Take a sad song, and make it better.

Hey there. Name's Berlioz Bonfamille.

[badgley]

[badgley]

[lyricalliozy]

5 years time...

[berninilover-deactivated2017080]

As much as Lilo wanted to leave the bar and go to the club, she was curious to how far her game could take her. He thought she was random, someone that he might never see again. Though they had never been friends back in school, it stung her a bit that she was that unrecognizable, unrememberable.  She downed her drink and opened her eyes, feeling the redbull grapple through her system. It was just want she wanted and she would need at least two more tonight before she would forget this night.

The songs suddenly ended, and Lilo turned around and watched as the band started to pack things up. Her eyes trained on Berlioz as he packed his guitar and made his way through the crowd. She smiled as he neared her and hopped off the stool and onto the ground. Lilo grabbed his arm to catch herself and stood up straight, looking up at him with a smile. “Of course I’m ready. You were the one that took forever to get ready. You owe me” she teased, giving him a wink as she led him out the door.

“So how long have you been playing?” she asked, as she leaned on him slightly, looking up at him as they walked. “You ended with Ed Sheeran right?”

[lyricalliozy]

"I owe you?" Berlioz protested, a smile fixed on his lips. He really wasn't sure where this night would take him, but he was willing to follow the girl anywhere at this point. Besides if anything went awry, he had his bandmates' plans to fall back on.

Berlioz wound through the crowd following her out the door. When they got outside he felt like he could almost actually hear without shouting. He sucked in a deep breath. "Mmm Fresh air." he said with a small smile as they began walking. Berlioz felt her frame lean into his. 

"I've been playing for as long as I can remember. My mom actually, she uh.. picked a thing for each of us, my brother, sister, and I each did a different thing, and playing music was mine." He couldn't remember the last time he actually thought, let alone talked about his family. Sure he'd send off a message to Toui every once in a great while, but you could only talk so much over text message. Berlioz shook the thought from his mind. He didn't need his family distracting him now, or ever.

"Yeah that was Ed Sheeran. He's a great musician. I actually look up to him a lot." Berlioz looked up as they neared the club that was just down the street.  "I'm sorry, I don't believe I caught your name."

[badgley]

[ashlasagna]

[lyricalliozy]

5 years time...

[berninilover-deactivated2017080]

Hearing his response over the crowd was difficult but from the way he had been eyeing from the bar, her only assumption was a yes from him. She had no real intention of leaving right away anyway, or what she actually wanted from him. He would figure her out sooner or later, maybe when she showed her ID at the club. After all, how many people from Hawai’i did he know? Maybe more than she thought, but as she sat there, she could not help but wonder what would happen once he realized that he knew her while she was only a child.

The chatter of the people while the band tried to get everyone on stage did nothing to settle her nerves as she sat there and finished her drink. She listened to the songs as interested as she could be. None of them really pertained to her since the only music she enjoyed that he could play was down to Elvis or The Cure. She absentmindedly reached around to her shoulder where her tattoo was visible to the world. One of two at least. The other one would be if he managed to get her without a shirt on. With that thought still tumbling in her mind, she order her fourth drink.

"Redbull and vodka" she started, trying to hide the blush on he face, "please."

She knew she was buzzing, she could watch how slow things were becoming for her. All she needed to do however was not get too drunk and if that happened, she would not need to remember what happened then.

[lyricalliozy]

The set started to drag on. Berlioz's only hope was that the audience didn't feel it as much as he did. But he knew the only reason it was dragging on was that he was actually looking forward to his post-show plans for once. Though going to the Club was still something he was hesitant to do.

Finally the band reached their last song. It was a more recent tune, but Berlioz had a lot of respect for Ed Sheeran and his music. As the band behind him acoustically began the tune. Berlioz handed his guitar to Johnnie and focused on singing. 

"Give me love like her. Cause lately I've been waking up alone."

