Tattooed

“What?” Dad asked turning his attention to the stage. I got off my seat and made a straight line for the stage which I then jumped up on no problem. I grabbed a fistful of light brown hair and dragged the girl behind the curtain into the dressing room, much to the displeasure of the men, before releasing her.

“What in the fuck is wrong with you?!?!” I yelled at her.

“I have to pay rent?” She questioned. I saw a few girls standing around in the room. I pointed at the closest one.

“Got out there.” She did as I said before I returned my attention to the pissed off 21 year old. “Get dressed.” I ordered.

“You're not my boss, I could lose my job because of you!” She yelled.

“I am your boss. My dad owns the place and you are fired. You've got too much going for you to be sliding down a pole, Devin.” I pulled my long lost friend into a hug.

“Wait, you own the place?” She hugged back.

“Yeah. And you can't work here.” We pulled away.

“What am I supposed to do for money?”

“How about a full time guaranteed job for 18 years?” I smiled. Dad wanted me to have a nanny, I would.

“What?” She was confused.”

“I need a nanny and I know you love kids so I'm offering you a job and a place to live for the next 18 years.” I smiled.

“I'll take it.” She said without a second thought before quickly pulling on her actual clothes. “When did you have kids?” She asked as we walked over to the bar.

“In about 3 months.” I smiled.

“Awe! Congratulations. Zack excited?” She asked. His name brought tears to my eyes.

“I don't know. We got divorced and he doesn't know.” She pulled me into a tight hug.

“Shouldn't you be bigger if you're so far along?”

“Should be.” I nodded as we neared my dad and David. “David, Dad, this is Devin. Devin this is my dad and David.” I did the introductions quickly.

“What was that all about?” My dad asked looking both of us up and down. We were dressed similar.

“This is a girl I went to high school with. She was one of my best friends then Jimmy was a dick and she disappeared on me. Oh and cancel my appointment at the Nanny place tomorrow.” I smiled.

“Why?” He said obviously not getting it.

“You wanted me to have a nanny, I have one. Here she is.”

“Well, ok then.” He shook his head smiling.

“Hey Emma, can I get a coke?” Devin asked the girl.

“Coming right up.”

“I'm going to show you around behind stage.” We all followed Dad, meeting everyone who worked there. After a while we left and went to the tattoo shop not far from where the guys were going to be recording. Devin went to her apartment to get everything settled. She'd be moving in tomorrow.

“BEN!” I yelled jumping on him making him drop his cigarette.

“Hey.” He laughed. It turned out that Dad had bought the new shop and asked Ben to run it until I could. I checked out the place before realizing how late it was.

“Ready to go home?” David asked from under me. I was sitting on his lap. I nodded burying my face in his neck. He carried me out to the car before my dad dropped us off at the house.

“God, it's been a long day.” I said unlocking the front door. Nyx ran from the couch on which she was asleep to meet us at the door. “Hey girl.” I said rubbing her head. I pushed the wall by the stairs then the one leading into the nursery before realizing my bags were still with my dad. I sighed and walked back out to the living room where I saw David dragging in our bags from outside.

“Forget something?” He laughed. “He said he was going to bring the rest of your stuff in the morning.” He pulled the luggage into my bedroom. I tried to take mine from him but he wouldn't allow me. “I got it.” He placed it in my closet with me following him.

“It wouldn't kill me carry my own luggage.” I pouted.

“This is more than 10 pounds so you aren't touching it.” He said placing it on the island type thing in the middle of the closet and opened it.

“Whatever.” I grumbled and started to unpack it with David's help. At the bottom there was a picture of Zack, Val, and Matt Sanders that must have fallen out of the box that I'd taken with me when I left. I smiled sadly at it. Matt had a tampon shoved up his nose while Val was freaking out and Zack was laughing.

**Flashback**

“Danni!” I head Val scream from the other side of the courtyard. I was going with all of the guys to get food. I spun around to see her freaking out and Matt's nose gushing blood. I raced over.

“What the hell happened?!?” I said nearing the two Zack on my heels.

“He tried to surprise me and I accidentally hit him.” She said as Michelle neared the group.

“I'm fine.” Matt said removing his hand from his nose allowing blood to run down his shirt before he clamped his hand back over it.

“Come here.” Michelle sighed digging in her bag. She pulled out a tampon out and shoved it up his nose. I couldn't help but laugh as I pulled my camera out and snapped a picture. Matt quickly went to pull it out before having Val slap his hand.

