Have Faith In Me

Grace’s POV

“I didn’t realize how much you loved Set Your Goals.” Sophia said putting her hair up in a ponytail.

“Yeah I mean, I remember you telling us you liked them but you were ready to hop in the pit as well as singing every word. You are a mad man!” Emmy said laughing.

“I fucking love them.” I said also tossing my hair into a messy ponytail. I knew that wearing a skirt and tube top to a rock show wasn’t a good idea so I brought along a pair of navy blue shorts and a grey t-shirt, which I ended up changing into after Of Mice & Men’s set. This crowd was ridiculous and the heat was unbearable but I was having a blast.

“Did you get any good shots?” Callie asked from beside me fanning herself.

“Yeah a few. I really wasn’t focusing. I was rocking out to damn hard.” I said making my friends laugh.

We waited a few minutes in the crowd before the lights dimmed and the crowd immediately started screaming. I looked up on stage to see Vic, Jaime, Tony and Mike take their places before the music started playing. The crowd went nuts. Everyone was jumping up and down and screaming the lyrics at the top of their lungs. It was easy to see how much the guys loved playing music. Vic belted out the lyrics with so much emotion while Tony, Jaime and Mike put everything they had into playing their instruments. I couldn’t help but smile while taking pictures of them. I felt proud I guess. There are so many bands that lose the passion behind music but they didn’t, and it shows.

“So this next song goes out to our friend Grace,” Vic said spotting me in the crowd. “This happens to be one of her all time favorite songs and we just happened to cover it for the Punk Goes Classic Rock compilation.”

I shook my head laughing as people cheered and screamed around me.

“So here it is. (Don’t Fear) The Reaper.” Vic said as the first guitar lines started.

I couldn’t help but jump up and down while dancing with Callie, Sophia and Emmy. As Vic said, this is one of my favorite songs. As much as I didn’t want their set to end it did but not before they thanked everyone for coming and promising to have a show again soon.

“You two are so lucky to be able to experience that with the guys when you go on tour with them.” I said pointing at Sophia and Emmy as we walked towards backstage. “I would love it.”

“Yeah it’s really fun going on tour. But hey if you and Mike start dating you might end up on tour with them too. They love having a personal photographer with them and sometimes the guy they usually bring out can’t come.” Sophia said

“It would be awesome if you came out on tour with us. I can see it now. Girl’s day outs everyday.” Emmy said making us laugh.

“You guys never wanted to have a girl’s day when I came out on tour.” I turned around to see the girl Abbey from the party and a girl standing next to her. She was basically a brunette version of Abbey, about 5’6 or 5’7, lots of make up, slutty clothes. I had a pretty good idea of who it was.

“It was probably because I didn’t like you. I made it pretty clear Katie.” Sophia said glaring at the girl.

Katie rolled her eyes at Sophia before looking at me, I saw her smirk and knew things were going to be bad.

“So you’re the bitch I’ve been hearing about that’s following Mike around like a little puppy.” Katie said with a hand on her hip. “He must have lowered his standards because you’re nothing like me.”

“Well if lowering his standards means not being and dressing like a slut I’ll take that as a compliment.” I said staring at her blankly.

“I know you think that you’re big shit because the two girls who are being used as sex toys and the bitch who can’t keep a man are behind you but they aren’t shit obviously.” Katie said

“Yeah if you think Mike will choose you over Katie then you belong with these three.” Abbey added.

I saw Callie start to walk towards them with clenched fists before I grabbed her wrist.

“Callie don’t. Its really not worth it.” I said looking at her.

“You should listen to her. You will only get your ass kicked.” Abbey said smirking at Callie.

“What’s going on here?” Vic said walking up with Mike and Jaime. “Why are you two even here?”

“What makes you think we’re here to see you?” Katie said

“Why else would you be here Katie? You don’t like this kind of music remember?” Jaime said moving to Sophia’s side.

“I just wanted to meet this new girl I’ve heard about that Mike here is into.” Katie said nonchalantly “I just wanted to give her some advice.”

“Oh really Katie? You guys broke up. What kind of advice could you give her?” Vic said glaring at his brother’s ex.

“Oh just that this whole thing with them two is a waste of time. I mean does she know you were with me last night, right Mike?” Katie said staring at Mike as he looked back at her with a bored stare.

“Are you really trying to do this right now Katie? This is pathetic.” Mike said standing his ground.

“Don’t lie to spare her feelings. It’s the truth. You shouldn’t take it to heart though.” Katie said looking at me. “Its all you’ve ever known. I mean your dad did leave your mom, for a man, which is worse. You should be used to it.”

