one of our most promising rock artists. We don’t care if you take time off, your previous albums and EPs are selling pretty nicely and your merch is doing the same. You guys take the time you need and let us know when you’d want to start making a new album,” Sarah, an A&R representative with Atlantic, told us as she stood and the big wigs left, leaving the three of us alone.

“Do you think Atlantic is going to fire Matt?” Callum asked.

“They might. And at this point, I don’t give a fuck because he isn’t listening to a thing we are saying and really pissing me off,” I shrugged as I stood from my chair and smoothed my shirt.

“Sadee, he’s been out touring manager for a few years now. Do you really want to find a new one?” Callum asked.

“Of course not, but are we on a tour right now? No we aren’t. We should be listening to the label, not Matt, who is supposed to be planning tours, not new albums,” I explained and he nodded. Brett and him stood from their seats and the three of us were leaving the room.

“So are you saying we should start looking for a new touring manager?” Brett asked as the three of us stopped and waited for the elevator.

“I think we should consider looking,” I told them and then swallowed. “I have a question that does not relate to finding a new touring manager.”

“What’s up?” The two of them asked at the same time.

“Why the hell haven’t you guys gone to visit Zara?” I asked as I crossed my arms over my chest and stared at them with one eyebrow raised.

“Uh, I’ve been spending time with my kids,” Callum said.

“It would feel weird to visit her in that environment. My brother was in and out of rehab centers and I’d rather not re-live that,” Brett shrugged and I nodded.

“Brett had an actual excuse. Callum, you’re kids see you every day. Zara hasn’t seen you in like two months. What’s the deal?” I asked and he dropped his shoulders.

“I don’t want to see her because I knew about her drug problem like a year ago and I didn’t try to stop her,” he stated and then climbed onto the elevator. I furrowed my eyebrows and looked at Brett, who had the same confused look on his face. Callum knew about Zara’s drug problem and didn’t tell anyone?

Notes

BOOM! Bombshell dropped right at the end there. Callum knew about Zara doing drugs and didn't try to stop her? Uh oh.

I hope you guys liked this chapter. It was a little off and on with the quality, and I am sorry about that. But, I did try hard to write it and I hope you enjoyed reading it.

Next chapter will include Sadee confronting Callum about what he just revealed, and it will also include Sadee and Andy's mom going baby shopping and hanging out.

Sadees's Outfits:
((Visiting Zara))
http://www.polyvore.com/sadee_between_roses_chapter_part/set?id=194546266
((The Meeting at Atlantic))
http://www.polyvore.com/sadee_between_roses_chapter_part/set?id=195418603

Peace <3