Rock (closed for Ruelle)

[Enrique55]

It had been a long hard tour. Too many crappy venues, to many nights in too many towns in too many out of the way cities and the tempers in the band were starting to get frayed. As the tour bus was finally pulling up in our home town, I could see a big group of people there waiting for us: friends, family, and other randoms who were vaguely familiar but who were only there because we had been in the paper or they had seen us on TV.

The feeling was strange. After so much touring, I should be happy to be back. But with the familiar faces came an uneasy feeling. I had seen crowds bigger than this, we had played much bigger than this, but knowing those in the crowd was different. It's hard to go away and experience so much and to return to something so seemingly unchanged. I turned to James, our bass player. "I guess it's good to be home hey?". "Ummm, yeah .... I guess," he replied, mirroring my reticence.

As the bus stopped the door opened and the crowd started to surge forward a little. I got out of my seat, "Well, showtime boys" I uttered as I moved to the door. Reaching the door, I stood there a minute. The wind tussling my unkempt hair. The sunshine bright a challenge after the tinting of the bus windows. I reached for my shades and slid them on, the rock look complete. My shirt a faded and worn pair of Rolling Stones lips. My jeans tight and ripped. My face covered with designer stubble. I stepped forward into the waiting crowd and begun my greetings.

 

[Ruelle]

Ofelia - The Quiet Fan

Ofelia moved impatiently as she waited, her heart beating in her ears. She looked up and down the street, as if it would make the bus move any faster. Everyone knew of her crush on him. Everyone knew about her crush, it seemed, expect for him. It was always seemed like that. She would follow him around like a puppy dog but then he never really noticed. So when his parents told her that he was coming home, Ofelia nearly fainted on the spot.

So it was standing among his relatives, friends and vague faces, that her mind danced around Dom. She had recorded everything his band did, her heart dancing as he smiled. Yes, he looked... a smile came to her face. As long as he was happy, she was happy. Holding her hands behind her back, she leaned slightly forward. Today, she had dressed as she always did. Black coverse, black jeans with a studded belt that hung loosely on her hips. She wore a long sleeved white shirt under a black short sleeved shirt. Her ears were lined with small piercings. Her hair was black and had a soft shine to it. Her eyes were a bright emerald green which looked almost unnatural.

"It's been so long since I've seen him," she smiled once more at herself. "I've been waiting for so long." A girlie giggle left her mouth as she covered it up. A studded black bracelet enclosed around her thin wrists. Ofelia had never been the healthiest of girls. Her heart was weak and she easily got winded. But that didn't stop her from supporting Dom's band. She cheered louder than the rest of the females.

The bus came and slowly slowed down. His parents stood next to her, the mother gave her an encouraging smile. "Don't worry, sweetie," she said softly. "I'm sure he's the same as ever."

"Haha, I hope-"

The bus stopped and the doors open. Ofelia was pushed back by the group of people who wanted to greet the band first. Instead of fighting to be first, she let the crowd push her toward the back. It really didn't matter all that much anyway. Dommy probably didn't remember her. Besides, she was invited to dinner. Her parents were out of town on business. Ofelia wasn't to be trusted near a stove. Or oven. Or microwave.

 

[Enrique55]

"Dom. Is that you? I can't believe you are finally home! My little baby!" my mother yelled as she elbowed her way through the crowd to reach me first, wrapping her arms around me in a massive bear hug. The others surged around me, patting me on the arms and tustling my hair in gestures of welcome. For a moment the scrum was almost as constricting as some of the groupies we had on tour. But as the other members of the band one by one alighted from the bus the crowd dispersed somewhat forming smaller huddles around each of us.

It had been so long that it was nice to see all the familiar faces, but I was feeling the suffocation of expectation that only those close to you can bring. As I tried to comprehend my feelings I was shaken from my reverie by a shrill voice moving its way through the crowd. "Dom, darling. You look fabulous. It's so good to see you. You have to tell me all about everything." My ex Jess, was making her usual scene. Her desire to be the centre of attention magnified by the fact that she now associated me with fame and the celebrity that came with that too. "Did I tell you that I'm doing modelling now" she added, a little too loud so that everyone was left in no doubt, as she air kissed my face twice. "You should have tried harder to keep me".

I looked her up and down. It seems that she hadn't changed. Trashy gold jewellery, tight white pants and an almost see-through white singlet top, capped off with lashings of make-up and dyed blonde hair. "Jess. Well, I see that taking up modelling has done nothing to dash your confidence" I said with a roll of my eyes and a raising of the eyebrows, the effect of which was partially lost behind my dark sunglasses.

"And I believe that it was me who dumped you."
"Whatever" she said hurridly, not wanting to lose face in front of so many people.

