I handed it to larry, he studied it for a minute then he smiled, "you two look like a happy couple."
"well, we are." I said uneasily, remembering that look on Digs face when i told her i had to miss her first gig. Her eyes betray her in everything she tries to hide.
"What does she think about you going on tour for months at a time?" He looked at me out of the corner of his eye.
"well..." i thought for a moment, "we've never really talked about it. I've thought about it though. Why would she mind, i mean she knows this is what i do." I put my left hand in my pocket, and looked around.
Isaac and Taylor were goofing around while Dadums talked to the Photographer. He talks to much. I watched as Taylor slugged Ike then they both laughed, and then Ike slugged Tay and they laughed again. Why are they getting along lately? It was always me and Ike or me and Tay getting along, or all of us would get along. Never those two, they always have some difference of opionion and end up getting in a stunt fight to settle the conflict. Thats how Ike got a hole in his mattress, and Taylor got grounded because he broke Mom's perfume bottle (the one that dad gave her for their first anniversery) and thats also how i got grounded for saying i wanted to strip for the auidence (hey i was by no means left out of the stunt contests).
"well, maybe you should talk to her about it." Larry smiled at me. He was always a man of good advice, but how can i tell her, "oh yeah i have to go on tour for four months so i want you to stay away from other guys when i'm gone or i'll kick the stuffing out of them." That's not something i know how to talk about, i wish i could bring her along but that's impossible. I would be too busy, and she would be bored and she has her own life. Besides i want to have fun with just the family on tour. We've always done it that way, why should i change? Even though the extended family is an exception, you know the really fun people like Larry. Not that i'm implying that Diggins is not fun, she is one if the funniest people i know.
Once, Me, Larry, Ike, And Tay all got up in the middle of the night (when we were in Australia) and snuck into Mom and Dad's hotel room. But what we didn't know was that Avie and Zoe were in there. Well once we got in there and (the point was the scare the crap out of them, act like burglers) well we all got in and then avie let out a blood curtleing scream. It turns out she was awake (couldn't sleep) and she thought we were monsters. Well that scared everyone in the room and everyone had jumped up and was wacking us with pillows and other crap. We all just started to laugh, and roll around on the floor. Mom and Dad are very even tempered with practical jokes, so we never got in trouble. Mom even said that was a great joke.
"Do you think i should break up with her? I mean why should i hold her back when i'm going to be gone. She won't have a boyfriend, and she could have fun." Larry kept studying the picture of Diggins. I opened my wallett and looked around to see of i had anything i needed to throw out. I don't know why, i just needed to do something.
"Well...she knows that you have to go on tour, right?" He handed me the picture of Digs. I put it back in my wallett in the clear plastic spot. I looked at it, we looked like the perfect couple. Her black rinse came out and her hair was slowly becomeing brown again. She bleached streaks in it and put blue hair dye in, but the dye didn't take, so she had blonde, red, and brown streaks in her hair. I remember i laughed really hard at it when i first saw it, but i really thought it looked good on her. I was wearing jeans and a zeppelin t-shirt, and she was wearing something more feminine that day: Baggyish blue jeans with a black belt and a black tightish t-shirt that had the slipknot bar code on it. We look great together.
"yeah" I closed my wallett and put it back into my back pocket.
"Well why would you want to leave her like that because you are going on tour? Females are suspecting creatures. She will probably think you found someone else, or that you just want to pick up girls on tour." I laughed nervously at his comment. It's probably true too, "Besides if you two are such a happy couple then you could surely survive this. Long distance realtionships work, besides it's only for a few months."
"yeah i guess." I looked around, "well i have to go and change, i'll catch ya later." I walked away and hid behind a wall. Then i pulled out my wallett and opened it to the picture again. I stared at it, studied it, like i never saw it before. Something was totally different about Digs, her facial expression, not just in the picture had changed since we got together. It's weird that now i just noticed it, she seemed more light hearted now, a big difference from before. Her band was going somewhere, and she was healing. Was it me that made her happy, that i did do what i wanted to do for her all along; i mended her heart and made it strong again? When i get back there in a few days i have to listen to her heart again and listen to see if it's strong now.
Thats weird i keep feeling like this is the end for me and Digs. It's not though, it's barely the beginning, we still have everything ahead of us. I could never break up with Diggins because i would never mean it, it would be a lie. If Diggins broke up with me i don't know what i would do. Now i know that i love her. When these thoughts go through my mind, these thoughts of unknowing and of me never leaving her. Even though that i'm 16 i know that i will never get over Diggins if she left me. I would date others and crap, but i would never ever find anyone like her. She is my one and only, and i would probably go to her pleading to try to patch things up and have her be mine if she ever left me.
