It Stays As It Was Left

15.97.1998.2016

November 14, 2015

"You ready, Disco?" Taylor asked beside Dave as they faked slight smiles and posed for the crowd of cameras in front of them.

"As much as I can be," He said back as the left the premiere carpet, allowing Pat to take his place. Dave and the guys had been invited to attend the premiere and subsequent release party for Sula's new album, and even though there was still quite a lot of tension between the two bands due to their lead singer's history with each other, the guys had been very excited to support their old friends.

"Don't worry about it," Taylor said, slapping his hands against Dave's shoulders. "I'm sure they'll only make you look a little bad."

Dave laughed loudly as they entered the theatre. "As long as Camila is involved, I'm gonna look like the fucking devil."

"She hates you?"

"Yeah," Dave said, sending a smile towards the Chili Peppers that were in attendance. "She used to, at least."

Taylor nodded his head, giving Dave another slap on the shoulder before bouncing up a few steps to talk to the Chilies. Dave didn't follow, instead choosing to head over towards Becca and her now-fiance, who sent him a big grin.

"Hey!" Becca rasped, throwing out her arms for a hug. Dave squeezed her back before pulling away, shooting the woman his signature tooth-filled grin. "How are you doin', hun?"

"I'm doing great," Dave responded. "Excited to watch what you four have been up to the past year."

Becca snorted and jerked her head back, moving her crimped hair out of her face. "Yeah," She said sarcastically. "I'm sure you care about what all of us have been up to. Whatever you say, David."

Dave shrugged, knowing that Stevie would tell Becca and the girls about every time they had seen each other over the past year. That had always been the kind of person Stevie was, and it didn't bother Dave twenty years ago, so it wouldn't make sense for it to now. He turned at the gentle tap on his shoulder and was greeted by Stevie's soft smile as she waved at him.

"Hi," She said softly. "Thanks for coming tonight."

"Wouldn't miss it for the world," He said with a grin, giving her a gentle hug. Just as he began to pull away, Stevie tightened her grip around him and stood on her tip-toes to whisper up to him.

"I'm letting you know ahead of time," She said into his ear, just loud enough to break through his tinnitus. "They had us talk about Kurt a couple of times."

"I assumed they would," He whispered loudly back.

"Isabelle too."

"Well," He said, feeling a squeeze in his heart. "That's what happens when you have a name in a song."

"Also," She continued. "Courtney might be here tonight."

Dave let out a small whimper at the idea of Courtney showing up and he quickly backed away from the woman, eyebrows furrowed as he mentally steeled himself at the chance of seeing her again for the first time in a few years. "Just thought you should know," Stevie said, sending him an apologetic smile. "We're not sure she's gonna be here, but we sent her an invitation. It'd be weird not to, seeing as she's in a lot of the pictures they put in it."

"I understand," Dave said. "I just didn't expect that. I didn't know any of you four talked to her."

"We've been friends on and off," Stevie explained. "I'm sure you understand how it is."

Dave nodded in agreement, knowing exactly what she was talking about. Being friends with Courtney Love was like being friends with a cat. One minute everything is fine, but one wrong move and the claws come out. He supposed he could blame that on the years of on-and-off drug abuse, as a sober Courtney was much tamer than Courtney when she was strung out.