Hellbent
Chapter 19
Destiny and Daydreams
Makayla and Ashley continued their night, talking and laughing together. Makayla reached into her handbag and presented Ashley with the flier for ‘MetallgazmFest’.
The black flier featured a lineup of various bands. The headlining band was ‘Torturgazm’ perched at the top in the largest font. Beneath them were the following band names: Possessed Pestilence, Stormy Weather, MegaSlayer, Axe Beest, Nuklear Intoxikation, Thriller Killer, Skullkrush, Snakepoison, Venom Vendetta, and more to be announced.
Ashley beamed widely when he saw ‘Nuklear Intoxikation’ listed on the flier with their sharp and jagged neon green logo.
Ashley: “Wow, that’s pawesome! I’m so happy for you, Makayla!”
He beamed and scurried into his bedroom.
Makayla: “What are you doing?”
She laughed and followed him into his bedroom.
Her eyes widened when she saw Ashley hanging the flier on his wall beside his bed. It stood out amongst all the colourful bohemian decorations in his bedroom.
Ashley: “Showing you my support!”
He beamed. Makayla’s eyes widened.
Makayla: “Aww, you’re such a sweetheart.”
She said softly.
Ashley: “What’s wrong? You don’t seem excited?”
He knit his eyebrows, placing his hand on her shoulder. Makayla drew a breath and sat down on his bed.
Makayla: “I always dreamed of being on that tour… It’s what I always wanted.”
She sighed, looking at the flier on the wall.
Makayla: “But… certain people kill it for me…”
She pursed her lips.
Ashley: “Oh, do you mean Veronika?”
He pressed her, sitting down beside her. Makayla paused.
Makayla: “Yeah… mostly…”
Her voice trailed off.
Ashley: “It’s Craig, huh?”
He pressed her, gazing at her. Makayla was caught up in his bright blue eyes and didn’t answer.
Ashley: “I understand… He dropped in the other day…”
He bowed his head. Makayla drew back to gape at him.
Makayla: “What?! The fuck was he doing HERE?”
She gaped at him disbelievingly.
Ashley: “He followed me home because he wanted to fight Blake for Andreas…”
He sighed.
Makayla: “WHAT?!”
She shot up from the bed as her fury soared.
Ashley: “Yeah! Blake and Andreas are dating now!”
His tone brightened.
Makayla: “Did Craig HURT you?!”
She cried, placing her hands on his shoulders. Ashley blushed and swallowed hard.
Ashley: “Well… he pushed me and Blake into the bindiis, but my friend–”
He shuddered.
Makayla: “THAT BIG OAF!”
She rasped.
Makayla: “I’m so sorry, Ashley.”
She pulled him into a hug. Ashley reddened as his face was smooshed against her breasts.
Ashley: “Makayla, can I ask you a question?”
He muffled and stammered between her breasts. Makayla paused and glanced down at him, pulling away from the hug. Her heart pounded in her chest, and her face reddened.
Makayla: “Yes, Ashley?”
She asked breathlessly, giving him a half-lidded stare.
Ashley ran his fingers through his ombre tresses.
Ashley: “I know Craig is your brother, but… why do you stay in the band with him?”
He began slowly and nervously.
Ashley: “Why don’t you make your own band? You don’t seem happy in Nuklear… so, why stay?”
He asked with sincere curiosity. Makayla’s eyes widened, taken aback by his questions and observations.
Ashley: “…Does he have something over your head?”
He finally asked and swallowed hard, curious if her situation mirrored his with Maxx. Makayla shook her head to that question.
Makayla: “It’s complicated… Maybe I should start from the beginning…”
She pondered.
Makayla: “It all started back in Golden Shore…”
Ashley’s eyebrows rose surprisingly.
Ashley: “Wait, you’re from Golden Shore?!”
Makayla nodded.
Makayla: “Our broad accents didn’t give it away?”
She chuckled.
Ashley: “Maybe it didn’t stand out to me ‘cause we’re from Koala State too…”
He stated.
Makayla: “No shit. Your accent gave it away.”
She laughed. Ashley chuckled.
