Chapter Text
London Elliott rolled onto her back, situating herself more comfortably and readjusting the buds in her ears. Over the sounds of Hollywood Undead's "California," she heard a familiar shriek. She opened her eyes and raised her head enough to see her best friend shielding her face from her boyfriend's splash attack.
A smile quirked London's lips. Raven Clark had been dating Avenged Sevenfold front man Matt Sanders for almost two years. They were the cutest couple London had ever seen. She fully expected Matt to propose any day now.
Maybe even this week, London mused. It was a little overdone, but popping the question during a spring trip to Europe seemed right up Matt's alley.
London was distracted from her thoughts by the appearance of three men. They were dressed in black, and two of them wore sunglasses.
She tensed, watching them skirt the expansive pool area. If the paparazzi had found her, they were switching hotels. Adam had suggested months ago that London purchase an extra home somewhere overseas. "You can't trust the people who work at hotels, Lo. They're only too eager to tell the press where you are." She had dismissed the idea, claiming it was unnecessary.
Perhaps he's onto something...
The tallest of the trio glanced over. Despite the fact that his eyes were hidden, she knew they were on her. Seconds passed and his expression never changed. Then, he and his friends vanished through a door on the opposite side of the terrace, obviously on their way to the upper level bar.
"Hey." Raven's shadow suddenly fell across London's bikini-clad body. The older girl was frowning slightly. "You okay?"
"Yeah."
Raven secured a towel around her waist. "It's getting late and I'm starving. Come on. Let's change and grab some dinner."
London dropped her iPod and the bottle of suntan oil into her bag. She pulled on an oversized T-shirt, stepped into her flip-flops, and trailed inside after Raven and Matt.
********
"I can't believe we're in Italy." Raven sighed happily, leaning on the balustrade and staring out over the city of Bologna.
Sipping her whiskey, London shook her head. "It's not like you haven't been here before."
"Yeah, but this time is better." Raven turned to face her, green eyes catching the light streaming out through the huge picture window. "Think about how far we've both come since then."
It was true. London's lifelong career on the big screen had hit a slump about five years ago, and Raven had been in debt, having just rented the space to open her bookstore/café. London had convinced Raven to fly with her to Rome. It had taken London's best persuasive skills because Raven hated for anyone to spend money on her, but she finally gave in and the girls had escaped their lives for a week.
Now, London was back on top, Hollywood's sweetheart once again. She had been cast in two upcoming films -- a romantic comedy and a slasher flick -- and there were interviews with her in every major magazine. She'd recently shot commercials for CoverGirl and Pantene, and last week her agent mentioned a cameo in the next Bruno Mars video.
Raven's business was booming. She had clearly found her niche. She used London's suggestion for a name, A Latte Literature, and became one of the cool places that younger people loved to hang out.
About two and a half years ago, Matt had wandered into the store with Avenged's lead guitarist Brian Haner, Junior, and Brian's younger sister McKenna. Matt wasn't a big reader, and as he told it, "I saw this woman, gorgeous, with long black hair, bright green eyes, piercings, tattoos... I had to talk to her." Despite their initial hour-long conversation, it had taken Matt six more months to ask Raven on a date.
London's brow furrowed as there was a knock on the main door. Raven looked at her curiously. "Expecting someone?"
They heard Matt's voice and a murmured reply. "Lonnie!" the vocalist called.
"I hate that nickname," London grumbled.
Snickering, Raven followed London inside. There was a member of the hotel staff fidgeting on the threshold, an envelope in his hands. He kept darting nervous glances at Matt.
"May I help you?" London said.
"I was instructed to give this to you," he explained, holding out the envelope. "By Till Lindemann."
London took it from him. "Grazie."
"Prego." He nodded to Matt and Raven before hurrying away.
"Who's Till Lindemann?" London wondered aloud while tearing open the large envelope. She instantly realized what was inside: four concert tickets and four laminates.
Matt shut the door. "He's the lead singer for--"
"Rammstein," London finished for him, picking out a ticket and reading the name featured above the location, time, and other information.
"Holy shit," Matt said, snatching the ticket from her fingers.
"Tickets and backstage passes." London showed Matt and Raven one of the latter.
Matt met her eyes. "We're going, right?"
"You guys can. I don't even listen to Rammstein."
"Uh, no," Raven objected. "Till sent this to you."
"Why, though?"
"Maybe they're staying at this hotel and heard you were here," Matt suggested.
"And he knows who I am?"
Raven and Matt shot her similarly exasperated looks. London rolled her eyes at them. Yes, she was famous, but she didn't assume that people all over the world automatically recognized her name. It would make more sense to her if Till had actually seen her.
He could have, she reasoned. He could have been in the lobby when she was checking in, or maybe he'd walked past the pool earlier. It wasn't like London would recognize him.
"I am begging you, Lo," Matt said. "We have to use these."
London checked the ticket again. The concert was the next night. They didn't have anything planned. With a soft sigh, she relented. "Okay."
Matt let out a cheer and hugged her so enthusiastically that he lifted her off the floor.