Chapter Text
Pickles was always considered a troublemaker. He would steal beer from liquor stores and his father’s stash since he was a child. Maybe the idea of him being a troublemaker started with his older brother blame him for burning down the garage. Then again, his parents had always ignore him and focus more on his older brother. Seth was such a treasure to the family, while Pickles was the other child. Maybe this was one of the other reasons he’s a troublemaker. Perhaps it’s all this anger, frustration and anxiety bottled up into a nasty toxic that is poisoning him. Maybe this is why alcohol and drugs helped contain this toxic bottle. “Toxic bottle… hmmm..” Taking a sip of his beer while writing the words down.
His fingers slide with ease on the guitar strings as he listens to the sound he plays and sang softly to himself, “Stuck in a toxic bottle, baby….” He sang softly. Then, shook his head at the way it sounded. “No, fuck!” The redhead scratches off the words off his notebook. His long teased red hair fell in front of his face. His hand quickly slick in back to it’s place.
“Man, fuck this.” He tosses his pen and notebook to the side of his bed. His Emerald green eyes scan over to the other side of the bed seeing his multi-color marble swirl bong. Taking it to get high as he pops three drug pills and sip his beer to get a good high. “Mmm.” Letting his head on his pillow thinking about his life. Now, he was famous and rich.
“I’m getting out of this shitty place!” His sixteen-year-old self shouted at his drunken father who was sitting on a lazy boy drinking a bottle of whiskey, while watching Tv. “I hate this place. I hate this fuckin’ town. I fuckin’ hate school! I fuckin’ hate you and ma!”
His father grunts giving a cold glare at his, “Get out of here, you belong in a garbage can!”
Pickles glare at his father being stung by his brutal words. His lips quiver wanting to cry and scream in rage. His parents were always so verbally abusive to him. He never spoken out of term. When he does, his parents merely get more frustrated with him. Unlike, his older brother. When Seth talk back or fights; their parents- well his mother will easily forgive him and apologize. His father would ignore it. Maybe why this toxic continues to grow. When he glare at his father who glares back at him still drinking his whiskey, he let out a grunt at his son then continues to watch tv.
That was it. He stole some of his parents’ money, pack his things, his favorite guitar he bought from a Pawn Shop, and ran off. He got on to dirty cheap broken down bus and hitchhike with random pick truck guys. Sixteen-year-old Pickles was walking in a middle of a dirt road regretting to not beat the shit out of his dad. He regretted not breaking that stupid fucking look off his dad’s face. What would it have felt like with his fist meeting his father’s drunken face? What would have it feel like if he told them to fuck off! What would have it feel like if he kicked his brother in the nuts? It would’ve felt great. Now, he couldn’t and he regret it. There’s no point now.
Here was broke wearing the same clothes he had for four days carrying his guitar and backpack. He digs into his backpack to pull out a can of warm beer he had stolen from a 7/11. Luckily, he was quick and slick. Taking a sip of the beer, he shudders at the awful taste of it being so hot, “Yuck.”
All of sudden there was a loud honk, and he jumps seeing a large hippie van. “Hey, kid. Where ya off, too? Need a ride?” A woman asked having her brown long messy hair everywhere.
“LA.” He said.
“Sweet, dude. We were heading there. Hop on, dude.” A blond short hair man said in a stoner voice. Half his face was covered by these large sunglasses like the female.
Pickles didn’t ask questions and just went in. He saw the male driver singing to Aerosmith. “So, what a cute little boy doing out here in the hot dessert?” The brunette asked.
“I ran away. My dad sux and my ma is a bitch.” He said drinking his beer. His green eyes looks over seeing a teenager blond girl around his age giving him a soft smile.
“That sucks.” She said.
“Yeah, totally. My dad said I was a bum.” The male driver said, “Anyway, I’m Peace Peter. That beautiful chick next to me is Sunflower Jenny.”
The brunette with messy waved at him, “Hi! Love the world, man.”
“I’m Stoner Toby.” The blond male said.
“And that is Poppy Sally.” Peace Peter pointed as he went back to driving.
Pickles look at the blond girl saying, “Hello.”
“Hey, um… Hi… I’m Pickles.”
“Pickles?” They asked.
“Yeah, it’s my nickname. I hate my old name.” He said rubbing his neck.
“Don’t worry, dude. I hate the name the government made us have.” Stoner Toby said, “So, where you from?”
Pickles saw Sunflower Jenny talking, “Toby, remember the rules man. Life is private.”
“Sorry, it’s just his accent is so weird, man.” Stoner Toby said taking another hit of his bong. “Man, this is heaven.” His eyes turn red.
“Bae, give me a hit.” Peace Peter said as he chews gum. His girlfriend gave him a pill of LSD in his mouth. “Whoo!”
Poppy patted Pickles on his back, “Yeah?” Pickles asked seeing the blond female with her freckled face and gag tooth smile made a bit shy. She had a cute face.
“You want a hit?” She asked holding a bong in her hands.
Pickles rubs his neck, “Yeah, sure.” In honesty, he never gotten high before. He had a joint with his friends, but it never gotten him high. His first take made him cough and cough until he took a beer. He had smoke cigarettes to get a kick, but beer was always good.
“Here, I’ll help you.” She sat next to him lighting it up for him, “This will make all you trouble go away.”
“How do you know?”
She got close to his face and softly said, “Trust me. Besides, its better than that hot beer can you stole.”
“How didja-” Poppy stops him, “Take it.” Pickles took it. For the first time, he gotten high and it felt amazing.
His mind left when the tour bus made a stop, “Hey, Pickles! Get your ass up!” A loud banging on the door from Antonio DiMarco Thunderbottom.
“Fuckin’ Tony.” Pickled grunts getting off his bed to get out his room, “What is it?”
Tony grins widely, “We reached our hotel, stupid.”
“Shut up, man.” Pickles shouted getting his guitar and things to get out of the bus. Then, Tony give a nice slap on his bottom when he passed by.
“Nice, ass.”
“Fuckin’ perve.” The redhead snorted with a smirk on his face.
