You Look Pretty Low

[Trinity]

It was now Sunday, and Peyton and I were on our way to the boys’ gig. We were in the back of Rian’s car, on our way to meet the others there.

“Pey, I just want to warn you about Alex when we perform,” Rian said hesitantly

Both my sister and I frowned.

“What about him?” Peyton asked coldly

“It’s nothing too bad…he’s just a bit of a diva after. He’s get’s really excited when a gig goes well and his ego blows up. I just didn’t want you to be confused or angry when we finish. Alex likes you too much for that,” Rian smiled

Peyton nodded in understanding, but I could tell she wasn’t completely happy. We spent the rest of the ride in silence, till we pulled up outside of a dirty looking building.

“Is this Crash Mansion?” I snorted, referring to the place they were meant to be playing at

“It’s a lot different inside, you’ll see. Just go down the side of the building to the backstage door. Tell the bouncer your names and he’ll let you in. He might not even be there yet. I’ll be in when I’ve parked the car, but Alex, Jack and Zack will be hanging around somewhere, probably in a room down the corridor,” Rian instructed

Peyton and I nodded, linking hands as we got out the car. Peyton was definitely dressed to impress Alex in her off-shoulder yellow dress and black leggings, but I was just dressed to hook-up in my strapless black-and-tartan dress.

Anyway, like Rian had said, there was a guy at the door, but he let us in after we said Hayes sisters. I led the way down the narrow corridor, noticing there was another band loitering as well. As we squeezed through them, one guy slid his hands up Peyton’s dress. Bad move.

“Get your slimy hands off me,” Peyton snarled, slapping his hands away

“You look like the type of girl that knows her way around a bed,” the greasy techno boy drawled

As his band laughed, I growled and pulled my sister in front of me, away from them, whirling around to face him.

“And you look like the type of guy that sucks dick as his day job, so back off,” I spat

“We like them feisty,” Greasy smirked, licking his lips

“We’d like you to fuckk off,” Peyton sneered

“Or what? You gonna make him?” his friend smirked

I rolled my eyes and hitched up my dress slightly before jumping and slamming my foot square in the centre of his chest. Peyton laughed as he fell backwards to the floor, flat on his back, crying out in pain.

“Why you little…”

“Is there a problem here?” a familiar voice asked

The band glared as Jack slid to my side, placing his arm round my waist protectively.

“You better watch your girl. She’s gonna get it someday,” one of the boys snapped, helping Greasy off the floor

“I’d like to see you try,” Jack snickered

I smirked at the boys, Peyton doing the same. Jack grabbed our hands and led us further down the corridor, stopping outside a door.

“Rian leaves you along for 5 minutes, and you’re already in a fight,” Jack mused, opening the door

Alex and Zack smiled at us as Jack closed the door, Peyton immediately going to sit on Alex’s lap.

“Why do you look so pleased with yourself, Trin?” Alex asked curiously, sliding his arms round Peyton’s waist

“I floored a guy,” I shrugged, taking a seat next to Jack

“Why? What did he do?” Zack frowned from across the small room

“He groped Peyton and she didn’t like it, obviously. I didn’t like his attitude either,” I snorted, rolling my eyes

“Where is he? I’ll fuckking kill him,” Alex growled

“Relax, Romeo, he won’t bother us again,” Peyton reassured, smiling

Alex didn’t look convinced, but he nodded anyway. Then Rian stuck his head round the door.

“Parking was a nightmare. We’ve got soundcheck now,” Rian announced

Jack whooped and leapt to his feet, bounding out after Rian. Alex kissed Peyton and whispered something in her ear, making her nod and follow him out. This left me and Zack alone. I stood up, picking my bag off the floor.

“Aren’t you going with them?” I asked bluntly

“Not without a good luck kiss,” Zack shrugged, standing up too

“And where are you going to get that?” I asked boredly, knowing full well what he was implying

“From you,” he said simply, walking closer to me

“And why would I go that?” I retorted, raising an eyebrow

“Because you want me,” Zack smirked, backing me up against the wall

“I’ve already had you, so I’m good thanks,” I said fake-sweetly, pushing him off and walking away from him

In my head I knew that I was turned on by this temporary-dominant version of Zack. He knew I knew. I knew he knew I knew. But I still didn’t want to admit it to him. I could feel his breath on my shoulder as he rested his hands on my waist from behind, and bit my bottom lip, determined not to let him get to me.

“You know you can’t resist me…especially when I do this,” Zack whispered

I held my breath as he ran his tongue up my neck, biting firmly just under my ear. As I groaned, Zack chuckled, so I spun on my heels.

“Fine, I’ll kiss you,” I growled, grabbing fistfuls of his t-shirt

“Don’t say it like it pains you,” Zack mused

I just scowled before slamming my lips into his. He pulled me tight against his body by his hands on my waist, roughly kissing me like it was the last time he ever could.

Bastard.

Caught up in the moment, I slid my tongue into his mouth, furiously tangling it with his as my desires took over my body.

Then I heard footsteps outside, so I pushed him away forcefully.

