Warped Tour (A Shannon Leto Story)

Red Carpet

Screaming fans, flashing bulbs and the scorching September heat of Cleveland, Ohio, accosted me as soon as the limo door swung open to reveal the red carpet of the APMAs. We had decided we would appear at the show as a unified group and the girls would meet their respective significant others on the carpet. Pictures were snapped and autographs were signed in between multiple interviews and I had never wished that Karah was here as much as I did right this second as I was corralled to yet another interviewer as the girls took pictures with their boyfriends.

I watched the fans go wild as Trevor stood next to Charlie as they posed for another picture. They were a striking pair, her hippie looks matched his wild bad boy look. The black suit jacket he chose hung over his white dress shirt splendidly. The black pants he had gone with were ripped at the knees and matched his attire perfectly. I swiveled my eyes down the carpet, stopping where Ace was currently tucked into Jared's side while he was being interviewed. As usual he was meticulously styled, donning a blood red suit jacket over a black v-neck t-shirt and matching black dress pants. B and Pete finished up the line further down as they talked to Patrick. Pete had gone a little simpler, just like Brook. His tattooed forearms were bared as he went with a plain white t-shirt with tan suspenders connected to his tan and black plaid pants.

Our manager had decided that she would go on tour with Brendon instead of staying home alone and attending the APMAs. I was over the moon happy for her, but man I wish she were here to guide us through this hell. Soon we were making our way, as a group, under a heavy canopy where the hosts of the red carpet were being sheltered from the burning sun. Ash Costello of New Years Day and Keith Buckley of Every Time I Die stood on either side of Vic and the rest of Pierce the Veil and I grinned at their sharp suited selves.

"At least we know they clean up well," I said, nodding over to the guys, laughing.

Vic heard our laughter and his head snapped up to look at us from the other side of the canopy and grinned. His child-like energy had us grinning back and waving as they said their goodbyes to Ash and Keith.

"So we're here with the lovely ladies of Grace of the Fallen," Ash started once we were all under the canopy with microphones in hand. "We hear there's not only a tour coming up, but a new album as well. Can you tell us anything about that?"

"We can actually," Charlie started off, "but first can I just say you look stunning today."

Ash grinned before giving Charlie a quick hug also complementing as well as she received.

"What am I? Chopped liver?" Keith broke in.

"Aww Keith you know you always look good." Ace said laughing, it was enough to appease the frontman and soon we were back on topic.

"So the album is currently in the works, we are hoping to have it released before the tour kicks off." I stated quickly and efficiently.

"Syd's been working day in and night out." B chimed in. "We have to coax her out of her room to eat most times."

Sadly she was making it sound more glorified than it actually was. I spent most my days and nights holed up in my room writing lyrics yes, but the shit with Shannon was what was fueling all those songs. They had to threaten more than coax me out into the real world to eat. Ash and Keith laughed before steering the interview to the upcoming tour, after we discussed the co-headlining tour we talked about the upcoming awards and if we were nervous. Commotion to the right of the tent had me turning at the waist to see who was coming up to be interviewed next.

I felt my eyes widen as I saw Andy and Juliet heading our way before the one and only MGK slid up to take the next spot. He was dressed head to toe to impress. His suit sported a unique abstract black and white pattern over a halfway unbuttoned black dress shirt, his signature chest tattoos on display. How was he not dying in this heat? What was with the guys here, wearing long sleeves and suits in this heat, I was in a short dress and I felt like I was melting. They were all crazy.

"So I've got to ask," Keith's voice had me turning back around to pay attention to what was being asked, good thing I did since his eyes were locked on me, "Where's your date for the night?"

"Yeah, we've seen that Kacee has her eye candy Mr. Leto," I cringed slightly at Ash's name for Jared, even knowing who she was talking about still didn't stop my thoughts, "Charlie here with her beau Trevor, and even little Brook has Pete. Why don't you have someone tonight?"

"Oh you know, I thought I would just see what it was all about," I attempted half-assed, waving my un-microphoned hand dismissively into the air.

"Mainly it's cause she's single." Brook announced proudly. Of all the things to say, she had to chose that.

"And yes, cause I'm single." I sighed out. "Which is so not the point right now." I laughed out awkwardly.

"That's ok," Ash started her head bobbing as she looked around the red carpet, "we'll find you a date for the night."

I slammed the palm of my hand against my forehead as the other girls started laughing. Why? Why was this my life right now?

"I'll be your date." The deep Cleveland accented voice had me turning around to look at the blonde rapper.

"Oh yeah?" I asked watching as he slid his sunglasses down his nose and blatantly gave me a once over before nodding. I rolled my eyes before giving him my own once over, "I don't remember actually asking to be quite honest."

"If you change your mind sweetheart you know where to find me," he grinned, showing off his silver vampire teeth grillz. And why did I find those really hot? God I needed to get my shit together.

"Yeah, I'll be sure to notify you darlin," I snarked back before turning around to finish up our interview.