Berlioz was getting really into the song. He knew most of the band planned on going back to Phoebe and Johnnie's place with a bunch of their friends. Berlioz opened his eyes and finally found the familiar looking bar girl and knew he had other plans. He smiled wide at her as he continued singing. 

"My, my, my, my, oh give me love,"

The song ended and the crowd applauded. Berlioz quickly packed up his things and told Phoebe he might meet up with them later before making his way back to the bar. "You ready?" He questioned slinging the guitar over his shoulder.

[badgley]

[serenashumphrey]

[lyricalliozy]

5 years time...

[berninilover-deactivated2017080]

Lilo laughed and nodded her head. “Last one ” she repeated. “This is my third bar tonight. Haven’t found a reason to stay very long.” Lilo smirked and bit the inside if her lower lip. “Then you have a lot of catching up to do then don’t you?” She asked, leaning against the bar slightly.

She did not even try to justify her reasons for bar hopping or the fact that this was generally only her pre-gaming. She still wanted to go to the club and if he hadn’t come and made himself known then she would not have even gotten the second drink. One drink per bar. That was the general rule. Tonight it seemed she was going to be breaking a lot of different rules her and her friends had set up for themselves. Maybe she would have her own sets of rules after tonight.

Lilo smiled as he introduced himself, again, to her. She felt no need to introduce herself to him just yet. She wanted to see how long or if he would ever realize who she was short of telling him her “Well Berloiz, if you go to the club with me, I’ll wait for you” she smiled before laughing.

Going to the club alone was not something she looked forward to and if she could some how get Berlioz to go wig her, we’ll it would make the night seem that less boring or a waste to her. And who knew what would happen.

[lyricalliozy]

As the crowd closed around him he barely got out his reply over the muffled sounds of drunken chatter around him. "Deal." Clubs weren't really his scene, but he was interested to see how this night would end up, and he could definitely use a couple drinks after this upcoming set. Hell, if they even made it through the set after the way Grayson, the drummer had been downing drinks. 

But that didn't stop them. Berlioz climbed onto the stage met by the bassist Johnnie, the keyboardist Phoebe and the three of them waited for a moment before realizing Grayson was still at the bar. With an exasperated sigh Berlioz went to the microphone. "If your name starts with a G, rhymes with 'the gay one' and you've got a couple of sticks in your pocket, you're needed on the stage." Eventually the other boy got the hint and joined them on his spot behind the drum kit.

Then the set started. Grayson counted them off, and they went into a cover of Come Together by the Beatles. It was an upbeat way to start the second set, and as far as Berlioz was concerned, there wasn't a better decision cover wise that they could've done. He wasn't really one to enjoy covering some of the newer songs, but they were popular among the audience and he was willing to bend a bit if it meant a better following in the end.

As the set continued, Berlioz kept trying to find the girl at the bar, but the lights were a bit to bright to see past the first few rows and tables of people.

[lyricalliozy]

The Setlist Always Changes

[lyricalliozy]

5 years time...

[berninilover-deactivated2017080]

“I am just glad I could point out the obvious” she smirked taking a drink from her new drink.

Following his gaze, Lilo saw the person he was talking about. As much as she didn’t want to admit it, those were the types of guys that were easy to get to buy you drink at the bar. You just had to show them attention and then they were yours for the night as long as you kept their attention.

“Well, we all can’t be winners” she commented with a shrug. “Third and last drink for me unfortunately. Its coke and water till the end” she replied absent mindedly, before turning back to Berlioz.

She was impressed that he had managed to come this far. It was hard to believe anyone from that school could accomplish anything other than defeat and jail time. The fact she had run into him here, doing what he loved, it was not an ended she ever pictured for anyone from her school. The only person she still talked to ran off to France without her with his brother. It had been months though since Alice had talked to her and the only thing she left behind was her desire to escape to Wonderland.