His best friend follows him to their hotel rooms. “Man, I fucking hate how my ass looks.” Candynose spoked looking through the latest rock n roll magazine, “I swear, I’m gonna get fat 15 years later.”
“That if you continue to eat a whole box of pizza.” Snazz mumbles.
Candynose shot a glare, “Fuck you. Look at you!”
“What about me? I’m fuckin’ sexy. You saw how many people want to fuck me?” Snazz blow out his cigarette in front of Candynose face.
“Ew!” He waves the smoke away from breathing Snazz’s breath, “Dude, there’s mouthwash.”
There manger spoke, “Shut up, guys. Ya need some rest for tomorrows show.” He handed the keys, “And this time don’t fuckin’ overdo it with your dope and cocaine or whatever in the hell you mix your shit in!” He lights up his Cuban cigar. “I don’t want to deal with the press again… Candynose!”
“Me? Pickles, Snazz, and Tony had done it too!” The blond male whined out loud pointing them out.
Tony was smoking a cigarette having one arm around Pickles’ neck, “Hey, we weren’t in that weird orgy… what was it? A dog was in it?”
“Not my fault!” Candynose groans.
Pickles and Snazz laughs while their manger shook his head, “Well, don’t do it, again! God, if your gonna have orgies then have one with just chicks! No men, no animals, and no fuck dolls!”
Tony said, “So you would be out of the list of no fucking dolls?”
“Ohhh,” Snazz burst out laughing.
Their manger glares at him, “Fuck you.”
Pickles give a kiss on the cheek to Tony, “Nice, dude.”
“And watch this gay shit.” The manager said, “Yeah, I get it, LA is home of the Gays- well, San Francisco is but ya get what I mean. Times are tough.”
“Hey, I ain’t gay, dood.” Pickles said.
“I don’t give a shit if you are. The press and media does. Once they find out you're a faggot- you’re out. Easy as that. Thankfully, we can blame drugs and trannies.” The manger took another puff from his cigar, “I know many other celebrities are on some drug and been sucking and fucking guys.”
“Well, we can do it privately.” Candynose said with a shrug, “I’m pretty slick with that.”
“Whatever.” Snazz said.
The manger handed them their bedrooms. Candynose and Snazz shared a room together, and Pickles and Tony did. The two went into their room, “Fuck, our manger is such a pain in the ass.” Tony said tossing his things on the floor.
Pickles put his guitar down, “Yeah.” He grins being alone with the pale skin ravenette bass player. Then, his mouth met his the two fiercfully kiss.
“Whoo, damn. No, dinner.” Tony jokes kissing him back. A pale hand slither underneath the redhead’s black crop top to touch his nipples.
“Mmm,” Pickles moans between kisses as he unbuckles Tony’s belt and pants. They got on the bed for a quick fuck.
The two were naked breathing heavily after their organism, “Fuck, man.” Tony light up a joint getting high, “That was wild.” He had a big smile on his face.
Pickles laughs, “Pass me that.” Getting the joint and smoke it. The two took turns sharing the piece.
“Didn’t know you can ride like that…” Tony had a smile on his face.
Pickles snorted, “Dood, I’m usually drunk and high.”
“Yeah, fucking you while your face is on the toilet is the norm, or you half passed out drunk and high while I fuck you… then throwing up on yourself or on the bed is the norm.” Tony said licking his lips.
“Shut up, dood! Man, not my fault getting drunk and high is fun.” The redhead said tasting the weed, “Man, I fuckin’ need a drink.” He got up to get a bottle of vodka in the small fridge.
Tony saw Pickles’ naked ass and grins, “Well, time for a quick shower. I will pound that later.”
“Oh yeah?” The redhead grins drinking the vodka from the bottle.
“Yeah, but after the party. I need to get more high, drunk, and fuck those sluts.” He stood naked heading to the shower.
“Alright, after your done it’s my turn.” Pickles went back on his bed taking a drink. Taking out his notebook and pen, he went back to writing his song. His mind was buzzed and it felt good, “Poppy…” His mind wandered to Poppy Sally. He closed his eyes slowly drifting to his memory lane.
“Whoo-HOO!” Stoner Toby runs naked through a rock n’ roll festival filled with all sorts of stoners, hipsters, rockers, artists, and random people. “I feel so alive!” It was hot outside and everyone had tents up.
Peace Peter and Sunflower Jenny sat with a bunch of hippies singing out loud; they babbles out of their mouth. The group was so high they didn’t care what they were singing. The redhead sat taking a joint in his mouth, “Here, you’ll look cute in this.” Poppy place a flower crown on his head, “I didn’t know you had freckles. Cool someone like me.” She giggles seeing him shirtless with only a beaded necklace.
Pickles laughs, “Yeah, I hate them.”
“Why?” She frowns.
“Because they’re ugly on me.”
Poppy arched’ her eyebrows having her icy blue eyes on him, “So, you think I’m ugly?”
“Wha- no. That’s not it.” He answered getting nervous.
“You said freckles are ugly and I have freckles. So, I’m ugly.”
“No, you jest don’ git it, you’know? My dad and mom would call me names and stuff…” He said playing a handful of dirt on the ground.
The female nodded, “You wanna walk with me?”
“Sure.” He mumbles. They got up taking a good walk around the festival. Poppy hold his hand with a soft smile.
“I think you’re really cute and those freckles makes you hot.” She gave another smile showing off her gap tooth.
Pickles blushed, “Stop that.”
“Come on, Pickles. Your so cute. I mean, I bet guys went after you in Wisconsin.”
“Yuck. I’m not a fag.” He said lowly having his shoes kicking the dry dirty.
Poppy shrugs, “You like lying to yourself, don’t you.”
“I’m not gay… I like both.” He said, “There’s a difference. Though, in Wisconsin… the town I lived in had ugly fat guys.”
“You didn’t like boys your age?”
