Month: July 2005

Team Colours’: Not Your Typical Fan Tale

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Wed 19^th Oct

NRL Grand Final Day

Thud… “Ow…” I fell out of bed my sheets tangled around me.  My eyes flew open and I blinked blearily then wiped the sleep from my eyes.  For several seconds I just stared at the ceiling from my uncomfortable position on the floor.  Then I slowly extricated myself from the tangle of blue sheet and pulled myself to my feet.  Grand Final day…this is going to be good…

Coffee…hmmm…so good…I sat in the small café in the mall sipping from a hot Styrofoam cup of Robert Timm’s coffee…chocolate flavoured to boot.  It had only taken me five minutes to get dressed this morning.  I was wearing my beige ¾ length pants that had the pocket in the right leg, and I was wearing my Cowboys’ polo T-shirt and a pair of tired old sneakers.  I heard the sound of feet and glanced up and frowned slightly in surprise.  It was Chuck.
“Mind if I join you?”

“Sure…you’re up early.”

“Yeah…I’m the early waker in the band.  Always have been.  I’m the one organising everything for the band.  Hehe…like on tour I organise press and signings etcetera…” Chuck took the seat opposite me.  I noticed he also had a Styrofoam cup of coffee.  He took a sip from it as he pulled out an electronic organiser and studied it with a small frown.  I leaned back on my chair and gazed up at the sky that was a clear blue, not a cloud in sight.  It would be stinking hot today.  I drained the rest of my coffee then pulled out the custard slice I’d bought for breakfast.  As I chomped into it Chuck smiled at me.

“Isn’t that unhealthy?”

“97% fat free…” I mumbled around my mouthful. 

“Custard-slice that’s fat free?  What next…healthy McDonalds?”

I chuckled.  “Never had the deli stuff at Macca’s?”

“Don’t go to McDonalds…we eat healthy.”

“I noticed.”  I’d seen the guys’ rider…mixed nuts…water…nothing much else.  And they ate healthy food mostly.  Which was a good thing.  I usually ate too much junk food for my own good even though I tried not to.  It’s just really hard to pass up some hot chips when you’re in the middle of studying.  Brain food I like to think of it as.  I usually go for a long walk with the dog after to ease my guilt.  I was snapped out of my thoughts when I realised Chuck had asked me something.

“Pardon?”

“What did you say to Pierre last night?  He was acting weird before I left the hotel this morning.”

“Oh, he was up as well?”

“Yeah…unusual for him but he was being very…quiet.  If he’s awake that early he’s usually very noisy and trying to wake everybody else up.”

I frowned.  “I don’t think I said anything to him…I…oh…he did ask me back to the hotel with him…but I declined.”

“You blew him off?  Pierre?  Haha…it’s about time…” Chuck laughed out loud and wiped an imaginary tear from his eye.  “Oh my God…I wish I could have seen that…”

“I guess…he doesn’t get that a lot?”

Chuck sighed.  “Usually a girl will be willing to go with him.  You’re…different.  I like that.”

“Thanks.  I don’t get why, just because I’m a chick and I’m a fan that I have to be like that…I mean…wouldn’t it freak him out a bit?  Anyway…I can be obsessed in my own way…but I wouldn’t throw myself at a guy I don’t know personally.  Actually I wouldn’t throw myself at any guy period.”

“That’s nice to know.”  Chuck finished his coffee and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.  “Well, I have to go get the guys…we have a radio appearance today…Mix FM…”

“MIX 106.3, my second favourite radio station.” I stretched and held my hand to my mouth as I yawned.  “What time?”

“11 AM…will you tune in?”

“Well…duh…” I smiled at him.  “Of course.  Anyway, see you after?”

“Yes…aren’t you taking us to…uh…Billabong Sanctuary today?”

“Yep…see you later then.”

“See you.”

I watched as Chuck walked back down the mall.  I finished off my custard slice grabbed my rubbish and made my way to Uni. 

                                                            * * * * *

After the show

“That was great…you guys were fantastic up there!” Cassie smiled at the guys.  Pierre was sitting next to me on the couch in the dressing room.  I was leaning with my head back mobile pressed to my right ear as I listened to my messages.  After I clicked my phone off I glanced over at Megan.

“We get to take the guys in to meet the team after the game tomorrow.”

“That’s cool,” Pierre said from beside me.  “Heaps of sweaty men…”

“You know you love it, Bouvier,” Jeff quipped.

“Sure I do…” 

“What are we going to do now?” David whined.

“Let’s go clubbing,” Carly suggested.

“Yes…let’s show the guys the Townsville night life.”

“You have a night life?” Pierre chuckled.  “I can’t wait to see this.”

I rolled my eyes and bounced to my feet.

“Come on…to The Mad Cow…”

The Mad Cow Night Club

[Pierre’ P.O.V.]