 

[Ruelle]

Ofelia watched and waited for the crowds to disperse so she could go greet Dom. She watched his mother give him her famous hug, others touching him. She wondered if this was how groupies had. A flame of jealous fired along her blood. Lucky bitches. Still, she learned to be patient. As the rest of the band left the bus, people seemed to break off into groups. She supposed this would be a good time to at least tell him, 'welcome back'. As she walked, Jess pushed her away, giving her a snide look.

"He's mine," she said. Jess and Ofelia did not get along. Not only were they polar opposites... it was enough to know that Ofelia had easily shoved the woman's face into the wall. Repeatedly. No one, other than Dom's mother who was a witness, knew exactly what triggered the fight. Strangely enough, she never got charged.

"Dom, darling. You look fabulous. It's so good to see you. You have to tell me all about everything." Jess's voice made Ofelia want to take a drill and make a hole in her head. "Did I tell you that I'm doing modeling now"

"You call that modeling?" Ofelia muttered under her breath as she neared Dom's mother. "It looks more-"

"Ofelia!" his mother whispered loudly to her. "Don't you dare run that awful mouth of yours."

"I prefer colorful."

"You should have tried harder to keep me."

She rolled her eyes. "So has everyone else," she muttered once more, causing his mother to roll her eyes. "See where I'm going with this?" After this, the girl zoned out, studying Dom. He changed, certainly. He looked much better in real life than on the TV.

"And I believe that it was me who dumped you."

"Whatever"

Ofelia laughed now, shaking her head. She turned toward Dom, carefully holding her hand out. A smile on her face, a tilted to her head, she opened her mouth. "Welcome home, Dom," she said carefully. "You look good."

What else could she say? It wasn't as though she could just throw herself on him and say, 'I love you. Let's get married. Then we can have lots of children.' A) that would make her insane. B) She didn't think he wanted to marry. C) Who the hell wanted lots of children?!

Dom's mother put her hand on the girl's shoulder. "I hope you do remember Ofelia, dear," she spoke carefully. "Of course, we can make you remember over dinner tonight."

 

[Enrique55]

"Welcome home, Dom. You look good."

I turn and am taken aback. "Ofelia! I didn't expect to see you here." I look her up and down "Ummm, thanks, you look good to. Still sticking to the black I see" I say with a smile. "And with a couple of new piercings if I'm not mistaken," I add taking one ear in my hand and running my thumb over the line of piercings. "Nice".

I turn to my mother giving her a patronising smile, "Of course I remember her mum," understanding that she was only trying to help, but still not really appreciating her meddling. "She tagged along everywhere I went for years. Besides, it's hard to forget someone who gets the nickname 'Cop-a-feelia' really isn't it." This draws a quick slap from my mother.

Jess leans over my shoulder, wrapping her arms around my chest. "We are having a party tonight at my place. You'll be there won't you. It's just for the band and close friends, very exclusive. There'll be no hangers on so you don't have to worry about any uninvited guests ruining your night" she says with a pointed leer across at Ofelia.

"Uhh, yeah. I guess I can make it. I'll be a bit late though, I think mum has organised dinner."

"Oh, really. Great. What time shall I come over?"

"Sorry, didn't I say. It's just family. You understand, no hangers on and all that."

Not for the first time today, Jess's is slightly shaken. I decide to rub a little salt in the wound and turn to the scattered crowd shouting "Hey everyone. Party at Jess's tonight. You're all invited."

With a triumphant smile I start to move towards my parents' waiting car.

 

[Ruelle]

"Ofelia! I didn't expect to see you here." She felt hurt. Why wouldn't she be? It wasn't as though she was a complete stranger! He spoke before she could offer a retort. "Ummm, thanks, you look good to. Still sticking to the black I see" She raised her eyebrow.

"I tell you, I rather look like this than-" she pointed toward Jess "-well, looks like you went through a thrift shop, Jess." Ofelia had a dangerous gleam in her eyes. Really, it was a wonder that both women survived each other when Dom dated Jess.

"And with a couple of new piercings if I'm not mistaken," She blushed as his hand touched her ear. Her skin suddenly came too hot. She was afraid that he could hear her heartbeat faster and faster. "Nice".

Ofelia looked up at him. "So glad you approve," she said. The only problem was... they weren't new. He probably hadn't ever noticed. Not that she minded. Not at all. She was just happy that he was back, even if for a bit. Her mind wandered off, and a dazed look came into her eye. Oh yes, she could daydream in just about any situation.

"...Cop-a-feelia..."

She growled at the nickname. She never copped a feel! But it wasn't from a lack of trying. Ofelia had been a nervous wreck around him. She tended to agree to whatever he wanted to do... half the time, not really sure what he asked. Still, Dom had his mind on Jess at the time. Despite Ofelia's warnings. Or rather, dislike. She heard his mother slap him. What was that about?

Jess draped herself across his shoulder. "We are having a party tonight at my place. You'll be there won't you. It's just for the band and close friends, very exclusive. There'll be no hangers on so you don't have to worry about any uninvited guests ruining your night" Jess leered at Ofelia who only gave her the bird.

