‘John is coming for Daisy’ Eric’s text said. “Um… Sorry Zee but we all have to go.” She huffed as we all walked out of the apartment and over to mine, letting her think we all left, to get ready. As we all sat in my room, using different plugs for our curling irons Tessa turned from her spot and smiled at me. “Don’t give me that look woman, I haven’t been here long but I know that’s your look of evil.” the girls laughed at me.

“Don’t think we aren’t going to ask for details.” She said with a devilish smile.

“What are you we dudes?  I have to give you a play by play?” I let go of the handle on my curling iron and tossed the now curled piece of hair behind my back. “I need a haircut.” I mumbled to myself as I ignored the waiting faces.

“We’re waiting.” Rachael yelled. I laughed.

“Fine, what do you want to know?” I sighed.

“Well, I want to know how it started.” Gabi said pulling a piece of hair straight, “Kenny said you hated him.” I laughed.

“Well, I guess I kind of did. The first few days he was just always in my personal space, and breathing on me.” They all laughed. “But I guess he just grew on me.”

“Or for you.” Rachael giggled.

“You’re gross. Stop acting like Garrett.” Tessa said laughing I tried to hold back my giggles but when Gabi started to laugh really hard I did too. After our laughter faded out Tessa talked again, “So, do you like him?”

“I don’t know, too soon to tell I guess. He’s really chill and I like being around him, I feel safe around him, but I honestly have no clue how I feel about it, this thing I have with him.” After I finished my hair I stood in front of my closest.

“I’m gunna dress you.” Rachael said pushing me away, “We’re gunna make Halvo jizz his pants.”

“Why?”

“You don’t want him to lose interest,” she said in a ‘duh’ tone and turned back to the closet, “besides, his ex-girlfriend is going to be there?” the other two girls groaned.

“Ex-girlfriend?” I asked, my voice slightly cracked as I felt a bit of jealously in the pit of stomach.

“Don’t worry; he isn’t even going to pay attention to her in what I’m going to dress you in. We have to go to my house.”

“Um, why?”

“Well, I made this shirt that Garrett won’t let me wear; it should be your size.”

“Oh no, I don’t think that’s a good idea Eric will flip.” Gabi said worriedly.

“He’s not her boyfriend. He can’t tell her want to wear.”

-*-*

“No, I’m not getting off the car in this.” I yelled as Rach tried to pull me out of the car. “My boobs are going to fall out.” the shirt was red and extremely low cut and two little strings held it together. “I can see why Garrett won’t let you wear this. I feel like a hooker.”

“HEY! I MADE THAT!” She shouted.

“YOU MADE IT FOR A HOOKER!” I shouted back. Gabi turned against me and pushed me out of car as Rach pulled me. I tried to pull the top up and the short black skirt down when I walked inside and spotted Eric. “I cannot believe you made me wear this.” When Eric looked our way his mouth dropped and his cup slipped from his hand.

“Bye!” Rachael said pushing me his way as he came my way.

“Um, hi.” I said, laughing nervously. “Rachael made me dress like a slut today. I’m really mad at her.” I said, my voice cracking and I felt my face heat up. He stood there staring at me in shock. “I’ll go home and change.” I mumbled turned away, he grabbed my arm.

“The show’s about to start, you won’t get back in time.” he ran his hands through his hair frustrated. “I’ll go get my jacket out of my car, come with me.” He grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the small club. I stood outside his car as he reached to the back and pulled out a red hoodie. He held it out for me and I slipped my arms in it.

“I feel like a hooker.” I mumbled.

“Don’t unzip it either.” he said as he roughly zipped up the hoodie. We stood there, staring at each other, “I’m burning that shirt.” He huffed at me, and crossed his arms. “And I’m yelling at Rachael.” He uncrossed his arms and tugged on his hair. “I cannot believe you even put it on.”

“They made me, it was three against one. Is it that bad? I feel really stupid right now.”

“You looked amazing in it.” He said, stroking my cheek. “But I’d rather not have you dressed around my friends like that.”

“Jealous?” I teased, in a better mood because he said I looked amazing. He took a step forward and pressed his lips to mine.

“You have no idea; you can have any guy you want and that shirt isn’t helping.” He pressed his lips to mine again. “I want you all to myself.” I giggled and pulled him into a hug.