Okay…so I am officially…wasted, well I can still function and control myself a little…as was everyone else…bar Chuck.  He was speaking rapidly into his cell phone…obviously to his girlfriend…Nissa if I remember correctly.  I can’t really think when I’m drunk.  I glanced around through my alcohol-fogged eyes and found myself staring at Marly who was dancing relatively co-ordinately on the dance floor.  Her shoulder length black hair moved as she danced.  I found myself making my way toward her thinking…what are you doing, Bouvier?  

“Hey?” I smiled at her.  She glanced at me through her glasses and her lips twitched slightly.

“Hey…”

Not very enthusiastic…that’s interesting…most fan girls would be all over me by now (a fact not me being arrogant or anything)…maybe she’s not that drunk…She stumbled against me almost falling over.  Scratch that thought…she’s gone…I gently caught hold of her arms and steered her off the dance floor to a table and chairs sitting her down.  I grabbed a glass of water and handed it to her and then pouring one for myself and downing it in one gulp.  Marly sipped at hers and then grinned sheepishly at me. 

“I do this all the time…James always tells me to drink water…I never do…”

James?  She had someone…

“He’s Carly’s…friend…” It was as if she’d read my mind.  I leaned against the table watching as she drank the water.  She was really beautiful…all she needed to do was ditch the glasses and wear contacts like Chuck did and she would be perfect.  She wasn’t skinny…that was always extremely off-putting, nothing worse then a chick that looked like she starved herself.  Marly noticed me checking her out and she blushed a little.

“You’re really pretty…” I blurted out before I could stop myself…my little man down below started to stir.  None of that…

“Err…thanks…” she smiled but didn’t return my compliment.  I frowned slightly at that uncertain how to proceed.

“Um…” I started then stopped looking around.  Chuck was still sitting in a corner talking on his cell…Jeff, David, Seb and Pat were now on the dance floor with Marly’s friends tearing it up.  I turned back to Marly and chewed on my bottom lip nervously.  “So…want to get out of here?  Maybe go back to the hotel us guys are staying at?”  I wondered what she’d say.  A lot of fans jumped at the chance…and well I don’t need to tell you how it usually ends up.  Before she could answer though a man with short dark blonde hair who looked to be around my age slumped in the chair next to her.  He was bulked up…probably played rugby or something.  I frowned as Marly turned to him and grinned.

“Hey, Josh…what are you doing here?  Muzza won’t be too happy to find out you’ve been clubbing…”

“Nah…I just popped in for a minute, Ben’s here, I went and said hi to him…then saw you.  Thought I’d come say hi.”  Josh noticed me then.  “Who’s this?”

Marly shifted in her seat.  “That’s Pierre.  Pierre, this is Josh Hannay…he’s a Cowboy…”

“In more ways than one,” he teased reaching out to touch her hair.  She blushed a little and pushed his hand away.  He caught hold of her hand and squeezed it as he nodded at me. 

“I play for the Cowboys…local rugby team…we’re in the Grand Final.”

“So I heard,” I spoke coolly, why do people always butt in when I’m doing something?  Apparently he had a thing for Marly, she for him.  It was obvious by the way they were acting toward each other. 

“Coming to the game?”

“You know it…I’ll be rooting for you.”

“Hehe…you’ll be rooting me you mean.”

“Very funny, Josh…I don’t know what Mattie or the others would think of that comment.” 

Josh wrapped his arms around her blatantly ignoring me.  Then he bounced to his feet and left after giving her a peck on the cheek.  Marly picked up her glass of water and finished it off.

“I’m going to head home.” She climbed to her feet.  She just blew me off…either that or she didn’t hear me…

“Uh…what about my offer…?” I know…I’m a little arrogant at times I must admit…

She stared at me then shook her head.  “Look…I hardly know you…anyway…see you tomorrow.”

Way to put some one down girl…still…no one’s ever turned me down off the bat before…actually it’s kinda refreshing…not having a fan throwing herself at me…yeah…it’s all good.  Who am I kidding?  The first fan that I’m actually attracted to…but she’s smitten with a sport’s buff…how come I get no luck? 

[End Pierre’s P.O.V.]

I hurried out of the Cri still hearing Pierre’s question in my mind.  “So…want to get out of here?  Maybe go back to the hotel us guys are staying at?”

I shook my head hard and almost collided with Josh who had obviously not left yet.

“Marly…you okay?” he looked at me in concern as I stumbled.  I managed to right myself by grabbing hold of his arm.  He slipped his other arm around my waist.  “Maybe I should drive you home?”

“Thanks, Josh…” I muttered.  He helped me into his car as Ben who he had been talking to him went and told my friends I was going home.

