aura

Chapter 18

"Am I able to leave yet?" I knew Gaga was super keen to get home and prepare for ArtRAVE. All of her plans to rehearse had been foiled by injuries and hospital trips. The nurse with her minty coloured hat walked over to where Gaga was lying.
"Yes, we've got the all clear and your body is completely clean of drugs. You're free to leave." Gaga exhaled slowly, relieved.
"Finally. I can get practicing." I was so pleased for her, as I knew she always wanted to work really hard. Usually she never let anything get in her way.
"Stef, just take it easy. Don't push yourself too hard." I stroked her silky blonde hair, brushing it out of her eyes. I was so worried. She seemed to be slowly deteriorating from stress and drugs. She needed to be looked after.

"Come on, sing!" I cheered Gaga on as she rehearsed Venus. Her voice was a little croaky.
"Rocket number nine, take off to the planet, to the planet, Venus!" She cleared her throat by singing the verse, stretching out her aching muscles. She was a born performer. "Aphrodite lady, seashell bikini. Garden panty, Venus!" I admired her strong will to perform. She'd always made me really emotional, and today was no exception. "I can't help the way I'm feeling. Goddess of love please take me to your leader. I can't help but keep on dancing, goddess of love, goddess of love." The strong synth beat in the background drove her forward as she approached the chorus. She flicked her soft pink hair behind her shoulder, prepping herself for an outburst of sound. "When you touch me I die, just a little inside. I wonder if this could be love, this could be love. 'Cos you're out of this world, galaxy, space and time, I wonder if this could be love, this could be lo-o-o-o-ove."

"I'm parched over here. I need a drink." Gaga collapsed on the chair, whilst Tara carefully unpinned her pink wig. Freddie walked over with a gin and tonic. Gaga put a cigarette between her teeth and chewed on it thoughtfully before lighting it. Soft plumes of smoke curled from her lips. It reminded me of the song Donatella. 'I smoke Marlboro Reds and drink champagne.' Except it was gin. Freddie handed me a gin and tonic.
"Thanks Fred." He smiled toothily. I sipped on my drink, feeling the warmth in the back of my throat. "Can I have a cigarette?" Gaga looked over at me.
"Really? That's not like you." I frowned.
"I said I'd smoke one cigarette before I die. I may as well do it now." Gaga contemplated the thought, then tossed me the box of Marlboros and a lighter.
"In the future, buy your own." She had an annoyed face but I could see the joking Gaga behind it. I put the cigarette between my teeth and lit it. Immediately I coughed it right out.
"How the hell do you smoke those things? They taste of crap." Tara giggled at me.
"You get used to it." At that moment, Taylor walked in.
"Stef, are you okay?"
"Why? I'm fine." Gaga was lying, and I knew it. "Okay, I may as well tell you..." I raised my eyebrows. "I'm pregnant."