The Broken Rhythm
Chapter 8
Rhythm’s POV
“Do you think she’s sleeping?”
“Her eyes are closed, I think so.”
“Should we wake her up?”
“Do pigs fly?”
“The Glamour Kills logo does.”
“Besides the point.’
“Will you two morons shut up!” I yell, realizing Jack and Alex were the ones talking.
“I think we woke her up.” Jack whispered to Alex.
“I’m gonna get you guys!” I say, getting ready to tackle them.
“Run!” Alex yells, both of the doofuses running out of my room.
“Arggggggg!” I scream, playfully chasing after Jack first, knowing he’ll be an easy target to put my plan in action.
I run around Alex’s wickedly big house till I see Jack running up a flight of stairs and then jokingly trip.
“Jaacckk, I fell, hewlp me.” I say, whimpering in my fake pain noises.
He runs back down the stairs and right when he’s going to help me up I jump on him.
“Rhythm you ass!” He says as I pin him down on the floor.
“Olay, olay, olay, olay!” A random voice yells, I turn around to see Alex yelling in nothing but a bed sheet tied around like a toga.
Then Jack pushing me to the ground, and Alex pinning me down on the floor. I start to get get scared and the panic starts to set in.
“No, no, no dad, please no!” I scream, mind settling in a world where I’m at my old house, getting beaten again.
“Stop!”
“What the?”
“Please stop!” I feel big warm arms being wrapped around my body, telling me to calm down and words telling me It’s okay.
Eventually I get out of my stage of panic and then look up at the man holding me in his protective arms.
“I’m sorry!” I cry into Alex’s chest.
“Shh, shh, don’t worry, I’m here, no one will hurt you. I got you, you're safe.” Alex says calmly while I’m still sobbing into his chest.
“Its okay now, I’m sorry for making you feel unsafe. It was my fault, I told you I’d never hurt you.”
I start to smell something burning after he says that. “Daddy, what’s burning and where’s uncle Jack?”
“Oh shit! Jack stop cooking before you burn my house down!” Alex yells still in his makeshift toga, running to the kitchen surprisingly just down the hall.
We end up in the kitchen to see Jack trying to make pancakes, the pan on fire. Alex grabs the fire extinguisher and then puts out the fire.
“Jack were you trying to kill us?” Alex asks jokingly.
“You two were having a moment and I was hungry.” Jack says, shrugging.
“When are you not hungry?”
“When Flyzik cooks, you don’t put cherry syrup on pancakes! That ruins everything!”
“How about we go to IHOP instead, but after Rhythm and I are going to the mall.” Alex says.
“What's IHOP?” I ask, not knowing what it is.
“Alex we have an issue, she doesn’t know what IHOP is, go change and I’ll drive.”
“Jack you are not driving, I’m not ready to die yet.” Alex says, running up the stairs to get changed then coming back in about five minutes.
“Jack where are the keys?” Alex asks seriously.
“I didn’t take them but looking out the window your car isn’t here either.”
“Dammit Tay probably took it.” Alex says, discouraged.
“Can’t we just call the cops on her? She showed up at the party even though I told her not to.”
“Technically we can call on her for trespassing and stealing” I say.
“Jack call the cops when you go home, you know I’m spending the day at the mall with Rhythm.”
“Got it, how are you getting home though?” Jack asks.
“I’ll call Ri, plus remember we go back on tour tomorrow so go pack too.”
“I already know, hand over my keys so we don’t die.”
“ How did you know we were leaving now?” Alex says.
“I know these things” Jack says, handing over the keys as we walk outside to the car. Alex in the drivers seat, Jack in the passenger's side and me in the back.
We get to IHOP and eat our breakfast there, then Alex driving to the mall and when we get there we say goodbye to Jack.
“Okay so where to first?” Alex asks as we walk into the mall.
“I dunno, I’ve never been to the mall before.” I say.
“Okay well what style are you going for?”
“I dunno, I never had much other than a few outfits so I can’t tell you much.”
“That means we’re going everywhere, that's easy enough.” Alex says, dragging me to the first store called Justice.
“Its girly and a place where I more likely be seen, not fun having fangirls crash all over you.” Alex says. “Pick out anything you like, as much as you like, I’m not taking no for an answer so don’t tell me no.”
“Okay dad!” I say, running around and picking out a few tee shirts and a pair of glittered shorts.
