The sun was just setting when I woke up. Amanda was curled up in my arms. Her head nestled in the nape of my neck. Her arm drooped over me with her hand resting on my shoulder. I had one arm around her and the other was resting with the one she had on my torso.
‘We really are the Perfect Fit.’
Our bodies meshed together perfectly. I didn’t ever want to move, but I had to wake her up.
“Amanda.” I whispered and kissed the top of her head softly, while I slowly ran my fingers over her soft skin.
She took in a deep breath and smiled sleepily. “This is the most comfortable I’ve been in a very long time.” She whispered then kissed my neck.
My body lit on fire. “I know. Same here. I don’t want to move. Ever.” I took her hand in mine and smelled her hair, then stroked it softly. “It is getting late. We’ll have to start dinner soon.” I regretted every word.
“I know.” She moaned quietly. She leaned up onto one arm to face me. “I just don’t want to go. This is perfect.”
I sat up onto my elbow and just looked at her. She was gorgeous. Her hazel eyes with hints of chocolate brown, blue and yellow. Her cute and always tousled hair. Her perfect lips and wide smile. I smiled at her and kissed her forehead .
“You missed.” She said as I pulled away.
I smiled lazily at her.
She frowned and yanked the collar of my t-shirt. She stopped millimeters from my face and smirked.
I slid my hand around her waist, resting it on the small of her back. I could smell her skin. She was so sweet smelling, it drove me crazy. I could feel my breathing intensify. I wanted her.
I leaned in closer. I needed her.
Our lips grazed, then locked. Our kisses were soft and slow, but picked up quickly. We kissed harder. Her lips were like silk against mine. The experience was electric and overwhelmed me.
Amanda wrapped her arms around my neck. She ran her fingers through my hair and lightly tugged at it.
She moaned into our kiss then slid her leg over mine. I came into a full sitting position with her straddling my lap. I wrapped both arms around her, my hands up the back of her shirt, feeling her smooth skin. I kissed her harder then pulled away into a moan, then kissed her neck and chest. I pulled her body closer to me. She grinded on my lap, her back arched. She lifted my chin and kissed me again.
“Amanda? You in here?” A new voice came from below.
We stopped instantly. Amanda sighed.
“God dammit.” She whispered. “Its Brian.” She looked at me and stroked my cheek, kissing me softly once more. “Yeah Bry?”
“Oh hey! I wasn’t sure if you were here. Pope said this was the last place he saw you.” We could hear his footsteps coming over to the ladder.
Amanda slid off of me with every look of regret on her face. She straightened up against the pillows next to me.
Brian’s head popped up over the railing. “Oh hey!” He said again, looking at me. He climbed the rest of the way up the ladder and joined us in the pillows. “I don’t think I’ve met you.” He offered his hand. “I’m Brian. Amanda’s other musical half.”
I smiled and took his hand. “Its great to finally meet you, Brian. I’m Brooke.”
“Oh so you’re the show winner?!” He looked at Amanda. “I forgot that that was this week!”
“No you didn’t!” Amanda socked him in the arm. “That’s why you’re over for dinner, dummy!” She laughed at him.
“Yeah.” He smiled brightly, then laughed. “I’m gonna go get something to drink. Meet you downstairs?” He started climbing down the ladder.
We both nodded and smiled. He smiled back, then jumped down the rest of the way. We heard him walk to the door, then heard it click shut.
We both sighed loudly, then chuckled.
“Damn.” Was all I could muster.
Amanda scooted closer to me and wrapped her arms around my waist. She rested her head on my shoulder. I kissed her forehead as I wrapped my arms around her.
She leaned up and kissed me once. Softly, as though we’d been doing it for years. It was so electric, yet so natural.

ﻺ

Amanda and I finally made our way down from the Cloud Club back to her apartment. We kissed several more times before we even left.
Brian was just hanging out in the kitchen when Amanda and I returned. I followed Amanda in and I washed my hands to get started with dinner. Amanda stood next to me at the sink, washing hers as well. She smiled coyly and looked at me out of the corner of her eye. This was going to be our little secret.
Amanda and I started dinner. We talked and visited with Brian. Pope showed up shortly after we started cooking. Him and Brian started visiting and played music. Dinner was ready in no time.—Stir fry with chicken and steak kabobs.—We all squeezed in next to each other at the little table. Though it was crowded, it felt like home. We played Life at the table. It caused a total mix up since there was hardly any room, but we laughed it off and migrated to the floor. Amanda and I laid next to each other. Amanda played the piano and sang for a little while. I sat, my legs tucked under my chin, and listened intently. We hung out, drank tea and talked to wind down the night.
Well after midnight, Brian and Pope finally left. We gave hugs and talked as they exited.
Amanda and I were standing on the opposite side of the kitchen, oddly enough, and as soon as the door slid shut and Amanda turned the lock, she jumped into my arms, wrapping her legs around my waist.
Our lips crushed together in soft moans with our breathing getting heavier. We made our way to the bedroom, Amanda still tightly wrapped around my body, and collapsed onto the bed. I grinded into Amanda as she still had her legs wrapped around me. I could feel the heat between her legs. She grinded me in rhythm and she pulled out of the kiss, losing her breath and starting to moan softly.
I kissed down her neck and chest, then slid up her shirt and kissed her soft, ivory stomach. She sat up and pulled off her shirt completely, throwing it aside on the floor. I was kneeling now, Amanda was still wrapped around me at the waist. She tugged my shirt off also and added it to hers on the floor and instantly started kissing my chest and neck.
My body was tingling everywhere. Every touch and kiss was like an explosion of heat and feeling.
I rubbed her cheek and slid my fingers into her hair. She stopped kissing and looked at me. I felt so exposed. Her hand had slid over my scarred bicep. She looked at it, almost worried. I just looked into her eyes. She kissed my bicep, then kissed me softly. She wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug. I kissed her shoulder, her chest, and down her bra-strap to her breast. She lifted my chin and kissed me again. I kissed her harder and un-strapped her bra. She slid it off and laid on the bed. I un-strapped mine and came down slowly to her, locking into another kiss. Our warm skin pressed together and it made me need her even more. I kissed and licked down her chest, stopping to lick and suck on her nipple. I small moan escaped Amanda’s lips and she bucked her hips. I smiled and continued down her skin. Her stomach rose and fell quickly with each breath she took. I kissed her stomach, down her hipbone and teased at her pant-line with my fingers.
I looked up at her as she tugged at my hair on the back of my head.
I unfastened the button of her pants and slid down the zipper. Her breathing became uneven. I kissed the top of her underwear line, then started to slide her jeans off. She unbuttoned mine in the process of kicking hers off and slid them down to my knees, where I kicked them off onto the floor.
Amanda was in just a pair of black and white striped bikini panties. Myself, just in black boy shorts. We both looked at each other’s nearly naked bodies, then slammed together. She kissed me hard as I reached my hand in between her legs, stroking her soaking wet panties. I couldn’t take it anymore. I slid them off of her and teased her clit. She moaned in approval. Our breathing became uneven, and yet in sync. I kissed up and down her body as I slid my fingers inside of her. She wrapped her arm around me, gripping onto my back. Her other hand on my face, she kissed me, inhaling deep breaths through her nose, then pulling away into a moan as I slid my fingers in and out of her faster, with a little more force. I teased her clit with my thumb. I could feel her body tensing, shaking underneath me. Her moans got louder and louder. Her hot breath hit my neck and she dug her nails into my back. My back arched and I tensed. I let out a moan into the air. This experience was so amazing to me.
I felt Amanda tighten and her body completely lose control. Her eyes rolled into the back of her head and she dug her nails even harder into my skin. She took in a huge gasp of air and curled up into my arms as I kept pushing into her. She became so tight it hurt my hand. Her body released and she fell back into the mattress. She took in deep breaths as I pulled slowly out of her and kissed her cheek, throat, chest and shoulder, then laid down next to her. She had a single drip sweat slide down from her hairline.
Her normal breathing pattern started to come back. She leaned over to me and kissed me.
“That was amazing.” She purred and kissed my neck just behind my ear.
I smiled and kissed her, running my fingers through her hair. “I’m glad you enjoyed it, Miss Palmer.”
She got a very seductive look to her face and kneeled on the bed above me. She kissed me as she climbed on top of me to straddle me. I rested my arms on her naked thighs and wrapped them around to her waist.
“Its your turn now….” She whispered and kissed me hard, while at the same time, she pulled my panties off.
This was going to be a great night.

