by K E Osborn
“So are you guys pumped or what?” Rob asks and we all cheer.
“Awesome. So you have about an hour and a half before you go on, but right now we have to get out there for a sound check. It’s only going to be a quick one maybe a ten-minute session is all we have time for, but it should be enough for you to get a feel for the room and its acoustics. So are you ready to rock it?” Rob asks and we all cheer again. “Right, let’s go to sound check,” he says and quickly exits the room. We all follow behind with our massive entourage. I guess because all of us, excluding Caleb and Aston, are minors, we have to have parents to take us everywhere. It’s good having Dad with us, he’s been in the same position we are now. He even performed at this very venue when Slayed were first starting out, so he knows how to work the stage and I’m sure he will show me. As I walk down the long dark hallway, the atmosphere is electric. The dust in the air is buzzing with the good vibrations emanating from us all. I’m so excited I could scream as my heart rate rises with every step toward the stage where I will play my very first concert.
Dad rushes up to me and wraps his arm around my shoulders pulling me to him. “I’m so proud of you, Annie, and I know you’re going to rock it tonight. Just don’t do anything other than what we planned for the set list, okay? No going off on your own solos or getting angry if a fan throws something at you, just play the music the way you know it and everything will be fine.”
“Don’t worry I won’t do anything stupid, tonight is far too important for us.”
“Good girl.”
We reach the side of the stage and it looks amazing, exactly how I imagined it would with speakers up the front and a massive light display at the top. My excitement is completely overruling any other feelings I have right now, and even though I wish I could be sharing this excitement with Aston, I don’t mind because I can concentrate on myself instead. Aston will have to come later; after the show. I can feel myself getting in the zone and I’m not going to let anything ruin this night for me.
We walk out onto the stage and the space for the crowd is huge. A sudden nervousness washes over me while Caleb is laughing and racing around the stage excited. Chad is too busy playing with his shirt to even look out at the expanse and Ella is looking like she wants to vomit. I smile at her and she furrows her eyebrows. I hope she can handle this.
I can’t help myself as I turn to look at Aston. He’s talking with his dad Johnny and he seems quite focused and has a determined look on his face. He catches me looking at him over his dad’s shoulder and his expression softens and he smiles. My heart stops and then starts again dramatically racing so fast I feel a little dizzy. It’s amazing how one smile from him sets me on fire. I feel like my entire body is flaming hot and I notice a small bead of sweat drip down my forehead. I wipe it away and smile back and then Johnny looks over his shoulder at me and grins, giving me two thumbs up.
I giggle and nod as he turns back to his son and pats him on the shoulder. Aston looks over at Dad, who’s watching him and then he frowns and turns his back to me and I instantly know Dad has said something to Aston. And all the happiness that filled me to the brim when Aston smiled at me is now overflowing and being replaced with anger. But I can’t explode now, I have to wait until after our show because if I let my temper loose now, who knows what I might say or do, and tonight is way too important for one of my outbursts. I turn away from Aston and walk over to my guitar and strap it on.
Caleb comes over and he seems the happiest I’ve seen him since my birthday. “Holy shit Annie, can you believe this?”
“Nope, it seems surreal hey?”
“You can say that again. I’ve been waiting for this day my whole life, Annie. I’m so glad you’re a part of this with me. I love you cuz,” he says and wraps me in his arms tightly. I open my eyes wide at his emotional vomit and wrap my arms around him too even though it’s majorly awkward with my guitar in between us.
“You’re in a great mood,” I say and he smiles brightly holding me at arm’s length.
“Today is a good day, Annie, and tonight is going to be awesome. I can’t wait!”
“Okay guys let’s get this sound check underway,” Rob says and the parents all walk off the stage and around to the front where the mosh pit will be.
We all take our places on the stage where we always stand. I look over at Ella and smile reassuringly at her. She smiles back seemingly okay which eases my nerves for her.
