The Rockstar Within Me

The Rock Star Within Me - Chapter 25

Copyright 2012 

The next day we crossed the border into Canada and played a gig in Vancouver. It was our first time playing anywhere internationally and it felt amazing. 

It was one thing to play a show in front of your five best friends but when you play in front of kids that don't even live in the same country as you do ... Then you know it's something special. 

I knew from experience what it was like to see an artist that doesn't normally tour near you: the atmosphere is more exhilarating as you try and soak up every second of it, hoping to never forget it because there's the possibility you'll never get to see that artist or band perform again. Watching people jump up and down to River's and our songs was very nostalgic experience for me because I could see myself being  in the audience. 

My heart swelled with happiness. 

After the show when we were on the bus once more, waiting for the crew to pack everything up so we could venture off to another Canadian city, River, Mason, Drew and I started an intense game of Dutch Blitz. 

The card game was simple in theory but fast and overwhelming at times. I had only played it a few times before so I was slow and lost often. The boys all seemed to be masters at the game and slapped down more cards than I could read. 

The game was only a four player game so Jess declined to play. I had noticed she had become distant recently and we hadn't talked normally since we left California. A part of me put it off, telling myself that she was homesick and would come around when she felt right, but something inside me was worried for her. She would act differently around me and I couldn't figure out why. She acted fine around Mason and Drew and I never saw Jess and River together unless exchanging a few quiet words... So it must be something I had done, right? 

"Stop playing your fucking blitz pile!" River growled, at Drew who wore a devious grin. 

River's mood was darkening by the second as Drew continued to win round after round. 

Drew just laughed, not caring what River said which only made River more angry. 

In fact, Drew's constant winning was pissing all of us off but his motives seemed to be mostly directed at River. 

"Can't help it. You're just no very good at this game I guess." Drew replied innocently with a shrug. 

"I'm just fine at this game. Maybe you're just being a dick." River spat back, reshuffling his cards. 

"Guys, calm down." I murmured, trying not to get in the middle of their obvious tension but at the same time getting tired of it. 

"You're boyfriend is just a sore loser." Drew answered, the word boyfriend sounding poisonous on his tongue. 

This made River even more angry. He threw his pile on the table, his cards flying everywhere. 

To my confusion, he replied with an usual response. 

"Is that what it's all about? You jealous bastard, move the fuck on!" 

Drew stood up quickly, his demeanor menacing,  pointing a finger in River's face. 

"You don't know anything brat." He said in a eerily calm tone. 

River had had enough and pushed Drew roughly. 

Drew stumbled a bit but jumped back with a punch to River's jaw. 

I shouted and jumped in front of River, who was holding his cheek but a deadly look still on his face. I held on to his shirts material, refusing to let him get any closer to Drew. Mason was doing the same thing for Drew, holding him back.