La Pantera

Ch. 29 The Tide Is Shifting

Song for Chapter: King of the Fall by The Weeknd

Stevie came back into her hotel room a few hours later, having found the girl's family for her. "The hell have ya just done Steve?....I thought we were done with this shit.", she growled to herself. You had to save her. You would've beaten yourself up had you let it go, her conscience reminded her. Her mixed feelings frustrated her. She ran a hand through her hair, kicking the wall.

The next morning she walked onto set, drinking a double espresso shot coffee to wake herself up. Kevin looked over at her and laughed. "You stay up late?", he teased. "Shut up.", Stevie whined. "Last I checked raccoons disappear at sunrise.", he smirked at her eye bags. "Oh yeah. I've seen lizards with more of an upper lip than you.", she smirked. "Let's just start rehearsing .", Kevin growled. Stevie didn't say anything, but grinned his way as she got into character once more. This movie had grown on her, and it was fun to play someone like Ariel who shared a similar background to her. Her southern accent had improved well enough to where her Jersey drawl wasn't recognizable anymore. Everything was going good until she read one particular scene in the script. "Ariel gets beaten up by her boyfriend?", she asked aloud. Kevin didn't notice the slight panic in her voice when she said that. "Damn...didn't see that yet.", he stated. "Well it's all pretend. He won't actually hit you. They'll just put some special effects makeup on your face.", he explained. "I know, my first movie did the same thing.", Stevie snipped, not in the mood to have Kevin act superior over her. "My bad I didn't know.", he chuckled. She rolled her eyes but bit her tongue wanting to go on lunch break.

Lunch finally rolled around, and Stevie left set to go get something from the nearby diner. She wore a ripped Van Halen shirt, ripped jeans, and her usual combat boots. She walked in the diner, her outfit taking everyone by surprise due to their nature out there. Some recognized her from Flashdance and grew excited while others looked at her in scorn. She smiled to herself, amused at the scornful expressions. "Hamburger and fries please.", she said to the waiter. "Sure thing ma'am.", his accent drawled. She was amused by the Southern accent, finding it a bit funny to listen to but also interesting. She figured they felt the same way about how she talked. She watched the television, a Van Halen music video playing. She whistled along to the song until someone sat next to her. It was a child around 11. "You're Stevie Costa?", the little girl asked. "Sure am.", Stevie grinned. "Can I have your autograph? I watched your movie and it made me wanna do dance again!", she smiled. Taken aback by her words, Stevie nodded her head softly. She signed the poster the girl had, giving her a crooked grin. "There ya go kid.", she smirked. "Thank you!", the little girl ran off to her family. My first autograph....holy fuckin' shit, Stevie smiled at herself proudly.

After filming wrapped up for the day, Stevie walked to the bench nearby to catch the bus to her hotel. She sat down, humming to herself. "Hey faggot!", someone yelled at her. She looked and saw a group of young men laughing her way. "Sup?", she called back cooly. "This is our side of town ya little whore.", one piped as they walked closer to her. "Last I checked gangs weren't a thing in your holy tabernacle.", Stevie teased, standing at her full height now. She rolled her shoulders back , rings gleaming in the twilight. "We don't like bitches like you coming into our town. Thinking you run the shit but you don't.", the leader growled as he got in her face. "Baby boy, I hate to break it to you but where I come from, that whole area was my playground.", her voice rumbled as she got in his face and shoved him. "City whore. How about I make you use that mouth for something else?", he laughed. Before she could object , a male voice yelled "Hey!". She saw a lanky ginger man walk over with two blonde men,  one with wild black hair, and another with short black hair. The ginger shoved the leader away from Stevie. "The hell you think you're doin'?", he snarled. "Just teach-.", he barely got his words out as the ginger and his crew jumped the Utah boys. Sounds of cracking bones and blood flying out with groans were all Stevie could see.

The fight was over in 2 minutes. The Utah boys ran away not wanting to mess with the ginger man. "Ya didn't have to do that.", she cocked her brow. "Well I've seen you on TV interviews, heard your radio shit, and I like the vibe you got. My name's Axl. Axl Rose. This is my band.", he introduced them to Stevie. "Well thank you. I'll remember what you guys did for me.", she could tell Axl was someone you didn't fuck around with , the crazy look in his eyes all someone needed. "We're on our way to L.A. to get our band attention. If you're ever there, go to The Strip. That's where we'll be.", Axl stated. "Will do that Axl.", Stevie smiled at him before hopping on the bus.