Why am i thinking about this, she'll never leave me. I know she loves me even though she never said it. Hey why didn't she ever say it...probably the same reason why i didn't. Scared to death, fluffy chicken.
I haven't called in the days i have been away. I feel bad, but i just can't call her, i know i would feel this urge to go to her then i probably would nag my dad until he took me there. I can't do that, it would hurt our band too much. I feel the urge to get away from L.A. and back to Tulsa where my girl is, and be with her. Ha, thats funny she is mine isn't she? She's mine, Diggins, is mine.
I closed my wallett and put it back in my back pocket again.
"come on guys, we have to go back to the hotel." My Dad beckonded to us. I got in the van and we rode off forgetting that i had to change.
Diggins:
"who wants more co-co puffs?" My mom asked the four of us chowing down at the table.
"yes, what time is it?" Kate asked still half asleep, while stuffing another spoonful of co-co puffs in her mouth. How do you eat when your half asleep, or just waking up? I'll have to ask her one day.
"It's around 12." My mom said happily, and pored us all some more cereal.
We all ate happily. We had done a great job. We got offers to play at different gigs. Many, so many. Clubs, partys, other festivals, even a wedding. People loved us, and we loved playing for them. Looks like this summer is going to be one non-stop gig and party. It's going to be awesome. It doesn't even matter if we don't get discovered, we all talked about this when we were riding home. That as long as we stay a band and play at gigs and are good and people cheer and dance as they did last night, we don't care if we make it big. I said to them, "I really want to record a mini album to send out to record companys and sell at gigs, it would be really useful." They all agreed i remember Nat saying, "We could really do this, wow it's happening" and she started to laugh. Then Kim said, "I know shes right we can't just wait for them to come to us, we have to reach out to them." So today were going to go priceing at recording studios. When we all get dressed and crap. I can't wait, i want a little one that has nice people and can really make a good album. I can't wait until i tell Zac...which will be tomarrow. He comes home tomarrow and stays for a few days and is off for two weeks. I wish he didn't have to go for two weeks, "but it's what he does." Blah blah blah blah BLAH! Sometimes it's just not fair.
"So what studios do we have here." Nat was flipping through the phone book my mom gave her, "lets see...stary eyes, the house of Shawn recording studio, Music is life studio...and thats it." She flipped to the other side of the page just to check, and then turned back to the orginal page.
"Well slim pickens." My mom smiled again and gather all of our bowls as we all sat back and started talking about what songs we should put on the demo.
"Okay, well this is awesome." I looked around the smallish sound proofed room. It had a homey accent to it, but it was way different than Nat's basement.
"Woah mamma, look that the set" Nat beamed at the drum set, which made us all marvel at it.
"Pearl, symbols are zilijian" The extremely cute and young owner of "the house of shawn recording studio" said in his smooth voice.
I couldn't stop looking at him, he reminded me of Benji from Good Charloette, his hair was spiked up not as long as Benji's but not combed regular like Joel's (benji and Joel are twins) and in my opinion Benji is HOT! Of course the dude's name is Shawn, very cute dude though. Best yet Shawn is a guitarist, he's awesome. When we walked in for the tour and information, his amp was on full blast and he was playing the oh so over played 'stair way to heaven' by Led Zeppelin. He never missed a note, he also sang too, not a bad voice at all. Can you believe he's only 20 and he has all of this? I'd kill for all of this.
"so what do you guys say?" Kim asked us, we were already to the two other studios Stary eyes was run down and a drunk was stumbling down the walk...we didn't bother to go in. Music is life studio...we walked in and the girl at the desk turned her nose up at us. She called a manager, and he told us we weren't their kind of "material". Can you believe that? We all showed up in cut off jeans and assorted band tee's. Kim a Led Zeppelin, Nat a New Found Glory, Kate a Incubus, and me a Dead Kennedys tee. We all looked like punks with black bands on our wrists and safety pins loaded into our cut offs. She's crazy, punks are cool.
I know once Shawn noticed we were there, he gave us all a big smile and he said, "You guys like those bands? I can tell were going to get along very well" I smiled at him and he winked at me, secertly, i think because no one seemed to notice. Which is very odd, they notice everything!
