Nonstop To Nowhere - Fallen Angel (Tome I)

5:00pm. Skylar drove towards the Rouge Burlesque and passed in front of the Fillmore Miami Beach, where she saw a lot of metalheads queuing in the concert hall. A big concert was going on tonight. Astonished Skylar wondered who could play tonight and remembered that Jenny and Cassie who where rock fan and especially of a band that ended up in "brides", were playing tonight and that her friends were going to see them tonight.

She ended up coming to the Rouge Burlesque, happy and impatient to be tonight 12:00am to find this man for whom she began to fall. Going backstage Skylar found her best friend sitting in her chair in a deep discussion with Cassie one of her cabaret colleagues and close friend, about the concert and about the songs that they might be able to play.

- You're just in time! Jenny exclaims when she sees Skylar drop her stuff on the floor.
- Why, then ?
- I think you have something to tell me or should I say to tell us. Said the brunette, staring at her best friend.
- Um, I ... What do you want me to talk about? Because I told you a good part of it on the phone and judging by Cassie's eyes I deduce that you told her too.
- Yes, she told me. Skylar, I just want to make sure that you don't date a jerk again who's going to screw up your life.
- It's nice of you to worry about me Cassie, but I don't think he's that kind of guy and you know what he's leaving the day after tomorrow so it's doomed to fail. After if you want to know if it was good to go to the restaurant with him yes it was. He is very kind and attentive.

Just thinking about the fact that she would never see him again demoralized her a bit, but tried to forget all those feelings and give it all on stage as usual.

- Don't be so defeatist, who knows maybe you're gonna stay in touch. Jenny said looking at her best friend right in the eye.
- Well, let's see ...
- You're too negative Sky, no guts, no glory!

"No guts, no glory! Argh shut up Cassie, shut up!" Skylar thought as the remark of her one of her closest friends. She hates so much when people brought out to her those stupid answers.

- The problem is that every time I try something I finish heart broken. Skylar sighed, lowering her head.
- Well we leave you, we go to the concert. Jenny finished kissing her best friend on the cheek.
- Ok, enjoy!
- So, I think to sleep at Cassie's 'cause I don't know at what time we go home.
- No worries, kisses girls. Skylar said, sending a kiss to the girls with her hands.

Skylar began to prepare herself while dreaming about what this evening would be like. Was there going to be "a after" once his journey ended? Probably not. The blonde girl thought as she put down her brush and went to the stage.

11:45pm. Skylar get out of Rouge Burlesque and climbed into her car before leaving the parking lot and heading towards Venice.

It was almost half past midnight and Skylar had no news from Andy. She began to suspect that he wouldn't come, he was more than half an hour late. Skylar landed on her couch, tired but she knew well that the sandman wouldn't come soon. The young woman jumped when her phone rang. Like a teenager who was anxiously waiting for her boyfriend to call her, she rushed at it and answer the phone.

- Hey, it's me, I wanted to know if I could come?
- Of course, when do you think you'll be there ?
- Within 15 minutes maximum.

15 minutes ?! But where could he be to come so fast? However, Skylar didn't ask herself those question during a long time, all she wanted was him to come and see and kiss him. She got up from the couch and rushed to the bathroom where she checked herself in front of the mirror to make sure she look great when the intercom sounded. She opened the main door before opening the door. He entered the apartment a few minutes later.

- You look tired. Skylar pointed out, hugging him.
- Long evening. He answered simply without spreading himself on the subject. Anyway, how was your job? He asked then.
- Great, ass usual, actually. She smiled.

***

The next morning she woke up in bed with Andy at her side, who was looking at her tenderly. He took her in his arms. She put her head on his chest and they stayed like that for a long time talking about everything and nothing like they liked to do. It was the ringing of Skylar's phone that forced her to get rid of Andy's grip to catch it and pick up.

- Oh my god, Sky you'll never guess! Jenny yelled at the other end of the line.
- What! Asked the blonde sitting in the bed.
- Cassie and I spent the evening with the band, well except for the singer who was gone.
- Great ! And was it good ?
- Good ? It was awesome you mean. Wait, I'm sending you a photo I had take with three of them.
- Ok. Said Skylar smiling and hung up.
- Everything ok ? Andy asked. I heard someone screaming.
- Yes don't worry it's just that my best friends went to see a concert yesterday.

Skylar explained that her friends had met the band after the concert and they were in cloud nine. The face of her interlocutor broke down a little.

- Do you know the name of the band? He asked with a hint of worry in his voice.
- No, but I just know that it ends up in "brides" or something
- Oh...

A slight silence came when Skylar's phone made a ring, sign that Jenny had sent the picture. It was a picture of her and Cassie with an guy with a bandana, another guy with black hair and Ashley whom she had met at the studio. All this made it clear in Skylar's head when she remembered Jenny's face when she saw the latter come into the dance studio. Skylar wondered what she find attractive in him. Andy as for him, had a funny look on his face when he saw the picture.

- I already met him, the guy on the right, he was at the dance studio supporting his cousine. Said Skylar.
- Oh ... And what did he tell you?
- Not much, we discussed and he had a pushy attitude toward me.
- The opposite would have surprised me ... he murmured too weakly for Skylar understand what he said.
- What? Asked Skylar.
- Nothing. He smiled and kissed her.

They spent the morning together and ate at her home, a simple meal that seemed to please Andy. It was so easy for her to talk to him. Despite the fact that he was leaving the next day, they behaved as if he weren't. He left early in the afternoon for his work and added that he was busy at night. He asked if he could come back to Skylar's house or if she wanted them to meet somewhere else.

- Could I come to your job or to your hotel? She asked with a smile.
- No, no it's not a good idea.
- Why ? She added, tilting her head to the side.
- It's too hectic, noisy and we won't get a moment of peace. He replied firmly.

Skylar capitulated to his reaction. They finally agree on the fact that he would come back to her home. He left again the next day at noon, but this time, Skylar wasn't going to see him again at night and it saddened her. He had to go to a foreign country for work according to what he had told her.

- Does your colleagues know about us? She asked, sitting on the chair next to him on the terrace.
- Yes. He said looking at the horizon.
- And what do they think?
- They're not all agree with that, but honestly I don't care of what they might think, I'm good with you and that's the most important thing.

They then quickly discussed the distance that will spared them and of all that it involved.

- I don't really want to get involved in a serious relationship ... said Skylar while lowering her head.

He seemed disappointed by her response, his throat tightened and he didn't understand her choice, especially after what they had lived, because for him it was very clear: they were a couple.

- In this case, it's better for us to stop now and stay there. He said, lowering his head too, disappointed.
- BUT I am willing to make an effort and to entrust my heart again.

Before leaving, he kissed her for the last time before a long time. They stayed in each other's arms for long minutes on the door and he promised to call her.

Notes