Makayla: “But what threw me off was how you didn’t understand slang or much of the world; it was like you were from another planet or grew up somewhere secluded. When you told me you were raised in a cult, it made sense!”
She stated. Ashley drew back.
Ashley: “Uhh, I didn’t say it was a cult?! It’s not!”
He pouted.
Ashley: “Anyway, we’re supposed to be discussing you, not me!”
He waved his hand, switching the subject. Makayla gave him a look.
Makayla: “Alright, Ashley, I’ll answer your questions…”
She nodded.
Makayla: “But then I get to ask you some questions…”
She bore her gaze onto him.
Ashley: “O-oh? Alright…”
His curiosity and nerves were piqued. What was it she wanted to ask me? He thought. Makayla smiled at him and turned to gaze out the window.
~
Flashback to GoldenShore, Koala State, 1976.
Twelve-year-old Makayla gazed out of her bedroom window at the bayside views as she listened to rock music on her radio. She had shoulder-length curly blonde hair with thick bangs and wore a white dress. Outside her window, Craig and Kurt were in the backyard playing wrestling together in the wrestling ring Craig had built out of scrap wood and metal he had found on the roadside. Craig had short curly hair and wore jeans and a black T-shirt. Kurt wore a small afro hairstyle, jeans, and a T-shirt.
A rock song came on her radio with blaring guitars, and she turned up the volume, getting into the tune. Her eyes widened when she heard the vocals.
Makayla: “WOW! Is that a girl?!”
Her eyes sparkled as she was given an electrifying awakening that pulsed through her like nothing had before.
Makayla: “I didn’t know girls could do rock music, too!”
She beamed with stars in her eyes.
She looked out the window again to see her parents doting on Craig’s Football trophy. Her father had a muscular build like Craig’s. He had the same haircut, and he was dressed in the same tight black t-shirt and jeans. His face was crossed out with a cartoon dick scribbled over it. The woman beside him had a short build, dark skin, and blond curly hair. The woman sobbed happy tears all over Craig.
Mother: “Oh, Craig, we’re so proud of you! You’re going to be a STAR.”
She cooed at him.
Father: “Our golden son is destined for greatness!”
A toothy grin spread across his entire dick-scribbled face.
Makayla stuck her head out the window, interjecting.
Makayla: “I want to be a star, too! I want to be a rockstar!”
She beamed proudly. Her family stared blankly at her. Her father scoffed and laughed.
Craig: “But that’s for boys!”
He said dumbly.
Makayla: “Why is it only for boys?!”
She cried.
Father: “You’re a girl! You’re destined to be a wife to your husband and mother to your children.”
He waved his finger at her. Makayla pouted.
Makayla: “But… I don’t wanna do that. I don’t like boys, and I don’t want children! I want to be a rockstar!”
She stamped her feet with a huff.
Mother: “This is just a phase, honey. You will grow out of this when you get older. When you meet the right man, you will forget all about this.”
She said gently. Makayla sighed.
~
Two years later, Makayla was fourteen years old, and the year was 1978.
Blonde curls fell to the floor at Makayla’s feet. She was dressed in a floral, orange, collared dress with brown boots. Craig barged into the room, wide-jawed at her messy shag haircut.
Criag: “Holy shit… Mum ‘n dad are gonna kill you!”
He gasped and laughed at all the hair on the floor.
Makayla: “It’s just hair. It will grow out, like how I’ll grow out of this when I find a man.”
She said sarcastically, heading for the door.
Craig: “Where are ya goin’?”
Makayla: “Shopping!”
She raised the pitch of her voice with a giggle, twirling her hair.
Craig: “Oh, no you ain’t! I ain’t gonna let my fourteen-year-old sister wander the streets alone!”
He folded his arms.
Makayla: “I can take care of myself, Craig!”
She huffed.
Craig: “I’m drivin’ ya ‘n comin’ with ya!”
He insisted, grabbing his car keys.
Makayla: “Fine.”
She relented.
~
Later, Craig and Makayla arrived downtown at the local Thrift Store by the beach. ‘Goldenshore’ beach was a popular tourist destination and it was always buzzing with people from all over the world. Makayla scanned the clothing racks, grousing at the colourful, pastel, and floral garments in the women’s section.