“Well…” He blushes, “There’s one. One of my older brother’s friend. He was cute… hawt? I liked him.” Pickles never liked talking about who he likes. Heck, he knew in his town there was a lot of in the closet case and he can be considered as one of them. Thankfully, he likes females too. Oh yes, he slept with a lot of girls in his high school and they were amazing. He doesn’t even remember how he lost his virginity or with who. But, when it came to guys; he was pretty private. Not until, he and his brother’s friend one time made out drunk and had a quick fuck. Then after, that Pickles been playing around with both teams. Heck that how he was able to hitchhike for “free” depending on the truck driver. “But he was an ass.”
“Oh, I thought it was going to be romantic. Then again, small towns are always hell and shitty.” Her soft hand holds his as they swing back and forth.
“Where were you from?” Pickles asked.
“I lived around a shitty town in Kentucky.” She shrugs, “Hated there. So glad, I left.”
“Look at us, two run a ways.” He chuckles.
“Right.” She giggles. Soon nightfall came, some were out making a bonfire and singing. Others were in tents having orgies, or getting very drugged with alcohol, or both. Except for Poppy Sally and Pickles, they were in their own bonfire enjoying a good high and talking which feels like centuries. The redhead couldn’t be any happier meeting someone like him. Poppy is such a smart, shy, cute girl. He hadn’t even thought about fucking her, since she was being so cute. “Okay… Okay…” The two were laughing a lame joke they made. Poppy slowly said having red eyes, “How shitty is your dad?”
“Fuckin’ shitty drunk piece of shit.”
She laughs, “Why do you play the guitar? Why do you want to be a famous rockstar?”
“To show those basters what I’m made of. I want people to hear my music. I’m really good at it.”
“If you were a famous rockstar… what would you do with all that money?”
Pickles bites his bottom lip trying to think, “Get a room full of exotic animals with fur skin.”
“Ew…” Poppy laughs, “That's so mean.”
“What about you?”
“I would…” She looks down playing with her fingers softly spoke, “Hire someone to kill my dad.”
Pickles took a moment said, “That’s a good one. I would like to hire someone to beat up my dad...” Poppy shook her head.
“No, like I want him dead.” She said in a serious voice. “Like… I get it… sometimes the universe gives us shitty parents… parents that don’t give a shit about us.” Her eyes became teary and her voice started to crack, “But… when a mom and a dad looks at you and hate you because you weren’t what they expected… how is that forgiveness. I know Peter, Jenny, and Toby don’t get it since they came from a happy family like a perfect family. Did you know Peter was supposed to be a boss after his dad retire, or how Jenny wanted to be a doctor, or Peter was going to be in NASA! They are just posers and they don’t get it.” She had cries coming down her cheek.
Pickles for the first time stood quiet. Poppy grab his hand holding it tightly, “But you do. You get me… You know how it feels. This anger… this hate… this massive regret of not getting pay back! You know.” She bursts into tears.
“Poppy. Poppy…” He pressed his forehead against her’s forehead trying to calm her down from her anxiety attack, “Listen to me, life sux, you’know. I’m not good with this shit… but you are a great person. Don’t go down that road… it’s too late for me, but you got this. Your smart, pretty, and easy on the eyes.”
She giggles making him smile. “Look… I know it suxs and it’s scary, but I’m here for ya. We’ll do this together.” He softly spoke.
Poppy sniffs as she whispers, “My mom is dead… after I was born….” The redhead nodded, “And my dad… he rapes me…”
Pickles never felt so sick to his stomach listening to Poppy’s story. “He been doing it ever since I was five.” She sniffs gripping his hand tighter, “That's why I left… I can’t go back and I want him dead, because I know one day he’ll find me.”
“He won’t.”
“He will, because he’s a cop.” She became paranoid, “I can’t go back. I’m so scared.”
“You won’t go back. We will be in LA, going to Venice Beach and get fucked up.” He hugs her letting her cry on his shoulder. Those wet tears burned him, and he had thoughts on murder. Who would hurt a person like Poppy? Makes you think the world is damn and bullshit. Pickles had a nasty bowl of hate growing inside of him. Pure hatred for the monster. He promise himself once he gets to the top he will find Poppy’s dad and get him killed. All for Poppy. At latest, that what good troublemakers do cause more trouble.
“Hey, guys! What are you doing?” Peace Peter walks out in concern wearing his pants. He probably was in that drugged out orgy tent with his girlfriend.
Pickles waves his hand, “We’re relaxing. Git out of here.” He felt Poppy’s arms hugging him tightly as she heard Peace Peter’s voice.
Peace Peter arched his eyebrow, “Calm on, you can tell good ol’ Peter.”
“Nah, we’re good. We’re just high on life. Crying for the good of the universe, man!” Pickles lied.
Peace Peter nodded having his brown eyes on Poppy while he slicks his messy brown hair back, “Alright.” His goatee tickled his nose and rubs it, “I’ll see ya later. Don’t stay up, too late.” He went back to the tent.
“Nosy baster.” He snorted.
Poppy giggles, “Yeah. Let’s go to our tent. I want to show you something.” She took his hand making him walk with her. She wiped her tears as she walks fast. Pickles tries to catch up with her, but couldn’t with his vision going focus on his surroundings. Damn his high.
They went inside their blue tent that no one was in. The two sat down on the floor, “What are we doin’ here?” He asked staring up at the tent, then at Poppy who gave a small smile.
She took went through her bags taking out a bong, ecstasy, and cocaine. “Have a little fun…” She giggles. “Open up.” He let his tongue out for her to put the pill on his mouth. The two did drugs sharing their bong and snorting cocaine.
“Whoo!” Pickles felt a strong way of the drugs kicking in him. He felt hyper and ready.
Poppy laughs, “Now, for your right of passage.” She fixes his flower crown leaning over for a kiss.
“Whoa… we’re gonna do this?” He asked.
“Shh, it’ll be fun.” Another soft kiss was placed on his dry lips. The kiss felt soft and innocent nothing he ever tried before. It didn’t taste like cigarettes or beer, it tasted sweet. They kissed for a while until Poppy pulled away to take off her white sleeveless top to reveal her small perky breasts to him. Her blues eyes fluttered making him gulped like this was the first time he’s losing his virginity. Oh boy, was he nervous.
