Tortured Love
Chapter 2: Getting Reacquainted
By:Kerri Vicious
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Stepping up to the bus, Benji opened the door and moved aside intending to allow the girls in first. Adrienne knew he was just showing off for Melanie, he usually wasn’t that gentlemanly. Melanie looked at Adrienne and stood still waiting for her to be the first to enter being extremely nervous. Adrienne laughed in her mind, if only Melanie knew she was feeling the same way. Those three steps up to the door seemed like giant leaps to Adrienne, she felt as if her life was going to change the instant she reentered the boys lives.
Taking a deep breath, she slowly walked up to the doorframe and poked her head in. Seeing nobody, she walked in with Melanie at her heels. “Where’s everyone?”
“Out signing autographs maybe?” Melanie offered.
Benji bound in after the girls and hollered at the top of his lungs, “You guy’s better be decent! We’ve got company!”
The girls heard Paul yell back in reply to Benji, “Fuck decency!”
“Who the hell’ve you dragged in here now?” Adrienne grinned, the voice belonged to Billy.
“A couple of hoes come to show us some loving.” Benji yelled back. That comment, of course, earned him a hard whack on the head from Adrienne.
“Whatever Benj,” A tired voice mumbled from the bunks, “You couldn’t pick up a girl if you even tried.”
“Ooh, harsh bro.” Benji replied, "But I think you’re getting me mixed up with you."
Curiosity got the best of Billy and he made his way to where Adrienne, Melanie, and Benji were standing. Looking at Adrienne he did a double take and nearly fell over with surprise, “Adrienne?!”
Right after Adrienne’s name was spoken, a loud thump was heard from the bunks followed by a string of colorful profanities.
Adrienne smiled sweetly and hugged Billy, “Yeah, it’s me. How’s it going?”
“You didn’t tell me you’d be coming today!” Billy exclaimed, sounding shocked.
“Well… surprise!”
“Who’s your friend?” Paul asked, joining the group.
“Hello to you too Paul,” Adrienne laughed, “Guys, this is my friend Melanie.”
“Hi.” Was Melanie’s shy greeting. Billy and Paul both politely shook her hand and said their hellos. “Nice, uh… bus ya’ll have.”
“Want a tour?” Benji asked mischievously, catching the 'Don't you dare play her' look on Adrienne's face and winked at her reassuringly.
"Sure." Melanie agreed, grinning as he took her hand and led her towards the back, passing Joel on the way.
“See? Who’s delusional now?” Everyone heard Benji comment to his twin. Joel only acknowledged Benji and Melanie with a mere wave of his hand as he walked past them, his gaze directed at Adrienne.
When Adrienne’s gaze met his she could only manage to sport a small smile and choke out an almost inaudible, “Hi.”
“Adrienne… wow, hey girl.” He said as he put his arms around her in a quick awkward hug, “How’s it been?”
"Good I guess," she shrugged, struggling for something intelligent to say, "I know I don't have to ask you the same... seems like things with ya'll are great. A part of Warped for the second year in a row..."
"It's awesome." Joel said, nodding his head, "but touring is getting tiring."
"Yeah, man," Billy agreed, "Being away from home so much sucks."
"You joking?" Paul asked Billy and Joel, "Dude, Maryland's a dump compared to the rest of the states. We get to see lots of different better places."
"Through the bus windows." Joel pointed out, "That's about it."
The conversation was suddenly cut short by high pitched giggling coming from the back of the bus. Adrienne sighed, feeling a headache coming on.
“Who’s that chic with Benji?” Joel asked, looking at Paul.
“That’s Melanie.” Billy cut in; absentmindedly looking in the direction of the giggling, “Adrienne’s friend.”
Joel looked to Adrienne for confirmation and she nodded, “Yeah… I’d better go get her.”
Paul’s eyebrows creased, confusion clear on his face, “Leaving already? But you just got here.”
“Yeah but we’re missing the rest of Warped.”
Paul mock pouted, “So you didn’t come just to see us?”
“Ha, no. You guys suck.” Adrienne playfully countered, “I came here strictly for New Found Glory and to admire Chad’s fine ass.”
“Well too bad,” Paul said, poking her in the ribs, “They’ve already done their set for the day.”
As if on cue, Chad Gilbert poked his head into the open doorway of the bus that Benji had forgotten to close earlier, “I heard my name.”
Embarrassed, Adrienne immediately ducked behind Paul for cover. Smirking, he kept on moving from the left to the right causing Adrienne to have to move with him to stay hidden.
“Yeah,” Billy stated, “Adrienne here was just telling us how she thought you had a very nice backside.”
