Crash - Guns N Roses Fanfiction

TWENTY FOUR

I called my aunt first, to make sure she was around. I joked with her, saying they'd always invited me over any time--before my mom and dad died, too--so she couldn't really say "no" now. She laughed, always understood my sense of humour. She said of course I could stay with them for a couple of nights, just as I knew she would.

Next, I called a few friends I knew were still in New Brunswick. It was hard to find ones who were, though, because of the economy collapsing and all, and with everyone moving away somewhere better. Me, I chose California, but most of my friends chose somewhere closer to home. That was the thing, for me, though--at that time in my life, I didn't know where "home" was. Everything I'd known had crumbled to the ground. So, I'd made one for myself.

Lastly, I phoned the company I would be flying with and arranged to be on a different flight, after explaining my situation of course. They seemed to think it was a bigger deal than it really was, which was extremely irritating, but I kept my temper under control.

Once I placed the receiver back into its cradle, I hopped off my chair and headed upstairs to start packing. I would be leaving early in the morning the next day--well, actually, at 1:00 am, so it barely counted as tomorrow. They had a show tonight, and ever since I'd met Guns N Roses, I hadn't missed a show, and wasn't planning on it. I would have to leave just a bit early and catch a cab to the airport, but I wanted to be there to support them. Always.

As for my family back home, I could hardly wait to see everyone, but I was also nervous and--

Axl was in the room.

"Hey," he said with a small smile. He must have just come out of the shower; he smelled strongly of a clean, manly musk. The sort of one that mimicked a really big name brand, but never really was the same. But Axl didn't need any fancy scents to be sexy as hell.

I forced myself to act normal. Nothing happened. It's okay.

For the band; it was for the band, I reminded myself.

"Hi," I said, walking no further into the room. I didn't really want to. Right now, I just wanted to stay as far away as possible from him. I wasn't scared of him, no--I was just scared of what I could let him do to me.

"You can come in, you know," he chuckled, beckoning me inside. I obliged only out of politeness--plus, all my stuff was in here and I really needed to begin packing. "I heard you on the phone. May I ask who you were talking to?"

A normal question, not too invasive. I wasn't protective of the information he was asking for--and he needed to know, anyway. "I called my aunt, my friends... and the airport."

"Oh, cool. The airport?" he gave me a puzzled look.

"Yeah," I said, twisting my hands in front of me. I didn't know how to explain. I didn't want to look him in the eyes, but I didn't want to be rude either. "There's this family thing I need to go to."

"Oh. When is it?" There was a pause during which I did not speak. My stomach tied itself in knots. "Is everything alright, Cass?"

I swallowed. That nickname--I used to love it, but now it just reminds me of last night, and all the regret that followed. I didn't know how he was going to react to the following words. "Yeah, everything's okay. It's in four days," relief flooded his features, and I dreaded having to tell him the next part, trying to conceal a wince, "But I'm leaving at, like, one in the morning... So, basically, tonight."

"What?!" I heard from the doorway. I jumped, throwing a hand over my chest. It was Steven. The drummer glanced at the vocalist, then moved his stare to me again. I found it difficult to look him in the eye.