Stay With Me

Catherine's POV 

I paid for my coffee and found a seat by the window of my favorite coffee shop, just as I had the first day I saw Mariana's trench live. They were a new band then, playing in small shops trying to find someone who wanted to sign them. And now they were going on their first tour for Fix Me. I'm really excited because I work at the BlackKnight venue and Mariana's trench is performing there for their tour. I love my job because I get to meet all sorts of bands and performers. I work with the equipment and all that techy-stuff no one really cares about. I finished my coffee, packed up my laptop and drove to my apartment. I jiggled my key into our old lock and opened the door. Lori and Marie had pamphlets of some sorts in their hands. "Come look!" Lori said "were finally going to plan the trip to the beach we wanted!" They handed me a flyer one of them must have picked up today about a beach vacation spot. Marie, Lori and I had been talking about going on a trip to the each since we were roommates in college. We swore the first thing we would do when we graduated was go to the beach. A real beach with white sand and warm ocean water. They moved in together after college but I went somewhere else after I graduated. When I had to leave there i moved back in. Alone, Marie and Lori didn't have enough money to rent a beach house without me pitching in so they never went. We decided that we finally had enough money saved for the three of us to go this summer. Tonight as I was falling asleep, all I could think about was that tomorrow, I would meet my favorite band. I was so excited i could hardly sleep. I woke up that morning with a huge smile on my face. I showered and put in my work clothes. I pulled my hair up into my regular messy bun and poured myself a bowl of cereal. Marie came out If her bedroom just as I started eating. "Morning" I said. She yawned. "Hey". She poured herself cereal as well. Marie and Lori worked afternoon shifts at their jobs and they don't have to go to work until later. Lori stumbled out of her room, still groggy from sleep. "Good morning" she said. "Good morning" Marie and I replied. We ate out cereal together and talked about all the things we would do on our beach trip. "We can go surfing and lay out in the sun and hook up with guys" Lori said. I cringed. Marie and Lori ignored me. "And get drunk" Marie snorted". I hated the thought of this conversation proceeding. It brought back memories I had tried to bury too many times.  

"I'm heading out" I said, my previous excitement seemingly lost. Have fun today Cate" Marie said. "Thanks" I yelled back as I grabbed my keys and walked out the door. I drove to the BlackKnight and walked inside. "Hey cate" my boss, , Jack, said to me. "Hi" I replied. "No no NO!" He yelled past me. I turned around. "I wanted the tables arranged over there!" He shouted at some employee. I did my best to hurry out of his way. He has a short temper and I try my best not to to poke the beehive. I went into the back room and put my lunch and my sweatshirt in my locker. I walked out in front of the stage just as Josh Ramsay walked in.

Josh's POV 

I woke up as the bus hit a bump on the road. Mike had just woken up too. Ian appeared to still be asleep and Matt was already up.  

"And hour until we're there!" Someone yelled from up front in the bus. I got up and grabbed a shirt and pants and went to the bathroom. It's a pretty small bathroom. I changed and brushed my teeth. I had a bagel as my breakfast and watched tv as the other guys got ready. The bus pulled into the BlackKnight's back parking lot. We all hopped off and went inside. I first saw the stage which was decent sized. Then in front of it I saw a girl. She looked about 20. And she was beautiful. She looked at me then too, then quickly looked away. She must be shy. I walked up to her and held my hand out.  

"Hi I'm josh" I said. She shook my hand.  

"Catherine" she replied. "It's nice to meet you I'm a huge fan" 

"Nice to meet you too" I said. I thought it was pretty cool that she's a fan. I smiled and walked away, while thinking I should have said something more. We went back to start hair and makeup. That doesn't take too long i suppose. It just gets boring. I don't get how girls do It. When we were done we all got up on stage to start the pre-VIP soundcheck. It takes way too long to have them here for it all. We have to set up the equipment we bring with us, then individually tune and adjust every instrument and microphone, them adjust it as a whole so it balances right. Most places just have VIP people here for the last part. Catherine came on and helped me adjust my earpiece.