I turn to one of the walls and see they have the most beautiful pair of earrings I’ve ever seen, too bad my ears aren’t pierced.
“Alex!” I say stretching out the X in his name.
“Yeah, whatcha need? Are you finished? And am I dad or Alex?” He asks.
“I’m still taking my time getting used to you, so I may call you dad or Alex just until I get comfortable. Also you see the penguin earrings up there?”
“Yeah, you want them? I said anything you want, even a pillow pet they have on the wall.”
“I really like them a lot but I don’t have my ears pierced. Can we get them pierced?”
“Why not, it'll be fun, let me just text Cass to see where she got her piercings done” Alex says getting the earrings and pulling out his phone to text this Cass girl, whoever she is.
After a few minutes Cass texts back Alex and tells him she got hers done at Claire’s, looks like we’re going there today too.
“Okay ready to get your ears pierced?” Alex says after we finished shopping for a few hours.
“Will it hurt?” I ask, getting a bit scared.
“Just a little bit, but you can squeeze my hand as hard as you like when they do it okay sweetie?” Alex says as we walk up to the register to ask for someone.
“Hi I’m Avalon, how may I help you today?” The girl with huge boobs and beach blonde hair says, pushing her cleavage out to get Alex to like her or whatever.
“My daughter would like to get her ears pierced today, my friend Cassadee said to come here.” Alex said.
“Okay well how about we go to that chair over there and I’ll pierce your ears.” Avalon says.
I stay put where I am and change my mind about getting my ears pierced, looking at Avalon I think to myself “She wants Alex, what if he goes out with her, will he still want me, what if I won’t be good enough anymore, what if he sends me back to the orphanage?” and before I know it I’m on the floor crying again because of myself hyperventilating and a panic attack coming on.
I hear some voices talking, “What the hell is she doing?” the snooty girl says, making fun of me. “Make her stop, shes so stupid looking.”
I feel arms wrap around me and telling me kind things. “It’s okay Rhythm, its okay. Don’t worry about her, it’s only me and you right now. No one can hurt you when you're in my arms okay, please come out of your pain.” Alex says, me coming back.
“On what right mind do you think you can say shit about my daughter!” Alex says assertively to Avalon.
“Well she’s ugly of course, and why are there scars all over her? Does she like cut or something?” The moron says, making me feel hurt and tears flow.
“I want to see your boss, you're a sick person.” Alex says, Avalon groaning and getting her boss.
“Hello sir I’m Stacey, what seems to be your problem?” Stacey says.
“I’m Alex Gaskarth, yes you see Avalon had been making fun of my daughter who was having a panic attack right before she was going to get her ears pierced. Also making fun of her bruises and cuts due to a bad relationship from her biological father, I’m her adoptive father. Also she was flirting with me which I think is uncalled for due to that I just got out of a relationship not too long ago” Alex says seriously.
“Not again! Avalon you're fired! What have I told you about flirting and making rude remarks about the customers! “ She says, yelling at Avalon.
“I’m only stating the truth, plus he’s so hot!” Avalon says.
“I just got out of my relationship, what makes you think I want to get in one now, plus I can already see right through you. A girl who chases after boys for their money and sex. I’d never date someone who likes me for my looks or offends my daughter, thats sick.!” Alex yells at her once again.
“Avalon leave this instance or I will call mall security to come after you and they’ll force you to leave.” The manager says.
“Fine I’m leaving!” She yells, while handing her number to Alex. “Text me later hottie.” She whispers in a seductive voice.
Alex flips her off and then the manager turns back to us.
“Now does your daughter still want her ears pierced Mr. Gaskarth?”
Alex knees down to me and asks me if I want to still get it done and I nod yes.
“Well I’ll do it free of charge since you're hassle with Avalon. So sit in the chair and we’ll get started.” Stacey says.
I hop in the chair and grab Alex’s hand like he said I could.
“I’m gonna use this gun to put the earrings in okay?”
I nod and squeeze Alex’s hand as she uses the earring gun.
“Turn your head please” She says and the next earring goes right through my ear. “Okay you're all done, just remember to keep them in for eight weeks and then you can switch your earrings whenever you want. Also be sure to keep them clean with the cleaner I’ll give you and twist them multiple times a day. If you have any issues you can call our store anytime. Any questions?”
