A/N: Still my first fanfic, but this is the revised version of Ch1 (date: 25th of Nov. '19). I'll update them in the next weeks, since I was not that happy when I read them again. The content is the same though! The story is heavily influenced by my recalled love of the band Fall Out Boy.
I don't own anything concerning PP and FOB.
Leave a review. Or don't. Be happy and free :)
Chapter 1 - Teen emo rock
Benji got up and grabbed his bag while slowly descending the lecture hall. He waited at the entrance until the tall blonde came around and together, they made their way to the cafeteria. His head was a little fuzzy due to the lecture of Prof. Mitchell and his thoughts were only interrupted when Aubrey spoke up.
"So, planned anything special for the weekend?"
They got into the cafeteria which was bursting with hungry students. He snapped out of his thoughts. "Well, actually yes! The Treblemakers will rehearse all days, since we have the first outside-of-college gig at Jeffreys next week on friday!" he said proudly as they each grabbed a tray and waited in line. "Jesse got in touch with the bartender there and could arrange something with the big Jeffrey himself."
"That's really great for you!" Aubrey answered while taking something for lunch and followed Benji through the doors outside to a near-by table, where their friends already made themselves comfortable.
"Yeah, I'm super excited; this will be a real performance and not just some practise in the garage next to Paula's pizza".
Aubrey raised one of her brows. "Didn't you play for some college parties the last months?" She hoped that the conversations topic would change soon. She liked Benji and was excited for him, but she really didn't want to be forced to go to some concert of his rock band, which she fortunately only knew from stories. She loved music but had just little use for the rock genre, especially when it came to this teenage alternative stuff like Blink-182. She wondered already why Benji was a member. His keyboard skills were great of course, but he was actually a very … well, not-alternative guy and she thought they all might be a bit too old for corny love songs about break-ups and jealousy.
"Yeah we did…" His thoughts drifted away a bit. "It was great indeed, but… I don't know, it feels as if it was kind of a favor or something like that, since the college was involved. Next week is something we have arranged on our own, without help. Sorry, you gotta think I'm super lame talking" Aubrey chuckled as they came to their destined table and Stacie, who only heard his last words, moved a bit for him to sit down.
"We know your super lame Benji-Boy, the question is, what is it this time?" she teased him.
Aubrey sat down next to Chloe, who giggled at her remark. Benji stuck out his tongue in response and made a face, smiling though.
"His band plays at Jeffreys next week on Friday." Aubrey replied for him.
"Oh wow! Congratulations Ben!" Chloe shouted; she was - as always - very supportive of everything her friends were involved in. "We should totally go! Does everyone know about this? Do you have flyers or something?" She practically shouted at them before popping a fry in her mouth. "I couldn't go to the party last month since I broke up with…"
Her last words got quieter when Stacie interfered, "…with Tom, yes, we know. Chloe, I love you, but would you please shut it already? You broke up with him, not the other way around. He's a good guy, yes, and he'll be fine. You said you weren't happy, didn't you?"
Chloe nodded. "Sorry, I know I was a pain in the butt with this. I was unhappy and I don't regret it, but I just don't feel comfortable making people I like sad." Aubrey patted her back and looked to Stacie with meaningful eyes.
"No need to excuse" Stacie assured. "And I think for the sake of distraction alone we should definitely go out and watch the little show." A few seconds elapsed when she spoke up again. "Oh, hey Benji, isn't that cute mess of a cousin in your band as well?" she asked with a mischievous smile.
"I think she's not even a freshman, Stace!" Aubrey huffed out. Stacie chuckled. "Sorry mom, but I think it would be perfectly legal, wouldn't it, Ben?" she winked at the blond.
Benji wondered raising a brow. "Wouldn't you know? I thought you came to see us last month?"
Stacie's eyes went wide. "Oh, um… I was busy stud-..doing stuff. Sex stuff."
"Don't you mean study stuff for this big math exam of yours?" Chloe asked laughing and Stacie slapped her on the shoulder.
