Chapter 37 #2
Valley shoots a shit-eating grin his way, and he just shakes his head.
“Anyway, we’re ready to go. I can’t wait to see Ronnie skibidi singing to us,” I say, straight-faced.
Valley cracks up. “Nyx, oh my God! That's not how the word is used.”
I glare, simply saying, “Two words: socially retarded.”
That sets everyone off with laughter.
Sam comes over to hug me. “Let’s go, crazy girls.”
The thirteen of us get to the garage, selecting the largest SUV available. We all go to pile in, and I notice several of Jax’s guys are already waiting close to the car. Maverick slides behind the wheel, and Trav and Tyler slide in with us.
We get on our way, and happy conversation eats up the travel time.
Before I know it, we arrive at the venue. Bypassing the regular parking area, we zip over to VIP. We snag a spot in the front by the doors.
Maverick passes out lanyards for us all, announcing our VIP status. “Don’t lose those,” he cautions.
The three of us girls link arms, darting inside, the guys protesting as they follow behind us.
I hear music thumping as we enter, making my pulse race.
We get to the gate to the pit, and the attendant lets us in. It's already packed, and there seems to be no room at the front.
I sigh in disappointment.
Synn pushes past us to lead the way, and the crowd parts like magic. Stepping to the front center of the stage, Synn clears his throat. The guys there look back and, seeing Synn, turn white as they scatter.
In fact, the entirety of the front of the pit magically disappears.
I laugh. “Mafia perks.”
We all wait for Falling in Reverse to take the stage. We got there late enough we didn’t have to sit through all the opening bands.
A female’s begging voice captures my attention, from behind me.
“Please, let me up. Please... it's for my mom.”
I turn around, seeing a petite brunette with glasses trying in vain to come to the front. The assholes around her are blocking her.
She begs again, and one of the guys say, “Fuck off, bitch.”
Nope—not on my watch. “Hey, let her through!” I holler, but I just get laughed at.
Synn steps in, roaring at the top of his lungs. “Did you not hear my wife? Let her through.”
As soon as the dickheads see him, they all pale. Stepping to the side, they allow the girl to slip through.
I move forward, grabbing her hand. “Come stand with us.”
Tears fill her eyes. “Thank you so much. This means the world to me. My mom—she’s a huge fan of Ronnie’s. She's too sick to come. I promised to get a picture of us together somehow.”
She’s adorable. Small features, long brown hair, blue eyes, and curvy.
“What’s your name?” I ask her.
“Christina,” she replies.
“Well, Christina, you met the right people. See those guys standing there?” I gesture to the guys. “They are powerful people, so we get top treatment.”
“Oh, how cool! Thanks so much.” Our new friend smiles in gratitude.
I give her a small hug, and let her in to stand with me, Valley, and Cynthia right in front.
A roar of guitars pierces the stage, and the lights dim, then come back up. We can see the band, but no Ronnie.
A loud voice comes from nowhere. “New Jersey! Do you know who I am?”
The crowd goes crazy, screaming Ronnie’s name.
I can see him squeezed behind a speaker on the side of the stage, and I elbow Cynthia next to me, pointing.
“Ah!” Cynthia screams, dancing in place.
Then, the voice continues, “Ronnie? There's no Ronnie here.” He then shows himself, moving dead center. Putting the mic to his lips once more, he screams, “It’s Ronald!”
The beginning music to the song “Ronald” starts, and he screams into the mic, strutting all over the stage.
I look to my guys, who are all thrashing around, knocking into each other. It's so damn cute, I wish I had a camera to capture the moment.
The next few songs come and go, then the opening licks of “Popular Monster” ring out.
The girls and I all squeal, jumping up and down, arms reaching towards Ronnie.
There's a small incline leading up to the fence, so I plant myself right against it, which makes me stand out as I’m slightly higher than the rest of the fans.
Valley, Christina, and Cynthia do the same.
We're singing at the top of our lungs. I've memorized the lyrics by now.
Ronnie sees us, and he saunters over. Cocking his head, he listens to our singing. He looks straight at me, and I freeze.
“Well, hey there, firecracker. You've got a voice that carries. You a singer?” Ronnie addresses me.
The rest of the noise falls away, and all I can see and hear is Ronnie.
“No,” I answer.
“Well, you’re fucking good. What's your name, firecracker?”
“Phoenyxx,” I say loud and clear into the mic he thrusts in my face.
“And your friends?”
“Valley, Cynthia, Christina,” they scream into the mic.
“Say hi to the girls, everyone,” Ronnie crows into the mic.
Our names are chanted, then unexpectedly, his hand thrusts out, putting the mic to my lips. “Want to sing the chorus with me, Phoenyxx?”
My breath stalls, and I just nod like an idiot. He continues the song, then when he gets to the chorus, he shares the mic with me.
I somehow manage to learn to function, and I sing along with him. “I’m about to break down, searching for a way out. I'm a liar, I’m a cheater, I’m a non-believer. I'm a popular, popular monster!” I scream, making my friends and my guys go crazy with cheers.
I elbow Christina, and hurriedly tell Ronnie to let her sing, too. She blushes but finishes off the chorus in a soft and pretty voice.
“OMG... that did not just happen!” Valley yells in my ear.
I cup my hands, yelling over to the guys. “Did you record that? Please send it to Christina!”
I nudge Christina over to them so she can give them her number. Tears roll down her face, and my heart squeezes.
I did a good thing today.
Beaming, I cut a glance to my guys, who are all smiling at me.
Wow, I expected them to be pissed. Instead, they look proud.
Awesome.
Once the show is over, we bolt to the line for the meet and greet.
Synn is holding my hand, sneering at anyone looking at us.
We of course got the first spot in line, and I walk on shaky legs with my friends to meet Ronnie fucking Radke.
Our guys watch as we approach him.
Ronnie grins, beckoning us over. Camaras flash as he pulls me into an unexpected hug. Valley told me Ronnie never hugs his fans.
“You did a great job, Phoenyxx,” he says to me, and I blush madly.
“Thanks, Ronnie. You're fucking amazing,” I say back.
“A total fucking genius,” Valley says as she moves closer.
“Yep, best singer ever,” Cynthia chirps.
After a few photos, it’s over. Time to go, unfortunately.
Synn steps over again, being a caveman, as usual. Frost takes my other hand. Bryan grabs Valley’s, and Thor holds Cynthia's.
I manage to fall asleep on the ride back, on Synn’s shoulder—I'm drained after that experience.
My heart is bursting with happiness.
Every moment that I’m living, and doing what I want for a change, is a fucking gift.