Room Of Plastic Flowers

*BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP…SLAM* Lucy hit her alarm clock with such force that it made her cat do summer-salts in the air. She looked over at her clock which read, 7:32 am. Why on earth was her alarm set so early on a Saturday morning? Then a dimmed light bulb appeared at the side of her head…so she switched it on.

Lucy: OMG! How could I have forgotten the most important day of my life…the day I’ve been waiting for…the day all my hard work will pay off!

Oh yes, you guessed it, Lucy was going to a Lifehouse concert. Lucy scrabbled out of bed and ran to the bathroom. She ripped off her clothes, bushed her teeth, combed her hair, and shaved her legs all at the same time (Lucy’s got mad skills). After the party in the bathroom was finished, she began searching her room for the Lifehouse t-shirt that she had made the night before, “Lifehouse…the other other white meat.” Not having any luck, she ran down stairs to the kitchen where her mom was getting ready to leave for work.

Mom: What on earth are you doing up so early…and with so much energy?

Lucy: *catching her breath* Oh…no…particular reason…

Mom: *pause* It has something to do with Lifehouse, doesn’t it?

Lucy: Ummm….no….

Mom: Uh huh…I thought so. *she grabs her toast and gets ready to go out the door*

Lucy: Hey, have you seen my Lifehouse shirt? I spent the entire night making it and now I can’t find it anywhere!

Mom: Oh, I put it in the wash for you.

Lucy: Mom! You didn’t! I have to leave in like 10 minutes, there’s no time to put it in the dryer!

Mom: *half listening* Sorry Hun, gotta go!

And with that, Lucy’s mother scooted out the door. Determined to wear the shirt that she had worked so hard and lost much needed sleep on, Lucy pulled it out of the washer and tried to dry it with hair dryer as fast as she could. The time was now 8:23 am. She had to go pick up her best buddy, Josie, at her house, then drive 5 hours to the concert. Lucy had no choice…she had to wear the wet t-shirt.

Lucy: Oh…it’s cold…it’s wet…I’m cold…I’m wet…

Lucy recited this all the way to the car, down the street, up a couple blocks, pulling into Josie’s driveway, and as her friend ran to the car.

Josie: What’s your problem…and what happened to your shirt?!

Lucy: *shivering* Neevverr...miiind thaaaat…

And so their little road trip began. The girls decided to pop in a Lifehouse CD to get them pump for the concert. This would be their 18^th show on this tour (they were slacking a bit). Unfortunately the wet t-shirt was causing Lucy to get the sniffles.

Lucy: Ahh…ahh…ahh…CHOO!

Josie: *backing away* Oh man! You better not get me sick! I have to be all good and healthy for my Brycey…*swoon*

Lucy: *eye roll* I’m so sorry…I’ll be sure to go die quietly in a corner some where so you can have a peaceful moment with Bryce.

Josie: That’s all I ask.

All of a sudden, the car in front of them stopped. Lucy slammed on her breaks as fast as she could, just missing his bumper.

Lucy: Hey moron, watch where you’re going!

The car sped off just as fast as it had stopped. Lucy looked over to see that Josie’s forehead was bleeding.

Lucy: Omg, are you ok?!

Josie: It’s not as bad as it looks…do you have stuff to clean it off?

Lucy: Yah, here’s some alcohol and Band-Aids…*reaching in the back* oh, and here, use this Hanson shirt to wipe the blood off.

Josie: Thanks.

Lucy: Man, what a jerk! Doesn’t he know what day it is?

Josie: Yeah, you’d think he’d be a little more considerate to people who would kill for Lifehouse.

Lucy: Indeed.

After Josie was all clean up the girls parked the car in the closest spot they could find…which was regrettably 5 blocks away from the venue. Walking up a hill, down a hill, crossing a street, dodging a car here and there, the girls were finally about a block away when they stopped.

Josie:*whimpering* I can’t…I’m gonna die if I walk one more step…

Lucy: No you won’t. Just think of Bryce.

Josie: *straightening up* Alright, I’m good, let’s go!

And so Josie began power-walking down the street with no sign of stopping. Lucy laughed at her friend. She glanced inside the window they had been in front of for a second and began to turn away, and then did a double take. Was that…yes it was! Lifehouse was sitting in there! She was just about to call over Josie when she thought to herself that she should just leave them alone now and harass them later. Lucy ran up to where Josie was. The girls got their tickets, chanted with some other fans, and then channeled all their energy to bust through the door and up to the front row. In a moment, the place was packed. Josie had insisted they go right up to Bryce’s side, and Lucy didn’t have a preference, so she went with it. Opening band came on…yada yada…little intermission…yada yada…then the moment of truth…LIFEHOUSE! Jamming to the music! OH! Jamming to the music! They would be deaf for a couple days but it didn’t matter. Good crowd for the most part. Unfortunately, no one can escape the wrath of the JIHers!*place woman’s scream here* Right next to Lucy was a group of 4 girls who did nothing but shout sexual comments to all the guys promising to conceive their offspring free of charge. Lucy was getting annoyed. She felt rage streaming through her body.

