15 Music and Mayhem

While we stare into each other's eyes, Dillon starts to clap.

"You guys are amazing together! Your voices fit perfectly together. New idea. You quit as his assistant and start a band together."

We look at each other, and then back at him and answer in union.

"No."

"Hear me out! You've both got the looks and the talent and Will already has the fame. All you have to do is show Anastasia and she'll back you for sure!"

"I have a movie to film"

"And I literally just signed a contract to be his assistant yesterday. The ink hasn't even dried yet, I can't just quit.

"C'mon, it'll be fun! You two can do the vocals and I'll be the sex symbol and backup dancer!

"Let me think about it. No." I say without hesitation.

"No fair." He says while pouting

While Dillon and I are bickering, Will plays around on the piano and starts singing.

"And now the chilly California wind,

is blowing down our bodies again.

And we're sinking deeper and deeper in the chilly California sand.

Oh I know you belong inside my aching heart."

When those words reach my ears my jaw drops. This man knows his classic rock!

"You can play Meatloaf?"

"You know Meatloaf?"

"Know him? I can sing the entire 'Bat Out of Hell' album and 'For Crying Out Loud' is my favorite song of his."

"Who else do you listen to?"

"Queen, Kansas, Guns N' Roses. I can go all day long about classic rock alone, let alone other genres."

"You've got good taste in music."

"We should look at each other's playlists sometime!"

"Sounds like a plan."

"You know what's really funny?"

"Let me guess. You have speakers in your car?"

"Actually yes. How did you know?"

"Lucky guess."

"Let's put up the keyboard, and we'll grab the speakers."

"I snicker over our little summer Santa Claus and his endless bag of toys."

Lost in thought, I suddenly hear a set of footsteps coming from behind me. Man, it didn't take them long to get those speakers at all. Did they run the whole way? I turn around to see what Santa Claus and his little helper brought from his sleigh this time. Instead, I see a stranger.

"What's a beautiful girl like you doing all alone?"

"Oh! Sorry, I'm not alone. I'm with some friends."

"Why don't you join us? I'd love to get to know you."

"I'm sorry, I have a boyfriend."

"I don't see him. Besides he won't know if you don't tell him.

"Actually, I'm here with him right now. Thank you for asking but I have company. Have a good evening."

Thinking I've dismissed him, I try to walk off but he grabs my arm roughly and yanks me over to him. I cry out unintentionally. It hurts and it reminds me of him. I close my eyes hoping he'll go away.

"Playing hard to get is cute, but I'm not patient."

"YOU MOTHERF**KER!"

Hearing that familiar booming voice, I open my eyes. Before I can even process what's going on, Will rips his hand off me and pushes me to Dillon. Dillon immediately pushes me behind him. While Dillon is checking if I'm ok, Will grabs the man by his collarbone and puts pressure on it causing him to wail as he kneels to the ground. He whispers something to the guy and the man goes white. Will pats his shoulder in a way that's both condescending and aggressive. We all watch as the man leaves. He goes back to his friends with his tail between his legs. Will finally looks at me and starts looking me over like Dillon did earlier.

"Are you ok Astra? Did he hurt you in any way?"

"I'm fine."

"You don't look fine."

"I'm ok, really. My arm hurts a little but other than that I'm fine."

The two of them look at that man with murder in their eyes. It looks like the man told his friends what happened because they share the same sentiment. Realizing I shouldn't have said that, I realize we should probably leave.

"Hey guys, it's not worth it. Let's just go. I'm sure we can watch the sunrise somewhere else, right?"

"He laid hands on you. Someone needs to teach him a lesson!"

"And they will one day but not tonight. This isn't the first time a man has laid hands on me. I've gone through much worse. What matters is you guys got here in time and nothing happened.

"But Astra-"

"And most importantly, the two of you are very prominent celebrities. What if you get caught on camera by someone or you get arrested. It could ruin your careers."

"She's right Dillon, it's not worth it. Let's just go. We can go to my house. I own part of the beach so we can watch the sunrise from there."

"And if y'all want, I can even make breakfast," I interject.

Dillon ponders for a second and then agrees. I go in the car with Dillon while we follow Will to his house. Neither of us want him to change his mind and go after that group of guys. While we're driving, I lean my head against the window and hear nothing but the sound of silence. Dillon must be really upset. I just feel drained by what happened. The whole situation reminds me of what happened in the past. A tamer version for sure. The only difference between then and now is I was lucky enough to have a couple of knights to save me from the monster. Life isn't always like that though. Not every person has a hero swoop in and come and save the day. Not everyone has a champion. Not everyone is saved.

"Astra, they need your ID."

"Hmm? Oh sorry, here."

I look around and we're at the security post of a gated community. The guard hands us back our ID's and gives us guest passes. Looks like security is tight around here. It makes me feel a little safe, but I know that it's a false sense of security. Some of the best predators live amongst the sheep. We drive up to an ornate wrought iron gate. Looks like we're here.