“I wouldn’t want to go to your STD infested orgy party for the world. Who knows what might one would catch?” Ofelia responded easily, looking superior once more. “At least I know enough to actually lean off everything white.”

This sort of tiff between the two was common. But it seemed to have escalated the moment Dom came back.

"Uhh, yeah. I guess I can make it. I'll be a bit late though, I think mum has organised dinner."


"Oh, really. Great. What time shall I come over?"

“Whore not invited,” she muttered under her breath as Dom’s mother smacked the back of her head.

“’felia! Watch your mouth!” the woman whispered harshly.


"Sorry, didn't I say. It's just family. You understand, no hangers on and all that,” he responded before turning to the crowd. "Hey everyone. Party at Jess's tonight. You're all invited." There was a smile on his face, and Ofelia felt like melting. If only it was meant for her.

She followed him to the car, his parents being her ride here. About a week ago, she had gotten into a small motorcycle accident. Someone had cut her breaks and she had nearly lost a leg. It had been pure luck she managed to come out just bruised and cut. Of course, she was also wearing a helmet and her dirt bike gear. (She was speeding around on unused roads.) So his parents offered to drive her here. Well, actually, they all but kidnapped her from her comfy nest.

A slight limp accompanied her walk, her leg still not fully healed. “Hey Dom,” she spoke, putting a hand to her chest, a slight winced. No, it wasn’t her heart. She had a bruise there… and the bra wasn’t making it hurt any less. “When you can, I was wondering if you could tell me what it was like singing in front of all those people. You looked… you were a natural.” With that, she went to the other side of the car, opened the door and slid in.

His parents were also getting in, waiting for Dom to buckle up.

 

[Enrique55]

I slid into the back seat, finally relaxing. "A natural? Ha. Thanks I guess. It takes a lot of effort not to be shitting myself out there in front of so many. The good thing is after a while I realised that they didn't even notice, or just didn't care about, all the bung notes I was hitting so that makes it easier I guess."

Then, as the car took off and we started driving through the familiar backstreets of my home town, I found my mind wandering. Gazing out the window, I fell into the easy patter, the standard answers, that I had developed to get me through the seemingly endless interviews performed in sparse grungy hotel rooms on tour.

"It's just nice to have so many people there to see us perform. And you can't complain when you are getting paid to do something that you love. I have found that the secret is to pick out one face in the crowd. Someone who is smiling back at you. Then through the show, I just keep going back to them. Performing each song as if it is just me and them. And if I can see that they are happy, I know that we have put on a good show."

As we wound through the verdant lawns of my old neighbourhood I snapped out of my daze.

Turning to face Ofelia, I nod my head in the direction of her leg leg. "So, what happened there? Any more of a limp and you would just be walking in circles?" I asked with a laugh.

 

[Ruelle]

She leaned in slightly, listening to his every word. Or rather, she tried too. Hard when you couldn't stop staring at every feature of his face. “Bung notes?” Ofelia looked confused, not sure what he meant. “So you stop caring to sing the right notes? Sounds shitty to me.” She looked away, rubbing an itchy eye.

She stopped asking questions, after hearing about what it was like. If he was going to treat her like a reporter, then fine. She wondered how he it really felt. What sort of face did he focus on. No doubt someone who was beautiful She had a feeling he didn't go for the average annie. Many stars didn't. Ofelia looked out the window with a quiet sigh and straightened out her leg slightly, the limb not appreciating being bent.

She jumped in her seat,not expecting him to speak to her.

“So what happened there? Any more of a limp and you would just be walking in circles," he laughed.

Ofelia shrugged and looked out the window. "I... I accidentally fell on it. Just a cramp, nothing more,” she sorta lied, looking at Dom's mother with a look the woman seemed to understand. Clearly she would be embarrassed if he knew the truth. . “So you won't have to worry about any hangers.” She let him have a strained smile on her face. “Right after dinner I'll be going home and watch a nice Japanese horror movie.”

“No,no, my dear,” his mother spoke again. “I told you I don't like you be home alone at night. I know your parents trust you, but to leave you for moments on end? I don't want you to get robbed or worse.”

“Don't worry, ma'am,” she smiled in response. “I have several state of the art security systems. But if I tell you, someone might here.” Ofelia smiled, covering her mouth. “Really, I dont want to trouble you ma'am. You should have alone time with Dom.”

 

[Enrique55]

"Nothing like a Japanese horror film to bring a cheerful close to the night." I commented as we pulled into the drive of my parents house.

"Home sweet home" my mother commented to everyone and no one.

As we get out of the car I talk across the roof to Ofelia. "Why don't you come to the party tonight after dinner? You know Jess was only trying to make it exclusive to to boost her own ego. I think you should come with me. I know you don't really get on with her, but it's always fun to stir things up a little."

