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EJ grinned as he watched his interview with Hollywood Beats - the whole family was there. His Uncle Billy, and Ashlyn were sitting on the couch with them along with his most trusted stylist. EJ stretched his legs out onto the coffee table and put his arms behind his back as they listened to the last few seconds of the interview. “Whoo-ee! You hear that EJ? Sold out !” Uncle Billy exclaimed as he stood up with a yawn. EJ looked up at him with sparkling, excited eyes, he stood up, forgetting Fermine was standing behind him and Fermine yelped in surprise and pulled his eyes away.
“Ouchie!” Fermine shouted in his over eccentric sort of way, walking into the kitchen as he shook his hand. “Ow, ow needle in finger!” He ran it under water to rinse it off and EJ stood up to follow him. “Pain, pain sharpshooting pain!”
“I’m sorry Fermine,” EJ said with a sympathetic wince as Fermine kissed his fingertip and stuck a bandaid on it. When Fermine’s finger was taken care of he turned around to see EJ in his styled outfit for the night - he was dressed as his double. EJ lived for fame but Uncle Billy insisted he continued living as a normal person, at least until he was eighteen. Thus the persona of Eliot James was born.
“Oh my gosh look at you,” Fermine gasped as EJ struck a pose in his outfit for the night. “You are going to look so handsome for your finale tonight.” EJ grinned then suddenly a pillow thunked against his head and he whipped around to see Ashlyn cackling away.
“You should see your face!” Ashlyn exclaimed, pulling out her phone to snap a picture. Uncle Billy gave Ashlyn a pointed look and Ashlyn just rolled her eyes. “What? My cousin’s one of the top ten leading artists of the year. I should at least have some fun with it,” she said in a sing songy voice. She stretched out her arm, holding her phone just out of EJ’s reach.
“Ash come on , it’s not like you can post it anywhere,” EJ pointed out. He darted his hand out to reach for the phone but Ashlyn ducked out his way and he tumbled into the couch. He groaned in frustration then pulled himself up and crossed his arms, glaring at her with narrowed eyes. “What’s it going to take?” He asked, a sigh escaping his lips. Ashlyn’s evil smile of victory crossed her face as she climbed onto the cocktail table and put her hands on her hips.
“Two tickets for tonight’s concert,” Ashlyn said matter of factly. EJ glanced at his uncle to see if she was joking or not but the man was busy paying Fermine for his appointment. He was literally sold out. Where did Ashlyn expect him to get five tickets from? She counted on her fingers with a frown on her face then snapped her fingers in realization. “Wait, four tickets and two backstage passes,” Ashlyn finished. She began to do some of the worst dancing EJ had ever seen in his life.
“Ash I would but ahh,” EJ shot her a cheeky smile, waving his hand in a so-so gesture. He shrugged helplessly. EJ pointed to the TV, “Didn’t you hear the reporter? I’m sold out, no tickets left. Nothing I can do,” he wiggled his eyebrows at her. Ashlyn sighed in a sort of mocking way.
“I guess you wouldn’t mind it if I posted this picture of Eliot James,” Ashlyn said, climbing down from the table and walking away from him. EJ eyed her carefully then she began to type in the description, “ Eliot James, afraid of spiders or afraid of girls? ” Ashlyn teased, half-smirking at EJ from the other side of the room. She spread her arms apart like she was pitching the headline for the next Teen Beat article.
EJ let out a groan of annoyance and caved. It’s not like he’d ever actually say no to Ashlyn. They were family - that means more to him than any concert. Though, this blackmailing thing was starting to get annoying. “Okay fine ,” EJ caved and Ashlyn squealed then rushed forward to wrap her arms around him. He tensed then returned her hug just as, if not more, tightly than she did. “I can only do one backstage pass,” EJ bartered. Ashlyn looked insulted. “Ash, I can't have kids from school walking around backstage! What if someone sees me changing or they hear something they shouldn’t? I love them but they spread gossip faster than California spreads wildfires.” A few agonizingly long minutes ticked by on the clock hanging above the kitchen sink as Ashlyn mulled over her options.
“Fine,” Ashlyn said, nodding in satisfaction. She thought for a few seconds then, “I’ll delete the post draft.” She held her phone screen up so EJ could see she really did delete the post. When she was done she set her phone down.
“The picture too,” EJ looked at her like she personally offended him. Ashlyn laughed out loud, shaking her head. He crossed his arms against his chest, glaring at her.
