Keep on Keeping on BOOK ONE

Chapter 1

My name is Maddie, and I am 26 years old. I work at a record label called Fueled by Ramen. I work with bands, normally doing their admin and things. Lately, I have been thinking about wanting to change my role up a bit.
I am an only child, and my parents live on the east coast, which is where I am originally from. I did college and interviewed for a few places. I got the job at the label 4 years ago and then transferred out to LA. My job is easy, and I love meeting the bands. I tend to deal with new sign ups mainly. Get them out on the circuit, booking promotional tv appearances and live plays at venues.
I felt like I needed a change, so I approached my boss, and she said she could see what she could do. I was keeping on with my job and hoped for a new role at the label.

A month later, my boss called me into her office and said that there was a role opening up to be the personal assistant for Panic! At The Disco. I had to sit down. This was like a dream job. My duties would be basically what I am doing now but on the road, in the studio, wherever I was needed, basically. I said yes, and I was handed my new contract and information pack of what was expected from me. I would start the following Monday, so I had time to hand off my bands to someone else. I gave them to my work colleague Billie-Jo. She was grateful as her bands had been quiet lately.
I got home after a fairly easy day. I called my best friend Lauren. I told her what happened at work.
"Panic at the disco!!! Are you freaking kidding me?" She said. She was a die-hard fan. I could tell she was absolutely fangirling right now.
"I have to go and meet the band tomorrow if you want to come with me." There was silence at the other end for quite a while.
"Lauren? Are you there?"
"Yea yea. I think I just peed my pants, " Lauren said, and we both burst out laughing.

The following day, I picked Lauren up, and we drove to a hotel in downtown LA. I pulled into the parking lot, and we both got out. We walked towards the hotel. I approached reception and asked where I would find the band. I was directed to a conference room. I knocked, and I waited for permission to enter.
Somebody came and opened the door. It was Dan, the drummer.
"Hi, you must be Maddie." He said, putting his hand out.
"Yes, that's right. Pleased to meet you, Dan." I said as I shook his hand.
"Likewise." Dan said and opened the door further so we could both come in. As we walked in, the rest of the band sat at the table. They all got up and introduced themselves. We all shook hands. Lauren was quiet. I looked at her to make sure she was OK.
We went over the expectations of myself and what mine were from the band members. As we discussed things, I could feel a pair of eyes burning into me. I was chatting away to Nicole and Mike. Lauren was talking to Dan.
"Is that OK, Brendon?" I asked, turning towards him.
"Huh? Oh yea, sure." I honestly don't think he heard a word of what I said. I wrote a few notes down. I handed my work phone number out and personal for absolute emergencies. Like life or death emergencies. Not needing ice cream at 3am. Also about my duties and what I was and wasn't willing to do.
Everyone agreed, and I was happy that our first meeting had gone well. I stood up to leave and said that I would see them all on Monday. Lauren shook their hands, and she seemed to hover around Dan, who was looking at her.
"Bye, Dan." Lauren said softly.
"Bye Lauren." Dan said.
We both left and went out to my car. Lauren exhaled and smiled.
"That was amazing." She said.
"Yea, they seem like a pretty cool band." I said and started the car.
As I left the parking lot, I saw the band emerge from the hotel. As we passed, I beeped my horn and waved. They all waved back apart from Brendon. I shrugged it off and enjoyed the afternoon LA sun, with my sunroof open and windows down, wind flying through my long brown hair. I had green eyes and a curvy figure.
I loved Taylor Swift and the ballet, especially Swan Lake. It was my favourite. I loved a good book, and painting helped me have an outlet for my emotions.
Lauren and I had been best friends since kindergarten. We even went to the same college. Different degrees. Lauren's a total computer wizz. She's so good with technology. She works at a data collection company as their IT person. She's stopped them from being hacked quite a number of times. Her boyfriend Gérard is also at the same company. He actually collects the data.
I have a boyfriend too. His name is Patrick Stump. Nah, I'm just messing with you. His name is Patrick, and I do know Patrick Stump, though, because you know, my job. I call him Trick, so I know who I am talking about.
Patrick and I have been together for 3 years now. He keeps hinting at moving in together and marriage. I think he just wants me tied to the kitchen sink barefoot and pregnant. I do want kids, just not for a long time. I love Patrick, but he seems to think that I shouldn't be doing the job I am doing. He thinks it's beneath my intelligence. I love my job, and I think that's what pisses him off. He hates his. He is a property lawyer. It was expected of him to be one as his father and grandfather are both lawyers.
We met at a bands live performance that I had been doing promotion for. Twenty-one pilots they are called. Patrick said that he knew it was love at first sight with him. I don't believe in that personally. Meh, each to their own. We had a date, and he was a gentleman. I agreed to another date, and the rest is history.
We got back to my place, and Patrick was waiting outside. I hadn't told him about my new role yet. Lauren got out of the car and went to unlock the front door. She greeted Patrick as she walked past him. Patrick had his arms around me and kissed me hello.
"How are you, Maddison?" He asked me. He never called me Maddie like everyone else, parents included, called me.
"Yea, I am good, Patrick. How's your day been?"
"Long." Patrick sighed. I kissed his cheek, and we walked into my house arm in arm.
So now you have a fair idea of who I am.