“Leave it! You're not dying of blood loss!”

“I'm not going to die. It isn't that bad!” He protested as Zack fell to the ground laughing.

“Look at yourself!” She ordered shoving a mirror in his hand.

“Just a flesh wound.” He laughed before noticing my camera. “You didn't.” He glared.

“Not at all.” I smiled.

“When I'm famous no one better get a hold of that.” He warned.

“Don't worry. This is between Michelle, Val, Zack, you, I, and anyone else I show this picture to.” I laughed before he charged at me. I quickly ran off camera in hand.

**End of Flashback**

“What that?” David asked looking over my shoulder.

“Picture.” I said and handed it to him. He started laughing before handing it back.

“That's priceless.”

“I know.” I placed the picture back in the box that was now stashed in the last cabinet on the right. I grabbed the bottle of Zack's cologne I'd taken from the old house and placed it next to the box. “Out.” I ordered at David so I could get dressed. I pulled on a pair of shorts that barely covered my ass and Zack's sleeveless Jack Daniel's shirt. I held it up to my nose and inhaled deeply. It was one of the few things of his I had and it still smelled of the same type of soap he'd used since I met him, his cologne, a hint of salt water, and cigarettes; a bad habit he'd picked up from me. I stood there just smelling the shirt before walking through the bathroom and into my room.

“Want me to sleep in here?” David asked once I was in the room.

“If you don't mind.” I gave him a sad smile.

“Not at all.” He stripped down to his boxers and pulled the blanket back. I crawled in after him and curled into his chest with Nyx at your feet.

I awake about two hours later and couldn't fall back asleep. I slipped from the bed and went to the art studio after changing my shirt. I grabbed a paintbrush and started to work. I'm not sure how long I was up there but by the time I finished the room was filled with sunlight. I looked at the painting and smiled. It was a girl laying on the beach at dawn, dead roses laying around her the water just about to reach her sleeping form. Her white dress was already soaked and the flesh that was visible was badly beaten. The water seemed to be washing her away.

“How long have you been up?” I heard a half asleep David ask from behind me.

“Not sure. What time is it?” I asked cleaning my brushes out in the sink in the left side of the room.

“About 10.” He said looking up from his watch.

“6 hours.” I answered placing the brushes out so they could dry. I looked over at the painting again. The bright colors were a nice change from the darker things I'd been doing lately.

“That's creepy.” David said looking it over. “I've never seen so much sadness so bright.”

“I'm going to get a shower.” I ignored his comment. I left the room using the spiral staircase I'd used to get up here and went into the bathroom. While the water warmed I set a emerald green towel on the counter by the show before stripping and getting in. Once finished with my shower I wrapped the towel around my body and put my hair into another. I got dressed before doing my hair and makeup then walking into the kitchen.

“Don't you look happy.” David smiled at the exhausted look on my face. I saw Nyx run out of the room with a bone.

“Sure.” I rolled my eyes and grabbed the toast he'd made.

“Really?” He laughed getting more bread out.

“Yep. You should make my pancakes.” I smiled. After he'd cooked and we ate I started on the dishes.

“You would starve if I didn't cook for you.” He said drying a plate.

“So not true. I'm a badass cook.” I laughed cleaning the last dish. He took it from me dying it.

“Could have fooled me.” He smiled as my phone went off.

“Sup?” I answered my phone.

“Time to go to the maid service office.” My dad said.

“Alright. We're leaving now.” I hung up and grabbed my car keys walking to the garage.

“Hey, take the Hummer. I'm going to unload everything from the jeep while you're gone.” Chase said pulling the garage in my jeep as I walked into it.

“Alright.” I took his keys from him and got in the monster. David got in next to me and I drove to the address my dad had given me last night.

“Hello. You must be Annie.” A young lady in a nice suit asked as we approached the counter of the office.

“I am.” I smiled.

“Right this way.” She stood and led us to a small room that had a couch, a chair to the left of it, and a coffee table in the center of the room. “Tyler will be in momentarily. Can I get you something to drink while you wait?”

“No thank you.” She then left the room. As soon as she was out of the door a tall man in his 30's walked in wearing a dark green suit.

“I'm Tyler. You must be Annie.” He said shaking my hand.

“I am and this is David.” I pointed to my best friend.

“Nice to meet you both.” He said shaking David's hand. “Now I understand you are needing a live-in maid.” He looked between us. I nodded. “Any thing specific you are looking for?”

“Not really. I've never had a maid before.” I shrugged. He grabbed a binder off of the table and handed it to me opening it to the first page.

