Chapter Text
The thin wheels made harsh contact with the pavement as the bike raced fast, causing passers-by to get out of it's way with a shout.
The busy streets of Los Angeles, California were the home of the most famous artists of all time. The place burst with noise and life as the chilly autum breeze blew away the golden leaves from the pavement. Billboards upon billboards of famous singers and actors promoting their newest films or tours passed the bike by as it finally made it's way towards an old architectural yet freshly renovated building, home to one of the most famous hair stylists in recent years. The person got off of the bike and walked towards the front door, ringing the bell.
No sooner, a man opened the door. "Mister Harrington? Here is the package, if you could please sign over here?" the person said showing a document and giving the man a pen. "Thank you" the man at the door said "I hope it wasnt too much of a hassle to get here? Heres the cash." he handed the delivery cyclist three hundred dollar bills, "keep the change" he said with a smile, waving the person off as they left his front door.
Going back inside, package in hands, Steve went into his living room to deposit the last purchase he made for his upcoming job. It's been a month since he'd been approached by a celebrities agency and got a contract made so that he'll be the personal stylist for the stars upcoming show. He's glad atleast that between this and his job at the salon, he's been able to rely on Robin for help. 'I'll have to call her soon.' he thought, as he moved towards the stairs to get to his studio on the second floor. Once there, he went along the messy and busy hall trying to get past other stacks of boxes. 'The walls still smell like fresh paint' he thought annoyed, 'the renovations ended two weeks ago, i need to put everything back in place already!'
Inside the studio Steve moved past the clutter of haired mannequin heads, boxes of hair products and stacks of wigs, reaching for the vanity by the window where he left his phone.
The moment he got his hands on it he flipped it open and called Robin.
He was still getting used to how the phone worked, but he's gotten the hang of it he'd like to think. It'd been a gift from Dustin on his birthday, he'd condescendingly told him "you need to get with the times Steven. Being old and wrinkly doesnt mean you cant own a flip phone!"
"Im not that old, you little shit!" he said at the time. That was last year, since then Steve has begun to feel his age a little. Who knew having three to four concussions by thirty four was gonna be such a bitch to deal with? he'd even started wearing his glasses regularly. "If only freshman Steve could see me now." he thought amused, "he'd probably throw a fit at how loser-y we got."
"Yello'?" a feminine voice answered from the other side of the phone.
"Robs hey!" he greeted his friend. "Listen, so i finally got the last package i needed for my upcoming job this month. Do you think you can come over later today and help me with arranging the stuff?" he asked, putting on his 'little cherub voice' as Robin had once called it.
"Lemme guess" he heard her say with her signature 'done with your shit' tone. Steve could practically hear her roll her eyes over the phone. "After i do that i have to play hostess again right?"
Steve cringed at the question, knowing shes right.
It's been a pretty hard couple of months, not only did the renovations take longer then anticipated, but they also found a broken pipe system that needed fixing. Because of that, Steve had been forced to crash at Robins for the month.
Living with Robs has been.... a mess, is all he can say. Who knew that platonic soulmates could be so different?
He does NOT wanna remember the amount of times he found one of her loose socks in the living room. "You're worse then my mom Steve! And she has OCD!" Robin used to complain. Honestly he's not even sure that was true, Mrs.Buckley was actually pretty chill whenever he came over, both the Buckleys really, they gave off "former hippies" vibes to Steve. What he'd do for a few photos of them in the 70', he thought smiling.
"Hello??? Steve! Did'ya die or smth?" asked Robin in a confused tone.
"No! No, just... thinking." he said, feeling a little caught. "Ok, so. Yes i do need help-"
"And?" she interrupted him, most likely knowing whats gonna be said next.
Steve sighed, "And! I will, maybe, POSSIBLY!... need to crash a little more?"
"Ugh Steve!!" Robin yelled.
"Only for a little bit!"
"I swear Steve, if i have to endure you messing up my stuff for another month i WILL throttle you in your sleep!" she yelled.
"It's not my fault your homes so messy!" he said a little annoyed, "Honestly Robs! if i didnt know you i'd have thought six 14 year old boys lived there! I'm doing you a favor really." he sassed her.
"For the last time Steve-o! I have a particular system, one only I understand. What you see as 'clutter' and 'mess'? I see as my school assignments next to my recent research!"
With how much Steve was sighing during this call you'd think he was trying to put out a fire.
"You just dont understand my genius!" Robin declared, smug and half heartedly.