As we walk inside, the thing that gets me is the smell. It smells like home. I let out a contented sigh as I throw my bag on the floor and sprawl myself on the couch.

"Well make yourself right at home then" my mum says with a sigh as she picks up my bag and moves it out of the way. "I see that spending time on the road hasn't taught you anything about cleaning up after yourself Domonic!". Typical mum I thought, always calls me by my full name when she is annoyed with me.

"What are mother's for?" I reply with a chuckle.

"So 'felia ... what have I missed? Anything exciting happen around here while I was gone?"

 

[Ruelle]

“Home sweet home,” his mouther commented.

“My second home,” Ofelia added with a cheeky grin as she opened the door the carefully placed her leg down. Dom’s father helped her stand up until she was steady enough to walk.
"Why don't you come to the party tonight after dinner? You know Jess was only trying to make it exclusive to to boost her own ego. I think you should come with me. I know you don't really get on with her, but it's always fun to stir things up a little." He talked to her over the roof of the car.

“You forget, Dom, that if you go leaving again,” she stated quickly, “I’ll be left alone to deal with her. And her posse. You know I would say yes in a heartbeat, if it wasn’t for that.” She made her way up the stairs, ignoring the thrum of pain. She was the last to enter and closed the door behind herself. Besides, Ofelia didn’t want to see the dent in the wall of when she nearly rammed the woman’s head through when the two got into a fist fight.

“Well make yourself right at home then,” his mother mutters, before rolling her eyes and sighing. "I see that spending time on the road hasn't taught you anything about cleaning up after yourself Domonic!"

"What are mother's for?" he chuckled. "So 'felia ... what have I missed? Anything exciting happen around here while I was gone?"

Ofelia blinked, then tilted her head to the side as if trying to remember. “Well, I… I wouldn’t know,” she admitted. “I just stayed around home while the parents are out of town.” She looked around for a place to sit before selecting her usual perch. It was a lounge chair that had the softest of cushions. “You missed the all the usual surburb drama. Who’s cheating on who with who, who’s the most scandolous of the week. Who’s who… you know, not very important stuff.”

She shrugged. What was there to tell? Nothing could be as interesting as being able to go to any country. “Unless, there’s something specific you want to know about?” She raised a slender eyebrow before settling into her seat like a cat would. Ofelia looked at him through her green purplish eyes. “Say, I know, once I fix up my baby, maybe I can take you for a ride. The ol’ swimming hole is still around and all.” It had been her secret hiding place, but she showed it to Dom. To get through it, there was a mini tunnel, or so she liked to pretend.

 

[Enrique55]

"You missed the all the usual surburb drama. Who’s cheating on who with who, who’s the most scandolous of the week. Who’s who… you know, not very important stuff.”

"Good to see that somethings don't change hey. Here I was thinking that while I was off doing stuff, other people would be doing something exciting here too. I guess small towns are small for reason hey!" I roll my eyes for effect.

“Unless, there’s something specific you want to know about?”

"Nah, not really. I just thought maybe something interesting would have happened. I dunno, maybe I would come back and you would be pregnant or something scandalous like that." I laugh as I look into her green eyes and see her wince at the very thought. Her eyes are softer and more seductive than I remember. Although to be fair, I guess I never did really take a good look at them. 'felia was more background colour than any major player in the events before we found fame.

Deftly avoiding my last comment she adds, “Say, I know, once I fix up my baby, maybe I can take you for a ride. The ol’ swimming hole is still around and all.”

"Actually that sounds good. I haven't been to the swimming hole since ... ummm ... probably since I last went there with you actually. It would be nice to just go and chill out for a while." My eyes glaze over a little as my mind flashes back to the last time we were there. The crisp cool water, the warmth of the sun on my back, the tranquility of it all.

"What happened to your 'baby'? Did a dingo steal it?" I ask in a bad aussie accent, enjoying my own joke a little too much, rolling around on the couch laughing.

 

[Ruelle]

"Actually, that sounds good. I haven't been to the swimming hole since...um... probably since I last went there with you actually. It would be nice to just go and chill out for a while." The female smiled as she watched the dazed look in his eyes. Yeah, the swimming hole would probably do him a world of good.


"You missed the all the usual surburb drama. Who’s cheating on who with who, who’s the most scandolous of the week. Who’s who… you know, not very important stuff.”

"Good to see that somethings don't change hey. Here I was thinking that while I was off doing stuff, other people would be doing something exciting here too. I guess small towns are small for reason hey!" I roll my eyes for effect.

“Unless, there’s something specific you want to know about?”

"Nah, not really. I just thought maybe something interesting would have happened. I dunno, maybe I would come back and you would be pregnant or something scandalous like that." I laugh as I look into her green eyes and see her wince at the very thought. Her eyes are softer and more seductive than I remember. Although to be fair, I guess I never did really take a good look at them. 'felia was more background colour than any major player in the events before we found fame.