As soon as that statement left her mouth I lost it. Before I could even talk myself out of hitting her, my fist connected with her nose and she fell the floor. Vic immediately jumped in front of me to hold me back and Abbey bent down to tend to her friend. My head was throbbing because of how angry I was. I couldn’t believe that she had just said that to me. But I was even more confused as to how she knew about that. Gavin wouldn’t hang out with a girl like her and the only person I had told was Mike. I looked over at him to see him staring at me.

“Are you kidding me?” I mumbled.

“Gracie I-“

“Are you fucking kidding me?” I yelled. “I told you that in confidence and you go and tell the last bitch that you slept with?”

“Grace, listen to me. I didn’t-“

“I don’t want to hear it Mike. I can’t believe you.” I said roughly removing myself from Vic’s hold and stalked towards the exit. As I got outside I realized that I had rode here with Sophia and had no way home. I sighed loudly as I tried to will away the angry tears I felt coming.

“You okay, Grace?” I turned to see Jonny standing behind me with a hesitant face.

“No.” I said simply.

“I heard you yelling in there.” He said walking over to me hesitantly. “You wanna talk about it.”

“No.” I said firmly.

I noticed him look away and felt bad for snapping at him.

“Sorry.”

“It’s cool. You’re upset.” He nodded. “I’ll make you a deal.”

I looked over at him with a raised eyebrow.

“You tell me what’s bothering you and I’ll tell you all about me and Callie.” Jonny tried to reason. “I know you’re curious and Callie doesn’t really talk about it.”

I thought about my options carefully. I could talk to Jonny, which would possibly get me away from here or I could turn him down and take the walk of shame back into the place I just stormed out of to ask Sophia for a ride back home.

“I don’t have any ulterior motives. I promise. Plus it’ll make you feel better.” Jonny said

I could see the honesty in his eyes so I nodded.

“It’s a deal only if I can give you advice on the Callie situation and you have to listen to me.” I said seriously.

Jonny chuckled to himself before responding, “Why wouldn’t I? That goes without saying.”

“Ok then. Can we just leave here? I don’t really want to see Mike or any of them for that matter. I kind of embarrassed myself in there.” I said scratching my arm nervously.

“Yeah we can. How does ice cream sound?” Jonny asked leading me to his car.

“Sounds good.” I said getting into his car. I buckled up and grabbed my phone out of my bag. I opened up a new text to Callie and started typing.

Hey. Sorry for storming out. I was just really angry. Tell everyone I’m ok. I just need to cool down.

Jonny put in a CD and I immediately heard a soulful voice flow from his speakers.

“Wow. Who is this?” I asked

“That is me.” He said smirking

“You’re in a band too?” I said shocked. “This is unbelievable.”

“You really aren’t into this kind of music, are you?” he asked keeping his eyes on the road.

“Not really. I mean I listen to a few bands like yours and Pierce and a few metal or hardcore bands but not a lot. I’m really into older rock, punk and indie.” I explained

“I see.”

“But you have a really good voice Jonny.” I said smiling

“Thanks.” He said

I felt my phone vibrate and looked to see two text messages: One from Callie and one from Vic. I read Callie’s first.

It’s totally cool. I understand, as long as you have a ride home. Call me tomorrow. :)

I quickly replied with an ok before reading Vic’s.

What the hell just happened Grace? I need you to talk to me NOW.”

I sighed before responding,

Can you meet me at my house? I’ll explain things.

“Jonny can I get a rain check on this?” I asked. “I need to get home.”

“Yeah that’s cool.” He said

“We’ll get lunch tomorrow. I promise.” I reassured him

“You like Mexican? There is this Mexican joint by the beach. We can meet there.”

“Sounds good.” I said.

I told Jonny my address and he changed direction and headed towards my house. I got a text from Vic as he turned onto my street.

Yeah I can. I got your address from Soph. I’ll be there momentarily.”

Jonny pulled up to my house and stopped in front of the driveway.

“Thanks for the ride. I appreciate it.”

“No problem. See you tomorrow, let’s say around one.” Jonny said

“One is good.” I said nodding.

“Cool. See ya.”

“Later.” I said getting out of his car.

He drove off as I walked up the stairs of the porch. I pulled out my keys unlocking the door as I heard a car pull into my driveway. I turned around and saw Vic stepping out of his car. I opened the door and stepped inside as he jogged up the stairs and followed me inside.

“Hey.” I said

“I am so confused.” Vic said right away.

“I know.” I said motioning him to follow me.

I walked into my room and immediately fell back onto my bed, sighing.

“Why is this happening?” I mumbled into my pillow.

“Life’s a bitch.” Vic said simply

“You got that right.”