A Different Set of Events

Chapter Thirteen

"I knew it, I fucking knew it!" Malcolm shouted. "You do like her!"

"Shut up Mal! She's right there, she might hear you," Angus said.

"Don't you want her to?"

"No! I mean, not until I'm ready to tell her myself." Malcolm cupped his hands together and looked down. He already told her, but kept quiet to Angus.

"What are you gonna do about Lucy? She's not gonna want to get dumped, especially in the middle of the states," Mark said.

"I'll have to some way." Angus chuckled. "She'll have my arse on a plate."

"Trust me Ang. Hannah's worth it," Malcolm said.

A couple days passed and we were in the western part of the country. It was July 12th, my birthday. I was finally seventeen, and I couldn't wait to enjoy my day, even if Lucy wanted to ruin it. Angus seemed to distance himself from Lucy recently and I didn't blame him. She exhausted everyone. Complained of the heat, yelled at Angus for smoking inside. Although I've seen her smoke in their several bedrooms. Looks like we've got ourselves a hypocrite.

California was wretched with the summer heat. Phil hated it the most. "How do you survive in this hell hole?"

"Speak for yourself Mr. Down Under," I said with a smile. "Besides Oregon isn't this hot, usually no more than 80 degrees."

A driver picked us up for the concert, but we ended up needing two cars. Angus and I got in one but Mark ran to join our car before Lucy could. I think even Angus was secretly thankful. We drove for about thirty minutes until we came to a small club by an alley. It was almost 10 pm, dangerous for anyone to be alone so we stayed in one big group.

Backstage wasn't crowded thank goodness, but it reeked of pot and whiskey. "Who died back here?" Bon joked. The roadies there laughed with him and continued to set everything up. The boys set up their instruments while Lucy and I watched backstage. I saw Lucy looking at me from a distance. I gave her a friendly thumbs up but she shook her head at me and went outside, probably for a smoke. Oh well. I got to see the whole concert while she missed it. On my birthday too. I never told the guys about my birthday, but I'd probably mention it later. It didn't need to be a big deal.

After the concert the boys went to sign autographs and I stayed out of the way. The boys did such a good job. I felt icky about all the crap they go through in the eighties. But the way they handle things is enough to love them even more. A young woman came backstage and ran up to me. "Are you Hannah?" she asked with excitement in her eyes.

"Yes," I nodded shyly. How did this girl know my name? I stayed out of the way, trying not to get known here. Unless the guys told her... But they had no reason to.

"Oh my God, I have to show you something!" she squealed and grabbed my arm. She dragged me out the exit door towards the dark alley. What could she possibly have to show me down there? I got nervous and was prepared to defend myself, but then again, what could one girl do to me?

The cool night air pushed the smell of marijuana away from me and made me shiver. "Cold are we?" the girl asked.

"A little," I replied.

"Maybe a little punch will warm you up," she said her smile getting bigger. I stood in the middle of the alley as she let go of my arm.

"Oh thank you. But I'm not thirsty." Her smile disappeared.

"That's not what I meant," she hissed. Six other girls stepped out of the shadows and circled me. What were you thinking following her? I was terrified but I stood my ground. One girl in red heels stood about a foot from me. Lucy.