CHAPTER 3
PUNK ROCK PRINCESS
When Addison stepped off the bus, the cold night air hit her face and she let out a ragged breath. She took off through the parking lot and around to the front of the building, finding a bench a safe distance away. She lit her cigarette and inhaled deeply. She pulled out her phone and dialed.
"Fucking voicemail!" She waited for the beep "Bree...you're never going to believe the mess I just got myself into… Call me back." she hung up the phone and laid down on the bench, staring up at the stars. She took another drag from her cigarette and blinked back a tear as memories started to flood her mind.
"Pink or blue?" Addison asked as she stood in front of her closet and held up two dresses.
"Hmm...depends on what your goal is tonight," Bree said as she finished rolling a joint. "Are you trying to impress someone or make someone jealous?" She lit it and took a deep drag before handing it to Addison.
Addison rolled her eyes as she took it. "Who would I be trying to make jealous?"
"So you are trying to impress someone..."
"Not the point...answer my question!" she laughed, handing it back to Bree.
"Pierce, maybe?"
Addison groaned in frustration. "I told you, I don't care."
"Addie, he cheated on you! With Rebecca of all people...ew….How can you not care?"
She sat down on the bed next to Bree and patted her head. "I'm fine. I promise. Pierce was fun for a while, but it's not like we were in 'love'," she said using air quotes. "We're in high school. I was gone for the entire summer. The cheating thing… it's a non-issue. Obviously, he decided getting laid was more important to him than being with me."
Bree shook her head. "I'll never understand how you can be so blase' about relationships."
"Really? My mom has been married how many times? And my dad?"
"So… Don't you think that one day you'll meet a man and he'll sweep you off your feet and you'll be madly in love, and….don't laugh at me!"
Addison continued to laugh as she wiped a tear away from her eye. "I'm sorry...but that was funny."
Bree smacked her with a pillow. "You know that feeling when you meet someone and your heart skips a beat?
"Yeah, that's called arrhythmia...you can die from that."
"If you don't believe in any of it then why are you asking me what dress will impress the new guy?"
"New guy has a name, you know..." she said taking the joint back from Bree.
"Mmhmm… avoiding much?"
Addison exhaled and stood back up, walking over to her closet. "Just because I think he's fuck-hot doesn't mean I'm changing my mind on the L word….now which one?" she asked holding the two dresses up again.
"Either, they both look good on you."
"Bree...everything looks good on me. Pick."
"Blue, the color makes your eyes pop, and the skirt hugs your ass."
"And that's why you're my best friend!" she smiled as she hung the pink one back up.
"So what's new-guys story anyway? And stop hogging!" Bree said standing back up and taking the j back from her.
"Bree, it's Zed…and I don't know yet. I got to talk to him a little in between classes today, just the basics really. He won a scholarship to attend Seabrook, he works at the record store with Mason...other than that...I heard him sing a little in warmups today, he's got a great voice."
"I thought you didn't go for guys in the music program? Something about not wanting to go easy on the competition?"
Addison laughed. "Again, just because I think he's hot..." She pulled the tight blue dress over her head.
"Mmhmm...I saw you two in the hallway. What was that all about?"
"Don't know what you're talking about, Bree."
"Right…I know instant chemistry when I see it."
Addison rolled her eyes. "But seriously, other than that drool-worthy jawline, eyes that draw you in from across a crowded room, and head of amazing hair...he seems like a nice guy."
"And he's hot…"
Addison smiled and shook her head. "Yeah, and he's hot," she giggled, popping a piece of juicy fruit gum into her mouth.
"You have got to be kidding me..." Zed said as they pulled onto a private street and into a long gated driveway. "This is where we're playing? This is her house?"
"Yup...You get used to it," Mason said with a shrug as he punched in the access code. "It's pretty isolated so no one really ever complains when we have parties."
"This place is huge!"
"Eh...I prefer her Dad's house. So does Adds. It's on the beach in Malibu and has a recording studio, it's awesome."
"Dude...Next. Level. Shit."
Mason laughed. "Welcome to Beverly Hills, man." He parked the car next to a bright pink Ferrari.
