Hellbent
Chapter 2
Thrash Bash
Ashley drove through the streets of Selene Valley with Maxx seated beside him. As the sun set over the horizon, the sky went from bright orange hues to a pitch-black blanket of stars. Maxx directed Ashley down a backstreet along the beach. Modest weatherboard shack houses were lined down the street. Ashley followed the loud, thumping music like a breadcrumb trail, leading them to the source of the noise—a white, weatherboard house with a terracotta roof. The front yard was adorned with cactuses and empty beer cans scattered across the lawn. The jumping silhouettes of the mosh pit could be seen through the bay windows with loud cheering over the music.
Maxx: “Owwwwh! Ready ‘n rockin’ to part-ay, Ash-RAD?”
He hollered and thrust his pelvis as he emerged from the car. Ashley nervously chuckled. He smiled at the nickname he had dubbed him with. He never had a nickname from a friend before, let alone a friend.
Ashley: “Heck yeah! Uhh, Maxxy-dude?”
He beamed, climbing out of the car with a box in his hands. Maxx swung his gaze over to the box.
Maxx: “...What is that?”
He enquired with curiosity.
Ashley: “OH! I baked some cookies earlier!”
He beamed, presenting him with the cinnamon cat-shaped cookies. Maxx gaped at him.
Maxx: “...You baked cookies?”
He stumbled over a laugh. Ashley sighed.
Ashley: “...Yeah, I know, I should have baked a cake! But, like, I didn’t know I’d be going to a party tonight! If I had known, I totally would have!”
He exclaimed. Maxx burst out laughing.
Maxx: “Oh, A-rad! You’re SO funny and naive!”
Maxx cackled and barged into the house. Ashley tilted his head owlishly and followed him, wiping his shoes on the doormat.
Suddenly, a vinegary odor assaulted his nostrils, making him fan his face in disgust. He glanced down at the source of the stink–a pair of steel cap boots sitting on the porch.
Ashley: “Oh god… someone needs to wash their feetsies! Those boots REEK!”
He shook his head in disgust and disapproval at the shoes by the door.
Ashley: “Oh yeah, better remove my shoes before entering!”
He mused, slipping off his sandals before entering the house.
~
Ashley followed Maxx inside where they entered the living room. The house was packed full of people dressed in black and denim and they were smacked in the face with loud, aggressive music. Ashley recoiled to the lyrics yelling in his face about dead bodies in a vat of acid.
Ashley: “Oh dear! How dreadful!”
He whimpered and covered his ears. Ashley could feel their disapproving looks surrounding him. He felt so out of place in his colorful hippie clothes and cat bandana. But then he turned to Maxx who stood out like a sore thumb with his bright, clashing neon colors and he didn’t feel so out of place anymore.
Ashley: “Oh, oh, s-sorry! Mi scusi! Pardon me! Mi dispiace!”
He awkwardly stammered as he walked through the crowd, sandwiched between the sea of moshing thrashers.
They strolled past a couch where two women were drinking and talking together. One of them was a Latina woman. She had dark skin with freckles on her cheeks. Her big green eyes peered through her thick bangs and voluminous purple hair. She wore chunky hoop earrings and wore clothes that clung tightly to her plump figure and large breasts. She was dressed in a black tank top that exposed her midriff and purple navel piercing and she wore stone wash bell bottom jeans that accentuated her curves. The woman sitting beside her leaned over to her, towering over her. She was a tall and slim Aboriginal woman with a blond mullet. She was dressed in a patterned headband and marigold tank top with black torn jeans hugging her long, slender legs tightly.
“Look what the cat dragged in, Makayla…”
She tugged at her arm, pointing at Maxx across the room.
Makayla: “...I don’t believe it.”
She gawked at Maxx and then swung her gaze over at a portrait hanging up in the living room.
Ashley: “WOAH! Look, dude! It’s you!”
He nudged Maxx and pointed up at the large painted portrait of Maxx hanging up on the wall. He was making the same pouty face in the glamor-shot photos he gave to Ashley earlier that day. Maxx paused and grinned at Ashley.
Maxx: “...Yep, dat’s right, A-rad! I'm mega famous with lots of fans! Everyone loves Sex Beest!"
He said loftily. Ashley’s cerulean eyes sparkled.
Ashley: "Wow! That's so cool!
He beamed, clasping his hands together.
Ashley: “Hey, so listen, uhh, I don’t know anyone here, so, can we stick together? The music is yelling at me about scary stuff and messing with my vibes!”
He scratched the back of his head and glanced down at his feet. An unexpectedly bubbly feminine voice with a broad Australian accent responded instead.
Makayla: “He got distracted and followed the white rabbit with big tits outside.”
