I lit candles around my room, and took the vinyl out of its sleeve. I sat before my record player on the carpet and tried to find some inner peace. I had invited Gram and Chris to come back to the Laurel Canyon house with me, so they were all hanging out with Haley in the living room. I told them I'd be right back, but I got carried away listening to the Beggars Banquet album. It just seemed like a right time as I found myself worrying once again. I was anxious to start my new job, and hopefully to get things off of my mind. I don't know how listening to a Stones album would help me forget about them, but it made sense at the time. They were still my favorite band, and their music helped me out no matter how much it reminded me of Mick. Suddenly, I was interrupted by the telephone ringing. I rushed out of my bedroom door and hoped it was one of the guys.
"Hello?"
"It's Brian." I could tell he was trying to sound normal, but you could hear the aggravation in his voice.
"Brian! Thank goodness you called." I sighed happily.
"Is that worry I hear in your voice?" Brian spoke into the phone, with a questioning tone. "Olivia, you know you're not supposed to be worrying about us. You promised."
"I can't help it. I tried to forget for a while but it's just- how's Mick doing?"
"Oh, I suppose he's alright." Brian's words didn't reassure me at all.
"He wrote to me once, but it was very short and he didn't say a lot." I said trying to sound nonchalant. "I don't know why he hasn't called yet."
"Well, if it makes you feel any better he's not doing a lot of talking over here either."
"Wow, Brian. That makes me feel ten times better." There was sarcasm in my words. "You'll be the number one cause of my worry." I shook my head lightly as I laughed.
"I apologize." He giggled like a child.
"But, why do you say that about Mick?"
"It's nothing, really. Nothing to worry about." He seemed shaky, almost like he wasn't telling me something.
"Alright, well tell Mick to ring me or write me or something. Please." I pleaded.
"Will do, darling. Just wanted to check up. I've got to rush now, but we'll see you soon." And with that, I was sent into a whirlwind of confusion. Once again, Brian was leaving my mind to wonder just what he meant.
Later on, Gram and Chris decided to be on their way as they were getting awfully bored with us. They didn't say it, but I could tell.
"You don't have to leave, truly." I stated, seeing as though the sun was setting over the canyon.
"I just think we better head off. We have a gig tomorrow, and you girls have a big exciting day of work." Gram chuckled tiredly.
"Yes, exciting, because that record store gets so much business!" Haley laughed sarcastically which caused a chain reaction around the room. We showed them the door and informed them that we'd see them again.
Soon enough, a new day began and we were headed out of the door as well. A cab transported Haley and I to the huge record store. I honestly didn't know why it was so unheard of, it was beautiful and modern with records by every artist you could think of. You'd think being right on the Sunset Strip, the store would be pretty well known. We sashayed in, and the atmosphere lifted our moods even higher than they already were. The same girl at the counter greeted us, and showed us what we were to do. It was pretty simple- stand at the counter and wait for customers, be polite but not over bearing, and don't mess around with the cash register.
"I don't think I got you girl's names actually. I'm Daphne." She spoke up, putting out a hand.
"I'm Olivia, this is Haley." I smiled at her politely and waited for anyone special to waltz through the door. I daydreamed and hoped that Mick would come riding in on a big white horse to take me away. Unfortunately, that never happened. We got a few customers here and there, but we mostly just hung out and put on some of our favorite records. Haley seemed ecstatic at the fact that she'd basically be getting payed to sit around and listen to music. I was pretty happy myself. You could say we found the perfect job to suit us.

-

One more week flew by, and it was about time for the boys to be arriving. I felt strangely uneasy waiting for them to come through the door but I shrugged it off. Haley sat right beside me, noticing how anxious I looked.
"Don't be so stiff, hun. Loosen up a little. Relax." She patted my back but I still sat straight up.
"I think something is wrong. I can feel it. Brian is keeping something from me and it's driving me crazy." I blurted out holding nothing back.
"What do you mean, Liv?" Suddenly as I began to say something, I stopped myself. The guys flowed in through the door and to my living room hurriedly. All except for Mick, who was as slow as a snail. They smiled at me and we exchanged hugs as they plopped down on the couch, exhausted from the tour. I made my way over to Mick, who looked absolutely beat. I threw my arms around his neck, but he just stood there frozen. He tried to put his hands on my waist, but ended up just awkwardly patting the small of my back. I pulled away from him when I realized how strange he was acting. I blamed the jet lag, and tried not to think about it, but that lead to complete silence between the both of us. Mick trudged past me, and over to the loveseat narrowing his eyes at everyone in the room. That's when Brian pranced over to me.
"Don't worry about him. He's just tired, that's it. We're all a bit exhausted actually." He spoke with such elegance in his voice that I adored. It could make me believe anything he said to be true. I nodded my head in agreement, glancing over at his body resting in the seat.
"We should celebrate our successful tour." Keith piped up, everyone turning to face him. "Let's take the girls to your house in Hartfield. Good ole' Cotchford Farm." Keith suggested to Brian.
"In England?" Haley questioned with confusion in her tone and a puzzled expression.
"Indeed." Brian replied. "I don't mind, but it's up to you all."
"But you guys just got back." Haley stared at the ground for a moment just thinking. "Are you sure?"
"Positive." Brian stared at me waiting for approval.
"Thank god we don't work on the weekends!" I sighed dreamily, fantasizing about his lovely home.
"Work? You work now?" Keith interrogated me, to which I replied with a nod. "Well, let's get ready. Don't forget to pack swim suits, he has a pool there." Keith smirked at us as we headed to the back to pack a few things for the weekend. Mick just leaned his head back, and impatiently tapped his feet. I couldn't understand him sometimes.