Author's Note:
Here is a long one.
Elle: I had it stated correctly.
Ahhh!: I had to add the exclamation point, it's muchly needed. Wouldn't you want the love of your life at home more often? I think he's being MORE than fair to her.
Sparkling87: heh, i thought you said seagull.
MICHAEL:
I hated how assertive that girl has gotten. "Okay Mommy," I said batting my eyes.
She rolled hers and sighed.
"Everything okay with you and the man?" I asked before I hit the shower. I could not even say his name. I really didn't like the guy at all. He was….a bit obsessive over her. Which I can't say I'm not….but…. well, I know he changed his entire musical career just to impress her grandmother. He now played pop rock. Not that we don't, but he was totally boy bandish. You know, like how the Backstreet Boys tried to be cool and learn instruments for about five minutes. He was a massive tool to be honest. I didn't see what Mia saw in him, but then again I'm not a woman. Maybe he's a wild stallion in bed.
She gave me a look. "I guess. He just misses me."
I could see how he would miss her. Probably not as much as I missed her though. Okay, sure…. I saw her basically everyday. Often she is the first person I see considering we both have a knack for waking up early.
But I didn't get the part of her that he did. I didn't get the romantic Mia. Just the funny, down to earth girl that I've always known and loved. And hidden from.
And yeah, she doesn't act all romantic and mushy around him, but she once told me that those types of things are private. She hates PDA, or so she says.
"Why would he miss you?" I teased. "I mean, look at you," I said pulling her long brown hair.
"Yes?" she said with raised eyebrows. "I don't care. Go get ready. There are a few fans outside you have to chat up."
"None for you?" I teased. I hated my new sex symbol status.
She shook her head and put on her glasses. She looked really good when she wore the glasses, really smart. "I just talked to an adorable seventeen year old while you were flirting with that girl over there.I'm going incognito tonight."
I laughed. "This mousy hair isn't going to help you get any on the road," I teased, twisting her long locks around my finger. She'd dyed it after she found out about Louie.
She stuck her tongue out at me, "Um, clearly you haven't seen the marks above my bunk. Three different cities, three different guys last week. Plus, I can always go back to Felix. How do you know I'm not getting any satisfaction from him?"
"Because he's Felix Shortdridge.. I have seen him in the shower. His dick is the size of my pinky."
"What, did you measure it?" she teased. I loved when she acted like this. Teasing the tool. "When did you ever see him in the shower?" she asked suddenly realizing what I'd said.
"Or…never mind. What's that book?" I asked, grabbing a scrapbook from her hands. "Wow. Where the hell did you get this?"
"A fan. Isn't it sweet?" she asked as I sat on some equipment boxes. "Look, isn't-"
"I love this picture," I said laughing at a picture of Kevin and I break dancing.
"No, flip the page," she suggested. "That's my favorite one."
I smiled lightly. I had to agree. It was a black and white picture of she and I up close. We were sticking our tongues out at the camera. It was our personalities perfectly. "God we have huge noses," I said, trying to ignore the feeling I had in my stomach.
"I guess it's a good thing we'll never procreate," she replied, taking the book back.
"All in due time," I teased. I didn't really have that much of intense feelings for her anymore. I mean, sure, I still loved her, but I was able to deal with it a lot better. "When are you going back to your real color?" I asked, fingering her hair.
She looked at me strangely "I like it."
"It makes you look old," I replied, waving to the opening act that was leaving the building.
She made a face, "Whatever Fluffy. Go get naked and bathe."
"Okay…why don't you join me, Trixie?"
"I'm serious Manwhore. I want to get out of here. It's supposed to rain."
I did tend to sleep with a lot of women on the road. But I never wanted a relationship. I technically had one back home with Elle, but it was a pain to maintain. Mia kept things with Felix as they were to keep her grandmother off her back. As long as she had someone that was decent enough for the papers to gossip about her grandmother really didn't care.
It's kind of pointless to pursue a relationship really. We were constantly on the road and I didn't need to have someone constantly checking up on me. I wanted to go out with my friends and occasionally find a young woman who was….friendly.
And these days those are plentiful. Back in high school I would never imagine I would end up like this. I would have thought I'd end up a computer geek who continued to pine for the unattainable princess. I do both those things, but I'm also a musician. But my pining has lessened over the years. Or I was able to keep it under control.
Luckily Elle only checked up on me when I was home. Otherwise we led rather separate lives. I 'checked in' every few days, probably as frequently as Mia talked to assface. Neither of us saw ourselves getting married to our significant others back home. We were having too much fun here. No one is going to tie us down.
I wouldn't mind tying her down, but that's a different story.