She shook her head as she approached the portrait on the wall beside him. Ashley turned to her and froze, his heart hammered in his chest at the sight of her. Oh wow, she's so beautiful, he thought to himself.
Ashley: “O-Oh! There’s a rabbit here?”
He beamed and scratched his head. Makayla quirked an eyebrow at him.
Makayla: “...No?”
She laughed.
Makayla: “So… what’s your association with Maxx?”
She pressed him with curiosity, standing close to the portrait.
Ashley: “OH! I just met him today! I found him hitch-hiking and we became friends!”
Makayla paused and gaped at him.
Makayla: “...Oh, really now?”
She looked pensive but maintained her smile. Makayla went to reach for the portrait. Ashley mistook her for reaching out to shake his hand.
Ashley: “I’m Bra–-Ashley! Nice to meet you!”
He beamed, shaking her hand. Makayla paused and smiled back at him, shaking his hand back.
Makayla: “...Oh, nice to meet you, Brashley. I’m Makayla!”
She teased.
Ashley: “Haha, actually, it’s Ashley…”
Makayla stroked her chin and examined him.
Makayla: “You’re not like Maxx… are you?”
She said glancing down at his bare feet and cat-print bandana around his neck.
Ashley: “Yeah… I know…”
He sighed and bowed his head.
Makayla: “That’s a good thing.”
She assured him. Ashley smiled at her.
Ashley: “Is this your birthday party?”
Makayla: “No, it’s my brother, Craig’s...”
She declared, nodding towards a tall, muscular, Latino man with a lion's mane of golden hair and bright green eyes. He wore torn jeans and was dressed in a frayed denim vest that showed off his biceps. He sat perched upon a raised sofa, resembling a throne. Seated closely beside him was an athletic Caucasian woman with a raven ponytail dressed in all black. She had her arm draped around him as if he were property. Her green eyes resembled drops of radium and she burnt her gaze onto Makayla across the room. She nudged Craig's arm, making his smile dip into a scowl when he saw Makayla chatting with Ashley.
Craig rose from his seat and approached them. Ashley turned around and greeted him with a smile and wave.
Ashley: “Hello! I’m Ashley! I’m a friend of Maxxy Malone from Sex Beest!”
Craig froze and gaped at him.
Craig: “Wait… Maxx is here?! THE Maxxy Malone of Sex Bees?!”
He spoke with a twangy and deep voice with a broad Australian accent. Ashley smiled and nodded.
Ashley: “Yep! That’s right! How exciting! Happy Birthday! I baked you some special party cookies!”
He beamed, presenting him with the cat cookies. Makayla’s eyebrows rose with a smile. Craig gaped at Ashley and laughed.
Craig: “...The fuck is this?”
He laughed at the cutesy cat cookies.
Ashley: “Oh, it’s cinnamon, vanilla, flour, egg, mariju–”
Craig laughed at him.
Craig: “Nah, nah, ya fuckin’ drongo! Is that a fuckin’ cat cookie?!”
He cackled. Ashley smiled at his laughter. He wasn’t familiar with slang terms and took ‘drongo’ as an endearing term.
Ashley: “Yep! Wow, I'm so glad you like them!”
The raven-haired woman interjected with a loud scoff.
"Pfft, you baked cookies for a thrash metal party?!”
She cackled in her deep voice and southern accent. Makayla glared at her.
Makayla: “Ugh, fuck off, Veronika…”
Ashley turned on his heel, glancing up at Veronika who towered over him with her tall stature.
Ashley: “I know! A cake would have been better!”
He waved his hand. Veronika scoffed again.
Veronika: “Is that a joke?! Craig is a real man, unlike you! He doesn't eat cutesy crap, fatty!"
She mockingly jabbed at his pudgy stomach with her pointy finger. Ashley recoiled to her jabs and didn't like the way she touched him. Craig shifted his eyes and cackled.
Craig: "Pfft, look at this fat hippie drongo with his fuckin’ cookies ’n cat scarf!”
He pointed and laughed at Ashley, tugging at his cat bandana.
Ashley: “I know! Isn’t it so cute?!”
He beamed at his cat bandana. Craig arched an eyebrow at him and laughed.
Craig: “What’s ya deal, mate? What the fuck are ya doin’ here?”
He laughed, genuinely curious. Ashley tilted his head owlishly.
Ashley: “I don’t know… no one knows why we are. It’s one of the greatest mysteries of the universe, or maybe it isn’t and our existence is just a bunch of molecules and energy…”
He scratched his head, looking pensive. Makayla gave him a look of intrigue. Craig blinked mutely at him and threw his head back with laughter and others joined in with a chorus of laughter.