“Condom?” He asked seeing her pulling it out from her bag. He nodded as he kisses her again. The two spend the night becoming one. This was the first time Pickles ever felt love. It was a strange love, because it wasn’t something people always romanticize about. It was spiritual and silent. It wasn’t loud or something he keeps getting excited for. It was sincere and peaceful. Their love was innocent and special.
“Here!” Tony tossed a towel on Pickles face.
He woke up feeling the soft damp towel on his face, “Dood, what the fuck?” He saw Tony walking naked in the room getting his bag to pull out his clothes.
“You said your next so use my towel.” The bass player shrugs having his damped hair covering his face while he looks through his things.
Pickles rolled his eyes, “Fine, but I’m not using your shitty towel. I’ll git mine!” He throws the towel across the other bed. Tony rolled his eyes, “Don’t take too long we’re supposed to go to the party.” Then walks into the bathroom for a quick shower. The splash of warm water hit his face felt so good. He needed this. Mind wandering back to the memory.
Poppy and Pickles been good. They would share and eat everything. As they went on the road once more. Poppy would sleep on Pickles’ shoulder in peace. The redhead would hold her hand any time he can. More than a halfway to their destination they stopped at another festival group party. Poppy and Pickles walk around the festivals, “So, what we’re gonna do when we stop at Venice Beach?” He asked.
“What do you mean? We will keep moving.” Poppy answered.
Pickles stopped the walk to stare at her, “What?”
“We don’t stop we just keep going.” She saw Pickles’ face looking down, “Wait, you were serious about becoming a rockstar?”
“Yeah, I was- I AM!” He bites his bottom lip the dry wind blows through having his hair flying everywhere. At this point, he left his hair grow a bit long from the travels. “I want to be a famous rockstar. I thought we could try it together.”
“No, I’m not a player. I’m not good at the triangle. You shouldn't do it.” She spoke honestly, “Most people would get disappointed… I mean, look around… most of these are broke dream followers.”
“Well, I still got a shot. You can come with me.” He saw Poppy shaking her head.
“I can’t.” She looks down playing with her fingers. “I…”
“Hey, guys! What’s with you love birds doing out here?” Peace Peter came running to them. His hands were placed on Poppy’s shoulder making her look away from him. “Me and the others are going to cook up some good can beans and crappy can soup.”
“We’re good.” Pickles said.
Poppy answered, “Yeah, we’re good.” She tucks her blond hair behind her ear.
“Alright.” Peace Peter nodded as he rubs Poppy’s shoulders for a good while. Pickles watches seeing the older male awkwardly left.
“What the hell was that about?”
Poppy shook her head, “It’s nothing. Probably drugs.”
“Look, Poppy… just think about coming with me.” He said.
“I will.” The two kissed.
“Hey, man! What you doing in there? Don’t tell me you fucking throw up and passed out?” Tony bang the door.
The redhead rolled his eyes, “I ain’t drunk! You dumbass!” He got out of the bathroom quickly seeing Tony making a face.
“Finally, you’re out. I need to put on some make up and fix my hair.” He went back inside.
Pickles quickly changed putting on his black crop top showing and jeans with those red cowboy boots. He put the towel over his head trying to make his hair damp as possible, so he could dry it with ease. When Tony got out, he went inside to fix on his hair trying to give it the big tease poof and add make-up on his face. “Ready?” Tony asked giving a whistled seeing Pickles walking out of the bathroom looking fucking hot.
“Fuck ya.” He grins widely looking at his belly button, “Should I put my piercing on?”
“Nah, remember Candynose would complain about his.”
“Right and our manger, too.” Pickles rolled his eyes. The two went outside to meet up with the rest of the band mates.
Candynose was the first to notice them, “Finally, fuck! We’re you two fucking or what?”
“Easy man.” Snazz said having his head against the wall. “Don’t ruin my high.”
“Let me guess, cocaine and heroin?” Tony pointed at them noticing their high.
“Fuck yes.” Snazz grins, “Heroin is amazing.”
“It’s not cocaine. It’s crack.” Candynose wiped his nose getting hype, “Let’s party.” The two went to a night club with booze, drugs, and sluts. “Whoo!” Candynose screams at the party while the music played loudly.
Snazz was snorting more drugs while making out with two girls. Tony was taking shots and popping pills. For Pickles, he was doing everything. He was taking dope, cocaine, heroin, bottles of liquor which he throws up on the floor. Then, he buried his face in some slut’s big boobs. Another one was on his lap doing a dance.
The band kept partying letting their high take over. Tony was throws up on the floor while Candynose snorts more cocaine into his system. Snazz added more shots of heroin. The club kept partying hard and long. Strippers and hookers came by sharing drugs with them. Tony made out with one chick that had a tongue piercing and gave him head in front of them.
“Dude, look she’s sucking my dick!” Tony slurred his words.
“HAhahah!” They laugh. Pickles kisses with one female sharing tongue.
Candynose and Snazz were dancing with the woman. They started having sex. The four took the party to their hotel bedroom having their own fun. Everyone soon passed out on the bed and floors. Pickles throws up on his shirt, “Fuckin’… shite!” He slurred getting up from the passed out sluts he banged. The bathroom felt so far away but it was so close. His stomach felt like he was burning and it made him throw up in the bathroom floor, “Ohh… no more… more…cinna…cinna- bon bons.” He slurred. The younger male slowly walks to his bed until, he saw Tony awake taking a shot of angle dust.
The redhead grins going over to Tony, “Hey,” He kisses him on the neck.
Tony rolled his eyes pulling away, “Ew, dude. Vomit breathe.”
“Fuck you.” He wanted to give him a kiss and hug until his bandmate pulled away.
The bass player rubs his forehead, “Dude, I’m not in the mood.”
“Come on, let’s fuck.”
“No, dude. Everyone is here. Besides, I don’t feel like fucking.” He hissed taking another snort of his drugs.
