AN: This chapter will be a prequel to the original post for SOS. How Ronnie and John got to where they are. Each chapter I add to the original one shot will contain a song. Trying something new.
OBVIOUSLY MATURE SUBJECT MATTER
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"You should have heard me, Kelly. I sounded like an idiot." She said as she related to her friend what had happened earlier. "I was even dressed like an idiot."
"What were you wearing? Not your typical stuff were you?" Kelly asked and Ronnie shook her head. "Ronnie, you knew he was coming why didn't you dress better?"
"You know I don't watch that crap, how was I supposed to know he'd be a walking homage to weight lifting?" Was her exasperated response. She flopped back on her bed and couldn't believe how high school she had sounded. "Good thing I'll never see him again."
"I thought you invited him tonight." Kelly said as she got dressed. "Why invite him if you humiliated yourself. You'll just do it again." She winked at her friend.
"Fuck you. Fuck you very much. It was part of my high school rant. Mike told him about the promo events tonight and he should come. I said something dumb like 'there's a great band playing'. Uck, I'm so disgusted with myself. Since when does a guy make me turn into a blabbering fuckin fool?" Ronnie wanted to crawl in a hole and forget the interview ever happened, but she had to get ready. Her presence was actually a requirement and she couldn't back out.
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She saw him walk in and he wasn't alone. Evidently word got around and John brought several beefy friends and stunning women. There were about 20 people with him and it suddenly made her nervous. This was it. She had to start from scratch and try for a 2nd first impression. And she had to do it in front of his friends and coworkers. Insert eye roll. Ronnie knew she had 'it' so she decided to put her best foot forward and sing a song she knew was her ultimate brag song. She may not be Amy Lee, but she gave the girl a run for her money. She stood just off the stage and drank tea with honey; this song always hurt her throat. She saw Mike talk to the guys and point to the stage. Here we go, Ronnie. Do your best girl. Kelly, her bassist, looked over and winked. Kelly knew who all the guests were and planned to go after a particular blond that night. Crystal spotted a nice piece at the same table, unbeknownst to her who they were.
Crystal, Rachel, Kelly, Reece and Ronnie had been friends since the 3rd grade and never argued about a thing. They liked the same music yet different types of people. One of them preferred women, two liked men and two batted from both sides of the plate. As Reece always said she didn't care what package love came in, love didn't discriminate! They each had eachother's backs and if you crossed one, you crossed them all. They started a band in their sophomore year of high school. They called it Flawless. They broadened their horizons and branched to top 40 country songs, throwing in some Faith Hill or Carrie Underwood.
The song began and Ronnie had yet to build her courage to walk out there. She started just out of sight. The lights were down as they usually were when they began this song. It was all about the mood and feeling the music.
"How can you see into my eyes like open doors, leading you down into my core where I've become so numb." Ronnie walked slowly forward as the smoke and lights crept along with her. She didn't look into the crowd; she kept her eyes forward to the other side of the stage. "without a soul my spirit sleeping somewhere cold until you find it there and lead it back home" She turned as the lights went up and stood center stage. Reece sang back up as she had a deep husky voice, she gave Demi Moore a run for her money.
"(Wake me up) Wake me up inside (I can't wake up) Wake me up inside (Save me) call my name and save me from the dark (Wake me up) bid my blood to run (I can't wake up) before I come undone (Save me) save me from the nothing I've become." Ronnie sang directly to John. His expression told her everything; maybe she wasn't as much of an idiot as she thought she was! She could see the guys whispering as their eyes watched her.
