Street Cred

:: P R O L O G U E ::

PROLOGUE: The Pines

my girl, my girl don't lie to me tell me where did you sleep last night. In the pines, in the pines where the sun don't ever shine, I'll shiver the whole night through.

Violet

That poster

That poster.

God I f*****g hated that poster.

I tipped the remnants of my Red Bull into my mouth and scrunched up my nose in distaste. Babes in a crash...selling out is becoming a fad and rock and roll barely had blood in its loins...so to speak. I heard Ozzy's an actor now or was that Howard Stern, can't be sure. The record store wasn't exactly thriving but it pays the bills and with the mini stage being renovated it'd be back to it's glory days.

"Vee just the violinist I was looking for" I rolled my eyes playfully when Collin Fischer tapped the counter, effectively disrupting my glaring match with the heinous American Satan poster that we were made to endorse. His lanky frame leaned against the glass as his grin sporting lips cradled a toothpick, he wore the classic black tee and denim combo every edgy teen knows and loves. Collin was my brother's friend who had an interesting taste in music which in turn lead to our companionship.

"Collin the loitering loser I wasn't looking for" I smirked humoring his presence. He rolled his eyes playfully as he scanned the shop. Nothing unusual just the regular teens hanging out with their cliques and skimming through some albums that they surely aren't gonna buy.

"So...Queen Boadicea at 10?" he asked flicking through some records as he did so. I opened my mouth and shook my head, I had completely forgotten about his offer. He'd asked me a week ago and I did tell him I had to think about it but I guess it slipped my mind. I puffed out my cheeks and pursed my lips, I wasn't doing anything at 10 and summer doesn't last forever so I might as well make the most out of the vacation. Queen Boadicea was a rather decent bar and I know for a fact my brother would be there...ah what the heck!

"Yeah, yeah sure why not? The shop closes at 8 but I have to swing by our house and change, I'll just meet you there" I chuckled actually excited by the fact that I was invited to Queen Boadicea of all places. The Boadicea was famous for having the almost-famous-but-not-quite-yet bands playing at their stage. I've dreamt of performing in it for quite some time now.

"Well uh, I was thinking that I'd pick you up and we go together actually" he grinned sheepishly. I furrowed my brows but nodded in understanding well yeah no duh, I'm not on the guest list of course I have to wait for him. It's good of him to take initiative.

"Yeah totally, I mean of course how would I even get in. That's some advance thinking buddy that way we wouldn't wait around for each other" I smiled and Collin returned it with one of his, slightly faltering when a guy patted his shoulder and chuckled.

"Good thinking buddy" the guy laughed before tapping his drumsticks along the counter and heading for the exit. He was a new face, I'm pretty sure I'd remember someone who purchased a pair of Vic Firth's. I didn't give much attention to it but instead discussed the details with Collin.

------

Closing time rolled in and I was just ringing up the items the last customer brought in

"One Ultra Violence album and a pair of headphones, have a nice night Joan" I smiled as I handed her the bag. She smiled in return, leaving a tip in the jar.

"You too, I'll see you at Boadicea?" She asked and I had to furrow my brows.

"How'd you-"

"Everyone knows, Vee" she winked leaving the shop before I could pry. I huffed and decided to let it slide. It was exactly 8 in the evening and then I had to meet Collin by 10 it gave me enough time to clean up the shop before I had to get ready. I just about grabbed the broom when the chimes rang.

"We're closed, mate" I rolled my eyes but none the less responded. I turned around ready to mouth off the unlucky chap but I was met with a glaring pair of blues.

"Yeah? Well it's an emergency, doll" he responded with hostility which made me nod in agreement. It was the Vic Firth guy from this morning. He looked angry. I could see why...he was gripping his drumsticks on his right hand quite forcefully that his knuckles were turning white. The drumsticks which used to be a set of two were now a triad, considering that one of it was broken in half

"New Firths'?" I asked in an attempt to lessen his sour mood.

"A 5A and a 5B" he muttered with a nod. I quickly got him the pairs he wanted and placed it on the counter for him to inspect.

"Anything else?" I asked out of courtesy.

