Shh, It's A Secret

Jerk (I Think It's Arrogance)

“You guys ready?”

I stood in the doorway with my arms folded. I took in the scene of Zach’s beige dressing room, the gray carpet doing a good job at making the room appear warmer than it actually was. I peered at Dan. “Are you?” I repeated.

“Chill out Cody.” Dan said as he took a sip from his water bottle. Panting as sweat made its way onto his skin’s surface. He played lead guitar in our band but despite an instrument in his hand, I knew he came out hard tonight. He took a seat next to Maxx, who was busily typing away on his phone.

Zach nodded and sighed. “Yeah, I mean, we have to rest for a bit. We’re not fucking energetic and shit like you.”

I smirked.

“Dude, it’s like you’re that little rabbit from that battery commercial.” Dan quipped.

“The one that never stops?’ Maxx asked, peering up from his screen.

“I fucking hate him dude.” Zach said.

Austin let out a small laugh. “ It’s not his fault he’s an energetic rabbit.”

I laughed. “Then whose fault is it?” I asked.

But before anyone could offer a random ass answer like they always did, Andrew came strolling down the hall with his hand pressed tightly against his neck; the place I bit him less than thirty minutes ago.

I cringed.

Eventhough I had him in deep compulsion when I fed, a pang of fear twisted inside my stomach. The mere sight of him amplified my paranoia to great heights. I always feared the unthinkable. That one day my compulsion would become brickle and everyone and everyone would know of my paranormal activities. One day they would know that instead of praising me, they should be killing me.

My smile vanished as Andrew stopped at the dressing room door. I took a deep breath, putting my compulsion skills to the test. This was it. “Hey, Andrew,” I said lightly and patting my neck, “what happened there buddy?”

Andrew turned to face me. “Shaving.” He winced as he turned to the others. “It hurts so bad.”

I grinned. It was safe. My compulsion worked! As I mentally celebrated my victory, the room suddenly burst with deafening laughter. I had to keep from covering my ears.

“You-you shave?!” Dan gasped between laughs.

“You look like a twelve year old! You don’t shave.” chuckled Maxx, covering his red face with one hand while he hugged himself with the other.

“Guys, shut up.” Andrew whined, rubbing his wound. “It hurts.”

“Suck it up.” I said smiling. “Be a man.” I hit his shoulder as gently as I could without doing severe damage. A loud thud sounded noisily from the hit, causing the laughter of my band to be replaced with “Oooh.”

Andrew rubbed his shoulder, his knees bent, and face scrunched up in pain. “Ow,” he groaned. “You hit me. You better have insurance.”

I gave a gentle, throaty laugh and loosely shook my hand to hide the fact that I absolutely felt nothing at all. I pursed my lips. “Ahh fuck, that hurt. Ahh…” I held my fist to my lips. “What did you come in for anyways? To make me hit you?”

It was an honest question. Why was Andrew in Zach’s dressing room when he had a lot of packing up to do? He seemed out of place at the moment.

Andrew slowly regained his composure. Massaging his promisingly bruised arm, he winced and said “I had to come get you for the meet and greet. Michael had to leave early, so they sent me instead.”