“It sounds like you have a very busy scheduling doing something you always wanted to do” she replied, smiling down at her drink.  “I generally go to school. Party over the weekend and breaks. Being recognized outside of dreams I visit. Nothing fancy I’m afraid” she admitted with a smile, looking up. “What time are you allowed to leave?”

[lyricalliozy]

"Last one?" Berlioz was admittedly a bit shocked. Though he realized he hadn't been with her the whole night, and for all he knew she was pretty drunk right now. "And to think I haven't even started drinking yet today."

There was still something about this girl that was so familiar. If he believed all those things about past lives, he would've been convinced that they dated in one of his. Or were at the very least good friends. But he didn't really want to bring up the whole familiarity thing again, and be reminded of the horrible pick-up line he used just minutes ago.

"I like staying busy, especially if it's doing something I love. Then it doesn't feel as though it's work." Berlioz smiled and peered towards the clock again as she questioned of what time he'd be allowed to leave.

"Well I actually have to go play another set right about now." He hopped off the barstool, and stood for a moment, "I'm Berlioz by the way, I don't think I told you that. But I've got about," He paused for a moment counting in his head. "Eight to ten more songs to play before I'm off for the night." He slowly moved backwards away from the bar heading towards the stage. "Wait for me?"

[lyricalliozy]

5 years time...

[berninilover-deactivated2017080]

“Just a tequila sunset this time please” she asked before the bartender apparently named Hank left to fetch his usual and her sunset.

What amused her more than anything else was the fact that he was hitting on her. She wondered how fast his act would change the moment she told him her name. Or if it would change. Part of her wanted to end the charade now, tell him who she was, but another part of her liked the attention he was giving her. She liked that she was not competing for attention with her friends, that no one was going slide between them and divert attention. She was on her own for a change and she liked it.

“Tonight I am celebrating that I am here with you of course” she replied, pushing her hair off her shoulders and onto her back. She took another drink before setting the glass of now ice onto the bar top.  “I have to admit though, I was impressed with the songs I did hear” she commented, looking over at him. Following his gaze through the crowd, Lilo quirked an eyebrow before laughing  to herself. “No one is going to stalk over her to put you out of your misery. That’s my job” she said as the drinks were place in front of them and turning back to face her new glass as the empty one was taken from her.  “So do you play here every night or jump for gig to gig depending on who will let you play?” she questioned curiously.

[lyricalliozy]

"Good reason to celebrate, I'd say." Berlioz chuckled a bit, a proper smirked fixed on his lips. "Impressed? I'll take it as a compliment. Though admittedly, it's nothing I didn't already know." 

Another laugh escaped his lips as the bartender set the glasses on the bar. "Thanks Hank." He lifted the clear liquid to his lips and eyed the mystery girl. "It's water, my usual is water. Lame, I know." Berlioz sipped the glass. "I don't drink alcohol during my shows, I like being in control of myself onstage." Berlioz set the water back on top of the bar as he eyed one of his band members down the bar a ways. "Guess I can't say the same for my friends though." He pointed to his drummer who was quite obviously hammered.

"I'm the Thursday night headliner here" Berlioz nodded. He couldn't help but be proud of himself. It was what he always wanted to do, and he'd finally accomplished it. "I play other places during the week, and on the weekends." He shrugged a bit and checked the clock on the wall, he still had five minutes before he had to get back onstage. "Otherwise I'm always rehearsing." He chugged down the rest of his water, "But what about you? Besides occupying my dreams, what do you do?"

[lyricalliozy]

5 years time...

[berninilover-deactivated2017080]

The weekend was the only thing that Lilo lived for anymore. No school, no work, no anything other than her and her friends having fun. One bar to the next, till finally they ended up at the club, most already drunk and willing to hook up with the first cute boy that caught their attention. By then their standards were already low enough that any boy caught their attention. That was her friends’ routine at least. Lilo just went for a few drinks, the music, the dancing, and just being with her friends. Most nights ended with a few of them, tired, drunk, and walking like zombies to the nearest apartment to pass out on the floor until the sun woke them up.

