Culture Shock

Chapter 5: Confrontation

One of the perks of Sam's status as a major music blogger was invitations to awards shows and after-parties. These were some of the few times in her life she got dressed up and let Maya do her makeup and hair. They were also where she got to see most of her band friends all together in a single night.

The plan had originally been for her to meet with her good friend Irene, the frontwoman for the band The Blank Page. But a band she'd met early in her career, Sanctimonious, had asked her to join them to celebrate. They were nominated for multiple awards but didn't win. That didn't matter, though; it had been their first time earning nominations in their four years as a signed band and they were all stoked.

Sam had decided to let her hair down tonight and have a good time. After the back and forth with the label over changing her blog content had turned into an ultimatum, she had been struggling to be okay. She wasn't one to dwell on the unfairness of the world, but this was making her feel almost like a victim again. It felt reminiscent of Nic's control over her despite the fact the label was only doing what a good business should do and expanding. Diversifying, as they had told her.

She didn't want to take it so personally, but her blog was a deep part of her soul. Blogging about an exciting new band and how that band's music resonated with her was her way of inviting her readers into her psyche.

Her blog was especially important to her after she left Nic. He tried to make her quit while they were together, telling her it got in the way of their time. Looking back, Sam could see all of the red flags from the beginning, but it would take her another nine months of abuse before she escaped Nic's oppressive distortion of love.

Attending the awards show and the official after-party tonight was exactly what she needed to shrug off the funk. She was ready to get back to rocking out at life. Tonight would be what the night out with Maya was meant to be.

After the awards show, Sam entered the party flanked by Sanctimonious's band members. She couldn't help but feel like the night was already going downhill. There had been tension among the band all night, and Sam felt uncomfortable with it. The lead singer, Greg, and the drummer, Oliver, kept giving the source of the tension—their lead guitarist, Marcus—concerned looks. Sam didn't blame them for their concern. She worried about Marcus too. The bassist, Ron, and the backup vocalist and rhythm guitarist, Matthew, were holding Marcus upright as they entered the party.

The band had all been drinking already, and Marcus was supposed to be living sober. Sam had been unable to stomach the thought of drinking tonight knowing Marcus was a recovering addict. She didn't know how to react as Marcus downed drink after drink during the awards show and the rest of the band hadn't tried to stop him. She wasn't sure when he'd fallen off the wagon, but he was getting wild and louder with each passing moment. His band members were already fed up with him.

"This's the best night ever!" Marcus slurred, leaning on Ron and still struggling not to trip on his own feet. Matthew bailed and migrated toward the other members as soon as they entered the venue for the party.

Sam plastered a smile on and put Marcus's other arm around her shoulders to help Ron. "Yeah, you guys deserved the nominations. I'm so happy for you." Sam said, and she meant it. "How about we get a table and get some coffee?" She proposed.

"Sounds good to me," Ron said shooting Sam a thankful look.

The other guys grumbled what Sam took as agreement and they all made a beeline for the nearest table.

Ron looked at Greg in annoyance. "Get a waiter's attention and get some coffee for him," he snapped.

Greg bristled. "Hey, it's not my fault he ended up like this."