When we arrived at my place, Josh walked me to the front door.  I turned to him and leaned against him pressing my forehead against his broad chest.  I don’t know why I did it, it just felt right.  I felt him stroke a hand through my hair then he tilted my face to his and kissed me on the lips.  He pulled back then, winked at me and smiled.

“See you at the game, Marlz.”

I stood with my fingers pressed to my mouth as he climbed into his beat up Mazda and drove off.  I stumbled inside and collapsed onto my bed…I think I was asleep before my head even hit the pillow. 

That Night

Whoa…it’s going to be crazy…the venue is absolutely packed.  Marly told me not to be surprised.  A big international band like ours doesn’t hit their humble town very often.  Right now we’re sitting in the dressing room; Marly, Cassie, Carly and Sarah were with us.  They’d be going out to their seats soon.  They had front row tickets.   David had finally found his Jester hat and was fiddling with the bells on the ends of the floppy bits. 

“So, looking forward to the concert?” I asked Marly, expecting now would be the time she started to go all groupie on me.  She gazed at me expression serious then she cracked a smile.

“Yes…I am; have been for ages.  Since my birthday.”

“Oh?  So, the tickets to the concert were a birthday present?” I surmised.  She nodded in affirmation. 

“Yeah, it was a huge surprise…I was like…‘are you for real?’ it was funny really.  I’m a big fan of your band.  My friends would even hazard to say I’m obsessed…but then they haven’t seen me at a rugby game.”

I laughed at that.  “Will I find out what you’re like at a rugby game?”

“Yeah…tomorrow night…hope you’re ready for a wild time.” Marly smirked at me then glanced at her friends as they were already making their way to the main foyer to get their seats.  “See you after the concert.”

I nodded after her and moved after my band mates as we made our way to the stage entrance to begin the show.

[End Pierre’s P.O.V.]

My friends and I made our way to our seats just as the supporting act bowed out.  We were right up near the stage; we would be able to see everything perfectly.  I had my digital camera, which I was allowed because the Townsville Bulletin wanted pictures.  Checking to make sure the batteries were full I settled in my seat and waited.  We didn’t have long.  The lights dimmed and we could hear movement on the stage…then the lights flashed and the starting chords and cymbal sound of ‘Shut Up’ echoed through the Swamp.  Pierre, David, Seb and Jeff bounded to the front of the stage.  Pierre gripped his microphone in his hand and screamed into it.

“YO, TOWNSVILLE!  LET’S DO THIS!! 

There you go
You’re always so right
It’s all a big show
It’s all about you

You think you know
What everyone needs
You always take time
To criticize me

It seems like everyday
I make mistakes
I just can’t get it right
It’s like I’m the one
You love to hate
But not today…everybody!

So shut up shut up shut up
Don’t wanna hear it
Get out get out get out
Get out of my way
Step up step up step up
You’ll never stop me
Nothing you say today
Is gonna bring me down

There you go
You never ask why
It’s all a big lie
Whatever you do

You think you’re special
But I know and I know and I know
And we know
That you’re not

You’re always there to point out
My mistakes
And shove them in my face
It’s like I’m the one you love to hate
But not today

So shut up shut up shut up
Don’t wanna hear it
Get out get out get out
Get out of my way
Step up step up step up
You’ll never stop me
Nothing you say today
Is gonna bring me down

So shut up shut up shut up
Is gonna bring me down
So shut up shut up shut up
Is gonna bring me down…”

Pierre grinned at the audience and then stared directly down at me and winked as he spoke.

“This song is to all our critics and all the people who thought we’d go nowhere…sing along!

Don’t tell me who I should be
And don’t try to tell me what’s right for me
Don’t tell me what I should do
I don’t wanna waste my time
I’ll watch you fade away

So shut up shut up shut up
Don’t wanna hear it
Get out get out get out
Get out of my way
Step up step up step up
You’ll never stop me
Nothing you say today
Is gonna bring me down

Shut up shut up shut up
I don’t wanna hear it
Get out get out
Get out of my way
Step up step up step up
You’ll never stop me
Nothing you say
Is gonna bring me down
Shut up shut up shut up
Won’t bring me down
Shut up shut up shut up
Bring me down
Won’t bring me down
So shut up shut up shut up!

Woo!  That was…WOW!  You guys are amazing!  It’s great to be here in hot…sunny Townsville!  This is our first time here…right, David?”

The crowd was yelling out to the band members.  It was amazing how many Simple Plan fans there actually were in our small city.  It surprised me.  I chuckled as David responded to the vocalist’s question.

“Yeah, our first time…ever!  And it f***ing rocks!” 

“Rocks like a boat…” Seb added his two cents.  David laughed then glanced at Pierre.

“Hey Pierre, do you have a boat?”

“Yes David, I have a boat.”

“Oh really?  How big?”

Pierre scratched his jaw and then held his hands out wide.

“HUGE…I have a HUGE boat…err…David?  What’s a boat?”

