Slipknot's Daughter

Chapter 12

After breakfast, the guys and I head out to check in with the concert manager and Slipknot's manager. Then we come back to the hotel to get ready for the interviews.
In my room, I pull on a white button-down blouse with a black jumper over it, white over-the-knee stockings, and my new black boots that Corey had gotten me, along with my suitcase. I let my hair cascade down my back and around my shoulders, then slip my mask on. I look in the mirror and wonder if I should put on some grey makeup under the eye holes.
Hmm.
I grab my makeup kit off my dresser and rummage through it. I know I had packed some black and white face makeup in it somewhere. I find them, pulling them out triumphantly.
Twisting off the caps, I pull out some Kleenex and squeeze a small blob of black and a blob of white on it. I then select a small q-tip that I had found in my makeup bag and start mixing the colors together, adding black here, a little white there, until I had created the same gray my mask was.
I look in my bag again and pull out a bag of sizeable makeup foam pads. (I couldn't remember packing all this; must have been when I was rushing.) Taking a medium-sized one, I dab it in the makeup, then spread it around my eyes, making sure to spread some farther so that the mask would cover it. I wave my hands back and forth in front of my face so that the makeup would dry. I then carefully slide my mask back on. I check my work in the mirror.
"Perfect," I murmur. I then take my brush and run it quickly through my hair. Finally ready, I head to the door and meet the others outside, all in their jumpsuits and masks. They all nod at me.
Corey said, "You look good, Col."
"SO CUTE!!" Sid squawks behind him. Someone taps my shoulder. I turn around, then jump in surprise.
Mick stands there, arms crossed, looking very fearsome in his jumpsuit and mask.
I smack him lightly. "Don't do that!" I giggle. He shrugs and drops his arms. "Everyone ready?" Chris asks, his gold mask glinting gently in the hallway light.
Everyone nods again, and Shawn reaches up and started rubbing the nose of Chris's mask.
Chris smacks his hand away and rolls his eyes. "Come on," he huffs, then grabs his nose and started rubbing it himself. I laugh and follow the others. "Dildo-nose!" Shawn yells after Chris. "You know it!" Chris hollers in return.
*15 MINUTES LATER*
We all reach several large tents where the interviews would be held. Apparently, we would be split into three groups of two and one group of three. I was with Corey. Chris and Shawn were together. Mick and Jim made the third group. Craig, Joey and Sid made the last group.
When Corey and I enter our tent, there was a small couch, a chair, and a camera crew setting up their gear. Our interviewer was talking quietly to one of the cameramen. She was pretty: curly brown hair, soft brown eyes, and a lovely, round face. She had a small build and pale skin, and was dressed in comfortable-looking jeans, a red tank top, a black headband, and black Converse. She wore a dainty watch on her right wrist, and a delicate wedding band adorned her left hand. She looked like she was in her early twenties and was very friendly. Her smile was quick and easy, and her laugh was like tinkling bells.
I liked her instantly.
She notices us and approaches, holding out a slim hand and flashing us a smile. "Hi! I'm Moria, and I'll be your interviewer today! You must be Corey and Colleen Taylor! I'm pleased to meet you!" she chirps.
Corey takes her hand and returns the smile. "Pleasure's all ours! Yes, that's us." he replies.
Moria turns to me, and I shake her hand as she says, "Just come on over here, and we'll get started! Jordan, are you ready?" She glances over at the cameramen, and receives a thumbs-up. She returns her attention to us and picks up some cards from the chair. Then she sits and motions for us to join her.
We sit, and the cameraman, Jordan, yells, "We're rolling! Go ahead, Moria." Moria grins at the camera and says, "Hey there, guys! We're back now with the frontman for Slipknot, Corey Taylor and his daughter, Colleen!"
I shyly wave at the camera and Corey smiles, flashing a peace sign.
Moria turns to Corey and asks, "So Corey, how's life having a daughter?" Corey slings an arm around my shoulders and says, "Well, Moria, Colleen isn't as much trouble as I imagined a 15-year old girl to be, but I didn't expect much out of her. She's a wonderful girl, everything I want in a daughter. Plus, the fact that she likes the music that the guys and I create helps a lot. She's a lot like us; quirky, loud, sometimes obnoxious-" at this he ruffles my hair good-naturedly, and I roll my eyes, "-but also sweet, caring, and kind.
