The Rockstar Within Me

The Rock Star Within Me - Chapter 29

Copyright 2013

Nothing beats a good album with the right headphones. The way the guitar rhythms or the beat of the drums seem to completely engulf your body and shut down the world around you. A singer's voice can seem all encompassing and alluring, dragging you into a world unlike any other.

Or that's how I felt.

With a cup of tea in one hand and my iPod in another, my life seemed golden. Completely natural.

But like any true bliss, happiness can be cut short or 'unplugged'.

Hands came down around the cord to my headphones and yanked swiftly cutting of the hypnotizing music and awakening me from my contentment.

"Hey, wake up." A familiar voice whispered.

Although I already was awake and had just chosen to listen to my music with my eyes closed, it still felt like I was waking up from a deep slumber. My body was uncomfortable and cramped from sitting still for so long and my eyes hurt from the light pouring in from the small window that hung beside me.

On the other side of me, where my head was nestled on a warm shoulder, River sat comfortably with a tight long sleeve tshirt on, a pair of loose fitting jeans and black oversized beanie. He smiled and touched my cheek.

"You drooled."

Shocked and completely mortified, I sat up quickly and wiped my hand over my mouth.

"I did not!" I squealed, still holding my hands in front of my mouth.

River laughed at my reaction.

"Don't worry, I'm only teasing you." He replied in a hushed tone, trying not to disturb anyone else.

My heart slowed as I slumped back into my chair.

"I wasn't even asleep." I said stubbornly, pretending like I had known all along."

River eyed me suspiciously.

"I'm pretty sure, you were asleep there... for at least a couple minutes."

I scoffed at him, crossing my arms in front of my chest.

"Stop making stuff up, ya big liar."

His grin grew wider.

"I'm not lying. When you sleep you sort of...mumble to yourself..."

My eyes widened.

"I do not talk in my sleep!" I almost shouted which earned me a pointed look from an older lady sitting on the other side of the aisle and two rows up from us.

"Stop yelling or we're going to get kicked off this plane." River whispered fairly loudly at me.

The entire first class plane cabin was resting or in some sort of quiet activity. It seemed like River and I were the only ones talking which lead to the hushed voices.

River and I were on our way to the great city of Cleveland, Ohio which just so happened to be my hometown.

The tour was taking a break from American shows to hop across the pond to do a bit of promotion and a couple gigs in the UK and around Europe. We had two days to kill before we left so nearly everyone booked a ticket home to spend a couple hours with their families. Jess, Mason and Drew had already left the day before for Cleveland and I would have too except in an impulsive moment, I asked River if he'd like to come with me.

I wasn't sure if the reason behind my rash decision had anything to do with the fact that I knew River would just be going home to a big empty house or the idea of not seeing River for more than 24 hours was a terrifying idea... Either way I invited him and to my complete horror/pleasure, River said yes.