Misprinted Lies (Alice in Chains/Bruno Mars)

Here's To Us

It was late afternoon when I decided to check on Lily. I was busy writing and recording a lot at the time. I got most of my ideas for the new album done during my last tour. That made a huge difference and much easier than when I recorded my last album. We hugged when I entered the studio.

"Hey Bru, what's up?"

"Not much, a little writer's block. How's it goin' here?" I said, following her to the mixing board.

"Good, it's good," she yawned. "Long night."

"You stayed here all night, again?" I asked with surprise and concern as I stared at the several cups of coffee in the garbage and the circles under her eyes.

"Yeah, I had a lot of catching up to do, but don't worry though I'm paying plenty of attention to your stuff. I just had to make room for some mixing tonight."

"Aww girl if you had too much work then you shouldn't have agreed to this. I told you that."

"I wanted to," I said smiling.

She worked on the track we both knew would be a big hit and probably a single, called "Locked out of Heaven." I started pacing throughout the studio, grabbing my hair and then back of my neck with my hand.

"Uh oh, spill the beans," she said, spinning around in the chair to face me. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," I said, sighing.

"No there's something. I've seen this look before. This is classic pissed-off Bruno right here."

"I'm not pissed. I'm stressed out."

"Why? Everything's going great."

"The label's pressuring me to finish writing these songs, and I have nothing. It's just two more and I don't know why I just can't do it. And plus, you're working so hard and bustin' your ass to get this stuff done. I feel like I'm failing miserably...like I'm failing you miserably."

"Alright, first of all," she said, holding her palm out, "take me out of the equation. I spent all night working and I feel like I didn't do shit. Maybe we should go somewhere and get out of here, like the beach!"

She was so excited.

"What?" I asked.

"Yeah, let's do it. You need to write about life, right? The studio is not life. We'll bring a guitar and a notebook. We need to find you some inspiration. Besides, I need to get the hell out of here for a bit."

I was already looking at inspiration. There I was, a moping mess, and she felt like she had to rearrange and drop everything just for me.

"Alright, fine," I sighed. "Beach time."

We brought food, a guitar, beer, and a notebook to the beach.

In her Jeep, before she even turned the key, I looked at her. "You sure you wanna go? You've been up how many hours?"

"This isn't about me, Bruno," she said, putting a familiar CD in the slot.

"Whoa, Whoa, wait. Is that Suicidal Tendencies?"

"Yep," she grinned. "It's my favorite CD of theirs. My dad used to play it all the time. He used to have a signed vinyl copy but I don't know where it went."

"That's really awesome. I love them too."

We pulled up to the closest beach. No one was there; the day was coming to an end. The sun was low in the sky. At first, when we sat down, she was the one grabbing the guitar. I just started eating. I wasn't sure if anything good would come out of it but I was still enjoying myself.

"You sure you don't want something to eat?" I asked. "There's plenty here for the both of us."

She shook her head, playing riffs up and down the neck. I loved watching her play when I got the chance to. I'd always wished I could hear her play more.

"Are you sure?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. There was something wrong. I had no doubt.

"Mmhmm."

There was silence. I had no new ideas whatsoever. I took a breath before taking a sip of beer. I started throwing rocks toward the ocean.

Lily laid the guitar down between us. I picked it up and started strumming randomly, waiting for something to come out of it. She read my mind.

"You'll figure it out, Bruno. You shouldn't be worrying so much. It'll all work out, trust me. Those guys at the label just want to get a stir in you. You really think they'd want to lose you? Nope. Besides...stuff will come to you. Think of all the hooks you've written. You're like the hooker of music."

I laughed so hard I fell backward a little and then sprung back up a little while after. She was grinning. "Oh my God that's like the funniest thing I've ever heard in my life."

"But seriously, though. Don't worry so much. I know so many people in this industry and they come in and have people write the music for them, or even like bands. Every member of the band writes their own part. You do, like everything perfectly, and that goes for your songwriting and singing too. It's fuckin' impressive."

"Awww...thank you. You're impressive too though. You work so hard and deal with...with so much and nothing phases you."

"Well," she sighed. "That's not exactly true. I let some things phase me. I don't handle myself as well as I probably should."

She was being so serious all of the sudden. She had every right to feel the ways she did. Despite all of that though, despite everything, she's so damn strong, stronger than I could ever be.

"Well," I laughed nervously. "I'm proud of you, regardless."

"Thanks," she replied. "I'm proud of you too."

She grabbed another drink and held it up.

"Here's to us."

"Here to us," I smiled, clinking my drink to hers.