Beneath the Northern Lights

Lauri had accompanied the men to dinner at the ice bar. Drinks had been ordered all around on Ville. They sat in a VIP room off in the back of the bar. Lauri sat between Bam and Ville. Ryan sat to the right of Bam. The other 7 seats were filled with the bandmates of The Rasmus and HIM. They all howled at stories that they traded back and forth about the road and about memories they shared together Lauri was enjoying the evening. Bam kept everyone entertained. It was usually by making an ass out of himself, but Lauri could care less. It was still entertainment for him. If Lauri would have met Ali as a result of Bam introducing them first, he probably would have never perused a friendship or anything more with Ali all based on Bam’s temperament. The other was loud and out of control, thankfully, the opposite of his sister. They enjoyed themselves immensely at the bar. A taxi driver made sure to get all of the Finnish men and their two American friends back to Ville’s mansion safely. Once inside. Bam stumbled a bit and leaned on Ville to gain his stability. He laughed and then stood up watching the rock stars separate throughout the house. Bam stood a bit straighter and then put a hand on Lauri’s shoulder as he began to walk away. Bam shook his head. 



“Nah, man....you are coming with us” Bam said with a strong smell of beer on his breath. Ville smirked and guided them into one of his living rooms. Ryan was close at their heels. Aki, Lauri’s friend was laughing as he followed Gas into another portion of the house. Aki paused though and watched as Lauri was being guided away from them. Aki thought it was strange that Bam had become so interested in his friend. Aki thought about following, but decided to forget about it for the moment. If it was anything that Aki needed to be concerned about, Lauri would tell him the next possible chance he could get. 



Ville took a seat in his beloved chair while Bam and Ryan took a love seat and Lauri sat parallel to Ville. Lauri looked at the three other men. They all had had a bit to drink this evening, but that wasn’t stopping Bam from putting on his best business face.



“Do you have any idea why we want to talk with you?” Bam said leaning forward smoothing his pants over his knees. Lauri shook his head and looked at Ville for some guidance. Ville sat their happy as a clam and letting his eyes rest on Bam, almost to try and control him with his thoughts. “We aren’t blind.... no one is fooled. You have a thing for my sister. That...is why you are here.” Bam said staring into Lauri’s green eyes. Lauri was caught a bit off guard. He figured it had something to do with the skater’s little sister, but he had no idea what it was about. He sat back and the alcohol had his palms a little sweaty already. He grew nervous and shook his head.



“No, Bam, it’s not like that that at all. I know she’s happy with Zacky. I respect her. I...I...I would never try and break that up and make moves or....you know...” Lauri responded searching for words frantically.



“Why not?” Ville asked cooly still not lifting an eye off Bam. Lauri turned his head to the right to answer Ville.



“P-Pardon me?” Lauri stuttered.


“Why would you never try and break that up, Lintu?” Ville finally turned his head. No expression played on his face. Lauri couldn’t tell what the mood of this meeting was. He looked at Bam and Ryan who also sat straight faced.



“I...well...I suppose because.... I.. you see, well, I mean she is....” Lauri had no idea how to respond. Sure he was interested in the skater’s little sister, but he didn’t want to be a home wrecker. He didn’t want to cause any more grief. He was trying to climb out of his own hole right now with his failed relationship. 



“It’s cause you have Christ forsaken morals, dumbass....” Ryan finally cut off his stuttering. Bam smirked widely at his friends interjection. He nodded.



“And that is what I like about you, Ylonen.”



“I’m very much confused right now....” Lauri finally admitted looking nervously between the three men. Bam laughed and sat back against the back of the love seat and played with one of the rings on his hand, his eyes concentrating on the gem.