As they got out of the car, Zed let out a low whistle. "Who would do such a thing to a Ferrari? Pink? Really?"
"What's wrong with pink?"
Zed turned to see Addison standing by the front door. She was all long legs, short blue dress, and blonde hair flowing. He quickly pulled himself together and tried to act as smooth as possible. "Nothing's wrong with pink, I just don't think it should be on a Ferrari."
"Good thing it's my car and not yours then," she said with a smile.
"Your car?"
"Mmhmm, sweet sixteen present."
"You got a custom painted Ferrari F12 Berlinetta for your birthday?"
Addison threw her head back and laughed. "You play guitar, sing, and know high-end Italian sports cars...be still my heart. Wanna take it for a spin?"
"Really?"
"Um...Hello...we need to unload equipment, set it up, do a sound check..." Mason said pointing to his own car.
Addison shrugged and looked over to Zed, "Maybe later then." She walked over to Mason's car and started to help unload.
"You don't have to do that," Zed said, taking an amp from her hands.
"Are you kidding me?" Mason called out. "Yes, she does! We've got a ton of shit to unload and Owen's late!"
She smiled and took the amp back from Zed. "Really, I don't mind. And don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
"I didn't mean it like that...I just..." he started to stumble.
"Zed...I'm just fucking with you! I appreciate you being a gentleman. Now come on, I'll show you where you guys will be playing. Bree's already back there."
Zed had never seen so many people at a party in his life. There were people everywhere.
"You ready for this man?" Mason asked as he clapped him on the back. "Your first official LA gig."
Zed shook his head and smiled. "This is going to be awesome." He looked over to their bassist Owen and threw him a nod. "Let's do this!"
Addison walked onto the makeshift stage set up by the swimming pool. She smiled at Zed, "Mind if I borrow that mic for a minute? The least I can do is introduce you guys."
"Be my guest..."
She stepped in front of him and grabbed the microphone. "How's everyone doing tonight?!" The crowd of guests cheered and hollered. "Without further delay, give a big round of applause for the Galaxy Boyz!" As the crowd applauded again, she held her hand over the microphone and looked at the three of them. "Really, though? That's what you're going with?" She smiled and shook her head. "We'll work on it. Have a good show boys!" She handed the microphone back to Zed and jumped off the stage to join Bree.
Zed took a deep breath. "Thank you, Addison, for letting us play tonight. You guys ready?" The crowd cheered as Mason counted off.
"1...2...3…."
As the opening chords sounded, Addison's eyes focused on Zed. She couldn't tear them away from the way his muscles moved as he played. That is until he started to sing.
"Maybe when the room is empty
Maybe when the bottle's full..."
"Holy hell," she whispered under her breath as Bree bit back a laugh.
"Maybe when the door gets broke down love can break in
Maybe when I'm done with thinking
Maybe you can think me whole
Maybe when I'm done with endings this can begin
This can begin
This can begin..." He jumped up landed as he hit the chord progression for the chorus.
"If you could be my Punk Rock Princess
I would be your Garage Band King
You could tell me how you just don't fit in
And how you're gonna be something..."
Addison was mesmerized.
"Um, Addie...You've got a little drool, just there," Bree teased poking at her mouth. Addison swatted her hand away and continued to watch Zed as he tore through the bridge."
"I never thought you'd last
I never dreamed you would
You watched your life go past
You wonder if you should
If you could be my Punk Rock Princess
I would be your Garage Band King
You could tell me why you just don't fit in
And how you're gonna be something
If I could be your first real heartache
I would do it all over again
If you could be my Punk Rock Princess
I would be your Heroin
Whoa Ohhhh, you know, you only burn my bridges
Whoa Ohhh, you know, you just can't let it sink in
You could be my Heroin
You could be my Heroin."
Addison was the first to break into applause, hollering and cheering along with everyone else.
"You okay there, Adds?" Bree asked as the band started their next song.
"My heart is racing and my palms are sweaty...I think I'm coming down with the flu..." she said turning to her in a sudden panic.
