I Ain't Waiting For The World To Change

„You’re nervous?“ Matt asked.
„No, everything’s fine!“ I said in a high voice. “I just wet my pants, Shadz.”

We already had the sound check and I should be the first to enter the stage. No one will see me, because we made a plan. I’ll walk onto stage while everything is black and the lights will shine when the guys join me. There will be no direct lights at the drums, till we finish the first song.

Johnny came with this idea while I told him that I’m afraid they’ll justice me because I’m a girl.
“Then no one will see who you are. We play our song, and then Matt will introduce you to the crowd,” he had said.

I was in one room with Matt, Zacky, Syn, Larry and Johnny. The girls were also backstage, but somewhere else. They already had wished me luck.
“So, time to go,” Larry said and I followed him.
“Good luck, littl’ one,” Johnny said while hugging me.

“Kick their asses,” Zacky said and Syn joined with a “Go and blow them away”.
We stood in front of the stage and as the lights went out and the screaming went higher Larry pushed me on stage. I clutched my sticks and was glad I arrived at my familiar drums without tripping. I heard the crowd scream louder as the others were in their sight. And then there was no time for thinking anymore, Matt gave me the sign and then I started to play ‘Nightmare’.

“How are you tonight, Orange Country?” Matt screamed and the audience screamed back as an answer. “We are Avenged Sevenfold and it’s our pleasure to have our first gig in this new lineup at home. We like you to welcome our new drummer, Kay,” he turned his head and looked at me, gave me a wink before he went on “kick this shit!” The lights above me turned on as he approached me and I started to play ‘Welcome To The Family’. I was so into this song I even hadn’t the chance to catch the response from the audience.

In the middle of the song I looked up and stared at Johnny’s face who stood in front of my drums and smiled at me. When I gave him a smile back, he turned and fired the crowed up. Before the next song began I had to bind a ponytail, as I couldn’t see anything. My hair was everywhere; especially in my face and in front of my eyes. The next song was the creepiest song I’ve ever heard and I had my part. We started to play the song I could play in my dreams – if I would.

Through my earphones I couldn’t hear the audience and I think this was better, when my part came.
Then came Zacky’s Part and he asked in a very, very creepy and dark voice “Do you take this man in death for the rest of your unnatural life?” and I answered with a “Yes, I do”. I could see Johnny smiling as he passed my way and then Zacky asked Matt the same question and he answered with an “I do”. Zacky added an “I now pronounce you” and that was my singing part for the evening – almost.

While Syn’s solo Matt came by, took a sip from his water, which was standing in front of my drums – which were in the A7x design – and held his thumbs up. We played some songs and I was sweaty – really, really sweaty. It was so fuckin’ hot in this room. All the people who were sweating, the lights above me and the dust – it was too much. So I started to undress my long top.

“Uh, starting a little striptease up there, Kay?” Zacky asked and spoke directly in his mic.
“You know, you guys are too hot for me,” I answered in my mic and didn’t hear Syn’s reaction, as I had to plug my earphones in again. I was just wearing a little bandeau top. I didn’t care what others were thinking, they did not even have to sit here in this sauna.

“Last time we played here our brother was here with us. Now he plays in heaven and sent us this little girl. This song is for you, Rev. We love you!” Everyone was quiet now and Matt sat down at his keyboard and began to play ‘Fiction’. I joined him and the others tuned also. Matt’s voice gave me bumps. This time nobody looked at my direction. I was sad. I know I didn’t know this man but I saw not only this band grieved – this hole crowed was sad. I almost cried – and I’m not that type of girl who always shows her emotions.

After this song came ‘Scream’ and it seemed like they had recovered themselves. We played some songs and the crowd applauded as we left the stage. When we were out of sight I was buried under many sweaty tattooed arms. “You were great,” Zacky screamed in my ear, ‘cause the “Sevenfold” screams outside were so loud.

“Ready for another song?” While Matt asked he went on the stage again. Zacky’s arm laid on my waist and he accompanied me to my place. The screaming was pretty loud and a big smile was on my face.

When everyone was ready I started to play. We played “Critical Acclaim” and when Matt whispered the “Shhhh be quiet we might piss somebody of” my other ‘singing’ part came. Matt had begged that I’d do my “like me motherfucker” scream again. Afterwards Matt thanked the crowed and we left the stage finally. The adrenaline pushed through my veins.
“That was unbelievable,” I said dizzy and hugged Johnny again as the others joined us. It doesn’t matter that we sweated, we were relieved. I got through the baptism of fire.

It still needed some time till we could go. It was like a blur. Larry hugged me and said he was very proud of me; the girls came and assured I did a great job.

“Sorry ‘bout marrying your man,” I told Val. She just laughed and said he had married Jimmy a lot more, so she’s used to that. Zacky gave me a hoodie and I thankfully put it on.