Makayla: “Do you have anything in black?”
She asked the cashier. The cashier was an elderly man who gave her a quizzical look.
Old Cashier: “Fraid not, little lady.”
Makayla swung her gaze over to the men’s section and beamed at the denim jacket with studs on the shoulders.
Makayla: “I want this!”
She eagerly tore it from the rack and presented it to him.
Old Cashier: “For your brother?”
He nodded to Craig, clumsily knocking over clothing racks.
Craig: “Ah, fuck.”
Makayla rolled her eyes.
Makayla: “No, for me!”
She beamed, holding the jacket up to herself. Craig gaped at her and laughed.
Craig: “That’s a boy’s jacket, Kayla!”
Makayla shrugged into the jacket that was two sizes too big for her.
Makayla: “So?!”
She reached into her bag and paid for it with her coins.
~
Later, Makayla and Craig arrived back home with Makayla’s new purchases. She was dressed in a black T-shirt, bell bottom jeans, and a denim-studded jacket. Their parents stood there, gaping widely at them.
Mother: “Makayla?! What are you wearing?! What did you do to your beautiful hair?!”
She cried, pulling at her jacket and shaggy-cut hair. Her father’s dick-scribbled head grew large and filled the entire room with rage.
Father: “How will you ever get a man now?! You ruined yourself! What man would want you?!”
He bellowed to her. His cruel words slashed at her, leaving scars that would never heal.
~
Cut back to present day, 1985
Ashley: “You didn’t ruin yourself! You found yourself!”
He interjected. Makayla turned to him, stunned.
Ashley: “Why would they want you to be with someone who wouldn’t want you to be yourself?”
He tilted his head. Makayla smiled at him.
Ashley: “If someone doesn’t want you to be yourself, they don’t love you! You should be with someone who wants you to be a rockstar!”
He added. Makayla beamed at him with a tear in her eye.
Makayla: “You’re so wise and sweet, Ashley…”
She said softly, pulling him into a hug. Ashley’s eyes widened, and he wrapped his arms around her.
Ashley: “...Me? Wise?”
He laughed disbelievingly. Makayla smiled and nodded at him.
Makayla: “Very…”
She poked his button nose with her fingertip. Ashley blushed.
Ashley: “...That’s the first time anyone’s said that about me…”
He pursed his lips.
Ashley: “Blake treats me like a child, and Maxx thinks I’m the biggest idiot in the world.”
He laughed bitterly.
Makayla: “I know exactly how you feel…”
She assured him, placing her hand on his shoulder.
~
Cut to Flashback, 1979, Makayla was now fifteen years old.
Makayla arrived home one night in her ‘Voyage Burger’ uniform, consisting of her Vermillion red dress with a horned headband. She beamed with glee at the shiny new guitar she bought. It was a ruby red Epiphone Explorer with a black guard and knobs on it.
Craig barged into her room, startling her with his intrusion.
Craig: “Oi sis, you seen my camping knife anywhere?”
He pressed her. Makayla gasped and stood in front of her guitar on the bed.
Craig: “...What’s that?”
His eyes were drawn to the shiny object on her bed, beaming under the light.
Craig: “HOLY SHIT! IS THAT A GUITAR?! WICKED SICK!”
He beamed excitedly, rushing over to it and picking it up. Makayla froze like a deer in headlights.
Suddenly, their father’s booming voice and footsteps pounded into the bedroom.
Father: “WHAT?!”
He stuck his scribbled dick face into the bedroom, shaking with rage.
Father: “What is THAT?!”
Makayla: “...A guitar.”
She stammered.
Father: “YOU’RE STEALING NOW?!”
Makayla: “NO! I didn’t steal it! I paid for it myself! I’ve been working at Voyage Burger… and I saved up ALL my money for it!”
She blurted and cried. Her father gaped at her.
Father: “WHAT?!”
Her mother entered the room and shook her head.
Mother: “Why can’t you just be a normal girl, Makayla…”
She sighed with a disappointed look on her face that burned through to her soul.
Father: “I’m taking this BACK to the store!”
He fired back, picking up the guitar. Makayla’s heart sank. Craig grabbed the guitar from him.