"You don't have the flu, girl," Bree laughed. "Now just turn back around and keep drooling."
Addison wiped at her mouth. "I am not..."
"Mmhmmm…."
When their set was over Addison and Bree met them at the stage and handed them drinks.
"Guys! That was amazing!" Addison said, hugging Mason.
"Really? You liked it?"
"Mase! Of course, I did! You guys can play at every party I have! So clear your calendar for the next few weeks!"
"YES!" Mason exclaimed spinning her around. When he set her back down he grew serious. "Now for the fun part...What needs work?"
"No bullshit?"
Mason nodded his head. "Always."
"Your 4/4 syncopation in the bridge was a tad slow,
but if you come back in on the high-hat at the end of the second chorus it'll help you pick up speed."
"Fuck...That was the sexiest thing I've ever heard in my life..." Zed whispered in awe next to him.
Addison looked over at him and laughed. "What?"
"I'm sorry..." he shook his head to clear it. "That was... amazing. How did you..."
Mason smiled. "She's got a hell of an ear. Any critiques for Zed, here?" he asked her.
Addison looked down at her hands for a second. When she looked back up she locked eyes with Zed and smiled. "You want it nice or honest?"
"I'm with Mason on this one. Always 'No Bullshit'."
She smiled again. "You're a fantastic guitar player. And your voice is really good...But...your intentionally trying to mimic the ever so slightly nasally singing style of the pop-punk bands that are popular in the Seattle area right now. I'm guessing that's where you're from?"
Zed's jaw dropped open and he nodded his head ever so slightly.
"Find your own voice...You've got some serious potential...oh, and your F minor chord slipped towards the end of the final verse."
Zed dropped down to his knee. "Will you marry me?"
Addison threw her head back and laughed. "That is a first. I'm flattered! But, I'm going to have to decline. I don't believe in the institution….I will, however, let you go get me another drink instead."
He stood up and smiled. "I'd love to. What are you drinking?"
"Tequila and Perrier," she said with a smile.
"Really? That's unexpected."
Addison shrugged. "I hate the taste of beer, and vodka smells like rubbing alcohol and bad decisions."
"It does, doesn't it," Zed laughed. "Want to take a walk with me? You can show me where to refill these?" he asked, motioning towards their empty cups.
"I'd love to," she said softly taking his outstretched hand.
"We're not going to be seeing them the rest of the night, are we Mase?" Bree asked loud enough for them to overhear.
"Probably not..."
Addison turned and rolled her eyes flipping them both off. "We'll be right back."
As they walked through the heavy crowd towards the other end of the yard where the bar was, Zed took a deep breath and tried to strike up a conversation.
"So...How often do you throw parties here? You know...since I'll now be playing at them."
She smiled and looked over to him. "It depends. When my mom is on location I throw them every other weekend, since I'm at my Dad's house the other weeks. But when she's here, I don't throw them at all. She's in Greece for about six weeks, so I'll probably throw at least two more before then."
"And she's cool with it?"
Addison let out a laugh. "Hardly. She'd probably ship me off to boarding school in Switzerland if she ever found out. She's been trying to do it for years anyway."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Everyone thinks my mom is this amazing, sweet, bubbly, person...But..." Addison said as she walked behind the bar and grabbed Zed's cup from him. "Nobody else ever sees what she's really like."
"Not exactly America's Sweetheart at home?"
"No..." She re-filled his beer for him and got to work on mixing her own drink.
"I thought I was supposed to be getting you a refill," Zed smiled at her from across the bar.
"I'm used to doing things on my own. But, I am enjoying the company."
"Really?"
She smiled and nodded. "So, Zed. I think since you seem to be pretty close with one of my two best friends, we should maybe get to know each other a little better. What do you say?"
"I'd like that. I don't really know too many people around here other than Mason and Owen."
"I only know Owen from hanging around the record store and annoying Mase while he's trying to work," she giggled leading him to the edge of the pool. She slipped her shoes off and dipped her feet into the water. "But, he seems cool enough."
"Yeah, he's a great guy. Great bass player too."
"He's alright," she smiled before taking a sip of her drink.
