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Six. Sephy
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I don't know why I'm here, really. The Midges gave up on me when I needed the job the most. It wasn't even just a job by then. I'd grown to care about them. Sonny, at least, we'd become quite close. Jaxon and I got on well too. I was more than a little surprised to learn Rhino, the one I'd had least contact with throughout the time I was with them, was the one who wanted to stand by me.

I'd made sure to be as far to the back of the room as I could. I didn't want them to see me. I could barely see them from my space in the back. I'd been here for over an hour now, they were finishing their last song for the night. Bad Attitude. I downed the rest of my drink, slightly dizzy afterwards, but managed to steady myself. I hadn't had a drink in a while. Years, even.

The crowd cheered as the song ended, while she made her way back over to the bar, 'Can I get half a glass of Vodka, please?' I held out a £5 note. The bartender winked at me and took the note, turning to get my drink. I turned my back to him, so I was leaning back against the bar, and looked at the stage where Jaxon and the band were making their way off the stage. I was vaguely aware of someone come on and introduce the next band.

'Here you are, Missy,' the bartender put the glass down and tipped the change onto the counter next to it.

'Thanks,' I forced a smile and sipped some of the liquid, turning back to the stage. The crowd became wild again with the beginning of the next act. I sighed as I looked at the happy faces of those around me. Lucky. I sipped again from my glass. So lucky. 

With a sigh, I downed the rest of the vodka and slammed the glass back down on the bag. Scooping my money into my hand, I made my way towards the exit. Coming here was extremely pointless. I walked out onto the cold street and turned, only to walk straight into someone. I stumbled back, startled and looked up at the man in front of me, his face was hidden by the shadows but I knew he was a Nought, a muscular one at that.

'I…I'm sorry,' my voice shook. I started the make my way past him, when his hand grasped my arm.

'Sephy?'

I frowned, his voice was familiar. I turned and looked up at him, the light from the club now shone on his face. I hesitated for a moment before I offered him a smile, 'Hi, Rhino.'

He grinned at me, 'Haven't seen you in a while. What ye been doin' with yourself?' I shrugged, shivering as the cold air hit me. He seemed to notice and nodded back to the club, 'Drink?'

'Think I've reached my limit tonight,' I smiled at him, 'Three drinks at the most. I have a daughter at home, remember?'

He just smiled and nodded, 'Still, it's warmer inside. We could go back to the dressing room. Jaxon and Sonny will be glad t' see ya.'

'Unlikely,' I scoffed and looked away. 

'Weren't anythin' personal, Sephy,' Rhino defended his friends, 'They didn't want t' risk loosin' gigs. We live on that money.'

'So did I,' I responded, turning my head to face him. I shivered again, involuntarily.

'Come on,' he took my elbow in his hand and led me towards the back entrance. I sighed and let him take me towards the dressing room, somewhat reluctantly. 'I hear ye still sing,' he spoke again.

I nodded, 'Uh huh.'

He looked at me, 'Your own songs?'

'Sometimes,' I shrugged. More than half the songs I'd written hadn't even been seen by anyone, never mind heard. 'Clubs I get like me to sing the songs they pick for me. Usually listed.' And I was glad. He just nodded and stopped in front of one of the dressing rooms.

He pushed his head around the side of the door, playfully keeping me out of sight, 'Everyone decent?' I heard him say, before laughing. I heard Sonny's muffled reply, not pleased about something. Rhino let go of my arm, pushed the door open further and walked into the room, expecting me to follow. I warily stepped into the room; surprised that Jaxon wasn't there.

My eyes went to Sonny and I instantly realised the reason for his irritated reply a few moments earlier. The Nought girl, their new lead singer, was sat on his lap and they'd obviously interrupted them. I watched as Sonny's eyes widen, before he gently pushed the girl off his lap, 'Sephy!'  

In an instant he was in front of me and pulling me into his arms. I hesitated for a moment before I hugged him back, 'Hey, Sonny.'

He let me go and smiled at me, 'How are ye? What ye been doin' with yourself?'

I shrugged. Surviving. Dying. I smiled at him and then looked at the woman he'd just abandoned, 'Hi.'

'Sephy, this is Nicole,' Rhino spoke. I looked over and noticed he had begun to pack up his drum set. I looked back at the girl. She was just a girl, couldn't be older than nineteen. I smiled at her.

She gave an uncertain smile back and then walked over to Rhino. 

I looked back at Sonny, 'What about you?' He just frowned at me, which caused me to smile again, 'What've you been doing the past eight years?'

'Seven, really,' he corrected, 'Nothin' much. This,' he motioned around the room. 'How's your kid? Got any more?'

I stiffened, slightly, at his remark, 'She's fine. And no, she's my only.'

He looked apologetic at me, then looked over my shoulder, presumably at Nicole. He turned his eyes back to mine and spoke softly, 'I missed ye.'

If anything, I tensed more, and he seemed to notice it. Before I could reply, the door opened again. I turned and my eyes met the surprised ones of Jaxon. He smirked at me, 'Ah, Miss Ridan.'

I smirked back at him, relieved at the interruption, 'Jaxon.'

He chuckled a little and grasped my shoulder, squeezing it, before he let go and walked over to his guitar, 'What brings ye here?'

I shrugged again, looking over at Rhino. He didn't notice me looking at him and continued to pack away the kit. I shifted, awkwardly. Sonny seemed to notice and started speaking again, 'We're goin' to a party at one of our mates,' he began, 'ye wanna come with us? Dani wouldn't mind, would she Jaxon?'

'Don't see why not,' Jaxon lifted his guitar onto his knee and began to tune it.

'I really shouldn't…'

'Come on, Sephy,' Rhino spoke up, 'When's the last time ye had a good time? Must be a while, seein' as you've got a kid now?'

I hesitated for a moment. I'd never been to any parties since Rose was born. The closest thing I'd had to the kind of party they were inviting me to was drinking in our dorms at Chivers. Even then I'd turned down any offers of alcohol. I looked at Rhino again, then at Sonny, asking with there eyes for me to go. I smiled. What harm could it do, eh? 

'Yeah, I'd better phone Meggie, though,' I gave in, 'wouldn't want her to worry. Where's the nearest payphone?'

'Here,' Rhino reached into his pocket and tossed his mobile over to me. He was lucky I actually caught it.

'Thanks,' I began to dial my number into the phone.