I do not own any of the characters below, they all belong to the great SM.
And the tour officially begins………
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Chapter 9 – Beautiful Tragedy
EPOV
I woke up to sunlight streaming across my face. I groaned and rolled over hoping that I could catch a few more hours of sleep before I had to get up. As I laid there, I suddenly remembered the events from the night before with perfect clarity. I had poured shot after shot of tequila and basically forced Jacob and Bella to take them. Normally, that would've have been something I would just do to have a good time with my friends, but I had a very different motive last night. I couldn't stand to see her hanging out with Jacob while talking and laughing the whole time. It stirred a feeling deep within me that I didn't quite recognize but it definitely wasn't something that made me feel good. I kept walking up to them with the bottle hoping to interrupt the conversation each time.
My plan seemed to have been working and they were both getting pretty tipsy. I hadn't thought very far ahead as to what I would do once they were both hammered. I was kind of hoping Bella and I could start over and she would loosen up around me enough so we could talk to each other. My hopes were soon shot to hell when she accidentally tripped and spilled one of her shots down the front of my shirt. I should have started laughing and made a joke about her spilling drinks on me but that didn't happen.
I turned into the same asshole that I usually did when she was around and started in on her. I was absolutely horrible and said things that I shouldn't have. Jacob was trying to defend her but something about the way he was trying to protect her from me just set me off. I walked away feeling like a complete bastard but I wasn't about to apologize.
Then the most amazing thing happened. I bumped into her upstairs after freshening up and I kissed her. I still can't believe it happened. It was probably the most intense kiss I had ever shared with anyone. It made by body react in ways that were far beyond lust. Thinking back to the way our lips molded perfectly together made me want to go find her right now and continue what we had started under the light of the moon. Even more amazing than the fact that I had kissed her was the fact that she had kissed me back. It felt more than good to wrap my arms around her and to have her arms around me. I felt more than just the electrical shock that usually happens when we come in contact with each other.
The pleasure from that moment was all encompassing and so much more than I would have ever thought possible. I wanted, no needed to feel it again. It was like a drug to me and now that I've had a taste, there's no way I can go on without it.
That's where I really fucked up. I let her walk away without saying anything.
Flash back
I was standing in the hallway in a complete daze before I made my way back downstairs. I scanned the crowd desperately searching for her when I finally made it to the bottom landing, but she was nowhere to be found. I spotted Jasper talking with Emmett near the bar and walked over to them hoping I could get one of them to tell me without my asking.
"Edward, where've you been?" Emmett asked as his large hand slapped my back.
"Nowhere, just hanging out with some friends." I tried to say as nonchalantly as possible.
I looked at Jasper who was eyeing me curiously. I gave him a look that said, 'don't ask' and hoped he would catch the meaning. Instead he piped up and pointed at my chest, "What's on your shirt?"
I glanced down and noticed the tequila had stained my shirt an odd yellow color. I groaned and thought 'Great, now I look like I have piss all over the front of me.'
Apparently I wasn't the only one that noticed the color because as soon as Jasper asked, Emmett's booming voice shook with laughter, "Dude, it looks like someone pissed all over you."
He continued laughing with Jasper while I tried to appear as though it was no big deal. Jasper finally asked, "Did you have a fight with the worm?" knowing full well that I'd be drinking my favorite on a night like tonight.
"Looks more like two worms." Emmett chuckled.
I was trying to think of a way to bring her up without sounding desperate but since they couldn't get over my shirt I decided to just tell the truth, well at least part of it, "More like your sister and I had a little run-in."
Emmett straightened up immediately, "What did you do to her?"
"I didn't do a fucking thing to her." I was a little pissed that he would assume that I started something with her even though that's exactly what happened.
He looked at me like he didn't believe me, "I still don't know what you did the last time because she wouldn't tell me, but if it's as bad as I think it is, you and I will go rounds."
I gave him an innocent look hoping that he'd buy it and leave it alone, "It was an accident. She tripped when I was handing her a shot and she spilled it down the front of me."
"She must have been pretty embarrassed 'cause she came and got Alice so they could leave about ten minutes ago." Jasper chimed in.
Shit. She fucking left before I even had a chance to see her again. I had this nagging feeling that the next time I saw her was either going to be a very good thing or a very bad thing and it could definitely go either way.
Rosalie had come over to hang out with us as I grabbed a beer and we all stood around for a few hours joking around and laughing. Not long after that, I caught Rose batting her eyelashes at Emmett as they were talking to each other like they were in their own little world. Jasper and I both rolled our eyes and decided to call it a night.