ﻺ

I woke up the next morning, wrapped up in the sheets with Amanda. Our naked bodies pressed together. She was enveloped in my arms. Her hands rested on my arms. I kissed her behind her ear, then her neck. I felt her twitch awake.
She rolled over to face me. “Hi.” She smiled sleepily.
“Hi.” I kissed her.
She kissed me hard, rolled slowly on top of me.
‘Round number 8?’
“Owwww.” She moaned, then collapsed on top of me.
“Sore?” I asked.
She nodded. “I feel like I went through boot camp and didn’t know it.”
“Ha.” I smiled. “Me too.”
We opted for cuddling instead. Our stomachs growled so we decided to get something to eat. We burned a lot of calories the night before.
Amanda picked up her bra off the floor and put it on. She grabbed a pair of sweats and slid them on. I grabbed my pajama pants and tanktop. I followed Amanda out into the kitchen. Her hair was more tossed around and was just all over. Her body was the perfect shape. Her walk so care-free and sexy. She reached back and looked for me to take her hand. I took it and caught up to her. I slid my right arm around her waist and kissed her neck. She stopped in the hallway and she reached up and slid her fingers into my hair, resting them on the back of my neck. She turned her face towards mine and kissed me softly. I smiled at her and kissed her bare shoulder. We walked into the kitchen and stood at the stove, wrapped in each others arms as we made tea.
I made us pancakes as she sat at the table and read the paper to me.
We ate and cleaned up, listening to old vinyls she had around the apartment.
It was another sunny day outside.
Amanda’s phone rang.
“Jen! How are you?” She smiled as she answered the phone. She went silent as she listened intently.
I drank my tea and looked out the window onto the city as she talked to her manager.
She hung up a few minutes later.
She came up behind me and wrapped her arms around me. “How does New York City sound today?” She smiled and kissed my neck.

ﻺ

We took the train from Boston to New York City. We curled up together in the old cushioned seats and shared headphones, listening to our iPods. Amanda introduced me to The Legendary Pink Dots, I made her listen to The Scissor Sisters.
“Are you gonna let me see all of your screens today?” She asked me as she rubbed her fingers on my leg.
“Maybe.” I smelled her hair. “There’s one I might hide from you. It’s my favorite one I’ve done of you.”
She sighed and sunk further into a slouch against my chest. I kissed her neck.
“You can see it when you come to visit me in Minneapolis.” I coaxed.
“Who said I was coming?!” She looked at me.
“You did! If you don’t you can’t see the studio. Ever.”
She pursed her lips at me and smiled. “Okay, you win.”
We sat on the train in silence. There weren’t really all that many people in the car. Amanda brought her pink ukulele along while for when we need a break from all the tour businessy stuff.
“Will you play me something on the ukulele?” I asked her.
“I guess.” She smiled. “What should I play?” She pulled out her ukulele.
“Anything. I want to hear you sing.”
She played me a great version of “Creep” by Radiohead. I’ve seen her play it before, but only in videos. This was a much better experience. She elongated the “Ruuunnnn” with no effort at all and she played the song perfectly.
I clapped for her when she got done. She smiled and I leaned in and kissed her.
“Do you know anything?” She asked me.
“No. I am so musically inclined, sweetheart.” I smiled at her. “I know absolutely nothing about music.”
She smiled at me and played some more.


We arrived in New York City and took a subway downtown. Amanda and I took pictures damn-near everywhere. It was amazing. We hailed a taxi and rode it down to where we were meeting Jen, Amanda’s manager.
The building was huge. It lined up on the street with every other building there was. I wouldn’t have been able to tell you where we were. I was so lost. There was concrete everywhere.
We got upstairs to where we were meeting Jen. Amanda and I walked hand-in-hand down the corridor and into an office section. A tall blonde woman was at the end of the hall. Amanda smiled at her and waved. “Hi, Jen!”
“Hellooo!” Jen came towards us and gave Amanda a hug. “How are you?”
“Good! This is Brooke,” Amanda gestured at me, and took my hand again.
“Nice to meet you.” I greeted her and took her hand for a shake.
“You too. So you’re the special winner?” She asked me.
I nodded and looked at Amanda. “I guess.” I laughed.
Amanda smiled at me. We walked down the hall and talked on the way. We entered a boardroom with a large oak table and chairs surrounding it. There was a board next to one end of the table.
We took seats at that end and talked about the tour.
“…So what we have you pegged for on the tour is as a roadie and merchandise lead, since Laura is gone.” Jen continued on from the start of our many topics.
I gulped and nodded. Amanda took my hand under the table.
“Basically you’ll set up the merch table before the show, help unload the music stuff, and keep inventory of everything we sell. It’s all really easy. You’ll get the hang of it.” Amanda assured me.
“I heard you have several designs, possibly for merch?” Jen asked me.
“Yeah. I do screen printing out of my home and I have some designs I brought with me.” I opened up my portfolio and laid a stack of prints on the table.
Amanda looked hopefully at the stack. I looked at her. “I took out the one I don’t want you to see yet.” I smiled.
Her hopefulness went away instantly.
We looked over the designs I had with me. We picked out three we’d use on the tour for shirts and came up with a couple ideas for what we’d want for two or three more. I made a list of the things we brainstormed as we went and promised to work up more designs based on our ideas.
Overall the meeting went really well. I was glad that some of my stuff was going to be used in the tour.
We celebrated by eating pizza and visiting the statue of liberty and going on an impromptu tour of New York City in full.
We took the last available train home, and got home well past midnight. We collapsed in each others arms in bed.

ﻺ

Amanda showed me the layout for the tour the next morning. She only had the basics down, like locations and dates. She still had to meet with Katie Kay in LA to sort out the rest. We started researching people to bring with. She wanted the Danger Ensemble again. I told her it was a great idea, but to consult Brian first. She asked me to design the lanyards, all-access passes and crew-stuff designs for everything. I was really excited to get back to Minneapolis to start on all these new projects, but sad to be leaving Amanda for several weeks. I could see it in her eyes too.

ﻺ

We spent the last two days lounging around Boston and in Amanda’s apartment. We compared schedules with each other for the summer so we could visit one another as much as possible. Our planning and other activities always got interrupted, for physical reasons, but we still managed to get everything set. Amanda was going to visit me in Minneapolis for two weeks and I’m going to visit her again for a week in the beginning of August. The tour kicks off in London in September, so I’ll basically be staying with Amanda most of August, helping get ready.
Brian and Pope came over for dinner the night before I left again. We hung out in the Cloud Club for a little while, went down the street for dessert, and walked through the park. It was a little obvious to Brian that Amanda and I hooked up.
“I knew it!!!” He laughed. “I could tell there was something different about you on Wednesday, Amanda! –That’s what it was!!!”
Amanda and I walked hand-in-hand, blushing, but smiling.
The night was relaxing. Brian and Pope left early to give Amanda and I the rest of the night together. We drank tea up on the roof and overlooked the city. We sat on the bench that was up there until the sun set and only the lights of the nearby city took over with the stars.
“Stay up here. I have a surprise.” Amanda kissed my head and took my cup downstairs.
A few moments later, she returned. She was wearing her pale pink and gold silk robe.
“C’mon.” She took my hand.
I followed Amanda downstairs silently. She slowly opened the door to the apartment. All of the lights were turned off, but hundreds of candles, large and small surrounded the rooms. Amanda stopped me in the living room, where she kissed me, then took off my shirt, my bra, slid my jeans and panties off of me, then slid off her robe. Silently, she took my hand and led me to the bathroom. The candles went in there as well. She had one of those wonderful white standing bathtubs with the copper feet. I loved it. She had filled it with water and put different kinds of flower petals in it. I took in a deep breath. It smelled wonderful. Lilacs, vanilla, dandelion, roses. I looked at Amanda and took her in my arms. I kissed her, then slowly stepped into the bathtub. The water was steaming, but comfortably warm. I sat down and Amanda climbed in in front of me. She sat between my legs, resting her back against my chest.
I enveloped her in my arms and kissed her neck.
“Thank you.” I whispered. She kissed me with a ‘you’re welcome’.
It wasn’t until the water started to cool down and the candle wax put out the candles that we got out. I was so relaxed and tired, but I wouldn’t dare sleep.
Wrapped in large towels Amanda and I started blowing out the candles in the bathroom, living room and kitchen. We kissed our way down the hall. I dropped my towel on the floor and sat on the bed. Amanda dropped hers as well, and straddled on top of me on the bed.
I stroked her arms and kissed her slowly. We touched and kissed, but took our time, looking over each other as it could be our last time ever together.
Amanda’s skin reflected the low candlelight. She smelled like wildflowers and tasted like honey. Her hair smelled like lavender. Her skin was velvety on mine. Her body was soft, ivory with pale freckles on her shoulders. Her fingertips coarse, just like mine, from playing the piano so much. She stared at me with her beautiful hazel eyes, tousled hair and luscious pink lips.
I kissed down her body. Covering every last inch.
The candles all burned out before we went to sleep.

ﻺ

The next morning, Amanda and I took the train to the airport. We stayed in each other’s arms the whole way there, sharing soft kisses every few minutes.
“I don’t want you to go.” She kissed me, running her fingers through my hair, then squeezing me tightly.
“I don’t want to either. You’ll get to come see me in three weeks though.” I smiled at her and held her tight. I kissed her.
“Flight 167 to Minneapolis is now boarding.” A voice went over the loudspeaker in the gate.
Amanda’s eyes got teary. One trickled down her cheek. I kissed it away, then kissed her. Our kisses became hard and desperate.
“Last call for flight 167…”
I kissed her one last time. “Three weeks. I will see you in three weeks. I’ll call you when I get home. I promise.” I kissed her hand and walked to my terminal. I looked at Amanda the whole time I handed over my ticket and walked down through the tunnel to the plane. She cried silently, without motion. She looked so small and alone in that instant. I wiped away a tear.
‘I’m falling for her. Hard.’

