You're One In A Million, Babe. (Guns n' Roses / Duff Mckagan story)

Chapter 7 - Beating Hearts & Birthday Bashes

KAYLA'S POV (the dress in the picture is the one Kayla is wearing to dinner :-) )
{NOVEMBER 7TH, 1988}

I awoke, frightened, sweat trickling down my forehead. Another nightmare, again.
Recently, I've experienced multiple incubuses. No, not like the ones you used to get of monsters under your bed when you were 8, these, were real.
I've dreamt of Duff countless times. & sadly, these 'dreams' had become part of my nightly routine.

I didn't want to lose Duff, & I knew that I wouldn't.
But these dreams were so vivid, like as if they were attempting to tell me that they would come true, & haunt me.

"Baby, are you okay?" The blankets shifted into an uneven fixture & Duff shot up, comforting me forthwith.
His eyes were soft, & forgiving in the pale moonlight. Every night was the same old ball & chain.
"The nightmares, again?" He asked.

I nodded my head & nestled it into his arms.

He rubbed his weary eyes & held me.
"Kayla, I promise. I'm not going to leave you. We've been through this. I promise." His words were tender, but danced off of his tongue & into my heart.

& you see, that's the thing about relationships. You completely & willingly let someone into your life, trusting them when they say they won't abandon you. You allow them to get so close with you, & all your flaws, insecurities & vulnerabilities. They can make you feel like the most important person in the world. You're cared for, deeply. It feels fucking amazing to know that someone in the world out there, thinks so highly of you, they're able to push past your faults so they can truly just love you, for you. They'll do anything in their power to make you feel loved & special. Like you mean something. & there's always going to be that one person..until there just isn't anymore. Which I was thankful for, since I'm aware I've found mine..
•••

The rest of the day pulled along sluggishly & uneventful. Despite my mixed emotions from the nightmares earlier, I decided to lighten my mood. After all, my birthday was tomorrow, which was beneficial to know, it calmed my ongoing migraine.
I needed something to settle my mind, something content that would bring nurture.

Now, that nurture would be finding some food. My stomach sounded like a ravenous coyote, who is plotting to kill it's prey from a distance. Duff, the guys, Mariah & I decided to go out for dinner at 'Canter's Restaurant.' Marc Canter was a good friend/photographer of the band, & he'd constantly give us discounts on the food, which was pretty superb, considering the shortage of cash we'd been receiving.

Twas a normal occasion that Mariah & I got ready simultaneously. Now that she had Izzy, & I had Duff, we had reasons to spend 4 hours in hair & makeup. Ya gotta look good for your man, ya feel?

"How does this look?" Mariah stepped out from the bathroom, twirling clockwise. She had a deep purple dress, which draped perfectly around her gaunt body, & black stilettos. Not to mention, her hair was perfectly curled into loose spirals. She was aware she looked good, & so was I.

"Ri, you look stunning, as usual."
Mariah had this magnetic vibe about her, she always has, similar to a rockstar or something.
I on the other hand, settled for something not as revealing, & less complicated.

An auburn fit and flare dress caressed my body nicely. It was long sleeved, & really displayed my collar bones adequately. Throwing on a pair of black & white converse tied together my entire look. (Yes, I'm totally aware that I wear this outfit so often, but I look like a total dime in it, so why not?)