Craig: “Okay, weirdo. Did ya get high ‘n go to the wrong party or somethin’? Looks like ya lost ya shoes, too! This ain't fuckin' kumbaya!"
He pointed at his bare feet and laughed. The party joined in on the laughter. Makayla glanced down at Ashley’s feet and rolled her eyes at Craig.
Ashley: “Haha, no! This is the right address, so I’m at the right party! I didn’t lose my shoes, I left them at the door next to the big stinky ones!”
He answered and fanned his face. Makayla smiled at Ashley and burst out laughing. Craig’s face twisted into a scowl.
Craig: “OI! Those are MY boots, you little shit!”
He bellowed, crushing a cat cookie in the palm of his fist. Ashley sank and felt guilty for offending him. The party erupted into laughter.
Ashley: “Oh, s-sorry! I can make you some peppermint oil to clear the stink away!”
He offered with a smile. Craig’s fury soared. The crowd laughed harder and Craig's shoulders sank as he bowed his head.
Craig: “T-They don't stink!”
He muttered with embarrassment.
Ashley: “Oh no, don't be embarrassed!”
He knit his eyebrows, waving his hands.
Veronika: “Pfft, men's shoes are supposed to stink, you fat little sissy!”
She scoffed at Ashley, throwing his cookies at him.
Ashley: “...N-No they're not!”
He recoiled and covered his face as Craig joined in with her, throwing a cookie at him and laughing. Makayla saw red and stepped in front of Ashley, glaring at them both.
Makayla: “HEY! Cut it out! Why do you have to be assholes?!”
She snapped at them.
Craig: “He was askin’ for it!”
He pouted.
Veronika: “Because it's funny.”
She smirked and cackled.
Makayla: “You guys are jerks!”
Makayla glared at them and turned to Ashley ushering him away from them as they laughed.
~
Makayla led Ashley into the kitchen through the archway. The kitchen was unremarkable with its wooden cabinets, vinyl floors, and band posters on the walls.
Makayla: “I'm sorry about my brother and his girlfriend being jerks…"
She offered, placing her hand on his shoulder. Ashley blushed to her touch and glanced at her.
Ashley: "O-Oh, no, it's cool! I'm fine, haha!"
He forced a smile and waved his hand, shifting his eyes. Makayla arched an eyebrow at him.
Makayla: "No it’s not…"
She groused and bowed her head. Ashley shuffled uncomfortably and munched on his cat cookies.
Ashley: “So uh… do you wanna purr-tay?”
He chuckled, offering her a cookie.
Makayla: “Purr-tay, huh?”
She queried with a laugh. Ashley nodded and smiled.
Ashley: “Yes, I put my special ingredient in them!”
He beamed and winked. Makayla quirked an eyebrow at him.
Makayla: “What kind of special ingredient?”
She smirked at him. Ashley shifted his eyes.
Ashley: “Ohhh… just a lil cat nip for humans, hehe.”
He winked. Makayla’s eyes lit up.
Makayla: “Hehe, cute. You mean meow-juana, right?”
She chuckled and winked at him. Ashley reddened and smiled.
Ashley: “Hehe… maaaybe.”
He stroked his chin.
Makayla: “Let’s purr-tay!”
She beamed, taking a bite out of the cookie.
Veronika lurked through the archway watching them. She turned to Craig, nudging him and alerting him to Ashley and Makayla laughing together. Craig’s face crumpled into a scowl. He then climbed up onto the sofa and clapped his hands together, breaking up the party and getting everyone’s attention.
Craig: “OI, listen up everyone! It's SHOWTIME!"
He announced to the party, rallying their excitement as he led them out to the backyard like the leader of the pack.
Ashley: "Ooh, a show?! What kind of show?"
He beamed with excitement and curiosity.
Makayla: "A puppet show."
She deadpanned with a smile and took his arm, whisking him out with her. Ashley blushed and chuckled.
Ashley: “Hahahah, ooh? Really?”
Veronika: “Urgh, it’s NOT a dumb puppet show! It’s a thrash metal show!”
She huffed, heading outside with them.
~
The party poured into the backyard with a cheering crowd. It was a spacious yard with a classic Hill's Hoist clothesline at the center of it, like most Australian backyards. Sacks from boxed wine known as "goon sacks" were pegged on the clothesline with several people drinking from them and yelling with excitement. There was a bonfire pit across the yard with people sitting around it, drinking and laughing amongst themselves. Ashley’s eyes widened at the wooden stage set up with neon green lights and large speakers towering over him. It looked to be built by a novice. The planks of wood were uneven and attached at random angles. Nails and bolts poked out of it, creating a hazardous mess.
