Gone Isn't Forever

Chapter 6

Almost Easy

Our show was over and I was certain that no one else had noticed the members of Avenged Sevenfold had remained in the front row the entire time. They seemed oblivious to that fact, so I wasn't exactly sure of what to do. I had two choices. The way I saw it, I could either explain to them that our favorite band had been at the venue as we performed our miraculous set, or I could just simply keep my mouth shut and pretend like it was as normal a show as any other. However, the last choice didn't seem like it would remain a secret forever. So I gave in and decided to spill the beans all over them as soon as I got the chance where we could talk in confidence. I really didn't want to discuss it where everyone could over hear the girls freaking out when I told them.

“So...Guys, I have to tell you something.” I mentioned to my friends once we were backstage and putting our instruments and equipment away. They didn't look at me as they were wall attentive to their own tasks. All I got was a few hmm's and whatnot. “You guys might freak out just a little bit...wait where's Harper?” I asked virtually ten seconds before I heard a loud earsplitting screech. It could only have come from one person. Yep, Harper had found them...

Harper came rampaging through backstage as she shrieked “HOLY JOHNNY CHRIST, IT'S JOHNNY CHRIST!!” I slapped my palm to my forehead. Oh Johnny Christ! My eyes almost popped out of my skull once they fell upon five male figures filing in behind Harper. Of course the rest of the girls could only view four out of the five men. That fact almost depressed me until that comforting feeling took a hold of my emotions like usual.

“Why the hell is Avenged Sevenfold backstage?” Maggy voiced her confusion.

Jo's squeal shook me out of my thoughts of tarnished depression. I glanced over at her and she appeared as if she were about to burst into tears. Knowing Jo, it would only be a matter of time until she shook with water works flooding her eyes and down her face. But then, she actually surprised me by flying towards Zacky V. and latching on to him, wrapping her arms around his torso and burying her face in his chest. Oh boy. Way to make the first impression Jo. I hung my head in shame.

Zacky held is hands up in surrender and then once realizing that Jo wasn't going to release him, he gave in and rested his arms around her shoulders. The rest of the girls had crowded around while Matt approached me. He glanced back over his shoulder at Zacky and Jo's random embrace and Zacky gave Matt a shrug with a “I have no clue what's going on” gesture evident. Matt just slightly chuckled and turned back to me.

“Big fan?” He asked, nodding at Jo. I attempted to speak, but an inarticulate “Nurrf!” came out.

“I mean yeah. We all are. And not to sound rude because this is like a dream come true but...what the hell are you doing here?” I questioned Mr. Matt Shadows. He chuckled once more, his adorable dimples inserting their appearance upon his cheeks. It was so cute that I couldn't help but to smile like no tomorrow.

“Let's just say, we were recently informed that there was a new band around the block playing at one of our old favorite venues and we decided to take a trip down memory lane. None of us had any idea that the band would consist of five lovely ladies such as yourselves. Although I must confess that we have never seen any other band with as much heart, talent, and passion as you showed us up there. I mean you girls really know how to rock it.” My jaw dropped to the floor as Matt delivered this piece of information.

“Yeah, and the dynamic duo bit? Bravo, bravo.” Zacky spoke from where Jo still held him prisoner.
I couldn't believe they were telling us this. I mean, it was a dream that none of us ever thought would become a reality. Kirsten stepped up front.

“Wait...So you mean, you guys saw us perform?” She asked him.

“Front row.” Gates smiled at her and I knew the fan girl inside of her was screaming and freaking out incognito. I kept my comments to myself when I noticed that her complexion was being painted with a crimson rose shade upon her cheeks. Oh yeah, she was itching to latch on to Brian just as Jo had proceeded to with Zacky. Actually, she was still holding on to that poor guy for dear life.

“You guys really didn't see us from up there?” Johnny asked us.

“Eeep!” We heard Harper freak out when Johnny spoke. Johnny turned his gaze over to Harper and flashed her that goofy grin of his, raising his eyebrows at her.

