The only way I'll really smile is if you cut me ear to ear.
Chapter twenty six
Charlotte's P.O.V
"No time to speak. I need to get this to my office" I stumbled out of the bus, shoving my shoes back on. The boys were at the entrance, giving me a funny look. I ignored them and jogged to the road. I hailed a taxi and jumped in.
***
"Bennie! I'm so sorry! Here they are!" I puffed as I ran into his office. "Hey Charlie" He smiled. "Hey. Oh gosh. Give me a second" I bent over, taking deep breaths. "Did you run here?" Bennie laughed. The taxi driver couldn't find the place, I couldn't be bothered showing him the way so I ran. "You could say that" I straightened up and winced. "Charlotte. I need to speak with you. It's about your job" Bennie sighed. I sat in one of the chairs in front of his desk. "I went to the tour yesterday..." He smiled. "Really? Did you like it?" I grinned. "Like it? I loved it!" He beamed. That's awesome! He went to our show! "Look. I don't think you should be focusing on comics right now... I think you should be trying a different career path- I mean, You're fantastic in the art department, the best we have here. I just think that you should choose a singing career. That's all" Bennie was sitting on the edge of his desk next to me.
Singing? I love my job. Is he telling me to quit? I frowned. If I'm the best in the art department, then why is he telling me to quit? I mean, he did give me a reason, I just don't understand it. "Are you telling me to quit?" I asked. "We-Well I guess you could call it that. I call it, trying a different career" Bennie chuckled. "I-I mean, I'd love for you to stay, but you need to think about YOU. Do you want to make your life bigger and better or keep the comic book job? You could still send your comics to be published here, just try singing" He told me. I didn't speak, I didn't know what to say. "Listen, Charlotte. When I saw you on that stage yesterday... I knew. I knew that you were born for that stage, that life. Your father was a big inspiration to me, and to see his daughter follow in his footsteps, it just makes me smile. So, please, just consider this" Bennie placed his hand on my shoulder.
I nodded. I should ask Frank first. I couldn't start something without asking him. I just had this feeling that I could fail completely at this. "If you're worried about getting out there, You'll always have a place here. We won't just chuck you out... You'll always be a big part of the DC family" He smiled. "I guess. I mean- I have to speak to Frank about this" I sighed. "Why? Frank has nothing to do with your career" Bennie's eyebrows knitted together. "I don't know, we always think stuff together" I informed him. He made an 'oh' sound and made a sharp nod.
"I don't know Ben. I'll have to think about it. Thank you for suggesting that. I haven't really put much thought into it until now" I stood up and gave him a hug. Ben flinched, surprised that I hugged him. "No problem Charlie, just looking out for you" He rubbed my back. "I better get going. I kind of left the guys in a confused state" I let go of Ben. He nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Nah. It's cool. Say hi to Gerard for me" Bennie went behind his desk, flipping open the plastic case that I carried the sketches in. "Okay" I turned and walked out. "Bye" I waved. How does he know- right. The time that Gerard came in, he must of had a conversation with him.
***
I have never actually checked out what bands were here. I should probably do that tomorrow... nope, wait. We're travelling to our next destination for the whole day tomorrow. I sighed, walking to the bus. I rubbed my eyes and opened the black door. "What do you mean?" A hushed voice asked. I frowned. "Charlotte has changed... She's different, not herself" what I noticed to be Frank's voice whispered. "I know that, but why is that such a bad thing?" Ray's voice whispered. "I like it. I like the new her. I haven't really seen the old her though... I guess I can't really say anything" Mikey's voice hit my ears and I lightly took my shoes off, trying not to make a sound. "Frank. You're over reacting" Gerard grumbled. "She never forgets to do her work. Never. She never used to drink or smoke as much as she does now. I love Charlotte but I think-" Frank sounded worried. I cut him off before he could say anything else.
"Hey guys! Sorry, I just had to run the comics down to DC" I rolled my eyes, a grin on my lips. I felt a little upset that Frank thought I had changed for the worse. I was me. Me is Charlotte- That sounds really illiterate. "Oh no! It's fine!" Mikey got off the couch, motioning for me to sit next to Gerard. Frank rubbed his neck and stomped off to the bunks. My gaze followed after him. "Don't worry about him Charlie" Ray smiled. "Why? What happened?" I already knew but I thought I should just act like nothing happened. "It's nothing" Gerard grabbed my hand, a small smile on his pretty pink lips.
