La Pantera

Ch. 30 New Look, Same Demons

Song for Chapter: Crying Alone by Jurrivh

It was time for actual shooting to take place for the movie and this meant Stevie had to get her hair done. She was skeptical at first, but was eager to "become" the character per say. She had fun changing up how she looked and taking on a challenge. She looked up in surprise to see Sydney come up behind her in the mirror in the salon. "Didn't think I'd see ya!", Stevie grinned. "Your agent called and I couldn't refuse. I'm the only one who can do your hair right anyways.", Sydney joked. "Damn right.", Stevie settled back watching Sydney take out some shears. She grew nervous but trusted her stylist. "Your hair is gonna be cut a few inches so the perm looks better.", Sydney explained. "And we're gonna do some blonde highlights in your hair too.", she added on. "By all means, let's do it.", Stevie grinned.
The perm was done after Stevie's highlights. "You cannot wash your hair for 2 days.", Sydney warned. "Otherwise everything I did is out the window." Stevie nodded her head understanding what Sydney meant. "Alright, I gotcha Syd. Thanks so much.", Stevie paid her and hugged her tight. The smaller woman smiled and accepted the hug from the spunky teenager. "Go home and get rest.", she smirked.

After 48 hours, Stevie finally was able to wash out her hair and get it styled on set. She sat down at a desk on set, and smirked knowing Kevin hadn't seen her yet. He walked in and did a double take, seeing the new look on Stevie. "Well...didn't they change you up?", he mused looking her up and down playfully. "They sure did baby...I hope ya like it, cuz we gotta be in love with each other.", Stevie smirked, standing up and walking over to him. "Well of course I love it.", Kevin laughed. She gave him a coy simper before sauntering off elsewhere on set. "Ain't she special?", Kevin mused to himself before following her.
Stevie had fun filming the car scene , grinning to herself as she stood with her feet in the two separate car windows. This reckless behavior came naturally to her . She felt free as the wind blew through her hair, making her yell and screech in excitement which worked because that's what Ariel was supposed to do. Jim Youngs, who played Ariel's boyfriend Chuck, grabbed Stevie into his truck for the scene before the eighteen wheeler coming at them could hit her. Herbert yelled "Cut!" at them before walking over to the truck. "Excellent job. Keep up that enthusiasm Stevie.", he stated. The young girl nodded her head whilst he gave more advice to the cast. He let them have a five minute break which allowed Jim to look at Stevie. "I bet you'd do that for fun.", he teased. "Hell yeah I would.", Stevie smirked. "It's funny you're playing a preacher kid.", he joked. "Well, my mom was like Rev Moore, so I can sense Ariel's pain.", Stevie explained to Jim. "She was a fuckin' nutcase.", she laughed darkly. "Yeah? I guess all mothers are.", he mused. Stevie acknowledged his comment with a small nod before gazing out the truck window. The sun shone down like a bright diamond, making the heat intense. The grass was lit up , gleaming with a welcoming aura. Stevie stood up , heading back to the other car as Herbert yelled for them to do another take.

Shooting wrapped up for the day allowing Stevie to head back to the hotel. She was bored out of her mind in Utah County and couldn't wait to head back to Los Angeles. She noticed a Harley bike on the other side of the street where a dark haired man sat. She did a double take as she saw the man resembled the one in her dream of the other family. Before she could process this information, he drove off on his bike after other Harleys that left the area. "Huh......that's fucking odd.", she mused to herself. She watched them ride off into the late afternoon as a unit. Her hands rested in her pockets as she watched them disappear into the sunlight. Her brows furrowed in thought before she walked off to the bus bench. She couldn't get the man out of her head, the topic frustrating her. Bet he woulda been a better dad than mine. , Stevie thought to herself.

October 1979

13 year old Stevie came home from school with her brothers Nicky and Tony. She could already hear her mother barking on the phone to someone about God knows what. She set her backpack down before heading upstairs to her bedroom. A half hour passed before a slamming door signaled her father was home. "Where's my dinner Marie?", she heard his deep voice grumble. "On the table.", she heard her mother state. She didn't want to go downstairs, not in the mood to deal with her father snipping at her. She eventually emerged downstairs thinking she was in the clear. She managed to sneak some food when her father's voice surprised her. "Stephanie...for the last time quit wearing that shit!", he growled. Stevie looked down at her Led Zeppelin shirt, her spiky bracelets, and leather boots. "You let Tony wear it!", she snapped. "Because young ladies are supposed to look pulled together, not like the latest Van Halen groupie.", Stefano retorted. "Well too bad...I like it!", Stevie glared hard and crossed her arms over her body. "You will not take that tone of voice with me Stephanie Marilyn.", he warned. "Or what?! You gonna hit me?!", she challenged.

That had been the first time her father had hit her.

His hand had sent her flying into the counter and then the floor. A loud ringing sound played in her head as she managed to scramble up and run out of the house, terrified out of her mind.

Stevie reflected on that time in her life with bitterness. He had been so good to her until she had turned 13. Something had changed in him then and she had no longer been his little Stevie. She was just Stephanie in his eyes just like her mother. She looked down at her shoes , not even bothering to get on the bus as it parked. She was just fine sitting here.