𝕯𝖊𝖆𝖉 𝕸𝖊𝖒𝖔𝖗𝖎𝖊𝖘

Chapter Five

Janet lay on her bunk, bored. The crew was back on the road, and Janet was feeling anxious. She hadn't been on the road with them for long, and this was her first tour technically.

They recruited her a year ago, while they were travelling. Janet smiled fondly at her memories.

After seeing her videos, they went to the bar she regularly performed at.

She was playing the bass while singing. To her she saw it as just background music, and she mainly covered funky rock bands like Primus. After the show, she had packed up and left, but got jumped outside by one of customers who was leaving as well.

Tears pricked her eyes. His hands crawling on her skin, hot alcohol breath whispering in her ear. He had way too many beers. Janet did all she could to fight against the man, but he was stronger.

The band were there though, and Corey waisted no time in interfering. Mick and Jim pulled the man away, and they all stood around him and beat him to the ground. Janet stopped them eventually, and the guy took off bloody and bruised.

"Earth to Janet." Corey, whispered, pulling her back to reality. He pointed over at Joey who was having trouble with his mask and hair. He was becoming visibly frustrated.

Janet let out a laugh, but quickly put a hand over her mouth when Joey's glare met her eyes. She let out a muffled giggle. His face was flushed all shades of red.

"Here," She chuckled, "Let me help."

Janet gingerly moved his hair about, make sure it wasn't being pulled by the straps of his masks. There was a not in his hair. She quickly excused herself, and returned with her hair brush.

Joey couldn't fight back the strange relaxation that swept through him as she carefully brushed his hair. He found it oh so pleasing.

He felt Corey staring at him, and looked over.

Corey pointed a finger towards his pants with a surprised look on his face. Joey rolled his eyes, thinking he was pulling another joke in him. He looked down anyways.

Joey quickly put his hands in his lap, his face beat red under his mask.

"All done!" Janet smiled after fastening the last strap under his long hair, "See you guys in a bit." And went to go change into her outfit.

Corey couldn't hold back, and fell to the floor laughing, clutching at his side. Shawn walked in, "What's going on?"

Craig joined, but quickly fell into a fit of laughter at what he observed.

"Joey!" Corey laughed still pointing at the drummer, "Joey liked it when Janet played with his hair!" He wheezed out.

Shawn looked at Joey, and laughed too. A hot wash of embarrassment washed over Joey more and more, and quickly ran off to who knows where.

🥁🥁🥁

Janet finished fixing her hair after her shower. Excitement washed over her. They all were going to a little bar.

The show had ended hours ago, everyone freshened up and got dressed in comfortable clothes.

She thought she'd dress up a tad bit, and went with a simple dress, and Jean jacket. Janet laced up her sneakers before leaving the bathroom.

"Ok, I'm ready!" She beamed at the others.

🥁🥁🥁

The bar reminder of home, they even had a little karaoke session on a little stage. Janet gave the pub a good show by showing off her Bass skills.

It was her 21st birthday, and Janet was having an absolute blast celebrating it.

She happily joined the boys back at the table.

Their compliments made her already flushed face flush even more so. And she accepted all of them.

Overall their time in the bar together was fun and energetic. And they carried their fun with them as they left.

The all gathered on the bus, changed into pj's and sat around the living room.

It was Craig's turn, and he handed her the pair of blue earbuds. He didn't bother wrapping, instead sticking a little bow on it.

"Thank you, Craig." She smiled and gave him a hug.

Jim and Mick gave her the band t-shirts, and she gave them hugs as well.

Soon it got around to Joey. His face flushed red, as he gave her the stuffed bear he found at the store. And he handed over the card as well.

The room fell into silence as Janet carefully opened the card.

On the left side, it said traditionally said 'Happy Birthday' and underneath the text was everyone's signature. But on the right, hand written by pen was a little letter.

Dear Janet:

I'm sorry for last year, and all the hurtful things I said to you.

You truly are a great bassist, and my actions towards you were unfair.

I'm not asking for your forgiveness, you have every right to be angry or mad at me. I just want you to know that I truly am sorry and regret everything.

Roses are red, Violets or blue
I'm sorry it took me so long to realize that,
I love you.

-Joey

Janet was stunned, and felt tears pool in her eyes, she blinked then back and smiled, "Thank you guys, so much!"

And they all gave a group hug.

"Ok this gay," Craig said after the hug lasted a bit too long.

"Again thank you guys so much!" Janet smiled, and went to the bathroom, with the card in hand.

Joey was stunned as much as Janet was after reading what was written on the card.

"She read it, right?" Joey asked timidly.

Corey laughed, placing a hand on his shoulder, "Oh she read it all right. Just wait." He turned the volume up on the TV.

And after a few minutes, a muffled scream came from the bathroom along with a quiet voice.

"Fuckin' cheesy as hell!"

Joey felt his heart sink as she laughed.

"He's such a fuckin' unit."

Corey gave him an 'I told you so' smirk, and nudged him with his elbow.

Janet emerged from the bathroom afterwards, bid the gang goodnight, and climbed to her bunk above Chris'. She clutched the blue bear close and smiled. This birthday was the most fun she'd had in such a long time.