***
"I'm going to sleep" Gerard mumbled. Ray and I were the last ones up. "Alright sugar. I'll be there later" I kissed him on the cheek and he sleepily smirked. "Good night Ray" He waved as he stumbled to his bed. After a moment of complete silence, Ray broke it. "Do you like it here? I mean- you know, the tour and all?" Ray asked me. "Yeah. Of course I do! I love it!" I smiled. I laid back on the couch and folded my arms. "That's good. Don't ask why I wanted to know. Heh. It's kind of really complicated" He ran a hand through his hair and smiled at the ground. "Right. No, It's fine. I kind of already know..." I whispered the last part to him. Ray's eyebrows rose. "Really? Did you-"
"I heard it" I sighed, looking away from him and the TV. "Listen, Frank is just being a good friend. He's worried about you. I know he what he is getting at, I mean, I remember high school with you. You were never like this back then. All things must change though" He chuckled. I frowned at his analogy. "Not all things change though..." I gave him a funny confused look. "It's... Never mind" He chuckled shaking his head. We watched the TV for a while until Ray got bored and wanted to watch a movie.
***
We were watching the Conjuring. Ray said that he heard it was the scariest movie out there. I've never heard of it. (Remember... I was in a coma for 1 year. Thought I should remind you if you're like 'Whaaaaat?') Anyway, we were watching it and I did feel a little freaked out watching it. The lights on the bus were turned off, the only thing illuminating the room was the TV. "Wait? How the hell did that bed sheet just fly up onto that window?" I laughed. "You didn't notice before, but it's a flying sheet. You can by those now" He said with a serious face. I slapped his arm and he chuckled.
"Woah! She can dance!" I smiled. Ray and I began to dance on the couch as the lady in the movie was actually possessed. "Oh yeah! Go ray! Go ray" little bubbles of laughs left my mouth as I quietly cheered him on. He was fist pumping and moving his hips side to side. I bursted into laughter when I saw his determined/ serious face.
***
"Welll. That was- That was goood" I swallowed the lump in my throat. "I see why they call it a scary movie now" Ray looked at me. "Holy fuck. I don't know if I can sleep after that" I laughed lightly. "Well, it's- wow. It's like 6 o'clock in the morning" Ray looked at the clock on the wall. "Really. You've got to be shitting me" I glanced at the clock and grinned. "I'm not tired. Are you?" Ray asked. "Nope" I said, popping the 'p'. "Want some coffee?" Ray got off the couch and went into the kitchen. I should have some, just in case I do get tired later. "Sure, why not" I picked up the remote and flipped through the channels. "News. News. News. Wait" I stopped on a TV show. There was a picture of Oliver on it. "What the hell?" I frowned. I turned the TV up.
"Oliver Sykes, The one we all know from Bring me the horizon, has now said to be 'Settling down'. Is this true? Or will our little Oliver be a bad boy and go unfaithful. We'll tell you, after the break" The blonde haired woman smiled, her probably $1 million dollar smile, sparkled. Bitch. Why would she say something like that. "Our little Oliver..." I mimicked. Oliver isn't yours and he sure as hell isn't little. Oliver is a man, a man that is in love with my best friend. They're having a child and this bitch thinks it's okay to say that shit on TV? "Fuck off" I muttered as I changed the TV channel. "Did you tell the TV to 'fuck off'?" Ray's amused face poked into the room. "No" I huffed. "Alright. Here you go" He sat on the couch next to me and handed me my coffee. "So, how was DC?" Ray faced me. "Right, well- uh. My boss in the art department, Bennie, he kind of gave me some advice" I awkwardly scratched my neck.
"What did he say?" Ray sniffled and sipped his coffee. "Well, he told me I should- uh- go into the music buisness" My voice went higher at the end. I don't know why I was so awkward about this. I guess I'm kind of sitting in front of a guitar legend. "Finally!" I flinched as Ray exclaimed. "Huh?" I was a little confused. "Someone finally told you! Charlie. You have the voice of an angel. Your guitar skills are better then mine-" I cut him off with a gasp. "RAY! I am so not better then you. Fuck off. You have the skills of a rock and roll genuis" He laughed as I said that. "Okay. Whatever. It was a compliment. I mean- I guess I am the very best, like no one ever was..." He sung the last part. "Pokemon? Really?" I giggled. "Yep. What of it?" He relaxed into the couch and watched the TV.
After a moment of silence and me just biting my lip I looked at Ray. "Do you really think I should go into music?" I asked nervously. "It's really up to you. If you want my opinion, I think that yes, yes you should go into the music buisness. It's really up to you, as I said before" Ray seemed pretty serious about this. Should I?
dude omg i miss this story so much and i hope youre okay ;-;
12/22/14