True // Slaxl

One

1985

West Hollywood, near the junction of North Gardner Street, a crammed and confined one-room space of around 12 feet by 12 feet that was initially designed as just a storage area. Over the road was the Guitar Center, and nearby the Message/Boogie amp showroom. The building itself was like a bomb site - inside and out - and the estate was one of the sleaziest, dirtiest and over all most unpleasant places you would ever have the misfortune of finding yourself. You would perhaps call someone insane to even consider calling this place a home.

On this particular lazy Sunday morning, the five of them - Steven, Duff, Izzy, Slash and Axl - were distributed randomly around the room, as per usual at such casual rehearsals, each fiddling with their instruments in a different manner.

Slash crouched next to the amplifier, pulling at various wires and twisting the buttons - all in a very experienced manner. His mass of dark,curly hair fell into his eyes as he looked down at the switches, and tried to twist a noticeably stiff button which was reluctant to move at all.

Slash had given a sigh of defeat, shuffling back from the amp and swiping his locks out of his eyes. "Duff, can you at least try to help? Please?" He looked up to the tall, blonde man who had been standing beside him.

Duff scratched his head and nodded, setting aside his bass - which had previously been hung loosely on his thin frame by a strap - and bending his knees, lowering himself to Slash's level so he could take a look at the amp.

"What's the matter?" Duff asked curiously as he narrowed his eyes, failing to see the problem for himself. Slash then pointed to the stiff button. "Pre gain or post gain?" The blonde furrowed his brows. "Post gain" Slash replied.

Across the room, another man stood in the corner - Izzy. He was dark haired, skinny and had sharp features which perhaps had a resemblance to Ronnie Wood or Joe Perry. Standing by himself was typical of him, not because he was lonely, but rather because he was content with just being with his guitar and without having to entertain a hectic conversation.

Another blonde's hair was seen from behind a drum kit. It was clear that currently, the main source of noise in the room traced back to him, his brass cymbals and trusty drum sticks - which he clutched to enthusiastically.

Suddenly, a loud 'clunk' was heard from across the room, as Duff and Slash has jumped back from the amplifier in surprise. Izzy stopped strumming and looked up from his guitar, shaking his locks away from his face. Steven set his sticks aside and leaned up a little so he could see over the drumsticks.

"Did you break the amplifier?" A deep voice called from outside, having heard the disruptive noise.

"Actually, we did the opposite" Duff replied confidently, standing up and gesturing somewhat proudly to the amplifier, which was now in perfect working order "We fixed it"

The owner of the deep voice then slipped inside the house, through the cheap, roll-up aluminium door. One hand holding a cigarette and the other entwining itself in the long, thick strands of his own copper-red hair, which was kept back in his usual red bandana.

"Well thank fucking god for that..." Axl sighed, mainly to himself, as he carefully stepped over each persons equipment - among other household objects - to reach his microphone which was positioned between Izzy and Duff. "That would have been the third one broken this month" the red-head remarked.

Slash nodded, keeping his head low and gaze glued to the floor. He didn't want to disagree with Axl. It was true enough that seldom did anyone oppose Axl - only Steven was ever brave enough to confront him. However, Slash was probably the least likely of them all to ever disagree with him.

Axl ran a hand through his hair again and gently tapped the microphone with his finger. The blunt sound came out rather loud on the speakers. "Alright, let's get this started, guys..." Axl spoke softly into the microphone. He cleared his throat, before looking around to check everyone else was ready to begin rehearsing.

By this time, everyone had set up their instruments and was as prepared and focused as they'd ever be. As they were ever even capable of being, as they were all certainly either one of two things: drunk or hungover. Or both, in Duff's case.

Slash was perhaps the most attentive of the group, probably because his part was first in the song or maybe because he wanted to make sure his performance was good enough for Axl.

After a few more mic tests, Axl would nod to Slash to signal him to play the opening. Slash's performance was synonymous to perfect and he lead the other instruments as they joined in the song. Axl would then finally add in his stunning vocals.

This sort of rehearsal would continue for many more strenuous hours. Though, as the band had convinced themselves, all worth it for the definite sense of accomplishment achieved at the end of it all.

~~~

"You never stay round anymore" Slash remarked lowly. He stood just outside the building, accompanied by his companion Duff.

"Of course I don't" Duff laughed, looking out at the street and watching the sun set "Its fucking awful here. Besides, I have a girlfriend who's house I'd much rather stay at. As does Steven and Izzy. Maybe you should think about getting yourself one, Slash"

"Maybe" Slash nodded slowly. A relationship was something he hadn't given much thought to recently. He struggled to picture himself with any of the women he could think of. This slightly worried Slash, though, he tried not to think about it too much for that exact reason.

Duff sighed, finishing his glass - which  contained some type of vile alcohol - and setting it aside on the balcony. "I'm off. Are Izzy and Steven still in there?" He asked, gesturing back to the house. Slash shook his head. "They left about an hour after we finished rehearing."

Duff nodded, before giving a final wave to Slash. "Well, I guess, see you tomorrow, then" he gave a crooked smile, before turning on his heel and abruptly walking back to his car. Slash watched, until his bandmate was far out of sight.

Now that Slash was by himself, standing just a few yards outside his home, he could hear a faint singing from inside the building. The voice was distinct and certainly belonged to Axl - who often sung to himself when home alone.

Though Axl's voice was soothing, impressive and overall a pleasure to listen to - Slash did not want to hear it. Recently, being around Axl made Slash feel deeply uncomfortable for reasons he didn't know and couldn't explain. Like he was scared or intimidated, which was fairly unusual for Slash.

Slash sighed, running a hand through his untamed hair and pushing his sunglasses onto his head, before rolling up the metal door to the 'house'.

Axl, who had been slumped in the corner of the room perched on a stack of pillows, looked up at that moment and the singing was immediately stopped.

"Oh, hey" he remarked softly. His hair was now completely free to cascade down his back as it was no longer restrained by the bandana, and his fringe fell into his eyes a bit as he looked up at Slash.

"Hey..." Slash mumbled, avoiding eye contact with Axl and staying the opposite side of the room.

"Im gonna go and meet Barbie down at the Body Shop. Do you wanna come?" Axl asked, slowly standing up and stretching his arms above his head, his muscles taut in his upper body.

Barbie was one of the most notorious girls around, and supposedly Axl's girlfriend. True, Axl was infatuated with her but for all the wrong reasons. Besides, he could most likely find his satisfaction in anyone he cared to bother with.

Slash slowly shook his head. The idea repulsed him. He didn't want to see Axl admiring beautiful women and drooling all over them. It wasn't an appealing thought.

Axl shrugged, retrieving his leather jacket from its place on the floor and slung it over his shoulder. "Suit yourself. See you later, then." He mumbled, ducking under the metal door and tugging at his belt loops, before disappearing off into the distance.

Slash sighed, pulling his sunglasses over his eyes again and taking Axl's seat on the floor.

"See you..."