-*-*

“Wait!” Daisy called over all the voices in the parking lot. We were about to go to some guy named Max’s house. We were standing around about five cars with the people I know and some people I knew of but would never remember their names because they don’t really talk to me or come around as much. “I’ll write everyone’s name on a piece of paper and put it in a hat. Whoever’s name gets called has to drive. Santino can’t take us all home.”

“I’m cold, hold me.” Eric whispered in my ear and I laughed as I stepped closer to him and rubbed my hands up and down his arms.

“Jared.” Daisy called and Jared groaned from somewhere behind me. “John.”

“FUCK!” he shouted and everyone laughed.

“Justin…. Garrett… and…” she sang out and paused, “Eric.”

“NO!” he fake cried on my shoulder. Everyone split up in the cars. “You riding with me, Babe?”

“Yeah, as much as I hate your car.” he glared at me.

“I happen to love my car.” I giggled as he took my hand and headed to his car.

“Hey Halvo, you got any room?” Someone shouted.

“Yeah, man.” We walked towards the people waiting a few feet from his car, a guy and two girls, twins to be exact. “Oh hey, I’m Tim you are…?” he asked extending his hand.

“Alyssa.”  I said taking his hand and shaking it.

“So you’re the infamous Alyssa,” I shrugged.

“I guess…” I laughed nervously.

“I’m Ashley, this is my sister Mel.” I waved to them awkwardly. “Let’s go its cold!” she whined tugging on Eric and Tim’s arms. I squeezed into the back with the twins after Tim insisted that he wouldn’t fit in the back. It was a short ride to Max’s house filled with questions about me. It was awkward, but I answered every one.

“So how did you meet Eric?” Mel asked as we walked inside the house.

“I’m Daisy’s neighbor, I went to a party the night I moved here and he was there.” I said with a smile, leaving out him being a creep.  Ash took off after seeing someone and Tim went to greet their friends.

“Oh, Daisy doesn’t like me very much.” She said sadly. Eric left to go sit in the ‘sober corner’ and I couldn’t see Daisy anywhere so I stayed and chatted with Mel for a bit; until a girl in a short pink dress came in from of us. “Oh god,” Mel said under her breath.

“Ash is looking for you.” The girl said shifting her weight to one leg and she chomped on her gum.

“She knows where I’m at.”

“And you are?” she snapped at me.

“Alyssa.”

“Finally, a face to a name. I’m Poppy, Eric’s girlfriend.” I stared at her in disbelief and she smirked at me.

“Ex-girlfriend.” Mel said to me. “She cheated on him when he was on tour.” Tour? Why would he be on tour? Poppy was about to say something else when Daisy walked over.

“Oh my God, I was looking for you everywhere Lyss,” She grabbed my hand and pulled me away. We walked outside, and she grabbed a bottle of Vodka and two glasses. “Why were you talking to Mel?” She snapped at me when we sat at a table in the back. “I hate her.”

“Zee,” she looked at me as she poured some vodka in the glasses.

“What’s wrong? What did Mel do to you?”

“Nothing, she’s cool but…” I sighed, “Is Eric in a band too?” She looked at me like I was crazy.

“Duh, all the guys are in bands; didn’t you know that? John, Jared, Garrett, Kenny and Pat are in The Maine. Nick, Justin and Eric are in A Rocket to the Moon. Justin is also in Brighten with Alex D. and Jimmy. Joel, Sean, Alex S. , and Ryan are in This Century— ”

“NO! I didn’t know. I just knew of The Maine and I didn’t even know that until what a few days ago. If I didn’t know them why would you think I knew Eric was in a fucking band?”

“Well… I thought he told you? He didn’t tell you?” I shook my head no. “That dick!” she picked up the bottle again. “We’re both gonna need more of this then.” She filled up the bottle. “Whenever Mel is around John follows her like a puppy.”

“But he loves you.”

“Yeah right.” She slid a glass my way. “Drink up girl; this is going to be a long night.”

-*-*

“Did you know, did you know that my parents haven’t even called me?” I slurred as me and Daisy walked around the backyard with an arm on each other’s shoulders and a beer in our hands.

“Those fuckers!” she took a drink, “I haven’t talked to my parents since I moved out when I was eighteen.” She took another drink.