“Yes, I go on tour with my band a lot, and I’m going on tour tomorrow. If we have any issues should we still call this store or will any store be fine?” Alex asks.
“You can ask any of our stores, go in or just calling us is fine. I hope you have fun.” Stacey says.
“Thank you for everything, bye.” Alex says and we walk out of the store.
“Alex I’m tired, can you carry me?” I say, tired eyes almost closing.
“Of course, arms up!” Alex says, my arms going up so he can pick me up, holding me close while still holding all of the shopping bags. “We have to be ready to leave in the morning around eight am so I’ll pack up our stuff while you’re in bed..”
“Okay daddy. Night night.” I say, falling asleep to the motions of Alex’s feet walking out of the mall and into the parking lot where Rian waits for us since Alex called earlier.
-------------------------------------
“Sweetheart wake up, we’re home.” Alex says softly. “Rian brought all of the stuff inside, do you still want me to carry you?”
“Please?” I ask.
Alex walks up the stairs and into my room, placing me down gently on my bed.
“I’ve said this a lot but no one, and I mean no one will hurt you when you’re with me. I promise. Now I’m going to pack our bags for tour tomorrow okay? I’ll even use the new suitcase you picked out, the one with hearts and polka dots.” Alex says to me.
“Dad?” I ask. “Will we have beds on the tour bus?”
“Well we’ll have something called bunks, similar to a bed but not as comfy. Also to let you know you and I will have to share a bunk since Matt Flyzik, our tour manager who you’ll meet tomorrow, couldn’t get a bigger tour bus for all of us. We have a big crew, but they’re all kind. Now get some sleep darling, it’s going to be a long day and you’ll have to get up early but you get to see me play on stage, and when you’re ready, maybe you can come up too and sing with me.” Alex says, kindness in each word.
“Can I learn to play guitar? So I can play with you?” I ask hopefully, but with sleepiness in each word.
“Of course, now sleep. I love baby girl.” Alex says, kissing my forehead.
“I love you too dad.” I say as he walks out the door, turning off the light and sleep filling my mind, happy that I have a dad who loves me and I get to go on tour with.
“Do you think she’s sleeping?”
“Her eyes are closed, I think so.”
“Should we wake her up?”
“Do pigs fly?”
“The Glamour Kills logo does.”
“Besides the point.’
“Will you two morons shut up!” I yell, realizing Jack and Alex were the ones talking.
“I think we woke her up.” Jack whispered to Alex.
“I’m gonna get you guys!” I say, getting ready to tackle them.
“Run!” Alex yells, both of the doofuses running out of my room.
“Arggggggg!” I scream, playfully chasing after Jack first, knowing he’ll be an easy target to put my plan in action.
I run around Alex’s wickedly big house till I see Jack running up a flight of stairs and then jokingly trip.
“Jaacckk, I fell, hewlp me.” I say, whimpering in my fake pain noises.
He runs back down the stairs and right when he’s going to help me up I jump on him.
“Rhythm you ass!” He says as I pin him down on the floor.
“Olay, olay, olay, olay!” A random voice yells, I turn around to see Alex yelling in nothing but a bed sheet tied around like a toga.
Then Jack pushing me to the ground, and Alex pinning me down on the floor. I start to get get scared and the panic starts to set in.
“No, no, no dad, please no!” I scream, mind settling in a world where I’m at my old house, getting beaten again.
“Stop!”
“What the?”
“Please stop!” I feel big warm arms being wrapped around my body, telling me to calm down and words telling me It’s okay.
Eventually I get out of my stage of panic and then look up at the man holding me in his protective arms.
“I’m sorry!” I cry into Alex’s chest.
“Shh, shh, don’t worry, I’m here, no one will hurt you. I got you, you're safe.” Alex says calmly while I’m still sobbing into his chest.
“Its okay now, I’m sorry for making you feel unsafe. It was my fault, I told you I’d never hurt you.”
I start to smell something burning after he says that. “Daddy, what’s burning and where’s uncle Jack?”
“Oh shit! Jack stop cooking before you burn my house down!” Alex yells still in his makeshift toga, running to the kitchen surprisingly just down the hall.
We end up in the kitchen to see Jack trying to make pancakes, the pan on fire. Alex grabs the fire extinguisher and then puts out the fire.
“Jack were you trying to kill us?” Alex asks jokingly.
“You two were having a moment and I was hungry.” Jack says, shrugging.