End Flashback
I got out of bed and made my way to the kitchen to make some coffee. My hangover wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. That's probably a good thing since we're doing a sound check this afternoon for tomorrow night. We only had today and tomorrow to finish putting our show together. Fortunately, we'd already been out on tour with the last album so we knew what to expect.
I still get butterflies thinking about it. I can't wait to play the new album on stage. I just hope that a certain someone doesn't realize that most of the songs are a reflection of our relationship, or should I say non-relationship.
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I hung around my apartment for awhile before getting ready to head into the city. We were kicking the tour off at the Staples Center here in L.A. which I thought was pretty ironic. We were starting out at the same spot that Breaking Dawn and Crimson Eyes were pushed together, thinking back to the night of the Grammy's.
I was glad that we were playing two shows around L.A. before we had to head out on the bus. I hate being stuck on a bus for countless hours with nothing to do but play video games. The only cool thing was the fact that Sam, Jasper, Jake and I got to hang out just like we used to in Seattle. Since we all moved to L.A., we don't get together quite as much as we used to. I always thought we'd be inseparable once we moved here but everyone's got so much going on all of the time that the last twelve weeks has been the most time we've been together since we ended the last tour. I was definitely looking forward to chilling with the guys again.
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I arrived at the Staples Center and entered through the entrance reserved for us for the next two days. I walked in to see Aro standing with Jasper discussing some of the venues we'd be playing at during the first leg of the tour. Since we're releasing our third album and Crimson Eyes' second, they've booked some larger venues than we played at during the last go-round. After tomorrow, we'd be playing at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine before heading out on the bus to play at San Diego's Convention Center.
I looked around and saw the crew had most of the stage set-up for us. Apparently, Crimson Eyes was here earlier this morning so the stage crew would know how to convert from one show to the other. Since both bands are labeled headliners, we're playing almost the same amount of time. We were given a half hour longer due to the larger play list we have to play from but fans would definitely be getting their money's worth.
Sam and Jake walked in so we all headed to the stage and grabbed our instruments. We went through some of the initial sound checks with the sound guys so they would know how to set everything for each of us. After getting the right sounds, we started going through the song list for the show. That's one thing about Aro, he gave us complete freedom as to which songs we wanted to play. He gave a few ideas which actually worked in with the show well but other than that, we had made all of the decisions.
Once we were done, Aro wanted to discuss a few things before tomorrow night so we all took a seat in the backstage area and waited for him.
He walked in excitedly and was waving his hands around, "Guys, the show is going to be great. I'm sure everyone will be happy with the songs you've chosen."
We all laughed at his animated gestures but let him go on. "There is one thing I'd like you guys to do tomorrow."
I raised my eyebrows at him waiting for him to continue, "Since this will be the first time anyone outside of Vamp has heard your new stuff and vice versa with Crimson Eyes, I'm asking that both bands will be present for each other's performance."
Sam groaned, "That's when we get mentally prepared."
"I know but neither band has heard the other's new album and like I said before, I want to show a United Front." He said quoting the name he had dubbed for the tour.
"Alright Aro, we'll do it." Everyone turned there heads to look at me with a shocked expression. I was usually the one to complain about shit like this but I was actually curious to hear their new stuff and hear Bella sing for that matter.
We all left since we had to come back the next day to go through the whole set again before the show started.
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BPOV
We arrived at the Staples Center for the final run through of our song set and I was still a little intimidated by the size of the place even after the sound checks the previous day. It was set-up a lot different than it had been the night of the Grammy's. It looked more like a rock concert setting and even though I had been to countless concerts, I was in awe that this place would be filled up with fans here to see us, and Breaking Dawn.
Breaking Dawn. I've really tried to avoid thinking about them or more importantly, Edward. I'm still trying to wrap my head around what happened the other night at the release party but haven't come to terms with it. At first I was shocked that he kissed me. But even more so, I was kicking myself for having reciprocated. I couldn't understand how he could go from berating me one minute to holding my face with a sorrowful look on his face. And the kiss, I'd be lying if I didn't say it was good. It was more than good. My body ignited with a burning that I'd never felt before.
I felt like a live wire as I walked away from him hoping that he wouldn't follow me. Between the mixture of the feelings I had after that moment and the large amount of alcohol plaguing my body, I felt like I was going to explode. I quickly found Alice who was standing with Jasper and told her I was ready to leave. My face must have looked flushed because they were both looking at me in a curious manner. I just told them I had too much to drink and wasn't feeling very well. I don't think either one of them believed me but I really needed to get out of there.
