By the Light of the Moon

chapter one

     "Fucking finally man!" Lars shouts over the music blaring through the stereo system.

     "Let's get this fuckin' party started!" We all whoop and shout in response. We raise our cans of beer and take swigs and gulps- we're celebrating my graduation from high school.

     I'm a full year younger than all of the boys, so this really affects our relationship. Being eighteen, I'm the little sister, the young pup of the pack, they keep me safe and always have my back. I never feel unsafe or uneasy around them- they're my brothers, my absolute best friends.

     Now that I'm graduated, I can fully immerse myself into their world. No more excuses for missing shows, for finally starting up my own band like I've always wanted, and like the boys always tell me to do.

     There's nothing standing in my way, keeping me from crazy nights at Ruthie's Inn, from walking the streets after a Metallica show and going back to the boys' house, throwing parties and letting the night carry on just how we like.

     "Congratulations Diana," Cliff slurs his words and slings his long arm around my shoulders. His tall frame nearly crushes me as he lets all of his weight come on top of me, I laugh as the wind is knocked right out of me. I struggle out a 'thank you' as James saunters over to the rescue, slapping Cliff's shoulder blade, "You're crushin' her man!" I give a weak laugh and try to push some of his weight off of me, onto James.

     "It's alright, it's alright," I assure Cliff, all while giving James the 'help me' eyes. He cackles and takes Cliff's arm and throws it around his neck. I sigh a breath of relief, and nod at him.

     "No problem, Dee," he says lowly, and gives me a reassuring smile. I take a deep breath and take it all in. I look around at all of my friends. The music is as loud as ever, and the night is so young. Summer is here and I'm finally free. They're all here just for me, and that makes me the happiest girl ever.

     I get distracted from my moment of silent reflection by another arm around my shoulder, but this time it's not so heavy. I look to my left and it's none other than mister Mustaine himself. He only smells slightly of alcohol- he can hold his own the best out of the boys, even though eventually he drinks himself silly in the end.

     "So Diana," he begins, "how's it feel- the first night of freedom?" Dave grins, looking forward, his head still slightly bobbing to the loud music. I laugh and nod, really feeling thankful for the boys, although I could never tell them that to their faces. Way too mushy. Be that as it may- I really am on cloud nine tonight.

     "I mean what can I say? Happy as can be!" I shout over the sounds of the boys yelling and laughing, the guitars wailing through the speakers. His hand rubs my shoulder and pats it, "You're in for a hell of a ride, miss Dee."

     I shake my head at him, looking down and smiling, "Bring it on, Mustaine, you ain't seen nothin' yet!" I finish and look back toward him. He cocks an eyebrow and holds my gaze, "Oh yeah?" My face grows warm and I look back to the empty beer can in my hand, shaking my head, playing it all off.

     "Well, Diana," Dave starts, teasing, "Now you're really runnin' with the big dogs- I'm ready to see what you're made of." My heart jumps and I stifle a laugh, but of course, I'm interrupted before I have the chance to speak.

     "Oh but don't worry!" Lars sloshes over to interject, "We won't bite-" my eyes shot open and my mouth formed a wide smile, holding back more laughter "well, not hard anyway..."

     Lars howls and barks like a dog, and Dave tickles my side and howls with him. I let out a wimpy scream in protest, followed by uncontrollable laughter- they all know how much I hate getting tickled: it's their best form of sabotage. I back up frantically and bump into James, immediately feeling the laughter rumbling in his chest. He wraps an arm around my shoulder and hands me another beer, and I take it without hesitation. Cliff stumbles next to my free side and wraps his arm around my other shoulder. We all join in on the barking and howling, like a bunch of stupid, drunken mutts.