Novocaine Hearts

Lexa's POV

I was anxious all day. I went through a whole pack of smokes and still felt on edge.
I made a solid effort to stay away from anyone involved with Black Veil Brides. When I wanted to make an apology, I would do it properly.
I figured I would wait till the end of their set and try and talk to them back stage.
"Are you sure their okay with this?" Nate questioned as we watched their show from side stage.
"Yeah, I mean, why wouldn't they be? Ashley said it himself that they would like a clean slate and I'm prepared to apologise to Jake."
"You're being very noble, I'm proud of you" Nate grinned.
I just smiled back as I pulled out another cigarette.
"Haven't you had enough today?"
"It's calming me, leave me alone."
Nate shrugged, but stayed silent for the rest of the show.
As their last song came to the end and the show closed, they all ran backstage. We slowly followed them, hoping to catch Ashley and Jake.
I noticed that Ashley was on his own, so we went to him first.
"Uhh, hi... again" I said, tapping him on the shoulder.
"Ohh, hi" he said in surprise.
"Listen, I thought about what you said yesterday and we wanted to come over and make a formal apology."
"Yeah, we are so sorry for anything, any of us said. We don't want to step on anyone's toes or make enemies" Nate said in a rush.
Ashley smiled. "You're all good guys. We get it all the time. We're not the easiest band to get on with."
I sighed. "That makes me feel better. Thanks. I still have to talk to Jake, so I'll leave you to it" I said leaving Nate with Ashley.
I found Jake talking to one of his guitar techs and gently touched his shoulder. When he turned, he seemed surprised to see me.
"Is your bandmate gonna yell at me again?" He said glancing over at Nate and Ashley.
"Uhh, no, I just wanted to come over and apologise for yesterday. I way overreacted. Honestly, we just really excited about the show and to hear something negative was hard for me, so I'm sorry. I will take your criticism on board and carry on" I smiled sweetly.
Jake smirked. "Well, I'm glad you've learned. I kinda have to apologise too."
I frowned. What could he possibly need to say sorry for?
"I've been going through a hard time lately, so I nit pick at everything to keep my mind off it. You are a brilliant guitarist and I mean that."
"It's okay, I get it. I've had my fair share of shitty times and thank you, it means a lot to me" I blushed.
"So, how do you think your shitty times compare to mine? Mine are pretty bad" he chuckled.
I laughed sarcastically. "I doubt it. I'm pretty fucked. I mean, I had a whole pack of smokes before talking to you guys today cause I was that nervous. But uhh, I've struggled with substance abuse for a long time. I kind of try and shut myself away from everyone, hence being standoffish to you. I just don't let people in" I said looking down at my hands.
"Hey, don't worry about it. You don't have to tell me anything. And my problems definitely don't compare to yours."
"Why?" I asked. "No problem is insignificant."
"Oh, umm, my fiancee broke up with me recently. It's been really hard to wrap my head around" he said running a hand through his hair nervously.
"Hey Jake, we're gonna head back to the bus, you coming?!" Jinxx shouted at us.
"Okay, coming!" He yelled back. "You wanna come back with us?" He asked.
"Ummm, one sec" I said, looking over at Nate. "I'm gonna check with Nate."
Nate was still in deep conversation with Ashley and also Andy.
"Hey, umm their gonna go back to the bus, I'm gonna go too" I said touching his arm.
"Ohh, Lexa, meet Andy!" He said excitedly.
I smiled and extended my hand. "Hi, Andy, so good to meet you" I said politely.
"Likewise. Nate has been bragging about you" Andy smiled flawlessly.
I blushed at his luscious lips and perfect teeth. "Nate, you shouldn't be."
Jake soon realised that I had been sucked into their conversation and joined us. We all started to walk in the general direction of the buses, when two girls approached us.
One of them was Riley. She stopped quite a way in front of us and stayed with Ashley, while the other came to us.
I tried to hide behind Jake, in hopes she wouldn't notice me.
"What are you doing?" Jake asked curiously.
"I'm hiding, what does it look like?" I shot.
"From?"
"That girl."
"Can I ask why?"
"No."
Jake rolled his eyes then yelled "Hey Juliet!" And tilting his head.
The girl in leopard print leggings and oversize leather jacket, weaved her way over to myself and Jake.
"Hey Jules, I want to introduce you to someone, this is Lexa Bennett. Lexa this is Juliet Simms" Jake announced.
"Hi, nice to meet you" I said shyly.
"Hey, oh my God,I saw you today! Your set was amazing! You guys are really good. Wish I was that confident on my first tour" she complimented.
"Ohh, uhh, thank you. I think we honestly have no idea what we're doing, but I'm just glad I'm not Nate. I don't have to do any talking" I laughed nervously.
"Don't look at it that way. There is something really powerful about being a female in this business. We can inspire other girls to be in our place. So many disguard their dreams because it is male dominated."
"I suppose... but I'm not the frontman. It's his obligation to give the compelling speech" I explained.
"True... Ohh! Alternative Press! This year they are doi-"
"The article on the women, yeah, I heard" I said cutting her off.
"Yeah. That is your chance! How did you know about it?" She asked, a little confused.
"Oh, umm, Riley told me" I said carefully.
Juliet frowned. "You spoke to Riley?"
"Yeah, she doesn't like me very much..."
"Why?" She said, her eyes darting to her front of us.
"Ohh, I made some comments that she didn't like... I'm not a likable person."
"Nonsense. You seem normal to me. Forget Riley, she can be a bitch sometimes. I know that she's really stressed at the moment cause of her label. We thought we'd get away from her at Warped, but I didn't realise she would get invited again..."
"You sound disappointed."
"Well... it's not that we don't want her here, but she's been painful. Hasn't she Jake?" She said, tapping Jake back into the conversation.
"Hmm? What?" Jake stammered, not following.
"Riley being a massive pain in our ass'" Juliet continued.
"Ohh, yeah. She keeps bugging me about everything. Thank God she doesn't stay on our bus."
"Does everyone feel this way about her?" I asked
"Umm, no. This is kind of who she is..." Jake trailed.
"Yeah, she has anxiety. Things were finally going up for them and we're all wondering whether its too much..."
"Hey! What are you doing here?! Come back to make more assumptions about us?" Riley shouted as she neared us.
I instantly hid behind Jake again.
"Riley!" Ashley yelled at her, trying to pull her back.
"You 3 having fun talking shit about us?" She asked snidely
"Riley, we literally have said nothing about you" Juliet lied.
"I bet she has" she said gesturing to me.
"Excuse me, but you're the one who made threats to me!" I shot with a burst of confidence.
Both Jake and Juliet looked at me shocked and then to Riley.
"Threats?" Juliet questioned.
Riley was cornered. Her face had shame all over it. I smirked in triumph.
"Riley, go to your bus. I'll find you later" Ashley said quietly.
"But Ash, I-"
"Go!" He said grabbing her and pushing her in the other direction.
"I don't know how to do this" he sighed and walked off.
"Are they okay?" I asked when he was gone.
"Their fine. They have tiffs like this regularly. Ignore Riley. Focus on yourself. What if I helped you out?" Jake asked, his brown eyes softening.
"Uhh sure" I blushed.

Notes

Please comment feeback guys <3
-Tina xx