You Ran Away, You're All The Same

Part 2

It's now around 6pm and Corey has fired up the grill for my birthday party. The door bell rang about three times back to back. I mentally pulled myself together and answered the door.
Standing there, was a guy, no taller than myself, who had jet black hair with bright red streaks in it. Before either of us could say a word, Corey walks up behind me.
"Joey! Glad you could make it!"
Joey? I'm guessing this is their drummer.
"Wouldn't miss it! And you must be Stephanie?" The way he said my name was uncertain. As I stand there holding the door open, this guy I've never met before knows my name. And I loved the way he said it.
"That's me! I dont think we've met before though." Keep it together Steph. Dont lose your cool.
"I'm Joey Jordison, the drummer for Slipknot. It's very nice to meet you." He winked at me as he said those words. Damnit! I promised myself I wouldn't get involved with anyone for awhile, but I may break my own rule for this one.

Everyone finally showed up to Corey's house and we sat on the back patio while we waited for dinner. Paul and I were sitting by ourselves and I kept feeling like someone was watching me.
"Pauly, can you tell if anyone keeps watching us? I've had this weird feeling all night." I asked Paul with a slight concern in my voice.
He smirked saying "Steph, I wouldn't worry about it. Besides I think I see the culprit now." I turned around in my lawn chair to see Joey staring a hole through my head. I waived at him, he seemed spooked and quickly went back to his conversation with Jim and Mick.
"He might have the hots for you, girl." Paul said while lighting a cigarette.
"Why don't you go see if you can find out for me?" I asked with a stupid grin on my face.
"Or better yet, why don't you go in the house and see if he follows you into the kicthen? You never know, he may be wanting to talk to you away from everyone."
Paul had a point. I got up and went inside to get another beer. While standing at the sink, I saw Joey stand up and start to walk towards the house. Damn, Paul was right.

Joey made his way inside and walked over to me.
"Are you enjoying your birthday so far?" He asked with that stupid, yet adorable, grin on his face.
"Yeah so far. Wish Corey would hurry up with the food though." I chuckled.
"That would be nice. So how come I haven't seen you around here before? Normally we practice in the basement." Joey asked while he sat down at the table.
"Corey knows I don't like being around alot of people, and I have been here. I just stayed in the guest room until you all were finished and left." Now I'm getting nervous. Why couldn't someone walk in and interup.
"Oh. Wish we could have met before today but I understand. Some of us don't seem to be the friendliest, but once you get to know everyone, we all treat eachother like family."
Ackword silence followed that statement. Joey kept looking around the kitchen, then back to me. Thank god Paul walked in.
"What are yall doing? Food is ready! Get off your asses and come on." Oh how I loved Paul right now.
We walked back outside and sat down with the others. Corey sat on one side of me and Joey on the other.
After everyone finsihed eating, Sid stood up and handed me a gift.
"This is from all of us Steph. We hope you like it."
I unwrapped the black wrapping paper to unviel a small black and red box. I looked at Sid in confusion. "Go ahead and open it." He incouraged. Inside the box was a necklace with the Slipknot 'S' logo made out of sterling silver. Underneath the necklace was a letter. It read:

"Stephanie,
We all may not know you as well as Corey and Paul, but we want you to know that you are family. Hope you have a great birthday.

With love,
Sid, Joey, Chris, Shawn, Jim, Mick, and Craig"

I started crying my eyes out. I didn't have much of a family until I met Corey several years ago. My parents weren't around and I didn't have any brothers or sisters. When I met Corey, he took me in, gave me a place to live, and helped me get back on my feet. He's the only family I have known, until now.
"Thank you all so much. I love it!" Corey helped me put on the necklace, then he stood up.
"Now time for my gift." I told him no gifts, but he never listens when I tell him not to do something.
Corey handed me a gift bag and looked so excited when I started to open it.
Inside was a picture of me and him before they left to tour for their second album, Iowa, in a beautiful black and red frame. I will never forget that day. Corey was wearing his Slipknot stage outfit and made me wear his backup suit. His was white with red lettering, and I was wearing the black one. We are both making goofy faces at the camera while he is trying to hug me.
"Thank you big mouth" I said while kissing him on the cheek, "I love it!"
"You're welcome smartass. No matter what, I hope you will always keep that picture and remember how weird we can be." He giggled.
"Last and final gift." Paul quickly stated while handing me an envelop.
I tore it open and there was an airplane ticket to Los Angeles. I looked at Paul like he had snakes coming out of his head. "Why am I going to Los Angeles Pauly?" I asked, somewhat scared that I would be going by myself.
"We are all going. We will start recording our third album and would love to have you there with us for support."
"And inspiration" Corey interupted.
"Yes, and inspiration. So what you say Steph? Stay in a mansion with nine grown children?" Paul asked while trying his best to give me the puppy dog eyed look.
All I did was nod my head yes and everyone started cheering and hollering "Thank god."
"I take it everyone wanted me to go, huh?" I asked while looking at Corey.
"Pretty much."