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I got ready for bed and set an alarm for only a few hours later. I gradually fell into a troubled sleep.
I woke up the next morning with only two hours till the show that evening, without a headache to my surprise. The ache of everything that happened last night surged through my chest as I started my day. I was conflicted with immense joy since I was dating Johnny and leaving for a tour with the guys tonight, but I knew I had ruined at least some part of Zacky’s life. His words cut through my thoughts like a razor blade, “everything will be pretty much normal,” except that nothing will ever be normal for me. I had lost the trust and friendship I had with Zacky. I lost him.
I knew I had chosen a boyfriend over a best friend, something I swore I would never do, but what could I do? I wasn’t about to play two guys that were best friends; I’d be tearing apart their friendship. I would tear apart the band that they all worked so hard on.
All of my thoughts vanished when my phone started ringing. I looked and the caller I.D. and swiped the answer key.
“Wazzzz upppppp?”
“I’m just making sure you’re getting ready. I know your habits young padawan.” Bri chuckled
“I’m getting ready now. I’ll see you in ten at Matt’s house?” I smiled sifting through a pile of clothes.
“Yes, bring everything with you so we don’t have any side trips after the show. Alright?”
“Got it! I’ll see you soon.” I chirped hanging up and walking into the bathroom to start my daily routine.
After a quick shower I dried and straightened my hair before getting my clothes together. Most of my clothes were already in a duffle bag for the tour so I was basically down to band shirts and shredded skinny jeans. I decided on an old A7x jersey that Bri had given me with “Haner” printed across the shoulders. All of the boys had signed it and I had opted to deepen the v-neck so it hit right where my bra met. Of course, me wearing a jersey with a plunging v-neck and nothing under it made Brian hate it, but I was a big girl and could pick out my own clothes at this point. I practically painted on a pair of shredded, black, skinny jeans, wrapped a chain laden, spiked belt around my waist and laced up my beat-to-death, black chucks. I put on my favorite necklace, a simple silver chain with a deathbat, Syn Gates symbol, and a V-blade all hanging from individual loops so all her proudly displayed.
I applied liberal amounts of red eye shadow and blended it thoroughly with my black eyeliner, added some mascara, falsies (just so I was 100% sure I was killin’ it tonight), and a little red lipstick. I tied a black bandana round my head, rosie the riveter style and checked myself in the mirror before grabbing my bags, keys, and everything else and heading out.
I locked the front door and went to my car, throwing my bag in the back before pulling onto the road. I went straight to Matt’s and saw everyone else sitting on the porch. I joined the group and sat on Johnny’s lap.
“Hot damn Baby Gates, the twins are looking alright tonight!” Jimmy whistled, looking at me.
“Jimbo, you’ve already been spoken for and so has she!” Johnny smiled, wrapping his arms around my waist.
I rested my head on his shoulder and followed the conversation. My phone started ringing so I excused myself to take the call.
“Hey Lady, what’s going on?” I smiled
“So you’re going to be at the A7x concert, right?” she asked, already knowing my answer.
“Well of course, and I know you will too. We have to look for each other when we get there.”
“Certainly, you have a pit ticket again?”
“Jess, would I settle for anything less?”
“Good, we have to be right in the front. I want to see the sweat on Syn’s face.” She giggled. Jess and I had been best friends for about five years, but he still didn’t have any idea that her crush was my brother. She would die if she found out.
"Okay, we can get front row, but only if we’re like first in line. I say we get there at like 7:30. Good for you?”
“Sounds great, I’ll see you there, byee!” she squealed the last word.
I rejoined everyone beside the limo we had rented for the evening. Everyone climbed inside and rode happily to the venue, chatting and being ourselves before the boys needed to get serious.
Upon arrival the boys made a b-line to the stage for sound check, leaving Val, Alexi, and myself to explore. We wandered aimlessly around the arena until we made our way to the green room to wait for the boys. After finishing their warm up the boys joined us to get in the zone before everything gets going.
“Avenged Sevenfold fucking sucks!” came through the door as we all sat talking
“Hey, at least I’m not a roadie!” Bri yelled as Matt Berry walked in the door.
“Fuck you, I’m not a roadie! My brother is a roadie.” We all laughed as everyone hugged.
“Speaking of Diz, where is he?” I asked smiling
“Talking to security, setting up, doing what I probably should be. I’ll see you guys later.” He yelled, leaving to help.
We all went right back to relaxing as the door shut behind him. I glanced up at the clock and say that it was nearing 7:30. I got up and headed to the door.
“Where are you going? I need a good luck kiss!" Johnny piped up from the couch.
I dashed back over and pecked him on the lips quickly, “Gotta go meet a friend. I’ll see you guys after the show.” And with that I was gone.
