Two Sides of the Same Story

I couldn’t believe I just said yes to sing on stage with Matt. It’s a great honor but I’m a country singer, the last time I checked heavy metal and country don’t mix. What will their fans do? Fuck, I don’t know. I really don’t want to be here, I want to go home.

"What is up with Val and hugging?" I asked. Matt just shook his head and Zacky laughed. “Zacky, I think you were right. She does want to suffocate me,”

Val pulled back and pouted, “I was just trying to be nice!”

“Sure,” I said, smirking.

“You little bitch,” she sneered.

I laughed, “Hey, I made you coffee,”

“And that I love you for,” she said, sipping her coffee.

I laughed and poured myself some orange juice. I glance over at Zacky, who was staring at me.

“What ya lookin’ at Zacky?” I asked.

“Oh, um, nothing,” he said, looking away.

Val raised her eyebrows and I shook my head, “Sure,”

After a few minutes of silence Matt broke the silence, “So, what do you guys want to do today?”

“Well, I’m meeting a friend of the family for lunch today,” I replied.

“Who?” Matt asked.

“A friend,” I replied.

“And his name is?” Zacky asked.

“How do you know if it’s a guy?” I asked.

“I’m right, aren’t I?” he asked.

“Yeah. Why are all of you so damn nosy?” I said.

“Well, I am watching you for the next six months,” Matt said.

“Watching me?” I said, laughing, “I can take care of myself, thank you very much,”

“Loree, I don’t want to fucking fight with you. Just tell me who the fuck your going to lunch with,” Matt exclaimed. Oh shit, I wasn’t expecting to get blown up on.

I sighed, “Robert’s friend, Alan. He just came home and wants to see me,”

“Who’s Robert?” Val asked.

I looked over at Matt’s direction, and looked back at Val. Matt and Robby never really got along. I remember they got into a fist fight one time, well Matt does have anger issues. Robby is my best friend and I go to him for everything, I also remember Matt getting jealous of how close Robby and I were. It kills me to be so far away from him.

“My brother,” I replied.

“Oh, I never knew you had a brother,” she said.

“I do. He’s in the marines and he just went back to Iraq a few days ago. I didn’t get to see him since I was on tour and now he’s back there,” I explained.

“Oh honey,” Val said, coming to give me a hug.

I stepped back behind Zacky’s chair, “It’s okay, Val. I think I’ve had enough hugs,”

Zacky started to laugh so I smacked him upside the head.

“What the fuck?” he exclaimed.

“Shut up,” I replied.

“I’m sorry, that sucks,” Val said.

“It does, but it will be good to see Alan,” I said.

“Well, be better not keep you waiting,” she said.

After that I walked upstairs and changed into a plain white t-shirt and black skinny jeans. I walked downstairs said goodbye to Matt, Val, and Zacky and met up with Alan at a local restaurant.

Three hours later I returned back at Matt’s, walking back inside the house I found Matt, Zacky, Brian, Jimmy and Johnny drinking beers and messing around with guitars. Well, Brian, Zacky and Johnny were. As I stepped in Jimmy whistled, causing me to laugh. I found a seat between Matt and Brian.

“Could I?” I asked Brian.

“Yeah sure,” he replied, handing me the guitar.

I started strumming and I got everyone’s attention.

“Sing something!” Johnny exclaimed.

“No, no,” I replied.

“Sing! Sing! Sing!” he exclaimed, jumping up and down on the couch.

“If I do, will it shut you up?” I asked.

“Yup,” he said, sitting back down.

“Okay,” I replied.

“Loree, you don’t have to,” Matt said.

“It’s no big deal,” I replied and started strumming.

Did you check the tires?
Put gas in the car?
I don't think you'll need too much
Cause you ain't gonna get that far

Did you pack the good times?
Don't forget a map
Just in case the route you take
Isn't there to take you back

You can hold any girl that you like
Fall in love when it's easy at night
But you wake up wondering why
She ain't ever something better

When you're lost and you've run out of road
Find what I already know
In the end close is all there is
But you won't find this
No, you won't find this

I looked up and Jimmy gave me the sign to keep going, I sighed and kept on strumming. I glanced up to find Zacky staring at me intensely, making me feel just a bit insecure.

There's once in a lifetime
And there's once in a while
And the difference between the two
Is about a million miles

Oh, you might get lucky
While the moon is looking on
But in the truth of the morning
The stars will be long gone

You can hold any girl that you like
Fall in love when it's easy at night
But you wake up wondering why
She ain't ever something better

When you're lost and you've run out of road
Find what I already know
In the end close is all there is
But you won't find this

You can hold any girl that you like
Fall in love when it's easy at night
But you wake up wondering why
She ain't ever something better

When you're lost and you've run out of road
Find what I already know
In the end close is all there is
Oh, in the end it's me you're gonna miss
Cause you won't find this
Oh, you won't find this

I finished, afraid to look up. I carefully slid the guitar back into Brian’s lap and sighed.

“Damn girl! You got some good vocals!” Brian exclaimed.

“Well, I got them from the best,” I replied, punching Matt in the shoulder.

Soon after Val came back and we talked about our music, lives and all the other shit you can think about. I kept noting that Zacky was staring at me when I talked and when I looked at him, he glanced away. Boys.

To my surprise I was actually starting to fell comfortable with my surroundings. But, I’m sure that will all change soon.