1 - Connie – Now
One thing about working for Lillian: she’s always moving. Maybe that comes with the territory of chasing your dreams in a highly competitive industry, but maybe it’s just her.
“They’re almost here!” I shout through the condo. How Lilli ever manages to get places on time, I’ll never really know.
It’s a big day, and I’m a little groggy from not being able to sleep last night due to the excitement. We’re both still riding the wave of becoming “internet sensations” this past year. Yes, I include myself in that, even though I’m not the one in the spotlight. I mean, I wrote the lyrics to her hit song, “Salutations”, after all. Most people don’t look at the credited writers, though—just the name of the singer.
Lillian, Lilli to me, has tried to convince me to release music myself, but I’m fine where I’m at. I write songs for people to hear, and they’re listening. Why would I change anything?
Luckily for me, Lilli and I are best friends, have been for almost a decade, roommates for half of that. We were even in a band together for a while — Scarlet Sofa. Then, life happened. Things change, and now, I’m writing songs and occasionally acting as Lilli’s assistant. I love that girl, but she’d forget herhead if it wasn’t attached. I’ve been her assistant of sorts for a long time, but that’s just my love language, taking care of her in the ways I can—making sure she stays on schedule, keeping her away from trolls online.
Wouldn’t everyone do that for their best friend? I love being here for her, and I know she’s grateful for it—she tells me so all the time. Of course, I know she doesn’t really need me to do it all; she’s grown and can do it herself. She writes songs herself too, so I guess there’s a part of me that feels a need to show her my value, like if I don’t, she might realize she doesn’t need my songs either.
The craziest thing that has come out of this is being considered by Ripple Records, the record label founded by international popstar Jennifer Lux. Lilli has been chosen as an opening act for Jennifer’s tour.
I remember the night we applied. We’d just finished going through a spring-cleaning checklist; Lilli is a real material girl, as Madonna intended. We were on a Marie Kondo kick when Lilli turned to me and said, “You know what would spark joy? Performing in stadiums.”
Then, she handed me her phone with the application open. We recorded the self-tape that night, using her most popular track. It’s a sad break-up song, one about when she got a matching tattoo with a girl who wrecked her like a tornado.
Lilli is going on tour with Jennifer Lux for three weeks, and Ripple Records said she could bring her own assistant, so, voila: here I am.
Ripple Records sent a car to pick us up; it’s black and big, and I’m honestly the worst with cars. “This is a real step up from the Buick,” Lilli says quietly to me, referring to the old car she’s had since college.
“Hey, that dusty old thing got us where we needed to go.”
She grins as we start moving. “This is absolutely insane, right?”
I nod in agreement. “I feel like we’re inThe Princess Diaries. You know, that scene with the limo?
“This is a lot cooler than a limo,” the driver says. He’s a big guy, in muscle, height,andtattoos, surprisingly alternative and punk rock for a driver.
“What’s your name?” Lilli asks.
“Ash Robinson. I’ll be your security detail, Ms. Davis.”
“Please, call me Lilli.”
“Alright, Lilli. Ms. Abram, would you like me to call you Constance?”
I make a face. “Connie is fine, thanks.”
When we arrive at the lot, there’s a tour bus waiting for us. Ash comes around to open our door, and as he makes his way around, Lilli grabs my hand. We give little squeals of glee, stopping as soon as the door opens. Lilli exits the car, forgetting her phone behind, but I notice as I leave and grab it for her.
In the lot, the tour bus looms large. There are dozens of people running around, toting guitar cases, sound boards, amps, and boxes, all labeled with their placement and owner. Some people have walkie-talkies, while others are so focused, they don’t even look our way as they load up equipment.
A small woman with a loud voice rushes forward. “Hello, I’m Topanga, but everyone calls me Tops,” she says with the rasp of a heavy smoker. She shakes Lilli’s hand and then mine, and I notice that, despite her voice, she doesn’t smell like cigarettes. “I’m the assistant tour manager for Luxury Tour.”
No nonsense, right to business, Tops has the energy of someone with a long to-do list, but she’s one hundred percent going to accomplish it before going to bed tonight.
“Lillian, come meet your hair and makeup crew. They’ll be traveling separately, but they’ll be at the shows. They want to do a toxicity test.”
“A what?” Lilli asks, but Tops doesn’t seem to hear as she leads us away.
2 – Eric – Now
I thank my rideshare driver for the lift and grab my duffle bag from the trunk with a grin. I can see the tour bus from here.
“Is that for the Luxury Tour?” the driver asks, and I cringe. I hope he isn’t a fan. “My daughter loves her.”
