Girl I Know

Chapter 29
(Mercury)

“What the hell are you still doing here?!” I yelled waking up to seeing Candy, in skimpy ass shorts and a tank top making coffee with the ground coffee I purchased at Dunkin Donuts…wait that was my fucking shirt! What is she doing with my shirt, my coffee and my Brian!! I decided that I don’t like this bitch, and she will now be deemed as Michelle 2.0, a version almost as terrible as the first fuck up.

“Oh hey! I hope you don’t mind that I borrowed your shirt, it’s just that last night, Brian just tore the one I was wearing right off of me!” She said with a voice that made me want to regurgitate. Yeah if you can call what she was wearing a proper shirt.

“Mhm lady I’m pretty sure it was great and all, but the purpose of being his one night stand was him to fuck you, and then you leave!” I snapped. I was not in favor of her right now.Jealousy? Nahh…..

“Whatever bitch. Why don’t you go fuck off and play Barbie somewhere? Don’t get pissed because Brian asked me to be his girlfriend.” She said and my jaw dropped. I wanted to beat her ass, and sit there with an idiotic expression all at once.

“WHAT?!” I yelled.

“That’s right…I think I’ll be here for much longer than you think.” She smirked. Holy shit…this was not happening. I needed to talk to Brian…and fast

No, I can’t talk to Brian now! What was I thinking! He would be too busy with his whore…but I needed to tell someone…duh, Val. I picked up my phone and I climbed up to the emergency exit at the top of the bus. I pushed it open and I climbed out, and sat on the metallic roof. It was actually a really nice place to just relax and stay quiet. I could even see the stage from here. I dialed Val’s number and waited for her to pick up.

I almost zoned out enough where I didn’t hear her answer.

“Hello M?” She said and I snapped out of it.

“Oh hey Val.” I said laughing at my own absentmindedness.

“Hey sweetie how are things.”

“Well now they are even worse. Because the asshole who sent the text was Ronnie, and he threatened to leak to the press that I was dating Bria-“

“Wait, Ronnie?! As in Ronnie Radke!?” She yelled and I confirmed it.

“That son of a bitch!” She cursed venomously.

“I know! He said he wouldn’t tell if I pretended to be his girlfriend. In his fucked up mind, he came to the conclusion that I loved him just as much as he loved me, and in the process I had to break up with Brian…”

“WHAT?!” She yelled and I could hear commotion in the background. I bet the girls were there.

“Brian doesn’t know that I actually broke up with him because Ronnie made me, and he believes that I did it because I don’t love him, which is the biggest lie because I love him with all of my heart.” I said and a few tears slipped from my eyes.

“Oh my god…oh my god…Sweetie, I’m so sorry.”

“Val it’s not your fault, its mine for being so reckless. The rest of the guys know what Ronnie did, but they don’t know that me and Brian went out. So yesterday they all but jumped Ronnie, I don’t think I’ve seen Matt or Zacky that angry ever.”

“That is good for that asshole. If I were there I would have gotten my kicks in.” She grumbled and I chuckled.
“I feel so bad about this entire situation, because it’s my fault! And now I barely have the right to get pissed that BRIAN HAS THIS TRASHY NEW GIRLFRIEND!” I said raising my voice at the end.

“WHAT?!” She yelled on the other line, and as if on cue I heard her ugly laughter.

“Yes! I just thought Brian just fucked her and she would leave! But not when I saw her this morning in MY clothes drinking MY coffee and climbing out of bed with MY ex-boyfriend! I mean it would be harder to hate her if she was actually a nice girl, but god damnit that woman is a bitch!” I said getting pissed. I could just imagine Val shaking her head.

“In his defense, he doesn’t know about any of this. But it’s completely wrong of him to bring some hoe back on the bus!” Val said and I nodded.

“Jeez, Val everything is just so fucked up here. Bri and I don’t even speak to each other anymore. He even called me Michelle! I don’t know why he even did that!”

“Why would he call you Michelle!?” She yelled and I face palmed.

“Dude, I just said I don’t know why.” I said laughing a little at the end.

“Oh I’m sorry! I just…wow that’s a lot of news. It’s hard to take in.” She said and I nodded in agreement even though she couldn’t see.

“I’m sorry if I’m burdening you Valary…I just don’t know what to do…” I said sadly into the phone’s receiver.