Pickles’ head was throbbing, “Ugh, give me some of that.” The angle dust was split. They were snorting trying to take it all in. Then, the lead singer went to the fridge to get another bottle of liquor and drink it.
“Dude, you should calm down with that.” Tony said, “How am I going to fuck you if you spend most of your days throwing up?”
“Oh well.” He shrugs getting a bit wobbly, “As long as I get fucked man. Remember our first time?” Tony stood quite. They both know their first time of having sex was Pickles being half passed out from drugs and liquor while Tony was drunk and decided to fuck him. It was lazy sex. They don’t even prefer calling themselves boyfriend or lovers… just fuck buddies. To be honest, Pickles knows Tony wasn’t one for anything serious. It was more his way or no way. The two fought tons of times. The bass player like to look out for himself most of them time.
Pickles fully understand that, since he felt the same way. They had no way for a good or healthy relationship, whatever that meant. “Well, lazy fucks are good.” He said.
“I guess, I still want to fu-” The lead singer before he could finish he rushes to the bathroom to throw up. Tony follows him.
“Ugh,” Pickles face was sweaty with smug make-up, sweaty hair, and vomit. Lots of vomit. His stomach was upsetting so much he ended up puking a bit more. Then he heard a click sound. “Tony, seriously?”
“You said, you want to fuck. Let’s do this then.” He shrugs pulling down his pants. Pickles felt his hands lifting up his bottom up high. “Fuck, dude. It smells but your so tight.” He grunts as he thrusts his cock into the redhead.
“BLAG!” Lead singer throw up again trying to moan, but he was being so breathless. Gasping for air from throwing up made it hard for him to enjoy the fuck.
“That’s it baby, keep going.” The bass player grins as he cums inside of him, “Fuck yess.”
“Augh!” Pickles sniffs feeling organism but continues to throw up.
Tony slap his butt, “You did good. I’m going to bed. See you, later.”
“Alright.” Pickles continues to throw up until he passed out.
Pickles went to look for Poppy, “Poppy?” He checked in every tent until he saw Stoner Toby, “Toby, have you seen Poppy?”
“I think Peace Peter took her in that blue tent.” He slurred his words staring at the bonfire.
Pickles nodded going to the tent. To his surprised he heard grunting and moaning when he walks in he saw passed out Poppy and Peace Peter fucking her. “Hey, what you doin’, man!” Pickles shouted pulling Peter off of Poppy.
Peace Peter was stunned at the punch to the face. Poppy was slurring her words, “Poppy, you okay?”
“I told him no…” She softly spoke until she passed out.
“What the fuck, dood?” Pickles shouted seeing Peace Peter pulling up his pants and wipe his blood off his nose.
Peter answered, “She owned her payment.”
“Payment? What the fuck your talking about?”
“We would fuck every time we stop.” Peter said with a grin, “What you think she was an angel. She’s a slut, man!”
Another punch across the face, “Fuck you, man! She’s not a slut! She’s a fucking person, you fuckwit piece of shit!” The redhead kept punching him.
“ Poppy is a minor! Does Jenny know?” He yelled at the brunette who was on the follow taking another blow.
“No, man. Don’t tell her shit?” He grab Pickles wrist, “Look, I can leave you and Poppy out here. You need me to go to Venice Beach!”
“And you need Jenny!”
“Look,” Peter sighs, “Me and Jenny like to fuck with other people when we stop, but our number one rule is not to fuck with people who we ride with. Too much tension. Man, come on. You know, how she will get! I love Jenny, man. She’s my other half… everything. Don’t tell her. Look, I won’t touch Poppy. I’ll drop you off and we get what we want, alright.”
Pickles bite his bottom lip, “Alright. Don’t you fuckin’ dare touch her or else.” Peter nodded walking away. The redhead quickly went back to the blue tent seeing Poppy crying to herself.
“You should’ve let him fuck me.” She cries, “He’s right you know. I’m a big slut.”
Pickles snorted, “So? Look around, we all are. I’m the biggest… you have no seen me in high school. I screw a lot of girls and sucked a lot of cocks.”
Poppy giggles looking over her shoulder seeing a thin redhead giving a sheepish smile. “But, it’s true.”
“So?” Pickles went to comfort her, “Look, I get it sluts are sluts, but you don’t deserve that. No slut does. I know, I wouldn’t and I have done things I didn’t like that no one has to go through. You shouldn’t.”
Poppy rest her head on his lap, “Thank you.” Having tears coming down her cheek. She sniffs, “I feel like I matter.”
“Well, you do.” He rubs her back letting her go to sleep. She did sleep innocently like an angel. Pickles made sure to by Poppy’s side.
“Hey… Hey, PICKLES!” There was a loud banging on the door.
“Ohhh,” The redhead groans trying to back to sleep.
“GODDAMN IT!” The manager busted the door open gagging at the smell and sight of vomit, “Oh god, what the fuck, Pickles! Jesus!” He pinched his nose together. “Not again! What the hell?” He saw Pickles naked on the floor covered with vomit.
“Ugh, shut it.” Pickles groans in pain feeling his head throbbing. The pain of his head, and stomach made it worst when his manager would yelled at him. Smacking his mouth tasted the dry sticky vomit made it worst. He began throwing up again.
“Fuck, Tony! Help his ass to the shower.” He walks out enrage.
“No, I got this!” The lead singer flushes the toilet and crawled into the tub and turned on the water. The cold fresh water on his face made it all better. Getting out from the tub, to get dress in his room. Tony and his manager were standing there taking cocaine and beer.
“You lucky we woke up on time. You would make this band late for the concert, again!” The manager rant.
The redhead rolled his eyes as he put on his clothes, “Yea, yea.” The teenager got dressed then going to the fridge to take a bottle of beer and then took a snort of cocaine. “There, I’m good!” He grins widely. They went to the others to play at their concert.
It was great. Another successful concert by Snakes n’ Barrels. They had played for three days with so much energy that many people were talking about it everywhere. “Great job, dicks.” The manage said as they got on the tour bus.
