The Leading Man (Multiband Fan Fic)

Chapter 49 - First Red Carpet

Katie's P.O.V

"I'm surprised shopping went so well. You've always hated shopping." Dylan smiled at me.
"Yeah, but I didn't buy anything. I'm wearing what Eddie suggested." I grinned.
Fuck shopping. I hated it!

We were all in the back of a limo, minus Vinnie, and Naomi, who were in a separate ride. Not intentionally. Just not enough room.
Gotta admit, I did kinda love it. The original members all arriving together.

Aerosmith were also performing tonight, arriving in their own style.
The Gov was with Vinnie and Naomi, and it was looking like we were the first ones to arrive.

The limo pulled in, cameras were flashing, you could hear the screams from inside the limo.
The carpet was rolled out.
"OK... Just smile, answer any questions we get asked, and the up most important... Breathe." I told the guys.
They all nodded, before a man approached the limo, opening our door.

Vikki climbed out first, followed by Dylan.
"JANIE'S GUN!" The screams grew louder.
Next was Maria, then Eddie, then me and Ezra, before Sherrie followed behind us.
"Where's Stevie?" I asked her, raising my voice over the noise.
"He's coming." She smiled, before the sun roof opened and Stevie climbed out, the crowd cheering.
"STEVIE, I LOVE YOU!" A girl screamed.
"Let's go!" Dylan laughed.
Stevie jumped off the limo, before it drove away, and the second limo pulled out. Naomi, Vince and the Gov inside.

We greeted Vinnie, before Ezra took my right hand, and we followed the carpet.
We all looked great!
We stopped for pictures, all had the biggest smiles, and we caught up with Aerosmith.

"Yeah! Thanks for not telling me you left!" I looked at Joe and Billie.
"You were in the shower!" Billie laughed, swatting my arm, jokingly.
"Yeah, but we're the best live band!" Dylan laughed, putting an arm around me, Stevie on my left, then Eddie and Vin.
"We'll see about that!" Joe challenged him.
"Janie's Gun!" A guy called out to us.
He stood with a mic and cameraman.
"Interview. No swearing!" Joe warned us.
We smiled, walking over to him.
"Guys, you're all looking amazing. I'm Jamie King, no relation to Stevie, unfortunately!" The guy smiled at us. He was tall, with spiked brown hair.
We all laughed.
"How are you guys feeling tonight?" He passed the mic to Dylan first.
"Great! I'm really excited. This is our first red carpet..." Dylan smiled at us four.
"HI, MUM!" Stevie gave a toothy grin, waving to the camera.
"What's up, New York?!" Eddie cheered, standing at the back of our huddle.

Jamie laughed. "You've just been around the world, seen so many places. Think you're going to win tonight?"
"Win or lose, it won't be stopping us from doing what we do." I took the mic.
"Yeah, I still actually feel like I'm just jamming with my best friends." Eddie smiled.
"Vince! How are you feeling?" Jamie asked.
All eyes on Vin.
"I'm feelin' great! I'm looking forward to tonight, and like Monroe says, win or lose... I'm just happy to of gotten a mention, never mind the fact we're nominees." He smiled brightly.
"And any messages for anyone trying to make it?" Jamie looked to us all.
"Jus' do thah thing you do!" Stevie smiled.
"Yeah... I can't put it any better." I agreed with my cousin.
The guys all nodding.
"Amazing! Good luck tonight! We're all routing for you." Jamie closed the interview.
"See ya's!" I smiled, before looking for Ezra.
He was talking to Billie, while Aerosmith were getting some shots done.
"Hey." I smiled, grabbing his arm.
"Hey! This is the craziest place I've ever been!" He smiled.
"Me too!" I laughed.

"Monroe, don't look now, but... Look now." Gov nodded further up the line.
"Def Leppard!" I staggered back, having to cover my mouth.
"Now, you're in the big leagues!" Gov smiled at me, holding my upper arms.
"Def Leppard are here! You've seen them!" Maria came over to me, thinking she was the first to tell me.
I nodded, almost crying, seeing them getting pictures done.
"Ahhhh!" I tried to control myself.
Maria, Gov and Ezra all laughing.

. . .

In a line, following a steward, we were led to a table, that would be ours for the night.
Aerosmith were on the other side of the room from us, but we didn't care.
I sat on Ezra's left, with Stevie next to me, then Sherrie, then Eddie, Maria, Dylan, Vikki, Naomi, Vinnie, and Ezra.

"This is the biggest thing I've ever attended!" Eddie smiled at us.
"Kids!" Gov ran over to us.
He wore his spotted black shirt, with black jeans, and a matching spotted scarf around his head.
"Feel free to go socialize, but not while the hosts are on stage. Luckily none of you were asked to give an award. A steward will come for you, ten minutes before you're due to perform. Remember! 'Nothin' But A Good Time'. Best live band will be announced after you guys play! I'll be sat two tables in front of you, with Peter, Alec, and a few others from the label. Stay calm, and if you panic... Only play for me and Alec." He assured us, standing between Vinnie and Naomi, pointing out his table, where Alec waved over to us.
"Yeah, OK..." We all nodded.
"You'll be asked to stay backstage, as they announce best live band, as to not drag you back and forth, should you guys win... Fuck, I hope you guys do..." Gov smiled at us.
"Gov! Thanks for everything." Dylan smiled.
"Thank you." Gov looked at each of us five.

. . .

"... and next to preform tonight, the most energetic live band, we've seen, since the 1980s!" The crowd screamed.
The hosts were a pop duo. I didn't get their names, as I've no interest in them.
We were given the go, to walk out onto the stage.
"Ohana." Dylan smiled, before we took to our places.
"Ohana." I whispered, nodding. My headset mic wasn't on yet.
"Yes, these rockers know how to rock!"
"And roll!"
The crowd laughed.
"Ladies and gentlemen, performing their hit 'Nothin' But a Good Time'... Let's hear it for Janie's Gun!"
My headset turned on. The fans screamed. I screamed.
"Rock and Roll!" I raised my first, pyros going off, before I went into the song, hearing fans screaming it back.

. . .

Stevie threw some sticks into the crowed. I saw Myles Kennedy catch one, cheering for us, and himself.
I threw my plectrum, no idea where it went, not caring either. I was in the moment.
We lined up, Me, Stevie, Vinnie, Eddie, and then Dylan.
We took a bow, the lights on our side of the stage went out, my mic switched off. Our part of the show was complete.

"Aren't they incredible?!" The female host smiled, clapping her hands.
"They sure are!" The man laughed.
We did the tornado, where I roll under the neck of Eddie's bass, while Dylan jumps over, not having much room to do any more of our moves.
The crowd settled down, we all shared a group hug, before being told to wait backstage.
"... Now, the next award goes out to the best live band." The crowd cheered.
"And the nominees are..."
As they named the bands, on the screen behind them played a snippet of said band playing live.
"Aerosmith!" The crowd cheered.
"Iron Maiden!" Screams.
"AC/DC!" Screams and raised fists from Eddie.
"Janie's Gun!" Lots of screams.
I looked out to the crowd, from a gap in the curtain. They loved us...
"Bon Jovi!" Proper screaming.

We all looked to each other.
"No matter what!" Dylan assured us.
"Ohana." Vinnie smiled.
"Ohana!" Eddie nodded.
"Ohana!" Stevie and I smiled.
"Ohana!" Dylan grinned.

"And the winner is..."