This weekend however everyone was home for break still, except for her. During the week she was more than fine but one the weekend, old habits die hard as she went to the first bar, then the second, and now the third. Nothing was catching her attention and by her time it was still too early to go to the club. Sitting at the bar she ordered her drink and looked around slightly, hearing a Beatles song.  On the stage singing the song was a guy that looked older than herself but no one that she had any real interest in listening to at the moment. As the set ended, she turned back towards the bar and took the small straw in her hand and started to play with the ice of her sunrise drink.

Bringing it to her lips, her took a drink just as the person that appeared next to her started hitting on her. Her eyes grew wide as the recognition of the voice that was on stage and the person that used the worst pick up line matched memories she had not thought of in years. Her eyes grew wide as she set the glass back on the bar and gave him a smirk.

“A dream huh? Must of been good if I was there.”

She wondered if he recognized her but it was years ago. She was older and she was most definitely not the same girl he had gone to school with. Berlioz, the only triplet that she remotely got along with, assuming glitter would not be involved. 

[lyricalliozy]

A small laugh fell from Berlioz's lips. There was definitely something familiar about this girl, but he couldn't put his finger on it. Then again it could just be that she had one of those faces. That had to be it. He would've remembered this girl otherwise.

"Of course it was good." Berlioz propped his head up as his elbow rested on the bar. Berlioz waved over the bartender, "I'll have my usual, and she can have whatever she wants, just put it on my tab." He nodded in the girl's direction, so the bartender knew who he was talking about. "Thanks Hank." Turning back to the girl at the bar, a smile still perched on his lips.

"So, what brings you out tonight? Celebrating something? Or just looking for a good time?"

Berlioz laughed a little. He couldn't remember the last time he'd gone out just for a good time. The past year had become stay out all night performing gigs, or practicing with the band. Then sleep in until it was no longer morning and do it all over again.

Looking around for a moment, Berlioz tried to gauge whether the mysterious bar girl was actually alone, or if he know had to fear for his life because her 6'5 boyfriend would be breathing down his neck for the rest of the night.

[lyricalliozy]

[lyricalliozy]

5 years time...

"Eleanor Rigby died in the church and was buried along with her name. Nobody came. Father McKenzie wiping the dirt from his hands as he walks from the grave. No one was saved." Berlioz sang out as he strummed his guitar. It had been a month and a half now that he'd become a regular thursday night performer at the Jupiter in Berkley, California. 

Berlioz scanned the audience as he sang. It wasn't that he ever expected to see family, he hadn't talked to his siblings in years and this was the last place he'd expect them to wander in to, but there was some glimmer of hope hidden deep inside him. The thought of family quickly was erased from his mind as his eyes found the waitress he'd taken back to his apartment last week thursday. She looked angry. He knew he had forgotten to call her, but that was the point. He didn't really want to call her. He also forgot her name, Roxanne? Rita? Did it even have an R in it? Well shit, this was the last song before he took his break and he knew she'd pounce. 

Berlioz continued to scan the audience, looking for some way out. But before he knew it he'd played the last chord the song was over. "Hey, we're going to take just a short break, but we'll be back up here in about fifteen minutes with some more music for you all." Berlioz smiled as he quickly walked offstage trying to lose himself in the crowd. His brain twisted on thoughts of avoiding his one night stand when he spotted someone familiar by the bar. His eyebrows furrowed. Berlioz pushed himself through the crowd  and when he arrived at the bar, he couldn't remember why she looked so familiar. Plopping himself down in the seat next to her, a smirk perched on his lips. "Hey, you look familiar I think I've seen you in my dreams." Berlioz knew the pick-up line was beyond cheesy, but what the hell it was worth a shot, and he's give anything to look busy if that R-named chick walked by.

[xshelterx]

[the-creekside]