DEVILLE

Chapter Three: Shattered Dreams

(Willow's POV)

Disappointment. That's the one and only word I could use to describe today's meeting with Epitaph. Not only were we late, but they absolutely hated the demo. Said it doesn't fit the "new image" that the label is going for. We're an alternative rock band for gods sake, that's the epitome of Epitaph as a whole.

"Listen man, I know today sucked but we can't give up. I mean, do you think that Mötley Crüe gave up the first time they got rejected?" Rue says walking at a slow pace beside me out of the Epitaph building.

"Well Rue, we aren't the Crüe and the world isn't the same as it was the 1980s where rock music was in it's prime. Face it, we'll never make it." I look over to her with a defeated look in my eyes. We make our way over to the crosswalk and I hit the little button. We wait patiently for the little white man to pop up on the screen across from us.

"Willow, don't let one failed interview make you wanna close up shop. There's dozens of other labels out there foaming at the mouth for new talent. Endless possibilities, Willow!" Rue responds confidently while patting me on the shoulder.

"Yeah? When? Because this is the 3rd interview this year that we've been turned away at. We're slowly running out of options here, Rue. There's no sugarcoating that." I snap at her. She looks disheartened by my tone and before she can say anything, the light changes and we're allowed to cross.

We begin walking across, looking both ways as we do so. Los Angeles is full of people who shouldn't be driving, so it's better to be safe than sorry. When we get to the other side of the street, we begin making our way to the Sunset Strip. We gotta get that bag somehow.

"Willow, I just think you're being too pessimistic about this." Rue finally responds. Her voice was stern, but not to the point that I felt disrespected by it.

Pessimistic is my middle name, Rue. You know this or should know this by now.

"I'm being realistic. Big difference." I say coldly, while pushing my hair out of my face. It's a windy day, so there's no use because my hair will fly back into my eyes, but I'll give it my best shot. I can feel Rue's demeanor changing as the conversation moves on. Either she's starting to get it or she is getting annoyed by my willingness to give up.

"Yeah, well fuck being realistic. Now we're gonna be delusional. Which means no giving up. Point blank period." she responds while looking at me with a grin.

Ugh this girl never gives up. I don't know if it's honorable or well... delusional.

"Listen enough about that. We still have to play for cash later on tonight on the strip... You in?" I ask as we round the corner, passing the bar we were in less than 24 hours ago.

"Well..." Rue says smiling shyly and in a nervous tone that's high pitched and will continue to be until the truth is fully out.

Oh no not that voice.

"Well what, Rue?..." I ask annoyed while keeping my eyes on where I was walking. Rue bites her bottom lip and rubs her head nervously.

"Well... I was wondering if... maybe..."

"Could maybe WHAT?" I say as I grow more and more frustrated. I grab her by the arm, stopping us in the middle of a sea of people, not caring who I upset and looked her dead in the eye. She tries desperately to avoid eye contact.

Why do I get the feeling this is going to be about-

"I was wondering if I could skip out on it and hangout with Aiden instead..." she answers before I could even finish my thoughts.

I just knew he was gonna be trouble. She's gonna be too distracted this can't happen. Not now.

I look at her with a blank face as she smiled sheepishly at me.

"Oh please please please, Willow! I promise I'll go out with you tomorrow. I just really like him and he's just SO cute." she pleads. She even adds a touch of puppy dog eyes.

Not the puppy dog eyes. She has used them on me since we met and they've worked ever since.

"Oh god not the puppy face, Rue. Have some dignity." I groan trying to look away but she keeps appearing in my vision by jumping all around me. It makes me laugh which makes her burst out into laughter.

"Oh my god fine." I blurt out to stop her frantic movement. "But if he gets in the way of our music, he's gone. You hear me?" I say sternly, holding eye contact with her. She nods erratically as if she had the neck of a bobble head.

She's so lucky I love her.

I laugh a bit and she smiles at me excitedly.

"I mean it, Rue." I say trying to have a stern tone but failing miserably. I can't stop laughing for the life of me she's just so damn adorable. I can never tell her no.

"Thank you so much I promise I won't let you down!" she responds as she hugs me tightly and kisses me on the cheek. Before I knew it she was running down the strip and getting lost within the crowd of people.

"I love you, Willow! I owe you one!" she screamed back at me, making her way through the crowd before disappearing from my line of sight all together.

I know you do.

Fantastic. Now what am I gonna do? She's the Aly to my AJ, the Johnny to my June, the Tommy to my Nikki. I play okay and make decent money without her, but a much smaller amount than I do with her. This is gonna suck.

I groan loudly and throw my head back for a moment throwing myself a pity party. Today absolutely blows. First Epitaph and now I have to play alone? Fucking lame.

After my little tantrum, I make my way down the strip to the spot I always play at. The tourist hot spot.

This is gonna be fun... Not.