Deftly avoiding my last comment she adds, “Say, I know, once I fix up my baby, maybe I can take you for a ride. The ol’ swimming hole is still around and all.”

"Actually that sounds good. I haven't been to the swimming hole since ... ummm ... probably since I last went there with you actually. It would be nice to just go and chill out for a while." My eyes glaze over a little as my mind flashes back to the last time we were there. The crisp cool water, the warmth of the sun on my back, the tranquility of it all.

"What happened to your 'baby'? Did a dingo steal it?" he spoke with an awful aussie accent that ruined the moment.

Ofelia raised an eyebrow. NO ONE joked about her baby. "No, and that's a horrible aussie," she snapped, then tried to calm herself down. "It's brakes need to be fixed up and a nice paint job is in order." She couldn't get over the pregnant comment. Why in the world would that happen to her? Shaking it off, she stretched her arms out.

Rubbing the back of her neck, she felt a slight knot at the base and held back a growl. Oh, she really had to stop sleeping in strange places and even stranger positions. This morning she work up in the sink with no recollection on how she got there. Kicking off her shoes, she leaned back and smiled. "Hey, why don't we go to the mini golfing tomorrow? I mean, there won't be any people and Jess is never there. It could be a good break from faces for you. I mean, I don't have to be there, I know you're probably don't want me tagging along like in the old days."

 

[Enrique55]

"Hey, why don't we go to the mini golfing tomorrow? I mean, there won't be any people and Jess is never there. It could be a good break from faces for you. I mean, I don't have to be there, I know you're probably don't want me tagging along like in the old days."

"You are full of ideas aren't you. I'm glad someone has my time planned out for me while I'm back. I don't think it would take much sitting around here for me to be itching to get back on the road. So probably good if I have something to do. Although, why would you invite me to do something and then suggest that you aren't there?! It kind of defeats the purpose doesn't it? You are an odd one sometimes 'felia." I stared at her, trying to figure out the puzzle. There was something different about this girl, I just didn't know exactly what that was.

"Dinner!" I hear my mum yell from the kitchen.

"Ahhh, the joys of being at home. Nothing like home cooking hey?" I say with a smile as we sit to eat. The table suddenly abuzz with the sounds of eating, small talk and questions about life on the road. I feel a warm glow of contentment at the very normality of this scene. Not really what I want in my life all the time, but with the rigours of time on the road, certainly a welcome change. "Yeah, good to be home." I mutter under my breath.

 

[Ruelle]

“…Although, why would you invite me to do something and then suggest that you aren't there?! It kind of defeats the purpose doesn't it? You are an odd one sometimes 'felia."

Ofelia shook her head. “I’ve… always been like this. You just never noticed,” she responded as she looked him square in the eyes. “Besides, that’s how I’ve always spoken to you. You’re just too into Jess to have paid any attention.” She didn’t sound down or even sarcastic. It was just the truth, a fact. Besides, she had never been that outgoing anyway.

“Dinner!”

She smiled back and sat down across from him, and had massive portions of food massed on her plate. She looked up at his mother who only winked slyly at her and gave her another helping. “You’re skin and bones, dear after eating all that instant ramen. Even Dom looks better than you.”

“He may look better but if you recall, you took all my grocery money.”

“I know you too well. You’d just by junk.”

“And get meat on my bones.”

“No, you’d get fat. Tell me, did you drink your milk today?”

“… no ma’am. I refuse to drink something digested then spewed out by a cow’s utter. Can’t even trust it was a cow,” Ofelia smiled back and took a sip of her water. “For all you know, the farmers have played a prank on us and added somethin’ else.”

His parents could only roll their eyes in embarrassment. She winked at Dom before the sounds of a family dinner rang throughout the house. For a moment, Ofelia felt like it was back to old times, before hormones played a role.

 

[Enrique55]

"Farmer's playing pranks? Haha 'felia. You are something else. That's a conspiracy theory that I haven't heard before. You know, I bet you love a good conspiracy theory. Have you heard? They think that the second gunman on the grassy knoll that shot JFK was a cow farmer!" I say laughing heartily.

I turn to my mother "I see that since you didn't have me around to be maternal about you have taken on another project. What are you doing being so overbearing to poor 'felia. She doesn't need you telling her what she can and can't eat. I'm sure she is perfectly capable of looking after herself! Besides, she looks good."

"I didn't say that she didn't look good. She just needs someone to keep an eye on her. Everyone needs a mother to watch over them" she quickly retorted.

I turn back to 'felia, giving a sympathetic sigh and a shrug of my shoulders. "Sorry. I tried."

 

[Ruelle]

“Then you never tasted curiously tasting milk,” she replied easily. “And don't joke about cow farmers! Their vile evil men.” She crossed her arms and pouted his mother squeezed her shoulder.