The hairs on my arms stand up and I know Aston is behind me. I decide not to turn and look back instead I look straight ahead at Dad who has the biggest grin on his face I’ve ever seen. I know he truly is proud of us all. And even if he kind of hates Aston right now, I know he’s proud of him too.
“Okay, Staked sound check commence,” Rob states really formally.
“Mic check, one, two,” Caleb says into his mic. I smile at the energy surging through me which is taking me to a place I’ve never been before, and I like it!
“Right, mic two. Sound check please?” Rob asks and I step forward to my mic and repeat the words Caleb has just spoken. My voice reverbs off the walls of the large concert venue and I shudder at how angelic I sound. I thought I was more rock and roll than that!
“Right, guitar check please,” Rob calls out and I look over at Ella and she smiles as we both play the solo from ‘Don’t Mess with the Best.’ The sound check continues and ends with us playing a song in full and by the end everyone is checked and sounding great. The atmosphere in here already has me on edge, a good edge that I would like to stay on for as long as possible.
We all get down from the stage and there’s a buzz in the air, everyone is so excited as we walk past the first band Peripheral. They’re all men I’d say in their twenties and they look very grungy with their long hair and tattoos. They seem like a harder rock group than us, but their dress sense is terrible. I’m glad I’m allowed to wear whatever I want, ‘cause those men all match and they look, well, stupid.
They all ignore us as we walk past them until one of them spots, Dad.
“Holy fuck, you’re Colter Slade!” the skinniest one says.
Dad stops and smiles. “Yep, that’s me. The whole band is here. Actually my kids are the last act playing tonight,” he says like he’s super proud.
“Far out! I knew Staked we’re playing tonight, but no one has heard any of their stuff. Are you in the band?” the skinny grunge guy asks.
I nod and smile and put out my hand. “Annie Slade, lead guitarist and backing vocals. Nice to meet you,” I say and he grins wildly.
He shakes my hand and looks back up to Dad. I giggle slightly knowing he’s awestruck by him.
“Guy. Nice to meet you too Annie Slade, and you too Colter Slade,” he says Dad’s name and almost drools. I laugh and shake my head.
“Guy?” Dad asks and he shakes his head.
“Sorry, that’s my name. I know it’s stupid, but it’s what my parents gave me so I guess I have to stick with it,” he replies making a joke at his own expense. I like him instantly even behind his bad makeup and oily hair, he seems like a decent guy after all.
“Well Guy, it’s nice to meet you. Make sure you stick around to see Annie play—”
“Oh, for sure Colter Slade. Will you be there to hear us perform?” Guy interrupts and I roll my eyes. He more than obviously wants Dad’s stamp of approval because any band Dad recommends instantly makes it huge.
“Sure Guy. I’ll listen in, for sure. Play your best.”
“Will do, and thanks again for chatting to me. It’s been the highlight of my life.”
“Well, thanks mate.”
“Guy!” one of the other band members calls out to him.
“Right sorry, I’m coming,” he yells back, then turns to me and Dad.
“Best… day… ever!” he stutters out then rushes off up the stairs.
“What took you so long?” one of his bandmates yells at him.
“That was Colter fucking Slade man, didn’t you se
e him?” Guy asks.
“Seems like famous people can still fangirl over other famous people,” I say and Dad laughs.
“Fangirl?” Dad asks.
“Yeah, like when those teenyboppers go berserk over the boy bands – it’s called fangirling. That’s what Guy was just doing to you. Did you see him practically drooling when he was talking to you?”
“No, but now I feel kinda dirty,” he says and I crack up laughing.
“Is that what it’ll be like for me, Dad? People drooling when they meet me?” I ask and he wraps his arms around my shoulders.
“If anyone is drooling over you, I will beat them up. But they can fangirl over you all they like. And I know they will Annie. You and Staked are going to be huge and it all starts right here, tonight!” he says.
“I only want one guy to drool over me and because of you, he won’t even look at me let alone talk to me,” I murmur under my breath.
“What?” Dad asks looking like he’s not sure if he just heard correctly.
