Chapter [9] Some kind of Nature

We stepped out the building on to the busy Chicago streets. She took my hand as we walked quite quickly through the crowds..

"where we goin?" I asked her.

"we are going around the corner here to take the "L" to Navy Pier to watch the fireworks."

"was an "L"?"

"um its like a subway but goes above around. you guys call it the tube in London" she replied trying to explain it to me. We walked up some stairs and on to a platform above the street. The girls stuck there money in to a machine getting a little blue card that said Pace on it in return, and we went up another flight of stairs to the train platform. The trains were labeled by color. Lilly pulled me quickly behind her and her sister on to the train and sat down. They navigated the city like pros.

" 'ow do you know where ta ge' off?" I asked looking at the map above the door with many different color tracks all winding in to a circle at the end.

"Well all the trains head to the loop, that's downtown. We just need to get off on the right side of it closest to the lake then we walk a few blocks and we are there." She told me pointing at the circle part of the map. The train was kind of scary at times, feeling like it may tip over or fall off the tracks on to the street. In some parts if the windows opened I could touch the buildings. I looked at Lilly who was talking to her sister catching up on things she may have missed. She paid no attention to the bumps and turns so I let it go as a normal thing on these types of trains.

"We are here D hurry up." Lilly said grabbing my hand pulling me out of my daze of thinking about falling to the street in the little rickety train. We got off the train just as it closed right behind me.

"you gotta be quick with these trains they don't wait for you" Maggie said laughing as I turned to watch the train take off. We headed down the stairs to the street below walking around the corner and heading towards the lake. I'd seen Chicago before, we toured here for Plastic Beach but I never got to actually get out and see the city. As we walked to the end of what seemed like 100 blocks a small ground of girls screamed running towards up. I was confused when they completely ignored me running straight to Lilly hugging her all chatting away at the same time. I couldn't understand what they were saying but Lilly replied with ease.

"guys guys guys calm dawn I want you to meet my boyfriend 2D" She said grabbing my hand pulling me forward.

"Oh My God I thought you were fucking with us!" One of the girls said

"I llllooooooovvvvvvveeeee your hair" another said reaching up to touch it.

"hey hey hey thats my gorgeous blue hair" Lilly said laughing smacking her friends hand away.

" 'ello ladies" I said smiling.

"ahhhhhh I fuckin love that accent" another girl said

"alright so this is Val..." she said pointing to the girl who touched my hair "This is Amanda" pointing to the one who liked my accent "this is Sarah" pointing to the girl who thought she was lying about us.

"Nice ta mee' you ladies" I said wrapping my arm around Lillys shoulder.

"Where do you guys wanna sit.?" Maggie asked

"We can sit on the beach at Jane Addams park" Lilly suggested.

"yeah lets go" Sarah said as we all started walking again.

After a few more blocks we finally got to the beach. Lilly and Sarah fell behind as they hopped around trying to get there heals off before walking in to the sand.

"les go ta the wa'er" I said grabbing Lillys hand and pulling her with me. She dropped her heals with her friends and followed. We got to the waters edge and I scooped her up in my arms. "wou' you be man if I toss ya in" I said grinning.

"D I swear if you throw me in that water you wont be getting laid for a very long time" She said gripping her arms tightly around my neck so I couldn't toss her in.

[Sarah]

"how long do you think that will last" I asked the group as we watched 2D lift Lilly up

"I don't know I mean not long I don't think, come on lets face it hes a freakin rock star how long will it take for him to dump her and move on is the question" Val said still watching the

I took out a small bottle of vodka from my purse "Hey Lil' lets pre-game!" I yelled out to her.

[Lilly]

"pre-game?" he asked confused looking down at me in his arms

"Yeah hold on" I yelled back "pre-game...party before the party" I told him laughing a bit

We got up heading back to the other girls. I grabbed the bottle taking a couple swigs and handed it to 2D. The fireworks started behind us so we all sat watching them. I moved on to his lap leaning back against his chest. I could feel his light breathing on my hair as he wrapped his arms around me watching the fire works.

When they were finished we all got up finishing of the few small bottles of vodka that Sarah had brought and started our walk back towards the train. It was funny to watch 2D on the train especially when we turned the corners and the train leaned on its side a bit. He looked a bit freaked out like it might fall off the track or something.

