This I Love

Chapter Twelve; Shopping and Slash

 I followed Erin and Madison from store to store, receiving huge shopping bags full of clothes that I wasn't sure I'd ever wear until I reminded myself of that whole grow-up-get-a-real-job plan. Maybe the pencil skirt would be good for an interview at a studio or bank. We were walking past a record store when I asked if we could go in. "I just want to pick up a few things", I explained, watching Madison's nose wrinkle when she eyed a Cinderella poster. Erin shrugged and pulled her room mate in anyway, showing her where the pop stuff was so maybe she'd even out my purchase by picking up A Flock of Seagulls or something. My fingers lazily fell over Judas Priest records when something gripped my wrist.

"What's up, Turner?" Slash of all people asked.

I shrugged sheepishly. "Just...perusing", I replied quietly. "What're you up to?"

He shrugged too. "Nothing really. Just avoiding Ayatollah. You know he's pissed you didn't come home last night?"

"Well, shit happens. You know that", I grumbled. "I don't know if I'll go back anyway. I mean, we just...I like Axl's opinions and he's really smart but the guy just gets so outta whack."

"Scar, you can't just leave!" Slash pleaded. "C'mon, man. Axl's been mad all fucking day because your stuff's just sitting there and you're not there-"

"Why does it matter if I'm not there?" I questioned. "Axl said last night that I'm a user right after Nikki called me a groupie. Don't you think it'd be good to air the house out and get me out?"

Slash held up a finger. "I like you", he counted. "Duff likes you. Steven likes you. Izzy likes you. Majority vote, you can stay-"

"But I don't want to."

"Axl is seriously flipping his shit because he stayed up all night freaking out about you and you're still not there. He's convinced something happened."

I laughed. "Dude, I went out last night and woke up at Erin's", I giggled, pointing to her. Thankfully, she hadn't noticed the top hat and curls by me.

Slash pulled back a little. "He's gonna be so much pissier", he said, more to himself than me. "Scar, you need to come back. Axl's mad. Steven's crying. Izzy's shut himself up in the room. Duff just keeps playing his fucking Ramones to drown everything out. Like just come over. Everyone's been concerned."

"You don't need to be", I scoffed, deciding that yes, I would get Unleashed in the East. "I'm a grown up. I can take care of myself. You guys think Motley isn't freaking out?"

"Turner, you can't just keep dumping people", Slash whined. "What if something happens to you? We'll never know because we don't know where you went the night before so we'll never know who killed you in the alley behind Burger King!"

"I'm dying behind Burger King?" I asked sarcastically. "Damn, my life has a bad ending."

Slash frowned and pouted. "Well, if you won't come back, will you at least think about it? Call us or something when you decide, okay? Really, just think about it."