Claire walked into the living room and hears the familiar sound of celebrity news coming from the television. Her friend, April, was staring at the television with wide eyes. Claire passed the tv and her drooling friend in time to hear the most overplayed song in their flat. "You all everybody! You all everybody!" April sang, turning the television set up louder. Claire smiled, grabbing a jug of orange juice from the fridge. She poured herself a glass before replacing the jug and going to sit beside her friend. April looked at Claire and giddily laughs. Claire rolled her eyes at her friend's excitement. She took a sip of her juice, listening to April sing off-key to the entire song.
When the song ended and DriveSHAFT's part of the news was over, April turned to face Claire. "Can you believe we're going to Los Angeles?!" she giggledexcitedly.
"Yeah, it should be fun," Claire addedShe liked the idea of LA, but not the fact that April was only interested in DriveSHAFT being there.
"C'mon, Claire! Aren't you super excited?" April nearly squealed, shaking Claire's shoulder.
Claire steadied her sloshing orange juice before taking another sip. She swallowed, pursed her lips into a smile and nodded. "Yeah, April. I'm really glad we're going. I can't wait to see Rodeo Drive and the beaches and--"
"DriveSHAFT!" April piped in, smiling from ear to ear.
"Yeah. Them, too." Claire muttered, faking a smile.
"I know you don't like them as much as me, but they're okay, right?" April asked, biting her lip.
Claire's eyebrows shot up as she protested, "No, April, I like them. Not as much as you, but they're pretty good."
"You sure?"
"Positive,"
"Okay!" April brightened up again. That was the best thing about April-- she didn't stay upset long. "We can stay at my uncle's house. It's really nice! Oh, Claire! And it's right by the stadium DriveSHAFT's playing in! It'll be marvelous! Did you pack your swimsuit? Cuz we're definitely swimming! But I want to spend some of my time with DriveSHAFT. I do happen to be one of their number one fans. I'm even on their "top fans" page on their site!"
Claire smiled blankly as April rattled on. She inserted her own comments here and there, but April was too busy chattering about DriveSHAFT and Liam and Charlie as if they were her best mates. That was the worst thing about April-- she was completely in love with DriveSHAFT. Claire excused herself from April's speech to finish her packing. Claire sighed when she reached the safety of her rooom. No DriveSHAFT posters, no DriveSHAFT music, no DriveSHAFT anything. Just peace and quiet. Claire hummed tunelessly to herself as she double-checked her suitcase. She lays out her outfit for tomorrow and packs a few things she had forgotten. These things included sun-screen, perfume, and her disposable camera.
The day faded into the darkness of night and Claire and April drifted off to sleep.
The plane ride to LA was pretty uneventful. April slept half the way there as did Claire. The other half, April was either talking about DriveSHAFT or listening to them on her iPod. Claire, on the other hand, was busy reading her copy of 1984. She barely acknowledged Aprils chattering. Soon, the plane skidded to a stop on the runway and April nearly pushed people out of her way. Claire followed her friend calmly and stepped out of the plane and into sunny California. The two friends dawned their sunglasses and went to April's uncle's home by taxi cab. The uncle's home was beautiful. It was only one story, but had a very luxurious feel to it. It was close to the beach and-- according to April-- close to the concert area. Claire set up her things in her bedroom and in the bathroom that was attatched to it. It was a very classy house; more like a hotel suite or something. Claire dawned her swinsuit and walked out to the beach. She laid out a towel on the sand and laid out to tan her white body. She was letting the sun darken her skin when a shadow fell across her eyes. She opened her eyes and saw April leaning over her, biting her lip. Claire sighed as she pushed herself to a seat.
"What, April?" Claire asked, shading her eyes with her hand.
"DriveSHAFT is doing a concert for Charlie's girlfriend tonight at the Sunny21 club... Will you pretty please go with me?" April pleaded, folding her hands together.
Claire inwardly groaned, but going to the club couldn't be all bad, right? "Sure, let's go." Claire replied.
April squealed, jumping up and down. "They're getting there at ten and it's already six. Let's eat and then get dressed."
Claire stood, grabbed her towel, and followed her extatic pal back to the house.
Three hours later, April was in a red mini-dress with black heels. Claire wore a knee-length, turquise dress that was elegant, but also flirty. She hadn't dressed up this nice in a long time. Not since she had dated Thomas... She grimaced; she was so glad she had broke that off before it got too serious. April walked in and posed for Claire. Claire laughed at her silly friend before finishing up her makeup. April was dancing like a little kid who had to go to the bathroom. "Are you ready? The club is twenty minutes from here and I wanna get there a little early." April stated.
"Let's go," Claire smiled as she grabbed her silver clutch.
They hopped into April's uncle's old Ford Focus and drove down to the Sunny21. They arrived ten minutes until ten o'clock. There was already a crowd; April shoved her way through. Claire foillowed April's little path. She looked around the club, taking in the pounding music and bright, flashing lights. April was already dancing her way to the front. Claire laughed at her friend's antics. She came up beside April and they danced to a Beyonce song before the lights dimmed until the club was nearly pitch-black. April screamed so loud, Claire feared her ears would burst. The band walked onto the stage and the lights focused on the individuals. The song "You All Everybody" was the first song they played. They only played two more after that before they said they'd be signing autographs. "I'm going out for some ir!" Claire yelled over the pounding bass. April nodded before rushing towards the autograph area.
Claire left through the entrance and headed down the dark alley behind the club. A cool breeze hit her and she closed her eyes and enjoyed it. She walked slowly down the alley and played with the ruffles of her skirt. She was nearing a door when it swung open as she lowered her head. The door smacked the top of her head harshly and with a smack. Claire stumbled backwards and falls to the pavement. "Ouch." Claire murmured, tears stinging her eyes.
"Oh, bloddy... Sorry, miss. Sorry. Sorry." a voice from the door states, panic laced on every word.
Claire touches her head in a daze of pain. She looks up and there, standing over her, is none other than Charlie Pace.
The bass player of DriveSHAFT.
SHe wanted to tell him it was okay that he cracked her skull open with a door, but all that came out of her mouth was vomit... All over his shoes.