"I need a cigarette, do you mind?" Zed asked.
"Not at all."
He felt around in his back pocket and let out a frustrated sigh. "I must have left them in Mason's car."
Addison smiled sympathetically "Sorry. I'd offer you one, but I don't smoke...well, I don't smoke cigarettes anyway," she corrected.
"Really?" Zed asked with a large knowing smile across his face.
Addison looked around and smiled, biting her lip. "You?"
"I'll never turn it down."
Addison smiled even wider as she stood and picked up her shoes. "No one's usually allowed inside during parties, but..." she grabbed his hand, "I do have an image to preserve." She led him into the house and up the stairs to a large pastel pink bedroom and through to a balcony overlooking the hills.
"Wow, this view is incredible."
"Thank you." She sat down next to him and pulled a joint out of her bra.
Zed shook his head and chuckled. "And you just happened to have that on your persons all night?"
"My persons?" she lit it and laughed. "Yeah, Bree rolled me an extra one before you guys pulled up," she said passing it over to him.
Zed took and took a deep drag, holding it in for a moment. When he exhaled he looked over to her. "So...What instruments do you play?"
"Hmm….let's see…. Piano, guitar, bass, ukelele, drums, violin, cello, flute, clarinet,...I tried the saxophone, but lost interest...um...what else..."
"Woah...that's a lot."
Addison shrugged her shoulders. "I'm pretty sure my dad had me at the piano before I was sitting upright. I fell in love with music at an early age… What about you? What other instruments do you play?"
"Besides guitar, just piano. Any siblings?"
Addison let out a soft laugh as she passed it back to him. "Biologically, I'm an only child. But I did have a step-brother for a few years?"
"You're going to have to explain that one."
"A few years back My Dad was married to this woman he met in New York. She has a son from a previous marriage. Instant sibling," she laughed. "He still hangs around when he's on break from school, which I totally get. His family in New York is horrible," she leaned over and whispered, "they're all in the mafia...Poor Bartholomew would never cut it in that world."
"That's kind of crazy. You kind of sort of have mob ties..."
Addison threw her head back and laughed. "Not really. But we did have to beef up security for a while. So… do you have any?"
"Mob ties? Not that I know of..."
She smacked his shoulder as she exhaled. "Ass...Do you have any siblings?"
"Ohhh, yeah...I have a little sister, Zoey. She lives in Seattle with my Dad."
"When did your parents divorce?"
"Oh, they're still married."
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to assume."
"It's fine, Addison. Me getting into Seabrook has been quite the tension point between them. My Dad wasn't going to jeopardize his career so I could chase a dream, and my mom wasn't going to let me pass up the opportunity. So, my mom rented a little apartment in Santa Monica and we moved down here. She travels back up to Seattle as much as possible."
"Wow...That's amazing."
"She's pretty awesome…my dad...not so much. He thinks studying music is a waste of time and I should be studying to get into Stanford instead of Julliard."
"Julliard?"
"Yup. That's why I applied for the scholarship to Seabrook, they have more students accepted than any other school on the West Coast."
"Well, you're definitely in the right place," Addison said with a soft smile. "And trust me, I get the parental disapproval thing."
"Really?"
"My mom doesn't think I should be limiting myself to the music school at Seabrook. She was furious that I didn't audition for the acting program. So...now I'm dual enrolled."
"How is that even possible?"
"It's not easy, but I take most of my academic classes privately over the summers so I can fit in all the required classes in both departments. Plus she has me studying dance before school, and on Saturday mornings I'm with her, working with an acting coach after school after I get out of cheer. Not to mention that she put me on a strict work out regiment when I made the squad."
"That's insane."
"Yup…Why do you think I smoke?"
"So which do you like more? Music or Acting?"
"Seriously? I know we've known each other for less than 24 hours, but what do you think?"
"Hmmm…."
Addison smiled and smacked him again. "I can't breathe without music."
"I know how you feel. If I couldn't play..." he said wistfully.
"Favorite band?" She asked looking up at him with a smile.
"Classic or current?"
"Classic."