I felt a slight attraction toward Shawn and it was pleasent feeling. One i didn't know with Zac, a weird one...so...different. I wonder if he likes me, if he might be interested in me. Then again, Zac is really all i need and want. But i've never really have got as close with a guy as i have with Zac, so i have no idea what other guys are like. The big question is do i want to, and i'm not sure that i want to.
"I vote an enthusiastic...yes." I said shooting my thumb up in the air. Shawn slowly turned his head to me and smile a secret smile at me...an intimite one, that sent shivers down my spine, while the others agreed with me. Suddenly i felt like i wanted to hurl, just the thought of that guy smileing at me like that made me feel sick. Doesn't he know that i am dateing Zac! He doesn't... I guess feeling change in a instant, it just felt pleasent that i think that Shawn likes me and now i wanna hurl.
But it was a really nice studio.
Zac:
I arrived home and i hadn't really thought about Diggins for about two seconds. I instantly wanted to see her as soon as i dropped my bags on my bed. I wasn't that tired, so i thought that i would stop over at her house and surprise her.
"So are you going to go see," Ike put his hands together and under his chin, "her..." He sigh like an idiot. He shouldn't talk he has got back together with his ggiirrlll frrieennndd, Mariot! Ha!
We saw them at this promo thing we did for T.V. (they were there for the same show) so we were hanging out back stage. It was very quiet for a long time, then Isaac just breaks the silence with, "I've missed you so much Mariot." Then you could guess what Mariot did...she said she missed him too. Then a couple minutes later she was sitting on his lap and they were calling each other those stupid pet names. Me and Taylor just looked at each other as if to say, "i'm going to hurl if this goes on any longer." Marion just sat there, and was quiet. Until we got to talking about something or other. She made it clear to me that she wanted to get back together. I was feeling mighty uncomfertable, with her that close. I have never got as close to her as i have with Diggins, never will either. "Uh sorry, but i'm involved with someone right now." I told her, she gave me a look like i've cheated on her.
"Well, could you at least give me one last hug?" She asked me, and how could i resist? So i hugged her, but unexpectdly she laid one on me more than likely to get me back. Then the worst thing happened, I saw a flash of a camera. I knew i was really dead when Diggins found out.
"Maybe i am." I replied crossing my arms across my chest.
"oohh your little lover girl." Taylor chimmed in while he sat on his bed and threw himself over on it like he passed out.
"oh you two are riot." I turned on my heal and went to the little lounge area outside our room, and sat on the couch. I looked at the phone, maybe i should call...she might be busy.
I picked up the reciever and placed it on the side of my face, then dialed her number.
"hello?" The voice on the other end that i did not identify asked.
"uh...is Diggins there?" I asked while i fiddled with the phone cord. Isaac and Taylor laughed really loudly in the backround. I wonder if it was considered murder if i wrapped the cord around their necks. I can put on my innocent look, not a judge in the world will convict me.
"BOO!" Then the girl on the other end started to laugh into the phone.
"Uh...is this Kate?" I asked suspecting that it was her.
"How'd ya guess?" she said then, "you wanna talk to Diggins, huh?"
"Yeah"
"Well, were all heading down to the recording studio...so go there." She said matter-of-factly, like i knew that they had found a recording studio. I guess alot happens in a few days, boy does it ever i'm dead!
"Where is it?" I asked kind of ashamed that i didn't know, i could have called Diggins...but i didn't.
"Let's see, Mason St., number 12, the little building, that says 'The house of Shawn record..."
"Okay i get the point, thanks...when are you going?" I cut her off, to stop her on going ramble.
"Now, but you are keeping me on the phone. By the by, nice one on not calling Digs." Kate said teasingly.
"What do you mean? Is she upset? Put her on the phone." I shot at Kate, letting myself get annoyed. If it had to do with MY girlfriend i should freaking know.
"Yeah okay bye Zac see you there." Then She hung up.
Kate that hippie hung up ON ME! Aaahhhhh i'll kill her. I can't wait until i get my hands around her neck i'll...AHHHH DIGGINS! She's mad at me...NOOOO. Wait...wait....wait...okay i know what i'll do, i'll...get her flowers...no she won't buy that. Aww man i have no defense.
I got down to Mason st. as fast as i possibly could. They had just arrived and were getting out of the van. I parked, got out, slammed the door, and went into a sprint to catch up with her.
"Look whos here." Kim said in fake surprise.
They all turned around and looked at me as i ran up to them. I came to a hult in front of Diggins, and lightly smiled.
"Hello Zac." Kate said in her evilish taunting tone. I shot her a death look and turned my attention to Digs.