“M…you need to clean up this entire mess. It’s not worth going through it, if you do it divided. If Ronnie does end up telling the press, then you guys should withstand it together, not while everyone is pissed with each other. And you need to get rid of that blonde slut too.” She said and that gave me motivation.

“Val I honestly don’t know what I would do without you. I was just too scared to let anyone be affected by this and now I’m just scared of everything.”

“And that isn’t the Mercury Baker I know. The real M is fearless. You can do it girl…” She said and I could almost hear the smile in her voice.

“Thank you so much Val I love you. And by the way you are blonde too…slut face.” I laughed at the end.

“I love you too you Haner whore.” She giggled and my mouth dropped.

“That wasn’t very nice.” I pouted.

“No, it was accurate.” She said and I had to laugh at that. I heard the guys waking up and asking where I was and I banged my fist on the roof to signal I was up here.

“Okay Val, I have to get going. I’ll call you later to let you know what happens.”

“Okay ill talk to you later sweetie. You go get em.” She chirped and I smiled.

“Bye bye.” We both hung up.

“M!” I heard Sunshine yelling for me. I crawled over to the opening and I shouted down,

“I’m up here!”

“What are you doing on top of the freaking bus?!” Jimmy yelled crazily and I laughed.

“I like it up here. It’s nice and quiet, and away from Candy shaking her ass in front of Brian all day.” I said rather loudly and I hope she heard me. Jimmy gave me this look of sympathy. I almost forgot he knew how I felt about Brian. And I’m pretty sure he already knew we had broken up, or were at least fighting again.

“Baby girl get down from there, I don’t want your dumbass rolling off of the bus.” He said and I laughed.

“I won’t hurt myself, I promise. I just want to think up here.”

“Yeah, and you said you wouldn’t hurt yourself…” He scoffed mockingly before he disappeared. I sat back on the roof with a smile on my face as I closed my eyes and let the wind caress my face. I don’t know how long I was sitting on the roof, because the time was just passing me by. Before I even knew it I was being called to come down because we were heading to the next stop, Edmonton.

I climbed back down and closed the little emergency hatch on the roof. The bus started and we began to pull out of the lot. I waved goodbye to the stage as we passed it. I was more than ready to leave behind all of the events that went down here.

I saw Brian sitting on the couch with his whore, and he actually seemed interested in her.

“Bri, you are going to take her on tour with us?” I asked him and he looked towards me with his shit eating smirk.

“Yes, is there a problem?” He asked almost as if he were making me jealous. He was….

I rolled my eyes and held up my palm to signal him to stop his bullshit.

“Slow down turbo, it was just a question.” I said and I nearly cringed seeing her snuggle closer to his side. She was cuddled against his left side, Brian always held me on his right…well at least she wasn’t literally taking my spot… She gave me this condescending smirk.

“Yeah and bitch I’m watching you. Take my coffee one more time…” I threatened, pointing my finger dangerously. It was funny because I could have sworn I saw Brian about to laugh.

“Bri, she’s being so mean. I didn’t even know it was hers.”

“YES YOU DID IT SAYS M’S COFFEE! AND IM PRETTY SURE THAT SHIRT DIDN’T COME OUT OF YOUR ASS!” I yelled and she was faking every emotion of sadness. Stupid, stupid bitch.

“I didn’t even know who you were. I thought M stood for Matt, and I figured since he was a friend of Brian’s I could have some.” She said with all of her fakeness.

“SO NOW IT’S OKAY TO STEAL MY SON’S COFFEE! I SHOULD FUCK YOU UP!” I yelled, and these emotions were definitely just not over some coffee. Brian looked like he wanted to laugh and be mad at me at the same time.

“Slow down turbo, and stop fucking harassing my girlfriend.”

“YOU HANER! DON’T STEAL MY LINES!” I yelled pointing at him. He knew this shit was funny, I was dead serious but knowing Brian I knew he thought it was.

“YOU WILL SEE! ILL GET YOU AND YOUR LITTLE WHORE TOO!” I yelled walking away from the two and into the back room where the rest of the guys were.

“I think you have finally snapped.” Matt commented.

“I don’t like that slut at all.” I huffed glaring in their general direction. I couldn’t understand how Brian could even date someone so Michelle-like. I just wanted to destroy both of them. Brian for being stupid, and that bitch for being such a dumb fuck.

