La Pantera

Ch. 48 Highway Tune

Song for Chapter: Atomic Punk by Van Halen

Another night passed, the day bringing in the next show. Stevie watched the band rehearse whilst writing lyrics down in her notebook. Ideas were coming to her in this newfound energy she'd gained the past few days. She bit her lip as she scribbled words furiously. She was excited at starting this new chapter in her life. Did it mean she'd have to possibly give up acting? Just maybe. But she needed people to see that she was just as good as any entertainer. This was her outlet. Hell the whole reason she'd allowed herself to become one was because most of her life, she'd craved any form of attention. Seeing that there was an entire group of people just like her, she had decided to be that representation for girls like her. Girls and boys who liked tattoos and had them. Girls who were not afraid of being loud. Girls who dominated the room. Girls that would fight back instead of crying. She was going to be those kids' and teenagers' safe space, the way she had craved as a child. She was passing the torch from her favorite idols to the fans now.

A loud shriek of laughter interrupted her process, causing her to jolt from surprise. "Assholes.", she sneered to herself. She looked up and was not surprised to see the band messing around. Tommy threw a drumstick at Mick while laughing, shaking his head. "What the fuck are yous doing?", Stevie called to them with a smirk. "Vince said something nasty.", Nikki cackled. Stevie waltzed over, climbing up onto the stage. "Children yous are.", she chuckled. "So, you singing with us tonight or not?", Vince asked. "You want me to?", she asked with an arched brow. "Yeah, I think it'd be a nice surprise. And you know, give you some experience on stage.", he explained, gently placing a friendly hand on her shoulder. Stevie nodded her head slowly, considering it before laughing. "Sounds good to me, thanks Vince.", she grinned lazily. She gave him a hug before looking around distractedly. "We're gonna have fire coming out of that!", Tommy pointed to a little pocket in the stage , emerging from behind her. "Yeah?! That's fun!", she cheered. She rushed over to it with him, looking in the space with a deep chuckle. "It's gonna make our show even better. Show everyone how awesome we are.", he smirked. "Well if I was a normal fan, I'd pay to come.". Stevie praised. "I got an idea....there's some time to kill before the show. How about I show you my bike?!...I know you like those. Go joy riding maybe?", Tommy rushed, his eyes lit up as he grabbed her shoulders. Stevie laughed as she shook her head. "I don't trust you to drive me, especially if the bike is a piece of shit.", she snickered. "No, you'll want to. Trust me.". He grabbed her hand and led her outside. "Where could your bike possibly be?!", she groaned, watching as he opened a truck door. There, mounted in the middle, was Tommy's Harley Davidson bike. "Here's the beauty! It's a '76 model.", he cheered.

Stevie looked shocked, actually impressed by the brand and condition it was in. It rivaled her own Harley bike she'd stolen off an unfortunate man during a cocaine high at 15. "Damn Tommy boy!", she gasped. "This shit looks awesome!", she laughed, running her hand on the side. "Wanna ride it now, or are you gonna keep being a candyass?", he teased. Stevie looked up at him quickly, giving a sneer as she sat in the seat. "Drive faggot.", she laughed. Tommy cackled as he sat in front of her. "Hold on tight, I speed like a motherfucker.", he snickered. Stevie held on tight, not caring much to ask for a helmet. He started the engine then sped down the street. Stevie screamed happily, holding on as he drove like a maniac, swerving between cars. She let out a high yowl, head thrown back as Tommy sped off onto a backroad from the city. The tall buildings merged into suburbs, the Connecticut town having an older feel to it. "I got this off a Hell's Angel!", he shouted to her. "Me and Nikki are good friends with them!" Stevie perked up when he said that, eyes lit up. "Yeah?! That's badass! I've always wanted to meet one!", she yelled back. They stopped at a red light, Tommy's hair all Stevie could see in front of her. "Wear a goddamn ponytail!", she sneered. "I can't see shit!", she wacked it out of her face angrily, making him laugh. "No baby, it's all hanging out!", he joked. "What a thrill!", she groaned.