Magcon Imagine

Chapter Five: Who Are You, My Mom?

Events were in two hours. I was still sitting on my bed. This felt like a time that I should be crying about how broken I really was. I was stone-faced. Still. Emotionless.

A guy I barely knew, had not only seen my half naked body but also my past scars of self mutilation. They were fading away, and would probably be gone in a couple more months. But when I went swimming I always wore a t-shirt to cover them up. I felt like my whole life I was going to be covering my body, no matter how much I starve myself. No matter how many helpings of oreos I traded in for apples. No matter how much I jog until I hallucinate.

My head drooped in shame. He handled me like broken glass. Except he knows that what he says won't cut him if handled in the wrong manner, he could cut me. Deep. Just like I did to myself after my mom died. God Arianna, you're such a selfish bitch. If you had just been there that night..

NO. I clear my head.

Matt was delusional. I would never hurt myself. Those were just scars from an accident. I was fine. I didn't hurt myself, and I had all the confidence I needed. I was just hiding my body from him in shock. I shove these thoughts in my head and shake myself.

I am fine.

I get off the bed. I need to get my mind off these crazy things. It's a day to be a tourist until events start. I should go grab some of the guys and go hang out. I had some of their numbers.

I start a group conversation with both of the Jacks, Nash, and Cameron.

"Yo. Let's go explore. I'm bored"

I take off my jeans, knowing that it's pretty warm outside. I throw on light denim shorts and keep my t-shirt and vans on.

My phone beeps three times in a row.

Jack G: "Jack and I are down"

Nash: "Food, me hungry"

Cameron: "Fewd"

I roll my eyes and grin. I type out a message and turn my screen off, putting my phone back in my pocket.

"Lobby in five"

Ten minutes later, we're all standing on the sidewalk in front of the hotel and there's a group of screaming girls. The sun is already baking me, and I curse to myself.

"Fuck, I should have thought about that." I say to everyone in general. Jack G grins at me, "Eh, typical, they always find us."

"It's alright, we've got a ride." Nash says, glancing at us. Cameron was taking a picture with two girls. I think they mostly wanted him. I laugh. Both of the Jacks go to take pictures with some girls and I approach the crowd too. I figured maybe at least one or two of them would know me.

All of them scream at me. "OH MY GOSHHH!!" "ARI-ARI" "ARI YOU'VE CHANGED MY LIFE" "I love you!" "You're my role model!" "Is it true you screw Cameron?"

I raise my eyebrows at the last comment but don't bother with it. Typical rumors. I smile at all of them and hug a couple of them.

There's a blonde who's even shorter than me that sticks out to me, holding an acoustic guitar. She looks like she's about to hyperventilate when she sees me. It still surprises me when people react like this. I mean, I'm just ME.

I walk closer to her and wrap her into a hug. I'm really not much of a hugger to be honest, but I always hug my fans. "Oh my gosh! I love you!"

I grin at her. "I love you too."

"Can you sign my guitar?" She asks me, her words are so excitedly pushed out that they smoosh together. It was pretty funny. Definitely made her unique.

I smile. "For sure! I sadly didn't expect this though, I don't have anything on me."

Nash steps in and hands me a purple sharpie. I raise my eyebrows at him, but I don't say anything. I put my complete attention on the girl. "Well, good news, super Nash has come to the rescue."

She giggles, and doesn't even really glance at Nash, which is odd. Girls were usually throwing themselves all over him, but she seemed more focused on me. This is really different. Maybe I have hardcore fans too.

I sign her guitar, on the body. I write my name with a message in a messy scrawl due to the awkward position. "You're beautiful and I like your Taking Back Sunday sticker! It's an honor to autograph right next to that beauty. I loved meeting you! xoxo -Ari"

Her face lights up. "I wanted to ask you one more thing!" she says this nervously. I look at her curiously. "Of course!" I say hesitantly.

"Will you play a song for me on my guitar right now?" She blurts this out with puppy dog eyes full of hope. I had honestly never performed in front of anyone besides my video camera. But it was a fan, and I really wanted to make her happy. I would have to perform today anyways.

"Your wish is my command my lady, I pick the song though." I bow in front of her and grab her guitar. Nash is looking at me curiously.

I take about thirty seconds to tune her guitar correctly. I sit on the edge of the sidewalk, adjusting myself. "Do you have a pick?" I ask her, looking up at her with a warm smile. She hands me a plain black pick and lets out a squeal of excitement, pulling out her phone to record.

I hide my nervousness but breathe out a deep sigh. I pull out my phone and start a keyboard track for the song, turning the volume all the way up. It just made it sound better and more upbeat. I pull the guitar close to me and start playing, tapping my hand against the guitar body in tune with the song.

"Whatsuhhp Cutie?

What you up to?

Not much huh? You should come thru.

We could rent a flick, maybe cuddle up

It's whatever girl, we got that puppy love

Yup, I just gotta hold you

I still got alotta things that I gotta show you

You don't really know me

I don't really know you

But I think I like that

And I know you like it too

'Cuz we not worried 'bout a damn thing

She could give a damn 'bout what another man think

It's all about us two

Just me, plus you

We could do whatever girl

I ain't tryna rush you

at all

And I ain't tryin' be an adult

Two kids playin' around, layin' around

Doing nothing but laughin' and paintin' the town

I put that smile there, nobody takin' it down

We're just young in love,

We're just young in love,

We're just young in love."

By the time I finish with that little part of the song I performed, I have an audience. Matt's shown up too, and he's grinning at me. I would've felt relieved but I can still see traces of our previous conversation in his eyes. His eyes always give away everything, is what I think at least from knowing him for this short period of time.

I give the girl her guitar back, and realize I forgot something. "I feel horrible, I never asked your name?" She smiles at me. "Oh that's okay! My name's Sherry."

I falter. That was my mom's name.