"I see that since you didn't have me around to be maternal about you have taken on another project. What are you doing being so overbearing to poor 'felia. She doesn't need you telling her what she can and can't eat. I'm sure she is perfectly capable of looking after herself! Besides, she looks good." He told his mother. Ofelia couldn't help but turn a few shades pink as he complimented her looks. Biting her bottom lip, she didn't know if she should thank him or remain silent.

"I didn't say that she didn't look good. She just needs someone to keep an eye on her. Everyone needs a mother to watch over them" she quickly retorted. Well, that answered that question.

"Sorry. I tried,” he shrugged his shoulders.

“It's alright. I don't mind. My parents are usually over seas, so it's nice to see at least one person fussing over me,” she smiled again before shoving what looked like half of her plate down her mouth. The girl was a fast eater who treated her stomach like a garbage disposal. “Good food, second mommy. When's desert?”

“When you drink your milk.”

“... then I don't want any...”

“You're as short as you are because you don't drink you milk. If you want to get taller, drink it.”

“I'd rather drink cow piss. Oh wait, I would if I drank milk!”

“Ofelia... I feel sorry for your parents, no wonder they go away a lot.”

“Who do you think I got this from? Dad is a lot worse and he's only two inches taller than me!” Ofelia winked at Dom. Apparently,t his wasn't the first time they had discussed her milk hatred."So, tell us, find anyone special while on tour?"

 

[Enrique55]

"Anyone special? HA! There really isn't much time to find anyone special. If you aren't doing a gig you are partying or sleeping or doing interviews. And it doesn't really help that you are never in one town for more than a couple of nights. It tends to be a little bit hard to form any meaningful attachments under such circumstances. I mean there was the odd girl here or there who would be hanging around the tour bus and we would ... "

I stopped abruptly, having already said way too much in front of my parents. This just wasn't the sort of thing that you discussed with parents like them. They were waiting for me to find some nice girl and settle down with a couple of kids and a dog and a house with a white picket fence. Not what I had in mind for my life at this stage, let me tell you!

"... and they were nice enough girls, but nothing happened because we would be leaving town a couple of days later." I said in a blatent attempt to cover my tracks and placate my parents. I blushed a little with the crudeness of my backtracking, and tried to deflect the attention from myself while I regained my composure.

"What about you 'felia? Any special fella in your life?" Then with a smile I add, "Or haven't any managed to get past any of the security systems on your house yet?"

 

[Ruelle]

“…I mean there was the odd girl here or there who would be hanging around the tour bus and we would ...” he stopped looking sheepish. Felia giggled as his mother gave him a sour look. Oh dear, there was something she totally wanted to be present for. Of course, Dom’s mother didn’t like to dispute in front of the socially awkward female. "... and they were nice enough girls, but nothing happened because we would be leaving town a couple of days later."

She giggled again, peeking at his father who only rolled his eyes. He patted her hand and gave his wife a look. “Don’t start anything sweetheart. The boy just got back. Wait until tomorrow morning. You’ll come for breakfast, won’t you Ofelia? After all, you missed this morning.”

“Halo tournament.”

“Ah, say no more.”

"What about you 'felia? Any special fella in your life?" Then with a smile he add, "Or haven't any managed to get past any of the security systems on your house yet?"

Ofelia tilted her head and gave him a very sweet smile. “Oh yes, there is one. But he’s such a dumbass he can’t even tell,” she replied, a small amount of venom lacing her words. After a moment, she took a deep breath and shook her head. “Sorry, it’s just that, he’s never really noticed. And you leave my security systems out of it. It’s already stopped three attempts.”

“By the same person,” his mother responded.

“Well, I still maintain he is into bondage.”

Ofelia turned to Dom, to take the pressure off of her. “So tell me, what sort of weird girls followed your bus? Did they ever peep in on you? Did you invite them inside?”

 

[Enrique55]

“So tell me, what sort of weird girls followed your bus? Did they ever peep in on you? Did you invite them inside?” Ofelia queried with a smile, sending the inquisition back in my direction.

I flushed a little as the attention returned to me. I wasn't keen on my parents knowing the inner workings of what happened on tour, and I could feel that 'felia was taking a little too much joy out of my embarrassment.

"Oh you know, just the usual. There wasn't much peeping going on. Not much to see on a tourbus. Just a bunch of grungy musos trying to fill in time between gigs."

"And what usual would that be?" my mother continued her nosiness, trying to pick up on any little tid-bit of information she could find.

"What goes on tour, stays on tour." I said with a curt brevity that, to my mind, should bring an end to this interrogation.

"So 'felia" I say as I stand to clear the plates, "a burglar who is into bondage hey? I'm surprised you didn't let him in! The last rumour I heard suggested that you had plenty of leather and handcuffs lying around your place!" I let out a laugh as I watch a feint hint of guilt fall across her face.

