Cherry Bomb [h.s]

1

March 26, 2021
Ginger Falls, New Jersey
8:26 pm

I blow out the smoke from the cigarette that sits between my chipped black fingernails, watching the sun set. It's been a long ass day, and now I wasn't going to move from this brick alleyway wall until someone came and got me.

I never show up on time. In fact, I refuse to. If someone wants me, they have to get me themselves.

So although I could hear the cheering from inside of the small venue, I was not moving until I had to.

I don't have to wait much longer, though, because I hear the stage door open from behind me.

"Hey asshole! Your presence is requested." Frankie, the venue owner, informs me like he always does.

We had been playing at the Hearts of Ace rock bar for three years now, but had only recently moved up to playing five days a week.

Saying nothing, I take another puff of my cigarette.

"Go on, take your time," Frankie mumbles in aggressive sarcasm.

"Oh I'm coming, fuck off!" I yell over my shoulder at him, and he responds by immediately closing the door. He must have sensed that today is a waiting kind of day.

I drop my cigarette on the ground, then put it out with my shoe.

After a moment, I manage to finally peel my eyes away from the sunset and turn around to approach the stage door.

When I open it, I can immediately hear the cheering of people ready for some form of entertainment. I perk up a little.

As soon as I enter the threshold, my guitar is shoved into my hands and a pair of hands push me onstage where the rest of the band is waiting. The second they see me, they begin playing our opening song as the cheers from the crowd become deafening.

I take a deep breath and begin playing and singing the lyrics to the song that inspired our band name.

"Can't stay at home, can't stay at school. Old folks say, 'You poor little fool.'
Down the streets I'm the girl next door.
I'm the fox you've been waiting for. 
Hello, daddy, hello, mom.
I'm your ch-ch-ch-cherry bomb!"

As we perform, that familiar rush of adrenaline pumps through me. Every time, I'm reminded of why I love what I do. It makes me not regret listening to Frankie when he told me to come inside.

I finish singing the first half of the song and push a hand through my hair before I play the guitar solo.

I watch my own hands diligently, the tattoo that sits next to my thumb flexing with each movement. 

The crowd roars and headbangs, a rainbow of dyed hair flipping back and forth through the air.

I finish my solo and sing again.

"Hello, daddy, hello, mom.
I'm your ch-ch-ch-cherry bomb!"

I smile and let the song take me wherever, just letting loose. This is my favorite part about performing. I can just let myself go and I'm cheered on instead of judged or ridiculed.

I look over to the band on both sides of me, nodding to them so we're all on the same page as we end the song.

"Hello world I'm your wild girl
I'm your ch-ch-ch-cherry bomb
Cherry bomb
Cherry bomb
Cherry bomb
Cherry bomb
Cherry Bomb"

I throw my hands up in the air as I finish the song, smiling to myself because I know now that it's going to be a good night.

I grab the microphone and speak to the audience.

"I'm Spencer, and we're Cherry Bomb!"

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Uh oh it seems that we have a badass on our hands...

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