We got home, Val immediately turning on rock band. It was definitely our all time favorite game to play while we drank. I took the seat as always at the little drum set val on bass and Amanda on guitar.

"Singer...we need a singer!" Val yelled.

"D come sing for us" I called to him waving him over "Ive got the perfect song"

"eh I don' fink I'll be any good ah' this" He said trying to get out of it.

"Ive got the perfect song" I told him tossing him the game mic.

I hit the button and 2D looked at the screen as a very familiar laugh started. Val started to flick away at the bass intro to the song. 2D looked at me smiling as he started singing "feel good" while the rest of us join in at our part. Maggie grabbed the mic from 2D when her favorite part came on rapping out the De La Soul part perfectly then handing it back to 2D to finish off the song.

Maggie took over my drums as more and more of my friend showed up at the apartment for the party. I was hugging some of my friends when I saw him standing in the kitchen. It was John. "ugh who invited him" I thought to myself.

He noticed that I was looking and he came over giving me a big hug like nothing ever happened.

I could see 2D watching us while he sat with my friend Steph talking about his show in Chicago a few years back. He watched intently as John put his arm around my should handing me my favorite drink.

"Tequila sunshine. Just how you like it." he said walking me in to the kitchen.

"Thanks" I said sitting at the bar table in the kitchen next to 2D already feeling quite tipsy.

"John this is my BOYFRIEND 2D." I said introducing them emphasizing the boyfriend part.

The men said nothing just giving each other a sort of stay out of my way type look. I chugged my drink quickly, getting up to make another one. John of course following me. I made my drink turning around to find him right behind me.

"I missed you" He said obviously drunk as he put his arms on either side of me on the counter.

"I didn't miss you" I said trying to break through his arm with no luck. He moved in closer so he was face to face with me.

"not even a little bit" He asked smirking

"NO not at all and I'd be happier if I never saw you again" I told him again trying to break free of him. I could see the anger build in his drunken eyes and I instinctively flinched back closing my eyes. He grabbed me by the neck with the grip I knew quite well from our past. I felt his nails scratch my neck as his hand was pulled away from my neck. I opened my eyes to find him on the floor his nose bleeding, 2D standing there fists clenched.

"Ah you ok lov' "He asked pulling me close inspecting my now bright red neck.

Maggie grabbed john by the arm leading him stumbling to the door and pushing him out in to the hall.

I couldn't help but feel my eyes start to water. The alcohol didn't help my feelings much and I wasn't able to control my tears anymore. I felt just like it used to before I left for London a year ago. I didn't want 2D to see me cry so I pulled away from him and walked quickly to my room closing the door behind me wishing I had a lock on it. I sat on the floor leaning on my bed and just let out my drunken emotions. I felt embarrassed that I would let John take control like that again so easily especially in front on 2D.

"Babe can I come in" I heard 2Ds sweet voice say from the other side of the door. I wiped away my tears quickly not able to get them all before he opened the door.

"I'm sorry" I told him not able to look up at him

"you 'ave nofing to be sorry abou' lov' " He said sitting down on the floor next to me.

"I didn't know he was going to be here" I told him

" is' ok" he said leaning in kissing my hair.

I took the drink I was still holding in my hand and chugged it quickly, tossing the cup on the floor next to me. I took in a deep breath of 2Ds sweet butterscotch smell. It made my mood a little better giving me a slight smile. I looked up in to his deep black eyes getting lost in the moment remember the protective look on 2Ds face in the kitchen after he punched my abusive ex in the face. I crawled on to his lap straddling him and kissing his neck closing my eyes hoping the booze spins would slow down a bit. I could feel that last drink I just chugged start to take effect. I moved my hands through his gorgeous blue hair taking in another deep breath of his sweet smell as he began to kiss my shoulder. The spins were starting to take control of me now my eye site blurring turning black. I laid my head on his shoulder trying to slow down the room spinning around me. I smiled as he moved up to my neck kissing every inch, rubbing his hands on my back. I just laid there my head on his shoulder and hands still caressing his azure blue hair. My eyes slowly closed and everything went black.