Lucy: Must kill JIHers…must kill JIHers…

But she decided that manslaughter would look bad on her college applications. DAMN YOU COLLEGE SCUM! (sorry under a lot of stress right now). The rest of the concert was unbelievable. Every time she saw them live it seemed to get better and better. She couldn’t help but think to herself… ‘How could it be any better than this?’

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Luke

Luke punched out his time card for the day. Today was one time he didn’t want to go home and sleep the rest of the day away. He was actually going to see his favorite band live for the first time. Luke was proud to say that he had convinced many of his manly men friends to convert to Lifehousism (is that a word? it is now…). He wasn’t ashamed of it. He proudly flaunted his love for Lifehouse all over his desk at work, walls at home, and to random people on the street corners. It was 6:32 pm. He didn’t worry too much about the time because the venue they were at tonight was only a couple blocks from his apartment. He drove home to pick up Amelia, his girlfriend, who was just as crazy about the band has he was. To his surprise she was all ready to go the moment he walked in the door.

Amelia: Took you long enough.

Luke: What do you want me to do, walk out of work with no warning?

Amelia: I think you have a pretty good excuse.

Luke: *sigh* It will only take me a few seconds to get ready.

Amelia: *glancing at her watch* A few seconds? Ok, ready and go.

Luke rolled his eyes and went to the bathroom to freshen up. Actually he should have been thanking Amelia; she was the one who had got him hooked on Lifehouse in the first place. Of course, it kind of bugged him that she had crushes on the entire band, but reminded himself that he was the one she came home to at night. (awwww) He was back out in no time. Luke grabbed Amelia’s hand and rushed her out the door; she wasn’t the only one who was excited to see them.

Amelia: Wow, I can’t believe we’re actually going to see them LIVE! My friend, Morgan, was telling me that there’s nothing like seeing them LIVE! I read somewhere that they’re going to Europe soon…wouldn’t that be cool to see them LIVE in Europe? I think it would…*rambling continues*

Luke: *inner monologue* Yap, yap, yap…I love you dearly, but you talk wayyy to much…man I shouldn’t have had that burrito at lunch today…I wonder if I should call Fred from the concert? I’m sure he’d like to hear them somewhat…that way I can boast on and on about what a great time I’m having…that’s the best part of going to a concert, bragging about it to everyone who didn’t go and rubbing it in their faces!

Amelia: *outer rambling continues*

Luke: *inner rambling continues*

Writer: *puts a random family of ducks in the middle of the road to make the madness stop!*

Amelia: Hey, Luke! Watch out for those ducks!

Luke slammed on the brakes just in time. The ducklings scattered to the grass and the mother duck gave a ‘screw you’ expression. Unfortunately, Luke’s sudden stop caused the car behind him to nearly crash into the rear of his car.

Person: Hey moron, watch where you’re going!

Luke didn’t take time to argue. He hurried away; too afraid that the person would hold him up, although a part of him wanted to check to make sure they were alright. He drove down and got an amazing parking spot right in front of the venue. Helping Amelia out of the car, he then hurried to the doors. He was determined to get front row center. To his surprise there were already people in line. Amelia had been saying she was hungry, so she said she would keep their place in line while he got them something to eat. Luke walked down the street to his favorite restaurant, Leo’s, and waited in line. He heard laughing behind him and turned around to see Lifehouse entering the restaurant.

Luke: No way, man!

Jason looked in his direction and waved him over.

Luke: *inner monologue* Oh my Lord…Jason Wade has acknowledged me as a living creature! I am not worthy!

He walked over to where the guys were sitting and basically told them what every fan tells them.

Luke: Wow! You guys are awesome! Your songs have helped me through so much. I met my girlfriend because of you. I worship the ground you walk on. Can I get an autograph? Jason, you’re such a gifted individual! Rick, how bout a drumstick after the show? Bryce, you’re a great addition to the band! Ben I love your hair it rocks! (I think that pretty much sums it up).

Guys: Oh thanks. We’re so glad. What a lucky girl! Oh you’re just saying that…Sure! Thanks. Absolutely, man! Thanks. I like my hair too!

So after all of that, Luke wished them a great show and that he’d see them later. He raced up the street to find that they were starting to let some people in. Luke got in there to see Amelia a couple rows back from where he would have liked to be.

Amelia: Hey, sorry. All these people were pushing in front of me. This was the best I could do.

Luke: Oh it’s ok. These are great seats!

So opening band…yada yada…intermission…yada yada…and finally LIFEHOUSE! Jamming to the music! OH! Jamming to the music! The band was awesomely awesome! Luke couldn’t believe how good they sounded…even better than the record! Even though he was having a good time, he could have throttled the 4 girls in the center who didn’t really know the songs…all they knew to sing was, “Jason/that guitar guy/that blonde guy/ the drummer is sooo HOTT!!!

