She Gives Me Vertigo

Chapter 4

I knew today was going to be the toughest day. My first day working with them, everyone was going to be tense and very hungover from the night before so I was already imagining how difficult it would be to be productive in any way this morning.

I picked up my guitar cases, slinging one on my back carrying the other in my right hand, my work bag in the other; as I began trudging up the road to the band house, the Italian heat was already getting to me.

Reaching the front door I put down my guitar case so I was able to knock. Waiting patiently for the door to be answered, the sounds of birds and the occasional car on the road filled the air on this Sunday morning. I began tapping my foot and whistling to myself as my impatience grew. Thinking I'd waited long enough I knocked the door once more as a set of footsteps came closer and a shadow appeared through the stain glass.

Ethan poked his head around the slight opening he had created in the door, squinting his eyes from the sun behind me.

'Good Morning' I beamed as he opened the door fully letting me step in.

His facial expressions seemed to soften and were much more welcoming and gentle as he brushed his glossy dark locks away from his face.

'You know you can just come in right? You don't need to knock' he chuckled slightly as we walked into the kitchen.

I shrugged 'I did not, but thanks. How are you feeling this morning?' I raised an eyebrow as he chuckled, taking his coffee off the counter.

'I'm fine, everyone else, not so much. But that's usually the case, give them a few hours they'll come round' he smiled sweetly, leaning on the counter top facing me.

We stayed in silence for a while as Ethan drank his coffee I began to look around the room. It was just like a typical band house, large modern kitchen space with an island in the middle with half a dozen bar stools. Plenty of room to cram in guests for a house party.

'Do you have a plan for today?' Ethan asked as he began to wash up his glass.

'Well, it depends how sober everyone is' I cackled as Ethan chuckled along. He still had an air of nervousness about him but he seemed to feel comfortable in my presence, which eased my worry slightly. I wasn't here to scare or intimidate anyone, even though they seemed to be huge fans, it was their music and I was here to help.

'Oh my god, do you want a drink or anything? I'm so rude!' Ethan gasped blushing slightly, at his poor etiquette.

I shook my head smiling softly to try and ease his apparent nerves 'I'm good thanks. Shall we go find everyone else?'

He shrugged as we headed out onto the terrace where Damiano and Thomas were sitting with their feet in the pool smoking.

'Mornin'' I smiled as they both looked up at me, Thomas groaning holding his forehead.

'Still feeling rough?' I added, chuckling a little.

Thomas just nodded, putting out his cigarette in the ashtray on the floor between him and Damiano.

'Where's Victoria?' I asked, eager to try and get started as soon as we could.

'She's just getting ready, she'll meet us in the studio' Ethan added sweetly as I nodded all of us heading upstairs to their little studio space.

Entering the studio Vic sat leisurely with her bass on her lap just playing a small tune to herself mindlessly, until we walked in.

'You all took your time!' She joked shuffling over on the sofa so everyone could sit down.

'Someone's woken up extra sassy today' Damiano huffed, rolling his eyes and grumbling slightly, maybe he was still hungover. Vic stuck her tongue out in response causing him to scoff.