Pickles went to his small room to rest, “Yeah, that shit was good.” Snazz said before the redhead close the door. He sat downs on the bed hearing the bus starting off. He grins at the way his fame got him to this point. Then went back to his notebook to finish writing his song. “Stuck in a toxic bottle, baby….” His mind repeated the words again, “Hate being stuck in a toxic bottle, baby… drowning… drowning for you. Missing you, my Poppy seed….” He nodded at the words as he wrote it down. “No way out… it’s just you and me, my Poppy seed.” Playing his guitar at the song with pure concentration.
“Well, here we are Venice Beach!’ Peace Peter said with a smile on his face. Pickles assume it was the fact he was leaving or he was just a happy man.
“A place where we are all one.” Sunflower Jenny smiles at the beautiful sight.
Stoner Toby smiles while Poppy looks down. “We could walk around and party a bit.” Sunflower Jenny said, “Before we say goodbye to Pickles.”
“Yeah, because you know next we’re heading to the San Francisco!” Stoner Toby grins.
“Yup.” Peace Peter park the van. Everyone was out walking around having some fun. After a good while, they said their good byes to the young redhead. Pickles and Poppy were walking around holding hand.
“So…” He trails off.
Poppy stare at the beach giving an unsure look, “Soo, what?”
“Are you staying with me?” He asked.
Poppy Sally sighs giving him a look that gave him the answer, “I’m sorry. I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“I’m scared my dad will find me… and I’m scared that we won’t make it.”
“You don’t believe in me?” Pickles felt someone stab him in the gut.
Poppy shrugs, “Maybe… Sorry. I just can’t take that chance. That's a big risk. I risk too much… and for a boy? I can’t. The van and others have a plan and they get around.” She rubs Pickles cheek and tucked his long red hair back his ear, “Besides, it’s better if you worry just yourself instead of me.”
Pickles never felt so hurt and heartbroken. For once, he thought Poppy would understand, but she couldn’t. She was watching for herself instead of being with a friend. Of course, she would be friends with him for protection. He sighs, “Well, let’s hope I made it there.”
“Yeah,” She gave a soft smile, “I hope you do. You don’t need me to help your back.”
Pickles gave her a soft kiss and press his forehead against her’s. They stood in the moment before drifting away. They heard Peace Peter honk, “Come on, now.” Poppy pulled away going inside the van.
“Are you sure, Poppy?” He asked once more seeing her looking down with a nod.
Peace Peter grins, “You see? Anyway, good luck, kiddo. Hope you make it.”
“Yeah, make that music. You got a great voice.” Stoner Toby shouted. They left just like that. Pickles watch them go. For that moment, he misses them and regret staying, but something was telling him to not look back or regret.
He spends his weeks playing on the streets, being dirt poor and homeless. Sometimes he would go to shelter to sleep and go to soup kitchens. Until, he decided to look for a job at a bar to sing and play his guitar. The bartender hired him on the spot and Pickles slowly work his way up.
It took many nights to impress people and get his name out there. Hell, he lived in a shitty apartment eating can beans and living off beer. Sometimes he would buy weed, which was very cheap than cocaine. He would sleep around from time to time. Men, women, and both. It didn’t bother him.
One day, he was playing some Aerosmith a round fat man watched him. “Say kid, your good. I see, you got talent.” The male said.
“Yeah, I guess.” He shrugs.
“Look, have your ever thought about joining a band?”
“Yeah.” Pickles grins.
The male smiles, “How about a lead singer?”
“That would be cool. Why?”
“Let me just say that I’m gonna make you famous.” He handed him a business card to him.
Pickles’ eyes widen seeing the card, “Holy shit? Really?”
“Yeah, how do you like glam metal?”
“It’s alright. I can do Aerosmith Impressions.”
“Good.” The manager grins widely, “Your gonna be a star.”
Then, it all came true through hard work and getting lucky. Pickles ended up meeting the whole members. At first, it was a rocky start, but after a while he gotten use to them. It wasn’t about the music anymore. It was about the fame and money. Pickles noticed his songs started to loose meaning that stung him. His music was supposed to make him lash out and feel, but they were all fakes to him. The parties were insane. So much, drugs and alcohol he ever dreams of. The parties would last for the whole night to two full days. He would repeat his process.
When they became on top, Pickles had tons of money to do what he wanted. “What you gonna spend on it?” Tony asked.
“Nuthin’ maybe.” Pickles said fixing his hair. “Maybe booze, hookers, and drugs… lots of drugs.”
“Nice. I thought you gonna hire some weird assassin.” Snazz said taking a joint.
The redhead stopped thinking about it. “Yea… Yeah.” It already been three years, since he thought about Poppy and the others. He wonder how they were? Is Peter touching her? Did her dad found her? Does she remember him? IS she okay? Then he felt a hug around his waist, “Come on, let’s fuck.” Tony whispers lowly.
“Later, man.” Pickles wasn’t in the mood. When the fourth year came, the fans were going insane. They were send the band so much fanmail and gifts. Candynose complain about them sending him so much chocolate that it will make him fat.
“Man, just throw them away. No one care.” Snazz grunts.
Pickles laughs, “Nah, I’ll read it.” Yeah, there’s times he’s just a plain asshole, but today was a good mood. He felt like reading his fan mail. Through the piles of girls and guys talking about how they love his sings and wishing to meeting him. Rolling his eyes at these weird letters, until his eye was caught by a pink envelope that had Poppy on it. Green eyes widen in shock not noticing how quick he ripped it open. Before he knew it, he was read the letter
Dear Pickles,
Hey, it’s me…. Hope you remember me. The shy gap tooth blondie…. Heh. Sorry, been a long time, since we talked. I felt our break up wasn’t fair, and I’m sorry for hurting you, but you have to understand I couldn’t. I’m glad I didn’t, but at the same time I regret it. I regret leaving you and not being there. I wish I was there and maybe we could’ve been super happy. Maybe have a wonderful happy ending. Here I go blabbering… sorry.