“I might delete the picture. You never know when blackmail’s gonna come in handy!” She gave EJ a shit eating grin then reached up and ruffled his hair. Sometimes he really did hate his cousin.
EJ ducked out of her reach and punched her shoulder playfully. “Hey hey , not the hair! It’s my signature feature and it took Fermine an hour to make it perfect!” EJ rushed over to the couch and pulled a handheld fashion mirror out from under the cushions to adjust his part. “Uncle Billy tell her to stop messing with me. I have to get in the Eliot James headspace.” EJ peered into the mirror, fixing himself so his natural hair color was completely hidden beneath the bleached white of the wig.
“I’m gonna go call Gina and tell her I got us tickets!” Ashlyn exclaimed. EJ couldn’t help but smile softly. As annoying as his cousin can be, they were still family. That would always mean more than a sold out arena. “Thanks EJ!”
“Hey Ash,” EJ said, turning to face her as she went up the stairs. She stopped to turn back around. “Do you think Ricky Bowen’s gonna be there?” Ashlyn shrugged, eyeing him suspiciously.
“He’s the most social recluse out of all recluses,” Ashlyn said. She stared at her phone as she texted Gina. “I doubt he’d go willingly but he’s not one to waste tickets.” Ashlyn looked back at EJ. “Why do you ask?” EJ shrugged and turned back to the mirror. He tried to tone down the blush filling his cheeks. Over the past few weeks he’s developed a sort of… problem… when it came to Ricky Bowen. “Weirdo.” Ashlyn made her exit, her footsteps falling heavy on the stairs as she went up to her bedroom.
“What do you think Uncle Billy?” EJ asked. He looked around until he found his Uncle in the kitchen. EJ struck a goofy little ta dah pose. His Uncle cleared his throat and leaned against the kitchen sink. “Flashy enough for being sold out?”
“I think you’re getting yourself into trouble letting those friends backstage,” Uncle Billy spoke honestly. EJ frowned slightly, but appreciated what his Uncle said. It was one of the reasons why he was EJ’s closest confidant. EJ knew the risk was higher if he brought someone backstage with him. If he wanted to keep up the character it was a necessary evil. “I hope you know what you’re doing.” Uncle Billy walked out from the kitchen counter and into the family room. EJ followed his Uncle and sat next to him on the couch with a sigh.
“You and me both Uncle Billy,” EJ admitted. He waved goodbye when his stylist left. “Honest opinion. How do I look?” EJ stood back up, standing in front of the TV. He held his arms out so his Uncle could get a full picture of the cowboy-esque costume Fermine had him dolled up in. His Uncle sighed then snatched the remote from the table and leaned back against the couch.
“Like you stepped out of a film from the old west,” his Uncle snorted. EJ let out a noise of protest when Uncle Billy changed the TV channel to a horse derby race. “Look kid, you’ve got this.” Uncle Billy looked up at him from the couch. EJ swallowed thickly and nodded. “Seriously. If the audience size makes you nervous -” EJ shook his head and moved to sit back down next to his Uncle.
“- no it doesn’t. I just… I don’t know. Something’s been off lately. I’ll be on my game for tonight though.” EJ’s mind wandered to the time when he accidentally saw Ricky without a shirt. They were in the locker room changing after gym class. He was ninety percent sure Ricky didn’t see him. EJ made a mental note to talk to Carlos about sexuality possibilities at the next Queer Club meeting. After a few minutes EJ left his Uncle to his own devices and went upstairs to make sure his concert bag was packed the way he liked it. He always made sure to have an extra wig on him.
You never know what can happen at a concert.
When they finally got to the venue EJ had to duck in from the back. Crowds were lined up to see him, looping around the block. “Next time the reporters say sold out I’m going home,” Ashlyn said as she fought her way through a mob of fans. EJ laughed and reached out to sign a few autographs. Ashlyn had a wig on too, as well as large sunglasses. She insisted on going with him through the back, then meeting with her friends in the lobby. As more fans realized he wasn’t in the building yet they started screaming out things to get his attention.
“We love you Eliot!”
“Sign my forehead!”
“I love you!”
“You’re why I learned how to play guitar!”
“Marry me!”
“Sign my ass!”
“No wait sign my -”
“Okay!” Uncle Billy appeared between EJ and the crowd with a security gate. “No more autographs until after the concert. Mister James will not be signing anything other than merchandise or papers!” EJ bit back a laugh when the crowd let out a disappointed groan. “Get inside, both of you!” Uncle Billy herded EJ and Ashlyn the rest of the distance from the car to the door, locking it behind him. Once they were alone both Ashlyn and EJ burst out laughing.
