Arcane Guardian ↣ Avenged Sevenfold

34 ☼ separated

December 2010 - NEW YEARS EVE

A jolt like lightning hit Noelle's body fast enough that she felt her insides and outsides nearly melt before they reanimated. Suddenly, she was in a blue dress far too short for comfort with a glass of champagne in her hand, voices like glass shattering overwhelming her senses as she found herself in a club. The migraine from all the non-muffled sounds, from the colors, and the bright fluorescent lights smacked her all at once and she stumbled back into a hard body. 

"Hey! Watch where you're going, slut." A voice hissed out at her as she realized she had sloshed half her drink over herself. "Maybe have one less of whatever you're chugging." 

The second she realized it was Brian was when her heart also shattered as he gave her a look, expecting a comeback. When she didn't reply, and just looked down so she didn't have to meet his eyes, he shrugged and walked off, shaking his head. 

Her breaths became deep and labored as she freaked out, grabbing her hair and having to mentally reassure herself it was blonde and she was herself. She felt a tap on her shoulder and was turned around to the most comforting thing under the fucking sun; Matt, with a freshly shaved head. "Hey, don't take it personally. It's not a great time of the year for Bri." She nodded, pretending she knew at all what he meant. Her hand shook, barely holding up the half empty glass. He steadied her shoulder. "You alright? I know he can be a dick, but--" She grabbed him and hugged him, knowing he didn't recognize her, but not giving a fuck. And Matt, no matter what time or what person, was the same old teddy bear as always and gave the shaking stranger a bear hug back. "Hey, shh, it's alright, what's wrong?"

"Everything. Uh, sorry, what's your name?" 

"You don't know who I am?" His eyes widened. Wait, was she supposed to know him in this timeline? Can someone spell this shit out for her!? He noticed her confused expression. "It's cool, it's just weird meeting people in this scene who don't know me. Kind of refreshing actually. I'm Matt." 

She tried to smile at him, thinking of a name that wasn't Stephanie just in case Mandy took it first. "Uh, my names, well..." She looked lost in thought which definitely confused Matt. "Arden. Arden Clarke." Might as well use my real last name. 

"Well that's a pretty name Arden." He smiled. "So what brings you to a new years party of a band you don't know?" 

The blood ran from her face. "New years?" 

"2011 and all. Supposed to be a big deal or whatever."

An entire fucking year of her life was lost. "Just another year." She gritted her teeth into a smile through the pain. "Someone uh, very close to me died." She lied her ass off. 

"Yeah? Us too." Matt nodded in recognition. "It's been really hard on all of us so I can totally imagine what it's like for you."

"I'm looking for my uh, my best friend by the way, have you seen her?" She held her hand a half head above her. "About yay high, black hair, looks like your friend who I bumped into? She has a black snake tattooed on her wrist." 

"Oh, Anya?" He scrunched up his face. "That's funny actually, she's been looking for you too. Couldn't name you though. We thought she was wasted wasted so Zack has kind of been uh, talking her down." 

"Where is she. I have to see her." 

"I don't actually know, but if I see them I'll let them know you're here." Matt smiled and nodded. "Why don't you come to the bar? You're shaking like a chihuahua." He put a hand on her back. "I'll buy you a drink?"