“When are you not hungry?”
“When Flyzik cooks, you don’t put cherry syrup on pancakes! That ruins everything!”
“How about we go to IHOP instead, but after Rhythm and I are going to the mall.” Alex says.
“What's IHOP?” I ask, not knowing what it is.
“Alex we have an issue, she doesn’t know what IHOP is, go change and I’ll drive.”
“Jack you are not driving, I’m not ready to die yet.” Alex says, running up the stairs to get changed then coming back in about five minutes.
“Jack where are the keys?” Alex asks seriously.
“I didn’t take them but looking out the window your car isn’t here either.”
“Dammit Tay probably took it.” Alex says, discouraged.
“Can’t we just call the cops on her? She showed up at the party even though I told her not to.”
“Technically we can call on her for trespassing and stealing” I say.
“Jack call the cops when you go home, you know I’m spending the day at the mall with Rhythm.”
“Got it, how are you getting home though?” Jack asks.
“I’ll call Ri, plus remember we go back on tour tomorrow so go pack too.”
“I already know, hand over my keys so we don’t die.”
“ How did you know we were leaving now?” Alex says.
“I know these things” Jack says, handing over the keys as we walk outside to the car. Alex in the drivers seat, Jack in the passenger's side and me in the back.
We get to IHOP and eat our breakfast there, then Alex driving to the mall and when we get there we say goodbye to Jack.
“Okay so where to first?” Alex asks as we walk into the mall.
“I dunno, I’ve never been to the mall before.” I say.
“Okay well what style are you going for?”
“I dunno, I never had much other than a few outfits so I can’t tell you much.”
“That means we’re going everywhere, that's easy enough.” Alex says, dragging me to the first store called Justice.
“Its girly and a place where I more likely be seen, not fun having fangirls crash all over you.” Alex says. “Pick out anything you like, as much as you like, I’m not taking no for an answer so don’t tell me no.”
“Okay dad!” I say, running around and picking out a few tee shirts and a pair of glittered shorts.
I turn to one of the walls and see they have the most beautiful pair of earrings I’ve ever seen, too bad my ears aren’t pierced.
“Alex!” I say stretching out the X in his name.
“Yeah, whatcha need? Are you finished? And am I dad or Alex?” He asks.
“I’m still taking my time getting used to you, so I may call you dad or Alex just until I get comfortable. Also you see the penguin earrings up there?”
“Yeah, you want them? I said anything you want, even a pillow pet they have on the wall.”
“I really like them a lot but I don’t have my ears pierced. Can we get them pierced?”
“Why not, it'll be fun, let me just text Cass to see where she got her piercings done” Alex says getting the earrings and pulling out his phone to text this Cass girl, whoever she is.
After a few minutes Cass texts back Alex and tells him she got hers done at Claire’s, looks like we’re going there today too.
“Okay ready to get your ears pierced?” Alex says after we finished shopping for a few hours.
“Will it hurt?” I ask, getting a bit scared.
“Just a little bit, but you can squeeze my hand as hard as you like when they do it okay sweetie?” Alex says as we walk up to the register to ask for someone.
“Hi I’m Avalon, how may I help you today?” The girl with huge boobs and beach blonde hair says, pushing her cleavage out to get Alex to like her or whatever.
“My daughter would like to get her ears pierced today, my friend Cassadee said to come here.” Alex said.
“Okay well how about we go to that chair over there and I’ll pierce your ears.” Avalon says.
I stay put where I am and change my mind about getting my ears pierced, looking at Avalon I think to myself “She wants Alex, what if he goes out with her, will he still want me, what if I won’t be good enough anymore, what if he sends me back to the orphanage?” and before I know it I’m on the floor crying again because of myself hyperventilating and a panic attack coming on.
I hear some voices talking, “What the hell is she doing?” the snooty girl says, making fun of me. “Make her stop, shes so stupid looking.”
I feel arms wrap around me and telling me kind things. “It’s okay Rhythm, its okay. Don’t worry about her, it’s only me and you right now. No one can hurt you when you're in my arms okay, please come out of your pain.” Alex says, me coming back.
“On what right mind do you think you can say shit about my daughter!” Alex says assertively to Avalon.
“Well she’s ugly of course, and why are there scars all over her? Does she like cut or something?” The moron says, making me feel hurt and tears flow.