Ashley: “...Oh god, it’s a good thing Blake isn’t here to see this! He’d fly into a rage about that stage, haha!”
He mused to himself. Makayla glanced up at him, incredulously.
Makayla: “Who’s Blake?”
Ashley: “Oh, Blake is my brother! He’s a really good carpenter and… so was my dad.”
He beamed with enthusiasm and a trace of sadness when he mentioned his father. Makayla smiled at him.
Makayla: “Oh, nice! My brother likes to think he is… and so does my father… neither of them are though.”
She laughed bitterly at the stage Craig built. Ashley chuckled a bit.
Ashley: “And he’s not a painter either, haha. He didn’t even apply an undercoat!”
He remarked, looking horrified at his shoddy paintwork with great splotches of neon green paint applied directly onto the wood without an undercoat. Makayla smiled at him.
Makayla: “Oh yeah? Are you a painter?”
She enquired.
Ashley: “Uhh, kinda? I like crafts and decorating things! …I just like making things beautiful!”
He beamed and spoke with exuberant passion. Makayla smiled widely at him.
Makayla: “Aww, that’s so beautiful.”
She cooed earnestly. Ashley blushed and smiled, running his fingertips through his hair.
Ashley: “...Sei Bellissima, hehe.”
He said softly to himself. Makayla gave him a look.
Makayla: “...What did you just say? Is that Italian?”
Ashley reddened all over and rubbed his head.
Ashley: “O-Oh, I–”
Suddenly, the music cut, and everyone went quiet, turning in the direction of Craig as he climbed up onto the stage. Everyone swarmed to him like moths to a light.
Craig: “G’DAY CUNTS! WELCOME TO MY WICKED SICK THRASH BASH!”
He yelled with a fiery enthusiasm. Ashley recoiled and gasped.
Ashley: “Oh dear! That’s not very nice! He just insulted all his friends! Why would he want to get evil and make everyone sick?! Why does he want to bash everyone?”
He cupped his mouth in horror and confusion. Makayla laughed and arched an eyebrow at him.
Makayla: “...You’re not from around here, are you?”
She pressed him. Ashley shook his head.
Ashley: “No, we only just moved here!”
He explained.
Makayla: “Oh, I see.”
She gave him an inquisitive look. He speaks in an Australian accent as thick as mine and Craig’s, how does he not know Aussie slang? She wondered.
Makayla: “Well, Craig uses a lot of stupid slang terms. ‘Cunt’ means ‘friend’ … or ‘jerk’ depending on the context.”
Ashley’s head spun with confusion.
Makayla: “And ‘wicked sick’ means ‘cool’. A thrash bash is just a birthday bash but with Thrash metal.”
She explained. Ashley tilted his head, feeling lost.
Ashley: “Oh, what is thrash metal?”
He scratched his head. Makayla gave him another inquisitive look. Has he been living under a rock? She pondered with intrigue.
Craig: “Now for the moment, y’all been waiting for! It’s ya fave band!"
He exclaimed with high enthusiasm, revving up the crowd. They cheered and bounced around with excitement. His energy was contagious.
Ashley: "Sex Beest?! Maxxy's playing?"
He gasped, looking around for Maxx. Makayla arched an eyebrow at him and laughed.
Craig: "On drums, we got Kurt Tamihana!"
He announced as a muscular Maori man with dreadlocks sat down behind the drum kit. He had tribal patterns tattooed around his wrists and wore a black tank top and shorts.
Craig: "On guitar 'n vocals, we got my sis, Makayla!"
He announced, gesturing to Makayla. Makayla winked at Ashley and climbed on stage, picking up her flying V guitar. Ashley’s eyes widened with a gasp.
Ashley: “M-Makayla?! YOU’RE A ROCKSTAR?!”
He beamed with stars in his eyes, looking at her with awe.
Craig: "And last but not least, we got the leader of the pack, Craig Medeiros right here on bass 'n lead!"
He gestured to himself picking up his black Ibanez bass guitar.
Craig: “WE'RE NUKLEAR INTOXIKATION!”
He announced, shooting his fist above his head, and strumming his bass guitar with the other hand. He broke into his raspy vocals. He sounded like a demon, Ashley thought to himself.
The crowd went wild and formed a mosh pit as they played their surfy thrash metal sound.
Ashley: “WOAAAAH!”
His eyes widened with a gasp as he was pulled into the mosh pit and tossed around as if he were caught in a tsunami.
Ashley: “O-Oh no! S-sorry! Sorry! Excuse me!”
He knit his eyebrows as he tried to delicately make his way out. A man with an orange beard and a baseball cap over his ginger locs came charging in his direction. He was dressed in a clashing ensemble of army shorts, a skull shirt, and a denim vest with high-top sneakers. He was obese and twice the size of Ashley, making him look slim by comparison.