Craig: “NO! WAIT! It’s MY guitar.”
He jumped in, grabbing the guitar off him. They all gaped at him.
Craig: “Kayla was just coverin’ for me ‘cause she didn’t want me to get in trouble for blowin’ ALL my money on it!”
He shifted his eyes. Their parents' demeanors shifted.
Father: “So, you wanna be a rockstar, huh? I’m proud of you for working hard for it!”
He grinned at Craig, patting his back.
Mother: “Why didn’t you tell us you wanted to be a musician?”
She smiled at him.
Craig: “...Surprise?”
He laughed awkwardly. Makayla felt like her soul was being crushed into pieces as she disintegrated into nothing.
When their parents left the room, Makayla bore her hateful glare onto Craig.
Makayla: “Go to hell! Rock ‘n roll was all I had! I can’t have anything that’s mine! And you take this from me, too?!”
She cried and pounded his chest. Craig handed her guitar back to her.
Craig: “It’s yours! I ain’t takin’ it from ya!”
He declared. Makayla stepped back and gaped at him.
Craig: “And… I wanna rock out with you…”
He confessed. Makayla was taken aback by his response.
Makayla: “...What?! Really?!”
Tears welled up in her eyes.
~
A few months later.
Makayla entered the garage where Craig sat down on the stool, strumming her guitar, stumbling to play ‘Smoke On the Water’, his hair was now chin-length.
Makayla: “Not bad, but you gotta play the G there after F.”
She gestured to the fretboard. Craig blinked mutely at her.
Craig: “Wha?”
Makayla took her guitar from his hands and slowly demonstrated the song with her fingers in the position of G and F chords.
Makayla: “Like this! Slow down. You’re trying to play too fast. Learn the chords slowly and then speed up when you got them down.”
She explained and played the riff slowly, gradually picking up speed. Craig brightened.
Craig: “Fuck yeah, that’s wicked sick!”
He smiled and nodded, taking the guitar back and trying again.
Makayla: “So, who’s the girl, Craig?”
She teased. Craig froze and shifted his eyes.
Craig: “...W-what?!”
Makayla: “Oh, please. All of a sudden, you want to be a musician?!”
She laughed.
Craig: “There ain’t no girl.”
He pouted.
Andreas entered the garage. He had shoulder-length black hair and was dressed in a black t-shirt with jeans. Craig reddened at the sight before him.
Andreas: “H-hey, Craig, ready for Galactic Wars?”
He asked meekly. Makayla quirked an eyebrow at Craig.
Makayla: “You're seeing Galactic Wars?”
She laughed at him disbelievingly. Craig shifted his eyes. Andreas’ face lit up at the sight of the guitar.
Andreas: “Wow! I didn’t know you played guitar, too!”
He smiled and blushed. Craig grinned tightly and reddened.
Craig: “Fuck yeah, I do! I learned this song for you!”
He locked his gaze onto him and started strumming Smoke on the Water, stumbling over his chords.
Craig: “Fuck! I messed it up!”
He pouted. Andreas smiled at him and placed his hand on his shoulder.
Andreas: “That’s ok!”
He assured him.
Andreas: “That’s so sweet that you learned a song for me!”
He beamed. Craig’s face reddened like a tomato. Makayla smirked at them.
Makayla: “Ohhhhh, I get it now! You’re in love!”
She squealed and beamed. Craig knit his eyebrows and covered her mouth.
Craig: “Shhhh!”
He shushed her, flicking his gaze at their parents’ bedroom window.
~
Cut back to present day, 1985
Ashley: “Uhh, why didn’t Craig want you telling your parents about Andreas? I thought your parents wanted you to find a man, and he did?”
He tilted his head.
Makayla: “No, Ash, they wanted ME to find a man. They wanted Craig to find a woman.”
She corrected him. Ashley arched an eyebrow.
Ashley: “Uhh, I don’t think Craig is into women, though… he seems to like Andreas more than his girlfriend…”
He scratched his head.
Makayla: “No shit. He only keeps Veronika around to appease Leon’s golden boy standards.”
She fielded bitterly.
Ashley: “Leon?”
Makayla nodded.
Makayla: “I refuse to call him my dad.”
