Strung (Rock & Romance I.)

Chapter 2. - Twenty-four

A/N: I just want to start out by saying- Thank you sooo much for reading and taking a chance on this story! It always makes me insecure and nervous to post a completely new book - especially one that is going to be a different 'style' from the ones that got so many reads.

So I appreciate you being here and reading this - above is a picture of how I picture the band members. Obviously, you are welcome to fantasize about whoever you'd like. :)

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*Now*

I woke up to a song from Hazmat playing on the radio. In this day and age, I still used my digital clock that I got as a present from my parents freshman year of high school. The clock was tuned to the local radio station, which played the most current hits.

Hence why I got to wake up to my all-time favorite band almost every morning.

Their newest song was more pop, and naughty, with a slight rock-ish edge, which is probably why the messes were in love with it. Not that I could blame them - I've had my fair share of daydreams and fantasies listening to this track...

I got out of bed, and did my usual morning stretches, in front of the large windows. My best friend, Callie, and I lived in a suburban city, just outside of Los Angeles. Although, she rarely stayed there. She was a supermodel these days, traveling the world, and living her best life as they say.

Our other best friend, Ginger, lived on an apartment about forty-five minutes away, close to the campus of the university she was doing her PhD program at.

And I rented a studio halfway between our places, where I could pursue my love for painting, carpentry, and other various artsy activities - for which I now actually got paid for. For the last four years - since I dropped out of the university - I've been freelancing as a designer. I designed custom furniture, decorated homes, made pieces for special events, and sold my art on my own online shop.

I wouldn't say that I was making a killing - after all, I grew up with the kids of movie stars, and in the shadow of my own famous parents - but for a twenty-four year old, I was comfortable in a very expensive city.

And part of my success was thanks to the infamous event planner, Arielle Mikhailov, who I was meeting in a few hours for another job.

I enjoyed working for Arielle. She was always fair - letting the client pay me separately, and allowing me to make my own wage, without taking a cut for the introduction. And she introduced me to a lot of jobs - she was, after all, the most sought after planner in the city.

My phone vibrated with a text. It was the girls, starting the usual conversation in our group message.

Callie: Italy is insane! I almost don't even want to go home! Look at this view:

She typed, and attached a picture of the city from her hotel room.

Ginger: I wish I could say the same.

Another picture loaded, this one from Ginger. On the photo she had a microscope in front of her, a notepad and other equipment I didn't claim to even begin to understand.

Me: Callie, you better come back! With some fresh gossip too.

Since she was a celebrity in her own way, she got first hand information of all the celebrities. All the rumors the tabloids came out with, she knew before. Which was the only upside of her being away all the time.

Callie: I know what you want to know - but it's been quiet around Hazmat. No new dating rumors.

I exhaled a breath of relief. I knew it was wrong to be glad that three out of four were still single - but I couldn't help it. I felt this sense of protectiveness over them, and maybe it stemmed from the fact that I've been the biggest fan of their music - and them - since before they were discovered, or that I've had the biggest crush on Lukas LaBelle. Like ever.