“Outta my way, fatty! WHEEEEW! METAAAAHL! HORNZ UP!”
He wailed, making devil-horn gestures with his hands and ramming Ashley out of the pit. Ashley went flying through the air with a wail. He fell onto the lawn next to the bonfire and panted.
Ashley: “Woah, that was terrifying…”
He panted, catching his breath and composure.
Ashley: “Terrifyingly fun!”
He chuckled and smiled a bit.
He looked up and saw Veronika sitting alone at the bonfire, drinking a beer. Ashley gave her a curious look.
Ashley: “Uhh, why aren’t you playing with your band?”
He asked, scratching his head. Veronika rolled her eyes at him.
Veronika: “I’m not in the band, you idiot!”
She hissed and slurred. Ashley tilted his head.
Ashley: “OH! I thought you were! Haha, silly me, my bad!”
He chuckled. Veronika glared at him and her right eye twitched.
Veronika: “Hmph, I should be!”
She spat bitterly, glaring at Makayla on the stage with Craig and Kurt. Ashley froze and locked his gaze on Makayla as she strummed her fingertips down the neck of the guitar with finesse and grace. His heart skipped a beat when she started to sing backup vocals and he was completely mesmerized by her voice. She sang in a gravily, yet sweet voice with a lot of power behind it.
Ashley: “Oh wow… she’s so AMAZING! I wish she had more lines! She’s a better singer than him!”
He beamed and giddily clasped his hands. Veronika rolled her eyes at him and gritted her teeth.
Ashley: “WOO! GO MAKAYLA!”
He cheered and waved his hands in the air. Veronika’s fury rose and both of her eyes twitched.
Veronika: “BOO! YOU SUCK, MAKAYLA!”
She yelled over him.
Ashley: “...Why are you jealous?”
He knit his eyebrows. Veronika glared at him.
Veronika: “FUCK OFF! I’M NOT JEALOUS! I’m BETTER than her! I’m a REAL metal chick!”
Her voice rose to a shriek and she pointed to herself and glared at Makayla.
Ashley: “Uhh, then why aren’t you in the band, then?”
He scratched his head. Veronika narrowed her eyes into slits.
Veronika: “What the fuck is THAT supposed to mean?!”
She hissed at him, cracking her knuckles.
Ashley: “Well, isn’t Craig your partner? So, shouldn’t you be playing music together?”
He scratched his head. Veronika paused for a moment and stepped back.
Veronika: “...That’s a damn fucking good question, fatso! I’m getting to the bottom of this.”
She rose from her seat and shoved past him.
Ashley: "Wow… her vibrations are so negative! I don't think she had her breakfast today."
He scratched his head. The band wrapped up their set and the crowd cheered and gave a round of applause. Ashley joined in on the applause and smiled at Makayla amongst the sea of denim and black. There was no neon pink and orange in sight.
Ashley: “...Where the heck is Maxx?!”
He pondered to himself, looking around for him.
~
Ashley made his way through the party and back inside the house, looking for Maxx. He was starting to get worried now and the effects of the cookies amplified his worry. The room around him felt like it was spinning.
Ashley: “Maxx?”
He called out for him, looking around for him. He noticed Maxx’s portrait that was hanging on the living room wall was now gone. Before he could ponder it, he was alerted to people yelling. He looked over in the direction of the voices and saw Craig and Veronika in a messy bedroom with band posters on the walls. A surfboard leaned up against the wall and there were shelves of vinyl records and clothes lying on the floor.
Veronika: “I WANT to be in the band, Craig!”
She demanded, stomping her boots on the floor like a child.
Craig: “We already got a guitarist, V…”
He stated.
Veronika: “Kick her out then!”
She pouted.
Craig: “She’s my sister! I ain’t kickin’ her out!”
He said firmly.
Veronika: “I’m your girlfriend! We should be playing music together!”
She cried, echoing Ashley. Craig shuffled in his seat awkwardly.
Craig: “Oh… well, we can’t have two guitarists! That don’t make no sense!”
He shifted his eyes awkwardly. Veronika scoffed in his face
Veronika: “Oh, puh-lease! You had two guitarists when Andreas was in the band!”
She huffed and her tone got pointed when she mentioned that name. Craig tensed up when she referred to him.
Craig: “I… don’t feel so well. The room is spinny! I gotta go to the toilet or somethin’.”
He scrambled to his feet and slammed into his door.
Craig: “OWW! Fuck you, door!”
He snapped at the door like a dog barking at its reflection. Veronika snorted and laughed at Craig, cackling like a witch.