“I want to see your boss, you're a sick person.” Alex says, Avalon groaning and getting her boss.
“Hello sir I’m Stacey, what seems to be your problem?” Stacey says.
“I’m Alex Gaskarth, yes you see Avalon had been making fun of my daughter who was having a panic attack right before she was going to get her ears pierced. Also making fun of her bruises and cuts due to a bad relationship from her biological father, I’m her adoptive father. Also she was flirting with me which I think is uncalled for due to that I just got out of a relationship not too long ago” Alex says seriously.
“Not again! Avalon you're fired! What have I told you about flirting and making rude remarks about the customers! “ She says, yelling at Avalon.
“I’m only stating the truth, plus he’s so hot!” Avalon says.
“I just got out of my relationship, what makes you think I want to get in one now, plus I can already see right through you. A girl who chases after boys for their money and sex. I’d never date someone who likes me for my looks or offends my daughter, thats sick.!” Alex yells at her once again.
“Avalon leave this instance or I will call mall security to come after you and they’ll force you to leave.” The manager says.
“Fine I’m leaving!” She yells, while handing her number to Alex. “Text me later hottie.” She whispers in a seductive voice.
Alex flips her off and then the manager turns back to us.
“Now does your daughter still want her ears pierced Mr. Gaskarth?”
Alex knees down to me and asks me if I want to still get it done and I nod yes.
“Well I’ll do it free of charge since you're hassle with Avalon. So sit in the chair and we’ll get started.” Stacey says.
I hop in the chair and grab Alex’s hand like he said I could.
“I’m gonna use this gun to put the earrings in okay?”
I nod and squeeze Alex’s hand as she uses the earring gun.
“Turn your head please” She says and the next earring goes right through my ear. “Okay you're all done, just remember to keep them in for eight weeks and then you can switch your earrings whenever you want. Also be sure to keep them clean with the cleaner I’ll give you and twist them multiple times a day. If you have any issues you can call our store anytime. Any questions?”
“Yes, I go on tour with my band a lot, and I’m going on tour tomorrow. If we have any issues should we still call this store or will any store be fine?” Alex asks.
“You can ask any of our stores, go in or just calling us is fine. I hope you have fun.” Stacey says.
“Thank you for everything, bye.” Alex says and we walk out of the store.
“Alex I’m tired, can you carry me?” I say, tired eyes almost closing.
“Of course, arms up!” Alex says, my arms going up so he can pick me up, holding me close while still holding all of the shopping bags. “We have to be ready to leave in the morning around eight am so I’ll pack up our stuff while you’re in bed..”
“Okay daddy. Night night.” I say, falling asleep to the motions of Alex’s feet walking out of the mall and into the parking lot where Rian waits for us since Alex called earlier.
-------------------------------------
“Sweetheart wake up, we’re home.” Alex says softly. “Rian brought all of the stuff inside, do you still want me to carry you?”
“Please?” I ask.
Alex walks up the stairs and into my room, placing me down gently on my bed.
“I’ve said this a lot but no one, and I mean no one will hurt you when you’re with me. I promise. Now I’m going to pack our bags for tour tomorrow okay? I’ll even use the new suitcase you picked out, the one with hearts and polka dots.” Alex says to me.
“Dad?” I ask. “Will we have beds on the tour bus?”
“Well we’ll have something called bunks, similar to a bed but not as comfy. Also to let you know you and I will have to share a bunk since Matt Flyzik, our tour manager who you’ll meet tomorrow, couldn’t get a bigger tour bus for all of us. We have a big crew, but they’re all kind. Now get some sleep darling, it’s going to be a long day and you’ll have to get up early but you get to see me play on stage, and when you’re ready, maybe you can come up too and sing with me.” Alex says, kindness in each word.
“Can I learn to play guitar? So I can play with you?” I ask hopefully, but with sleepiness in each word.
“Of course, now sleep. I love baby girl.” Alex says, kissing my forehead.
“I love you too dad.” I say as he walks out the door, turning off the light and sleep filling my mind, happy that I have a dad who loves me and I get to go on tour with.
Notes
I know its been five days and I haven't updated. I'm not gonna lie and say I was busy, because I was honestly sitting on my butt not doing much and waited till now to write.Till darkness completes us
~Sarah's Butterflies
Also check out the fan fic I'm writing with Nickie called "The Forgotten Five"
thank you :)
9/4/13