"If you could pull a bassist out of your ass then I'll take one please" he smiled sarcastically before pulling out his wallet and counting a few bills in an angry frown. I glared at Mr. Wiseacre and decided to play his game.

"For the right price you have one" I challenged

____

I wasn't sure if what I'm wearing was appropriate for Queen Boadicea but then again the place didn't really have a dress code. I didn't exactly know why I was fretting. I took one last look in the mirror and ruffled my hair. I chuckled, shut my eyes and shook my head...what was taking Collin so long. Just as I pulled up my phone to ring him, the door bell rang. I quickly took my guitar case and headed for the stairs.

"Wow look at little miss baddie" Collin whistled when I opened the door. He looked at me from head to toe and nodded in approval. His usual black tee was replaced with an army green Gun's n' Roses shirt under a troublemaker denim jacket...for once his hair was actually styled and not a ruffly mess.

"You don't look too bad yourself" I smirked "I'll go ask Gray if he wants to ride with us" I barely took a step back before Collin grabbed my hand and reeled me back.

"N-no you don't have to, Gray's waiting for somebody and-- why do you have your guitar case?" Collin asked only now realizing that I was towing around a massive guitar case.

"A friend needed some help, I think their band is playing in Queen Boadicea and I thought I'd lend a hand" I explained tapping the case. Collin nodded in understanding before grabbing the case and claiming that he'd look like a douchebag if he made me carry it around while I was with him, something about chivalry or some other s**t. He lead us to his car which used to smell like corn chips but now surprisingly smelled like lavender and mint. Collin shifted awkwardly in his seat before driving off...he was acting weird.

At Queen Boadicea the lines were long but Collin worked here so we got in with no questions asked. People were wearing a lot of zany outfits you'd think they were celebrities. I smiled at the bouncer hoping he'd remember my face so I could get in the next time without waiting in line. He wasn't a bulky guy but he was intimidating that's for sure, from afar his lean physique could fool you but upfront the guy was packed with muscle even I could tell from under his shirt.

"So you're the great Violet McCoy?" he smirked. I furrowed my brows in confusion as Collin lightly shoved him, he barely moved. I shook my head and decided on a proper introduction.

"Y-yeah, nice to meet you" I smiled unsure of what exactly was going on. Is going to Queen Boadicea the form of Christening of these weirdos because it sure felt like it. I was being congratulated left and right.

"Tate Verona, my pleasure now go in lovebirds" he chuckled, briefly introducing himself, as he gently shoved us in. I disregarded his comment when Collin began interlocking our fingers, we barely got in he must be worried that I'd get lost, my brother wouldn't let him hear the end of it.

"Wow" I awed when we finally got in. The ambiance was unreal. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling at divergent heights, the bar was elevated under a moat-like platform only attainable by walking up a couple of glass steps. The seats looked like skeletal hands that had just been unearthed but they looked comfortable. The showstopper was the stage well lit up by an assortment of lights. It was amazing to say the least.

"So you like it?" Collin chuckled when he saw my awestruck face. I couldn't even respond so instead I just breathlessly laughed and nodded enthusiastically.

"Look, in about 5 minutes there's gonna be a lot of people piling in okay? So stay close. At 10:30 my band is going to perform so-- why the f**k is he coming here?" Collin partially explained before he began glaring at something behind me.

"Is this the bassist, babydoll?" a voice behind me asked and I could tell it was the guy from the shop, who's name I was yet to find out.

"f**k off, Heart" Collin responded with hostility before roughly pulling me behind him and having a glaring match with 'Heart'. I thought he'd have a cooler name than that...like Bono or s***h or Bowie...something.

"f**k off, fishy. Your date owes me a bassist" he clapped back taking a step closer to Collin. Maybe it was a bad idea to help this asshole in the first place but $200 could buy a lot of chicken nuggets. I pressed a firm hand on his shoulder before things got way too intense, I mean the club wasn't even at its peak yet.

"I'm not his date and you've got your bassist when does your band perform?" I negotiated before the two of them went at it. He nudged my hand of his shoulder stared at Collin and I's interlocked hands and smirked.

"Could've fooled me doll, I'll be needing my bassist after your boyfriend's no doubt s**t performance" he explained while he was walking away.

By the look on Collin's face, I could tell this was going to be a long night.