The Leading Man (Multiband Fan Fic)

Chapter 9 - Spooked

Katie's P.O.V

I woke up, instantly feeling like today was going to be one of those 'off' days. It wasn't a good feeling.
I got up and dressed, had my breakfast. The guys were talking about waking up Vinnie, as he was still sleeping, so Stevie went to go do that.

I wasn't feeling right. I wasn't sick. I knew that for sure, and I wasn't feeling low... Not that low, anyway...
I had a dream about my dad last night. I really wish I could just see him.

On our way to the studio, I noticed we were taking the longer route, passed the graveyard.
"STOP!" I called out to Stevie.
I climbed out the van, once he pulled over, and walked round the back, crossing over the street, Dylan calling out to me.

I walked into the graveyard and followed the path, walking up a small stump of a hill.
I took off my red bowler hat and stopped at the gravestone.
Cortney Loraine Monroe Perry
Dec 1 . 1978 - Aug 2 . 2009

I held my hat to my side, standing still looking at her. The blue flowers were dry. I'll bring her some fresh ones soon.
"Hi, mum..." I frowned. "I... I-I saw him again..." I started getting upset. "He was in my dream, last night..."
I felt a gentle hand placed on my right shoulder. I looked back seeing Eddie frowning with me, with Dylan, Stevie, and Vince all stood behind him.
Stevie had been wearing his black hat, but he had taken it off, now holding it in front of him, showing his respects.

"If you wanted to come here, you could of told us. We don't mind at all." Eddie told me softly.
I sniffed and nodded at him, turning back to my mother.
"Guys, this is my mum... Mum, this is my band. It's about time you met them..." I introduced them.
"It's very nice to meet you, Cortney." Eddie spoke first, his hand keeping me grounded.
Dylan stepped forward, reading the gravestone.
"August 2nd... A week before your birthday." He pointed out.
I nodded.
"Dylan, have some decorum." Eddie whispered, lightly slapping his arm.
"No, it's OK... It's OK..." I sighed.

"What about your dad, Monroe?" Dylan asked me, after a second of silence. "Where is he?"
"Dad's in England... He's too far away..." I hugged Eddie's waist, looking down at my mum.
He held me tightly, keeping me close to him. "We'll have to go see him... We'll make some time to do that. Real soon, Monroe. I promise." He rubbed my arms, as encouragement.

"I saw him last night... We were playing the guitar together..." I almost went unheard.
"I saw 'im, when I wen' t' the hospi'al." Stevie spoke up.
I looked back at him, letting go of Eddie. "When? Where?"
"Monroe..." Dylan started.
"Tell me..." I walked up to Stevie.
"I were lyin' down, feelin' sleepy... He just... He were there... He wuz crouched down, nex' t' you... an' 'e was talkin' t' meh..." Stevie scratched the back of his head, trying to remember.
"What was he saying? Was he OK?" I asked him.
"Stevie, that's enough!" Dylan spoke up.
"Stevie, please! Was he OK?!" I grabbed his arm.
"Katie." Eddie hugged me from behind.
"Stevie, please..." I whispered, looking at my cousin.

"He tol' meh to han' on... Kept sayin' 'Noh yet'..." He told me.
"Dad..." I whispered.

I sniffed, holding onto Eddie's arms. I could feel him again. My dad was with me... That's what was wrong. That's what was 'off'. I couldn't feel my dad, but he's back now...
I leaned back into Eddie and smiled, looking up at the sky. The sun was out, a new day was blossoming. I could see, I could hear the world around me, I could feel the breeze on my face... I could feel my dad was with me.

. . .

"Where the hell have you lot been?!" Gov asked, as he Kirk and Alec were all sat around the dingy coffee table, a game of Queen's Monopoly on the go.
"We went to see an old friend. Sorry, Gov." Eddie smiled at me.
I smiled back at him and we quickly got to work. I don't think I can really explain all that happened this morning, but I'm willing to take it on, making today a good day. No day will ever be as bad, as August 2nd.

. . .

It was coming to the end of the day.
Kirk was sat around, waiting for me to finish, so we could head home together. He was sat at the soundboard, reading a magazine, with his feet up on the desk.
Stevie was sat on the couch, lighting up some scented candles, setting an atmosphere.
Eddie was sat at the drumkit, writing in his lyric book, nothing serious.
Dylan was sat up on one of the big amps, seeming to be lost in thought.
Vince was pacing the recording booth, reading over the lyrics of 'Tearin' Down the Walls'
Gov was sat at the soundboard, messing with some controls.
Finally, I was sat on a stool, playing my pink guitar.

"Kirk..." Dylan broke the silence, everyone stopping and looking over to him. "How was she? As she left?" He asked.
I went back to my guitar, messing with some light notes.
"Happy. Her dreams were coming true. Ready, with her suitcase by her feet." Kirk told him. "Practically her whole life in it."
"Did she say anything? Did you?" Dylan looked over at him.
Gov had the intercom on, so we didn't need to use the mics. We could all hear and speak to each other.

"Well... She was nervous, but I was pushing for her to go, saying 'the ship won't wait, now is your time'." Kirk gave a soft smile.
"Huh..." Eddie made a note.
I found a melody that I really liked. It was fast paced, all the good notes. Like if angles played rock and roll... I was really feeling this one. I was actually composing some music here!

"She said she missed you." Kirk looked from me to Dylan.
"I li'ed her... She were small town, buh she were special... Lieh she really wuz an angel." Stevie commented.
I was playing the melody on a loop, trying not to forget it. This was gold!
"She made it, though! She's on the cover of Vouge." Kirk smiled, looking from Stevie to Dylan.
"She rolled the dice of her life, and scored the jackpot. Not many people can do that. Heads, they win. Tails, you're gonna lose." Gov made comment, messing with some buttons.
"That's awesome." I mumbled, liking the way Gov said it.
"Who are you talking about?" Vinnie asked, standing by his mic, listening to the conversation.
"A friend..." Kirk told him. "Vik-"
"Monroe... Play that again..." Dylan begged me, as I stopped playing to find some music paper.
"I need to write it down before I forget it..." I looked at him.
"Play that again..." He whispered, staring at me.