Ashley looked at them incredulously.
Ashley: “Wait a minute… Did they eat my cookies?!”
He chuckled and cupped his mouth. A pair of hands grabbed Ashley from behind, tickling his sides, startling him with a jolt.
Ashley: “O-OH! HEHEHEHAHAHAHA!”
He burst into a peal of giggles and spun around to see Makayla with her guitar strapped over her shoulder.
Makayla: “There you are!”
She teased.
Ashley: “H-Hey, Makayla! You were amazing out there!”
He beamed and blushed.
Makayla: “Thanks, I gotta put my guitar away! Come!”
She smiled at him, taking his hand, and leading him down the hall.
Ashley: “O-oh, ok!”
He blushed as she led him to the bedroom down the end of the hall, which was her bedroom.
~
Makayla led him into her bedroom. The room was cluttered with expressive personal touches. Band posters and the neon pink glow of fairy lights lined her walls. There were posters of various women in rock ‘n roll above her bed that she looked up to like a shrine of inspiration. Among them were Suzie Quatro, Joan Jett, Lita Ford, Doro Pesche, and Sabina Classen. There were Polaroid photos of Makayla with her band and her friends stuck on her closet doors. She went over to the corner of the room, placing her guitar next to her black acoustic guitar.
Ashley: “Oh wow! Your bedroom is so pretty!”
He beamed, observing his surroundings. Makayla plonked herself down onto her bed and smiled at him.
Makayla: “Come sit!”
She slurred and patted the bed beside her. Ashley swallowed hard and nervously sat down beside her.
Ashley: “Hey, so… I think your brother’s girlfriend is jealous of you…”
He awkwardly ran his fingers through his hair.
Makayla: “Really?! Why is that?”
She laughed and flopped down onto the bed.
Ashley: “She wants to be in the band! She just asked your brother to kick you out, but like, why can’t you both be in the band and play together?”
Makayla knit her eyebrows and her heart sank.
Makayla: “...WHAT?!”
She gaped at him.
Ashley: “Oh no! I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you!”
He knit his eyebrows.
Makayla: “No, no, I’m glad you told me… you’re sweet.”
She smiled at him and pulled him into a hug. Ashley froze and his heart hammered in his chest. Oh my god… she’s hugging me! What do I do?! He slowly hugged her back. Makayla happily sighed and closed her eyes as she started to drift off to sleep.
Ashley: “...Have you seen Maxx around?”
He asked, but Makayla only groaned in response.
Ashley: “...Makayla? Makayla?”
He gently pawed at her, but she was passed out like a light. Ashley slowly pulled himself away from her and rose to his feet. He then draped her blanket over her and tucked her in.
Ashley: “It was nice to meet you, Makayla… Buonanotte!”
He smiled at her and quietly left her room.
~
Ashley emerged from the house, closing the door behind him. His heart sank when he couldn’t find his sandals where he left them on the porch.
Ashley: “Oh no! Pixies stole my shoes again!”
He pouted. A soft, monotone voice replied from the shadows:
“No, that numbskull, Bobby, threw them up the tree.”
Ashley jolted, startled to see a tall man emerging from the bench in the darkness. He had a pale complexion with light eye makeup around his steel blue eyes. He wore Norse braids in his long raven hair and black arm cuffs on his arms. He was dressed in a black shirt and jeans with a bone belt and a quartz crystal necklace around his neck. He spoke with a slight Norwegian accent.
Ashley: “O-oh! You startled me!”
He placed his hand on his chest and looked over at the large elm tree. He sighed when he saw his sandals hanging off the branches, swinging in the breeze.
Mysterious man: “Is Craig here?”
He queried.
Ashley: “Of course! It’s his birthday party!”
He replied.
Mysterious man: “Can you give this to him for me?”
He presented him with a cardboard box with Craig’s name written on it in cursive handwriting.
Ashley: “Uhh… sure? Who do I say it’s from?”
He scratched his head awkwardly. The man exhaled a long drag of his cigarette.
Andreas: “Andreas Ødegaard...”
He answered and rose to his feet to leave.
~
Craig was in the toilet, and his ears perked up like an excited dog when he heard Andreas’ name and voice from outside through the wall.
Craig: “A-Andreas?!”
He gasped, quickly shaking himself off and flushing the toilet as he bolted out of the bathroom.
~
Craig sprinted to the door like a dog rushing to the mailman, shoving Ashley aside.
Craig: “Outta my way, fat cunt!”
Ashley: “Oh, okay... muscle friend?”
He scratched his head. Cunt means friend, right? He thought to himself. Craig's eyes lit up and his heart thundered in his chest when he saw Andreas.