I just… a lot happen when you left. After a year passed, Jenny found out that Peter had been sleeping with me. The two fought like crazy, in the end Jenny left him with another guy in Kansas. Stoner Toby stayed with us and we met new people for two more years. I became Peter’s girlfriend, heh. Guess, what! Here’s a photo of us. I got pregnant with his baby and we been living in this nice apartment for a bit. Stoner Toby later on OD himself with massive of Angel Dust and Heroin. His funeral was nice. His ashes were spread in Burning Man, which was cool.
Anyway, I had a baby girl, Emma is her name. She’s so cute with her freckles and gap tooth. I just… I just missed you so much and it sucks that I didn’t choose you. YOU were my angel. Why? Oh goawd, why? I’m so sorry, I just needed to… It might not help but this letter and you just made me think the good times. Peter became abusive and-and… everything is fine. Its fine. I just need you to know that I regret it. I regret not staying with you. I regret it so bad. I love Emma, because I’m a mom, but I’m a horrible mother. I became my worst nightmare… a horrible parent. I still do drugs and smoke in front of her. When she cries I passed out from the liquor I drink. I just… I’m horrible… I’m horrible… and when we use to have sex was romantic. I just God… I miss you! I love you and I hope you didn’t change.
Love Poppy.
Pickles’ eyes kept rereading the letter. Every time he reads it, Poppy sounded like a different person. At first, she sounded so lost and regrettable. A person who hates her life. Then the second time, she sounded like she wanted him to know, because he’s famous. What happen if he wasn’t? Would she still replied? He wants to look the positive side of Poppy. Then again, the girl stays with that baster Peter. Damn, Stoner Toby went out with a bang. Now, to mention a kid, and being your worst nightmare. That was just… brutal.
Flipping the letter to check the photo, his eyes arched seeing the three outside in a backyard. Peter gotten older with grey hairs and have a mustache. The drugs really did a number on him. Thin and pathetic. Then, his eyes widen seeing Poppy look so different. The drugs had destroyed her. Her golden blond hair withered to a lighter unhealthy blond and she wasn’t full on her cheeks. She was very thin with wrinkles. She put on a fake smile hugging her daughter who was staring at her wearing a pink puffy dress. Poppy was unhappy and scared. This was Pickles worst fear seeing his good friend gone.
“What are your reading?” Tony asked.
Pickles quickly put the letter in his notebook, “Just ol’ high school assholes telling me to send stuff.”
“Those are dicks.” Snazz said.
“Yeah.” Pickles nodded.
“Alright, ladies. Show time.” The manager said. They all got up to play their concerts. Pickles’ mind wandered at the horrors was soon washed over with drugs and alcohol after the concert. He soon forgotten about Poppy and her life.
Here he was after five years later, he was still famous. 21 years old with fame and riches. “Poppy… taste delicious... help me with sour taste of toxic.” Pickles sang softly as he writes down the lyrics while playing his guitar. The ride was long, but they got to their next stop. He quickly went to the phonebook to fine Poppy’s name. There was nothing. Maybe Peace Peter’s name. “Come on, baster.” He looks at the phone book to fine Peter’s name and number. He quickly called the number. He wanted to forgive Poppy and talk to her. Be friends, again!
The first ring, no response.
Second ring, no response.
Third- “Hello?”
Pickles spoke, “Hey, Peace Peter?”
“Oh shit, Pickles is that you?” Peter asked out loud.
“Yeah, it’s me.”
“Holy fuck. That’s a surprised. I thought you forgot about all of us.”
“Nah, man.” Pickles said.
Peter’s voice gotten deeper and serious, “You should’ve. We all fucked up so bad. I fucked up, man.” He broke down in tears.
“What? What are you talking about?”
“Stoner Toby OD… Jenny left me with some Truck driver. I fucked up, man,” He cries, “I got Poppy pregnant… I should’ve listen to you and stay away, but I couldn’t. Poppy was everything, but I loved Jenny.”
“Peter… calm down, o’kay?” He responded, “Where’s Poppy?”
“Haven’t you heard? No, how can you. Poppy died last year, man. From AIDS!” Peter said out loud, “It was all the fucking needle sharing.”
Pickles’ heart stopped for a moment. Poppy is dead? How? Why? Tears came down his cheek thinking about her wasted away in the worst way possible. “Are you okay, man?”
“Ye-yeah- No, I’m not man. I have it too. It’s killing me, man. She was into Heroin so much, dude. Then, she would ignore Emma. When I get home from work, Emma would be crying while Poppy stare off into the distance from her high or pass out. I’m not gon blame her. I was a shitty father too. I didn’t want Emma, man. I wanted to have her to abort, you’know?”
“What happen to Emma?” Pickles needed to know for Poppy.
“She’s with my mom. After, Poppy’s death. I couldn’t take care of her, not with this disease, man. I didn’t want her. She looks too much like her, man. I told my mom to adopt her and raise her better. Of course, everyone knew Poppy’s dad can’t have her. At the funeral, that baster had the right to come and cry for her like he didn’t know why she ran off with us. Fuck man! He even asked me to give Emma to him to help out. That muthfucker! Fuck… Then, Jenny fucking commit suicide because she lived in a broke down apartment with her shitty trucker drive boyfriend. She had depression. Fuck man, you should forget about us. Don’t let anyone get in yo way man. I’m just an asshole rapist junkie that is high right now. I might overdose tonight because life suck, man. I might not even remember you calling me back.”
“Peter… calm down.”
“NO PICKLES! I WILL NOT FUCKING CALM DOWN! I AM A SHIT PERSON! I HATE MY FUCKING LIFE, MAN!” He screams, “Look man, promise me you would forget about us… please man. This shit is poison. Something happened when you left man. This shit just spreads. Look, forget about us, man. We’re all gone. I know I’m overdose like Stoner Toby, man. I need to get out of this life, man. I just need too. Go straight forward, buddy. See ya, man. Love ya.”
“See ya, Peter.” Pickles said softly after hearing the click. His heart pounded at the thought everyone he knew are dead. Poppy, Stoner Toby, Sunflower Jenny, and now Peace Peter.
“Hey, you okay?” Tony stopped by to seeing the redhead staring in blank.
