Patience

Seventeen

On Monday, I arrived at work, and I was unusually giddy. I've been really cheerful since Axl and I started officially dating. Some might call that the honeymoon phase of a relationship.

"How can someone be so cheerful on a Monday?" Amy asked me. She and I were beginning to grow closer, so she knew something was up.

I shrugged. "I guess life is just starting to go my way," I told her with a smile.

"And yet you're still working here?" Amy asked me.

"Okay, okay. Only a small part of my life," I corrected myself.

"So, what happened? Tell me everything!" Amy said as she wiped down a counter in the kitchen.

"Well," I began, "I've been staying with a friend named Axl for a while, and I won't go into detail on how we met, but the other day we officially started dating. I guess I'm realizing that he was what I was missing all this time."

Amy paused for a moment.

"Axl?" Amy asked, "Axl, as in Axl Rose?"

I nodded. "Yep. Do you know him?" I asked her in surprise.

"Not personally, but I love his band! I go to every one of their concerts. Well, I try to, at least," Amy told me enthusiastically.

"That's so cool! I didn't know that," I said, "I'm surprised I haven't ran into you at a show yet."

"Yeah. I'm going to the one tonight. Since you guys are a thing, will you be there?" Amy asked me, teasingly winking at me multiple times.

I smiled and rolled my eyes. "I'll be backstage," I informed her.

"Shame," Amy said, shaking her head, "You should come find me in the crowd," she suggested.

"Actually," I said with a smirk, "You could come watch the show from backstage with me."

Amy's eyes widened. She was definitely excited about that idea. The strong and determined Amy I met when I began working here has cracked, and I realized that she is as much of a fan girl as anyone else.

"And meet the band?" Amy asked, trying to contain her excitement.

I nodded. "Yes, and meet the band," I said.

Amy gasped. "Thank you, thank you, thank you, Lucy! God, I'm so excited!" Amy clasped her hands together and jumped up and down. Amy is a generally emotive person, but this is the most excited I've ever seen her.

I laughed. "I can tell."

***

That night, after work, I caught a ride with Amy in her car to Troubadour. I took her around back, and security let the two of us in. Even though I told her I was a friend of the band, she still seemed surprised. It was almost as if a small part of her didn't believe me.

When we walked inside, I'm surprised Amy didn't fall over and pass out when she saw the band. She had been talking about them all day long at work, and about how excited she was for this.

"Hey, everyone!" I greeted the band as we walked inside. I looked over at Amy and she looked extremely nervous. She crossed her arms and fidgeted a little. She either looked down or at me. I felt for her, because I was the same way the first time that I had gone backstage, but I knew her nerves would ease up once she got to know everyone.

"This is one of my good friends, Amy. Amy, this is-" Amy cut me off as I was about to introduce the band members to her.

"I know exactly who they are!" She said, unable to contain her excitement.

"Well, there you go," I smiled, patting her on the back.

Everyone began to mingle, and Amy immediately hit it off with Steven. I could tell by the way Amy was playing with her hair, and by the way Steven was blushing, that they were flirting. They really seemed to connect well.

"Axl, I hope you're fine with this," I said to him. I realized I hadn't given him any warning about bringing a guest.

Axl shrugged. "It doesn't bother me. As long as you don't bring the cops here, it's okay," He joked, and we both laughed.

"I found out that Amy is a big fan of the band and I figured she would like this," I said.

"Well, I think she's enjoying it," I said, "And Steven sure is enjoying her, as well," Axl added, lowering his voice. He pointed over my shoulder at Steven and Amy.

Behind me, Amy and Steven were already kissing and making out with each other in the corner. I just rolled my eyes at them and turned back to Axl. That was quick, I thought.

"So," I said.

"So," Axl began, "I think you owe someone an apology."

I sighed. "I know, I know. I should probably go do that," I said.

Axl nodded and I walked over to Slash. He noticed, and quickly looked in the opposite direction when he saw me walk over. Slash's guitar was leaning up against the couch and Slash, himself, had a cigarette in hand.

"Hey," I said to him and I sat down next to him.

"Hey," He responded quietly. He looked down at his feet.

I felt bad because he looked uncomfortable. I looked over at Axl, and Axl nodded at me to continue on. I sighed and looked down.

"Slash, about the other night at your place-"

"No, it's fine," Slash shrugged, blowing smoke out of his mouth.

I shook my head and sat up in my seat a little. "It's not fine. I want to apologize because I was drunk and didn't know what I was doing. I didn't mean to lead you on or anything, and I just want you to know that I don't have feelings for you," I stated.

Slash nodded. "It's okay, Lucy. I was drunk, too. We both did stupid things. I know you like Axl and Axl likes you," He said.

I sighed and ran my hand through my hair. "So, no hard feelings, right?" I asked.

Slash looked at me and smiled. "Right," He said.

"Friends?" I asked, leaning over and bumping his arm with my shoulder.

"Of course, Lucy," Slash reassured me.

I got up and walked back over to Axl.

"So," He said.

"So, I apologized," I told him.

"And?" He urged me to go on.

"We're just friends and there are no hard feelings," I said with a nod.

Axl smiled. "Good. I'm glad everything is cleared up and my god, Lucy, I'm still so lucky to have you," He said as he put his hands on my waist.

I blushed and rolled my eyes. "Isn't It about time for you to perform?" I asked.

Axl nodded. "Yeah, it's that time," He said.

Amy and I followed the band as they walked out of the lounge room, and to the stage. The two of us stopped at the side of the stage and watched the show from there.

What a night.