In My Veins

Nothing Goes as Planned

"So don’t kill me,” Este beings ominously while applying a fresh coat of dark red lipstick. She caps the small tube and sets it down on the vanity in the corner of their dressing room backstage. “But-”

“But what?” Danielle asks suspiciously, eyeing her sister carefully. Judging by the smirk on her sister’s face it means Este’s done something that’s most likely going to embarrass her.

“I invited Dom to the show.”

“Who’s Dom?” Alana pipes up from the couch. She takes another swig of ginger ale and hopes it settles her stomach.

Este’s grinning so wide it looks like she’s swallowed a hanger. “Danielle’s boyfriend.”

“He’s not my boyfriend,” Danielle says with an eye roll. She dips her carrot stick in the hummus provided by the venue and chews it thoughtfully. “I don’t even know him.”

“So you get to know him,” Este says slowly, as if Danielle’s a child. Her sister knows nothing. “He gave you his favorite beer to try. He definitely wants you.”

“Ohhh, when’s the wedding?” Alana teases.

“Shut up.” Danielle shoves another carrot in her mouth and glares at her younger sister. Alana’s raspy voice is a clear sign she’s been out partying the night before. Este still hasn’t said anything.

“You better shake those hips, sis,” Este winks, rising from the vanity table. “I told him to stand right in the middle. He’ll stick out with his red hair and goofy ears.”

“He doesn’t have goofy ears!” Danielle finds herself saying after Este has left the room. She sighs and flops back on the leather chair. “He doesn’t,” she says to Alana firmly.

Alana raises an eyebrow and shrugs. “Whatever, dude.”

“Are you sure you’ll be okay for the show?” Danielle asks carefully.

“Yes,” Alana says shortly, gnawing on her bottom lip. It’s the fourth time Danielle’s asked today. If it’s not Este on her case and up her ass about everything, it’s Danielle. But the way Danielle approaches her is nice and calmly, which she appreciates, but sometimes she just wants to be left alone. “Ask me again and I won’t play,” Alana snips, focusing her gaze to her chipped nails.

Danielle takes a deep breath and closes her eyes. The last thing she wants to do is start a fight thirty minutes before showtime. She can only hope Alana’s telling the truth.

 X

Halfway through the show Danielle already knows it’s one of the worst they’ve played in a while. Alana looks like she’s going to puke up whatever she drank and her guitar playing is so sloppy Danielle has to turn her amp up louder to drown out the horrible chord changes.

Este catches wind of the situation and Danielle just knows she’s going to flip on Alana right after the show. But with a bright smile, she entertains the crowd and flirts with a barely legal teenager in the front. Danielle takes the opportunity to scour the crowd for Dom but when she can’t find him, she frowns.

“Danielle!” Este’s voice shakes her out of her disappointment.

 “What?” Danielle mouths to her sister in confusion.

“Are you going to start the song or am I going to have to take my shirt off to give these people a show?”

“Please don’t,” Alana grimaces, speaking for the first time for the whole show. She forces a cute smile when people shout at her and looks at Danielle pleadingly.