Craig: “Andreas?!”
He hollered to him breathlessly. Andreas stopped in his tracks and turned around to face him.
Andreas: “Your fly is undone, Craig.”
He muttered and rolled his eyes. Craig froze and his eyes darted down to his zipper.
Craig: “Oh, fuck!”
He gasped, hastily zipping it back up again.
Andreas: “You still haven’t changed. You’re still treating your friends like shit. You’re going to end up alone with no one left.”
He shook his head at him, gesturing to Ashley climbing the tree to get his sandals back.
Craig: “Pfft, I ain’t friends with no tree-hugging hippie cunts! He’s just some drongo Maxx brought with him!”
He scoffed and folded his arms across his chest. Andreas arched an eyebrow at him.
Andreas: “...Maxx? Didn’t you kick him out?”
Ashley froze when he overheard their conversation from the tree. What?! They kicked Maxx out?! He pondered to himself. His heart then sank when he looked down at the ground and he froze up in fear. Oh no… I’m stuck! He whimpered to himself.
Craig: “Yeah, well, at least Maxx showed up for my birthday!”
He pouted bitterly with hurt in his tone.
Andreas: “Happy Birthday.”
He said flatly, handing him the cardboard box. Craig’s eyes widened and his frown twisted into a smile.
Craig: “Y-You got me a gift?!”
He gasped.
Andreas: “If you say so. I just wanted to give your stuff back. ”
He said numbly. Craig’s smile faded again and his bottom lip trembled as he peered inside the box. Among the items were a football, tank tops, boxer shorts, and cassette tapes.
They heard Veronika’s cackling coming from inside the house, cutting through the tension like a knife. Andreas rolled his eyes at Veronika through the window and Craig winced.
Craig: “What happened between us, Andreas?”
He sighed.
Andreas: “You rush into things without thinking. You didn’t know her… and now you do.”
He shook his head.
Craig: “Nah, mate, not her… I was talkin’ about… us.”
He gazed into his steel blue eyes. Andreas gave him a look. He noticed something was off about his behavior tonight. He’d never known him to be this upfront about feelings before. Andreas sighed and looked away from him, gazing up at the night sky.
Andreas: “...That’s in the past now, Craig. We were both so young. We’re different people now… and we’re too different from each other.”
He stated. Craig bowed his head.
Craig: “...Would you at least consider shreddin’ with Nuklear again?”
Andreas pursed his lips and opened his mouth to reply when Veronika cut in.
Veronika: “Ohh, so you ask HIM to join the band, but not me, huh?!”
She shrieked at Craig and glowered at Andreas. Craig jolted with widened eyes.
Craig: “Ah, fuck! How long were you—”
Veronika: “Long enough to know you want HIM and not your girlfriend in the band! You won’t replace Makayla with me, but will with him?! Where’s your loyalty, Craig?”
She shrieked and threw her arms up.
Craig: “I ain’t replacing Makayla!”
He snapped and firmly folded his arms across his chest.
Veronika: “...FINE! Keep your fatty sister as the rhythm guitar and I’ll be the lead guitar then!”
She whined, throwing her arms up in frustration.
Andreas: “...But, Makayla is the better guitarist. You’re not good enough.”
He interjected in a matter-of-factly tone. Veronika’s face flared red with fury.
Veronika: “EXCUSE ME?! Are you going to let him speak to me like that, Craig?!”
Craig tensed up awkwardly when a whirl of a siren and glowing blue and red lights came down the street.
Craig: “...Oh shit!”
A police wagon pulled up to the curb and an officer stepped out, approaching the house. Ashley clung to the tree like a cat, watching the scene unfold below him.
Ashley: “Help! There’s a cat stuck in a tree!”
He cried out for help. The cops didn’t hear him and they approached Craig.
Cop: “Are you the owner of this address?”
He approached Craig.
Craig: “Yeah, mate. That's me.”
He nodded to him.
Cop: “Look, there’s been some complaints. You need to shut this down.”
He said firmly, but casually.
Craig: “W-wha?! Come on, mate!”
He pleaded with him.
Cop: “Sorry, mate. I’ll let you off with a warning if you shut this down now.”
He shook his head. Craig pouted.
Veronika: “WHAT?! What kind of sniveling cunt would dob on us?!”
She hissed, looking around for the culprit.
A tall and slender woman with shoulder-length crimson-red hair emerged from behind the officers with tears in her silver eyes. Her dramatic winged eyeliner resembled devil horns and streaked down her cheeks. She was dressed in a lace white dress and gloves, dabbing a handkerchief to her cheeks. Ashley recognized her as the woman he saw in the street earlier that day.