ﻺ

Joel came to pick me up from the airport. I called him before I left for Boston so he wouldn’t file a missing persons report.
He took me up in a big hug and smiled. “Tell me everything.”
I told him about the week and about Amanda and I on the way home. He was happy for me.
I felt so alone. I missed Amanda and it had only been a few short hours away from her. How was I gonna make it three more weeks?
Joel, Brett, Lily and I ate dinner together. I needed to be around people so I wouldn’t stew.
‘504 more hours, starting tomorrow. Shit. I’m already counting down.’
I decided to go back to my apartment early. I called Amanda.
“Hey, hon. How are you?” I asked and sniffled a little.
“I’m okay. I miss you so much already. I keep pacing.”
One of the many things I learned about Amanda was that when she paced, she missed someone, was worried and couldn’t stand not doing anything. I smiled.
“I miss you too. 504 more hours.” I said.
“You started counting down, too?” She sadly chuckled. “I told Brian he has to come over to distract me. I don’t think its gonna work.”
“Yeah. I sat with Joel, Lily and Brett for a little while, but I was stewing too much. I feel restless now.”
We talked for three hours--till Brian got to Amanda’s place. I told her goodnight and to call me whenever she wanted to.
I unpacked my things. My clothes smelled like Amanda’s apartment. I put two of my shirts in a plastic ziplock, one on my bed, and the rest of my clothes in my hamper.
I took a bath. It wasn’t nearly as nice as the one with Amanda the previous night.
Joel knocked on the bathroom door. Bubbles were covering enough of me, so I told him to come in.
“You miss her?” He sat on the rim of the tub.
I shook my head.
“C’mon. Get up. I’ve got an idea. I can’t stand to see you in this slump.” He handed me a towel.
I dried off and put on some sweats. He waited for me out in the kitchen.
“Okay. Tell me what you’ve got in mind.” I sat down next to him.
“Well first, you’re gonna play me in a game of Air Hockey, Lily in Table Tennis, me in Foosball and Brett in Buck Hunter. That knocks out an hour. Next, Brett is gonna take you to his gym and work out. You’re gonna come back to the game room, and were gonna do yoga, tennis, skiing, and any other game you want to on the Wii. That’s atleast another three hours. If you’re not exhausted by then, Lily and you are going running. While you’re gone, Brett and I are going to do some more planning.”
I just stared at him. “Okay.” I shrugged.
I did every activity they planned and then some. I was dripping sweat, my limbs felt like jell-o and I couldn’t think straight. I slumped down at the table in the community kitchen. I glass of water in front of me.
“You think she’s okay?” Lily whispered to Joel while she put a cold rag on my neck. “I mean, she didn’t want to stop running…We ran like four miles.”
“I think she’s obviously been better, but I think this…thing between her and Amanda is really taking a toll on her.” He replied.
“Should we come up with more things to do—for the next couple days till she snaps out of it?” Brett asked.
“Yeah. Maybe just an activity a night. I know she has a lot of stuff to get ready for the tour, so maybe get her started on that.”
“Good idea.” Brett commented. “If she ran four miles after all of those activities, I don’t know if I’d even be able to keep up with her doing other things.”
I slumped farther in my chair.
“We should get her in bed.—Maybe a shower first.” Lily suggested. “She looks like she might pass out.”
“You get dibs.” Joel giggled. “She’s my cousin, there’s no way I’m gonna share a shower with her.”
“Fine.” She sighed, but a secret smile spread on her face.

ﻺ

I woke up the next morning. I could barely move I was so sore. I looked over to my right and my t-shirt was still on the bed. I grabbed it and took in a deep breath. It smelled so good, but I instantly started missing Amanda.
I got out of bed and headed to the kitchen to make some tea. I saw my camera sitting on the chest next to my bed. I grabbed it on the way. I sat at the island in the kitchen while my tea brewed and scanned through the pictures of the past week. There were so many! Amanda in the Cloud Club, us in her apartment, us in New York, more in Boston. Almost every picture had us together in it. I smiled. I started getting ideas for projects. By the time tea was finished, my head was whirring. I went into my studio, my camera and art portfolio in-hand.
I sat down at my table and turned on the computers. I blasted the stereo, plugged my camera into the laptop.
I jumped online and checked my bank accounts, inventory of my supplies and made a spreadsheet.
I had enough money to support myself through the summer even if I quit Target and just worked my part time at Borders. I could make my designs with the money I had saved up. I smiled and got to work. I started downloading all of the pictures I took in Boston, then locked up.
I threw on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, grabbed my keys to the Mini and booked it out of the apartment. I wrote a note on Joel’s whiteboard telling him I’d be home later.
I drove to Target and talked to my manager. I put in my two weeks notice. Beverly was thrilled for me. Tonya and no one else believed me.
I then went to Borders and filed my contingency. I stopped at the art supply store and picked up some new stuff for drawing and printing.
I returned to my apartment, went to my studio, and got to work right away.

ﻺ


“Are you still in here?” Joel came into my studio. “I thought you have to work in the morning.” He was in pajamas and rubbing his eyes.
I nodded, sitting at my table, drawing up designs. There were papers everywhere. I had ink stains on my hands, my back hurt, I was exhausted, but I wanted to keep going.
“Come back. Its almost two in the morning. You’ve been in here for…” Joel looked at his watch. “almost 16 hours straight.—Have you eaten or anything?”
I shook my head, not looking up from my work.
Joel kneeled next to me. “Staying up all night working isn’t gonna get her here any faster. Seriously.”
“I got to have this done for when Amanda gets here…I want it to be perfect.” I kept drawing.
“You have three weeks till she comes. That’s plenty of time. Come on. You need to sleep. You have a fourteen hour shift at work tomorrow.”
I sighed and blinked. “Okay….Okay.” I nodded. I stretched in my chair. I could feel the exhaustion in my body. I was running on an empty stomach all day. I could feel that to. I felt hollow. I capped my marker, cracked my knuckles and stood up. Every joint in my body cracked and popped.
“You look like crap.” Joel commented, concerned. “No more of this. You get six hours in there from now on.—With a break to eat. You’ll get sick if you don’t take breaks.” He put his arm over my shoulder.
I locked everything up and walked back to the apartment with him.
I said goodnight and went into my own apartment and he into his. I drank a huge glass of water and had an orange. I went into my bedroom and changed into my pajamas. In the bathroom I looked at myself in the mirror. The day took its toll on me. My eyes were bloodshot and sunken in. Purple circles around them. My skin even looked tired, aged, in a way. I washed my face in cold water, then crawled into bed. I had my shirt tucked next to my pillow. I smelled it and took in its wonderful Boston fragrance. I smiled to myself.
I picked up my phone and dialed Amanda’s number.
“Hey.” I heard her tired voice on the other end.
“Hi. I’m sorry for calling you so late.” I apologized.
“Its okay. I’m glad you did. I missed your voice. Why didn’t you call earlier?”
“I’ve been distracted. Working on more designs. Joel had to pull me out of my studio. I was in there for 16 hours.”
“Jesus, Brooke. You are way too dedicated to your work.”
“Yeah, you know you’d spend that much time in a studio.”
She chuckled. “I guess you’re right.”
“Anyway. I wanted to call you because I decided that if I could take your smell and bottle it, I’d call it Boston. I know that’s really random, but I love the way you smell and the way your apartment smells. I put two of my shirts in a ziplock and I just smell them. I’m a dork like that.”
“You are a dork, but that is super-cute.—I’ll probably do the same thing after I visit you. I’ll call mine Minneapolis.”
“Okay it’s a deal. We’ll make millions off of each other!” I laughed.
“Sounds good, babe.”
“I’ll let you go back to sleep. I can’t wait to see you in about 480 hours.”
“Okay. I can’t wait, either. I’m warning you, you’re getting jumped the second I see you, so you might want to bring security.”
“Ha. That’s if I don’t jump you first. Good night, Miss Palmer. Miss you.”
“I miss you, too. Goodnight.”

ﻺ

Three weeks flew by. I finished my last two weeks at Target, worked at Borders in the mornings and worked on my designs every day. Amanda and I would call each other every night before bed. We still counted down the hours.
Joel taught me a few lines on the piano. It was so hard. I give Amanda so much credit for how well she can play.
Amanda called me the night before she left. “Hi hon! It’s almost tomorrow!”
“I know! I’m so excited. Everyone can’t wait to meet you. I won’t stop talking about you coming here.
“You’re too cute.—Hey, what’s the weather like right now?”
“Warm. Wonderful. One of the few nice weeks in Minnesota. You’re coming in a prime week.”
“Good. I wasn’t sure what to pack…”
“You haven’t packed yet?! Your flight leaves in six hours!!!”
“I know. Baby, I’m an expert at packing. I tour for a living.”
“Shush you.—You’re gonna wear your normal stuff anyways, so whatever.—Just bring a swimsuit.” I giggled.
“So where’s the first place you’re gonna take me tomorrow?” Amanda asked. “I took you to all of my favorite places, you gotta take me to all of yours.”
“I can’t tell you. That ruins the surprise.”
“Dammit, Brooke. You’re so unfair!”
“Ha. I know! Go pack. I don’t want you late for your flight in the morning.”
“Okay. Get some rest. You’re gonna need it.”
I smiled to myself. “You too. See you in the morning at the airport.”
“Goodnight babe.”
“Night.”