“Go ahead and flip through this and see if you find someone you like.” He smiled as David and I flipped through a few pages. I stopped on one of the pages when I saw a dark hair girl with pale skin in her early 20's. She had her eyebrow pierced and at least 5 up each ear. I could see the top of a tattoo peaking through the top of her button down but couldn't make it out. I read over the facts that were listed under the picture. I found out her name was Erin, she was 22, and she's never been hired by anyone through this company.

“Why hasn't she been hired?” I asked showing Tyler the picture.

“Not many people want someone looking like her living at their house. Can I show you a girl I think would be a good fit for you?” He asked taking the book. He flipped a few more pages before landing on a girl in her early 30's that was very clean cut.

“No offense sir, but you don't know me so how would you know someone who would be a good fit?”

“This woman gets along with everyone and does an amazing job.” He smiled.

“Well I want to meet her.” I flipped back to the girl I'd landed on.

“Yes ma'am.” He said. “If you'll excuse me, I'll be right back.” He stood from his chair and left the room.

“God he's thick.” David said with a chuckle only to have the man return with the girl I'd picked along with the girl he'd picked.

“Ne l'ecture pas, soit.” (Doesn't listen either.) I said looking at David.

“Il n'est pas la plus brillante ampoule dans la salle. Salut, mon nom est Erin.” (He's not the brightest bulb in the room. Hi, my name is Erin.) The younger girl said with a laugh extending her hand.

“Je m'appelle Danni et il est David.” (I'm Danni and he's David.) I smiled shaking her hand. I looked at Tyler to see him completely confused.

“Ravis de vous rencontrer.” (Nice to meet you.) She said.

“Parlez-moi de vous.” (Tell me about yourself.) We talked for a few more moments in French. It seemed she and I had a lot in common.

“I'm Riley.” The older one said introducing herself after my talk with Erin. I talked with her for a moment to humor Tyler before he asked them to step out of the room.

“I want Erin.” I stated simply. Tyler looked shocked.

“Are you sure?” He asked.

“Yes. I'm going to be having twins soon and I will be teaching them French so it would be nice to have a maid who also spoke it so they can practice with someone who isn't me.” I smiled standing.

“Ok.” Tyler said giving up. David stood as well and we stepped out of the office and into the room across the hall which the girls had stepped.

“Vous etes embauche. Quand pouvez-vous commencer?” (You're hired. When can you start?) I said before giving her my cell number and address.

“Ce soir.” (Tonight.) She smiled.

“See you in a few hours.” I said before David and I exited the room and building. My phone started going off once we were in the car. “Hello?” It was a number I didn't recognize.”

“Hey Dan, it's Devin. Where are you? I just got all of my stuff moved in with help from Chase but you're nowhere to be found.”

“I go by Annie now, by the way. I'm actually on my way back. Then I think I'm going shopping, want to go?” I asked starting to drive.

“Sure. I'll see you when you get here.” I got a beep and looked to see Pierre was calling me.

“See ya.” I switched lines. “Hey man.”

“Hey, we need our bass player. We've got to get everything decided for the record.”

“Alright, you can have him.” I laughed. “I'll drop him off in a little bit.” I said before flipping the phone shut.

“Hey.” Devin said getting in the car once we were at the house. Chase would get over me stealing his car for the day. We dropped David off at the studio before going shopping and buying all the baby supplies I would need. While we were out Chase got Erin moved in.

The next 3 months passed and I got closer to both Devin and Erin. It seemed Erin had a thing for my cousin and he made it obvious he liked her. They guys were still working on the album because they'd scrapped over half of the material because it didn't come out right. I had started to show I was pregnant but I was nowhere as big as I should be. By looking at me, you'd never guess I was 8 months along with twin after all I`ve only gained a total of 20 pounds. Stretch marks were something I had yet to get due to my taking care of my skin, making sure it was flexible. I'd gotten everything in the club and tattoo set on a system I could deal with. Chase moved out a week ago to be with his girlfriend, Sarah, leaving only Devin, Erin, David, and I in the huge house. I'd cut my hair to my mid-neck and dyed it bright red with a purple under layer.

“Come on. Get your ass in the car!” David yelled from the driver's seat of my newly acquired black 2001 Range Rover. My dad had bought it saying I needed something to keep his grandchildren safe and my jeep wasn't good enough. Why he put 22 inch rims on it I have no clue but I was happy about the kick ass stereo system.

