It Ain't Like That (a Layne Staley fanfic)

Chapter 17 - Closedown

Song: Anthem by Leonard Cohen

The time had come to return to Bakersfield. The only thing that motivated me to wake up at two a.m. for my redeye to L.A. was the love Layne said he felt for me. I still felt guilty over the whole Jerry thing, but I had no time to dwell on it at the present moment. I'd said bye to the guys the night before, hence my attempt to sneak out at two thirty in the morning unnoticed. I was unsuccessful as I heard the creak of a door being opened.

"Athene?" I heard Layne's refreshingly familiar morning voice. I turned to look at him and suppressed a giggle when my eyes fell upon his hair.

"Why're you leaving so soon?" He asked, walking up to me.

"I've been here for a week!" I chuckled and added, "But I'll miss you, love. I will."

"I love it when you call me love." He laughed lightly as he meandered his way behind me, his arms snaking around my waist. I turned my head towards his and kissed him. I then turned to fully face him, his arms still on my waist and pulling me closer. We kissed some more until I pulled back and sighed.

"How're we gonna make this work?" I asked frantically as I realized I wasn't just temporarily going back to California--I lived there.

"Uh--I...I dunno."

"Wait, when are you guys gonna start recording the new album?" I asked hopefully.

"In three months." Layne replied.

"Well," I said, exhaling as I tried to sound nonchalant, "Give me a call when you're in L.A. Or, if you find yourself in a new relationship, just call me and let me know." I noticed my hands shaking as they clutched each other across his upper back--why couldn't I ever successfully play it cool?

"Athene, if I'm in a relationship with a different girl after meeting you, please knock some sense into me." He stated, melting my heart in the process.

I still hated flying. I got the same anxiety before the flight and the same panic on the flight whilst even the tiniest amount of turbulence occurred. When we finally landed, I sighed in relief and got up. The LAX airport greeted me like a friend you settle for seeing when another isn't available. However, I was thankful to finally be out of the cold Seattle air and back into the mid-70s summer weather. I got into the car that I left in the lot at the airport and put the keys in the ignition. I drove back to my house and got settled in. I got a ticket to Child's Play 3 and thought it was okay. I had begun to assemble a few gowns that I designed for an upcoming intern-designed fashion show--two floor length gowns, one composed primarily of satin and with long sleeves and the other of cotton with a tulle petticoat. The final one--my favorite one, was inspired by Washington. It featured washed-out blue colors and had a large skirt and train. It had protruding shoulder pads reminiscent of the shape of the edges of an umbrella (but tasteful, I assure you).

My telephone rang. I was startled as I had temporarily forgotten about my real life. I guess being out-of-state is kinda like living in a fantasy world for a moment.

"Athene! What's up, bitch?" Ria exclaimed. I could hear the excitement in her voice.

"Hey!" I said, anticipating her upcoming questions.

"How was the trip?"

"Wonderful. Layne's so nice." I said dreamily. Ria laughed.

"Okay, Juliette. So...did you guys get down to it, or...?" My face flushed.

"U-uh...I..."

"Oh yeah, you definitely did. Now, I need to know--anyone in the band that I'd be interested in?" She asked.

"I think you'd like Jerry." I said with a smile, which faltered as the kiss we shared flashed across my mind.

"Huh. Well, I don't like that name so he better be hot." I laughed and then gave her the Seattle details. Ria said that after hearing about my experience, she'd have to make the cloud-covered city her next destination.

"Well, I'll give you the guys' address so you can 'accidentally' run into Jerry." I joked. She chuckled and we said our goodbyes. I made a mental note of making plans with her soon.

"Oh, god..." I sighed and buried my face in a throw pillow after remembering I had work the next day. Ugh. I had to deal with Yasmin's intense attitude. It was eight o'clock and I figured I'd better start getting ready for bed and unwinding if I wanted to be prepared for tomorrow.

"Good morning. How did the trip go? Show me the designs you came up with. You have all four, I hope?" Yasmin, the designer I worked under, definitely did not care about how my trip went. I pulled my manila folder out of my briefcase and placed it on her desk.

"Ooh, very good. Not a big fan of the third one, but the rest are gold! I'd say that for the third dress, hold off on using a black ribbon on the bodice and maybe go for a red instead. You know, to add contrast." I nodded and went to Alexandria, who specialized in fabrics and colors and things to figure out what shade of red I wanted to use. I always wanted to know more about Yasmin, as she was very private. All I knew was that she liked the color green. I, on the other hand, always overshared every detail of my life with people that I'd only known for, like, three months.

"Hey, Alex!" I called as she looked over her shoulder.

"Wait...who are you again? I tend to forget everyone that doesn't get in touch with me for over a week." She quipped. I rolled my eyes.

"I have a life, you know."

"Yeah, yeah. So, you a groupie or a wife now?" I really ought to stop telling my friends about my love interests.

"I actually got my proctologist's degree from UW. Now, what red should I use for this ribbon?" I pulled out my sketch and pointed to the one that wrapped around the lower part of the bodice of my dress. The rest of the day proceeded pleasantly and I ended up getting home at around 8:00. Later, upon getting ready for and settling into bed, I made the dreamscape my destination and chose a late night toke as my transportation.