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CHAPTER 2, i'm just waiting 'til you really let your guard down
— Phoebe! — Shawn said when he saw the girl entering the dressing room accompanied by Corey. — I didn't think you would come — Phoebe already knew Shawn, in fact, she knew a few members, like Sid and Jim.
— And I wasn't, but I had to bring this jerk here — she joked, touching Corey's shoulder, the car keys dangling from her index finger. — Cool masks — she pointed to some masks that sat on top of a dressing table. It was the first time she came to a band concert.
— That's Mick's, that's mine and that one of Joey's — Corey pointed out, a tall, broad-shouldered, long-haired figure walked in. — And this is Mick — Phoebe scratched behind her ear, it was apparent she was scared for the guitarist.
Of course Mick was stocky and had a scary face, but besides his looks, there was nothing to fear about him, he was super kind, he even walked over to greet Phoebe, who flinched involuntarily but held out her hand to him, who just laughed.
— Nice to meet you — he said, flashing a gentle smile.
— I thought we agreed not to bring any friends — a comment crossed the dressing room, Phoebe glanced past Mick, finding a familiar silhouette, it was Joey speaking.
— Oh, God, it's you — she was taken aback by the comment, she was visibly embarrassed and uncomfortable, everyone looked at Joey and Phoebe, not understanding why he was suddenly rude.
— Good night to you too, Joey — Corey said, walking over to a chair in front of an untidy dressing table.
— Hey... Phoebe! — Paul approached soon after, opening a friendly smile for her.
— Hi Paul! — She smiled back at him.
— Want to see the stage? — He pointed his thumb over his shoulder at a red door that would probably lead to the stage.
— Uhm... — Phoebe looked at Joey, who was watching her with raised eyebrows, crossed arms, and an unfriendly expression; and to Corey, who just nodded before starting to apply his makeup. — Sure.
She followed the bassist through the red door, through a slightly dark hallway to some stairs that led to the stage, the instruments were all positioned and adjusted, a banner with the band's logo in red was hanging just behind the drums. The bar wasn't a big deal, she had been here before, it couldn't have fit more than 100 people inside that place, but even so they sold little more tickets than that. Paul was already wearing a mask when they climbed the steps.
— Sorry about Joey... — Paul said, stopping in front of the brass drums that were used as percussion instruments, his hands resting on top of the stick Shawn used to hit them with. — He's not normally like that, you know? I don't know what fucking bug bit him.
— Oh no! All right — Phoebe waved her hands up in front of her body. — You don't need to apologize for that — she scratched the back of her head, still embarrassed by the situation. — We've hated each other since high school so... Don't worry.
— I tried to talk to him but he wouldn't listen to me. I understand it can be quite embarrassing and... — Paul stopped talking as he saw Chris walk up on stage in his long nose mask. — Hi Chris, this is Phoebe — she turned to Chris, reaching for him.
— Oh, you're Phoebe! — Chris said, holding her hand, she looked at him confused.
— Yes... It's me... But why?
— Corey and Shawn were scolding Joey for treating you badly — Phoebe looked at Paul, eyes wide and eyebrows raised. — Dude, what happened to Joey? He never treats anyone bad.
— Who knows... — Paul replied, looking at Phoebe.
(...)
Joey was pissed. Very pissed off.
So pissed off that he started jumping around the dressing room and throwing himself through the walls trying to vent his anger.
— What the hell is that? — Mick asked as he walked back into the dressing room, he had already taken off his sweaty clothes after the show and the rest of the makeup. He looked a lot less scary now.
— Joey is angry about the show — Sid replied. Phoebe was in the corner of the room, arms crossed and eyebrows raised, looking at him.
— The show was shit! A fucking trash! — He exclaimed at the top of his lungs. His gaze crossed Phoebe's before he started talking again. — If Corey hadn't been distracted by a certain someone... — He was looking straight at the girl.
Phoebe felt her blood boil.
— FORGET ME! — She uncrossed her arms and walked towards Joey, he started walking towards her too. Shawn ran to stand between the two. — Are you jealous of Corey? You can keep him, it's all yours!
— Calm down, calm down, you two! – Shawn asked. — Joey, what the fuck is this? — Clown asked, turning his back to the girl. — First you get pissed off and jump around like a... Superball! And now you say it's her fault the show is bad, what the fuck?
— He just called Joey Superball? — Chris whispered to Sid, who nodded.
— We've said a thousand times that we shouldn't bring anyone, and then Corey brings anyone and the whole fucking show gets distracted!
— I'm not your fucking mother, don't call me anyone! — Phoebe replied, legitimately offended.
— You don't— Joey started to speak until he was interrupted.
— What the fuck is going on here?" —Corey asked in a guttural scream.
— Your friend decided to make a show of jealousy on me — Phoebe said, crossing her arms.
— I'm not making a fucking jealous show, I'm just saying we shouldn't bring anyone! This show was shit and just when someone left decides to come! — Joey was trying to defend his point.
— You're only picking on me because you're mad at me, that shit happened YEARS ago! — Phoebe said, her eyes wide and her cheeks red with anger. Joey wore an unfriendly expression. — Fuck... I'll wait for you at the bar, Corey — she said before stomping out of the dressing room.
(...)
Phoebe drove silently, not even the car radio had been turned on, she was staring at the street with a scary face.
— Okay, are you going to tell me what happened in the dressing room and why you're looking down the street like you're waiting for a victim to drive the car over? — Corey asked a few minutes from the silent direction, Phoebe sighed and giggled, as if planning something.