 

[Ruelle]

"Oh you know, just the usual. There wasn't much peeping going on. Not much to see on a tour bus. Just a bunch of grungy musos trying to fill in time between gigs."

Ofelia raised her eyebrow. His mother would not be satisfied by that. It wasn’t an observation. It was a fact known to people close to the older woman. Those who were able to escape her bloodhound nose were the lucky ones. Ofelia’s father was one of those people. Her mother and her weren’t.

"And what usual would that be?"

"What goes on tour, stays on tour."

She snorted. That could mean anything. Anything at all. She looked back to his father, who hide his smile by drinking some more of his wine. “Kid’s gonna get hounded,” he mumbled, and winked at her. “Gonna be fun to watch.”

"So 'felia" I say as I stand to clear the plates, "a burglar who is into bondage hey? I'm surprised you didn't let him in! The last rumor I heard suggested that you had plenty of leather and handcuffs lying around your place!"

She looked guilty as she did have them around the house. No. She wasn't into bondage. She really wasn't. It was the fact she always tried to keep herself busy. Unless her parents called, then she actually behaved for once. Her mommy and daddy video called. Really, they didn't quite trust her words.

She grabbed the plates around her and helped him out. Walking next to him, she winked and leaned in close to him. “Let’s just say, you owe me big time,” she said softly, entering the kitchen. “It was in the news an everything. Even MY parents heard about it. seriously, can’t you be a little discreet?” There had been a ‘scandal’ written in their small town newspaper and local news. Had his mother heard it, she would have probably bitten off Dom’s head.

OOC: you can make up said scandal… mah computer still don’t work so good.

 

[Enrique55]

"Ahhh. You heard about that did you? I thought maybe that the local news might have missed that story. Well, I was hopeful anyway. Of course you know you shouldn't believe everything that you hear." I turn my head to face Ofelia, judging her reaction. How much did she know? How much did she believe? Either way I was thankful that she had managed to keep the news from my family. They had a habit of taking in every piece of information, every scandal, and believing it completely, no matter how outlandish.

"I really appreciate you keeping that one from my parents 'felia. Never know what they would do with information like that. So yeah, I owe you. Let me know your price and I'm sure that I can find someone to pay the ransom!" I say smiling, before adding, "Of course, if they find out, you know I will come and find you and kick your arse!" grabbing you by both arms in mock threat.

"And there was a lot more to the story than they let on. I mean, yes the girl did end up getting kicked off the tour bus and left on the side of the road in just her bra and panties, but half the claims she made about what happened on the bus were just crap. I mean I couldn't even imagine half of the kinky stuff that she said we got up to, let alone do it. Anyway, I don't really want to go into it. Despite what you think about my ability to be discreet, I do try to keep my life private as much as the press will let me, and this isn't the sort of thing that people need to know!"

The pressure of the night has finally got to me. I knew that there would be some adjustment between this and life on the road, but this is more than I can take right now. I turn to 'felia and motion with my head towards the front door. "Look, as much as I love being home, I'm not sure I can take much more of this grilling from my parents for the moment. I think I need to go out. You coming?"

 

[Ruelle]

"Of course, if they find out, you know I will come and find you and kick your arse!" he said, taking her arms and shaking her in a threat. Felia’s eyes widened in momentary fear, her body shivering on its own as her grip on the plates tightened. A second later he released her, the threat gone.

“I-I-I won’t tell, I swear I won’t!” her voice promised. She stepped away from Dom, trying to gain some distance. She had changed over the weeks. Something had caused her to fear certain touches. Not fear but… dislike.

She blinked as she listened to him whine and try to explain himself. She didn’t care one way or the others. Holding her hand up, a serious look danced over her face. “Look, I really don’t care what the story is. Just as long as no one was harmed. Besides, it’s none of my business and I really, really, really don’t care.” Felia could feel jealous start up once more. Turning around, she made a face that said she may have made a huge mistake.

"Look, as much as I love being home, I'm not sure I can take much more of this grilling from my parents for the moment. I think I need to go out. You coming?"

Felia rubbed her arms up and down as she set the plates on the counter, looking up at the wall clock. Jess’s party would start about now. Dom was expected to appear. Felia was expected to stay away because that was what she always did. Looking at him, she tilted her head. If he forgot about it… well, she’d used that to her advantage. “Sure. But not much is gonna be open now.” Wiping her hands on the dish cloth, her eyes watched him carefully. “Unless I can cash in that mini golf? They’re always open.”

She walked away from him, kissing his mother on the cheek and then his father. “Thanks for dinner. It was real great.”

His mother smiled and walked to meet her son. His father turned toward Ofelia. “She made the chicken too chewy.”

“I know.”

“But it’s the best, isn’t it?”

“Yup. ‘cause she made it.”

