Tragic Magic

Chapter Forty Eight

A lot of time has passed since the wedding. TJ and I have decided to postpone the wedding until 2017, which will be arriving in a few weeks. The longer we wait the more time I have to think, which isn't good. 

Craig and Ashley are happy, living their lives. Craig hasn't tried talking so me since the wedding, which feels very different. TJ and I have been working and taking it easy for the past few months. I was happy to get back to work, I missed meeting new people. 

Today was a special day at work though. My boss has me interviewing bands ready to release new albums in 2017, which includes The Dead Rabbitts and Falling in Reverse. I won't be meeting with The Dead Rabbitts, Craig's side band, until later on. Today is my interview with Falling in Reverse.

"Are you sure you don't need me to go?" TJ asks, following me out the door.

"No, I'm fine," I grab my keys and jacket, ready to go. "And besides, this isn't your interview."

"Yeah, it's Ronnie's," he reminds me.

Something about hearing that name makes me burn. Not with hatred, but with something indescribable. 

"I'll be fine," I say and run out the door. 

The studio was buzzing with fans by the time I got there, all holding up space-related posters which I didn't understand. The band was already there and I was running late. I managed to make my way to the back of the studio and let myself in without attracting attention from the fans. 

My boss quickly threw a script at me and had me rolling in the next five minutes, so I had no time to even talk one on one with the band. I was very confused, Jacky wasn't there and there were three unfamiliar faces. 

We all take a seat in the studio lounge and begin the interview. 

"So I'm here with Falling in Reverse, who will soon be releasing a new album." I start the interview off. I don't know a single thing about their new album, so this will be hard. 

"Yes," Ronnie answers. The tips of his hair has been bleached and he looks so much better than he did the last time I saw him, I was weak. 

"Why don't you tell us a little bit about it, Ronnie?" I ask. 

"Coming Home. That's the name of the album," he starts. "It sounds nothing like we've ever done. Every song is very vibey. There's more feeling in it instead of a lot of metal. We're trying to make the sound that we've never done before."

"Coming Home, how interesting."

"We're challenging ourselves now more than we ever have in the weirdest ways possible, because you would think writing the craziest solo or riffs would be the challenging part," Ronnie continues, "But the challenging part is trying to stick to a theme and not go all over the place like we normally would do." 

"I'm sure we are all very excited to hear the rest of the album, thank you for your time," I begin to end the interview.

"My pleasure, Juliet," Ronnie says.

The camera's stop rolling and I can feel my body temperature rising. Why did he have to say my name?

"Good job everyone," my boss comes in, "Juliet I need to speak with you once we wrap up."

"Okay," I say and begin to follow him out. 

"Woah, where do you think you're going?" Ronnie stops me. 

"I have to go-"

"Without a hug," he interrupts and picks me up off the ground. 

Why is he doing this? He's hasn't been affectionate like this in years. "What happened to you?"

"What do you mean?" He cradles me like a baby.

"Why are you holding me like this?" I ask.

"You're little and I needed a hug," he bluntly explains. "Besides, I haven't seen you in months, I missed you."

I missed him too, but I would never admit that.

"How's TJ?" He changes the subject, "When's the wedding? Am I invited?"

"He's good," I say, "Of course you are. How's the baby?"

"She's not a baby anymore, she's getting big," he tells me. "What are you doing after work?" 

"Probably going home and sleeping."

"But it's only two o'clock?" He gives me a blank space.

"I like sleeping, what can I say?" I force a laugh. 

"Nah, you're coming with me, I have to show you something." 

Go with him? TJ would be so mad, I can't do that.

"Oh, actually, I don't think I can," I explain, "Besides, I have work."

"Not anymore, I talked to your boss. Besides, what's the worst that could happen?"

With Ronnie, anything can happen.