"You're absolutely right Robs, your genius is so astounding they should study you." Steve deadpanned. "But really now" he tried to redirect the convo, "i need a place to stay for a few weeks, four tops, and a place to deposit my stuff. Your creepy ass basement is perfect for that! cmonnnnn pretty please???" he knew Robin was gonna accept, but he wanted to make sure.
A tired groan, similar to that of an angsty teen, could be heard from the other side of the phone, signaling Robin was giving up the "fight" they were having.
"Ok fineeeeeugh!" she dramatically said, "i'll be at your place in a few hours, hold your horses till then."
"Alright! Thanks a ton Robs, i knew i could count on you!" Steve happily said.
"Ofcourse dingus, i mean, if i cant stand your ass then who will? gotta take one for the team." she teased.
"Ha-Ha. Hilarious" Steve said dryly, "Ok well, i'll be waiting! See ya Robs!"
"See ya dingus lord!" she lively said back, "but i swear dude! You owe me big tim-!"
Steve hung up with a smile.
Ah, Robin, whatever would he do without her?
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The loud music coming from the recording room was going to give Eddie a migraine at this point.(ironic)
He was at a public studio(studios really, every room is one) where he's rented a room for an hour, intending to see some "stars".
The problem was, he was still waiting on the band he had a meeting with.(its been one hours)
And honestly? if those fuckers didnt show up soon, Eddie might just leave.
'This was the risk' he thought to himself, 'you give a few doe eyed kids with a dream a chance and they dont show up most of the time.'
He made himself more comfortable in his chair, kicking his feet up and putting his black boots on the table, a few eyes turn his way but he doesnt care, if he'll be waiting even more then he might as well be comfortable.
'Maybe they got scared' he contemplated 'or thought it was a scam', truth be told giving out "business cards" at shady bars isnt the usual approach fellow producers use when looking for stars, but if Eddie was one thing it was unusual. He never liked the way that bands were usually approached(so clinical and lifeless. like : "hey kid! your pretty talented! MAKE ME MONEY NOW!!"), even with his own band, the blatant dollar signs in record labels and producers eyes were honestly almost cartoonishly comical. Looking back, Eddies pretty sure he and the boys missed ALOT of warning signs regarding their OWN producer at the time, they were so desperate to make it big that, without his friends help( mostly Erica, thank the lawd for that scary young attorney) they might have been fucked over spectacularly.
In all honesty Eddie didnt even know why he was here anymore, ever since he quit the band and they all split off to do their own thing, he's been kinda adrift. This entire "producer" thing wasnt even really something he had thought through seriously. Hes only considered it cuz he thought he might meet some people and maybe try to get back into making music.
Its been three years of feeling in a stump. His "band"(cant really call it that anymore Munson) has surprisingly adjusted well, Gareth is playing solo gigs at events and big parties, Jeff has gotten into writing and is working on his first ever book with the support of his fiance and Freak has recently announced the birth of his son and is working in a restaurant( i told that fucker in school that he could easily beat the lunch ladies if he wanted!).
Sometimes it felt like he was the only one behind on this, 'ironic, considering you've always been behind Munson' he thought, 'last in school, and now last in life. Poetic.'
Suddenly, the music stopped and the door opened to reveal four young adults, in their 20's no doubt, three talking happily amongst themselves while one remained behind and shook hands with a man in sunglasses who looked like the most stereotypically sleazy ass fucker ever. 'Welp, they sold their souls, poor bastards' Eddie thought cynically, rolling his eyes in his head.
One of the kids saw him though, and to say his face was ecstatic upon realisation would be an understatement. Kid looked like he just saw Santa. Eddie couldnt help but feel a little amused. He waved at him and the kid looked around untill he realised with wide eyes that it was directed at him, by that point his friends saw Eddie too and all of the sudden he was face to face with four boys fangirling(fanboying?) over him. He signed some of their stuff( a shirt, a lyrics notebook a hat and an actual CD of Corroded Coffins early albums that the wave kid just had on him in his bag) and took a few photos with "the gang" as they referred to themselves.
Eddie lived for moments like these, when he got to meet people that loved his music and shared in his passion, or when he got to hear about how him and the band have helped so many people in hard times, just like how he was helped by his musical heroes in highschool. It felt good to see his dream fulfilled.