There would be a party at Zacky’s so I drove home while the others went straight to his place. I just needed a shower! When I arrived at home I took a little walk with Peanut. After that I took a quick shower. I straightened my hair – and was very pleased with Gena’s work. I put makeup on, but it turned out to be a little more, so I had a very dark eye makeup and just a little bit colorlessly lip gloss on my lips. I had decided to wear a dress my mother bought me. It was a black dress, which only covered one shoulder. It was pretty simple. There was a small silver bound on the hips. I took black ballerinas and when I took a look in the mirror I saw a huge smile covering my face. I was satisfied with me!

I called for a taxi, because I didn’t want to take my car. While waiting I called my dad. He had waited for my call and was as excited as I was. I could tell he was very proud, too.

When I arrived at Zacky’s I was shocked. He owned a huge house – almost a villa. I heard voices and music from the backyard. I searched for faces I knew, but there were so much people I haven’t seen before.
Finally I saw Michelle and was relieved. I quickened my pace and hugged her from behind.
“You look beautiful,” she said with her stunning smile.

“You, too.” She was wearing a dress – also a black one, but hers was all covered with sequins. “You know where the others are?”
She shrugged but then I saw Gena and Val stepping out of the house. They looked around and waved as they saw us. They deluged me with compliments. Maybe I should wear dresses more often, so they get used to it.

“We have to take a picture,” Gena said and tipped a man on his shoulder and asked him, if he could take on. We posed and then we heard a “There are some of my favorite woman.” We turned around and saw Syn standing behind us.

“What, I thought I was the only one for you?” Michelle pleaded her bottom lip.
”Yeah, but you know, there’s also my mom and grandma bakes the best apple pie,” he started to count with his fingers. She laughed and covered his mouth with her hand.

“Get you gone and grab us some beer,” Val said and he pushed of. “So, and we’re going to introduce you to our big family.” The next hour they shooed me around and introduced me to the members of their family. I think I had to admit I liked Syn’s father the most. I couldn’t stop laughing while he talked to me. Then I saw Matt, he grabbed my hand and said he had to kidnap me.

He pulled me to the middle of the garden – I stumbled after him – and then I saw my band members.

“So, here’s our lady. You give us your attention?” Zacky yelled and the crowd turned around to look at us. “This was our first show with this amazing woman and fuck, she did a great job. So we like to welcome her as an official member of the band.” The people clapped their hands and I blushed a little bit. “As an official member, you have to get a present. This is our beloved friend Cam, he’s an artist and he’ll give you your first Avenged Sevenfold tattoo.”

“What?” I yelled shocked while Cam walked towards me with a big grin in his face.
“Come on, it’s not like it’s your first one,” Syn horned in.
“Yeah, but the first one I hadn’t chosen myself.”

“Oh, come on, just a little death bat on your chest,” Cam said and had my whole attention.
“It’s not your fault, but I definitely don’t want another tattoo in the near future.”

“So, if you don’t want a tattoo we have to welcome you in another way,” Matt said and when I turned around I saw him; in his hand a big bottle. And so the cork popped out and the liquid fired and bickered on me. He wasn’t the only one who had such a bottle. Johnny, Zacky and Syn mimicked him.

I heard the audience laughing as I took a step in Matt’s direction and took the bottle from his hand. He thought I would do the same and tip the vessel out.
“Stop wasting the good stuff,” I said before taking a big swig from the Champaign. “Wah, I smell like a barrelhouse.”

“We still love you,” Matt said and took a sip from another bottle. Usually I would think about revenge, but today I didn’t care. I didn’t give a shit, because I was so damn happy.
“So what ‘bout a toast? May we have a haunting time,” Zacky held up his bottle and the guests did the same with their glasses.
“Cheers to the new woman in our family!” That was definitely Val and I winked at her before taking another sip.

“Come, I’ll get you something to change,” Gena, who stood suddenly next to me, said. “Maybe you should have your own clothes at our places, since you seem to be wet, whenever you’re with us.” The boys laughed when she mentioned the word wet. They acted like they were twelve.

“Wait a moment,” I told her and walked to the pool. I removed my shoes and did a header into the water. When I turned up I saw that they had thrown Johnny also in the chloro water. He wasn’t the only one who had joined me. Syn’s little sister was soon also in the pool and her mother yelled at her, because she had still her clothes on. When I left the pool Gena laughed and mentioned it was no surprise, that they had picked me. I followed her into the house and changed.

After the little pool party the crowd cleared.
I ended up hanging around with my mates and their girls, Papa Gates (I liked to call him like that), as his wife had left with his daughter, Johnny’s older brother and Cam.

We sat on the grass or laid there. My head was rested on Johnny’s stomach, while his brother’s head laid on mine. We were drinking beer and talked about the gig.
“Get up I have to pee like a race horse!” I pushed Adam off and stood up.

