The New National Anthem (Vic Fuentes fanfic)

Life so Far

KATRINA'S POV

So far things were...fine. I mean, I really had no reason to be sad or whatever. Everybody was nice to me, with the exception of a few fans. I sort of got the feeling that some of the musicians didn't like me, though. Maybe they thought I was too bitter and harsh? I don't know, and I totally don't care.

The only actual issue I had was with myself. I just want to be normal, not mentally and physically fucked up. Because I hadn't eaten in nearly a month, I had to be slowly put back on food, which did not help my whole "gain weight" plan. And because I couldn't eat a ton and was stick-thin, people constantly assumed I was anorexic. They would go to dad and quietly tell him that they noticed how skinny I was and how I didn't eat much. Apparently they thought he was stupid, like how could anyone not see that I was messed up?

At least I'm able to sleep a lot to get away from anything. Not that I dream, of course. They would just be awful nightmares. So everything is just blank, for a good twelve hours everyday, sometimes with naps in between. I usually don't ever sleep this much, but now it's my only source of energy given that I can't eat as much as I used to. Headaches were pretty common as well. I actually have reason for why I get them nearly every other day, rather than my other issues. My head has just taken a few too many blunt hits.

Overall I guess you could say I was just dying. I couldn't sleep, couldn't eat, and was always sorta dizzy and lightheaded. Thank god nobody's noticed anything, I'd never get left alone. On the plus side, I do still have my pain meds, which get me sorta high and put of it after taking three at a time. Unfortunately though, the alcohol is kept on the very top shelf and there weren't any chairs to climb on. Totally annoying. Besides, I doubt I'm the only one with this problem. Honestly, dad might not even be able to reach the alcohol. It's a funny visual, by the way.

Oh yeah, how could I forget? When dad said Cara would just send some clothes and whatever here, apparently she came with it. She's barely lets me just explore warped by myself, convinced that I'll "get lost" or something. Of course, dad is all happy that she's here, but I think the others are a little impatient with her too. It's not that she really does anything directly to them, but Cara's just an inconvenience. You see, I actually wait until everybody's gone to take my showers and get ready because I don't have anywhere to be. Definitely can't say the same about Cara.

"Katrina!"

I glanced up at Cara.

"Yes?" I answered in a high angelic voice

"We're going to watch the guys onstage. Come on"

I rolled my eyes but obeyed, tugging on a tissue-thin long sleeve shirt over my tank top to cover my scars, a random pair of shoes and my all-access pass. People were sort of noticing how I wore long sleeves in the middle of summer. Usually I'd just wear a ton of bracelets, but that was when I only had to hide my wrist. There were some rumors on social networking that I cut, and although they were true, it was totally annoying that they thought it was their business. But it was the worst when they tried to guess when I'd guess. I tugged down the sleeves of my shirt and tried not to feel out of place in the dozens of girls who walked around here with literally no clothes.

But Cara looked even more out of place in her "common white girl" clothes while in a crowd of "emo-freaks". High waisted denim shorts that probably cost $100, a light pink hipster-y tank top and gold sandals. She had to be stupid to wear sandals at Warped. They sucked as walking shoes and would leave awkward tan lines with the amount of sun out. And it's probably just me, but high-waisted shorts are the stupidest article of clothing ever invented. They tug on my hip dermals and once even made them bleed. Not to mention that they are made so short that girls asses hang right out.

Anyways, we left the bus and started walking over to the stage where Pierce the Veil was playing. It was insane how many kids I saw wearing shirts advertising the band. I mean, I know that dad's band is pretty popular, but whoa. A bunch of them recognized me as the lead singer's daughter, but thank god nobody asked for pictures. However, that did happen at the last date, a big group of people noticed me and literally surrounded me. Needless to say, that resulted in an anxiety attack from all that attention and a dislike for screaming fangirls. I have a new level of fondness for Katelynne Quinn though, as she saw me and just pulled me out of the crowd.

Cara and I arrived at the main stage, flashing our passes to security and slipping in the back. If you've never been backstage, you're missing out on a ton. You have your band members, instrument techs, managers, press and photographers, the occasional fan and friends and family. There are tons of people to talk to and it's never boring, even though I'm more of a "sit down and observe" kinda person.

Dad and the guys were warming up and getting ready to go in stage, so I just sat down on a spare amp in the corner to be out of the way. And just like the artsy little fuck I am, I pulled out a sharpie and started doodling on my thigh. Its a habit, and I couldn't tell you how many people say "I'm going to get ink poisoning". Bullshit. I looked at my right thigh, examining the tattoo placed on my tan skin. It was completely healed, as I got it over 6 months ago and the colors looked extra vibrant today. I loved my tattoo, and was totally set on getting more. While I was wit my mom, I had a lot of time to think, and I decided on exactly what my next tattoo would be. A full skeleton. The idea had crossed my mind before when I actually drew one out. But since everything's happened, it's seemed more and more appropriate.

The scar that I wanted the tattoo to cover had faded to a messy pink line down my side, and was now fine to tattoo. However, I was grossly skinny and couldn't get more tattoos right away, since they would warp when I gained weight back. So much for that.

I looked at the side of my thumb, where I'd written 85. It was my weight goal, and once I reached it, I'd go get the skeleton tattooed. It was extra motivation to make sure to eat a lot.

Going back to drawing on my thigh, I looked what I had so far. Just a weird little collection of things like skulls, flowers and the occasional cigarette. Just as I started to sketch out the smoke wafting from the lit tip of the cig, someone came up behind me.

"Those look really sick"

I looked up to see a girl, maybe 20 years old or so with black shoulder length hair and bangs.

"Um, thanks" I wasn't used to people talking to me backstage, they usually just ignored me as a quiet fangirl or whatever.

"I'm Hannah"

(A/N: as in Hannah Pixie Snowdon, Oli Sykes girlfriend. She's super pretty and an amazing artist)

"Katrina"

"Do you have any real tattoos?"

"Yeah" I turned and showed her my dreamcatcher

"I like it" she smiled and showed me her nearly full sleeve. They were all black and white, with a lot of pointillism.

"Do you draw too?"

"Yep, I actually tattoo myself. I'm getting ready to open a shop too"

"Oh my god, that's so cool"

We continued talking about drawing and tattoos until Bring Me the Horizon went on and it was too loud. But it didn't matter, I like the band a lot and it was really cool to see their whole set. At the last date I was only able to see their last song. Being able to see the mosh pita form from side stage was crazy, the last mosh pit I'd been in had left me with bruises and scraped knees due to me small size. It was a random concert, I think it was Asking Alexandria. I'd only gone because some of my friends from downtown San Diego had gotten free tickets and it was my first concert.

Speaking of my friends in San Diego, I hadn't talked to them in a while, with everything going on with my mom and now that I was on Warped. I hadn't contacted Blake, Jesse or Hayley either. I'm a shitty friend.

Suddenly, my phone vibrated in my pocket. Although my mom had taken it, Tony found it on the kitchen table in her apartment. Checking the screen, I saw a familiar contact photo. A smile spread on my face and I quickly hurried off to a quieter area. Once I found one, I sat down and answered the call.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Katrina. Look, um, I have a bit of bad news..."

A/N: Ooooh! Cliffhanger! Sorry, I've been pretty sick all week. Like, I had to have a Whooping Cough test :/ Thankfully, I don't have Whooping Cough (Yay!) but I'm still a little sick.

So, updates may still be a still slow, but I'm trying my best and have good plans for the next chapter. Hope you like drama!

Much love,
Rachel