Starry Eyes ~ Nikki Sixx

The Dirt

"Hey, you're the guy with the pot, right?"

"Depends on who's askin'," he replied, his silver bracelets rattling as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"Sadie Parker," I said, holding my hand out, "interested buyer."

He shook my hand and pushed himself off of the wall.

"Nice to meet you. Name's Rachel... Look, I don't know how security is around here, but do you wanna do this here and now?"

I thought for a moment, chewing my lip.

"I've got a room," I mumbled.

I led him to an empty room, closing the door behind us, motioning to the red leather couch. We sat beside each other, cross legged while we haggled over the price.

"Alright, fine, I'll make you a deal: we smoke together and get to know each other, and it's free. Deal?"

"Deal."

"Alright, Space, Queen, roll it up!" he said, leaning back to watch me. "So how did you get here?"

"Uh, Well, I've been friends with the guys in one of the bands on this tour since the beginning, so I usually go on the road with them."

"Oh yeah? With who?" he asked, becoming mildly excited.

I chuckled, wondering how this would go over.

"Mötley Crüe. I've known Tommy since I was... sixteen? It feels like it was so long ago that I can't really remember."

"That's fuckin' awesome! So are you two like... toge-"

"No. He's basically a brother to me," I replied, stopping that idea dead in its tracks. "The hot headed bass player is my poison of choice," I joked, shaking my head once again.

"Well, what a coincidence... I also happen to be a bass player," he said innocently.

"Oh yeah? That's cool."

"Yeah, thanks. We're just getting things off the ground right now... or at least trying to."

"Do you guys have a name?"

"Skid Row. We're just a buncha cool guys from Jersey. My singer is actually lurking around here somewhere."

"Hey, that's really cool. Have you guys gotten any offers?"

"Well, sorta, but we kinda wanna get our names out to bigger people, y'know? See what they advise."

"How do you mean?" I asked, waving the smoke out of my face.

"Well, I was gonna try to find a way to slip one of the Crüe guys our demo, but I can't get close enough. We figure if someone with a name like that believes in us that we can do it- we can get the attention of the people we want."

"So they get your name out?" I asked, holding back a cough.

"See, when you say it like that, it feels shitty," he said with a laugh, looking up at the ceiling. "That's not exactly how we want it to be... We just want to see if anyone else believes in us. The people that are big now, or the people we look up to. Does that make sense?"

"Yeah, I get you... I'm not giving the guys a demo, if that's the next suggestion."

"You don't have to. Here." He pulled a tape from his pocket. "Keep it for yourself. We've got a couple extras," he said with a wink.

"Thanks."

"You're cool. I'd like to know your opinion if you ever come around here again."

"Thanks, Rachel. You're cool, too," I said, a laugh escaping me. "I will let you know what I think."

We chit chatted for a bit before deciding to part ways in search of our people.

"Hey, look, here's my number," I said writing the number on his arm with eyeliner an signing my name in cursive. "Call me in two weeks. We'll be settled in at home. I'll let you know what I think."

"Alright! Cool, thanks. It's not every day a hot, cool chick agrees to listen to your demo... and on top of that writing her number on your arm in..." he examined his arm, "eyeliner," he said with an appreciative nod. 

"Water proof," I replied easily, playfully winking at him after.

He laughed and shook his head. "I better find Sebastian. He's probably tearing shit up right now. See ya around, Sadie."

"Good luck with Skid Row!" I called to him, to which he responded with a warm smile and a wave, showing off the eyeliner on his arm.

○○○○○○

The show went on as usual, but tonight I didn't really care. I didn't know what happened, but tonight, I was burned out. I went back to the hotel after four songs and took a shower. 

"There's a reason they call it a 'hotel shower'," I thought to myself. I was going to stay in this shower until I was ready to go to bed.

As I stood under the hot water, I  kept reminding myself that there were only two shows left, and it would all go back to normal soon. I almost felt overwhelmed at this point; there was so much going on every day. On top of the constant drinking, drugs, police calls, screaming fans, and etc., there was keeping track of Nikki. I may not be managing them, but I am babysitting- therefore managing- Nikki Sixx, which becomes a full time career when we reach the end of tours.

They get out of control, and I do, too, sometimes, but I know when to back off and get myself in line. They just go until they either crash and learn from it, or worse happens.

Then my mind took a slightly better turn.

Hanging out with Rachel was what I needed tonight; something different. It's easy to get tired of the same faces when you live on a bus with four dirty, sweaty, rock stars and see the same crew day-in and day-out. But Rachel... he seemed cool. He was level headed- although that may just be a first impression, and he had an air of rock 'n' roll authenticity to him. Even though we had only just met, I would consider him a friend. 

Even though on some occasions I meet cool people and see bad ass things, I considered not going on their next tour with them, but that made me sad. I would miss the guys- my friends. I would miss seeing new places and seeing the size of the crowds every night, or hearing them sing the songs. Being present in that moment is... awe inspiring.

Knowing that something that you created has had that big of an effect, even if they're just screaming the word "Bastard," or whatever it may be, it's still cool. To look over and see the boys' faces... The look in their eyes of "we did it, we're making it happen," can't be beat.

The future was to remain undecided for the moment. Only time would tell what would really happen.

°°°°°°°°°°°°

Hey, guys!! 

I finally got a new computer so I'm excited and feeling more inspired to write! (There is no longer a big metal binder clip holding my screen together, either. Score!) This isn't a long update, but I need to get out of this awkward spot in the story-- awkward as in I'm not sure where to take it.

I am also thinking about re-editing  Get it For Free, as well as starting a Chris Robinson (Black Crowes) fic. Anyone interested?

AND!!

Are you ready for The Dirt Movie?!

Leave your thoughts in the comments below! 

-H