I cracked up laughing at that; dirty thoughts sprang unbidden to my mind as Chuck did one of those comedy drum rolls.

“Play another song…” Jeff rolled his eyes.

“Okay…” Pierre picked up a bottle of water and took a sip.  “This next song is off our first album…it’s called…‘I’m Just a Kid’…cos we’re all just kids here right?”

David called out, “Yeah…kids forever!”

“Let’s go!” Pierre thrust his microphone up in the air as they started to play and then he sang.

“I woke up it was 7
Waited till 11
just to figure out that no one would call
I think I got a lot of friends but I don’t hear from them
What’s another night all alone?
When you’re spending everyday on your own
and here it goes

I’m just a kid and life is a nightmare
I’m just a kid, I know that its not fair
Nobody cares, cause I’m alone and the world is
having more fun than me
Tonight…”

Pierre finished the song and leaned on David’s shoulder as he spoke into his microphone.

“I hear that Rugby is a big thing here?”

I grinned as the crowd screamed loudly in response.  I leaned close to Pat who had joined my friends and me and whispered, “He’s got that right.”  Pat laughed and winked at me as he continued to film the guys with his video camera.  I glanced back up at Pierre who had a bemused look on his face.

“I don’t understand this whole…game…but apparently me and the guys get to see a game tomorrow…in fact the Grand Final is here in your little city…and I have to say…for you guys…THAT F***ING ROCKS!!!  Anyway…let’s do something a little different…David?”

David leaned into his mike.

“We want to hear you guys sing for a while…so…you got your singing voices all warmed up for this one?”

Pierre took the acoustic Timbo handed him.

“This song is called ‘Welcome to My Life’ it was our first single off our new record…sing with us…

Do you ever feel like breaking down…

                                                            * * * * *

David danced around outside Crazy Clark’s.  He was wearing a Jester hat, which he’d just bought for five bucks.  Pierre was leaning against a pole a smirk on his face as he watched his friend being an idiot.  Cassie had gone down to the bank to draw out some money and I was contemplating our options for lunch.  Chuck came up next to me.

“Something easy will do…”

Pat stuck the camera in my face.  “Yeah…like…Subway…you have that here?”

“Yes, Pat…we do.”  I smiled.  “Come on…this way.”

Pierre grabbed hold of the back of David’s shirt and we made our way down the mall to Subway. 

After lunch the guys had to get back to the Swamp for sound check.

“Uh…why do you call it the Swamp?” Jeff asked Carly a small frown creasing his brow. 

“The Crocodiles…which is the basketball team here play there so we call it the Swamp.”

“That makes sense,” Pierre observed. 

“Does it?” I quipped then I laughed.  “Yeah, I suppose it does.” 

“You know that’s a sure sign of madness…answering yourself?” Pierre pointed out.  I smiled at him and nodded.

“I am mad though…so it’s nothing to me.”

“Yep…Marly is completely insane…especially when she’s at an NRL game,” Megan patted me on the shoulder.

“Oh…really?  I’m the not the one who was screaming…‘they won!  They won!’ down the phone.”

“You did it afterwards…”

I shrugged and glanced at Pierre.  “Ever seen Rugby League?”

“Nope…not really into sports…”

“Well you’re in for a treat tomorrow night then…it’ll be an experience…just going to soak up the atmosphere is worth it.  Even if you don’t understand the game.”  I grinned at him then glanced over at Carly who was trying to explain the rudiments of the game to Chuck and Seb. 

“They’ll never understand…” Pierre muttered from the corner of his mouth. 

“Haha…not much to it…just two teams of guys throwing themselves at each other and getting dirty…well there are rules…but whatever.”  I smirked at Pierre and then made my way to my car in the Entertainment Centre car park.  “See you guys in a couple of hours…I’m off to study.”

Carly had to get to work; Cassie, Megan and Sarah went off to mosey around whilst the guys went off to do their sound check. 

[Pierre’s P.O.V.]

Well…that wasn’t too bad…still I’ll reserve judgment till after tonight’s show.  I looked over at David who was dancing around the stage with his bass looking like a complete moron. 

“Oi…where’s your hat?” I mocked him referring to the Jester hat.  He looked like a mad clown when he was wearing it his longish black hair sticking out from underneath it in odd angles.  David flipped me off and turned to Seb who was checking to make sure his guitar was hooked up and ready to go.

“Where’d you put my hat?” he whined.  I rolled my eyes as I adjusted my earpiece and tapped the end of my mic.  I spoke into it softly just to make sure it was working.

“David is a moron…”

“Hey!  I heard that, Pierre!” my friend protested.

“That’s the point,” I called over to him, then winked at him.  He glared at me then concentrated on tuning his bass.  For the next hour we ran through some of our songs as a warm up then we went to have an early dinner before the concert.