“Asshole!” I yelled

Zack barely had time to look confused before I punched him hard in the stomach. The door opened just as he doubled over in pain, groaning.

“Trin, could you not beat up our bass player, we kinda need him,” Rian sighed, helping Zack stand up

“Teach him to keep his fuckking mouth shut then,” I snarled, stalking out of the room

*

[2 hours later]

[Peyton]

The boys were nearly finished with their set now, and the crowd were loving it. I was surprised how many people could fit into such a small place, but it was pretty damn packed. Trinity and I were at the side of the stage, Trinity being in such a bad mood (for some reason) that she didn’t want to go down into the crowd. She’d been scowling and crossing her arms ever since soundcheck, insisting nothing was wrong, but I knew she was lying.

I’ll get it out of her later.

“Right everyone, this is our last song. Thanks for being such an amazing audience!” Alex yelled

“We love you like Rian loves cake!” Jack added loudly

The crowd cheered and screamed back, Rian throwing a spare drumstick at the back of Jack’s head.

“This is called ‘The Party Scene,” Alex introduced

He nodded at Rian, who tapped them in:

Hey, kid, you've got, a lot of potential
but I think its time to move up, so go on and blow us away with your sound;
Now you're everything that we've come to love,
you taught us to move, so we'll show it off,
just drop us the beat...

Here's to the fast times; the times we felt alive;
to all the nights that we forgot to get back home.
Stay seventeen,
the party scene has got the best of me and you,
we've got to let this go...

Drink up last call before the sunrise sets the scene,
of empty bottles, heavy hearts,
the memories of broken dreams...
We were so tired yet so alive,
wrapped up in lies like sheets of another one night stand,
you know you left the girl with nothing but the,

Sunrise through the window pane, where tired eyes will close....
Stay seventeen, the party scene has got the best of me and you,
we've got to let this go...

I know she hopes I choke on this last drink,
drop dead before my influence gets to her head...
She said, "I'll love you forever, or find something better.
It's all just the same as when we sleep together.
We wake up with headaches, and trouble remembering
what went wrong..."

Stay seventeen,
the party scene has got the best of me and you,
we've got to let this go....

As soon as they ended, the crowd went wild. Alex, Jack and Zack threw their plectrums into the crowd, waving goodbye, before coming off the side to us, Rian not far behind.

“That was amazing!” I squealed, hugging Alex

“I know, right?” Alex grinned

I stiffened slightly, remembering Rian’s words. Rian noticed and sent me a pleading glance to keep calm. So I took a deep breath, before turning to my sister.

“What did you think?” I beamed

“I’ve seen better,” she muttered

“Pfft, yeaah right,” Alex snorted, running a hand through his sweat-soaked hair

“Get your ego down before I knock it down for you,” Trinity snarled

“Just coz you gave into Zack again, doesn’t mean you can be a bitch,” Alex retorted

That made Trinity snap. And I don’t blame her. She swung her fist and punched him square in the jaw. Alex stumbled backwards into Rian, crying out in pain, but Trinity just raised her fist again. But as she swung, Jack picked her up from behind, making her miss Alex’s face by mere centimetres.

“Come on, let’s go outside. You need to chill, babe,” Jack soothed

Trinity growled and threw his arms off her, but stormed outside. Jack followed after giving both Alex and Zack a withering look.

“Why the fuckk did you say that?” I spat

“What? She just punched me and you’re sticking up for her?!” Alex exasperated, standing up

“She’s my sister, of course I am! Rian warned me about you being a diva after you perform, but fuckking hell, he was being nice about it! You’re a complete jerk!” I snarled

Zack and Rian took this as their cue to go outside as well. Alex rubbed his jaw, glaring at me.

“I don’t want to argue with you, Peyton. Performing is my dream…can’t you understand that I get really into it?” Alex sighed

“You don’t have to be an ass to enjoy performing, Alex. If this is how you’re going to be after every show, then I don’t want to be around to see it,” I snapped, starting to walk away

“Don’t be like this, please!” Alex begged, grabbing my hands to stop me, “I…I’ll try and stop it! Please don’t break up with me!”

I sighed, looking up into his eyes. Before they were a vibrant, lively brown. Now they were dull and sad. I bit my bottom lip, not being able to get rid of the guilty feeling of knowing I’d made him like this in such a short time.

“I don’t know, Alex. I don’t know if I can trust you,” I said softly

“I promise I can change. Really, I do,” Alex said sincerely, squeezing my hands slightly

I looked into his eyes for a little longer. They seemed honest.

“Alright, fine. I’ll hold you to that. But if you’re lying, I’ll make you regret it,” I nodded, smiling slightly

Alex grinned and leant down, pressing his lips to mine softly. I smiled wider against his mouth, kissing back, before pulling away.

“Come on, we’d better go and find Trinity,” I said softly

“But she’s going to hurrrrt me,” Alex whined

“Mm, probably. But you did deserve it, and you need to apologise to her. I’m surprised I haven’t hit you, actually – my temper’s worse than hers normally,” I mused

Alex groaned dramatically, making me laugh. I linked my fingers with his, before pulling him outside.