ﻺ

I woke up early. I could barely sleep I was so excited. I showered and cleaned my place up a little. It’s never really messy, but I wanted it to be perfect for Amanda.
I made my tea, then headed to the car. I sped to the airport, even though Amanda’s flight wasn’t scheduled to land for another hour.
The airport parking lot was completely full. I was pissed about how far away I had to park. I paced in the terminal and watched the arrivals flicker on the board.
“BOSTON TO MINNEAPOLIS: IN FLIGHT.”
‘God Dammit. Hurry the fuck up.’
Ten minutes later, as I’m still pacing, I looked up to the board.
“BOSTON TO MINNEAPOLIS: ARRIVED PICK UP AT GATE 11.”
I sprinted to Gate 11. The plane was just getting hooked up to the entrance tunnel when I got there. I smiled in relief and walked up to the ropes facing directly in front of the door.
People started trickling out of the gate doors. I peered around people to see if I could see Amanda. I caught her eager eyes looking out the door. Her smile shot ear to ear, as did mine. I slipped under the rope and she scooted past the people in front of her. She ran up to me, dropping her suitcase and backpack in the process, and jumped into my arms. We kissed hard, not caring who saw us.
“God I’ve missed you.” She purred in my ear, then kissed me again.
“I can’t even tell you how much I missed you.” I kissed her and squeezed her closer to me. “Let’s get out of here before security comes.”
She giggled and slid off of me. She picked up her backpack and I her suitcase. We walked through the terminals, arm in arm, kissing each other every few paces.
“Good god, could you park any farther away?” She joked as we finally got to my car.
“Yes I very easily could have. I was thinking about parking at the Mall of America, but that would’ve been mean.” I put her suitcase and backpack in the backseat, then held the door open for her. She kissed me softly before she climbed in.
I drove back to the apartment, taking my time. We talked and laughed. We kissed at every stoplight.
I took her backpack and suitcase as soon as we got back to the apartment.
“You’ll get to meet everyone this time, hopefully.” I smiled at her and opened the door. I followed her in.
“WELCOME, AMANDA!!!” Joel, Lily and Brett all cheered as she came in the door. They threw rainbow confetti in the air and there was a homemade banner hanging from the ceiling.
She laughed and smiled at everyone, then kissed me.
“Hi, I’m Joel, Brooke’s cousin. Its so good to meet you finally.” He gave her a hug.
“I’m Lily. Great to meet you.”
“I’m Brett. It’s a relief to finally meet you.” He looked at me and laughed.
“It’s so good to meet all of you! I’ve heard so much about you!” Amanda smiled as she embraced each of them.
We talked for a little while.
“Why don’t you go get Amanda set up in your place, and we’ll wait for you IN THE KITCHEN.” Joel made his wink at the end obvious to Amanda and I.
She giggled.
“Okay, we’ll be out in a bit, hopefully.” I winked back at him.

ﻺ

As soon as we got into my apartment, Amanda started kissing me. She wrapped her leg around my thigh and started grinding on me. Her smell was amazing, her skin so soft. I couldn’t handle it.
I kissed her harder, lifting her onto me. She wrapped her legs around my waist and I slid my hands down her thighs. I walked into the bedroom with her clinging to me, then slid onto the bed. I grinded her slowly, kissing her hard. She pulled off my shirt, kissing my chest and shoulders. I unbuttoned her shirt and laid it open, revealing her chest and stomach. I kissed down her torso as I undid her pants, kissing her underwear line.
She undid my pants and slid her hand inside of my panties. She found one of my many surprises I had for her. Her eyes got wide, then she lifted her eyebrow, giving me a coy smile.
“Penis envy. I decided to wear it.” I smiled.
I yanked her jeans off of her, and exposed the strap-on at the same time. She slid out of her shirt and took off her bra. I took mine off, then started kissing her again, grinding between her legs. I could feel her wet clit on my pubic bone as I rubbed into her.
She moaned and wrapped her legs around me. “Fuck me baby!”
I pushed in with the strap-on and she purred at me. “Yes…” I grinded her harder and faster. I kissed her breasts and sucked on her nipples. She approvingly bit my shoulder and tugged on my hair.
Her breathing became heavy and uneven and her body was shaking. I slid in and out of her rhythmically. I kissed her neck and she wrapped her arms around me tightly, scratching down my back.
“Brooke!!!” She moaned. Her body tightened as I pushed in faster. Her nails dug in deeper and she moaned as her head slid back and she squeezed her eyes closed. She moaned again and her body shuddered underneath me, then went still.
“Fuck baby!” She breathed, then kissed me hard. She wrapped her legs and arms around me loosely. I smiled at her.
‘Apparently she doesn’t want me to pull out…’
I rested my head on her chest as her breathing came back down to normal.
My bell rang. The intercom came on in the kitchen.
“Kay, I know that you’re like ‘reuniting’ in there, but your surprise is gonna get cold.” Lily talked through.
Amanda and I giggled.
“C’mon, lets get cleaned up.” I kissed her chest.
She smiled. “I’ll need to shower….I came a lot.”
“I know.” I smiled cockily.
We took a quick shower, which turned into a quickie in the shower, then got dressed. We made our way out to the kitchen.
“Good god. We were going to call missing persons!” Brett joked.
Amanda blushed. I kissed her wet hair. We sat down at the table. Lily was cooking at the stove.
“You’re such a liar, Lily!” I laughed, pouring Amanda and I some wine.
“I know! I’m the best at it out of the three of us.”
I nodded, agreeing.
We talked over a wonderful early dinner of chicken cordon bleu, steamed and stir fried vegetables, fresh bread and wine. We went through two and a half bottles by the end of dinner. Amanda was officially one of the family by the end of dinner.
The sun was starting to set. Amanda and I thanked Lily and the boys for dinner and headed outside. She grabbed a cute black cardigan on the way out. I set up a bonfire outside in our “yard” by the pool. We sat in the hammock and talked, watching the fire. Amanda was wrapped up in my arms and she wrapped her arms around me. We cuddled underneath a blanket and watched the stars come out.
“I’m so happy to be here…With you.” She kissed me.
“I am too. I’m so glad you came.”
“What are we gonna do tomorrow?” Amanda smiled.
“I can’t tell you.” I kissed her head.
“Why not?” She pouted.
“I just don’t feel like it.” I smirked.
She punched me in the arm.
“Ow!—God you hit hard!”
“Well you deserve it!”
I smiled and kissed her, sliding my hand in between her legs. She grinded into it. I pulled away and smirked.
“You’re such a bitch.” She sighed.
I bit my lip. “I don’t have to be a bitch…” I kissed her neck.
“No you don’t….” She purred.
“But I’m going to.” I backed away.
“God dammit!”
I giggled, and wrapped her in my arms.
She kissed me and looked at the fire. “I like this. I could to this forever.”
“You can. I wouldn’t mind. You’d miss Boston too much though.” I sighed.
“True. We could always just stay there in the summers…” She joked.
“No. Minnesota has shit winters. Boston would be better in winter I think.”
“No. There’s too much snow in winter. The shoveling sucks.”
“Well its either snow, or far below freezing for three months.—Which do you prefer?”
“Definitely the snow.—But we could just keep each other warm.”
“Yes. Lots of baths.” I smiled.
“Lots of cuddling in bed.” She smiled.
I nodded.
We talked about this for a long time. Comparing back and forth.
“Brooke. Wake up. “ Joel whispered, rubbing my shoulder.
I rubbed my eyes. Amanda was asleep in my arms. “What time is it?”
“A little after midnight. It’s gonna get cold fast. You should come inside.”
I nodded. “Baby wake up.” I nudged her softly.
She woke up and blinked her eyes sleepily. “What is it?”
“Let’s go inside. It’s gonna get cold.”
She nodded. I slid off of the hammock. The grass was all dewy and cold on my feet. I took her up into my arms.
Joel, Amanda and I went inside. I carried her into my apartment.
“Goodnight, Joel. See you tomorrow.”
“Night, Brooke. Sleep well.”
I carried Amanda to my bedroom, and laid her on the bed. I gently slid her pants off of her. I pulled the blankets over her, then put on my pajamas and crawled into bed next to her. Amanda automatically scooted next to me, wrapping her arms over me. I smiled and drifted off to sleep.

ﻺ

I woke up to the sun rising. Amanda was still sleeping next to me. I kissed her forehead, and slid out of bed. I made tea in the kitchen, then watched T.V. in the WhiteStripes room. Amanda shuffled out of the bedroom a few hours later.
“Mornin’ sunshine.” I kissed her as she sat down next to me.
“Hi. What time did you wake up?” She wrapped her arms around me.
“About six. I slept really well for the first time in a while.” I smelled her hair. “Do you want some tea? Breakfast?”
“Both sound amazing.” She smiled.
I poured her a cup of tea and sat with her at the island. “What would you like for breakfast?”
“Anything. What do you have?”
“Everything. Eggs, cereal, pancakes, oatmeal, toast. You name it.”
“Mmmm…Pancakes sound amazing. I haven’t had pancakes in a long time.” Her face got dreamy.
“Okay.” I smiled. “Pancakes it is.” I kissed her head and started baking.