Once Alice and I arrive back at the guys place, I decided to tell her what happened. She was smiling at me when I was done and told me that it was fate. I thought it was complete bullshit but I just let her go on. She sometimes likes others to believe that she can see the future but I wasn't buying it. I told her about the humiliating way he had talked to me after he was the one who was handing me shots all night and once again she chalked it up to foreplay. Frustrated with her, I went to bed hoping that I could sleep all of the confusing thoughts and feelings away.
I woke up the next day more confused than ever. Not only was I still feeling this foreign desire for an encore performance, but I was starting to get really pissed at the fact he had kissed me in the first place. I felt like I had whiplash from just one evening of his mood swings but that could've been from the tequila. I came to the conclusion that I wasn't going to endure his change from hot to cold in a matter of minutes, and decided I would continue to ignore him.
We ran through our entire song set from the beginning and everything went smoothly. We were all glad that Aro had let us choose our own songs to play saying that we were our best judges as to what would sound good live and what wouldn't. There was only one song that I was a little nervous to play because it was only me on the stage playing the guitar. That was put in so the guys could take a small break and regroup before the second half. Other than that, we couldn't wait to get out there. This was also going to be the night that Alec will be singing with me for the first time. He had always done some of the background vocals, but now with the new album we had written a couple of songs as duets. I think he was a little nervous which was very uncharacteristic of him as he's the one with the most outgoing stage presence.
Aro had told us that both bands needed to stay and listen to the other for the first show which I didn't mind in the least. I had paid good money to see Breaking Dawn before and now I was being paid to see them. What a change in the tides. Even though Edward is a complete Ass, it still didn't change the fact that I had always loved their music and still thought he was the most gifted musician I had ever heard.
Rather than heading home, we decided to hang out backstage to get ready since Alice insisted on having the total band experience with us. She had brought all of her supplies for my hair, make-up, and clothes and spent two hours getting me ready. We were waiting around when Marcus came down to tell us we were on in twenty. We hadn't seen the guys from Breaking Dawn but he had told us they were there.
We all headed to our places that we had been told to go. I was entering the stage from the left side after the guys went out from the right. I stood there and waited for the lights to go down and Emmett to start the count. After what seemed like an eternity and I had worked through all of my nervousness, I finally heard the beginning of our opening song coming from Alec's guitar. I ran out with my guitar and stood at the microphone:
Silent night, let me sleep away these memories within This beautiful tragedy is crashing into me So now you lay yourself down in this grave with shattered eyes This beautiful tragedy, is crashing into me Will you be there This beautiful tragedy, is crashing into me
sacrifices of purities are turning into sins
And this judgment day is growing near
And this confession is killing me again
This dying destiny
Beautiful melodies to try and wash away the lies
And this judgment day is growing near
And this confession is killing me again
This dying destiny, take me away
This beautiful tragedy, come crashing into me
This dying destiny
Will you be there by my grave
And my, my beautiful tragedy
This dying destiny, take me away
This beautiful tragedy, come crashing into me
This dying destiny
We finished the show with the crowd still going crazy screaming for an encore. We weren't sure if we should go out but Marcus motioned for us to head back out and sing one more.
After the encore was finished and we left the stage from the same side that we had entered, I saw Him. He was waiting in the same area that I had been standing in before we had gone out there. I didn't want to look at him but I couldn't help myself. He was looking at the ground and all of sudden whipped his head up and our eyes met. I'm not sure what I was seeing in his stare but it made me nervous. It wasn't the usual scowl that I usually got from him, but also not one filled with friendliness.
I turned my head and moved to walk by him so I could freshen up before they went out. I had just passed by when I felt him grab my arm. I didn't have to look to know it was him, I felt the electric shock just like I always did. He pulled me roughly to him and before I even had a chance to scream at him for touching me, his mouth was on mine in the same instant.
My mind was screaming at me to break away, 'this is the same asshole that's treated you like dirt since the day you met.' I just couldn't get my body to agree. I reached up and fisted his hair while pulling him as close as possible. He was doing the same thing while our mouths fought for domination. We continued the deep kiss for a few minutes before my mind finally won and I was able to drag myself away from him. And just like the other night, neither one of us said a word.
I went backstage like I was in a trance and changed into some dry clothes. After grabbing a bottle of water, I pulled my hair back in a ponytail so I could be comfortable for the rest of the night. I made it back to our designated area just as the lights were blacking out.
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EPOV
We were standing in the designated area that Marcus and Aro had arranged for us to watch Crimson Eyes waiting for them to go on. They were both there as well as Alice, Jane, and a few others from Vamp. The lights went out and I could just make out Emmett's silhouette climbing up to the platform where his drums were. He started the count and then the lights came on. Alec started playing his guitar with Quil joining him on the bass shortly after.