She huffed. Ashley knit his eyebrows.
Ashley: “I wish I could call my dad…”
He sighed sadly. Makayla gave him a quizzical look
Makayla: “Oh, did your dad run off on you? I wish mine did that…”
She huffed bitterly. Ashley shook his head, and he shot up from the bed.
Ashley: “NO! He didn’t run off! He went missing with my mum!”
He blurted and trembled. Makayla gaped at him with widened eyes, taken aback by his emotional response.
Makayla: “I’m sorry, Ashley…”
She knit her eyebrows, reaching out to his hand. Ashley softened to her touch.
Makayla: “What happened?”
Ashley sighed and sat back down on the bed.
Ashley: “We don’t know… they left one day and never came back… I was only sixteen.”
He said slowly, caught up in a daze. Makayla put her arm around him.
Ashley: “Then… Blake became my dad. ”
He smiled a bit.
Ashley: “I guess that makes Andreas my step-mum… or step-dad.”
He chuckled a bit.
Makayla: “That’s cute.”
She smiled at him.
Ashley: “O-OH! I’m sorry about bumming you out and derailing your story!”
He exclaimed, waving his hands.
Makayla: “Not at all… I’m glad you shared that with me… I’m glad you’re being more open…”
She admitted. Ashley smiled a bit.
Ashley: “Uhh, so, how did Nuklear Intoxikation come about?”
He asked. Makayla drew a breath.
Makayla: “Craig wanted a ’guitar' with ‘four strings’ because it’s ‘easier’ to play and makes ‘cooler’ noises, so he got a bass guitar for his birthday…”
She laughed bitterly.
Ashley: “Wait, your parents bought him a guitar but got mad at you for buying yours?!”
He gaped. Makayla pursed her lips and nodded.
Makayla: “Yeah…”
Her voice trailed off.
~
Flashback to 1980. Makayla was now sixteen years old.
Makayla entered the garage to see Craig and Andreas jamming together. Craig had a shiny new black ‘Squier classic’ bass guitar. He plucked his bass guitar strings with glee as Andreas played a rhythm to it on his black ‘Squier Stratocaster’ guitar, smiling at Craig. Craig looked up at Makayla.
Craig: “Hey, Kayla! Wanna join us?”
He beamed at her, gesturing to her ‘Ruby red Epiphone Explorer’ guitar in the corner..
Makayla: “No, thanks.”
She mumbled bitterly. Craig pursed his lips, putting his guitar down and approaching her.
Craig: “I wanted my own guitar so I don’t gotta keep pesterin’ ya to borrow yours…”
He explained.
Craig: “And… I wanted to jam with you ‘n Andreas at the same time!”
He beamed, picking up her guitar and handing it to her. Makayla sighed and took her guitar.
Makayla: “What, like a band?”
She deadpanned. Craig’s face lit up with glee.
Craig: “HOLY FUCK! LET’S MAKE A BAND!”
He bounced around the room with excitement. Andreas smiled widely. They had never seen him look so happy before.
Andreas: “R-really?! I’ve always wanted to be in a band!”
He beamed excitedly.
Makayla: “Me too…”
She smiled a bit, strumming her guitar.
They heard footsteps behind them and turned to see Leon and their mother standing there. Makayla sighed and braced herself for an earful.
Leon: “What’s going on here?”
He folded his arms across his chest.
Craig: “Hey dad, we made a band!”
He grinned excitedly.
Leon: “That’s so cool, Craig! What’s your band called?”
He grinned at him. Craig shifted his eyes around the garage.
Craig: “Uhh…. couch… garage… Couch Garage?”
He pondered. Makayla and Andreas looked unimpressed. Leon burst out laughing.
Leon: “That’s BRILLIANT, son!”
He cackled. Makayla rolled her eyes. Craig could shit on the rug and he’d think it’s brilliant, she thought bitterly.
Leon: “You boys have fun.”
Makayla glared at him.
Makayla: “I’m in the band, too!”
She stamped her heel. Their mother sighed.
Leon: “Like hell you are!”
He fired back at her. Their mother placed her hand on Leon’s shoulder.
