Chapter Twenty-Nine
Bobby sat at the table, still freaked out by the kiss Jack had given him, and downed a beer. He knew the boy did it just to mess with him, but it still made him uneasy. He ordered another beer and watched the kids on the stage. He laughed, relaxed, and cheered as they played a few older tunes just for him.
"All right!" Lock laughed into the mic. "This next one is just for Bobby Mercer! It's his 30th birthday today! Happy fucking Birthday!"
He got a little pissed off that she announced his age like that, but quickly got over it. The song they were playing brought back a fantastic memory of the first time he and Stray had really bonded. He watched her grab the microphone and pull it close, looking at him and she started to sing.
"Oh my God
Welcome to the jungle
We got fun 'n' games
We got everything you want
Honey we know the names
We are the people that can find
Whatever you may need
If you got the money honey
We got your disease
In the jungle
Welcome to the jungle
Watch it bring you to your shun na,na,na,na,na,na,na,na,\knees, knees
I wanna watch you bleed
Welcome to the jungle
We take it day by day
If you want you're gonna bleed
But it's the price you pay
And you're a very sexy girl
Very hard to please
You can taste the bright lights
But you won't get there for free
In the jungle
Welcome to the jungle
Feel my, my, my, my serpentine
I,I, wanna hear you scream
Welcome to the jungle
It gets worse here everyday
Ya learn ta live like an animal
In the jungle where we play
If you got a hunger for what you see
You'll take it eventually
You can have anything you want
But you better not take it from me
In the jungle
Welcome to the jungle
Watch it bring you to your shun na,na,na,na,na,na,na,na,knees, knees
I wanna watch you bleed
And when you're high you never
Ever want to come down. . . YEAH!!"
Bobby watched Jack play the solo, proud of the little fairy, and felt great. The teen's eyes were closed as his hands flew over the guitar, Lock gave him a proud look, and jumped back into the song.
"You know where you are
You're in the jungle baby
You gonna die
In the jungle
Welcome to the jungle
Watch it bring you to your shun,na,na,na,na,na,na,na,na,knees, knees
In the jungle
Welcome to the jungle
Feel my, my, my, my serpentine
Jungle, in the jungle
Welcome to the jungle
Watch it bring you to your shun,na,na,na,na,na,na,na,na,knees, knees
Down in the jungle
Welcome to the jungle
Watch it bring you to your
It's gonna bring you down!
HA!"
They finished, Lock out of breath, and grinned at the crowd. Bobby stood, whistling and clapping, and was never so happy. They announced that they needed a break and would be back soon.
"Stray!" he yelled, pulling the girl into his lap. "This is one birthday I'll never fucking forget! Thank you!"
"No problem, Bobby," she laughed, hugging him. "I'm happy you like it!"
"Yes," Ma appeared, along with Angel and Jer, and they pulled up chairs. "I don't think I've ever seen you so happy, Robert."
Stray scrambled off his lap, collapsing into a chair, and he was immediately mauled by the rest of his family. He hated this much affection, but let it slide. They embarrassed him by singing to him and he was really glad he'd had a couple beers in him to relax him. Stray gave him a quick hug, whispering Happy Birthday to him again, and went back to the stage. He saw the projector screen was down and felt excited.
More glimpses into her mind. . .
"So, we're done with the old rock. . .Sorry, Bobby," she smiled at him.
The lights went down, the crowd quieted, and Bobby stared at the screen. A movie started, starring Lock as the lead, and it went with the song.
"Well, I know a thing about contrition,
Because I got enough to spare.
And I'll be granting your permission,
'Cause you haven't got a prayer.
Well I said hey, hey hallelujah,
I'ma come on sing the praise.
And let the spirit come on through ya,
We got innocence for days!
Well, I think I'm gonna burn in hell,
Everybody burn the house right down."
Lock started to circle Jack now, running her finger all along his shoulders, and Bobby felt a little protective.
"And say,
What I wanna say
Tell me I'm an angel,
Take this to my grave.
Tell me I'm a bad man,
Kick me like a stray.
Tell me I'm an angel,
Take this to my grave."
Bobby saw a glint in Jack's eyes as Lock sang to him, her hand tracing his jaw and holding his face close to hers. He felt the big brother in him want to get up there and pull them away from each other, but figured it was for the show and let it slide.
"You play ring around the ambulance,
Well like you never gave a care.
So get the choir boys around you,
It's a compliment, I swear.
And I said, ashes to ashes, we all fall down,
I wanna hear you sing the praise,
I said, ashes to ashes, we all fall down,
We got innocence for days!
Well, I think I'm gonna burn in hell,
Everybody burn the house right down.
And say,
What I wanna say
Tell me I'm an angel,
Take this to my grave.
Tell me I'm a bad man,
Kick me like a stray.
Tell me I'm an angel,
Take this to my grave.
You better run like the devil,
'Cause they're never gonna leave you alone!
You better hide up in the alley,
'Cause they're never gonna find you a home!
And as the blood runs down the walls,
You see me creepin' up these halls.
I've been a bad motherfucker
Tell your sister I'm another
Go! Go! Go!