"Now that I know what I'm without you can't just leave me, breathe into me and make me real, bring me to life" Ronnie held John's eyes, both mesmerized by the other, barely able to blink. John wanted to fall at her feet and become her slave. Ronnie wanted to see what his mouth felt like on hers, what he looked like in her bed in the morning. "(Wake me up) Wake me up inside (I can't wake up) Wake me up inside (Save me) call my name and save me from the dark (Wake me up) bid my blood to run (I can't wake up) before I come undone (Save me) save me from the nothing I've become"
John
couldn't believe the same girl he'd met earlier was the one on
stage right now. He studied her as if to memorize her for a test
later. Long brown hair hanging loosely down her back begging for
fingers to get tangled inside, chocolate eyes that could sting or
melt you, lips so soft and delicious they kept you coming back for
another taste, a body so sexy and desirable even women wanted a
try…and try they did. "Bring
me to life (I've been living a lie, there's nothing inside) Bring me
to life"
Ronnie
was wearing a black tank that barely covered anything and a black
pair of shorts, well they looked like shorts since she probably was
not out there in her underwear. Her legs may be short, but they're
defined and toned, arms too. She walked forward and stepped off the
stage heading for John's table. She stopped about 10 feet from him
and continued singing, eyes never leaving his. "Frozen
inside without your touch without your love darling only you are the
life among the dead"
Since
her first impression didn't scare him off, she decided to be bold,
when would she ever get another chance like this again. As Reece
sang, she reached for John's beer bottle and drank from it making
sure he watched her mouth. "All
this time I can't believe I couldn't see, kept in the dark but you
were there in front of me"
As she continued, she languidly let her gaze roam his body. "I've been sleeping a thousand years it seems, got to open my eyes to everything." The crisp white t-shirt clung to his arms and chest almost as if it were a size too small. Meaty hands that may do physical damage for a living but were probably soft and gentle behind closed doors. Clean shaven, fresh haircut, finger nails that looked professionally manicured. Baggy shorts that more than likely hid chiseled thighs, calves that could feed an African village for a week. Lips to suck on and drink from, eyes to get lost in, cheekbones to gnaw on for days and a smile that could make a girl drop her panties in a flash.
As Reece sang the next verse, Ronnie sauntered back to the stage to finish the song. She could tell by the look in his eyes she had given him a new first impression. She was also glad the set would last another hour, she was certain if she spoke she would embarrass herself again. Kelly's eyeballing some bleached blond guy and he's dishing it right back. Crystal has her sights set on a huge guy who's built like a Greek god, but has some sort of Asian heritage. Rachel is eye fucking the girl sitting next to the guy Reece is stalking. Wait, is Rachel eye fucking the girl and that guy? Actually knowing Rachel and Reece, they could both have their sights on the guy and the girl – not the first time they've shared. He's cute, built more like a wide receiver than a running back, eyes are beady though. Eh, to each his own. The chick's pretty hot. It's a wonder Ronnie even had friends since she could hold an entire conversation with just herself.
The set was a huge success and when Ronnie finally made it off the stage John went straight for her. He got as close as he could without actually touching her, purposely invading her space. His eyes were on her mouth as he licked his lips. Her eyes were on his mouth wanting to taste the tongue that just appeared. He handed her a bottle of water and a kamikaze. The boy did his homework. Look at those dimples. I just want to dip my tongue in them. Look at those eyes. They are so blue. "Hi." He said simply. Ronnie's voice however, wasn't quite ready to vocalize again so she smiled and clinked her water bottle to his beer bottle.
Her girls rounded the corner and Ronnie introduced them to John. "Why don't you girls join us?" He asked and that was exactly what they wanted to hear. John was about to lead them to his table but the girls already were way ahead of him. No introductions were needed. Kelly went straight for her blond guy, Ken was his name, Crystal actually sat in her big guy's lap, Dave I think and Rachel introduced herself with her tongue in that girl's mouth. Candice. Reece wrapped herself around a guy named Randy and when Rachel extracted herself from Candice's mouth, the four seemed destined for shared good times. "You're a really good singer." John said and mentally wanted to slap himself. Good one, dumbass. "Your band is great too." Keep digging a hole fucker. Just stop talking.
"Um, thank you." Ronnie gulped down her kamikaze hoping it would ease the nerves. She looked over at her friends and Crystal's tongue was already mingling with Dave's and Ken and Kelly were whispering something good in eachother's ears. That was evident by the giggling coming from Kelly. Randy just gave Reece his keycard and was busy groping her and Rachel while Rachel continued tasting what Candice was drinking – by kissing her. Nice girls. Real classy. Like you wouldn't be doing the same thing if you had the gumption. No I wouldn't, not into PDA. Oh please, look at him. Who wouldn't demonstrate a little PDA with him? Yeah, very true. The girl is pretty, maybe I'd kiss her.
"So, are you from Miami?" Real smooth John. What the fuck is wrong with you?
"No, I'm from Boston. I moved here for college and stayed. I'm not a big fan of snow so I saw no reason to return. Besides I like the city and all my girls stayed after college. We all went to Miami University on scholarships." Stop talking. You're blabbering. If she could roll her eyes at herself without John seeing her she would do it with a lot of exaggeration.
