Up and Strumming

Chitter Chat

Ari was a fast little girl. She had ten minutes. Ten minutes to casually as she could, walk around, looking for no one in particular. Also, she couldn't find Joe.

"I think he went out to town." One man said when she finally got the courage to ask and not blush about it. "He said he'd bring over some booze for the party."

"What party?" Ari asked.

"The after party. When the concert is over, we'll all come down here to celebrate our first night, and the nights ahead. Everyone's invited."

"Oh. Is that why your moving that speaker?" Ari pointed at the speaker he had been carrying.

"Uh...yeah...of course! Why else would I be carrying a speaker? It's not like I'm stealing it or anything!" The man laughed nervously. Ari peered at him closely. She smiled.

"Okay!" She turned away and walked from the relieved man, oblivious that Ari knew that he had actually stolen his new speaker from the broken pile. Go figure.

With nothing to do, all Ari could do now was head back to the trailer. She made her way over the gravel dirt, kicking away the rocks in her path as she did. She made a quick turn around a trailer, taking a wrong step. She began fallin to the earth, literally about to eat dirt, when a strong pair of arms hugged her from behind to save her. She sighed relieved and curious of what strong, kind person was holding her.

Could it be? She thought. She looked up.

"Gotcha." Paul Simonon smiled softly down at her. It wasn't such a total loss. He hoisted her to her feet and let go. Ari turned to look at him.

"Thank you." She replied rather softly.

Paul gushed. "It's alright."

Ari was tall for her age, but she still had to look up a bit to Paul. He was quite handsome, and the fact that he held her made her heart race a little faster. Ari thought he liked to show off his muscles when he wore his muscle shirt or took off his leather jacket. They hadn't really spoken much, but when they did, he was very polite. Ari though that it might've been time to pay him with a compliment.

"You're..." Paul looked at her. She began to feel dizzy as she looked into his dazzling blue eyes. "...a giant." she said without thinking. When she did realize what came out of her mouth, Ari knew this would be the end of her nice ticket with Paul. But to her surprise, he didn't glare at her or anything. He simply smiled.

"Giant huh? Wait till you meet Joey." He laughed. Ari looked over curiously.

"Who?"

Paul shook his head with a smile. "Don't worry. You'll know him when you meet him." He pulled up his collar like a greaser and placed his hands in the pockets of his jacket. "Shouldn't you be on sound check?"

Ari shook her head. "I wanted to save my voice."

Paul nodded. "Makes sense. I'm surprised Viv let you wander around." A small smile formed on his lips when she didn't respond. "Or did she?"

Ari held a finger over her lips making Paul laugh. "Come on, I'll walk you back and we'll keep this between you and me." So off they went, talking about what music they liked, places they wanted to go. Ari even got to find out how much he loved art.

"Painting mostly," he nodded. "But I'm open to other things too."

"You'll have to show me a portrait someday." Ari grinned. He smiled and nodded in agreement. They approached her trailer. Ari began to step up to the door when she was stopped by Paul. He came closer.

"Um...I don't know how to ask this but...does your friend P...pa..."

"...Paloma?"

"Right...does she have any...friends?"

"You just called me her friend, so yes?"

"No, no. I mean, friends that are...male..."

Ari turned to face him better. "Are you asking if she has a boyfriend?"

Paul dug his hands deeper in his pockets. "So to speak."

For a moment, she was unsure of what to answer. Paloma had always been there for her. She deserved someone who would treat her right.

"No, she's single."

Paul smiled brightly. "Great!" He quickly cleared his throat . "Uh, I mean...interesting." He took a step back. "Alright, I'll see you later Ari." He waved.

"See you Paul." Ari waved back. She watched him disappear into the brightness of the setting sun. She hopped inside and shut the door, her back against it.

What was that about? Did Paul like Paloma? Why would he be asking if she had a boyfriend if he wasn't interested? She never really saw anything between them. Maybe he was too shy, and wanted to first know if she was taken before he could make a move. Ari hoped he was what he seemed. Secretly inside too, she hoped he hadn't just been using her to get through to Paloma. He did just appear when she almost fell. Then again, she didn't very well know much about the man to begin with. What's was this all about?