Pennyroyal Tea [k. cobain]

twelve.

Kelsi

I was sitting outside of Bob's office, impatiently kicking my foot against the chair next to mine. I knew he was keeping me waiting on purpose. I was supposed to be getting the details and itinerary for my project with Nirvana. I had begrudgingly agreed to take the assignment. It helped that the pay was absolutely phenomenal.

The door swung open and a very pretty brunette flounced in, her long hair flowing behind her.  She took a seat across from me, but stared down at her hands in her lap, avoiding my gaze.  She shifted in her seat and crossed her slender legs which were covered in black fishnets.  She wore a black leather skirt and a very ratty cut-off t-shirt that showed her midriff.  Her makeup was dark and smudgy, but she pulled off the whole look very well. Next to her, I felt incredibly inadequate in my usual jeans and t-shirt. 

Finally, the door to Bob's office opened and Bob popped his balding head out. 

"Hi Kelsi, come on in.  Oh, excellent, Tiffany, you're here too. I'll get you both briefed on this assignment.  Have you two met?"

"We haven't," answered Tiffany.

"Tiffany, this is Kelsi Lewis, one of my very best reporters," Bob introduced us.  "And Kelsi, this is Tiffany Welsh, a fantastic new photographer we've just hired."

"It's nice to meet you," I said, shaking Tiffany's hand as she replied the same to me.

"Excellent.  Have a seat, ladies and we'll get started," Bob continued.  I took a seat inside Bob's office and Tiffany took a seat next to me. Bob took a seat at his desk opposite the two of us.

"I'm sure by now you've both heard of Nirvana." Bob looked at us both.  We nodded. "They're about to be the biggest band in the world.  The opportunity to do this piece with them couldn't have come at a better time. I trust the two of you to do excellent work on this assignment."  I nodded again.  I loved my job and I never wanted to disappoint Bob.  I just couldn't let Kurt get in the way of this.

"So I have a copy of the tour schedule." Bob handed each of us a sheet of paper.  "It begins in a week and a half. Your travel arrangements have all been made already. You will travel with the band, spending as much time with them as possible. You'll have access to everywhere they go.  It's all been arranged."

I glanced down at the paper and gulped. This was real. I was going to be going all these places—all over the world with Kurt. I could only imagine how amazing this could be if things were different—no, I couldn't let my mind go there. This was all business.

I tried to stay positive. I was going to get to travel all over the world. I was going to make a ton of money. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I tried very hard to be grateful. But Kurt Cobain kept popping into my mind.

Bob explained to us where we'd be meeting with the band to start the tour, at their record label headquarters. We spent the next half an hour talking about how to approach the project: observing candidly, asking meaningful questions, capturing important moments on camera. I had to admit this was exciting. This was going to be an amazing piece to write. I just wished I wasn't in love with the lead singer of the band.

The day of the start of the tour arrived way too quickly. I frantically bustled around my apartment, gathering things at the last minute. My gigantic suitcase was jam-packed full of my belongings. I also had a brand new present to myself: a state-of-the-art laptop I could use for the assignment. I stashed it in my briefcase and placed it next to my suitcase.

I shoveled the last of my things into my carry-on. I stopped for a moment to catch my breath. I looked around my apartment. I had cleaned everything and it looked almost perfect. Finally I checked myself out in the mirror. I dressed in comfy jeans and a t-shirt because we were going to be traveling. My long hair was tied up in a simple ponytail and I had forgone makeup.

I decided everything was good to go. Drawing in a deep breath, I picked up my briefcase and carryon, grabbed the handle of my suitcase, and wheeled it out the door, locking it behind me. I drew in a deep breath. Here we go, I thought. This is it.

My taxi rolled up to what was presumably my destination: a large high rise downtown. I gathered my belongings and paid the driver. I stared up at the building for a second before heading towards the door. There was no turning back now. Kurt was here and in moments I'd be face to face with him—with my past.