SHATTERED

sixteen

alex

two days after our single props & mayhem officially released on apple music, spotify, etc., we have a gig at a bar. this one was by far more popular than the others we've played at before.

laura also managed to get us a show at a venue later this week. it can have up to five-hundred people in there... and we completely sold out the show.

we've really started to gain a lot of traction since we signed to a record label.

before our gig tonight though, laura wanted to speak with us in her office.

"okay, so, we all know that you're getting popular, pretty quickly," laura spoke from her seat at the front of the table. "and with that, there are bound to be some run-ins with paparazzi, and the press, and what not... so i just want to make it clear how you should and shouldn't speak to them."

"they're gonna ask you a lot of questions, and a lot of them, could be to set you up," she explained. "honestly, it's best to just politely ignore them. let them take their pictures, maybe answer some basic questions, but besides that, you really don't have to talk to them."

"i'm sorry, but if a pap has a damn camera in my face, asking me all kinds of fuck ass questions, they're gonna get decked," i huffed as i shook my head. "i mean, seriously, how the fuck are they even legal still? they're basically stalkers."

laura sighed. "i know. it's frustrating. but that doesn't give you the excuse to punch them. you'll be off to a bad start before you even start at all."

"fuck that," i muttered as i picked at my nails.

"alex," laura said sternly. "you're not to go punching paparazzi; it's in your contract to not create a bad image for yourselves."

i sighed and rolled my eyes. "whatever. can we leave now? i need a nap."

"it's only ten a.m.," saylor deadpanned.

"i had two hours of sleep before the four of you started blowing up my phone," i gave a sarcastic smile.

"why the fuck did you not go to sleep until seven in the morning?" her eyes widened slightly.

"that's none of your business," i tapped my fingers on the table as i turned back to laura. "can i leave now?"

laura sighed deeply. "yeah, go. don't get into any trouble."

"mm, we'll see," i said as i stood up. as i walked to the door, i started to pull out my cigarettes and lighter.

"no smoking in the building, alex," laura immediately reprimanded.

"i know," i groaned.

"she's tired of your shit, alex," jessie laughed loudly, followed by a quiet snicker from miguel, and a giggle from saylor. i rolled my eyes as i exited the room.

i walked towards the elevator, and i got into it when i could. i pressed the button for the bottom floor. as it went down, i brought a cigarette up to my lips. i debated with myself for a moment. i eventually decided to wait until i was outside of the building to light it.

i think i've pissed laura off enough.

i leisurely walked down the sidewalk to get to my apartment. it was a kind of long walk, but i didn't mind it.

once i got to my apartment, i unlocked the door, and i walked inside. i glanced around, and i threw back head back in annoyance.

there were empty beer bottles on the counter, as well as the coffee table. there was an open pizza box on the counter as well, and it had two slices of pizza left. there were clothes thrown haphazardly onto the couch and even on the floor. there was a pipe on the coffee table; there was still a little leftover from last night, but not much.