Forever And Ever.

2

I found my way into the backstage area of the concert venue and walked aimlessly. I had been walking hand in hand with Eliza for what seemed like forever at this point.
Finally I got fed up and stopped the nearest person. "Where can I find the break room?" I ask.

"Its just up this corridor and to your left" she says "but its a bit hectic in there, a sort of after show party has broken out, its not really a place for a young child".

"I appreciate yer concern, love" I fake smile "but, she's a Gallagher, so I think she can handle it". I walk off before she can even reply, down the corridor she pointed to. As I walked down the sound of guys bantering and music got louder and louder.

Eventually I got to the door and I pushed it open with my free hand. Suddenly it went silent as I stood in the doorway. Im sure I heard a literal record scratch when the music stopped. They all stared at me. Apart from the two new guys "whats going on? Who's that?" One of them whispers after a while.
"I think thats NG's wife" the other whispers back.

Noel just keeps staring at us both, mostly Eliza but both of us, the silence was so... well I hate to be cheesy, but it was deafening. I just wanted someone, anyone to say anything.
"That's Uncle Liam" Eliza points at Liam "from at our house earlier".

Liam smiles at her "yeah thats me, do yer wanna come over and play a fuckin' board game? Theres some on the shelf over here. I think mum and Rkid needa talk, outside".

"Rkid?" she asks, repeating the word back to him.

"Come on, I'll explain it to yer later" he says. I let go of her hand and she walks over to him gingerly.

"Its ok" I smile to her as she looks back from halfway between us the look up at the rest of them "Noel and I are goin' to go and have a cigarette outside. Look after Elizabeth, dont smoke and stop swearing unnecessarily around her. Come on Rkid".

"Dont fuckin' march in here and tell me what to do, miss" he glares at me.

"Good 'cause I aint tellin' yer I'm orderin' yer, so get to fuck" I reply through gritted teeth.

"Yeah take it outside will yer, not all of us, especially the new guys, wanna hear it" Liam says as he sets up snakes and ladders for him and Eliza.

"Shut up Rkid, this aint none ah yer business" Noel and I say at the same time. At least we could agree on something. He gets up and follows me out the room.

"You got a nerve sh-" he starts as we walk down the corridor.

"Shh!" I put my hand up "not yet, not til we get outside. Until then im gonna ask yer nicely, have yer got a spare ciggy?".

"Havent yer got yer own damn cigs?" He hisses, but quietly like I asked.

"No".

"Why the fuck not?".

"Because It was my new years resolution to quit in '98" I reply.
He hands me one begrudgingly and then we reach the exit to outside.

"Why are you smoking now then?" He asks.

"Because this is a particularly stressful situation, Gallagher" I smirk "now gimme yer fuckin' lighter and say what you need to say theres no one around". I lean against the wall and light the cigarette when he passes his lighter over. The high of the first drag was almost enough to make me wanna smoke the whole damn pack there and then. He still wasn't saying anything. I opened my eyes and looked at him.
"What yer got nothing to say now?".

"I do" he sits on the bench about four feet away from us "I did....I dont know".

"You dont know? Arent you angry or dissapointed?".