Too Much Clickbait - Sequel to Clickbait

64

     I threw my hair into a ponytail before adjusting my medusa. I felt my skin already getting sweaty and was thankful I chose to wear no makeup. I also was thankful I was wearing a black, muscle, tank top with Ariel-bold, white, lettering saying 'Vegas' across the chest with black, distressed, denim, short-shorts, and my matching black, ska-8 high platform Vans sneakers as it was a straight one hundred in Los Angeles today. Heath and I were buying an overpriced water to split, though Heath refused to let me pay. I took a few sips before handing it to him, telling him to finish it. He didn't argue, chugging it in three large gulps. Elton bought his own, finishing in record time, as he set up his camera for the day.
     We began to walk around aimlessly as Elton continued to roll the camera, getting shots of the large crowds we were waling through. I looked to my left, seeing a tent for body painting, and immediately darted in it's direction. The boys followed closely behind though I was already whipping out cash to donate for the three of us.

*****

     Heath's P.O.V
     I smiled, shaking my head at Elton filming Katie as she dunked her fingers in lime green paint. She took two fingers, drawing lines under each eye like football players usually have. Smiling proudly, she wiped her hands off on a paper towel and dipped them in pink, turning to Elton. He attempted to use the camera as a shield, though she overpowered him and tagged his cheek with a bright, pink streak. "Stop it! Don't be a dick! Match me!"
     Elton grunted, though smirked, and allowed her to do it. Once she was satisfied with herself, she turned to me with a devilish grin. She used the same paper towel again, going for yellow this time. She came up to my face, careful not to touch my beard, as she put lines onto my cheeks. I laughed before hearing Elton open his mouth. "Yo! Heath! Take off your shirt, I want to write something.
     "Are you going to write that 'free hugs' bullshit on me?" I laughed, pulling off my black, Salty Crew tank top. Katie took it from me, folding it, and placing it into her plain, black, Nike jaw string bag.
     Elton laughed, shaking his head yes. He handed the camera to Katie who filmed him as he began to write in yellow paint on my back. I looked to my left, seeing Katie's cheeks turn a shade of pink. I noticed her eyes were landing on the scar I had earned from the stabbing and I felt instant regret, not wanting her to start to beat herself up over it. Her eyes flickered towards mine when she realized I was staring at he, quickly becoming doe-like. "Hey, after this, can we go see Four Year Strong? They're not playing for another half hour, but I don't want to miss a second of their set."
     I shook my head, yes, though I was concerned about her ignoring her flustered appearance. "That's not problem, baby. Are you almost done, asshole? It's two words!"
     "Yes! Yes, sorry, I was perfecting it." Elton stepped back, wiping his hands off on a paper towel before disposing of it in the same trash can Katie used. "How does my chicken scratch look, Katie?"
     Katie got closer to me, attempting to hold back a large smile the best she could. She winded her arm back, her palm smacking me full force on my right ass cheek, causing an immediate stinging sensation throughout the striking point. I immediately grabbed my body, rubbing it, only to have the stinging feeling burn throughout the surrounding area as it spread. I gave her a look, not understanding why she would act like that, as she spoke. "I think you're gonna be a hot target today."
     A few moments later as I followed the two of them out of the tent, another stinging pain came to the other side, though I felt a hand stay there for longer than a second. I saw Katie narrow her eyes as she sharply turned around, folding her arms over her chest. As I looked over my shoulder a younger, blonde girl giggled, backing away slowly. I fixed the hair under my ht, becoming nervous as I adjusted my sunglasses as well. Elton began to snicker, breaking the tension Katie had produced. "See? Told you."