“Wait so if Brian keeps Candy, what the hell am I supposed to do? Does he expect me to share my clothes with her? Does he expect me to get along with her?!” I had to get rid of her before I even thought about talking to Brian about us.

I see how it is now…Brian Haner Jr and Candy bitchface are going down…

---

It was about fifteen minutes before the boys’ show and they were still on the bus. Matt had a camera, and he had a shit eating grin on his face as he taped Zacky and Syn. Brian was on the couch with a bottle of wine or something and he pretended to look drunk. I walked in on the scene and Jimmy held his finger to his lips.

“Syn what are you doing man?” Zacky asked and I wanted to laugh.

“Hobble hobble…” Brian almost slurred.

“We’re in Edmonton.” He said and I was nearly turning pink.

“Did you just say Edmonton?” Brian asked putting down the bottle.

“Yeah man.”

“Are you talking about the Edmonton, the same Edmonton that is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta?” Oh my gosh…

“Yeah!”

“Oh my good god, with a population of over seven hundred and thirty thousand people?!” He asked getting more excited.

“That’s what I’m saying!”

“Located above the north Saskatchewan River?!” Jesus Brian…

“You know it man!”

“Making it the number one metropolitan’s first and foremost northern American country with a population of over one million- I’m ready to go FUCK YEAH!”

“THAT’S WHAT IM TALKIN ABOUT!”

“See you in fifteen minutes!!” Syn said getting up in the camera, and I was laughing my ass off on the floor.

“You are all ridiculous! What was that for?!” I asked laughing.

“That was our tour intro video. That was a live feed from the bus, and now we need to get immediately backstage so we can play in fifteen minutes!” Johnny said laughing and I nodded.

“I get to come right?” I asked and Zacky gave me a funny look.

“Of course! I’m not leaving you by yourself, and besides why wouldn’t you be allowed to come?” He asked and I shrugged.

“No reason, I just thought I was in trouble.”

“No, of course you aren’t. Now hurry up, I need to get on stage!” He said kissing my cheek and then pushing me to move. I was fine; I was only in some jeans and a tank top. I put on some flip flops and put my hair in a ponytail. I wasn’t wearing much makeup except for a little bit of yesterdays eyeliner.

We walked off of the bus, and I was perched on Matt’s back, and Candy was glued to Brian in some skanky outfit. I really couldn’t do anything to her at the boys’ own concert.
Unless….

They ran backstage and Jason Berry was having a fit.

“Come on you guys! I can’t set up a show if you motherfuckers aren’t here! Get to side stage now!” He ordered and that’s where we went. The boys got their guitars, and in Johnny’s case his bass. The Rev’s drum kit was still being tested and I could understand that, the thing was monstrous.

I gave them all kisses before they went on stage. Well minus Brian, he kissed Candy and walked right past me. I watched as they started up the show with Bat Country. I loved that song, I had it memorized on guitar, and I always sang it with Matt and Zacky. There was a huge circle pit starting in front of the stage and I wanted to go in it. Better yet, I wanted Candy to go in it.

“Hey…do you like going in the pit?” I asked with enthusiasm, I was actually excited to go to the pit, but more excited to watch her get decimated.

“What’s a pit?” She asked and I wanted to face palm. I grabbed her hand and led her so where she could see the pit from the stage.

“That’s a circle pit. They’re awesome, you want to go?!” I asked her and she looked disgusted.

“Ugh no! It’s all disgusting and sweaty. Besides I don’t want to get hurt.”

“Oh man, I love going down there. You get to see the boys right there, and they love to see the kids moshing to their music…especially Brian. He loves mosh pits.” I said her eyes lit up like she was pondering it.

“He would be hella impressed. You know I’m going, but if you want to just join me. Go out of the backstage area and someone will take you to the pit since you are Gates’ girlfriend. I was just going to get there from the stage, but you know what I’ll show you.” I said grabbing her hand. I could tell she was really confused by my nice behavior.

I led her all the way to the general admission standing area and we pushed through crowds of kids. I looked up and I could see Matt standing on the risers screaming his little lungs out. My blonde brother and Brian were playing back to back. Bri still hasn’t cut his hair and I’m glad.

The circle pit was right in front of us, and there were people throwing punches and pushing each other around left and right.

“What are we supposed to do?” She asked timidly and I smirked. I charged in and punched one dude in the face, I was then caught up in all of the madness and I was almost in the center of it all.

