Around and around we go

Chapter 14 Take a step back in time...

From the first moment I met Shannon I knew he was going to be trouble. I wish I had known just how much trouble.

Don't get me wrong, we got along instantly. It was as if these two were meant to have a little sister. I fit right into their little family seamlessly. We all lived together in a weirdly perfect harmony. They were forming the band and acting, I was assisting them and doing the photography thing. Where Jared was high energy, constantly on the go, Shannon was mellow and able to sit still for longer than 20 minutes. It was perfect for me; I always had someone to spend time with depending on how I felt.

And then there was the partying. Oh did we party and party HARD. I'm fairly certain there was a good 6 month period where I didn't see daylight unless it was as I was stumbling home. Shannon took me everywhere with him, introduced me to a life of heavy drinking, smoking, and drugs. I got hooked on coke fairly early (it was everywhere, everyone was doing it...) and it was the only way I was able to keep up with Jared some days.

We went on tour. Everything was new and exciting. Life was really good. We had fallen into a routine of life on the road together. When we weren't staying on the bus, Jared and I ended up just sharing hotel rooms as he would end up in mine anyways.
It was when we were touring Europe when things changed. We had just spent 3 solid weeks sleeping on the bus and we finally got to stay in a hotel. I don't mind sleeping on the tour bus, but it was getting on everyone's nerves. You know it's time to get off the bus when Tomo starts to respond in barely discernible grumbles.
I was exhausted, fighting off a cold that one of the crew had brought along, and all I wanted to do was take a nice long bath and sleep in a normal sized bed (ok, KING size) where I didn't risk bashing my head in if I sat up too quickly.

I got everyone checked in and sorted, ordered myself some wine and bubble bath for later, made sure we had dinner reservations and headed up to our room to lay down. The guys were going out to explore the city so I would have a little peace and quiet. I didn't even have the energy to get undressed. I just flopped down on top of the bed, pulling the bedspread over me and passing out. Jared woke me when they got back by JUMPING on the bed. He was in an unusually giddy mood.

This could only mean one thing.

"Naaaaat are you up? I need you to add a couple more people to our dinner reservation tonight.. pleeeeeaaassse"

There it was.

They had picked up some companions for the evening. I was used it. It really didn't bother me at all. I've met some of the most interesting people this way.
"Sure... how many? Did you find one for me this time? You know how much I like blondes..."
"Good thing we have the same taste in women! I'll let you take your pick"
"That's just so incredibly nice of you! Thanks!" Sarcasm is my specialty.

I got up and made the arrangements to add six more people to our dinner reservation, which meant we were taking over the entire restaurant and would have to go later than originally planned. Perfect, more time for me to nap!
He came back from wherever he goes just as I was falling back to sleep, and just stands at the foot of the bed staring at me.
"Seriously? You still have your shoes on"
"mmmmppphhhffff sleeping"
"Where are your PJs? I'm going to join you in a minute."
"somewhereoverthereish" I point in the general direction of where I think I left my suitcase.
He managed to undress me without any effort, it's a skill he has and likes to use. Often.

"Wow... that is some sexy lingerie you've got on there miss"

I look down and see possibly the oldest sports bra on the face of the earth, and a pair of his red briefs. What? we haven't had laundry service in awhile and he overpacks undies like the world might run out of them.
"Hey, at least they're clean... I'm too hot for PJs.. just let me be!" He's trying to wrestle me into the shirt. "Either get in here or fuck off"
"ok ok. Stop taking my underwear! " and he crawls in behind me, wrapping his body around me in his normal bigspoon position.
"Nat... I need to talk to you about something...."
"Can it wait? I'm exhausted."
"Yeah, I guess it can wait. I just... want to make sure that nothing is going to change with us. Promise me nothing will change."
"mmmhhhmmm sure... nothing will change Jared...I promise, littlespoon for life..." I was already drifting off to sleep again.

We never did have that conversation. But I found out soon enough what he was talking about.

Jared managed to hit it off with not one, but TWO of the girls that night. Walking back to the hotel, Shannon and I were at the back of the group (I have short legs and have to RUN to keep up with Jared), his arm slung casually over my shoulders. It was lightly snowing, blanketing everything in a glittering white blanket. It was absolutely beautiful.

"Well, it looks like you're staying with me tonight kiddo"

"Think I'll be able to get into my room before they do? I need to grab a couple things..."

"I think I saw a pair of your PJ's in with my stuff when I was packing. Need anything else?"

"Wine. I need more wine... OH I was also going to have a bath... Can I still do that?"

"I think we could make that happen. Movie?"

"Sure... NO foreign subtitle filled this time.. I cannot read another movie!!"

"haha deal!"

We weren't in any hurry to get back to the hotel. Since I napped all afternoon, I was wide awake. It wasn't overly cold out, and the town was so peaceful and quiet under the freshly fallen snow. Perfect for taking a leisurely stroll after a wonderful meal. I think I had at least a bottle of wine to myself, I was in that very happy state of drunkeness: Just past tipsy, but not a mess. Shannon stopped walking to take out his pack of cigarettes and light one. We watched as the rest of the group turned the next corner towards the hotel, leaving us on our own. Without his arm around my shoulder I could feel the chill of the night creeping in. I stepped up to him, wrapped my arms around him and pressed my body against him to keep warm while he smoked. He wrapped his free arm around me and kissed the top of my head between drags.

"This is so beautiful.." I sigh with content at the perfect evening we had just enjoyed.

"So are you."