“I can’t believe he wanted you to sign his ass,” Ashlyn said as she doubled over, turning red in the face. EJ wiped a tear from his eye, leaning against the wall for support. Uncle Billy shook his head at the both of them.
“They’re insane,” Uncle Billy decided.
“They have to be if they like EJ’s music.” Ashlyn teased, dragging the makeup trunk behind her as EJ carried the costume filled one. He let out a noise of protest. “Oh come on there’s no way you made it to the top twenty using ‘ I was scared this would end, that’s why I checked your DMs’.” She did a horrible rendition of EJ’s singing voice, cackling as she poked fun at him.
“What can I say Ash? They like catchy music,” EJ said. He wiggled his eyebrows at her. She let out a noise of disgust and pushed him into the wall. The trio began making their way to Eliot’s dressing room, just around the corner.
“All of your fans are criminally insane. Do you know how unsanitary it is to sign biological matter?” EJ rolled his eyes and used the key he got from the House Supervisor to get into the room with his name on it. The room size was impressive. Everything was styled in black and white. Ashlyn walked in first, squeezing between him and the door with the makeup case. She sat it on the ground then turned around to help him with the costume chest.
“You’re one to talk,” EJ said with a smirk. Ashlyn helped him set his makeup and costume chests on the cocktail table. He turned to face Uncle Billy, who was trying to get batteries in the radios for security. “I remember a very terrifying press photo of Billy Ray Cyrus signing a fan’s stomach.” Ashlyn let out a snort and unlocked the costume chest as EJ pulled over the quick change rack.
“Just get set up. Why do I even keep you around?” EJ couldn’t think of a time Uncle Billy sounded more mortified than he currently did. EJ chuckled and popped open his makeup chest, pulling out a few of his favorite theater makeup kits. As much as he loved beauty eyeshadow the kits always lasted the longest under the abuse of the stage lights.
“Cause you love us,” EJ and Ashlyn choursed. There was a beat of silence then they all broke into laughter. EJ flicked through his look book trying to decide on what to wear. Inevitably he made it to the back of the scrapbook without a decision made. Fermine usually let him do his own eyeshadow since he learned how for theater performances. The noises of concert day craziness filled his dressing room around him as he got started on a complicated pink and blue makeup look.
After a few minutes passed Uncle Billy was finally able to tune in the radios. EJ couldn’t make out much of what was going on but he suddenly got a lot more anxious. “We’re opening with Best of Both you’re on in thirty minutes.” EJ whipped his head around, almost giving himself whiplash.
“I’m sorry what ? I thought we weren’t starting until seven thirty!” EJ said. Performance day anxiety bubbled under his skin. His uncle winked at him then closed the door behind him as he left. EJ let out a loud groan and hit his head into the wall. “I swear I’m gonna kill him one of these days.” Ashlyn hummed and began arranging his costumes for him.
“If you do that you’re out an agent,” Ashlyn pointed out. EJ turned around and sunk to the floor. He pulled his knees to his chest, wrapping his arms around them. “The floor is disgusting,” Ashlyn said. EJ raised an eyebrow, staring at her. “Fine.” Ashlyn set the last costume then joined EJ on the floor, sitting in the exact position. She faced him, looking him up and down. “Here,” Ashlyn offered EJ her right pinkie finger. He took a deep breath then interlocked her pinkie with his own. “You are going to kill it tonight. You’re a Caswell. Caswells don’t -”
“ - quit, I know.” EJ sighed and held his freehand over their interlocked ones. Ashlyn took his hand, shaking both hands at the same time. “I wish mom and dad were here,” EJ admitted. He knew he should be putting on finishing touches for his makeup but he just… it still hurt. Ashlyn shifted to sit on her knees then she pulled EJ in for a tight hug. “Thanks Ash.”
“If anyone’s got this you do,” Ashlyn promised. EJ returned the hug, squeezing his cousin back just as tight. “Get out there and go sign some asses.” EJ threw his head back and roared with laughter. He pushed himself to stand up, leaning against the rack. “I need to meet the others. I promise I’ll keep Gina in control.” Ashlyn winced when her phone dinged. “At least more on the down low.”
“I appreciate that,” EJ said. He winked at Ashlyn, feeling himself already slide into the Eliot James persona. Millions of people were here to see him perform tonight. He might as well give them one hell of a show.