"Oh that's a tough one," he whispered. "It's a tie between the Beatles and Zepplin."
"Oooh, that is a tough call. Favorite Beatles song?"
"Hmm...I'd have to say Blackbird."
"That's my dad's favorite, too," she smiled.
"What about you?"
"Something."
Zed shook his head. "Unexpected choice. George Harrison, fan?"
"He was vastly underutilized. Poor guy only got one song on each album. And they were all amazing! I mean, hello! While My Guitar Gently Weeps? Brilliant!"
"I'll give you that one," he said with a soft laugh. "So, What about you? Favorite band?"
"To listen to or play?"
"Good question...play?"
Addison grew serious. "Don't laugh."
"I would never."
"The Runaways."
Zed's head snapped towards her. "For real?"
"Yeah...I don't know why, but my favorite song to play is Cherry Bomb. And don't even get me started on singing it. I just...it's my favorite."
"Damn..." he shook his head and smiled. "That's pretty badass. I would have never guessed... Can you really play it?"
"Zed, I don't know your middle name, Jacobs...are you questioning my skills?"
He shook his head and laughed, holding his hands up in mock surrender. "It's Milo. And no… I've heard you could play, and I know you can sing..."
Addison smiled and rolled her eyes, "Come on," she stood up and walked back into her room and into an adjoining room. She flicked on the light. "Pick an instrument."
Zed looked around the pastel blue room. Two
walls were lined with various guitars, while the other two had a large mirror and a ballet bar. The center of the room was occupied by a white baby grand piano. "Holy… are these all yours?" he asked in a whisper admiring the guitars.
"Yup. Most of my stuff is at my Dad's house. But, I try to have a selection here as well."
He walked further in, his hand running appreciatively over one of the guitars. "No way... Is this a blueberry fade Les Paul?"
"You know your guitars," she smiled. She picked up the guitar and walked over to the amp in the corner, plugging it in.
Nothing could have prepared him for the vision that she was when she played.
"Can't stay at home, can't stay at school
Old folks say, "You poor little fool"
Down the streets, I'm the girl next door
I'm the fox you've been waiting for
Hello, daddy. Hello, mom
I'm your ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-cherry bomb
Hello world, I'm your wild girl
I'm your ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-cherry bomb"
If Zed's jaw could have dropped any further, it would have hit the floor when she perfectly executed Joan Jett's guitar solo.
When she finished she looked up and blew her blonde hair out of her face and flicked her pick across the room.
"That was..." he was at a loss for words. All he could do was clap.
Addison laughed. "Let me guess, you had me pegged for the Pop-Princess type?"
"No, I didn't mean…"
She gave him a look.
"Okay, maybe a little, but to be fair, I had only ever seen you perform to Britney Spears...which, by the way..." he sighed nervously. "That was amazing."
"Well, then you fell for the act," she smiled walking closer to him and running a hand down his face. "And thank you….My mom has my image very carefully curated. The daughter of America's Sweetheart could never be seen wearing black and playing rock, oh no...It's all pastels and pop for me."
"But the house parties and the pot are okay?" He asked with an arched brow.
Addison shrugged her shoulders and smiled as she put the guitar back on its stand. "We all rebel where we can."
Zed smiled at her, resisting the urge to close the distance between them and kiss her. "Favorite book?" he asked walking closer to her.
"The Great Gatsby."
"No way! That's my favorite, too!" he said in disbelief.
"Really?"
"Yeah, I had to read it in eighth grade, and I swear I've read it a hundred times since."
"Same," she giggled. "Favorite movie?"
"Night of the Living Dead."
"Fan of the classics, I see," she smiled. "I prefer my zombies a little quicker moving, though."
"You've seen Night of the Living Dead?"
Addison just smiled again and grabbed his hand leading him back down the stairs and to the other end of the house. When she flipped on another set of lights, they were standing in a large home theater room. She walked to the back wall and opened a closet full of DVD's
"Tada!"
Zed walked over and looked at them. "Woah...these are all..."
"Horror movies, yeah... I'm a bit obsessed."
He looked up and smiled. "Favorite horror movie?"