Luke: Must kill JIHers…must kill JIHers!

Luke had to laugh when he saw a girl on the other side giving them the exact same look of disgust. It was something all Lifehouse fans could come together on…mass murder of JIHers. Luke soon forgot about the girls and just tried to enjoy the rest of the concert. He couldn’t resist in thinking that despite everything, he ‘wouldn’t change a thing.’

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Lifehouse

Lifehouse had been all over the country by this time. They were excited but tired; tired in a good way, an accomplished way. They had just finished their sound check and were starving.

Rick: I feel like I haven’t eaten in 3 days.

Jason: Rick, you just ate an hour ago.

Rick: Well, I’m hungry again.

Bryce: I saw a place down the street…it looked clean enough. Not that Rick really has a preference.

Rick: No, not really.

So the guys headed down the street to the “clean enough” restaurant. On the way there, Ben saw little ducklings and their mother passing by on the grass.

Ben: Awww look at the ducks!

Rick: Ohhh, hello little duckies! You’re so cute!

Bryce/Jason: Guys, get a grip.

Rick: What? A man can’t like ducks!

Leaving the cute ducks behind them, the guys enter the restaurant and sat down. Not 2 minutes had gone by when a guy came up to them and starting rambling very nice things to them. The guys were very flattered and said their thank you’s, signed some autographs, and wished him fun times at the concert. It truly was the best part of all this. As they were eating, Jason noticed a girl watching them from the street. She quickly turned and walked away.

Jason: Aw…she could have come in and said hi…

After enjoying a delicious lunch, the guys headed back to the venue. (Now in case you ever wondered what the guys do while the opening band is on). Walking up to their dressing room, they gathered in a circle, sat down Indian-style, and Ben pushed the play button. The lights were dim, the sent of cologne and herbal tea were in the air, and voice came from the stereo.

Voice: Welcome. You are about to experience the Joy of Sex.

Rick: Whoa! Sorry guys! Wrong tape! *rushes up to change tapes and hits play*

Voice: Welcome to finding your inner Chi. I will walk you through the steps you need to experience complete control and calmness. Take one breath in and exhale slowly.

Guys: *inhale exhale…slowly*

Voice: Good. Don’t we feel better about ourselves already?

Guys: Yes.

Voice: Good. Now repeat after me, “I am worth it.”

Guys: “I am worth it.”

Voice: “I can make a difference.”

Guys: “I can make a difference.”

Voice: “I will be able to pay my rent this month.”

Guys: “I will be able to pay my rent this month.”

After the guys were completely calm, cool, and collected, they gathered themselves up for another show. The lights went up and they went out to screaming fans. Awesome crowd! Sweating to the music! OH! Sweating to the music! The guys could hear the very loud remarks of 4 girls in the center. Now don’t get him wrong, he appreciated all their fans, but Jason couldn’t help but think it…

Jason: Must kill JIHers…must kill JIHers…

But he had to smile at the other fans around them trying to restrain themselves from killing the 4, and thought to himself, ‘it’s all good.’

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Gathering

The concert was awesome! Everyone gathered outside the Lifehouse tour bus to try and get a picture or autograph from the guys. Lucy and Josie were standing in a line that had formed to meet Jason. Luke and Amelia were talking to Rick who remembered his promise and gave Luke a drum stick.

Luke: Hey, can I get a group picture with the whole band?

Rick: No problem, man.

Rick ushered him over to where Bryce, Jason, and Ben were. Josie and Lucy were just about to go up to Jason when he was pulled into a group shot.

Luke: Oh I’m sorry. Do you girls want to get in the picture with us?

Lucy: Sure! Thanks a lot!

Luke: No problem.

So they took the picture and said fair well to the guys. Lucy and Luke exchanged stories from the day.

Lucy: Yeah, and then this idiot almost got me into an accident…

Luke: Man, some people are jerks. I’m glad you guys are ok.

Lucy: Thanks, it was really nice meeting you and your girlfriend.

Luke: Same here. Take care.

Lucy: Yeah, maybe we’ll see you at the next concert!

Luke: Definitely!

And so, Lucy, Josie, Luke, Amelia, and Lifehouse, exhausted from the day climbed into their beds the moment they returned home. It was a great day, and they admitted they all ‘felt the same.’

Prologue:

Oh boy…nothing in the fridge again…man, I really have to go shopping. I’m so tired. School was unusually long today. Hmmm…it’s been awhile since I’ve written anything…maybe I should. I’ll just start typing whatever comes to my head…that usually works out well. *down the steps to the basement* Hmm…weird. Light bulb is out. I could have sworn I just changed it. Oh well, I’ll change it later. *turn on computer; check mail* Oh great, more colleges trying to win me over…oh bliss. Nothing new. I should just write. *floor squeak* What was that? Probably one of the cats…*begin typing; another squeak* Hey, what the…? AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!