“So are you excited to have fun today?” I smiled.
“Depending on what were doing…You should tell me.” She ate a bite of pancake.
“Maybe. I’ll see.” I smiled.
We showered and dressed for the day. I snuck out of the apartment while Amanda was finishing getting ready and got Joel to unlock the door to the music studio. I waited for her in my kitchen.
“Ready to go?” I asked as she emerged from the bedroom.
She nodded and smiled. I pulled a silk scarf out of my back pocket as she walked up to me.
“Really?” She frowned.
“Yep, now turn around.” I kissed her.
She turned around and I tied the scarf on her, over her eyes. I turned her around to face me.
“How many fingers am I holding up?”
“Three?”
“Wrong. I’m not even holding up any.” I approved. She just shook her head and smiled.
I scooped her up in my arms. It surprised her. “Jeeze!” She squealed. She wrapped her arms around my neck. “I swear to God if you drop me you’re dead!”
“I won’t. I promise.” I carried her out the door, through the back and into the other warehouse. I opened the door to the music studio and walked to the center of the room. I slowly stood Amanda up on her own. She reached for the scarf.
“Ah Ah! Not yet!” I held it on her, then kissed her.
I flicked on all of the lights, then stood behind her. I untied the scarf, and let it slide down to her neck. She took my hands in hers.
She opened her eyes to the studio. The instruments were glittering and shining off of the lights. She inhaled a rather large breath, and circled around the room, holding my hand. She looked at the guitars, the drums and finally the pianos, then looked at me. I gestured to her to sit at the grand piano.
“Oh babe. I couldn’t.” She looked at me in disbelief.
“It needs to be broken in.” I smiled.
She took me into a tight hug, then kissed me. She took a seat at the bench. Her hands hesitated over the keys. “I play rough. I don’t want to break it. I’d feel horrible.”
“It’s okay. Joel gives you permission. As long as you don’t kill it completely.” I kissed her head.
“What should I play?” She asked me, rubbing my neck.
“Anything.”
“What do you want me to play?”
“Everything.” I smiled. “I could listen to you play forever.”
She smiled and blushed. “Grab some paper. Well make a playlist.”
I smiled and went into the recording booth. I grabbed a notepad and pen off of the desk next to the soundboard. I glanced over and saw the big black “Record” button. I popped my head out of the door. “Can I record this, please?” I asked hesitantly.
“Of course. It will be your playlist. No one else’s.” She smiled.
I hit the record button and watched the tape start reeling, then raced back out to the piano.
I kissed Amanda. “Thank you. For this.” I stroked her cheek and kissed her once more.
She smiled and blushed. “Let’s make you a set list.”
Amanda called it the “Amanda Fucking Palmer Loves Brooke Set List” I picked Have to Drive, Ampersand, Coin Operated Boy (Which she changed to Girl), The Perfect Fit, Sing, Oasis, Strength through Music, Delilah, Sorry Bunch, Boston and The Mouse and the Model. I begged her to do Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness by the Smashing Pumpkins for me too. She agreed.
I smiled and kissed her about a million times before she even started to play. We set up a microphone next to the piano to record better. She had me sit on a tall stool next to the piano as she played. I watched her fingers fly over the keys for each song. She smiled at me, looking at me as she sang the lyrics to the songs. I have never loved hearing her voice as much as I did then. It was amazing. I could hear every note, every breath, every strain and effort she put into every lyric. It was so beautiful. I was falling faster and harder with every key of ivory and ebony pushed down, her voice going along. I embedded everything into my brain. I couldn’t get enough. I was addicted.

The Perfect Fit

Nineteen years old. Working two jobs. Single. Three things that describe me. Does it bother me? Not really. Granted this story is about me, it doesn't need to be about those subjects. No. This story is special. I won.

ﻺ

Many months previous to now, I went to see my favorite artist, Amanda Palmer, in concert downtown at 1st Ave. in the beginning of December. I met her after the show and presented one of my custom t-shirts I had designed. She liked them a lot. Her and her manager offered me a spot on the rest of the tour, selling my shirts. I had to sadly turn it down from the major lack of money I had. They're keeping me in the back of their minds for the next tour.
During the concert, everyone in the audience sent their e-mails via text message to "The Blackberry". If they picked your number/e-mail at the end of the tour, you got an all-access pass on the next tour, along with a week in Boston staying with Amanda.
I won. They picked my number. I did not know this.

ﻺ

Amanda steps off the noontime plane with her backpack in-hand. She glances around the airport. 'Minneapolis, we meet again.' She thinks to herself. She pulls a folded-up piece of paper from her pocket. She smiles and walks towards the exit. She makes her way outside. Springtime. Its warm enough but there’s melting snow which is making it wet and sloppy. She climbs into the nearest taxi and hands over the folded up piece of paper to the driver.
Ten minutes later, she pulls into the driveway of a beige house with green shutters on a busy street.
"Can you stay here for just a minute?" She asks the driver.
He nodded.
She got out with her bag and walks to the front door. She rings the doorbell once, standing on the stoop patiently. A dog barks. A few seconds later the door opens. A middle-aged woman with her red-brown hair in a ponytail smiles and opens the screen door.
"Hi, I'm Amanda Palmer," She introduces herself, offering a hand. "Is Brooke available?"
The red-brown haired woman smiled wider and shakes Amanda’s hand slowly.
"Oh. I know who you are. Brooke is at work. How can I help you?"
"Can you tell me where she works? I'm supposed to surprise her." Amanda smiled.
"Of course, but tell me what all this is about first." The woman led Amanda inside.

ﻺ

Work is boring today. It's a Monday, my Friday, thankfully. I'm working on the "B-Side" stockroom at Target, pulling clothes for the sales floor. I like B-Side. Its quiet. No one to bother me. I get to listen to any music I want to. Currently I had Blue October, Goldfrapp, Sublime, The Dresden Dolls and Amanda Palmer in the CD player.
Amanda Palmer's CD was blasting throughout the backroom.
"Brooke from the backroom, what’s your location?" A staticky voice through my walkie blares.
"I'm in the B-Side stockroom. Whatchya need?" I reply.
"This is Bev. I'm gonna come visit you for a second. Gotta ask about my batch in the PDA."
"Okay sounds good." I get back to work. I knew it would be a few minutes.
"Guitar hero" is blasting as I pull baby formula from a shelf and throw it into a box. I scream along to the song as I scan more things and pull more baby stuff from the shelf.
"AND I COULD SAVE YOU BABY BUT IT ISN'T WORTH MY TIME AND EVEN IF I DID THERES A MILLION MORE IN LINE! YOU'RE MY GUI..."
The music stops mid-word.
"TAR HERO YOU'RE MY GUITAR HERO! OOOOHHHHH GUITAR HEROOOOOOHHHH!"
The jar of baby food I have in my hand falls and shatters on the ground. I know that voice, but I don't believe it. I turn towards the end of the aisle and peek around the corner towards the stereo, wide-eyed.
Amanda Palmer was actually here, standing feet away from me, Beverly, a few feet behind her, smiled at me.
"Hi Brooke!" Amanda jumped.
I smiled and came out from behind the aisle.
"Hello Amanda." I barely choked out. I walked over to her tentatively. She ran to me and jumped into my arms, wrapping her legs around my waist and hugging me tightly. She smelled amazing. A hint of lavender in her hair and honey on her velvet-soft skin. Her warm body was light, but attractive with her tightened muscles. I felt light headed. Almost as if I'd die any second and not mind it one bit. My head started to clear...
I couldn't believe this! ‘Amanda Fucking Palmer was in Richfield, at my work, giving me an amazing hug!--Wait, but why was she here?’
"Not to totally ruin this awesome moment, but what are you doing here?--Visiting me of all people?"
She pulled away from the hug and settled back down to Earth and looked me in the eye, with her soft hands resting on my neck.
"You won the 'THE BLACKBERRY' contest from the concert!-You get to come to Boston with me today for the week and you get to come on tour with me in the fall!" She smiled such a sincerely happy smile. I wanted to kiss her.
"No way. No fucking way!" I smiled in disbelief.
"Brooke, you better go this time. Seriously." Beverly demanded from behind Amanda, smiling at us.

