How Not To Be A Groupie

Chapter Thirty Nine: Now and Then

Seeing a woman run across the street in naught but a bathrobe was not on anyone's Bingo card that morning. 

Stelle led me back to our hotel in record pace, hardly stopping for the speeding cars. On the way there I couldn't help but notice all the Christmas decorations the shops were putting in their display windows. Tinsel and gold and silver balls hanging from enormous green trees. Lampposts were bedecked with wreaths and wrapping paper was on sale. A summery Christmas was certainly nothing I was used to. 

In the lobby of the hotel a woman stopped us. It was Trouble. She looked different. She had gotten a haircut and had a more simple makeup look. Stelle looked peeved at being intercepted but let go of my hand. "Can I talk to you for a minute?" 

Grateful to catch my breath I nodded. "Sure." I looked back at Stelle who crossed her arms and sighed. Trouble led me to an empty corner of the lobby. She looked around, making sure no passing people overheard us. Stelle paced and grabbed a muffin from an unattended basket on the front desk. "What is it?"

"I....thought about what you said," she sighed. "About the group not really being my friends." I could see hurt in her expression. "You were right."

"Did something happen?" I didn't mean to pry. She shook her head.

"No, but...you know how it is." I nodded, making sure my robe was closed all the way. Trouble looked down at my getup and raised an eyebrow. "What's up with you?"

"Nothing," I lied. "I was staying over at a friend's place and was in a hurry to get back." I looked back at Stelle who was getting crumbs all over my set of clothes. Beside the muffin basket was a snow globe and a Santa statue. In fact, the whole hotel lobby seemed to transform overnight. Wreaths and garlands and a huge tree with lights and ornaments decorated the place. It really felt out of place with how warm it was outside. I didn't think I'd ever get used to it. "So...you're not a Glamour Girl anymore?"

"I guess not," she said. "Don't get me wrong, I'm still a groupie. But...." I noticed a sparkle in her eye as she spoke. Like she had something up her sleeve. "I think I'm going to do this alone. With a new name."

"Oh?" I said. 

"Yeah....and I might take your advice," she said. "About just...being friends with the bands." I smiled. She shrugged. "Maybe they'll like it better, who knows?" 

"What matters is that you like it better," I said. "I hope it goes well for you." Trouble straightened up and nodded, giving me a small smile. 

"I think it will," she said. "Ever since leaving the group I've had a bit more confidence in myself."

"That's good!" I said. I turned around to see Stelle eating the entire basket of muffins out of stress. "I should probably go. What's the new name?"

"Oh....I suppose I'll go with Candy," she said. "Nickname for Candace."

"I like it," I said. "Much better than the ones I came up with." Holding the basket of muffins in her hand and one in her mouth, Stelle came up to us and tapped me on the shoulder. 

"Mmmmph mm mmmmph," she said. 

"I remember you," Candy said. "You're the band's photographer, right?" Stelle nodded and took another bite. "I hope to see some of those photos in the magazines. Well....guess I gotta get going. Start my new groupie adventure. Nice seeing you both again."

"Bye, Candy!" I called as she walked out the hotel doors. "Good luck."

Stelle swallowed her muffin and grabbed my hand, balancing the basket and my clothes with her other arm. "Come on, you need to hear this."