Chapter Two-Hundred
John stepped onto the stage, adrenaline pumped through his veins as he looked over the crowd of people in the stadium, causing his heart to beat at pace that resembled a high. "Hello LA!" He spoke into the mic, a huge grin spreading over his face as the crowd roared. "Are you ready to rock?" The crowd cheered, and John smirked at Claire behind the curtain. "How about something I wrote for my, Sweets, Claire Standish?" They erupted in screams and shouts as he started the song. "What day is it
And in what month This clock never seemed so alive I can't keep up, and I can't back down I've been losing so much time 'Cause it's you and me And all of the people with nothing to do Nothing to lose And it's you and me And all the other people And I don't know why I can't keep my eyes off of you Why are the things that I want to say Just aren't coming out right? I'm tripping on words You got my head spinning I don't know where to go from here 'Cause it's you and me And all of the people people with nothing to do Nothing to prove And it's you and me And all other people And I don't know why I can't keep my eyes off of you Something about you now That I can't quite figure out Everything she does is beautiful Everything she does is right 'Cause it's you and me And all of the people with nothing to do Nothing to lose And it's you and me and all of the people And I don't know why I can't keep my eyes off of you and me And all the other people with nothing to do Nothing to prove And it's you and me and all the other people And I don't know why I can't keep my eyes off of you What day is it And in what month? This clock never seemed so alive…" He was hardly able to make the last word into notes, instead focusing on Claire as she swayed to the music, watching as her lace skirt fanned out around her legs while she spun.
Dominic chuckled, watching as John attempted to make his leather pants comfortable as he moved around on the stage before him. He smiled as John took his guitar off of his shoulders, and tossed it back to Thomas back stage.
John pulled the mic from its stand, his voice booming over the speakers as he sang the words he'd written for Sid after his death. "My best friend gave me the best advice He said each day's a gift and not a given right Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind And try to take the path less traveled by That first step you take is the longest stride If today was your last day And tomorrow was too late Could you say goodbye to yesterday? Would you live each moment like your last? Leave old pictures in the past Donate every dime you have? If today was your last day Against the grain should be a way of life What's worth the prize is always worth the fight Every second counts 'cause there's no second try So live like you'll never live it twice Don't take the free ride in your own life If today was your last day And tomorrow was too late Could you say goodbye to yesterday? Would you live each moment like your last? Leave old pictures in the past Donate every dime you have? Would you call old friends you never see? Reminisce old memories Would you forgive your enemies? Would you find that one you're dreamin' of? Swear up and down to God above That you finally fall in love If today was your last day If today was your last day Would you make your mark by mending a broken heart? You know it's never too late to shoot for the stars Regardless of who you are So do whatever it takes Cause you can't rewind a moment in this life Let nothin' stand in your way Cause the hands of time are never on your side If today was your last day And tomorrow was too late Could you say goodbye to yesterday? Would you live each moment like your last? Leave old pictures in the past Donate every dime you have? Would you call old friends you never see? reminisce old memories Would you forgive your enemies? Would you find that one you're dreamin' of? Swear up and down to God above That you finally fall in love If today was your last day." His last note was cut short as a voice echoed in his mind.
"Good job, Bender… you're gonna go far." Sid's voice, rough and grating, held a smile, and was so clear he could have been right beside John's ear.
Claire kissed John's lips as he came off stage for the intermission, slipping her hands into his back pockets of the leather pants. "I love these pants." She whispered, ignoring the sweat that was soaking his clothes. "They're sexy."
He chuckled, jumping slightly as she dug her nails into his ass. "Watch it, Sweets. These damn things are rubbing in all the wrong places." He adjusted the waistband of his pants, wincing as they pinched his balls. "I'm tossing these for a leather jacket." He unbuttoned the band of his pants, tossing them onto a chair and pulling on some jeans before he grabbed a jacket.
"John…" Claire stopped him as he started pulling on the jeans, touching his thighs as she noticed the raw skin and blistering rash on his legs. "Why didn't you change sooner?"
He shrugged, wincing as she touched a spot on his outer thigh. "Got carried away."
"Johnathan… why don't you take care of yourself?" She slipped her hands under his t-shirt, her fingers pressing into the ridges between his abdominal muscles.
"I try to, but I just get carried away." He kissed her nose, buttoning his jeans as he swooped her into a dip.