"Would you mind lowering your voice, you snitch?" She stage-whispered. "I have a reputation to maintain. No need to connect the status 'geek' with this" she said gesturing at her body and then looked around, looking for anyone who could have heard them.
"And you?" Benji looked blank at Aubrey, who just turned her eyes down, blushing. "Oh, come on, seriously? Chloe has an excuse with her training and all, but I gotta say I'm a little disappointed in you two" he pouted. "Now you're practically obliged to attend. And to answer your question Stacie; yes, she turned 18 a few months ago, so do whatever you have to" he answered and shook his head, grinning in disbelief.
"Ok-" Aubrey started "I'm sorry for not showing up. And while I'm probably not in the position to judge right now… are you really throwing your own cousin out there as prey for this devil in heels?" she poked into Stacie's side and the woman made a shocked face.
Chloe picked on her dish, happily watching the conversation before her take its course. She figured that Stacie was right, she could really use a distraction right now. She was sure Tom would be fine, it just nagged her that she hadn't done it sooner and lied to him for a few weeks before ending it. Above everything else, she was always up for handmade music. Tom could play the guitar a bit and this was something she always found sexy. Maybe a concert was something that could give her a new view on everything. Her friends were laughing about something at this point and Benji's voice stood out.
"Look, Emily is just my cousin, not my child. She can take care of herself." He held his hands up, shrugging. "Plus, you would be surprised, but she can be sly. Maybe she'll teach you a lesson or two" he explained to Stacie ominously.
"Oh, I like a good challenge" Stacie purred back "-on a consensual level of course" she added as she saw Aubrey starting to intervene.
"It's settled then, next Friday is party time" Chloe ended the conversation, picking up her tray.
Aubrey just nodded. I knew the day would come I have to face this teen emo rock she thought to herself.
The days went by without any special events, apart from Prof. Mitchell announcing an upcoming exam in English literature, which gave Benji and Aubrey a damper. Aubrey already had a lot of stuff to learn for her law courses and Benji obviously was all hyped for friday and was not in the mood for something else than their rehearsals. Due to their different study orientations the four of them did not meet that much. Chloe and Stacie were busy on the science part of campus - Chloe partaking in a zoology practical and Stacie being in the physics lab. They all three met again on the day of the concert in Chloe's and Aubrey's apartment though.
Stacie stood in front of their apartment door and knocked, just to be greeted by Aubrey a few seconds later.
"You look good, Stace! Never took you for a rock-style girl?" Aubrey stated as the long-legged woman got in. Stacie wore a pair of dark leather pants and a black top, which emphasized her cleavage.
"Well thank you Bree, I can only pass back the compliment." Stacie replied, appreciating Aubrey's regular style for partying, which consisted of a skirt and a tight top. "Remember to call me if you wanna try something new" she whispered playfully and smirked her red lips.
Aubrey rolled her eyes and chuckled. "Thanks, I'm good. Too much up there, no offense." She gestured at Stacie's boobs while her friend entered the dorm. "Chloe is still in the bathroom, can I get you something to drink?"
"None taken and yes, I'd take a beer."
They made themselves comfortable on the couch and talked about everything and anything, when Chloe joined them. She coughed to get their attention. "Do you guys think this is too alternative? I feel a bit guilty that we've never been to see them before, and I want to make it up to Benji somehow." She wore a pair of tight jeans and a slightly worn out band shirt of Nirvana with a self-made cleavage, paired with a leather bracelet. Her red locks fell loose around her features.
"Hello there! What's your name and what happened to Girly-Chloe?" Stacie chimed.
Aubrey grinned. "I think it looks cute. It's a bit unusual for you but nothing you can't wear"
"Alright then" Chloe got herself a beer and joined them until they all made their way to Jeffrey's an hour later. When they were in front of the doorway, they could already hear heavy music and some vocal shreds.
"…where is your boy tonight? I hope he is a gentleman.
And maybe he won't find out what I know,
you were the last good thing about this part of town."
Aubrey opened the double-doors and held them open for her friends. How do they say? Take one for the team.