ﻺ

Amanda and I arrived to the warehouse I lived in downtown. I pulled into the lot of the shabby, red-bricked building.
"You live here? What about that house by the airport?" Amanda asked me as we stepped out of my Mini.
"I moved in here a couple of months ago. My cousin Joel won the lottery on his 18th birthday. He bought this warehouse as a place to fix up and live in so he didn't have to live at home anymore. He offered me a spot living here with him and two of our other friends." I smiled and showed her in.
The warehouse was made up of one long entryway with maroon walls and painted black floors with a set of double doors at the far end. The room to the immediate right was the game room. It had arcade games, table tennis, foosball, air hockey, billiards and darts. It had a classic bar look to it with dark colors and low lighting except above the game tables.
The room across the hall was the movie room. It had a large U-Shaped couch, a wall filled with DVD's, a projected screen and a small concession stand with candy and popcorn.
Right next to the movie room was the industrial kitchen, looking like it came out of Top Chef. Pure white tiling, stainless steel everything with a long steel table down the center of the kitchen.
"Holy shit this place is rad!" Amanda said, astonished.
"Ha. Thank you. I figured it would be expected out of a bunch of 20 year olds." I watched Amanda as she scanned through the house, looked at the books and movies. Her fingertips ran the spines of the books as she read over the titles. The light from the windows laid out on her skin and she glowed.
I started feeling light headed again and took in a breath then sighed and smiled.
"Sorry.--You have such a good collection here." She said rushing over to me.
"No no its okay. You just looked so beautiful just now. It threw me back." I smiled at her, blushing a little.
Amanda smiled and blushed. "You're too nice." She took my hand. "Where's your room?"
"Wow.--That's a little forward..." I joked lightly and tugged her along down the hall. "I wish Joel was home!--You should see the studio." I teased Amanda.
"Like a recording studio?" She asked, eyeing me.
I nodded. She frowned and her jaw dropped.
"Oh...That is SO not fair!"
I giggled at her.
Each door to our rooms had our name engraved into it. Almost like a child’s room. We put a corkboard and whiteboard on each door to leave messages for each other. It sounds silly, but it really helps.
We arrived to the end of the hall where my room was. I unlocked my door, pushed it opened then followed Amanda in.
The flat was open with pale cement floors. The wall to the right had all of my art plastered to it. Every screen print, painting, drawing, anything I did was on that wall. To the left was the kitchen. L-shaped with an island. Stainless steel appliances, the color, a dark royal blue with light colored wood and powdered glass cupboards. The countertops are black. The floor the same light wood as the cupboards.
Windows line the top three feet of the left and far side of the flat. The living room is pure white with white carpeting and red furniture. It looks like it came out of a White Stripes video, but like heaven when the sun is bright.
The bedroom is a dark blood-red color with black and white sheets on the bed with a cappuccino bed frame that matched the dresser, bookshelf, hope chest and chair that were in the room.
The master bathroom has a corner shower with pale green walls and light colored wood, while the guest bath is a pale yellow, but with a rubber ducky theme.
"Good god you guys know how to design. It looks like it came out of an Ikea magazine." Amanda said, looking around. Her eyes focused on the art wall. I stood in the kitchen and watched her as she looked slowly over the works I had. She came across the black and white design I did for the t-shirt I gave her. She stared at it.
"You're the Minneapolis t-shirt person?" She looked at me, puzzled.
I nodded slowly.
Her eyes became focused as if she was looking in the distance. "I remember you now. We offered you a job.--You turned it down!" She walked over to me, pointing her finger at me.
I got strangely aroused.
"I didn't have the money at the time, and not that many designs either. I've been punching these out the last couple months." I explained, looking at the wall, then into her gorgeous hazel eyes.
"Will you make them now?" She laid her hands on my collarbones, lightly.
I sighed.
"Or at least bring the designs with you to Boston?" She pleaded with me. I liked this. "I really love them. I want to talk to Brian about it. Please?" She cupped my face in her hands and looked me dead in the eyes. Her face was so close to mine...
'I wrap my arm around Amanda's waist. I pull one hand up to touch her cheek softly, slowly, we both move closer together, our lips so close to touching.'
I blinked and snapped out of my thoughts.
"Okay." I sighed. "Well have to get them before we leave. They're in the other warehouse. Should I go pack?"
She smiled and gave me a tight hug. "Thank you!" She let me go and looked so satisfied with herself. "Yeah you probably should. Our flight leaves at five."

ﻺ

Amanda is sitting on my bed, watching me pack. I have to bring a weeks-worth of clothes. Damn I am glad I did laundry the night before. We talk about simple things. Boston, Minneapolis, music. It doesn't take me long to pack. In the bathroom I'm grabbing my toiletries.
"I should probably shower real quick..." I said to myself.
Amanda just laughed and smiled. "Maybe. Unless you want to be completely dirty this week."
"What's that supposed to mean?-You're not gonna let me shower?" I smiled.
"Possibly. I haven't decided yet."
"Okay, well then I'm going to."
I wasn't sure if I should close the door completely or leave it opened. I opted for it to remain opened, but only a crack.
I took a steaming hot shower. A short one. I stepped out onto the rug, escaping the foggy air as I grab my towel. I dry myself off.
'Shit. I didn't bring any clothes in here with me. Subconscious trying to tell me something?'
I check myself in the mirror, and shake my hair, trying to make it look somewhat sexy.
I step out into the bedroom. Amanda is still in the same exact spot on the bed. She's looking up at the ceiling.
"I won't peek. I promise." She smiled.
I eyed her suspiciously, then smiled.
I grabbed my clothes I decided to wear and started putting them on. I looked down at my Dresden Dolls tattoo on my leg.
"I'll let you peek, real quick.--I want you to see my tattoo."
I didn't have pants on yet. Just a pair of black boy-shorts. I did have on my 93X t-shirt though.
Amanda sat up and looked at me. I pulled my leg up to the bed and rested my foot on the bed.
She looked closely at my tattoo on my calf. It was a picture of her and Brian underneath an umbrella with a royal blue background. It "rained" 'Dresden Dolls' down the side next to them.
She touched it softly. "It’s beautiful." She whispered.
We looked into each others eyes.
‘I slide slowly onto the bed, leaning in to kiss Amanda as our bodies naturally intertwine. I slide my hand up her shirt as our hips grind together.’
I come back to consciousness and suck in a big gulp of air.
‘Shit. That was obvious.’
“We should get going.” I said quickly, pulling my pants on.
She smiled, thinking I didn’t see it. I grabbed my suitcase and rushed to the door in embarrassment.
She followed me out silently. I set down my suitcase by the door and grabbed my keys to the neighboring warehouse.
We walked out the backdoor by the pool.
“Jesus. You guys have everything.” Amanda said, obviously trying to break the ice.
“Yeah.” I just sighed.
We walked to the studio, side by side. Our hands grazed each others. On the second time it happened, Amanda took mine in hers. Every touch was electric. I could feel my body heat rising.
I smiled.
“Better?” Amanda asked.
I blushed. “Yeah.” I looked at her and smiled. “Sorry about that back there, I let my mind travel sometimes and I have to escape it.”
“Where does it travel to?”
“To the gutter.” I chuckled.
She giggled at me and moved closer, putting her other hand on my arm as we walked.
We got to the second warehouse. It was set up much like the first. It had a long corridor, but five rooms that were all closed off and locked.
Joel had his writing studio, Lily, her pottery studio, Brett and his gym, and me with my printing studio. The fifth room was the music studio that we all shared, but only Joel had the key to. We walked past it on the way to my studio. We stopped at the door.
“In this room,” I touched the door as I turned to face Amanda “is three guitars, two base guitars, two drum kits, three pianos, a recording booth and a soundboard.”
Amanda’s face changed with every instrument said. Her eyes twinkled.
“Too bad its locked…” I sighed and started walking. I got yanked backwards and pushed against the door. Amanda pressed her body up against mine. She was a lot stronger than I thought she would be.
“I suggest you find a way to unlock it.” She purred in my ear.
Her warm, sweet-smelling breath hit the nape of my neck. I bit my lip to keep from moaning.
‘Woah, settle down, Brooke.’
“I don’t have a key.” I hissed, getting mere centimeters from her face.
Amanda just frowned at me. I smirked, trying to keep my cool.
“If you come back and visit, I promise I’ll bring you in there for as long as you want.” I took her hands in mine.
“Okay,” She gave me a sexy glare “then I will be back.”
I smiled. I win.
We got to my printing studio and unlocked the door. It was a big, mostly empty space. In the center of the room was a large steel table with a single rolling chair. There was a computer desk on wheels with a desktop and laptop on it. On two sides of the table are two, very large, screen printing machines. A washer and dryer sat in a corner with a wooden table a few feet in front of them. An ironing board against the wall. There were long utility shelves with cans of screen paint on them. A large wooden double-door cabinet sat next to a large stereo system. A home-made projector was in the corner of the room with black walls, the nearest windows to it painted over in black and there were black sheets hanging from the ceiling like shower curtains.
T-Shirts hung from the ceiling with prints on them.
“My homemade dark room.” I explained.
I walked over to the wooden cabinet and started shuffling through the prints.
I grabbed all of the ones that were related to Amanda and the Dresden Dolls and slid them in the bag.
Amanda crept up behind me, trying to peek.
“Ah ah…Some of these you can’t see yet.” I teased.
“God you’re mean!” she backed off, smiling but disappointed.

ﻺ

Amanda and I are on the plane on the way to Boston. My suitcase is packed with all of my clothes for the week, my portfolio has all of my screen prints in it and I am freshly showered. I wasn’t nervous on the plane, but I was nervous to be going to Boston and staying with Amanda.
‘How am I gonna be able to handle being there?!—With Amanda?!—In her regular life?!’ I looked around the plane.
‘FLASH - Amanda and I cooking together at the stove – FLASH – Watching a movie on her bed – FLASH – Walking down to Harvard Square – FLASH – Listening to her play piano – FLASH – Kissing her at Café Pamplona – FLASH – Wedding bells and a big crowd around us – FLASH – Walking behind two little kids in the park, hand in hand – FLASH – Growing old together… 3…2…1… STOP.’
I blink my eyes several times. Take in a breath.
Amanda looks smugly at me. “Back in the gutter?”
I purse my lips then smile. “No. Not this time.”

