Courage.

Just Getting Started

                We did it. We fucking did it. After four years of the torture that is college, we finally did it. We’re going to play at Warped Tour. This is it, this is our Woodstock.  As much as I wanted to to go into acting, this band suddenly meant a lot more to me. I tried to hold in my excitement but I couldn’t.

 I looked over to my best friend and band mate, Rebel, “I can’t believe it, and it’s insane! Warped Tour! Holy fuck, Icon for Hire plays there! Shit, we’re going to be playing at the same place as so many amazing bands!” Her bright eyes were large and spaced evenly apart, sitting below trim and neat eyebrows.

Rebel was electrified, we had gone last year to see them and instantly fell in love with the band, “You know who else is going to be there?” A smirk had appeared on her face, that either meant trouble or a brilliant turn.

“Who, Princess?” I giggled.  I quickly scanned a mental list of all the groups that would appear.  It wasn’t very possible for me not to know, I had been obsessed with Warped for a while, so I couldn’t see myself missing anyone, “I basically know the whole lineup.”

“George Motherfucking Watsky, bitch!” Rebel let a laughter escape.  I could feel myself losing control. There’s no way this was going to happen. How was this hip hop artist going to be playing at Warped Tour? It was famous for the edgy scene, not poetry.

Nether the less, I was psyched, “No way! No fucking way! George Watsky? The genius that brought Cardboard Castles to the world?! Don’t fuck with me!” I couldn’t stop smiling. I loved his work, I stopped caring about whether or not he belong.  I was head over heels in love with his work, ever since Rebel and I went to one of his concerts. It was one of the best nights of my life. We had seen him on his Cardboard Castles tour, last year.

“Why would I fuck with you about that!?” My blonde best friend said, “Don’t freak out about it, though. We need to be chill about this.” Rebel laid beside me on the bed, “Did you ever send that letter to him?”

I rested my head on her chest, “Nope. I was too scared, why would he read it?” The smiled faded. I had written a letter to the artist a few nights before his concert. It had explained the way I found his music, my story as well…

“My boobs are too big for you to do this, I can’t see you.” Rebel scrunched her nose, trying not to laugh. She spoke softly, “You should have. You only got a photo with him… Besides, I think he would have read it. He seemed like a really nice guy.”

“Oh shut up. Besides, at least my hair is in a bun, so it’s not in your face.” I mumbled and looked up at her.  Her pale hands slid my bangs out of my face and I spoke, “I was just too flustered… I didn’t know what he would do. Maybe I could give it to him when we tour?”

“It’s in the way, dickwad. “ Rebel smirked. She looked to the ceiling, “You need to give it to him. Or you could talk to him about it… Like, fuck that letter, tell him how you found his music, your story, things like that, besides… He’ll listen, he was so open to fans and nice about things like that, and you know it.”

“If I was too scared to give him a letter, what makes you think I’ll be brave enough to actually talk to him?” I sighed and stood up from the bed. Thankfully, we’d be out of New York and into LA after this tour, as much as I loved this city, I think it would be a better move to live in LA… The band would get a lot more exposure and I was sick of the cold weather. “Shit, we should call Destrey. He’s been pinning this tour.” I walked towards my cell phone, grabbing it from the nightstand.

“Don’t be scared. We both know he’d talk to you. You have two months to talk to him. I don’t think you’ll be nervous after a while.”  Rebel said and stood up as well. A smirk appeared once again, “He’s already coming… To the house.”

“It’s hard not to be, he’s an inspiration to me…  Okay, let’s drop this conversation, please?” I sent a quick text to our band mate and looked up, trying not to laugh, “You fucking dork. Okay, okay. Wait, why is he coming over?” The home wasn’t mine. It was my aunt’s, but she had made the move back to St.Louis, and decided since Rebel and I would be studying in New York, it would be perfect for her to let us use it until we got on our feet. Thankfully, tours, jobs and gigs got us enough for the three of us to stay in a small home in LA.

“He’s also super cute. Okay, I’ll drop it. But, that doesn’t mean I’ll stop in the future.” Rebel teased, looking at me. She smiled, “Because, I invited him. We’re Mischief Time for fuck’s sake, we need to hang more as friends.  Well we already do, but him living with his Dad makes it kinda hard, since you know, he doesn’t really like you.”

“Thanks.” I threw the phone onto the bed and walked to the bathroom that had been connected to my room, “We do hang out enough.  Band rehearsals and classes! Shit- Yeah. It wasn’t my fault! His dad was being a dick to Des!”

“Why are you going to the bathroom?” Rebel said, following me. I shrugged. Rebel stood at the door frame, watching me.  I looked back at her, wondering what interest she had.

“I can’t go to the bathroom!?” I looked into the mirror, sighing. My round face shape and choppy black hair didn’t look very nice… “I hate my brown eyes- They’re so boring.”

Rebel rolled her eyes, “You look fine, are you trying to look good for Des? There’s nothing wrong with your eyes, they’re big and beautiful. I love your bronze. “ She said placing her chin on my head, “Stop trying to make yourself feel small.”

I sighed, she was right. I had some problems with looks in the past, and as much I don’t like to admit it, I still do. I hated my hips; I hated so much of myself. But, I was just whining, I needed to accept who I was, as much as I didn’t want to.  “Fine.”

“Good.”  Rebel was interrupted by a small ding, the doorbell. “I’ll get it; don’t worry about a thing, Vi.”  I smiled softly at my best friend and as she left washed my face.  I stared at the mirror one more time, trying not to feel disgust at the reflection.

“No fucking way! We’re doing Warped!” I heard Des yell in excitement.  I replaced the feeling of sadness with happiness when hearing his voice. Taking a deep breath I walked slowly over to my two band mates.

“Hey, Dinosaur Neck.” I teased as he pulled me into a hug. I rolled my eyes, I barley was up to his chest.  He had an average build and dark blonde hair, dark eyes framed by rectangular glasses. He smelled clean, not anything in specific, just clean. Looking up to him I spoke, “Warped Tour is about to get better than ever, bitches.”

Des laughed, “Sup, Puppy?” Pulling me out of the hug he grinned, “Fuck yeah it is. Mischief Time is going to rock. Your vocals, my percussion, Rebel’s guitar, it’ll be great. Also, your songs.” I bit my lip and looked at Rebel, “Is it bad I’m kind of nervous? This isn’t just touring from New York to cities close, it’s national.”

“Don’t worry; everything is going to be fine.” Rebel said, pulling me into a hug and and whisper into my ear, “Everything is going to be fine.”