My heart just about jumped out of my chest when Bella came out on stage with her guitar. She was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen. She stood before the microphone and started singing. I didn't recognize the song so it must've been a new one. It was pretty fucking awesome as I listened to the music and lyrics. I was actually enjoying myself when I glanced to my left to gauge the reactions of the others. Jasper was smiling like an idiot and I wasn't sure if it was because Alice was standing by him or if he liked the song.
When my eyes met Alice's, she winked at me and gave me a knowing look. I couldn't figure out why the hell she was looking at me like that so I mouthed 'What' to her. She pointed at me and mouthed back 'Beautiful Tragedy'.
'What the fuck does that mean,' I wondered. I turned my face back to watch the show and Bella. The name of the song they were playing was called Beautiful Tragedy. 'Why in the hell was Alice pointing at me though' I thought as I listened to the rest of the song. Then it fucking hit me like a ton of bricks, the song was about me. I think I was a little shocked when the crowd started screaming at the end of the song. I couldn't believe she had written a song about me and as I thought back to the lyrics I wondered what it meant. Did she have feelings for me or was she just using me as her muse just like I had used her? I'm sure it was the latter but I still couldn't help but feel a little smug about the whole thing.
We stood there for the rest of the show and I had to admit they were great. Alec was a real crowd pleaser and even Bella seemed to really get into her performance. There were a couple of times throughout the show where I thought the lyrics may have reflected this ongoing battle Bella and I seemed to have going on. I shook my head of those thoughts quickly since I'm pretty sure she fucking hates me.
Once they were finished and had come back onstage for an encore, the guys and I went backstage to get ready for our show. We did the usual fist bumps and headed to the areas where we were supposed to wait until it was time to go out. Marcus had set it up so the rest of the guys would enter from the right side of the stage while I entered from the left. I couldn't help but notice that Crimson Eyes had the same set-up. Marcus had said he wanted the lead singers to have a few moments to collect ourselves without the hustle and bustle of everyone running around. Basically, it was a very secluded area in which to wait.
I was standing there with my head down thinking about the song set we were starting with when I felt a presence coming toward me. I knew it was her even though I hadn't noticed the music had stopped and the crowd had died down.
I jerked my head up and started staring at her, completely mesmerized and wondering why in the hell I had started all of the hateful bullshit with her. She was staring back at me just as intently when all of sudden she turned her head and was walking by me. I don't know what overcame me but I couldn't let her leave. I grabbed her by the arm and pulled her to me probably a little too roughly. I needed to say something but words weren't going to come out. Without thinking, I pulled her head to mine and crashed my lips into hers. Her hands had found there way to my hair and I thought she was going to push me away. Just then, she pulled me closer and was still pulling me to her as if we weren't close enough. I deepened the kiss in that instant and we continued to assault each others mouths.
After a few minutes, she pulled away and without saying a word, walked away. I don't know what the fuck just happened but I was definitely pumped to go out on stage now. I wouldn't mind making that part of the routine, I thought as I heard Jake starting the count.
I ran out on the stage with my guitar and started the song:
I want a normal life Just call my name Sooner or later you're gonna hate it You're like an infantile Just call my name Sooner or later you're gonna hate it Throw our life away
just like a new born child
I am a lover hater
I am an instigator
You are an oversight
Don't try to compromise
I'll learn to love to hate it
I am not integrated
You'll be okay
Your scream is burning through my veins
Go ahead and throw your life away
Driving me under, leaving me out there
I knew it all the while
You sit and try to play me
Just like you see on tv
I am an oversight
Just like a parasite
Why am I so pathetic
I know you won't forget it
You'll be okay
Your scream is burning through my veins
Go ahead and throw my life away
Driving me under, leaving me out there
Go ahead and throw my life away
Go ahead and throw our life away
Driving me under, leaving me out there
Go ahead and throw our life away
Ooooo
Throw our life away
We finished the show with the most energetic crowd we had ever played in front of. We finally made it backstage after the second encore and I scanned the crowd for Her. I needed to talk to her but she was nowhere to be found. I caught up with Emmett and congratulated him on a great show. I asked where everyone else was and he pointed toward the far side of the room. Alec and Quil were talking to Sam and that's when I saw her.
She was standing with Jacob and as soon as I was about to walk over to them, he bent down and kissed her on the cheek. I was frozen for a minute and before I had to see anything else happen, I turned and headed for the door.
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Songs:
In This Moment - Beautiful Tragedy
Breaking Benjamin - Sooner or Later
I suggest giving a listen to both of these songs as the links will be posted in my profile.
Thanks for reading and I hate to sound like a broken record, but please review!!!