Elle…..She just wasn't….she wasn't right for me. I doubt I'll ever find the right one, so why not have some fun while I can? And it's safe to sleep around without Elle finding out because no one really talks to her out of my group of friends, other than Mia. And Mia wasn't the biggest fan of Elle either, but acted friendly toward her because of me. Also because she knew that I was cheating on my girlfriend on an almost nightly basis.
Mia and I…we…well, we had a thing a few years ago, but we never talk about it. Ever. There are songs we've done, but we just kept our mouths shut about our old affair. We just stopped the thing and she focused on her boyfriend and the guys she could fool around with and forget about. It was her thing, you see. She never went all the way with them (God, I sound like I'm thirteen here instead of twenty seven). She would make out with the guys, then we'd go and kick them out. It was how things worked out. She just liked the control I guess you could say.
I finished styling my hair and walked out of the bathroom to find Mia sitting by herself. "Where is Ned? Where'd everyone go?" I asked after taking in how great she looked without trying. And the best part is, she didn't even realize it. She was wearing a purply skirt that went just past her knees that in the right light was see through. Not that I did that or anything.
And when it drooped just so you could see her tattoo that she got about six months ago. She got a fairy on her hip, and one had to be very alert to notice. Usually her pants covered it up, but her skirt fell loosely on her hips.
She stood up and grabbed my wrist. "They left. The others finished the meet and greet and then took a cab to the club we're going to. What the hell were you doing in there? Wait, don't answer that. I don't want to know."
I laughed and followed her out the back door. "Are there still fans out there?" I asked.
She peeked around the corner. "Yeah."
I sighed. "Teeny boppers that are convinced that we are destined to be the moment I catch sight of them?"
She nodded with a pathetic smile. "Yes."
"But STAR magazine said that I am dating you? Aren't you carrying my love child?"
The tabloids always had us together. Which technically is true. We were the closest of our group. Always hanging out together and stuff. And we don't bang. For now.
I wrapped my arm around her, "Come on then girlfriend."
She rolled her eyes, "You know the tabloids already have us together and that we're engaged to be married. What are you going to do when I really do get married? Or if I were to get pregnant?"
"I will deal with that when I have to," I replied with an easy smile.
"It may be sooner than you think," she said looking up at me, her eyes sparkling.
"Why?" I asked uneasily.
"He's sounding like he wants us to get serious," she said, wiggling her left ring finger.
I swatted down her hand, looking at the girls waiting at the end of the alley. "What city are we in again?" I whispered.
She smiled, "You are currently in Philadelphia."
"Thanks."
"Oh my God! Michael!" I heard one girl scream.
"Who is he with?" one whispered to another.
I unwrapped my arm from Mia just as one girl came in for a hug. These girls acted like we were old pals. "Hey there…oh weren't you at the meet and greet earlier today? At the music store?" I asked.
She nodded, "Yeah. Remember the girl who brought you a glass of water? That was my best friend."
I smiled and looked at Mia. The inspiration for the band name and our first single. Even though she was a major part of the group no one was recognizing her. I wanted that to change. I wanted her to take up some of the spotlight. She needed it. "That was nice of her. I like your hat there," I said looking at another girl with the group.
"I didn't know you wore glasses," the original girl cut in.
"Yeah, I do," I replied, winking at Mia. "The whole band does."
The conversation went on like that for a few more minutes, well, they figured out who Mia was and decided to include her in the conversation. I had grown used to keeping up five different conversations, but also grew tired of it easily. I reached back and squeezed Mia's hand.
"Michael, we really need to get going," she said, taking my hint.
"Are you sure?" I asked, trying to sound upset.
"Yeah. Everyone is waiting," she replied, looking at her watch. on, can we come?" a girl asked.
"We only allow one beautiful woman near us at all times. At the moment I am far too over indulged," I replied, putting my hand on the small of Mia's back. I liked that the tabloids had us together. Let these girls continue that gossip.
They all blushed. "Were you really Mia Renaldo, the princess?"
"This is Mia Thermopolis," I replied. "The first ever fan of Glass of Water. As a reward we gave her a job."
They looked really confused.
"Yes, I am Mia Thermopolis Grimaldi Renaldo. I am still the princess of Genovia, but not the heir."
They were really excited to get this gossip. Not that we hid this information. Most people knew the truth. It was obvious these girls were new fans. Must have seen us on that teen soap opera on the WB and started listening.
Mia had been using Mia Grimaldi as her name for the band so we wouldn't get unwanted attention. No one knew that Grimaldi was part of her name. Everyone had heard of Mia Thermopolis as the princess from New York. And the world at large knew her as Amelia Renaldo. She wanted to be different.
I looked at Mia, "Well, once we marry this one off we may need someone to replace her."
"Girls, really it's been a thrill to talk to you, but I have to get him to our friends," she said cutting me off before I could continue.
