Drum's heartbeat

Double standards

Storm POV:

It’s a shame that the best kiss of my life was interrupted, by the worst night of my life.

I was kissed by a bunch of screaming fans unwantedly, scratched up, bitten, torn clothes, and worst of all, many women had touched me in places without consent. Perhaps to some, I sound like a pansy, but f**k it, I’m livid right now after being harassed, and they’re able to get away with it.

Zoe got caught in the crossfire and that may have been what has made me the most upset.

I just want to go to the hotel and wash away all of the unwanted bull s**t off my body. There is no way I’m going to let them get away with this. By the end of the week, we may lose a few fans but f**k it. I am going to go public with this and voice my anger.

Our manager Pete may try to stop me, but won’t succeed. That ass wipe is on the longest vacation he’s ever taken, and is supposed to come to Colorado next week.

Once we arrive at the hotel I waste no time in getting out of the limo and heading straight to the suite. I burst through my master bedroom, take a few pictures of me in the mirror, and began undressing quickly. In the bathroom, I took my washcloth and began to wash away all the kiss marks on my face in front of the mirror. I will use those pictures later.

I guess most guys would take pride in having this many kiss marks on their faces. Tools.

After I finish showering I try to sober up with some coffee. Everyone is probably passed out in their rooms but I spot Zoe laying on the couch in pink pajamas, looking up at the ceiling.

“Zoe,” I whisper to her and she looks towards me sadly. I walk towards her and move her legs up so I can sit on the couch then let her legs rest on my lap.

“What’s going through your mind?” I ask her and she sniffs and shakes her head.

“I’d rather not...”

“Please,” I beg her, wanting to know what has her sad. She wipes at her face and props herself on her elbows to look at me. The pain that I see in her eyes tore me.

“I was sexually harassed in the last job I worked at by my boss.”

Silence, dead silence as my fist clenches and vision turn red. I don’t know who the mother fucker is, but I f*****g want to.

“And seeing what happened to you today, with all those girls touching you inappropriately, it... it made me upset.”

I gulp, as I look into her eyes and she whispers, “Celebrity or not, you’re still human, not an item, or some simple s****l fantasy fan girls or guys have. You’re real.”

I let out a deep breath as if hearing her say that allowed me to breathe.

“You have no idea how wonderful it is to hear that you see me that way, but Zoe, I need the name of the asshole who harassed you.”

She wags her finger at me.

“No, you don’t. What you need is a hug.”

I raise an eyebrow at her, and now she smiles warmly.

“And I wonder who is going to give me that hug.”

She sits up and pulls me into a strong warm hug. All of the stress of today melts instantly in her arms as I hug her back and nuzzle my face into her neck. She rubs my back tenderly. When she pulls away I miss her warmth. The power of a hug. No scratch that... The power of her hug.

“Feel a little better?” She asks as I look at her as of she fell from heaven.

“Much better. Thank you.” She nods with a small smile.

“Goodnight Storm.” She says as she stands up from the couch.

“Gavin.”

“What?” She asks me confused.

“That’s my real name. I figured after tonight, you should know it. But you have to promise me to never tell anyone that.”

She smiles beautifully. Her white teeth blinding, even in the dim light.

“Gavin.” She says my name as if she’s tasting it.

“It sites you. Good night, Gavin.”

“Oh no, don’t make me regret telling you my name,” I say with a groan, and she chuckles.

“What? Afraid I’m going to use it against you? Or that I’m going to tease you about it? I wouldn’t dream about it. Now for the third time... Good night.”

I smile at her.

“Good night.”

Once she heads to bed I pull out my phone and post my pictures on i********:, with the caption, s****l harassment is a shitty way of showing your appreciation to the band.

I post it and immediately people start commenting. I turn off my phone not wanting to read any of it and lock myself in my room.

***

Zoe POV:

Oh my gosh, I can’t believe he actually told me his real name! What does that even mean? I feel like something has changed between us. Something I never expected. I crawl under my blanket and fluff my pillow before resting my head on it.

After tonight I’m more than sure I don’t want to be a part of the rockstar lifestyle, but a small part of me is beginning to feel like I’m a part of the Buzzkills. Like they’ve adopted me into their family.

As I’m beginning to drift into rem sleep I realize that I am at the old house that I grew up in, in North Carolina.

It was a big country-style house that had all-white walls and maple wood floors.

The house always smelled like sage since my mother liked to Chase away negative energy from the house.

She used to say dad brought home negative energy every time he came home from tours. My mother was a little strange, and dark, unlike the bright house. But she loved me dearly.

“Zoe, sweetheart, I need you to go to your room.” She says pleading. And a 7-year-old me looks at her confused.

“But daddy is coming home any minute, I promised to be here when he came home.”

She looks at me pained.

“I know baby, but daddy is not feeling too good tonight, you will see him tomorrow morning, now go on and I’ll tuck you in soon.”

With a sigh and heavy legs, I walk up the stairs to my barbie themed bedroom and shut the door before crawling into bed.

Soon I hear the sound of my father’s voice. He sounds exhausted and groggy. I can’t quite make up what he’s saying but mom’s tone is one I’ve heard many times whenever she was with dad. She sounds disappointed.

Then I hear their voices loud and clear as they make their way up the stairs.

“I need to see her.” I hear dad say sadly.

“No, not like this. Are you insane Kevin? You smell like the inside of a hooker’s bag and look like you got ran over by a pack of wolves. Just don’t.”

He sighs deeply.

“My sweet Zoe.” He says on the other side of the door, and on instinct, I leap out of my pink bed and make my way to the door. I fling it open and dad stands there looking at me with tears in his eyes.

“Hi, baby, daddy’s home.” He says while trying to look somewhat normal, but his breath smells like vomit, and his brown curly hair is a mess.

“Hi, daddy,” I say as I give him a hug, and he hugs me back as he tries not to fall.

“Kevin, I swear to God, if you fall on...” mom says but he cuts her off as he holds his hands up and steps away on wobbly legs.

“I just needed to say Hello to my daughter.”

Mom looks at me sadly and points to my bed.

“Get to bed baby.” She tells me and I nod and make my way back to bed. Dad leans against my door frame and blows me a kiss.

“Goodnight Zoe.”

“Love you, Dad.“)