I saw some hardcore chick push Candy in, and I let out a yell of triumph. It was clear she didn’t know what she was doing, and while she was being pushed by like five people, she started flailing around. I almost got punched because I was laughing too hard to pay attention. To others, it looked like she was just trying too hard to mosh, but she was scared shitless. I took solace in that.

A few guys got tired of her and pushed her violently out of the circle. She stumbled into a group of girls that she would fit in nicely with. Of course they were the ones who were the groupies that feared mosh pits and wanted to fuck my brother. I just stopped paying her mind and I kept dancing along to the music. When the song finished, I pushed my way to the barriers in the front and I was gladly welcomed. It was one of those breaks where Matt was making conversation to the crowd.

“Oh man it feels good to be back here in Edmonton.” He said into the microphone and the crowd roared. I cupped my hands and screamed in a really fan girl voice.

“I LOVE YOU M.SHADOWS!!!” I screamed and he looked down at me and laughed.

“I love you too.” He said laughing and I freaked out.

“OH MY GOD!” I squealed freaking out, making this chick next to me laugh out loud. I turned around to see Candy coming in my direction. I tried my best not to laugh.

“What the fuck M?! I thought you said those mosh pits are fun!” She whined, as her hair looked crazier than sex hair, her lips were swollen and almost cut, she was getting a black eye, and yet her nose looked near perfect…hmm.

“They are! They’re awesome! You just aren’t doing it right!” I said as there was a cut on my nose and it was bleeding. I remember last time my nose stud got speared into my nasal septum…that shit hurt though…

“Ugh!” She said storming off as she pushed her way through the crowd in her heels. Idiot who wears heels like that to a rock concert… I shrugged and turned around as I just watched my boys work. I couldn’t keep my eyes off of Brian though. He just looked so…good, in his natural setting. I knew he belonged there, and I knew that I belonged with him.
Call me crazy, but I needed him if not with me, then at least in my life somehow. He can’t just leave me all together. Our eyes connected for a brief moment where he strummed his guitar. I tore my gaze from him and I looked over at Zacky. He smiled and waved and I jumped up and down flailing my arms at him. I looked to side stage and I saw Candy standing there pouting childishly and I smirked. I waved at her and she gave me this ill look.

I’m not the one who just got their ass kicked in front of her boyfriend. I was able to come to terms with the fact that Brian must have had tourettes at that second to ask her to be his girlfriend. That or he was still drunk; there is no logical explanation for it. I would say he’s trying to get to me, but he actually hates me now.

I stayed in the front of the crowd, just happily enjoying the music that came from them and a few other bands. When the entire set was finished, I went backstage to where Avenged was designated. They were all crowded around something and they looked really happy. They were cheering and yelling. Candy stood to the side and watched in disgust. I wanted to know what was so friggin special…

“It’s really great to have you here baby.” Matt said and I heard a female giggle. They finally dispersed and Val was standing right there.

“Oh my god VAL!” I yelled as I ran over to her. She squealed in excitement as she opened her arms to me and I jumped into them.

“Oh dude! Its going to be so great finally having another girl on the bus!” I yelled as we hugged. Candy cleared her throat.

“Not you bitch. I’m not even convinced your nose is real let alone if you have balls or not…” I said and Val sputtered with laughter. So did the rest of the guys, Syn didn’t think it was that funny though.

“I’m so happy you are here! I missed you so much!” I continued.

“Jeez M you’re never that happy to see me…” Jimmy said and I pouted.

“I am on the inside…that’s what matters.” I said and he smiled. I finally let go of Val, who was smiling down at me.

“You look so gorgeous girl! I love the blonde!” She said and I rolled my eyes.

“Of course you would like it. See now we can have that threesome. Except you can’t say it in front of Matt because he sees me as a threat and he gets defensive.” I said looking directly at Matt.

“But it shouldn’t matter right Matt? Cause you are a virgin and you don’t have sex with Val like I do.” He laughed and he nodded.

“Don’t worry; I kept him trained for you.” I said and Val laughed shaking her head.

“But Val…do me a favor, and when I say this I mean it with all of my heart. If you decide to steal Matt’s fake virginity anytime soon, get a fucking room!” I said wide eyed.

“M it’s not that bad. And you-" She said before her eyes widened and she cut herself off. I let go of a breath.

