Onward Journey (Broken Descent Sequel)

Sweet Child of Mine

After a show in Paris, Bruno and the hooligans went out to a club for the after-party. They performed a few hit singles and then drank and partied for the rest of the night. Many fans were there and they all wanted to take pictures. Because there were so many people, Bruno decided to take a break from signing and go back to the bar to get another drink.

As he waited for the bartender to make it, he couldn't help but watch an obviously young girl sitting down a couple of stools away, with her head leaning against her hand. Her head jerked around, as she was unable to keep it up steadily. He slid the tip across the wet surface to the bartender as he grabbed his drink. A group of two guys and one girl came to the bar, sitting in most of the available stools.

Bruno took a few steps away from the bar, just close enough to hear the conversation.

"Hey girl," the one girl said. "We're heading back to the house for some more fun. Are you ready?"

The girl continued to slump over the bar, barely able to communicate back to him. She then proceeded to throw up all over the bar and parts of the stool.

Bruno grimaced at the sight, even as he distanced himself and proceeded back to the center of the party. After several more songs, he returned to the bar for another drink, to find the girl still there, passed out where the vomit had to have been cleaned already. He shook her shoulder lightly and she jolted out of her trance.

"Wh-what?" She asked.

"Did you come here by yourself?"

Disoriented, she looked around trying to spot people.

"I came with my friends...but I don't know where they are."

"Are you staying at a hotel? Or what?"

"One of my friends has a house outside of the city," she said, pulling her phone out of her purse. "I think I have the address in my phone."

Bruno was drawn to her face, and how young she looked. She had blond hair, green eyes, and a small stature She looked like a child. She looked like Charlotte.

"I hope you don't mind me asking...but...how old are you?"

"16..."

Bruno had briefly forgotten how young the legal age to drink was in other countries. He reached into his back pocket for his wallet and pulled out some money. Immediately, she shook her head and held a palm out, as if she was blocking it.

"I don't want it," she said quietly.

"Take it...or even better I'll get you an Uber back to the house...you need to go to bed."

Bruno helped her off the tall stool and out of the club. He waited for her Uber to arrive and then made a quick judgment of the driver before helping her into the car. Once he went inside, he looked at his drink still sitting on top of the bar, but left it alone.

For nearly every after-party for the rest of the tour, Bruno became more aware of what was going on around him when it came to people drinking. As the tour went on, he spent more post-concert time with Charlotte in the bus or hotel room.

Before either of them could believe that the tour was over, Bruno and Charlotte were already gathering their things and preparing to go home. There was just one more night in a hotel before the two of them would get on the plane.

"I can't believe the tour's already over," Charlotte pouted, putting a pile of clothing into her suitcase.

"I know," Bruno pouted back.