Mother: “Don’t worry, Leon. Craig will look out for her and keep her out of trouble. It’s just a teenage phase. Let her get this out of her system. She will be a woman soon.”
She assured him. Makayla bowed her head. It's NOT a phase, mum, she thought. Leon scrunched his hands and sighed.
Leon: “Fine. But she better stop this nonsense when she becomes an adult!”
He huffed and stormed back into the house.
~
Two years later, in 1982, Makayla was now eighteen years old.
Makayla had freshly dyed purple hair and was dressed in her studded denim jacket with a short leather skirt. She packed her guitar into its case in a huff.
Makayla: “I’m tired of living in your shadow, Craig! I want my own life! I want to carve my own path with MY band!”
She huffed, stuffing her clothing into a suitcase.
Makayla: “I want something to call my own… I want something that’s mine!”
She cried, placing her hand to her chest.
Craig: “Please, Kayla! Don’t leave! I’ll let you sing on some of the tracks!”
He pleaded with her as she marched out of her room with her guitar.
Makayla: “I don’t just want to be a backup singer! I want to be THE singer. I want to be the leader! I want my own band, Craig!”
She declared, turning her heel to him.
Craig: “Oh yeah, you ‘n what band?!”
He pouted bitterly.
Makayla: “I made a band with Savannah and Krystal!”
She declared.
Craig: “A CHICK BAND?!”
He snorted and laughed. Makayla glared at him and gnashed her teeth.
Makayla: “Yes, Craig, a CHICK BAND! Laugh it up now! But I’ll show YOU!”
She waved her finger in his face. She turned on her heel and stormed out of the house.
She marched over to an orange XY Falcon van, hovering on the curbside. Savannah stuck her head out from the driver’s seat window. The silhouette of another young woman could be seen in the backseat.
Leon and her mother emerged from the house. Leon flared up, and her mother huddled into herself, cupping her mouth.
Father: “Where do you think you’re going?!”
He grumbled, marching after her.
Makayla: “Out of here! I’m FINALLY eighteen and free of YOU! I’m going to make it on my own!”
She fired back at him, stamping her feet. Leon fell back and went numb.
Mother: “Please, Makayla, be rational! Three young girls on their own isn’t a good idea!”
She pleaded with her.
Makayla: “We can take care of ourselves, mum!”
She assured her. Craig stepped forward.
Craig: “Rock ‘n roll is a boys club, Kayla! You know what kinds of guys are in rock ‘n roll?!”
He knit his eyebrows.
Makayla: “Yes, Craig, guys like YOU!”
She countered.
Craig: “There’s worse guys than me out there!”
He folded his arms over his chest.
Makayla: “And I can handle them.”
She said indignantly. Savannah blew her horn.
Savannah: “Come on, girl, hurry up! We gotta get on the road!”
Makayla turned to the van.
Makayla: “Let’s get this show on the road!”
She exclaimed and climbed in with them. They watched as the XY Falcon sped off down the street and disappeared over the horizon.
~
Cut to Swanton, Platypus State, 1982
Makayla stood centre stage with her Epiphone Explorer guitar, swaying her hips in tune with the music and singing into the microphone. She sang with a raspy, feminine voice, surrounded by smoke and neon lights. Savannah was on drums behind her, and Krystal strummed on the bass guitar with her face crossed out. A banner hung behind them that read ‘Abyssinian’ written in crude market on a bedsheet with a crudely drawn cat head.
Makayla: “I no longer live in the shadows.”
She rasped into the microphone.
Makayla: “What is golden isn’t bright.”
She strummed her guitar.
Makayla: “I earned my right to fight!”
She sang and strummed her guitar.
Makayla: “I’m gonna make it on my owwwwwwn!”
They all sang the chorus together in unison with Makayla.
Makayla: “My life is not yours to owwwwwwwwn!”
They all sang the chorus together in unison with Makayla.
The crowd cheered and danced along with the music. A man stood among the crowd with a slim physique. The darkness of the club obscured the man's features.
Everything was scribbled out and blacked out.
~
Present day, 1985.
Makayla: “Swanton wasn’t kind…”
Her voice trailed off as she abruptly stopped.
Ashley: “Wait, Swanton?! That’s where Maxx is from!”