“…You are just a child and should know not to engage in such activities.” She finished off, nice and Zacky-friendly. I winked at her before we turned to the group.

“We’re going back to the bus?” I asked and they nodded. Brian stayed back to walk with Candy who was complaining about how she would have bruises.

“Is that his new girlfriend?” She asked pointing at the walking monstrosity.

“Yeah.” I winced.

“Holy crap…” She muttered and I burst out laughing.

“I know! And she’s a fucking idiot! I don’t like her at all.” I growled seeing her wrap her tentacles around him.

“I know it hurts you sweetie. It’s not good to generate so much hate for her.”

“I don’t hate her, I just want her to jump off of a cliff and leave my Brian alone.” I said.

“Yeah that’s not violent and sadistic at all…” She muttered tapping my shoulder.

“I wouldn’t mind if Brian dated a nice girl. Then I’d at least know that if he isn’t better off with me, he is better off with her. But this is just a problem, I’m not going to let Michelle 2.0 come in and trash everything up. No offense or anything.” I said.

“I always knew you were a fighter.”

“I can love…” I said pouting.

“Well duh you’re fighting for who you love.”

“Yes, with nuclear missiles and the whole shebang.” I laughed and Val high fived me. We walked onto the bus and Matt dropped Val’s bags near the door, and he panted because there was so much.

“Jesus Val, how much shit did you pack?!” Johnny asked and she rolled her eyes.

“Ugh you guys suck. This is just all I need to stay for the week.” She said and I clapped.

“This week is going to go by really fast though…” I said and she nodded.

“Yeah, I wish I could stay longer. But I have to get back to work next week.”

“So why did you come out if you are working?” Candy asked and we all looked at her. I don’t think she meant anything by it, but it was just a question.

“I came to see M…” She said and I rolled my eyes. Matt raised his eyebrows and so did the rest of the boys.

“And you guys too! I can’t forget my boys!” She said flashing them a dazzling smile and they were appeased…for now.

“You know…now that Valary is here. I say this calls for a party…” Jimmy said already breaking out the alcohol.

“Yeah, just don’t end up naked in the bathtub like last time. She said grinning and Jimmy smirked.

“Girl, you know I will.” He said in a high pitched voice. Everyone poured themselves glasses of Jack and coke, Johnny and Brian even had a few beers. But Zacky came back from the kitchen and set a box of Juicy Juice in front of me. We all started laughing our asses off.

“There you go.” He said taking a sip of Jack.

“What the fuck?!” I laughed as I picked up the box. It was mad small too; he could have at least gotten the bigger ones. I bet these were cheaper…

“Go on…drink up.” Zacky teased and they waited for me to open it. I tore off the straw and shoved it through the designated foil part. I took a sip and put it down.

“…there.” I said and they all cheered again.

“You guys are a bunch of morons.” I noticed Candy wasn’t drinking.

“How come you aren’t drinking?” I asked pointing at her with the straw sticking out of my juice box.

“Oh I don’t like liquor. Do you guys have any ingredients for a martini?” She asked and Val put her glass down.

“Girl, we don’t drink no martinis here.” She said and I could tell she felt out of place.

“You want a juice box?” I asked with a condescending smirk. She forcefully glared at me and I just laughed.

“It was just an offer. You just looked thirsty that’s all…” I said innocently. I knew she was evil…she wasn’t going to make me the bad person here. Brian was just glaring at me, and as much as I loved his eyes on me, it was pissing me off.

“What Brian?” I snapped and he just glared before he turned his attention elsewhere.

“What’s his problem?” Val asked leaning over. I shrugged.

“Hell if I know.”

“Was it the breakup?” She asked.

“Well he wasn’t this mad before. Something had to have happened, but I don’t know what.”

“You should tell him…you have to tell him…about Ronnie.” She said and I nodded.

“I know…I just don’t know when though. I have to get Candy away from him, and I have to get him to be able to look at me for a few seconds without him wanting to incinerate me.”

“I’ll help you…get rid of that girl. She doesn’t seem that bad other than the fact that she isn’t Brian’s type.”

“Val she’s a bitch. She only respects you because you aren’t me. It’s because I’m younger so she thinks she’s the shit and she can boss me around. When the boys leave you’ll see…”

“So what are you saying…how do you propose we get rid of her?” I took a sip of my juice and narrowed my eyes…

“Sabotage.”