ﻺ

‘Boston! Boston!! Boston!!! Boston!!!! Boston!!!!! I can’t believe I’m in fucking Boston! I’ve traveled before, but this?!’
We took the train back to Amanda’s apartment in the South End. She got more and more excited every step closer back to her place.
“Are you excited? I’m excited.” She walked backwards to face me, stretching out her hand for mine.
I took it and smiled at her. She slowed and walked next to me, facing the right way this time. A few blocks was all it took to get to her apartment. It was beautiful. One of many aged buildings covered in green, leafy vines. It looked like a building made out of it. The only evidence of a building underneath was the windows and the little bit of frame surrounding them, the front door and the stoop.
She unlocked the door and held it open for me as we went inside.
I waited for her and she passed me with an enthusiastic smile. She took my hand again and headed up the stairs. We got to the second floor, where she unlocked the door quickly, then opened it wide. It was small, but it was beautiful.
There were antiques, paintings and other pieces of art all over the walls. The paint underneath was barely visible with all the art. The house smelled like an old library with lavender and honey mixed in. It smelt like a home.
I stared around in amazement.
“It’s so…gorgeous.” I whispered. I felt if I talked any louder, it might ruin the essence of it all.
“It’s home.” Amanda shrugged happily, coming up behind me. “Lets get you set up…”
I followed Amanda through the tiny kitchen into the equally small living room. It was probably a lot bigger, but two pianos, sheet music, art and wonderfully mismatched pieces of ancient furniture took over it all. The place was like an awesome museum. I followed Amanda down the short hallway past the shoe-box sized bathroom into the bedroom.
“I normally sleep in the middle or at least towards this side. I’m a bit of a bed hog. I’ll try to stay on my side, but I’m a natural cuddler.—If I bother you, just push me away. I hope sharing won’t bother you…I really don’t have anywhere else for you to sleep and decent hotels around here are really expensive.” She chewed on her thumbnail almost nervously.
‘Oh hell yes. I can’t believe this.’
“Wow really?—You trust people too well.” I looked at her warily, but set down my bag and portfolio against the far wall.
“I trust you.—You seem okay.” She smiled a soft smile.
“What if I wasn’t?” I raised an eyebrow.
“The part about the contest I didn’t tell you about was that once your number got drawn, my crew and I searched you on everything. MySpace. Facebook. Every comment you ever posted. Everything.” She smiled again. “You have no stalker-ish qualities and I doubt you’d murder me, so you came out just fine.”
“Wow, you really did a check?” I looked at her in disbelief.
She nodded. “Nice pudding pictures by the way.” She smirked.
I blushed. ‘MCC 2006 pudding pushups. I looked like I was eating a plate of diarrhea in those pictures.’
“I’m going to make some tea.” She yawned. “Would you like some?”
I shook my head.
“Make yourself at home.” She smiled and left the room.
I grabbed my pair of pajama pants and one of my tanktops out of my suitcase and set them on the bed. I changed in silence, and then grabbed my toothbrush and face wash.
I brushed my teeth and washed my face in the tiny bathroom, being more critical on how clean they were more than usual.
After I put my toothbrush away I went into the kitchen. Amanda was at the little wooden round table, asleep, her head resting on her arms.
The kettle was just starting to get a low, soft whistle. I leaned down next to Amanda.
“Do you still want tea?” I whispered, rubbing her back softly.
She took in a deep breath and shook her head softly, not even opening her eyes.
I took the kettle off of the burner and turned the stove off. I then crept back into the bedroom and pulled the sheets back on the bed.
Back in the kitchen, Amanda was out cold.
“Wake up. C’mon.” I whispered in her ear.
She sat up slowly, eyes barely opening for a second. I wrapped her arms around my neck and scooped her up into mine. She rested her head on my shoulder while I made the short trip to the bedroom. Slowly, carefully, I laid her down onto the bed and brought the sheets over her gently. She stayed asleep the whole time. I shut off the light, let my eyes adjust to the black and made my way back to the other side of the bed. I crawled in and was comfortable instantly. I would have no problems sleeping tonight.
I listened to Amanda’s slow breathing and that made me even more comfortable and relaxed.
My eyes got droopy and I was out in no time.

ﻺ

I woke up to super-bright sunshine bleeding through the windows, but a warm body next to mine. I smiled sleepily. I was on my back and Amanda had her head resting on my chest and shoulder. Her arm was drooped over my torso and her leg on top of mine. I realized my arm was around her body, my hand resting on her hipbone.
‘The Perfect Fit.’

ﻺ

I stayed still and listened to the birds outside, the low buzz of cars going by, Amanda’s breathing. Shortly after I had woken up, Amanda woke up. She opened her eyes and when her thoughts processed her position, she sat up quickly.
“I’m sorry.” She blushed. “I told you I’m a natural cuddler.”
I smiled and sat up. “It’s perfectly okay. I liked it.”
She smiled, then looked around, confused. “How?” She paused. “I remember setting the kettle, but…”
“You fell asleep at the table. I carried you in here.” I smiled.
“Oh.” She scratched her head.


ﻺ

We got ready for the day and enjoyed a good breakfast of cereal, yogurt, fruit and tea. She took me on a tour of the best Boston has to offer.—In short, to all her favorite places. We picked up a coffee in Café Pamplona then went to Harvard Square she performed as the Eight Foot Bride back in the day. I met many people that she knew or were acquaintances with. She is such a friendly, loving person.
It was a perfect, sunny spring-time day. We spent a few hours just laying in the grass in the park, just talking. We talked about everything. Family, music, love, the World, the tour coming up, our pasts. I couldn’t get enough of her. I could listen to her all day every day. It was so great just to get to know her. It felt like we were just old friends that got reunited.
We headed to the market to shop for food for dinner, then called Amanda’s manager, Jen, to set up a day to meet. Brian and Pope were coming over for dinner in the evening. I was excited to meet Brian finally.
We got back to the apartment with the groceries. I helped Amanda put things away while we listened to music. We danced in the kitchen, then fell onto the small floor, laughing. We laid on the kitchen floor, arm-in-arm, in silence.
“I haven’t showed you the Cloud Club yet…” She looked over to me and smiled excitedly. She was on her feet in an instant. I got up and followed her out the door. We made our way up to the top floor where the whole place was an open room that took up the whole shape of the building. Glass ceiling covered most of it, with old wooden beams in place for support. There were instruments around the room, art pieces everywhere and tons of comfy places to sit. The bright blue sky shined through impressively. It felt like we were outside.
Amanda spun in a circle in the center of the room. “Isn’t it fantastic?!”
I smiled at her. “Yeah, but not as much as your place.”
She ran over to me wide-eyed. “You haven’t even seen the best part!” She took my hand and led me across the room to a wooden ladder. “Up.” She grinned.
I climbed up, then slid into a bed of pillows. Seconds later, Amanda was right next to me.
She cracked open a little square window next to her, then leaned over my body and opened the one next to me. I silently took in a breath of her beautiful scent. I wanted to kiss her so bad.
She laid back down next to me.
“Okay. Just stay still. Listen and look. Don’t talk.” She instructed.
I listened. I looked.
Amanda took my hand in hers, intertwining our fingers. Birds flew over the glass dome in a flash. A plane flew far overhead to my left. Kids played on the street below. A car passed by. Small puffy clouds floated carelessly by.
“Isn’t it beautiful?” She asked, looking over to me.
“It’s very beautiful. Very relaxing.” I paused. “It’s not nearly as beautiful as you. Nothing compares to you.” I stared into her eyes.
She blushed and put her head down. She looked right back up at me. She leaned towards me hesitantly. I moved closer. Millimeters apart. I could feel her breathing on my lips. Closer. My eyes close.
“Amanda?” A voice called from below.
We both jumped, startled.
“Yeah?” She choked out. “Its Pope.” She whispered to me.
“Your phone just rang. It was Brian. He’s running a little late and wanted me to let you know.” He said.
“Okay. Thanks for letting me know!” Amanda said, trying to dismiss him.
“What time is dinner again?”
“Seven O’clock.” She looked at me and blushed deeply.
“Okay. Sounds good. See ya later.”
“Yep!”
The door clicked shut seconds later. It was silent now.
“Damn that Michael Pope.” She sighed.
I smiled sadly at her. We laid back down and watched the sky some more.

ﻺ

Okay. I am fucking frustrated. I've come up with a bunch of designs for making shirts for the dresden dolls and amanda palmer. I dont have the computer skills I need to bring them to life. It sucks and I dont know what to do. I need like, photoshop training, and a computer...and yeah, money helps too.
I need help. I need to get somewhere in life. I can't keep working two jobs and getting nowhere.
FUCK.

HI!!! So this is going to be long as shit so I can come and read this to re-live it.
I went to the Amanda Palmer concert last night. For those of you who don't know who this amazingly talented goddess is, she's the lead singer/pianist of the Dresden Dolls. I've had a slight obsession with her and the band for about 5 years now. I have been looking forward to this concert for like, ever.
Anyways, I bought my tickets in advance for the show at 1st Ave. and I invite my friend Tonya from Target. She is amazing and is one of the only people that shares my love for the Dresden Dolls.
I came to the internet machine to check my e-mail yesterday morning and find out that Amanda is doing a contest for people who put up flyers around town and send in pics for proof. Once they do that, they get to do a private meet'n'greet with Amanda and sit in on the soundcheck. I dropped all of the plans I had yesterday before the concert and worked only on that. I got it all accomplished by 3:30. I sent in the e-mail to where I was supposed to (Lydia aka deadstatues@gmail). Here's how that went...