*****

     Throughout the day, I kept getting random slaps of all pain varieties from strangers. I finally had had enough, feeling the bruises forming on my backside. I released Katie's hand from mind as we roamed the merch tents, stomping my foot like an angered child. "What the fuck is on my back, Elton? I'm in pain." Elton and Katie snicked as he continued to film, causing me to grow annoyed. A sudden realization struck me, making me almost ashamed I hadn't realized this sooner. "It says slap my ass, doesn't it?"
     I went to open Katie's bag but she pulled away from me. I grabbed her by her shoulders, turning her small frame around quickly and forcing my way into her bag. I searched through, not seeing the tank top I had given her. I looked over at Elton, instantly knowing he had something to do with it's disappearance. "I threw it away during Hands Like Houses because I didn't want you to cover it up. She didn't know about it."
     "Go there!" Katie laughed, holding a hand on my bicep. She pointed in the direction of a tent titled Stay Great. "I worked with Rocco before. I'm going to get drinks. Tell him you know me and he will give you a free shirt, babe."
     She kissed my upper arm as Elton had already started towards the tent before attempting to walk away. I caught her hand, shaking my head, no, as I spun her back to me. I grabbed her face with my right hand, kissing her as I felt her smile against my lips. Katie stumbled backwards, goofy, with a large smile across her face.
     I jogged for a moment to catch up with Elton, immediately going back to walking. Once we got to the tent, a taller guy with a thick, Staten Island accent greeted us. "Hey, guys! Can I grab you anything?"
     I looked over his shoulder, seeing a plain, black tank top with the saying 'stay great' in a logo such as the Supreme clothing line. I pointed towards it, shrugging. "Can I just grab that in, like, an extra large, man?"
     As he walked to the back boxes, he quickly found it for me, handing it over. I went to reach for my wallet, not feeling comfortable name dropping Katie, when he stopped me. "Yo! Whoa, whoa, whoa! I don't take money from family. Katie is my girl, dog. My name is Rocco. You're Heath and... Elton? Right?" He stuck his hand out for us to shake, smiling widely. "Elton, do you want one, man? Free of charge."
     I quickly threw on my tank top, slipping a twenty secretly into the tip jar before Rocco could see. Elton looked around the back, scratching the back of his neck as he fiddled with the lens cap on the still-running camera. "I guess I'll grab the-"
     A blood-boiling scream scream came from behind us and I instantly spotted Katie. She stood at the concession stand, watching as a girl stood over her friend who had passed out. A small crowd began to form though was quickly broken up by an on-duty EMT couple and a few security officers. Katie began to walk away, shaking her head aimlessly at the scene she had just witnessed. I dipped away from Elton and Rocco, running up to meet her. She handed me my drink as she walked calmly towards Elton, handing him his. Katie shot me a look, raising an eyebrow as she drank her Gatorade. "What's wrong? Hey, baby!" Katie leaned over the table, saying hello to Rocco with a bear hug. She turned back to me, still concerned over the lack of color that was in my face. "Heath, what's wrong?"
     "Nothing. I... Nothing. I'm gonna head to the bathrooms real quick before Handguns. Thanks again for everything, Rocco. It was nice meeting you." I shook his hand quickly, kissing the side of Katie's head before turning on my heal and making a b-line towards the bathrooms.
     I pushed passed a few people that were headed inside needing to immediately get to the nearest stall. Upon seeing a younger kid with long, black hair exit a stall, I nearly ripped it off of it's hinges, slamming and locking it behind me. He mumbled something about me being a rude prick, though I couldn't hear passed the pounding in my ear drums. I sat on the toilet, holding my fists to my ears as the thumping noise persisted, only increasing when I squeezed my eyes shut. I involuntarily started shaking my legs rapidly, my breathing becoming hazy. I could feel my body telling me I needed to calm down, though my mind kept racing a mile a minute.
     I felt the blood rush back into my face as i rocked back and forth, counting down from thirty to zero three separate times, slowly. As I reached the third zero, I let out a breathe I hadn't realized was trapped inside my lungs. I stood up, my knees feeling shaky for a moment before regaining their strength. I soon heard the hustling crowd of guys around the bathroom and my vision came back into it's, slightly, poor self. I opened the door and jumped, seeing Elton standing there with a saddened expression on his face. I couldn't form words and was slightly thankful he did it for me. "I told Katie you had to shit from the corn dogs. You learn that in therapy?" I stayed silent, shaking my head yes, slightly. "It's a cool one. I use it for when I get worked up, too. We all were scared, Heath, don't be shamed. Seriously. Don't worry, man... You're not going to lose her like that, again. They're all in the past, now."
     "I know. I just... I hadn't realized how fucked up the whole shit really effected me until we broke up. Amber made me go to therapy like three months into her and I dating... I thought it was stupid, but I ended up liking it." I shrugged, laughing awkwardly as I readjusted my hair under my hat and my sunglasses. I cleared my throat involuntarily before continuing. "I haven't told anyone yet... At all. Can you just keep his one between us, man?"
     "You're my brother, of course." Elton put a hand on my shoulder, patting it supportively, before dropping his hand to his side. "Just remember, we are all here for you... Katie especially. I know you two are into the whole starting over thing, but she's so crazy in love with you... Come on. I'll buy you a slushy."