After the kids left and another fifteen minutes passed, it was obvious the little band he was waiting on was gonna be a no show so Eddie decided enough was enough and got up to leave. Just as he was talking to the receptionist to cancel his reservation, he saw got a message( It's Red! oh i've missed her) telling him she and Lucas were coming to town this weekend. 'Huh?' he thought confused, typing to her asking what the occasion was.
The messages received were the following :
RED: Munson, idk where you are but im texting to let you know me and Lucas are gonna be in town this saturday. We were hoping you'll help us with the "tour" as Luc keeps insisting i call it. So whatever you have going on for saturday? it'll have to be on hold. sorrry. not lol
Hey Red! surprised to hear from you, ummm quick question tho. Whats the occasion for the visit? Not that im mad you're coming over or anything fyi
RED: ...
Munson,,
This saturday is the 26th of october?? yknow....
THE YEARLY REUNION?! god man wth are you doing??
...
umm brb real quick!!
FUCK!
FUCK SHIT BALLS ASS!!
How in satans asshole did he manage to forget this?! Looking at the date on his phone it was revealed that yes, today was the 23rd, so doing the math(insane i know) it would indeed be the 26th on saturday.
'Well this is JUST great!' he thought in a panic. He looked back at the receptionist who was staring strangely at him( prolly saw my meltdown, how fun) and finnished the canceling, then rushed out of that place like a bat outta hell(heh).
Once alone in his car he started hitting and swearing at the steering wheel like he was an alcoholic veteran and the wheel was his wife.
"STUPID ASS!! How did i not notice?! UGH! This is so bad, sooo baad. I need to call Henderson and try to see what i need to get done before the reunion( jesus this is why he hated the holidays!! besides them being a commercialized consumer fest that only benefited the capitalist fucks in charge, but oh well)
God, his brain hurt. Wait. Did he take his meds this week????
FUCK
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The chilly breeze that took over the school parking lot made a few students shiver while getting out of their parents cars or off their bikes. Most students were talking happily with one another, and telling stories about what they did in the weekend, while others were rushing to class or staying behind to smoke with a few groups behind the building.
NorthWood Highschool was one of the best in LA, and people were usually sent here because they were "special" or because their parents payed a fortune and had connections.
A group of seven juniors were conversing while smoking near the back doors of the building. From afar, it could be seen that an eighth person was approaching them, yet most were none the wiser, just talking and laughing.
"And i told her dude!" one of the boys in the group said, "if you wanna be with me you gotta get on my level!" he snickered. The group nodded their heads and commented while the boy checked his pocket absentmindedly.
When he noticed his left pocket was empty he said alarmed "DUDE! What the hell? Where did my lighter go?"
"You good man?" one of the other kids asked.
"Do i look ok? my lighter fuckin' vanished!" the boy said annoyed. "Ugh, this is my 4th lighter this month! fuckin' weak man!!" he started to complain, "how will i smoke now? yall wanna lend me one?'
"No way dude!" a kid from the group laughed, "honestly im surprised you havent lost your head yet, with how much you lose stuff."
"Hey fuck you!" he showed them the middle finger, "fine! guess ill ask in class" he sighed, "just wonderfull..."
"I can give you a lighter." a feminine voice said behind the boy.
The kids all jumped startled and looked at who said that.
Behind the boy there stood a relatively mid height but slender girl. She had long curly auburn hair and a skin so pale, she almost looked sickly. She was dressed in a pair of low rise jeans that were ripped all over and a striped black and red sweater that hung off a shoulder. Her ears were excessively pierced and she wore a pair of black boots that reached her knees.
Her backpack seemed rather worn off and filled with pins, and it hung from only one arm.
She was smiling at them.
"Who the hell are you emo?" the boy asked rudely.
"Oh, im new here!" the girl said cheerly, "im gonna ignore that you called me emo though." she smiled. "So, need a lighter?"
"Um sure?" the boy said awkwardly, "thanks.."
"No problem!" she responded. 'Anyway, i gotta go now, i need to find the principles office."
"Sure, i guess" he said, then, as she began to leave one of the kids bumped their elbows in his sides, "OW! I mean!! If you want, me and the others can show you the office?" he said unsure.
The girl turned to look at them, and after a few minutes of awkward starring she said, "sure! i was gonna cluelessly wonder anyway, might aswell."
"Cool." the boy said, "anyway, lets go" he signaled for the group to start moving. "Oh by the way, i forgot to ask your name, im Cameron."
"Cassie." she said simply, though he couldnt help but feel uneasy for some reason, 'you can call me Cassie...".