Diggins:
"I'll meet you guys in there, okay?" I said to all of them, not even bothering to turn my stare from Zac.
They all filed in the studio, i stayed silent until i heard the door shut.
"Hi" Zac said sounding nervous.
"Hey" I looked down, "So how'd it go?"
"Good... i'm sorry i didn't call or anything." He took a step closer to me, put his hands on my hips, and pulled me to him. Then, kissed me the way that i love. We kept on, making up for lost time, i was enjoying it.
"Digums, come on we have to start" Shawn had come up with his own nickname for me, Digums...sounds funny to me, "Oh just stop with that infernal spit swopping." He said making a face like he's going to hurl. What crawled up his butt and died?
I parted from him, blushing because Shawn caught me kissing Zac.
"You comming...is HE comming?" Shawn asked me looking Zac up and down then looking at him funny, then looking at me. From the way he emphisized 'HE', it sounds like he doesn't want Zac to come with. I think Zac caught on and got that evil smirk on like he's going to come with and annoy the heck out of him. I wanna witness this.
"I'm comming of course." Zac stepped inside the studio.
Shawn stopped me in the doorway, "Is he a Hanson?"
"Yes"
"Ahhh what are you thinking? Why a Hanson? Take me instead." He stopped and blushed.
"It doesn't matter if he's in a band called Hanson, he's a person and I really like him." I felt violated that he addressed him as a Hanson as in the band Hanson. I pushed past him and entered the sound proofed room.
A few minutes later Shawn came into the room, "Okay were going to start to record a song, everyone ready?" he glanced at me his blonde hair made into a different color in the black light.
He and Zac went into the other room so that theres no noise. The Green light went on telling us to start, we launched into our song that we were recording for the day.
Shawn:
I felt uneasy being left alone with the annoying Hanson boy. He followed me into my room with the mixing board and other equipment. Then seating himself in the chair next to mine, he kept darting all over the room.
"Whats that do?" He asked me when i was doing something, i barely heard him.
Just as i was about to ask him what he said, his index finger hit the button that this bands guitar part was on.
"AAHHHH BLAH BLAH BLAH What did you do that for AHHHH!" I yelled.
"Uh...you wouldn't tell me...but i needed to know." He grinned evily, "Whats this do?" he hit button that killed that vocals for another bands song. I was going to kill him.
"Stop pushing buttons!" I yelled at him, getting quite flustered. If his finger came close to another button, i'm hog tieing him and suspend him from the celing fan.
"oh okay mister thing." He grinned very big again, letting not one tooth in his mouth be covered.
Even though Hanson is a pop band i must admit that they do know what their doing with harmonies and insturments. So i guess theres respect in what they do...but...I just can't like him, because...he and Digums are together and i hate him for it.
Don't get me wrong i am not a pedifile, i really like Diggins. The first time i saw her i liked her; she looked so cute in those cutoffs and dead kennedys shirt. I have dropped hints to her that i like her, but i don't know if she is just ignoreing the passes or just doesn't know that i am making passes to her. I think she does know though, i have smiled and winked at her secretly and she has smirked at me. So yeah, back to my point; she will be mine oh yes she will be mine.
Then Zac rolled the chair behind me and yoinked out one of my hairs. He was really getting annoying, one more thing and he gets hog tied.
"oh you're funny." I said scarcasticly.
"I know Mr. Thing, how old are you anyway?" He kept questioning me.
"20, how old are you...2?" I kept looking at Diggins through the thick glass window. She was radiant, i loved the way she look in the black light. So my type of girl, one day she will see me and realize that i am here.
"No actully i am 16, i have a girlfriend named Diggins. You know that one playing Guitar. I have my own car and i get to tour the country in a couple of weeks. How about you?" He said trying to out do me.
"I own this humble recording studio, i see many bands that will make it big. I live lavisly in my home that i have bought, that has it's own lake. I am very rich and i am looking for the right girl to share it with." I said to him, keeping my stare on diggins hoping that in some way she will hear me.
"Why do you look like a bum?" He asked pushing his chair next to me.
"I want a girl to see past my outward apperence, and see me for who i am. No one ever has, needless to say." I sigh.
"So why do you keep stareing at Diggins? I see you, i'm not blind." He surprised me by his words, how could he have known. He is smarter than he looks.
"She's everything i want in a girl, your a lucky guy Zac. Don't let her get away." I sigh again, this conversation is making me feel pity for myself. I have no one, and the one i want has a guy and wouldn't posslibly want me.
"I won't," he joined me in looking at her, "ever."