I texted Jess to let her know I would meet her inside and save us a spot up front. She replied with an ok and a smiley as I entered the arena. The crew was finishing up and the crowd was beginning to file in. I hopped off of the stage and gave Jason a thumb up as I stood front and center against the barriers. I knew Jess would find me there, that’s where we went for every show. Shortly the room was full and the crowd pulsed with energy. It felt good to be right up front, surrounded by the fans of a band I love. Jess appeared by my side just moments before the first band finished. We hugged and listened to the end of their set before talking.
“Come with me real quick.” I said pulling on her hand.
“Avenged is coming on like now, can it not wait?” Jess whined
“Trust me, we won’t miss anything. Now come on!” I demanded pulling her through the crowd.
“When did you get your shirt signed by the band? The meet and greet isn’t till later.” She asked, still following me to the side.
“I got it like it.”
She didn’t really say anything so I figured she had bought it. We were almost to the backstage entrance when a huge security guard stepped in front of us.
“Passes?” he demanded looking at us
She looked up at me and I shook my head looking around.
“Come on, they’re already halfway through the first song.” Jess whined over the crowd, tugging my hand
I pulled my band back and she stood still, arms crossed.
“Diz, you mother fucker, get over here!” I shouted as he turned to look at whoever was yelling his nickname.
He jogged over behind the barricade as I pulled Jess along behind me. She looked entirely stunned as Jason opened the gate and let us through. He handed me the passes he had clipped on his belt and I gave one to Jess. We clipped them on our belt loops before I hugged Jason and pulled Jess through the backstage entrance.
“Okay, I give up. How do you know Jason Berry well enough for him to hand you two backstage passes for free and let you in?” she demanded
“I’ve got connections.” I shot over my shoulder.
We reached side stage and stopped, looking out at the stage. I noticed Jess was preoccupied by the show and then looked from person to person on the stage. Everything seemed to be going just fine until I saw Bri making his way to side stage with a broken string. I looked around myself and would the guitar rack just steps away. I grabbed the first guitar, checked the tuning and took it to the stage. The sing ended and Bri stepped off stage and over to me. He quickly unstrapped, handing me the busted guitar and taking the one in my band. He plugged in the strap, kissed me on the cheek and went back to the stage. I skillfully removed the broken string and replaced it with one from the pack I kept in my pocket for just such occasions. I tuned it up then placed it back on the rack before going back to side stage to enjoy the rest of the show.
Jess stared at me like she had just seen a ghost; I just shrugged and pointed out to the stage, turning her attention back to the stage. We rocked out for the rest of the night, going as hard as possible.
The second encore ended and the guys started heading off the stage in our direction. My eyes darted to Jess who was still staring at the stage, then to the guys who were right out of arm’s reach and closing the gap. I smiled and greeted each one. Rev picked me up and spun me in a hug, Shads gave me a big hug, Zacky passes without even a second glance, Johnny wrapped me in a hug and a quick kiss, and Bri draped his arm around my shoulders as we walked down the hall together. Jess walked silently beind us, utterly amazed.
“Stop breaking your strings you fucker!” I snapped
“I am Synyster mother fucking Gates! I do what I want to my guitar strings!” he shouted with a cocky smile
“Shove the rock star act and pay up.” I demanded
“For what?”
“Well, I bought a pack of strings, removal, replacement, tuning, wasting my valuable time. The total comes to the sound of twenty bucks Mr. Gates.”
He pulled out his wallet and handed me a twenty, rolling his eyes dramatically. We entered the dressing room and sat down together.
“Where’d my friend go?” I mumbled when I sat down
I went back into the hall and grabbed Jess’s hand, dragging her into the green room. Her eyes were as wide as saucers with amazement and everyone else started curiously.
“Oh, sorry guys Bri, Jess, Jess, Br-“
“Holy fucking shit it’s Synyster Gates!” she screeched shaking my arm.
Everyone laughed and Brian looked at her with a raised eyebrow. She turned bright red and hid her face under my arm.
“Sorry.” She muttered
“We’re pretty used to it; not a problem with a fan being excited to meet us. However, you don’t have to call me Synyster Gates, Syn will do just fine.” He smiled, charmingly
“Okay.” She giggled shaking his hand
“Back to me talking, Jess, Bri, er, Syn is my brother.” I said quietly
“Why didn’t you tell me this before now?” She scolded
“Because your face is priceless right now.” I laughed as she punched my shoulder, “Okay, now we’ll do this quickly since you know who everyone is. That’s Shads, Val, Rev, Alexi, Zacky and Johnny, guys this is Jess.” As I finished Johnny pulled me off of the couch and into his lap, covering my face in kisses.
“We’re dating Jess, no worries.” I giggled as she glared at me.
“Oh.” She mouthed
“I’m bored, let’s drink.” Jimmy demanded as we all got up to leave.
Bri grabbed Jess’s hand as she turned to go the other way and told her she would be spending the night with us and we’d get her car later.
“So where are we going exactly?” Val asked
“Tittie bar.” All of the guys answered together.