“Biiiiiiilllllly!” Adrienne stopped in her tracks and whined, cheeks flushing a bright red. Billy just stuck his tongue out at her and grinned, highly amused at himself.
Chad raised an eyebrow at the three before turning to Joel, “I just came by to ask if we were still on for tonight.”
“Yeah, man!” Joel replied enthusiastically, “Definitely.”
“Alright, cool.” Chad said, “Catch you guys then. Oh, and Adrienne…” Adrienne looked at him nervously, biting her lip, “Nice meeting you.” They could hear him chuckling as he walked off probably heading toward his own bus.
The moment he disappeared, Adrienne pointed a finger in Billy’s face and spoke in a threatening voice, “You are lucky I don’t have a crush on him. Otherwise I’d kick your ass big time.”
“Whatever you say Addy,” Billy smiled and faked biting her finger. Scared he’d really bite her she yelped and drew back her hand quickly.
Melanie’s giggling reached the ears of the four again, causing Adrienne to recall her earlier statement. “I really don’t want to miss the rest of Warped you guys.”
Joel tossed her a backstage pass, “Put this on. That way you can watch from the stages themselves without dealing with the crowds and the moshpits. I’ll get one for your friend too.”
Slipping it over her head, Adrienne was slightly taken aback, “Wow, thanks Joel.”
“Don’t mention it.” He smiled.
“I’ll go get Melanie.” With that she turned on her heel and walked to the back of the bus, hesitant when she reached the curtain that served as a door for the very back lounge area. Before pulling it back to enter, she warned them loudly of her presence before she possibly walked in on something she didn’t want to see. Pushing the curtain aside, she walked in to find Benji and Melanie sitting comfortably side by side on a couch watching something on television.
Hearing her enter, Melanie looked up and grinned, “Hey Dre!”
“Hey yourself,” Adrienne replied lighthearted, “C’mon let’s go.”
“Go?” Melanie’s smile instantly became a pout, “Where?”
“See the rest of the performances.” Adrienne said bluntly as if Melanie had lost her mind.
“Oh… yeah. I forgot we were at Warped for a while there.”
Adrienne rolled her eyes at her blonde friend, “Sometimes you worry me Mel.”
A little reluctant to leave Benji’s side, Melanie stood. “Well, it was nice meeting you Benji…”
“Likewise.” Benji replied smiling, standing up as well. “Maybe I’ll call you up sometime.”
“I’d like that.” Melanie nodded, hugging Benji briefly. “Bye Benji.”
“Later Benjahole!” Adrienne called out to him as she walked back to the front of the bus with Melanie at her heels, rejoining Billy, Paul, and Joel. “Well, I guess I’ll see you guys around.”
There was another round of hugs as the girls said their goodbyes and they were soon on their way back to the action. On their way to the main stage, Melanie was just about to hound Adrienne with a million questions when Joel jogged up to them.
“Forgot to give you this.” Joel called to Melanie as he approached them, handing her a pass.
“Oh, how thoughtful!” Melanie giggled as she put it on. “Thanks!”
“Don’t want you two to get hassled.” Joel explained.
“You really didn’t have to--” Adrienne began when Joel cut her off.
“No, I wanted to.” Joel replied, “Besides you two are our friends, can’t have you treated like you aren’t anything special.” Adrienne tried not to read too hard into that statement and told herself ‘special friends’ meant her and Melanie. “Anyway,” he continued, “you two have fun, okay?”
Melanie smiled and nodded, “You bet we will!”
“And Adrienne…” Joel began.
“Yeah?” Adrienne asked curiously.
“Keep in touch.” He said, “Don’t want you to disappear on me again.”
Her heart nearly stopped, “A-Alright…”
“Me and the guys’ll be hitting the town tonight with NFG, I’d like it if the two of you came along.”
“I don’t know Joel…” Adrienne replied, “Can I get back to you on that?”
“Sure.” He nodded, “You know my cell number. Just give me a call and let me know alright?”
“I will.”
“Good. Catch you later.” Joel said, waving to the girls as he walked off back towards the bus.
Even though she was not looking at her friend, Adrienne could feel Melanie’s eyes on her. They practically burned holes through the side of her head. After a few minutes of them walking and Melanie continuing to glare at her, Adrienne couldn’t take it anymore, “Can I help you Melanie?”
“Start explaining.”
“So, what went on between you and Benji before I interrupted?” Adrienne asked.
“Adrrrrriennnnnnnnne!” Melanie whined.
Adrienne sighed, so much for avoiding the question, “Fine, fine! I’ll tell you. It all started last summer…”
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to be continued? Please review!