Chapter 3– Pretty Pwease!?

 

           

The show was loud but I felt better than I had in a long time. Good Charlotte put on an amazing concert. After the show, Amber, Patty and Maddie made I stuck around to find Joel. We waited for half an hour, and I was about to leave any minute. “Guys, it’s late and I’m tired. It’s just Joel.” I could see Patty and Maddie weren’t paying attention, “I’m leaving.” I said louder. I turned around to see Joel coming my way. So that’s what they were looking at…

“Hey Fi!” Joel exclaimed.

“Uh, hey Joel.”

Joel reached out and shook my hand, “How did you like the show?”

“I didn’t get to see much of it, the crowd was a little rowdy tonight.” I crossed my arms.

“That really sucks.” Joel turned towards Patty and Maddie, “How did you guys like it?”

“It—it, it was good.” Patty stuttered; she was a little star struck.

Joel laughed, “Thank you.” He turned back towards me, “So what are you doing now?”

“I was just about to leave actually.” I smiled.

“Oh…” Joel looked disappointed, “Can you stay and chill with us?”

I took a few seconds to think about it, just to make him squirm, “Hmmm…” I paused to look him in the eye, “I’d love to.”

“Awesome, I think the guys were gonna go get some coffee…you up to that?”

“Yeah, but would you mind if my friends came along?”

“The more the merrier.” Joel smiled and led the way to the tour bus.

 

When we got to the bus, I had to stay near Patty at all times. I feared Paul’s safety. She was downright obsessed with the bleach-blonde bassist. I thought she was going to hyperventilate a few times. But despite her star struck-ness, they hit it off pretty well. Billy and Benji mingled with Maddie and Amber, and Joel and I were busy thumb wrestling.

“Hey guys, it’s 2:34, do you still think Starbucks is open?” Paul asked.

“Wow, we spent this whole time on the bus.” I laughed.

“Nah, I don’t think they’re still open. We could try.” Joel said.

“It’s…cold out there.” Patty crossed her arms and rubbed them, “It’s cold in here.”
            “I can fix that.” Paul put his arm around Patty and rubbed her arm. She blushed, giggled and then hid her face in Paul’s side.

We laughed at the cute-ness of the situation and Benji finally spoke up, “So do you guys need a ride back to Long Beach?”

“Nah, I got my car.” I jingled the keys in my pocket. It would have been awesome if we got a ride back. Amber looked at me, and I knew exactly what she was thinking. “No…” I said.

“Come on…” She said quietly.

“No.”

“No what?” Billy asked me.

“She’s probably thinking that you could take us back, and then she’ll drive us to work tomorrow so I can get my car.” I turned towards Amber, “Right?” She nodded. “I’m good.” I said while laughing.

Benji laughed while putting his arm around Amber, “Pweeease.” Benji said like a 5-year-old.

“Yeah…pwease!” Joel chimed in, “Pretty pwease!” He gave me the lip whilst putting his arm around me.
            Everyone looked at me with hopeful eyes, they knew how to push my buttons. “Oh fine. Whatever.” I said.

“Yay!!” Joel exclaimed while hugging me.

 

On the ride back home, we all played a rousing game of Uno. Joel and Amber were sadly loosing and I was winning with Billy close behind me.

“Hah! UNO!” I exclaimed while embracing my victory.

“No fair…you cheated.” Joel said.

“Just because you lost…” I started to trail off. Joel cocked an eyebrow then started tickling me. I tried to push him away but I had no strength because of my laughter. I tired moving away, but Benji just pushed me more towards Joel, while tickling me more. “No…stop…please.” I cried. Tears were rolling down my cheeks from laughing so hard. Maddie, Amber and Patty sat there laughing, while watching me struggle. “I hate you guys.” I managed to say in-between laughs. Joel and Benji finally stopped. My shirt was raised a little bit, revealing a tattoo on my stomach.

“What’s that for?” Benji asked me.

It was a cross-engulfed in flames, with a date underneath it on my pelvic bone. “Its…” I paused, “I don’t want to get into it now.” My voice became lower.

“Oh.” Benji said, “I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s ok.” I saw a sign that said ‘Welcome to Long Beach’ pass by the window. “I should go up front and give the driver directions.” I started walking to the door to the rest of the bus.

“I’ll come with you.” Joel said while getting up.

“Me too.” Amber said.

 

We finally arrived at The Neptune’s, the apartment complex Amber and I lived in, and we all filed out of the bus. We all went on our rounds saying goodbye to one another; I saved Joel for last. He gave me a tight hug and a kiss on the cheek and whispered, “I had fun tonight.” in my ear.

“Me to.” I said. He wouldn’t let me go so we stood there embracing each other.

“So, here’s my number, call me sometime.” Joel said while writing a number on my hand.

“There’s something I need to tell you.” I paused to wait for Joel to tell me to proceed, “I just broke up with my boyfriend last week and well, I’m not interested in a relationship right now. I’m sorry.”

“Oh it’s totally cool.” I could tell Joel was a little disappointed.

“You sure?” I asked.

“Totally.” He hugged me again. When he let go of me, he snuck a little kiss on my lips. I pulled away. “What’s wrong?”

“You are such an asshole!”

“What?” Joel said.

“I just finished telling you I’m not interested in a relationship and then you go and do that.” I started to rub away his number, “Goodnight Joel.”

“Are you ok?” Amber asked me. Without saying a word I walked away, with everyone staring at me. Joel looked so ashamed.

 

The next morning at work Emily was dying to find out what happened last night.

“So how did everything go? DETAILS!” Emily exclaimed.

“Eh, could have been better.” I said while sipping my tea.
            “Aww, what happened? Did something go wrong?” She said

“Everything was going perfect, until the goodbye.” Emily tilted her head and bit her lip. “I told him that I wasn’t interested in a relationship because I broke up with Evan last week—he gave me his number so I thought I should tell him—and then the fool goes and kisses me two seconds later!”

“Oh man. What a jerk.”

“Tell me about it.”

Steve came walking into the room and everyone scattered to find work. I was still disgusted from my goodbye with Joel.