“Chill out.” I said having to climb to get into the car after throwing my bag in the back seat.

“We're going to be late for your pictures!” He said starting the car and pulling out of the drive way. It was currently 4 pm on October 22 and my appointment was at 5.

“Yeah right. It's a 30 minute drive and we have an hour.”

“I'd still like to be there early.” He said as I turned on the music to keep him from complaining. I felt the little boy kick. I knew it was him because he had settled on my lower right; his sister took my upper left. We arrived in 45 minutes due to traffic.

“Hey Jamie.” I smiled walking into the studio. I'd met her through Seb. She was his new love interest.

“Hey Annie. Are you ready?” She smiled as David walked in behind me carrying the bag that had extra clothes for both of us. David had decided he was going to be in my maturity pictures claiming that they were his kids as much as mine even though he had no part of making them. We'd decided Zack was simply a sperm donor. I was still healing over him but I was a lot better than I was 5 months ago thanks to my support team.

“Let's get this show on the road. I have to get to the studio as soon as we finish.” David said dropping the bag on the floor. Jamie did an awesome job on the pictures. She'd done every one twice; once with David and once without.

“Thank Jam. These are amazing.” I said as she flipped through them on her computer after 4 hours of taking pictures.

“Let me do some retouching to a few and then I'll have you guys come back and pick which ones you want.” She smiled. David and I left going to the studio after I changed into a pair of his pants and a baggy t shirt. I looked like a normal skater girl instead of being 8 months with child.

“There is my favorite cousin.” Pierre said as we walked in.

“I'm your old cousin smartass.” I noticed that the four members of the band, the producer, and a guy I hadn't met before were all sitting around while there was another guy in the recording booth. The 2 I hadn't met looked exactly alike except the one sitting with the band was more heavy set, he had his nose, the center of his lip, and his ears pierced, and had his hair in liberty spikes with a random pink spot in the front, a blue spot in that.

“Annie, this is Benji. The guy in there is his twin Joel. They are in a band called Good Charlotte.” Pierre said referring to the guys I didn't know.

“I know who they are.” I smiled.

“You do?” Benji questioned.

“Yeah. I have your CD. You guys don't suck too bad.” I said nodding taking a seat by him.

“I think that was a compliment.” He said unsurely.

“It was. Well it was an Annie compliment.” Chuck laughed.

“You don't, you don't you don't mean anything to me.” I hear Joel singing and looked over at David.

“Don't even.” He laughed slightly.

“Then go get me a bottle of water.” I laughed turning my attention back to Benji. “So how's the life of a rock star?”

“You mean sleeping in a van and not showering for weeks at a time?” He raised an eyebrow.

“At least you showered today.” I smiled causing him to laugh.

“Good thing I did. I wouldn't want to skink meeting you.“ His brown eyes shone. We sat and talked a little bit more before my phone went off.

“Yellow?” I answered it after seeing it was my mother.

“Hey Danni, can you come get Demi?” She asked sounding worried.

“I'll be there in twenty. Do I need to call you know who?” I asked referring to the police.

“No, just hurry.”

“Leaving now.” I hung up. “Sorry guys but I've got to bounce. Mom needs me to get Demi. If you don't hear from me in 30 minutes y'all know what to do.” I said disappearing out of the door. I jumped in the Range Rover and sped the entire way there. I stuck the gun my dad had given me in the back of my pants as I walked up to the front door. I could hear glass breaking.

“Mom?” I called walking into the house. Demi's car seat was by the door but she was no where to be found. She must still be upstairs. I ran toward where I heard another crash and my mother scream.

“You stupid slut!” Aaron said holding a knife chasing my mom through the kitchen. I flipped my phone open and dialed 911 quickly.

“Aaron put it down.” I yelled not caring about the call. They'd trace it and be here soon.

“I thought we got rid of you, you good for nothing whore!” He said walking toward me. I backed up a few steps before my back hit the dinning room table. My mom grabbed a glass vase before smashing it over his head, which didn't faze him. He spun around and caught her in the left side just under her arm.

“Mom!” I cried stepping forward before I was stopped by him. He still hand the knife in his hand which I didn't realize until it was buried in my arm. I pulled away quickly before heading to the living room, tipping over the coffee table making it topple over with me. I sat up and leaned my back against it pulling the gun from my clothes. I switched the safety off just as he rounded the corner of the table knife still in hand. My vision was starting to blur from blood loss as I pointed the gun and pulled the trigger. Only seconds later my vision faded and I was engulfed into nothingness.