Your Love Is Standing Next To Me

Chapter 13 - Soundtrack to disaster

After the first two weeks, I got used to the LA lifestyle. It was different to the London one, but people were still people. I soon understood why the Arctic Monkeys preferred this city. The nightlife was way more intensified than the London one (and of course, than the Sheffield one), the food was worse and the girls were way more sexy and foolish.

Alex was a very funny person, I loved going out with him. And, even though I hadn't expected it, his friends were funny and acceptable too.

But every day was identical. Wake up, kiss your boyfriend, eat breakfast at home, drink some coffee on the way to the studio, then greet the boys, meet Laura and while the day away, walking, going to the gym or shopping with our boyfriends' credit cards. Miles was working on his new album at the same time as the Arctic Monkeys were working on theirs, so me and Laura were in the same situation.

Every night went on the same way, dinner with friends and friends of friends, hard party for hours, then me or Laura complaining about the smoke, about being tired or bored or about the people around us being too drunk or high, afterwards going home and having some time with Al.

I liked drinking and dancing all night with Laura and other girls, but I didn't like being ignored by my boyfriend. He would stay with his friends and remind about me only when he wanted to show the others what a smoking hot girl he had, when he got jealous on the other boys around me or when he was drunk enough to start touching me everywhere in front of his friends, moment when I'd make up an excuse and drag him home.

One day, I asked Laura to come over Alex's place.

- You coach potato! We were supposed to going to the gym today! My trainer will kill me! Laura complained.

- Laura, I need to talk to you.

I was being serious.

- What happened? Problems in paradise?

- No! Actually.... Somehow...

I had tears in my eyes.

- Tell me everything!

She embraced me and let me cry on her shoulder. Literally. I took a deep breath and started:

- When I accepted coming here... I knew Alex wouldn't stay with me all the time. And I knew that I'd be sometimes alone, or have to stay with his friends at times or... You know... But THIS is not what I've expected. Not even close.

- I think I know what you mean... But be optimistic! They'll finish this album and then Alex will be all yours again!

- I don't know... If I can wait that long.

She finally understood what I meant and looked frightened at me.

- Marie... I know it's hard for you... I feel the same, I utterly understand you but... Give him time, talk to him, give him a second chance! He deserves one!

She was right. After all he had done for me, I couldn't be that disrespectful and turn my back to him.

- But I just can't stay all day and do nothing! Just... Waiting all my life! Wasting it away!

- It's gonna be different, we'll go on tour with them in a month or so! And things will change! We'll travel around the world, see new places, take photos! Just think about it! And I've got an idea! Why don't we do something else? Like... I don't know, tell me what you like more! What would you do if you were still in London?

- Well... I'd take a job, earn money, learn, maybe compose a couple more songs...

- Compose?! Are you a singer or...