Pickles answered, “Yeah… I just need drugs and beer.” He went to his hotel room soon forgetting about the event or vaguely remembering the conversation with booze and drugs. The next day, he made a quick call receiving Peter’s mother crying about her son committing suicide, and that was it. All the parties and sluts did help, but is mind was on death and his friends. He would be lying saying he was careful with sharing needles and sex, but he wasn’t. He would sometimes have his own clean needles and condoms, but most of the time he would be unsafe. Maybe he was playing with his mortality seeing how the universe or god or whatever fucking thing was up in the sky to take Poppy away and the others.
Pickles was on his bed finishing his song as he sings it out loud, “Stuck in a toxic bottle, baby. I’m drowning, drowning, drowning, nobody, but you, my sweet Poppy seed. Through the sunflowers we play peace and get stone cold high while stuck in a toxic bottle. One way out, you stay behind with the sunflowers getting stoned with peace. I got out. I got out, baby. Only me out. Missing you, my sweet Poppy seed. No way out… only you gone stone high on peace with sunflowers…” He softly sang finishing the last bit, “Stuck in a toxic bottle, baby. I’m drowning, drowning, drowning, nobody, but you, my sweet Poppy seed.”
His green eyes look up at the group, “What ya think?”
“It’s good kid.” The manager nodded smoking his cigar.
“Yeah, it’s really catchy.” Tony said.
Candynose and Snazz nodded, “Yeah. This should be our hit single for the next album.”
“Yeah, it will be better than that water horse single.” The manager grins.
Pickles smiles widely, “Good.” Finally, a song he put meaning too. It made him felt good. At least, now there’s a way Poppy and the others will be remembered even by strangers. Maybe helped him to cope with this.
When they made their album, it was a hit. Many of their fans love it. The band was on every covers and was talked a lot on the radio. Snakes n’ Barrels were to the top having the parties of their lives with sex, booze, and drugs. The problem was this everyone was becoming destructive- mostly Pickles.
Pickles was always a troublemaker, no doubt about it. With his alcohol and drug abuse, his poisons tends to come out. He would steal money or sell their guitars for the fuck of it to get more drugs. He remembers walking in the alley getting drugs, until he saw Franky Switchblade giving him a blowjob. The two were so high on drugs they didn’t care about fucking each other.
“Oh, yeah. Right there.” Pickles groans getting his dick suck by the older male. “Fuckin’ shit…” He laughs feeling a wave of orgasm.
Franky pulled away getting cum on his mouth, “Fuck dude… you cute little skank.”
“What the fuck is going on here?” The two froze seeing Tony walking in the alley enrage. Pickles snorted while Franky pulled away.
“I’ve done nothing wrong…” Franky lift his hands up in defense until Tony throws a punch across his face.
“Tony, what the fuck?” He shouted out loud seeing Franky on the floor groaning in pain.
“Shut the fuck up!” The bass player hissed grabbing him by the wrist. “You got a lot explaining to do. The lead singer was struggling to break free, until they got back to the hotel.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Candynose shouted.
“Why the fuck did you sell our equipment.” Snazz yelled.
Pickles shouted, “Relax, we got money. We could git another one.” He snorted some cocaine. “I don’t see a big deal.”
“Fuckin, Pickles. Your acting like a fucking idiot. What’s gotten into you? First, your having these break downs, then you get so high and drunk that your gone or passed out or fucking ODing! Then, you starting fights with all of us. Now, your touching our stuff for your own kicks? Oh, and whoring yourself like the true skank you are!” Tony shouted out loud that made the redhead’s body shiver.
“Well, fuck you! You know, you're a fuckin’ slut too! So, what I sold your shit. Without me, you all wouldn’t been famous!” Pickles yelled.
Tony strikes him in the face, “Fuck you, that bass was a gift from my grandma!”
“Oh boo-hoo, you gon cry!” Pickles took the punch striking him in the face. The two were at it. Candynose and Snazz tries to pulled them apart. “Git off of me!” He shouted, “Let me, fuck him up!”
“I’m cool. I’m good.” Tony said maintain his anger. The drummer let him go, “You fuck up big time Pickles. If you make another fucking mess, again. We’re done. I don’t want to deal with your shit.”
“Calm down, man.” Snazz said, “Can we all cool it?”
“Yeah.”
“NO! Fuck this. I’m too good to deal with a crying Wisconsin baby bitch!” Tony left with that slamming the door hard.
The two looks down at Pickles going back to drinking and snorting some drugs. “What the fuck ya lookin’ at? Leave.” They left quietly giving him a look.
Then, it gotten worse. Pickles would get so wasted from the party that he couldn’t perform in concerts, which there was many cancelations. The manager was pissed off at him for losing money. Soon, Pickles would get drunk singing and throwing shit in front the crowd. He was becoming more dangerous that it leads the band heading down. It was just him that the band fall apart. The other members were getting crazy with the idea of fame in their minds. They all started to form their own addiction. Candynose became very addicted to crack cocaine while Snazz was on heroin. Tony started to drink more than using drugs. They thought they were too good for the band and believe they could do better than Pickles. So, they ends up doing crazy shit around parties.
“Come on, Snazz! Let’s fucking OD with these bitches!” Pickles yelled having a groupies of slut around them.
“Fuck yess!” Snazzz slurred as they went to a crappy motel getting super high. Liquor bottles was everywhere. Snazz and the groupies ended up passing out, while Pickles got a massive headache.
“Ohh, ohh, that got-“ He was so out of it he didn’t want to move. His messy head teased hair was puffed out into a messy tangle and throws up on himself, “Fuck…” He kept throwing up on him. This made the press love them all the more. Everyone would go to the press having photos of all them drugged out and sleeping with women. They didn’t care if the press posted on the cover of a magazine by then the band was already broken. The news spread that they broke up and separate ways. Apparently, it was a big nasty fight not even the manager couldn’t fix.
Pickles shouted, “Fuck you, guys. I’m gonna start my own band!” He left with that. The three saw lead singer leaving. That was it.