"T-They're terrorizing me with their trash metal music, officer! They’re ruining my beauty sleep!"
She sulked and spoke with a Soviet accent in a deep, husky voice.
Craig: "Oh, fuck off, JACLYN!”
He barred his teeth at her, narrowing his eyes into hateful slits.
Veronika: “It’s THRASH metal, not trash metal!"
A loud hollering of “Jackyyyyyyy-baaaaaaaabe!” turned their attention to Maxx strutting up to her.
Maxx: “Owwh! There you are, baby!”
He grinned at her, draping his arm around her.
Ashley: “...Maxx?! HEY! Maxx! Over here!”
He beamed from up the tree when he saw him again. He waved his arms, trying to get his attention, but he didn’t hear him.
Craig: “You gotta be shittin’ me… you’re with HIM?!”
He gaped at Jaclyn, pointing at Maxx.
Maxx: “Dats right! Jealous?!”
He teased.
Craig: “Fuck no.”
He scoffed and laughed.
Jaclyn: “Watch your language, Craig!”
She rolled her eyes at him with a groan.
Craig: “Great, ya called the police on my party ‘n now you’re gonna police my language, cunt?”
He huffed and sneered at her. Jaclyn shuddered at that word.
Jaclyn: “Don’t use that horrible word! That’s no way to address a supermodel!”
She huffed, flicking her hair loftily.
Veronika: “Pfft! You’re not a supermodel! You’re a golddigger.”
She scoffed at Jaclyn. Jaclyn turned to Veronika and smirked.
Jaclyn: “And you’re not in the band. You’re a groupie. Ho-hum.”
She retorted, feigning sadness. Veronika seethed and sneered at her.
Veronika: “Fuck off, barbie bitch! Get on your runway and run away!”
She shrieked at her. Craig shifted his eyes awkwardly and turned to Jaclyn with a hateful sneer.
Craig: “You’re gonna pay for this Jacky-babe!”
He pointed his finger in her face, storming off into the house. Veronika flipped Jaclyn the bird and followed him inside.
Jaclyn: “Checkmate, Craig.”
She smirked and flipped her hair.
Jaclyn: “It’s been a pleasure, Maxwell, I’m going home to get my beauty sleep. Goodbye.”
She declared, walking over to her cherry red 1959 Cadillac.
Maxx: “WAIT! ...W-What about Maxxy?!”
He pleaded with her.
Jaclyn: “What about you?”
She asked sharply as she got in the driver’s seat.
Maxx: “I got nowhere to go, baby!”
He whimpered. Ashley knit his eyebrows from up in the tree as he tried to get down.
Jaclyn: “You can’t stay with me, Maxwell! You’re the one who is supposed to provide for me as the man!”
She shook her head at him.
Maxx: “W-where am I supposed to go?!”
He pleaded with her and groveled to his knees.
Jaclyn: “That’s not my problem.”
She said flatly, speeding off down the road and into the night. Maxx fell to his knees and sobbed.
Ashley felt the branch under him starting to snap under his weight.
Ashley: “Uh-oh!”
He whimpered as the branch snapped, causing him to fall out of the tree.
Ashley: “YAARGHH! MAXX! WATCH OUT!”
He wailed as he fell out of the tree and landed on Maxx.
Maxx: “OWWWWWWH!”
He shrieked as Ashley fell on top of him, crushing him under his weight.
Ashley: “Oh no! I’m so sorry! Are you okay?!”
He cried, knitting his eyebrows and rolling off him, cupping his mouth.
Maxx: “NOOO! You hurt my back! And those jerks kicked me out and Jacky-babe is on her period again, and I have nowhere to go! I don’t wanna sleep on da streets!”
He wailed and sobbed.
Ashley: “Oh my gosh! I’m so sorry! You can come to stay with me!”
He offered with a gentle smile.
Maxx: “R-really?!”
He gasped
Ashley: “Of course! I never turn my back on someone who needs help!”
He nodded, clasping his hands together.
Maxx: “Oh, Ash-Rad! You’re da best!”
Ashley beamed.
Ashley: “Let’s go home.”
He gestured for him to follow him over to the car. Maxx followed behind him, picking up something and carrying it over to the car. Ashley’s eyes widened when he realized he was carrying the big portrait of himself.
Ashley: “DUDE! That’s stealing! You’re going to get in trouble!"
He knitted his eyebrows, shifting his eyes towards the police car.
Maxx: “Nah-ah, A-rad! It’s got my sexy face on it, so it’s MINE!”
He pouted, throwing the portrait in the back of the car.
Ashley: “...Sure dude.”
He eyed the portrait curiously with so many questions swarming in his mind. He then closed the trunk.
TO BE CONTINUED.
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