He interjected.
Makayla: “Yeah…”
Her voice trailed off.
Ashley: “Makayla? Are you ok? What happened?”
He knit his eyebrows, placing his hand on hers. Makayla smiled down at his hand on hers.
Makayla: “I messed everything up!”
She swallowed hard.
Makayla: “I couldn’t do it…”
She sighed.
Ashley: “Couldn’t do what?”
He knit his eyebrows.
Makayla: “I couldn’t make it on my own…”
She finally said. Her voice dropped defeatedly.
~
Cut back to the middle of nowhere, 1982.
Makayla was stranded alone in the middle of nowhere on an empty highway. Her cheeks were stained with mascara and tears, looking broken-spirited and defeated.
Craig’s jeep pulled up beside her. Makayla closed her eyes and sighed with relief and dread. The relief of being saved but the dread of facing her failures. She walked to the passenger’s side of the car and got in.
Makayla glanced down at her feet as she bowed her head, unable to look him in the eye.
Makayla: “I’m not going back to Golden Shore, Craig… “
She sighed defeatedly.
Makayla: “And I’m NEVER going back to Swanton…”
She glared at the cityscape getting smaller in the rearview mirror.
They stopped at an intersection that had signs pointing in opposite directions. The sign to the left pointed to ‘Koala State’ and the sign to the right pointed to ‘Possum State’
Craig: “We ain’t goin’ back.”
He said with a glint in his eye. Makayla’s eyebrows rose surprisingly at him.
Craig: “We’re goin’ to Selene Valley!”
He grinned, turning right and heading towards ‘Possum State’
Makayla: “WHAT?! Why?!”
She laughed at him disbelievingly.
Craig: “Cos…Andreas ‘n his dad moved down there ‘n I wanted to be there with him…”
He admitted in a small voice. Makayla smiled a bit.
Makayla: “Ohh, so it’s that serious, huh?”
Craig: “Yeah, and they have a wicked sick metal scene there, too! We can make it big there!”
He added with a grin.
Makayla: “What do you mean we?”
She pressed him.
Craig: “You, me, Andreas ‘n Kurt! Nuklear Intoxikation!”
He beamed. Makayla paused to gape at him.
Makayla: “Craig… I told you…”
She sighed. Craig held his hand up, interjecting.
Craig: “Kayla! I just drove EIGHT HOURS out to fuckin’ woop woop to rescue ya cos your bandmates ditched ya out here!”
He reminded her.
Makayla: “It wasn’t them who ditched me out here, Craig…”
She mumbled.
Craig: “Yeah, well, look what happened when you ran off on your own! You NEED us!”
He stated.
Craig: “...And WE need you…”
He admitted earnestly. Makayla pursed her lips and swallowed her pride.
Makayla: “Alright… I’ll come back to Nuklear…”
She sighed.
~
Cut back to present day, 1985
Ashley: “So… Craig saved your life.”
He looked shocked. Makayla nodded.
Makayla: “Yeah, if he hadn’t dragged me down here, well… I wouldn’t have met you.”
She smiled up at him. Ashley smiled back at her.
Ashley: “ I guess it was destiny that our paths crossed then?”
He laughed and scratched his head. Makayla turned to Ashley.
Makayla: “Now, it’s my turn to ask you something…”
She began, leaning in closer to him.
Makayla: “Why do you let a loser like Maxx push you around?! Come on, Ashley. You’re way too good for him!”
She pressed him with frustration and curiosity. Ashley was taken aback by her question, shifting on the bed, terrified to tell her. I’m a big fat lame baking murderer, he thought to himself.
Makayla: “You’re sweet, you’re funny, you’re talented, and you’re sexy.”
She confessed, drawing closer to him. He reddened to her kind words that contrasted his inner thoughts about himself.
Ashley: “R-really?!”
Makayla climbed on top of him, pinning him to the bed. Ashley’s eyes widened, and his heart hammered in his chest.
Makayla: “So… what does he have over you?”
She said breathlessly, whispering in his ear.
Ashley: “Hehehehe, he’s not over me, you are!”
He shivered and giggled, gazing up at her. Makayla smiled at him beneath her.