“Nothing. I don’t want to get into it right now because I want to stay calm and not mess this up, but I’m gonna make you so proud of me, Dad.” I bounce on the spot and let out a little excited squeal.
He furrows his brows like he’s going to say something, but then the tension eases and he smiles. “You already have, Annie!”
We spent the time before our show listening to Peripheral. Despite their appearance, their music is actually really good, and Dad is thinking of talking to Guy after the show to see if they want to do a collaboration. Which would be huge for them. Anyone who collaborates with Slayed are always bands of a high caliber, so Dad must really be impressed with them.
Dad is off talking to Rob and Hux, and Mum and Anna are fussing about with Ella trying to make her beautiful. But they don’t need to try, Ella is stunning and the guys in the crowd will love her. I notice Aston sitting by himself writing in a notebook. As much as I want to go over and talk to him about his actions today, I think he’s writing and I know how much I hate being interrupted when I’m writing a song. Aston’s only just started writing so I can’t wait to see what he’s coming up with.
I hear Peripheral end their set and I know there’s a ten-minute break before Red Velvet goes on stage. I haven’t met any of them, but apparently the lead singer, Amber, is a real bitch from what Chad said. He met her in the hallway earlier and something happened, I don’t know what, but he said she’s young and thinks she rules the world. Which is kinda weird because Chad never dislikes anyone so coming from him that’s saying something.
I hear the crowd going crazy for Peripheral and even though I’ve heard crowds like this before at Dad’s concerts I’ve never heard one that’s going to be cheering for me and my band. My excitement is being replaced with nerves and I wish I had Aston to come and calm me down. I don’t know how we’re going to go on stage. He’s been avoiding me all day. Even in rehearsals he wouldn’t lean on me, so I’m assuming he won’t now either. And it is unsettling me, in more ways than one. I need Aston to help me feel at ease while playing, not be there to unease me completely. This just seems all kinds of wrong and so I decide I need some air.
I walk out of the room when no one notices and walk through the halls to find a door. It’s the end of April so it’s the middle of Spring and some refreshing nighttime air is what’s needed right now to calm my nerves. I find a door marked fire escape and I push it open and walk outside into the beautiful clear night. I see three girls loitering around and they notice me as I come out.
“Oh my God, were you in there with the bands?” one of the girls asks rushing over to me. I smirk and nod as I wrap my arms around myself.
“Is it amazing in there? We tried to get tickets but it sold out really quickly,” another girl says.
“It’s pretty cool. Why are you out here?” I ask and one of the girls is looking at me strangely. I ignore her and just stare at the others.
“We’re trying to get someone to sneak us in. We heard Slayed are here with their kids and we really want to meet Colter Slade—”
“And Huxley, don’t forget Huxley,” another one chimes in.
I grin from ear to ear, as they apparently don’t know who I am, or for some strange reason don’t recognise me. I decide to tease them a little. “Oh yeah, I saw Colt and Hux, they’re both here along with Johnny and Dingo. I heard their kids’ band is really amazing.”
“I bet with parents like them they would have to be great, even though no one has heard anything from them. I guess they will after tomorrow. People are saying there are record labels in the crowd waiting to hear them, so they can be the first to sign the talented Staked,” she says and I open my eyes wide.
“Seriously?” I ask and she nods while the strange girl keeps studying me.
“I know who you are!” the weird girl shrieks at the top of her voice.
I raise my eyebrows at her sudden outburst. “What?”
“I know you who are! You’re Colter’s daughter, aren’t you? I saw your face on the poster for tonight—”
“What? Really?” one of the other girls interrupts and suddenly my little game doesn’t seem so much fun anymore.
“No, I think you have me confused with someone el—”
“No. You even have the purple hair like Annie does. You’re her, you’re Annie Slade!” she yells and then starts screaming.
Shit! I open my eyes wide as the three girls start to jump up and down in hysterics.
“Oh my God, can I touch you?” the crazy one says forcing her hand forward and touching my arm. I pull away and furrow my brows at her. What a freak!
