Family Values

Chapter 6

~TWO DAYS LATER~
It's the day that I leave for Ivan Moody's studio.
My day begins with me rushing around my room, triple-checking that I had packed everything I needed- enough clothes, makeup, shoes, hair care items, toiletries- before actually getting dressed and coming down to breakfast. Chris and Sid had prepared a little going-away party with waffles, ham and fresh fruit.
But no matter how big everyone smiled, there was still a lingering sadness. Corey wouldn't leave my side, and everyone kept hugging me or trying to make me laugh.
Breakfast seemed to take forever because everyone ate very slowly, myself included. I didn't want this morning to end. I didn't want to leave everyone.
But I recall something Corey had told me last night when he tucked me in: "Opportunity is knocking at your door, baby girl. You can choose to have an open mind and let it in, or tell it to fuck off and slam the door in its face. The outcome is up to you."
I had decided to have an open mind, much to the group's distaste. However, I felt like this could actually help me with my singing. Joining 5FDP could expand my range so that I could come back and sing harder Slipknot songs.
But in doing so, that meant I had to leave my family for two weeks, and honestly, I was scared. I had never been away from my family before.
So when the time to leave finally arrived, I stall, making sure I had everything for the fourth time and giving everyone one last hug.
Mick whispers, "Make us proud. Be safe." when I hug him.
Sid was silently crying, and it takes him a while before he could let me go.
Shawn lightly kisses my forehead, then taps my bracelet. "Remember, you're part of Slipknot. Don't let that Moody guy make you do something you don't want to."
I nod.
He then tucks a strand of my hair behind my hair, then lets me go with a sad smile.
Tears were in my eyes, but I quickly swipe them away before walking out to the car with Corey and Chris. As Corey sets my things in the trunk, Chris helps me into the car. Then he takes his seat in the passenger side. Corey slides into the driver's side, starts the car, and pulls out. We start down the road on our half-hour trip to Mr. Moody's studio.
~HALF AN HOUR LATER~
When we reach the studio, I quietly gasp in surprise. It looked very modern and up-to-date. I was willing to bet that there would be state of the art technology in there to assist 5FDP in creating their music.
Right next door was an equally modernized house. On the porch was a tall man dressed in a black muscle shirt with "Knucklehead" printed on it, tan cargo shorts, high-top sneakers and a small scowl.
I wince a little, mentally wishing that this wasn't the famed Ivan Moody.
The door opens as we get out of the car. Out steps a shorter, younger-looking guy with a lot of tattoos, brown and blonde hair spiked into a small mohawk, a black T-shirt, blue jeans, black Converse and a sweet little smile.
I couldn't help but to smile as well; he was kind of cute.
He waves at us, bounces down the stairs, and down the sidewalk to greet us. "Hey! I'm Jeremy Spencer, the drummer for Five Finger Death Punch!" he says happily, holding out his hand to Corey.
Won over by his cheerfulness, Corey shakes his hand and returns his smile. "Hey. I'm Corey Taylor, lead singer of Slipknot. This is one of our percussionists, Chris Fehn, and our second lead singer and my daughter, Colleen."
Jeremy shakes Chris's hand, then turns to me. His eyes widen a little.
"Uh, hi," I say, blushing a tiny bit.
"Hi," he replies, still giving me that wide-eyed look. I take his hand and shake it. It was warm and rough, and pretty much swallows mine.
Jeremy gently shakes my hand, blushing as well. His big brown eyes hold mine, and we continue to stare until I break the hold to look behind him.
Mr. Moody was coming down the walk, the scowl dissipating as he comes closer. It was gone by the time he reaches us, and he greeted me warmly. "Welcome. I'm Ivan Moody, the lead singer of Five Finger Death Punch. I see you've met the drummer-" he nudges Jeremy, causing him to lose his balance a bit- "and we are really glad you're here to work with us!"
He turns to Corey and Chris. "Mr. Taylor, Mr. Fehn," he says politely.
They nod and reply, "Mr. Moody," in the same manner.
I cough a little, catching Corey's attention. "Er... Dad? Can you come help me with my stuff?" I ask.
Corey nods, then turns away from Mr. Moody and follows me to the car.
Chris tags along behind him, with Jeremy at his side.
I glance back and chuckle. "Uh, guys, I don't have that much stuff," I say, giving them all a weird look.
"Yeah, well," Chris replies, "I just came for a goodbye hug."
We reach the car, and I turn and throw my arms around his neck. He slides his arms around my waist and picks me up off the ground, swinging me around a little.
I squeak in surprise.
He squeezes me, then sets me down. "Good luck, Col. Take care of yourself." Chris murmurs in my ear before kissing my forehead.
He releases me, and I smile up at him. "Thanks, Chris," I reply.
He returns the smile, then turns away and gets into the car.
Now Corey pulls me into a hug. I nestle into his chest and shut my eyes. He holds me tight and presses his lips to my hair. "Goodbye, baby girl," he whispers. "Make your old man proud."
Tears bud in the corners of my eyes and I whimper, "'Bye, Daddy. I love you."
"I love you too," he murmurs. He gives me one last kiss before pulling away and going to the car.
Starting it up, Corey waves out the window before driving away.
I wipe my eyes quickly, then move to grab my bags. Jeremy appears at my side and picks up my suitcase. "Here, lemme help you with that," he offers.
I smile at him. "Thanks, you don't have to-" I begin, but he cuts me off.
"I wanted to," he replies, winking at me. I giggle a bit, hurrying to catch up to him. We walk to Mr. Moody, and all three of us head into the house.