stories from the city; damon albarn

15-

While understanding that Chloe wanted to leave, Joan wanted to go catch up with Sting, as well as say hello to Elton John, who she had somehow missed when they entered the building. This left Chloe to her own devices, fidgeting with her camera.

Oasis had appeared to have already left, deciding on partying with their actual posse instead of whoever was actually at this afterparty. Which really seemed like some bands and their management.

Blur being one of these groups.

While Alex looked as happy as ever, and Graham and Dave were relatively the same, Damon looked especially distraught, staring more at his drink than consuming its content.

The frontman was bothered.

His band had just swept the Brit awards, winning four of the events most prestigious events.

He should've been happy and jumping for joy.

Instead, he was angry.

His girlfriend was angry with him and was probably packing his stuff into a box at the moment.

On the flip side of things, his roommate, or rather his fling, was also angry at him for how he'd been treating people and how she was starting to turn into his second choice.

And then, his band had managed to piss off both Chloe and Joan Erlich, much more than he would've preferred.

And so, he decided to get to the bottom of that issue, figuring that he might able to sleep with at least one of them, or find some girl that was willing to put him in a better mood.

He was Damon Albarn after all.

So, he decided on the latter, because after seeing Joan Erlich shoot him a glare while talking with Elton John, he decided on going with the lesser evil.

Approaching his manager, he taps him on the shoulder, whispering something minuscule in his ear.

And off his manager went, right to the bands hired security, who in response went to the barricade outside the venue, searching for anyone that would fit the description he'd grown fond off.

Which was honestly anyone that somewhat resembled Justine or Avery.

If he couldn't have either of them at the moment he'd settle for the next best thing.

Sure, it was gross. But he was upset.

He was in the fucking dumps.

But, shagging someone who would not only boost his ego, but listen to every word he said would fill him up, fix the void he'd created out of his own mistakes.

Doing what he was used to, Damon walked off to his dressing room, sitting down in his chair and relaxing, staring at himself in the mirror calmly, trying to make himself feel more pleased with his reflection, or perhaps himself in general.

That was when he heard a knock at the door.

"Come in." He hollers, expecting some lookup to waltz in, ready to learn everything about the boy in front of her, possibly armed with a book containing her vivid writings or collections related to him.

Instead he saw Chloe Erlich in his mirror.

"You're disgusting." She says slowly.

"How so?"

"I know what you're doing. Alex told me. And I saw your bodyguard out there."

"So what? I'm just trying to help myself."

She scoffs. "Your whole band plays dirty."

Damon closes his eyes for a moment and leans back in his seat, staring at the ceiling, not really feeling up to this argument. "What do you know about us? Blur? Or anything?"

"I know that Alex is a sleaze bag. He probably sleeps with your teenage fans. Uses his influence on them."

"I know that Graham probably encourages it. Or does the same thing. He's not oblivious to your behavior."

"And well, I'm actually starting to believe Dave has a spine."

He sits quietly.

"What do I do?" He finally asks, no grin or anything, just wanting a plain answer

"You're a cheater. A flirt. You string people on. You're waiting for some poor girl to get sent up here so she can fulfill whatever fantasy you want."

"I'm a flirt. I'm a cheater. I like to fuck. That's all." He says numbly.

"Why are you okay with that?" She says exasperatedly. "Why?"

"Because I have people who love and tolerate me. What about you?"

Damon just sounded like he was on his last leg. He grunts a little bit and stares at Chloe through the mirror, looking at her dress pants a little intensely, fixating on the stitches around the pockets.

"I need my lighter." She finally says "That's all. And then I'll leave you all alone."

"You're still on about that?"

"I've tried calling, mail, acquaintances. Everything."

"It's a lighter."

"One that I need."

A knock on the door happens.

"Come in." Damon says softly, watching as a short girl with reddish brown hair slides in the door, her eye makeup is big and bold and defined her features well.

Damon sighs, pulling out a slip of paper and scrawling something down before handing it to Chloe.

"Talk later."

Chloe shoves it in her pocket and scowls "is that seriously all? You're just going to give me a piece of paper and say shove off?"

He purses his lips. "I don't think you want to stay and participate. Or watch- based off what Graham was telling me. So run along.." he motions to the door

The girl who entered looked giddy, unsure of what was happening between the two, but beyond excited to just be in the room.

Chloe turns to the girl "I'll give you $500 if you leave the room. Don't waste your time slumming with him."

The girls eyes widen and she seems swayed to take the offer.

Damon turns over and says "If you stay, I'll put you on the list for our upcoming shows. Whatever date you want.."

"For fucks sake!" Chloe says angrily "1,000"

"1000 isn't even close to what I'm offering here sweets." Damon says, biting on his thumb a little bit. "Chloe here is a bit jealous. That's all."

"Jealous of what?" Chloe exclaims

He shrugs "I don't know. But you're the one who keeps coming back here, even though you hate us and all."

The girl chimes in "I don't think I could ever hate you lot. I've been buying your records since 91."

Damon grins, looking at Chloe pleased. "Oh! We've got a real fan among us. Chloe darling, I know you've got your little photos to take, so why don't you hop along? Give us some alone time here...Besides you have my direct line, if you want to work something out, all you need to do is call."

Fuming, Chloe left the room, deciding that whatever the fuck was about to go down was something she didn't want to witness and besides, she had gotten one step closer to solving her problem.