Hi! I'm Brooke from Minneapolis. I am coming to the show tonight and I did the poster contest for the soundcheck and put posters up in different areas around Minneapolis and the Mall of America. My camera won't let me download them and put them on the computer to show my proof I did it. Is there anything I can do?

So sorry, Brooke, but at such short notice, there isn't really anything I can do for you. If you eventually figure out how to get the pics on the computer, send them to me and I'll see if I can finagle some kind of consolation prize for you.
Thanks for your hard work! Sorry it didn't work out :(
Lydia

I was able to download my pictures finally, but the attachments are being funky. I put in the urlsfor them to my photobucket and they are also on my myspace (myspace.com/brookethelez).
I hung up the flyers at the mall of america and on the lightrail heading downtown at a lot of the stations. Please let me know if its not too late!
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v222/brookeluffswr04/?action=view¤t=100_0053.jpg
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v222/brookeluffswr04/?action=view¤t=100_0051.jpg
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v222/brookeluffswr04/?action=view¤t=100_0044.jpg
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v222/brookeluffswr04/?action=view¤t=100_0045.jpg
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v222/brookeluffswr04/?action=view¤t=100_0047.jpg
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v222/brookeluffswr04/?action=view¤t=100_0048.jpg
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v222/brookeluffswr04/?action=view¤t=100_0042.jpg
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v222/brookeluffswr04/?action=view¤t=100_0038.jpg
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v222/brookeluffswr04/?action=view¤t=100_0040.jpg
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v222/brookeluffswr04/?action=view¤t=100_0006.jpg
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v222/brookeluffswr04/?action=view¤t=100_0003.jpg
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v222/brookeluffswr04/?action=view¤t=100_0043.jpg

I DIDN'T GET THESE LAST E-MAILS 'TILL THIS MORNING...

I'll tell the tour manager to put you on the list, but I can't promise that it will work out at such short notice. I'll try to get back to you on the quick!
Thanks, Lydia
Sorry about that last email! I did text the tour manager to put you on the list... but like I said, I can't promise that it will work out at such short notice. I haven't heard back from her yet... and you may have already left for the show... but I'll email you again if I hear from her soon.
Sorry for the confusion. Hope everything works out tonight!
Thanks,
Lydia
AAAaaaaannnndddd.... okay. You should be on the list.
Whew. Thanks, Brooke!

I AM SO PISSED I COULD'VE GOTTEN IN EARLY AND ACTUALLY GOTTEN A PICTURE WITH HER.

So...Its 7:15 in front of 1st Ave. Its really fucking cold and my dear friend Tonya that I mentioned earlier was lost, didn't have cash to pay for parking and just got in a huge fight with her bf. I'm worried that she's not gonna show and I'm going to be the loser who went to a concert by herself...
8:00 Doors open and Tonya is still not here. She calls me and doesn't know what to do. She is still lost. I told her if she still can make it I'd come get her at the door (will-call tickets suck for that very reason). I get in and I head immediately to the stage and claim a spot. I am right at the front of the stage, my nose could touch it (that led to a very nice blemish right on the tip of it this morning), and about four feet left of the center steps. Yes. My first goal is accomplished.
9:00 The show begins. Zoe Keating, an amazing cellist starts it off. It is beautiful music. It makes me sleepy. I love it. She plays about a 20 minute set.

Zoe. Its hard to see, but its there.

9:30 The Builders and the Butchers are up next. I am absolutely mesmerized by their music. It has amazing beats, souds almost like folk music combined with southern chant and pure amazingness. The lead singers guitar has bloodsplatter (that is old, and some new), chips out of it from all of the strumming, and duct tape holding the strap together. They have a ton of mixed-matche and homemade instruments. They play five amazing songs that get me moving to the beat.

This is the lead singer.

So now its a little after 10:00. I'm about ready to pee my pants...I was so excited but I also had to pee so fuckin' bad. There was no way I was losing my prime spot. I watched the roadies set up the stage for Amanda's set.
I see Steven, the MC/one of the performers come up onstage. I look towards the door where the backstage is and I see Amanda Fucking Palmer...She had a veil over her face, and I thought she was going to come up on stage on that side...so much did I assume...
The venue got dark, the curtain went up...music started and the Danger Ensemble starts their shit onstage...out of the corner of my eye I see the croud to my right shift...Amanda Fucking Palmer emerges from the center and is backing up next to the stage.
Holy. Fucking. Shit. She is three feet away from me. The D.E. pulls her up on the stage and carry her to the piano. They lift her up and over the piano and she lays her head down on the keyboard.
Music starts. I almost die.
She played several sets that included all of her new songs, old dresden dolls songs, a prince song, "I google you" and a few others. She lipsynched to "Umbrella" by Riannah and I thought I was going to die from laughing so fucking hard. That woman can put on a show!
The concert goes by in a flash. I'm amazed even more by this beautiful talented woman.
I'm so fucking ready to meet her at this point. I want to spill out just how much I love her and bow at her feet and yeah...you know how it goes when you TOTALLY worship someone...
I jump in line for autographs. Snuck in towards the front. I'm standing there, shaking and looking around for her. About five minutes go by. Then...She and her little troupe walk right by me. She was so close to me she even made eye contact and smiled at me. Total shock and awe.
I have the t-shirt I made and the one I'm going to give her in hand. (Keep in mind that I also made a hoodie with the same design on it and was wearing that too...)

I take a picture of her as she signs autograph as proof that I got that fucking close to her.--She couldn't do personal ones that night because they had to leave for Denver right away that night which really sucks, but maybe next time. ;)

I'm waiting to meet her and when I finally get up to the table and her focus is directly on me I smile and hand her my shirt. "Could I have it signed with the bleach pen?" I ask as politely as possible. "Yeah!" She smiles and grabs the infamous Clorox bleach pen. I put down her shirt onto the table. "I made you this shirt too. Its the same design as this one." I pointed to the one she was autographing. She finished the autograph. "Wait...You made these? These are amazing! How did you make them?" She asks as she rubs her hand on the front side of my sweatshirt that I'm wearing. 'omg she just fucking rubbed her hand down my front' is all I could think. "I used marker for the 'rough draft' and puffy paint on top of that. I did the back too." I turned around and showed her the backside where there was the Dresden Dolls logo on there. She rubbed down the back too! "These are amazing!"
I turn back around to face her. I lean down to give her a hug. She gives me one and also a kiss on the cheek. "You're really talented." She says to me. I smile and she hands me my shirt, giving me very strict directions. "Don't let this touch anything and as soon as you get home, wash it. Get the leftover bleach off. Thank you. You should consider selling these on the tour." She smiles at me and told me to talk to Steven. Steven is the director of the Danger Ensemble. Hes amazing and was standing right by Amanda the whole time, so he saw my shirt and talked to me about it too.
Steven is the guy to Amanda's left. (Basically the guy on the right half of the picture. Don't mind the pink penis on Amanda's head. LOOONNNG fuckin' story.



I say thank you and Steven and I step aside... we talked about my shirt and I told him that I had other designs too. He told me I should consider joining them on tour and sell my shirts. They still had some of Europe and Australia left! I told him I would but I couldn't mass-produce them and wouldn't be able to afford the trip. He told me to get in contact with Amanda's manager about them and to possibly join them at a later date.

HOLY SHIT. THEY OFFERED ME A SPOT ON THE TOUR AND I TURNED IT DOWN. I AM A FUCKING LOSER.

So yeah. That was the concert. Amazing. I've been thinking up even more ideas for T-Shirt designs since.
I'm going to try to find someone to sponsor me making them and to hopefully go on tour next time. That would be a dream come true.
I posted my pictures on photobucket and will be on myspace today. hopefully a couple vids too. I took them on my camera, so they weren't very good. boo.
Yeah...Adventures at 1st ave. Love it. Here's her autograph...

So yeah. College is a different place. I pretty much loathe it.
I know a few people from Richfield here, but I don't have any classes with them.
I'm behind in Englsih and Math. I actually haven't really started math. I don't really understand it. My teacher is an ass, so I don't want to talk to him.
English is boring as all hell. I've skipped the class four or five times already. I get the homework done, just not on time.
I know I should be trying to catch up on those classes like a mother fucker, but I just don't care anymore. School sucks, I don't see anyone, I work all the time, and I don't have any time to myself, and I think that's why I have fallen behind.
I wasn't able to get Financial Aid. My records never got through to them. It's their fault. I told them that it was their fault, they said it was their fault, but yet there's nothing that can be done about it. Pretty gay if you ask me. I owe the school $1800 by December. I dunno.
I have to go to class.

<td align="center">
Your celebrity match is Angelina Jolie. You like your women hot, with a little bit of a bad girl streak.



Take this quiz at QuizGalaxy.com</td>

I just saw the preview for "charlie and the Chocolate Factory" with Johnny Depp, and It was sooooo trippy. Check it out here....
http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/charliechocolatefactory/large.html.

Check this game out, I've been playing it for a while now...
~Gabbi
http://www.miniusa.com/crm/load_mini.jsp?open=toughlandingskip