“We’re like, soul mates dude.” We stopped walking and stared at each other.

“Where have you been all my life?” Daisy whispered then we both giggled and flopped down on the grass and stared at the stars.

“Who the fuck is that Poopy bitch? I’m going to fuck her up. Eric is mine. I mean I act like I don’t care that he is totally in love with me. But I do care, I care a lot. I love him too.”

“Some fucking… some fucking slut. She cheated on Halvie with Jackie from All Time Low. He was so miserable, but then you came. You made everything better.” I smiled.

“How?”

“I don’t know, everything just felt empty and then you came and it was like you were supposed to be here this whole time.” We stayed quiet for a moment.

“I need more beer.” I said breaking the silence.

“Me too.” She raised her hand.

“What are you doing?” I giggled.

“I tried to use the force. It didn’t work. Why doesn’t it ever work?”

“You don’t know the power of the dark side.” I said in my best Darth Vader impression. We both laughed. “I’ll go get some more beer.” I stood up. “Fuck this jacket, its hot.” I pulled it off and threw it at Daisy.

“I CAN’T SEE!” she shouted. I drunkenly ran to the ice chest on the porch and pulled out as many beers as I could hold. I flopped back next to her on the ground as stared at the stars again. “John doesn’t love me.” Daisy said sadly.

“Yes he does, he’s crazy about you.”

“No, he loves Mel and it’s not fair. I’ve loved him my whole life! Ever since we were little and he beat up this guy name James for me. He fucked him up. Ever since then I knew I was gonna love him forever. But today he said he loved me and I couldn’t even say it back. Because he doesn’t love me. He loves Mel.” She took another drink of beer and shouted “HEY! GIVE THAT BACK!” I looked her way and saw John standing over her, with her beer in his hand.

“I’ve been looking for you two idiots everywhere. Mel said you guys left because of Poppy.”

“Poopy.” I corrected. “Her name is Poopy, and I am going to fight her, right after this beer. Then I’m going to find Eric,” I paused, “I’m gonna find Eric,” I said again, fighting back tears. “Why didn’t he tell me Zee?” I whined.

“What are you guys talking about?” John laughed as he pulled my beer out of my hand too.

“Eric is a dick.” We said at the same time.  “Soul mates.” We whispered and laughed again.

“Okay, you guys aren’t allowed to get drunk anymore.” He laughed again as he sat in the middle of us pulling Daisy onto his lap. He whispered something into her ear and she smiled widely and giggled. “So, why is Eric a dick?” he asked pulling me to his side and putting an arm around my shoulder. “And what the fuck are you wearing?” Daisy laughed.

“She looks sexy in it. Leave her alone.” He laughed with her.

“Please tell me what Eric did so I can kick his ass for it.” He said pulling on a piece of my hair.

“He didn’t tell me he is in a band.” He sighed.

“That moron. Come on Gabi wants to go home, and I should get you too morons home too before you hurt someone, or yourselves.”

“Johnny, I think I’m gunna throw up.” I said as they both helped me off the ground. We rushed into the house where we ran into Eric. “I don’t want to talk to you.” I snapped at him before he greeted me. “Where’s the restroom Johnny?”

“Straight up the stairs.” John said as he pulled Eric away from me. I stumbled up the stairs, feeling sicker on the way because I was swaying. There were three doors upstairs so I just went to the first one. But it wasn’t a bathroom; it was a bedroom with Mel making out with some guy on the bed.

“Oh, um, I’m so sorry, where’s the bathroom?”

“Next door over.” The guy said.

“Sorry again.” I mumbled as I closed the door. I walked quickly to the next door but it was locked. I banged on the door. “Open up please, I really have to throw up.” the door opened and Poopy stood instead the bathroom, she stared at me as she chomped on her gum.

“What?”

“Move, please I have to use the restroom.”

“No.” she said and blew a bubble.

“No?”

“No. Because of you Eric won’t even look at me.”

“Seriously Poopy, get out of my wa- my wa-” but it was too let, I threw up. All over her.

I guess I just lost my boyfriend
I don’t know where he went
So I’m gonna spend my money
I’m not gonna pay his rent

I got a brand new attitude
And I’m gonna wear it tonight
I’m gonna get in trouble
I wanna start a fight

-Pink

Chapter by Krystal