John took a deep breath, "Can we go somewhere private to talk?" That came out wrong he thought. Ronnie walked away and he wasn't sure if he just blew it or if he should follow. Ronnie was hoping there was some hidden agenda in that question but she would kiss him. She would not ride him like a bull on the first night. She turned to look to make sure John was keeping up with her and he had stopped at his table. She waited for him and when he looked at her he was so relieved. Ronnie motioned for him to follow and he almost ran to catch up.
Ronnie led him to a hallway and up two flights of steps. When she opened the door they were on the roof and there was an excellent view and a gorgeous night.
"First, I'd like to apologize and start over." He began. "Hi, I'm John Cena." He put his hand out and she took it with a giggle.
"Ronnie Moretti. Nice to meet you, John Cena." She couldn't get the smile off her face.
"One of the reasons I made sure I was here tonight was to apologize and hope we could start over." He said sheepishly as he stared at an invisible spot on the ground.
"Apologize for what?" She too looked anywhere but at her companion.
"I sounded like an idiot at the studio and even here. I'm normally laid back and casual but I'm a little off today." He said stealing a glance to gauge her reaction.
"I'm not myself either, so I'm glad we're starting over." She looked at her phone which had a text message for her to return for the next set. "I have to get back though. The next set is another hour, can you, um, …stay?" She looked up through her eyelashes.
"Definitely. None of our flights leave until the afternoon, so there's no rush." And she needs to know that because…
Ronnie smiled and led him back downstairs. They stopped at the door to the backstage area and he kissed her cheek. She gave his hand a squeeze and they both winked at eachother. They both had the same thought. More liquid courage.
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"This is it." She said as they pulled up in front of her house. Ronnie normally carpooled with the girls, but plans had changed and she rode back with John. The driveway was full and Ronnie wondered if they'd even see anyone or just hear them. They walked in to the smell of food cooking and followed it to the kitchen. Everybody was crammed into the kitchen and breakfast area with Ken and Dave grilling steaks and Kelly and Crystal whipping up some side dishes. Ronnie made her usual tea with honey and got John water. "Alrighty then." She said as she went to the back deck with John right behind her.
"Do they normally raid your house like this? Speaking of that, this house is huge!" He said looking at the back façade.
"It's an old sorority house. We all live here and bought it when they reconfigured the campus. There are seven bedrooms so we actually have two guest rooms. Would you like a tour?" John shook his head as she continued. "We all work downtown so this house made sense. We bought it right out of college and everyone owns a piece." Ronnie took him back in and to the front door to begin properly. The home was a typical craftsman style built in the early 1900s by a local shipping company owner. The entry was huge with a wide staircase. Wood detail everywhere. To the left was the living room decorated like a Pottery Barn ad. To the right of the entry was the formal dining room with a generous wood table that seated 12.
A den, family room and kitchen with breakfast area completed the first floor. John had commented on the décor and a magazine could do a spread on the entire first floor. At the top of the steps to the right was Rachel's room and it was decorated in black and white. To the left was Reece's room and it was decorated with the now cool again mod style. They continued down the hallway to Crystal's room, done in red with hints of florals, Kelly's room was an ode to America. It was red, white and blue but not overkill, more Americana, something you'd see at a beach house. Ronnie's room was last and across from Kelly's. John could have sworn he stepped into a bedroom worthy of a home in the Hamptons. All white linens that seemed to float against the sharp edges of the walnut furniture. The only splashes of color came from the accessories. Vases, art on the walls and propped on the dressers, flowers and candles were in abundance. The bed was so fluffy he could probably sleep for days.
Ronnie excused herself to change in the bathroom. He noticed each bedroom had a fireplace, walk in closet and a bathroom. John thought the bathroom was white also but when she turned on the light it was a soft green. DJ by day, lead singer by night. Lives with her girlfriends in a kick ass house, drives a convertible Volkswagon Beetle in the softest green, I think she called it gecko green, hangs out on Sundays with her parents, I'm in love. John looked out her floor to ceiling windows at the backyard. He hadn't noticed before but it was huge, nice green grass and flower beds. A lot of parties could be thrown back there. She came back out in a tank top and capri sweats with her hair pulled into a pony tail. Yep, I'm in love.