And say,
What I wanna say
Tell me I'm an angel,
Take this to my grave.
Tell me I'm a bad man,
Kick me like a stray.
Tell me I'm an angel,
Take this to my grave
Tell me I'm a bad, bad, bad, bad man.
Tell me I'm a bad, bad, bad, bad man.
Tell me I'm a bad, bad, bad, bad man.
Tell me I'm a bad, bad, bad, bad man.
So get up!
So get out!"
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
"Jackie boy?" Lock called, cracking open the exit door. "You out here?"
"Yeah," he said around his smoke. "Why? Break over?"
"No," she appeared behind him. "Just wonderin'."
"So, when do I get to know that song that I haven't been told the name of?" he snickered.
"Next set," she grinned, leaning on the wall. "This is the last one. . ."
"Mmmm. . ." he was glad.
Wore me out, he thought. Been working my ass off for her tonight. . .
"You doin' all right? Not too tired?" she asked, stretching.
"I'll manage," he grinned, giving her a quick kiss.
"Mmmm," she smiled sweetly at him.
God, if she pulls another stunt like she did with the last song, I'll fucking lose it! She had me so turned on. . .
"Ready?" she toyed with his hair.
"Yep," he whispered, tossing his cigarette. "Let's rock!"
"DORK!" she giggled, letting him go first.
"You love me anyway," he smirked.
"That I do," she shoved him gently. "Let's do the slower song first. . .please?"
"Hey, it's up to you. . I'm just your guitar bitch," he chuckled.
They got set up, the projector turned on and a slideshow ready. Lock stood alone on the stage, Jack and the guys were farther back, out of sight, and she gave the sign. He watched her, so in love with her, and she started.
"Well I was there on the day they
Sold the cause for the queen
And when the lights all went out
We watched our lives on the screen
I hate the ending myself
But it started with an alright scene
It was the roar of the crowd
That gave me heartache to sing
It was a lie when they smiled
And said, "you won't feel a thing"
And as we ran from the cops
We laughed so hard it would sting. . ."
Jack wished he could see the slideshow, Bobby's eyes were wide and Ma was crying a little. He'd have to watch it later on.
"Yeah yeah, oh
If I'm so wrong
How can you listen all night long?
Now will it matter after I'm gone?
Because you never learned a god damned thing
You're just a sad song
With nothing to say
About a life long wait for a hospital stay
Well if you think that I'm wrong
This never meant nothing to you
I spent my high school career
Spit on and shoved to agree
So I could watch all my heroes
Sell a car on TV
Bring out the old guillotine
We'll show 'em what we all mean
Yeah yeah, oh
If I'm so wrong
How can you listen all night long?
Now will it matter long after I'm gone?
Because you never learned a god damned thing
You're just a sad song
With nothing to say
About a life long wait for a hospital stay
Well if you think that I'm wrong
This never meant nothing to you
So go, go away, just go, run away.
Now where did you run to?
And where did you hide?
Go find another way
Price you pay
Woah oh, Woah oh, Woah oh, Woah oh, Woah oh, Woah oh
You're just a sad song
With nothing to say
About a life long wait for a hospital stay
Well if you think that I'm wrong
This never meant nothing to you, come on
You're just a sad song
With nothing to say
About a life long wait for a hospital stay
Well if you think that I'm wrongThis never meant nothing to you
At all
At all
At all
At all"
They took a few minutes to get everything moved back, Lock vanished to go get a movie put in the projector, and Jack felt antsy. Lock came back, gave him a quick peck on the cheek, and donned her leather trench coat. They started and the crowd went nuts, it was a very popular song.
"They're gonna clean up your looks
With all the lies in the books
To make a citizen out of you
Because they sleep with a gun
And keep an eye on you, son
So they can watch all the things you do
Because the drugs never work
They gonna give you a smirk
'Cause they got methods
O' keepin' you clean
They gonna rip up yo heads
Your aspirations to shreds
Another cog in the murder machine
They said all teenagers scare the living shit out of me
They could care less as long as someone'll bleed
So darken your clothes
Or strike a violent pose
Maybe they'll leave you alone
But not me!
The boys and girls in the clique
The awful names that they stick
You're never gonna fit in much, kid
But if you're troubled and hurt
What you got under your shirt
Will make them pay for the things that they did
They said all teenagers scare the living shit out of me
They could care less as long as someone'll bleed
So darken your clothes
Or strike a violent pose
Maybe they'll leave you alone
But not me!
Woahohhh yeah!"
Lock picked up a guitar and burst into a solo, he joined her, they pressed their backs together laughing and playing.
"They say all teenagers scare the living shit out of me
They could care less as long as someone'll bleed
So darken your clothes
Or strike a violent pose
Maybe they'll leave you alone
But not me!
Teenagers scare the living shit out of me
They could care less as long as someone'll bleed
So darken your clothes
Or strike a violent pose
Maybe they'll leave you alone
But not me!
All together now, teenagers scare the living shit out of me
They could care less as long as someone'll bleed
So darken your clothes
Or strike a violent pose
Maybe they'll leave you alone
But not me!"
