How Not To Be A Groupie

December sunshine poured through the window onto my face, bleeding through the pale curtains. My eyes fluttered open and I quickly shut them again. Rolling over, the sun hitting my back, I rubbed my eyes and yawned, not wanting to sit up. It felt like I had melted into the bed during the night. It was part of me now, and I was part of it. My wet hair had dried on the pillow, leaving the pillow a damp mess. I shivered, reaching for a blanket and grabbing nothing but air. Sighing, I sat up and stretched, blinking slowly to adjust to the brightening room. 

Empty. Nothing but me rotting away. 

My notebook lay in a heap on the floor where I had kicked it. Collecting the various bits and pieces I added to it over the weeks, I stuffed them back inside and set the notebook on the bed. The flyer that had fallen to the floor looked up at me; or rather, the boys in the picture looked up at me. It felt like forever since I saw them play for the first time. So much had happened since then. Picking up the crumpled flyer from the floor, I noticed something had gotten itself stuck on the back. There was a tiny piece of stationary with loopy handwriting that fell to the floor as I tried pulling it off. Getting a closer look I suddenly remembered what it was.

"Bon..." I whispered, remembering the first night I stayed with him. He had given me his contact information before I left. My train of thought brought me to the key he gave me in case things got too much and I needed a place to stay. I stood from the floor and grabbed my notebook, hurrying out of the bedroom. 

There had to be something I could carry my things in. An extra bag or something. I ripped open every drawer I could find in the room and finally pulled a laundry bag out of the hall closet. Not kind of me to steal it and certainly not the most fashionable carrying case but it would have to do. Grabbing all my clothes I kept by the couch, I stuffed them in the bag, thinking about what I was going to say to Bon when I found him.

If I found him.

I considered calling him first, to see if he would be okay with me staying with him for a while. At least until the band went on tour. If he turned me down, who else could I go to? I didn't have anyone else's number and I couldn't remember which rooms they stayed in. I was going to have to hit the road soon anyway; surely the hotel was letting the room out to someone as I packed. Probably best to drop by Bon's. If he wasn't there or if he declined my staying, at least I'd be on the move. 

Carrying this giant laundry bag full of shit like a low budget Santa Claus. Ho ho ho.

Bon's key rattled around in the pocket of my leather jacket. With how much I was sweating like a pig, I regretted wearing it. Instead of pulling the key out and turning the lock, I knocked on the door. I learned my lesson from last time for sure. No need to see that again. 

A full minute passed. Debating whether to try again or leave, Bon finally opened the door, shirtless and disheveled. He rubbed his hand over his face, yawning. I hung my head in guilt. Bon was a great guy but there was no reason for me to expect him to say yes. He had himself to think about. "You're up early, Hannah."

It was about ten in the morning.

"I'm sorry," I started, reciting in my head what I had planned to say. Suddenly my thoughts turned to mush and I fumbled over my words. "I needed a place to stay for a bit....and you were the first I thought of and you don't have to let me stay, I can find somewhere else..." My words came out jumbled from talking too fast. "But I can't stay at Stelle's room any longer and I'm not sure how long this time travel thing lasts...."

Bon put his hand up to stop me. I zipped up. "Come on, get in here," he said, standing aside to let me pass. I shrunk as I entered his room, hauling my laundry bag behind me. Bon yawned again, probably too tired to argue. "What is that?" he asked, closing the door.