"We could walk him," they offered.
I looked at Mia in fear. She had the power here. "Nah. We're old pals. We need our alone time," she said with a wink. "We're gonna discuss the next album."
"But we're locals. We know where everything is," one of the girls replied, following us.
Mia had had it. "Look. You girls are what, fifteen?"
"I'm sixteen," the original countered with attitude.
"Big difference. We are going somewhere where you have to be a lot older. And also, you girls are jailbait. We appreciate the support, but you have to jet." With that she pulled me in the opposite direction.
"You realize that is going to be put on the message boards, right?" I asked.
She looked up at me, "So? Better that then the sixteen year old saying you brought her on the tour bus for a private tour."
I smiled, "What would I do without you?"
"Be paying child support for numerous children."
MIA:
I sat at the bar of the club with Lilly. "What's going on?" I asked.
"Ninetie's Night. What took you guys to long?" she asked, winking at the bartender that handed her a drink on the house.
"Fans. I just helped your brother avoid about three potential paternity tests. I haven't heard this song in forever," I said smiling. I was a lover of all the pop music of the nineties. Michael hated it, as did Manny. Orlando went along with whatever I said (still), and Kevin agreed with me.
"Don't you love being their mother hen?" Lilly teased.
"It's kind of screwing up my life, but sure."
She looked at me oddly. "Fame…fortune….tell me where your life is bad…"
"Lex is getting annoyed with my being away so much."
She rolled her eyes, "I'm sure Lissa and Kelly are keeping him busy back in New York. Come on, let's go dance."
Lilly and I always danced together before we found more suitable partners. Guys seemed to come near us when we were together. Men are sick, sick creatures.
In almost no time we both had guys trying to dance with us, she pushed mine away and shook her head. We always rated the guys for one another because no one actually sees what the person looks like. "He looked like your dad," she yelled into my ear.
I started laughing and mouthed thanks to her. "I don't know why Michael bothers," I screamed to her, "He hates this music," I continued, looking around for him.
"It gives him a chance to see you- the girls dancing," Lilly replied. I rolled my eyes as some guy pulled Lilly away to dance. I deemed him acceptable and began dancing by myself until another person came up behind me. I looked at Lilly over her new man's shoulder. She ignored me. So I turned and danced with the random guy.
Michael was on the other side of the room cozying up with a girl with bleach blonde hair. He winked at me and made a face at the guy. I made a similar face at the girl who was nuzzling his neck.
I felt the guy's lips on my neck, lightly sucking on it. "Uh, excuse me," I said pulling away. "No. Unacceptable."
He smiled shyly, and we kept dancing.
I watched Michael grinding over at the end of the bar. He was shooting me that knowing smile. The one that we only recognized. We were sharing a joke about the people we were currently with.
But then my dear partner shifted so my back was to Michael. By the time the next song came on the guy had a terrified look on his face. As I felt hands on my hips from behind me.But then I looked down at the fingers and knew I needed to bid Neck Sucker adieu. It was Michael behind me. He was wearing his skull ring.
"Hi Michael," I said with a roll of my eyes.
"You looked ready to punch him," he replied.
"It's better to dance with a guy than all alone," I replied with a slight smile. I always found myself passing the sisterly role I had in the band out the window when I was out socially with the guys. Or at least with Michael. I did find myself flirting with him. It was harmless though considering I had Felix and Michael didn't want commitment. He wouldn't ever try anything with me because it would ruin the friendship. Not anymore at least.
"Want me to find a good looking guy?" he asked with a smirk.
I pulled him closer to me, "No, I feel safer if I am with you."
He looked away. "Unless you would rather be with some random girl. I can make myself scarce-"
"Not in the mood tonight. I just wanna chill," he replied. Since it was near closing the DJ played a slower song.
I started to pull away but he didn't let go, "Come on, we might as well finish the night together." Damn. He did sound kind of hot when he said that. I'm not like this.
I mean, one time I watched the Partridge Family movie and it showed how the girl who played the oldest sister was totally in love with David Cassidy (and hey, back then who could blame her? That feathered hair look was the shit). I am not like her…Susan Day that is. No. I'm not going to be crushing on Michael and getting jealous over all the girls he hooks up with. Not me no way.
I shrugged, "Fine." Heh, he has no idea what is going on in my mind right now.
Everyone else was drunk when we left ten minutes later. Michael had given up drinking a few years ago, and I had promised not to drink either. It was more metaphorical than anything else.
"Did I always look this stupid?" he asked as we made our way back to the tour bus.
I nodded, "No, you were a hot drunk," I said with a wink.
"Great. Too bad I quit, huh?"
I hooked my arm with his, "Too bad."