They took a breather, tuning up their instruments, and Lock grabbed her own guitar. They were finally playing the mystery song, the one that she had most of the solos on, and he was ecstatic. He began with a slow tempo, soon Lock leapt in with a screaming solo, and then took her place at the mic.
"Bang!
Explosions in my head that just won't quit
A train has crashed into the wall around my heart
And left the old me dead
Obliterated.
Stop!
My breathing in the night when you're not there
The silence ringing through my ears
And all I want to do is hear your voice
But you're not there
Drawn together
Painter's brush stoke
Sleight of hand we
We won't go up in smoke
Fates colliding
Love undying
Like the rising tide
Beating hearts grow but never die
To simplify
I'll stand by your side
Close my eyes
Hope will never die
Like the rising tide
Beating hearts grow but never die
To simplify
I'll stand by your side
Close my eyes
Hope will never die"
Jack quickly memorized the chorus, he planned on singing it with her later, and watched as she tore into another solo. Her eyes slid shut, the music seemed to pour directly from her heart, and he realized why she had picked this song: it had a significant meaning.
"Go!
And take away the pain of being me
Soothe my soul, caress my heart
And end my fear, all my bad memories
Eradicated
Ring!
Like gunshots herd against the silent night
My love is louder than these words.
They're stronger than the rest, unstoppable
Unstoppable"
Jack stepped up to her mic, slowly singing with her, and felt light and airy. She stared into his eyes as she sang, he stared into hers, and he felt electricity pass in the air between them.
"Drawn together
Painter's brush stoke
Sleight of hand we
We won't go up in smoke
Fates colliding
Love undying
Like the rising tide
Beating hearts grow but never die
To simplify
I'll stand by your side
Close my eyes
Hope will never die
Like the rising tide
Beating hearts grow but never die
To simplify
I'll stand by your side
Close my eyes
Hope will never die
Drawn together
Painter's brush stoke
Sleight of hand we
We won't go up in smoke
Fates colliding
Love undying
Like the rising tide
Beating hearts grow but never die
To simplify
I'll stand by your side
Close my eyes
Hope will never die
Like the rising tide
Beating hearts grow but never die
To simplify
I'll stand by your side
Close my eyes
Hope will never die
DIE...…"
They finished and tore down, loaded the truck, and he caught her by the elbow. She squeaked as he turned her around, giving him a cute little questioning look, and he caved in to himself and the animal desire in him. He held her face, kissed her, backing into the wall, and pressed close to her. Her hands grabbed his coat, pulled him closer and she returned the affection. His body reacted quickly, he was careful to keep his hips a ways away from her, but he kept kissing her.
Her hands roamed his chest, touched his stomach, and he moved his mouth to her neck. She snickered lightly, letting him move her head to the side, and kiss her throat. He could feel as she broke into goose bumps and was encouraged to go on. Ignoring the simple fact that he shouldn't, he pressed their bodies close together, lost in the moment, and put his hands on her waist. She shifted a little, a small whine coming from her, but she pulled him close instead of shoving him back.
"Jackie boy," she whispered, a little out of breath, "slow down. . ."
"You all right?" he murmured, slowing his pace.
"Honestly," she muttered, "I'm nervous. . .but I'm all right. . ."
"Want me to stop?" he nuzzled her.
"N-n-not quite yet. . ." she murmured, shifting again.
He repressed a moan as she moved into him, his hard on starting to pulse, and pulled back. He saw just how nervous she was, teeth chewing her lip, and her eyes flitting around in a small amount of fear.
"Lock. . .you're shaking. . .You sure you're all right?" he asked, looking at her.
"Fine. . ." she mumbled.
She's pushing herself into this. . .She's scared, not just nervous. . .
"No, you're not fine, Lock," he was gentle but firm. "You're pushing yourself aren't you?"
"Jack. . ." she whimpered. "How else am I supposed to get over this fear?"
"No, Lock," he wiped tears from her face. "This isn't how to do it. . .to get rid of those memories. . .I am not doing this to you."
"Jack," she whispered, "you want this. . ."
"Yes, I do," he went with honesty. "You've caught on to that nicely. . .But I'm perfectly capable of waiting until you're absolutely ready. . .I'm not forcing you into anything. . .You make all the calls here."
"Jackie boy," she breathed, clearly relieved. "Thank you so much."
"Of course, Lock," he gently kissed her. "I love you and I can wait until you're ready for this kind of leap."
"This may sound stupid. . .but how will I know?" she asked shyly.
"Well," he smiled warmly, "for one: There will be no fear in you whatsoever. . .It'll feel right for you. . .You'll just know. . .You won't have to force yourself to do things anymore. . .Understand?"
"Mmmm," she nodded, toying with his coat.
"C'mon. . .let's get going, huh?"
She smirked, touching their noses together, and laced their hands. He let her lead the way, still aware that he was throbbing, and just wanted to go home.
Personal time in the shower for me tonight. . .oh, well. . .at least it's something. . .he thought with a smirk.
Songs: Welcome to the Jungle- Guns 'N' Roses, House of Wolves- My Chemical Romance, Disenchanted- My Chemical Romance, Teenagers- My Chemical Romance, and When Two Are One- Atreyu (a personal favorite!!)