Makayla: “You have a cute laugh.”
She teased and tickled his sides and tummy with her fingertips.
Ashley: “HAHAHAHAHHAHAH HEHEHEEEEEE! OHOHOHO WOW! HEHEHEHEHEHEHE!”
He squealed and squirmed.
Makayla: “Aww, you’re so ticklish!”
She teased him and grabbed at his tummy, feet, and arms.
Ashley: “AHAHAHHAHAH EHEHHAHEHEEEE! MAKAYAAHAHAHAALAAAAAAA!EHEHEHEEEE! HEHEHEHEHEHEH”
He shrieked, squirming beneath her.
Suddenly, the door burst open, and Maxx barged in with his obnoxiously large cowboy boot.
Maxx: “IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT, A-RAD! JACKY-BABE GOT ANGRY WITH ME COS OF YOU!”
He shrieked. Makayla and Ashley froze like deer in headlights. Maxx’s jaw dropped.
Maxx: “OHHH, NAH-AH!”
He whined, stamping his feet.
Maxx: “YOU TRAITOR, A-RAD! SHE DOESN’T WANT TO FUCK YOU! SHE WANTS MEEE!”
He screeched. Makayla glared at Maxx.
Makayla: “Fuck OFF, CLOWN!!”
She climbed off Ashley and slammed the door in Maxx’s face.
Makayla: “You REALLY need a lock.”
She shook her head and turned back to Ashley.
Makayla: “Now… where were we…”
She purred at him, climbing back into the bed with him.
Ashley: “O-oh, uh, you were asking me about Maxx…”
He sighed. Makayla pressed her finger to his lip.
Makayla: “We’ll come back to that... but there’s another pressing matter…”
She smirked, placing her hand on his cheek and locking her gaze on him.
Ashley: “Oh, like what?”
He stammered.
She pulled him close to her, kissing him on the lips. Ashley’s eyes widened, taken by surprise. He kissed her back, and they shared a passionate embrace. Makayla pulled off his poncho and tossed it aside, running her fingers down his chest and undoing his buttons. Ashley chuckled and delicately ran his fingers through her hair as he kissed her. Makayla stroked her hand down his chest and tummy to the edge of his belt, tugging at it. Ashley paused and pulled back.
Ashley: “Wait, wait!”
He exclaimed, placing his hand over his belt buckle.
Makayla: “What’s wrong, Ashley?”
She knit her eyebrows.
Ashley: “I really like you, and you’re so beautiful… but I’m not ready for that.”
He said softly, bowing his head.
Ashley: “I’ve never made love before and… I want to get to know you.”
He said gently. Makayla smiled at him, taken by surprise at his response.
Makayla: “That’s ok, Ashley. We don’t have to do anything you’re not comfortable with.”
She assured him. Ashley brightened.
Makayla: “You’re worth the wait, and I want to get to know you, too.”
She smiled at him. Ashley smiled back at her.
Makayla sighed and flopped onto the bed, looking up at the ‘MetallgazmFest’ poster on the wall. Do you really want to know me, Ashley? She thought. Ashley glanced down at her, knitting his eyebrows.
Ashley: “Is everything ok?”
He placed his hand on hers.
Makayla: “Yeah, I’m just thinking about Metallgazm…”
She flashed him a smile.
Ashley: “Aww, don’t be nervous! I know what will cheer you up!”
He assured her. Makayla flicked her gaze over to him.
Makayla: “What?”
She chuckled. Ashley picked up a feathered cat toy, licking his lips.
Ashley: “Laughter is the BEST medicine!”
He giggled deviously, dangling the feathered cat toy over her tummy.
Makayla: “HAHAH AHAHA HEEHEHEHAHAAHAHAH HEY!”
She gasped and squirmed on the bed. Ashley danced the feathered cat toy across her feet over the bed.
Makayla: “HAHEHEHEHEHEHE AHAHAHAH ASHLEYEEEEEE! MMM MHEEHEHEHAHH!”
She squealed and scrunched her toes.
Maxx stood outside the bedroom door pouting, red as a tomato.
Maxx: “NOOOOOOOOAW! She wants to fuck MAXXY!”
He fell to his knees, sulking.
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