“God, I really love this woman! She doesn’t mince her words,” Johnny said while I went into the house. When I came back they sat in a circle. “What’s up here? And where’s Papa Gates?”
“We’re going to play truth or dare and he decided he doesn’t want to hear his son deepest secrets.”

“Yeah, he still thinks I’m a virgin,” Syn said with a serious voice, while we others laughed. God, we were so drunk!
“So, Kim’s first. Truth or dare?”Zacky was the one who asked. I was afraid, so I told him, I’d pick truth.
“Soooooo,” he said and rubbed his hands. “The last time you had sex?”

“So, let me think ‘bout that. I think it was November 2007.”
“What?” Gena looked shocked at me, while Syn spitted out his beer. “That’s almost three years, you’re kidding me.”
“We’re going to change that. Zacky, give us five minutes and your guestroom,” Johnny said and tried to grab my hand, as I chipped his hand off and laughed.
“You only need one, short shit,” Syn interjected.

“Really, why so long? I couldn’t even imagine such a long time without any… you know contact.”
“Val, it’s called sex. Nothing to be embarrassed off,” her husband reminded her.
“After Bryan’s dead there was no one,” I simply said. I hadn’t spoken out his name for ages, but it didn’t hurt that much. Maybe it was the alcohol, maybe the people beside me. “So, now it’s Syn’s turn,” I changed the subject.

“Dare,” he said quickly like a shot.
“So, mime your most embarrassing nightly activity.” He rose up, took my hands and lifted me also. “What you’re doin’?” I asked confused.
“I show it to you!” he simply said. I thought about Michelle as his partner, but he wanted to embarrass me. After his performance my head was red as a fire drencher and he just laughed. God, he never felt awkward, this asshole!

There were some other actions, but one of the funniest was when Johnny sat on Matt’s back and Matt played the horse. He had to carry Johnny five minutes and he hit Matt’s ass the whole time. Then I had to feel sorry for Adam, as Gene waxed his breast. I know how much it could hurt on the legs; I didn’t want to know how it feels in other regions.
“So Kim, you have to pick dare,” Michelle said grinning.

“Striptease,” Adam screamed, but the woman had another task for me. “Matt, give me your Sunglasses and Gena get me a hairdryer.” I wasn’t the only one who looked confused. It ended that I had to sit in Matt’s parked car with the hairdryer in my hand and had to point at passing by cars and see if they slowed down. Actually I had to wait a fuckin’ hour in this car till someone passed. I had turned on the radio and sang along with Mr. Justin Timberlake while waiting. The car really slowed down and I pokerfaced and glared at the driver.

I heard the laughter and saw that Michelle and Val were sitting on the curb. When I joined them they sang “Cry Me A River”. Fuck, they heard me sing! But damn, I had love Justin at the age of...uhm don’t know... 15 or so. I joined them, but I could still say I was too drunk and didn’t know what I was singing when I joined the twins.

I jumped on Val’s back and screamed “Senorita I feel for you” in her ear. She really carried me the way down where the others laid. We were singing this old song and the guys’ heads raised as they looked shocked in our direction.
“What? We’re drunk!” I said from Val’s back and Michelle shrugged.

“That doesn’t explain why you know the lyrics.” Fuck, didn’t think about that. But maybe they were too drunk, to know anything tomorrow? I left Val’s back and stood on my own legs.
“What you’re doin’?” I asked and pointed at Johnny who crawl on the ground and ignored the question.
“Searchin’ for my butts,” he said and I lifted the packet of Cigarettes, which laid in front of me on the ground, while he was on his knees.

I pulled one out and lit the lighter which was in the packet, took a deep drag of the cigarette and let the smoke out. “Yeah, would be nice to know where they were,” I said and crammed the box into my pants pocket. Adam laughed, took a sip from my cigarette and handed it back to me. “Didn’t know you smoke,” he said.

“Actually I don’t but sometimes when I have drunk too much, I need one,” I explained and he nodded like he would understand. There was a bright light and I blinked before I realized it was Gena with her camera.

“That’s a cute one,” she said when she sat down on the other side of mine and we watched Johnny, who looked like a real dumbass. Gena also took a photo of him, one of kissing Val and Matt, Zacky who run after the other guitar guy and we made some photos while we made faces. “So I think I redeem my roommate, so he can escort me home.”

I handed out the box and took a cigarette, told him, he could now accompany me home and started saying goodbye to my new self-appointed family. When I gave Synyster a hug, he snitched the ciggy and told me this wasn’t healthy, while inhaling the nicotine.

When we were on the street – me surrounded by the Seward brothers – Johnny suddenly held out another Champaign bottle in his hand, obtruncated it and took a deep sip. We passed the alcohol around and laughed, about starkly unfunny things as we reached the flat. We dismissed the older brother and he kissed my cheeks, while I hugged the big guy. Actually I managed to climb the stairs, change into my sleeping shirt and fall into bed, where the little dog laid. I didn’t give a shit.