“You were in the front row the entire time?” Maggy twirled her drumstick and bit her lip nervously.

“Sure was.” Matt confirmed the obvious. “So, we the moral of the story kids, is this. I contacted a guy who may very make your dreams come true. Do you want to share your gift with the world?” All of us nodded with persistence. “Well then, would you girls be willing to do a trial run and do a little bit of touring with the big guys on the scene?” My eyes widened with shock and I could almost feel my knees give out until someone with large, cool hands held me up, supporting my posture. I knew it was Jimmy because I could feel the comforting feeling mellowing me out, forcing me to breathe with ease instead of freaking out and having an asthma attack. It was rather nice to have this new security blanket. It was a plus to know that it all came from Jimmy.

I couldn't help but notice that Jo had fled from Zacky's arms and had attached herself on to M. Shadows, which left a very confused Zacky Vengeance pondering what the hell just happened.

“Uhmm...Is this normal?” Matt asked, staring at me. I nodded. “Ahh! Shit, she bit me!” Matt tensed.

“Oh. Congratulations, you have made a new friend. That means you're friends. You're lucky she skipped communicating that she likes you.” I explained to him.

“How does she communicate that?” He asked me, curiosity getting the better of him.

“She licks you.” Kirsten filled in.

“That makes sense now.” Zacky stated as he wiped off his chin with his wrist. Everyone burst out laughing. We finally peeled off Jo from Matt. It was rather easy actually. Kirsten simply told her to release and she followed orders.

“So how about it Raising Babylon?” Matt questioned.

“Love the name by the way.” Syn added in.

“You girls up to tour with us?” Matt finished.

“Yes!! Absolutely! When?” I replied with anxiousness.

“We'll text you all of the details. Although, you ladies don't mind sharing a tour bus with us, do you? Because since it is kind of our project, our manager wants us to get to know you.” Matt told us. The rest of Raising Babylon glittered with excitement and disbelief.

“That...sounds...unbelievable.” I responded with my brain rattled and my mind void of thought. Maggy gabbed me with her elbow in the rib, snapping me out of it. “I mean, that sounds unbelievably awesome!” I attempted to save myself.

“YES!! SCORE ONE FOR JIMMY!” I jumped a little bit when Jimmy cheered himself on and pumped both fists in the air with pride. I just smiled at his peppiness. I knew Jimmy had done this. I was going to get it all out of him later. I had plans. ;)

“Great!” Matt clapped his hands together, clasping his left hand over his right. “You'll get a text later with more information. You ladies keep rocking okay.” And Matt, along with the rest of Avenged Sevenfold left us with that. We all watched in silence as they filed out of the room backstage. As soon as they were gone, we all jumped up and down and screamed with all of the emotions we had been holding in since a7x had shown up backstage. Maggy caught Harper as she dove into her arms and Jo hugged Kirsten with glee. This was it. This was everything we had ever dreamed of, everything we had been waiting for, and it was all coming true. Half of our dream had just been fulfilled. We had just met the band that had inspired us in so many ways to become musicians and to go for it. It was insane and before now it had seemed impossible. Although, I guess it did make more sense than adopting The Rev's spirit as my guardian angel whom I see and communicate with. It just seemed so...so...incredibly amazing. Like it was too good to be true. And it was. But it had happened. It just did.

“Jimmy, how did you-” I started to ask him. But he just held his index finger up to his lips, insinuating for me remain silent. I watched him disappear. I hoped that it wouldn't be the last time that I saw him. I wondered if this was what he meant. I wondered if getting Raising Babylon up off our feet and to spread our wings would be the thing that was supposed to turn his own wings from black to white. But then I was startled to see him pop up behind me. I spun around to try and understand what the hell he was doing. I just tilted my head at him, my expression twisted with confusion and question. He simply just spread his wings. I realized that his once pure black wings, which he only revealed to me at certain times, were now a peppery gray.

I watched his lips form the words as my ears received them. “Damn. It was almost easy.”