manage me, i'm a mess // a.g

7. "in my defence, you asked me to bite you."

~ ALEX ~

 "Hello New York!" Jack said. 

"Long time no see," I contributed. "Last year's show was amazing, can we beat it?" 

But we couldn't beat our previous gig unless Erika was there again. I mean, I was obviously excited to play in New York again, the crowd was always amazing there, but it wouldn't be the same if I didn't meet a special girl this time too. 

Or, rather, the special girl. 

"What are you thinking, Alex?" Jack asked. 

"I'm thinking let's rock this bitch!" I screamed, the crowd cheered, and we began playing Damned If I Do Ya. 

All throughout the concert, I was hoping to God that Erika and her friend would be watching us. I gave it my very best hoping she'd be there. 

As we prepared to play Therapy, I formed my speech on the spot. "This next song goes out to a very special girl I met about a year ago. I'm not sure where she is right now, but I'd really like to see her again. It also goes out to every single one of you. This song's called Therapy."

+++

"Alright boys, meet and greets are over," Rian announced. "Off to Maryland." 

"Are we flying out tonight?" Jack asked in bewilderment.

"Of course not, mongoloid," I shook my head. "Tomorrow morning." 

"Oh, right. I knew that." 

"Sure you did. Let's go pack then, shall we?"

"We shall." And we got in the car. 

The trip to our hotel was incredibly dull and boring, and full of Erika. Why hadn't she shown up? I mean, assuming she was alive, she would have come from what I read on her letter. She had to want to see me again, right? 

What about her friend, Dylan? If I somehow found him online, I would be able to ask him where she was, and see her tonight, even. But I wouldn't be able to find him, I just knew it. 

I could use a few shots right now. 

"Actually, boys, fuck packing," I expressed as we arrived at the hotel lobby. "Let's get totally fucked." 

"Ay ay, cap'n!" Jack said, and we headed for the bar. 

+++

 ~ ERIKA ~

I woke up abruptly from a restless, anticipating sleep, and checked my clock. 10:51am. 

I had thirty-nine minutes to get ready, not to mention to wake up Sleeping Beauty. I had to admit, the latter would be a lot more difficult than the former. 

I walked out of my apartment in my pyjamas, carrying only my keys, and sprinted down the street in the direction of Dylan's humble abode. 

"Get your ass up Dylan!" I yelled, knocking violently at the door. "Fred just called and he's picking you up first!" 

"Calm the fuck down Erika," Dylan yelled back at me. "I'm a man, I can get ready in no time. Plus, we're driving down, not catching a plane." 

"Well, it's eleven o'clock already, so hurry the fuck up," I huffed, turned around and started descending the stairs.

I ran back to where my building was, ate my usual peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and put on my signature airplane clothes: denim shorts, a white tank top and high-top sneakers. Today, I decided to put on a red beanie, too. In seven minutes and thirty-four seconds, Dylan and Freddie were in the latter's car, waiting for me outside my building.