The father hmmed in agreement before standing up. “Well, if you kids are going out, better distract the missus. She’ll go crazy with outlandish ideas. Can’t even watch the damn news anymore.”

Ofelia rolled her eyes before grabbing her sweater. “Don’t worry, I’ll have him back soon.”

 

[Enrique55]

“Sure. But not much is gonna be open now. Unless I can cash in that mini golf? They’re always open.”

"Yeah, that sounds fine. We don't have to do anything special, I just need to be out of here. I'm sure you know the feeling. Sometimes it's just too much."

As I walked towards the door, thanking my parents for the dinner, I watch the consumate ease with which you converse with my family. I feel a strange pang of remorse. While I have been away you seem to have developed a report with them that I just never quite manage.

"Don't worry, I'll have him back soon" you say with a breezy air, grabbing your sweater and almost bounding out the door.

"Thanks" I shout behind me as I follow you through.

"Geez 'felia. You really are part of the family aren't you. It almost feels like I was the guest popping in for dinner not you!". I play with my unkempt hair out of nervous habit. Running my fingers through it, trying unsuccessfully to brush hit back out of my eyes.

I smile as I watch you stroll up the drive, still giving off that air of contentment. "What's gotten into you? I had no idea that you were so keen on mini-golf. I would have picked you as into something more obscure. Curling maybe, or medievil jousting!" I laugh, enjoying the fact that with you I feel comfortable enough to jibe you. "Are you sure that it's even open at this hour?" I give you a quizzical look "You're not trying to lead me down some deserted alley and mug me or something are you?"

As we walk, I push my hands down deep into the pockets of my jeans, the cool night air drawing goosebumps along my arm.

 

[Ruelle]

"Geez 'felia. You really are part of the family aren't you. It almost feels like I was the guest popping in for dinner not you!"

"Oh, sorry Dom," she scratched the back of her neck, her other hand looping a finger in her pant's pocket. "I didn't mean too... it's just... you know, my parents are always gone and... yours are always here. I guess I've just been spending more time with them than usual. Since you were gone, I mean." She smiled up at him cheekily. "I mean, who else would feed me?"

"What's gotten into you? I had no idea that you were so keen on mini-golf. I would have picked you as into something more obscure. Curling maybe, or medievil jousting!"

Felia raised her eyebrow. Nothing had gotten into her. She was absolutely the same. Minus not being as flat chested as before. "I don't know what you mean," she shrugged, stretching her arms out again. "Jousting? Please. That's too manly for me. I'm more into recreating Frankenstein. Oh, the perfect man." She let out a lovesick sigh. Of course, this was only jokingly but... the few boys she had ever gone out with... well, needless to say, some wondered if she had actually created them.

Jess had said something much worse- and Ofelia slashed her tires.

"Are you sure that it's even open at this hour?"

"I just said it was. Besides, no one's there other than me at this hour."

He gave her a look. She returned the look.

"You're not trying to lead me down some deserted alley and mug me or something are you?"

Felia stopped, her eyes narrowing. That wasn't even funny! How did he guess half of her uber secret plan?! Well, exchange him for Jess and deserted ally to abandon warehouse... and you got it. Of course, she would leave the woman for dead....

An evil laugh left her lips. "Soon, my dear, soon..." the smile cracked across her face and she put her hand on his shoulder and leaned against him arm. "Don't worry. You're too tall for me to mug." Hey, you cold? I feel goosebumps."

 

[Enrique55]

"Don't worry. You're too tall for me to mug."

"I may be taller than you, but I wouldn't put it past you to win a fight. I've seen you get in some schoolyard scraps back when we were in school, and you didn't come out on the losing end of many. So I'm just letting you know, I'll be keeping a close eye on you to make sure that you don't pull any funny stuff!" I give you a suspicious look and a smile.

"Hey, you cold? I feel goosebumps." Ofelia adds, rubbing her arms for warmth.

"It is a bit cold though isn't it. I'd do the gentlemanly thing and offer you my jacket, but I kind of didn't bring one, so I think you are on your own there." I shrug and walk on for a little in the cold. "How about a cab?" I say as I raise two fingers to my mouth and whistle through them, hailing a taxi that happens to be passing in the opposite direciton. It veers across the empty street and comes to an abrupt halt beside us.

"Me lady" I say with mock grandure as I open the door and take Ofelia's hand to help her inside. "Mini golf my good man." I bark as I slide in the seat next to her. I snuggle into the soft seats, embraced by the warmth of the cab.

"So tell me about this frankenman that you are going to create. Is this some thing about chicks digging guys with scars?" I give a cheeky grin. "Oh wait, I know what it is. This is about creating a guy who is ummm ... how do I put this ... in the right 'proportions' isn't it?!" I ask spinning out the word proportions for effect. I turn and slap her playfully on the arm "'felia, I had no idea you were that shallow!!"