“I’m buzzed as fuck right now, so I’m going to cut some corners and lay it to you straight, Ylonen. I hate that son of a bitch that Ali is dating. You know what he is like. He’s nothing but a fucking man whore. I’ve known the guys from that band for years.” Bam paused and smiled before looking right at the Finnish man. “Something my darling little sister probably didn’t share with you today is the fact that she’s 90% sure Zacky is cheating on her right now. I was there when she heard it over the phone. His ex is back in town and invited Vengeance to a beach party. Now tell me, Lauri, if you had an unsatisfied hunger for females, you have fewer morals than a criminal, your significant other is out of town and your ex and all her friends are down at a beach with a 24 pack and a tent....what are you going to do?” Bam looked at him clearly annoyed with the picture he just painted. Lauri’s heart fell as he thought about the pain that Ali was dealing with at the park. The reason why she seemed so down. She missed him. No, she missed the idea of being able to trust him. Lauri looked back up from his lap to Bam. 



“I understand what you are saying. How does that involve me?” Lauri said in honest curiosity. Ville laughed and looked at his own lap and then at Lauri. 



“You are smarter than that, Lauri.” Ville shook his head. He couldn’t believe how dumb the other was acting. Bam looked at Ville and then leaned over in the direction of Lauri and rested his elbows on his knees.



“It’s simple. I want Ali to fall in love with you and leave that piece of shit she has now.” Bam said as if there were no other alternatives. “I like you, Lauri Ylonen. I want you around more. You obviously make my sister happy too. I can be at ease when I know she’s with you. I don’t have to threaten you with castration every time I see your face or hear your voice.” Lauri sat awestruck. 



“I can’t make Ali love me, her heart is somewhere else.” Lauri responded.



“Is it? Really.... you think it is?” Ryan shook his head and then smiled, “I was at the festival. I decided to take Nicole and show her around. You know...the date thing.” Ryan scratched at his beard and then smiled at Lauri. “However, when we went to board the ferris wheel we saw a couple getting off of it. They looked a lot like you and Ali. However, it couldn’t have been...because, Ali doesn’t let any other guy besides me and Bam touch her....hug her...or let alone talk to her when she’s not around Zacky.” Ryan sat back and shook his head, “Couldn’t have been you two...if Ali was so in love she wouldn’t have been cuddled into a guys side like that.” Ryan smirked knowing that Lauri knew exactly of what he was speaking about. Lauri couldn’t help but let his mind race as he relived the moment in his mind. He smiled softly, he didn’t realize how much she had let her walls down for him. That moment meant so much more to him now. His moment of happiness was cut short however by Bam.



“She’s more in your palm than you think, Lauri.” Bam smiled, “You don’t have to...but you would be doing me, Ali, my family....”



“Me too...I hate that son of a bitch...” Ryan interjected once again. Bam rolled his eyes.



“and....Ryan....a huge favor by wiping thoughts and desires of Zacky out of our lives forever. I don’t even care if you really like her or not. Just...get her to at least branch out and leave Zacky. If there is going to be a game changer...this is it. It’s got to be you, brother. You’ve started the ripples in an awesome direction. She hasn’t been this happy in a long time. Please, bro, do it for me.” Bam pleaded searching Lauri’s eyes. Ville sat listening hoping that Lauri would accept. He turned his head and watched as Lauri debated in his head back and forth of what to do. He didn’t want to hurt Ali, but no pain could be more excruciating than watching a loved one give their heart to someone else before your eyes. Lauri quietly thanked his lucky stars that his last girlfriend left him and didn’t cheat on him. He never wanted Ali’s heart to be broken, and Lauri agreed that Zacky just screamed unfaithfulness and heartbreak for Lauri’s new friend. He looked at Ville silently and watched him nod. Lauri then switched his look at Ryan and then paused on Bam. The guy was a jack ass. He was a fool. He was every mother’s worst nightmare. He’d never be civilized. However, in this moment, Lauri saw a side to Bam that he admired and respected. He might not be the best son, he was a jackass to most of his friends, but you don’t dare fuck with his little sister. Lauri smiled and then nodded looking up at Bam. 



“I’ll do it.”