The Dip and the Resurface

Part 20

Ivy

Everything was in place. I had spent the last two days trying to tend to Mr. West's every need and I was finally done shopping for his ridiculous backstage rider.

The day before the show, I had caught a glimpse of a yellow mop attached to somebody's head and all of a sudden realised that only one person in the entire universe could pull off such a ridiculous hair colour. Quickly, I turned around and went in the other direction, praying that he hadn't seen me.

On the day of the show, I was worn out to say the least. Kanye West seemed happy with my work, and when everything was in place and I finally had a spare moment, I got changed into my new galla dress in my office. I looked fairly alright considering the little amount of sleep I had been getting the last few days. I had concealed the bags under my eyes nicely and the fact that my hair wasn't its best, was concealed with a ponytail similar to the one that I had been wearing at the Brits.

When I felt that my appearance couldn't get much better, I looked at myself in the mirror and quietly whispered "Showtime," to my mirror image before I went to the balcony overlooking the backstage area and the red carpet.

From up here you really had a wonderful view and it was no problem studying the different artists from all over the world.

I was lost in thought, admiring Sam Smith's blue suit from afar when I felt a presence by my side, "You did a good job, Ivy."

I turned around and was faced with my boss, "Thank you, Mrs. Patterson," I nodded.

"I hear good things from Mr West. He has been saying nice things about how much effort you have put into his comfort."

"I'm glad to hear it. It's been a bit tough, to be honest. But I'm really getting excited for tonight!"

"Glad to hear it," she smiled before her face suddenly fell into serious folds, "I'm not one to mar the pleasant atmosphere but I do have a small request for tonight..."

"Yes?" I asked with furrowed brows.

"Emma has gone into labour..."

"Really?" I exclaimed excitedly, "An entire month before her due date - wow!"

"Exactly - so I'm going to have to put you on all of her assignments for the night."

"Oh, sure - " I stopped when I realised what that meant, "NO! You can't be serious!"

"Ivy, I know that you did everything you could to prevent this, but you're the most experienced floor manager I have and you're the only one I trust to get this up and running for the evening."

"So I have to tend for both Kanye West and Twenty One Pilots?"

"Well, technically, yes, but I think that you're so far ahead with Mr. West that he's autonomous for the rest of the evening. He's the opening act and he usually leaves right after his performance anyway. I'm sorry, but you have to do this. Can I count on you?" she shot me a stern look.

With a sigh I realised that I had no choice at all, so I gave her a small nod, "Of course you can count on me.."

"This will not go unnoticed!" she said, "I promise that I will make it up to you."

"No worries," I lied, "I'm happy to help. That's what I'm here for anyway.."

"I think I just saw a man with bright yellow hair on the red carpet so I'm guessing they have arrived. Emma didn't quite catch up before she had to go to the hospital, so you better get going."

"Sure," I nodded, "I'll get on it immediately."

"Ivy?" Mrs. Patterson called after me and said "Thank you," as I turned around to face her.

I gave her a small nod before I turned around again.

With heavy feet, I walked down the stairs from the balcony to the backstage area. Quickly, I found the table with Josh' and Tyler's names on it. Apart from plates and some glasses already present on the extravagant table, there were no things from off their rider. I looked over the piece of paper to see what ridiculous stuff I had to go out and get for them.

"Hey," I heard a loud voice behind me.

Startled, I turned around and noticed a guy with a familiar grin and the infamous yellow mohawk (that I was pretty sure would cause him some attention).

"Wow, I thought I saw a walking marker before," I smiled at him. He hadn't done anything to me. The only mistake he had made was the fact that he had decided to be friends with Mr. Dickbag Joseph.

"Yeah, I'm turning a lot of heads this evening," he laughed and I remembered how happy his smile made me.

"Don't mind me - I'm just pulling your leg... You look very handsome, Josh" I said and went in for a hug.

"Thanks! You look very beautiful too!" he smiled and let go of me, "what are you up to?"

"It might not look like it because I'm wearing this bomb dress and not my usual boring attire, but I'm actually at work right now"

"You are?" he scratched the side of his head

"Yep," I nodded, "I have to take care of your rider - which is ridiculous by the way! I mean: five different kinds of cereal, isopropyl alcohol, a bag of organic spinach, a cheese platter?" I laughed, "what's going on?"

Josh joined in on the laugh, "Tyler is trying to put as much crazy stuff on there as possible. Once, he put a fighter aircraft from world war 2 on there just to see if people would comply. We were both kinda sad when no venue seemed to be able to get it for the show" Josh laughed, "Hey, speaking of the devil!" he called out, "he's heading towards us right now."

I took a deep breath before turning towards where Josh was looking.

Tyler was wearing a black suit and his hair had been cut shorter than last time I had seen him. He was wearing one of those ridiculous midwestern ties but apart from the stupid leather string around his neck, he looked very good. Annoyingly good.

"Hey," Tyler said as he stopped in front of us, "Ivy," he gave me a small nod.

"Tyler," I greeted him with an overly sweet smile.

"It's been a while, huh?"

"Thankfully," I answered him. I thought I saw a hint of a smile on Tyler's face before it disappeared again.

"Where's Emma?" Josh interfered, "she said she'd be waiting for us here."

"She's at the hospital giving birth.."

("Shame..." I thought I heard Josh whisper under his breath before Tyler sent him a weird look.)

I decided to continue as if nothing had happened, "So I guess we're stuck with each other.."

"Actually, Ivy," Tyler said and cleared his throat, "I'm glad you're here. I was wondering if I could have a moment with you?" his big brown eyes looked into mine and I had to muster up all my courage to not just fall into his arms again.

"I'm sorry but I can't," I managed to say.

"Why not? I'd like to talk to you."

"Well, for one; I don't want to talk to you. I don't even want to look at you. And secondly: I'm at work. So you'll have to excuse me while I go get...," I looked over his rider for the most ridiculous item I could find, "...sensitive body wash for your small feminine hands."

To my dismay, Josh laughed whole-heartedly and Tyler smiled at my childish retort. Irritated, I turned away from them.