IF I WOULD, COULD YOU?

SUB POP ROCK CITY

April 10th.
Salem put on her usual outfit: bootcut pants that really elongated her already mile-long legs, her Frye boots and a really cool black biker jacket. She made it a bit special by putting on an Alice In Chains t-shirt, the one that Layne gifted her a while ago. Salem freshened up her curls. "I'll see how it goes" — she said to herself as she looked in the mirror.
Salem then headed to the kitchen to grab her car keys, got into Chris's truck and took off. She wished Chris had been with her. Everything reminded her of him: the cassettes in his car, the scent, a pair of his docs in the backseat — "he'll be home soon" — she whispered to herself.

The venue wasn't far away. Salem parked right next to Jerry's truck and went inside. She was greeted by a strong smell of smoke and alcohol and tons of people inside.
"It's gonna be one hell of a show!" — she thought. Salem rushed to the backstage area and didn't even notice how she bumped into a girl who then spilled her drink all over herself.

"Oh shit, fuck, I'm so sorry, here, let me..." — she apologized and tried to clean up the girl's now ruined t-shirt. Salem looked up at her and saw a gorgeous tall girl with a wide smile and long black locks that covered her shoulders.

"Oh no no it's nothing, no worries" — the girl answered. She might've recognized Salem from somewhere.

"Come with me, I think I have a spare t-shirt in the car" — Salem grabbed her by the hand and took the girl outside.

A few moments later, Salem was turning Chris's car inside out in hope of finding her a new outfit.

"I hope this is okay" — she handed the girl a white Red Hot Chili Peppers tee.

"Oh yes, for sure. I love this band haha" — the girl chuckled.

"I'm sorry once again" — Salem said, "there's been a lot on my mind lately, I'm a mess. My name's Salem by the way" — she smiled.

"I'm Dee!" — the girl answered. "Wait, are you Salem Cornell?" — she asked.

"Nice to meet you Dee! Not Salem Cornell yet haha..." — Salem seemed a bit shy.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Anyways, I'm here alone, my friends might show up closer to the show, wanna grab a drink later?" — Dee asked.

"For sure" — Salem smiled. "I promise not to spill it" — she laughed and waved goodbye, "meet me at the bar in 20!"

...

Backstage.
"Salem!!! You came!" — Layne greeted her as she walked in.

"Of course I did!" — she smiled and drowned in Layne's hugs.

"Hey move, she's our friend too" — Jerry said jokingly and ran over to hug her, followed by Mike and Sean, who had of course already cracked a few jokes.

"You guys are gonna kill it tonight, there's a huge crowd waiting for you" — she said. "I'd love to watch the show from backstage, but I promised someone a drink so I'm gonna head to the bar"

"Does Chris know about this?" — Mike chuckled, "having fun while he's away?" — he asked. Layne laughed and lightly elbowed him. "You idiot, you know she can't live without him" — he laughed.

"It's a girl dumbass!" — Salem raised her eyebrow. "Alright, I'm off, see you guys after the show!"

...

At the bar.
"Heyyy!" — she said and she walked up to Dee. "What are you drinking? It's on me!"

"I'll have whatever you have!" — Dee said with a smile.

"Two beers please!" — Salem said to the bartender.

"It's on the house!" — he smiled and Salem gasped. She felt like a celebrity in Seattle, suddenly everyone knew her. Not only as an artist, but mainly as Chris Cornell's girlfriend, which made her feel a bit uncomfortable at times. She gave the bartender a 5 dollar bill as a tip and handed the other beer to Dee.