Her fingers moved over the shelves until she stopped and pulled one out. "The Omen II...Don't know why, but I love it."
"You are full of surprises."
"So are you..." she whispered. Their faces were so close their noses brushed against each other. "We should probably..."
"Party...other people..."
Addison blinked quickly and shook her head to clear it as she took a step back. "Let's go find everyone else."
"Yeah...they're probably wondering where we are," he said quietly, secretly thankful that she was holding his hand again.
When they walked of the room, they ran into Pierce. Literally.
"Pierce! What are you doing in here?" Addison asked looking around to see if anyone else had decided to move the party into the house.
"The pool house bathroom was occupied." His words were slightly slurred.
Addison rolled her eyes. "So...you just can't come in the house. You know the rules. Party stays in the back."
"Oh, so it's okay for your new boyfriend to be in the house?" he asked pointing to Zed
"I'm not..."
Addison held a hand up to stop him. "Don't" she whispered to Zed before turning back to Pierce. "This is Zed, he just moved here. I was showing him around."
"I'm sure you were showing him something. How long did it take for you to sleep with him? Huh?"
"What the hell are you talking about, Pierce? Even if I did, what concern is it of yours? We broke up."
Pierce grabbed her arm. "Oh, so you'll give it up for him?"
"Oww, let go..."
"Hey, man. She asked you to let her go," Zed said trying to step in between them.
Pierce let go of Addison's arm and swung, landing a punch on Zed's cheek, sending him stumbling backward. Before Zed could get his bearings and swing back, Addison had wound back and punched Pierce so hard that he hit the ground.
"Damn, woman..." Zed said in awe, walking up behind her. "That was a hell of a punch."
"I've had lots of practice with my step-brother," she shrugged. She turned to look at him, "You okay?"
"I've had worse."
"I'm sorry about him. He's a lousy drunk."
"Should you check on him?"
"Nah… He can sleep it off. I'll have one of his teammates drag him out in a few." She ran her thumb softly over his cheek. "That's already starting to swell. We should get you some ice." She took his hand in hers once more and stepped over Pierce as they made their way to the kitchen. "You, sit," she commanded, pointing to a barstool next to the counter. She quickly got to work getting him a pack of frozen peas and a towel. He winced when she placed them against his cheek.
"Sorry," she whispered.
"I'm fine. Just cold." He took her free hand and examined it. "You should probably ice your knuckles as well." He slowly brought them up to his lips and placed a soft kiss on each of her reddened knuckles.
Addison smiled sweetly, taking a step closer to him. "Thank you, they feel much better now," she whispered almost breathlessly. She moved the bag of frozen peas and gently kissed his cheek.
"Your lips are better than morphine," he whispered as he looked into her eyes and ran his thumb down the side of her face.
She smiled and bit her lip, stepping even closer to him so that she was between his legs. Slowly she leaned in and brushed a kiss against his lips.
She let out a soft moan as his hand ran through her hair and he kissed her back.
She dropped the bag of frozen peas and straddled his lap. Her hands ran through his thick hair as they continued to kiss.
Without warning, he pulled back and rested his forehead against hers. "Addison...I'm sorry... I can't. I have a girlfriend."
"Oh..." she said quickly hopping off his lap. "I'm so sorry. If I had known...I wouldn't have..."
"No...you're… you're amazing. I want to… I just… Fuck...I'm sorry, I should have said something sooner. Its just...you're just..."
"Zed, relax. It's fine," she smiled and ran a hand through his hair once more. "She's a lucky girl."
"You're not pissed?"
"Why would I be? Friends?" she asked holding out her hand.
"Friends..." he whispered, taking her hand and shaking it. "You're too perfect."
Addison let out a soft laugh. "Hardly...Come on, let's go get back to the party."
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I promise the entire story isn't going to be flashbacks! We'll get back to present day soon enough! Hope everyone enjoyed another glimpse into the past! Drop me a review and let me know!
MUSIC USED IN THIS CHAPTER:
PUNK ROCK PRINCESS: Something Corporate
CHERRY BOMB: The Runaways