"I adopted her, you know," Corey continues. "The reason I did was because she looked like she needed a family, and not just any family; a family that will pick her up when she's down, who will defend her when she needs it, and will be there when she needs a shoulder to cry on, or someone to listen and give advice..." He pauses. "She deserves a family like that." He squeezes my shoulder and I lean into him, smiling.
"Awww," Moria croons. "Colleen, how do you feel about that?"
I grin up at my father, my crazy, awesome, caring father, and say, "I'm really happy that Corey is my father, and that I'm with Slipknot. He's right; they do pick me up when I'm down. They do all those things and more... They drive me to school, make breakfast, give each other piggyback rides, take care of each other... We're a family, and I'm extremely happy that I'm able to call them my family. I couldn't ask for anything more."
Corey kisses the side of my head, smiling.
Moria giggles cheerfully. "Isn't she adorable?" she asks the camera. She turns back to me. "Now, Colleen, I see you have a mask and jumper on, much like the standard outfit the other band members wear. Do you have a number as well?" Moria questions.
I nod and reply, "Yes, my number is .15. I chose this number because it's the age I was when I joined Slipknot. And it's still going to be the same as I get older; I mean, it won't change to .16 next year, or anything like that."
Moria nods thoughtfully. "Interesting. I don't think there have been any decimals in the band ever, have there, Corey?" She turns to him.
"Well, no. Up until now, it's all been whole numbers, but..." Corey shrugs.
I smile along with Moria. She shuffles her cards and asks, "Is Colleen going to be performing with all of you?"
I look up at Corey's pondering face. "Well, we haven't decided on what the setlist is going to include, but..." He glances to me. "Would you like that, Col?"
I nod. "No screaming, though. I can't musically scream to save my life!" I say, giggling a little.
Corey chuckles. "All right. Just leave the screaming bits to me. Maybe you can do an acoustic one, like Vermillion Part Two," he suggests. "Yeah," I agree. "Excellent!" Moria chirps. "Colleen Taylor is going to sing for us!"
I blush, smiling.
The interview continues like that, and after a few more questions, we were finished. Moria ends it with, "And there you have it, folks, Numbers 8 and .15. Corey and Colleen Taylor, ready for action!"
Corey flips off the camera, his signature move, and I wave at the camera, smiling happily.
Corey and I exit the tent, looking around for the others. We find Mick, Joey, Craig, Sid, and Jim gathered near one of the many food carts scattered around behind the massive stage.
From the sound of it, Sid had been dared to put as many toppings on a hot dog as humanly possible, eat all of it as fast as he could, and keep it down for four minutes. He was almost finished eating it when Corey and I walk over. He shoves the last bit in his mouth and was chewing rapidly, then swallows with a grimace.
I wrinkle my nose at him; his mouth, hands, and jumpsuit were covered in various condiments. Then I see the array of stuff he had put on it: ketchup, relish, garlic, mustard, mayonnaise, potato chips, salt and pepper, horseradish, srirachi, pickles, barbecue sauce, and finally, ice cream sprinkles and coconut flakes.
I had no idea where he got these last two things, but before I could ask him, his face turns green and he bends over to throw up.
I jump back and yell, "Gross, Sid!"
Mick laughs and held up his phone. "He kept it down for five minutes!" he announces.
Sid groans and slowly stands back up, wiping his mouth. "Ugh," he mutters. "Well, that was gross."
Corey and Joey were laughing like idiots, and Chris had recorded the entire thing and was busily tweeting it.
Craig was simply standing there, sipping his coffee quietly with a little smile on his face.
I roll my eyes, then grab a few napkins and start helping Sid clean himself up.
I ask him, "What the hell were you thinking, getting yourself sick like that?" He shrugs and answers, "It was a chance to win ten bucks off of Mick. Speaking of which..." He turns around. "Mick!" he calls. "You owe me ten bucks!"
Mick shrugs, then pulls out his wallet and takes out a ten-dollar bill.
Sid grabs it, smirking, and boasts, "Told ya I could do it."
"Whatever, man," Mick mutters, turning and strolling away. Chris, Craig, Joey and Corey follow, and Sid and I tag behind, still wiping him off.