“Oh my God, I touched Annie Slade. So that means I practically touched Colt. Holy shit, I am never washing my hand again,” she says and I roll my eyes at her.
“Okay, I’m going back inside now,” I say and turn toward the door, but crazy grabs my arm and pulls me back to her.
“Take us in with you. I’ll tell all my friends how much we love Staked. We could get your career booming by Monday. You’ll be huge,” she says and I look at her like she really has gone crazy.
“Get off me,” I say and pull away from her and another girl comes up and touches my arms and then suddenly they’re all over me pulling and grabbing at my clothes.
“Annie, take us in with you,” they all scream at me as my heart starts to really race. I pull on the door handle, but the door doesn’t budge. I start to feel like I want to cry while these girls manhandle me as I frantically pull at the door.
“Annie, we can be your friends—”
“Yeah, like best friends,” crazy says and I push her away from me.
“You girls are mental,” I say and pull on the door harder pleading for it to open as they start to yank at my hair.
“Ouch, fuck!” I call out and let the handle of the door go with the brunt of the pull against my scalp. The door suddenly opens and my heart jumps into my throat as Dad stands there with Mum and they gawk at the scene in front of them.
“Hey!” Dad calls out and they stop their assault and focus on Dad.
“Oh my God, Colter fucking Slade,” crazy says and lets go of me seeming awestruck. The others let go too and Mum rushes to my side as the girls start that drooling thing people tend to do around Dad.
“Are you okay, sweetheart?” Mum asks combing my hair down with her fingers as I cuddle into her. I nod against her and she pulls me back through the door as the girls break from their trance and start to scream while Dad stares at me. Dad quickly shuts the door behind us, just as they start making a move toward us.
“Annie. God! You’re just like your mother. You can’t go outside at these events. You know what happened to your Mum. You do remember that, right?” Dad almost yells and the look on his face is of pure horror or is it, terror.
“I know—”
“Then why, Annie? You know your Mum was pushed and hit by a van and nearly died because of the fans. Don’t you see how dangerous they can be?” he yells and I
wince.
“Colt, she’s okay, babe,” Mum says letting go of me and walking over to Dad, who looks like he’s about to cry.
“I can’t lose her, Lia. I nearly lost you to them,” Colt says and Mum comforts him while I stand here holding myself and feeling foolish for upsetting Dad like this. I know how scared he is of losing us. It’s the one thing that terrifies him the most and why we have lived such sheltered lives. There have been very few photographs of us growing up and even less information. He has always been so scared that some evil minion fan, as Mum calls them, would do something to harm us.
“I’m sorry Dad, I didn’t think anyone would be out there—”
“There’s always people out there, Annie. You can’t ever go outside on your own. Do you understand me?” Dad says rushing over and taking me in his strong arms and holding so tightly I can barely breathe.
“I understand, and I am sorry. I just needed a breather to get in the right head space,” I say and Dad continues to hold me tightly.
“Just promise me if you need some space you won’t go outside again at one of these events,” Dad says and I laugh.
“Oh, don’t worry, after that I’m never going outside again.” That, out there, was an experience I don’t wish to repeat. I now know why Mum calls them the evil minion fans, and they weren’t even fangirling over me. It was all because of who I knew. Freaks!
“Are you okay? Did they hurt you?” Dad asks finally letting go of me and looking me all over for signs of damage.
“No, I’m fine. I just have a bruised ego.”
Dad raises an eyebrow. “Bruised ego?”
“They only wanted to be near me because they love you. They didn’t care less about who I was.”
“Well, won’t they feel stupid when they realise how amazing you are, and that you’re going to be more famous than me one day?”
“Doubtful, but thanks for the ego boost. I needed it.”
“Right, we better get back. I’m sure everyone is wondering where we are. Ella might need an ego boost too,” Mum says and I nod as they walk either side of me like a security detail. I smile at their protectiveness, but I’m so grateful they got to me in time.
