30 minutes later
"Excuse me, I asked for whipped cream and no sugar! Not no whipped cream and lots of sugar!" you screamed while trying not to laugh. Everyone started laughing as the waitress sighed and took back the coffee.
"That's so mean but I can't help it! I'll leave her a good tip because I know what it's like to have to deal with obnoxious customers," you said as you put a little money on the table. You looked across the table at Jade and your two newest guy friends. You then saw a little stage set up behind them in the corner. This gave you an idea. "Hey, do you know how to play guitar to Franklin by Paramore?" you asked Caleb. He nodded but said, "It's the only song I know by them. But I only know the acoustic version, though. Why do you want to know?"
"Because there is a open stage right behind you. "
He and Seth turned around and both looked at the stage with a smile. "Seth knows the bass line too. We could probably pull off a pretty sweet acoustic set up. Should we enter the open mic?"
You nodded.
"It's tonight at 6. But if you're in it, you need to be here at 5:30," said the barrister.
"Okay, thank you," you said as you left the counter and sat down at your table. "There, we're entered. You guys have your instruments, right?"
They looked at each other and made a face.
"It's okay, Jess. I've got you guys covered. We all still have our instruments unpacked so we can let you borrow them for tonight."
"Thank you," you said and kissed him on the lips for a second before getting up. "Alright. I'm thinking we might need some practice in seeing as we've never played or sung together. You all know the words, right?"
They nodded their heads and Caleb said, "I can do the first guy harmony. Seth can do the higher part because he hasn't hit puberty yet,"
"What? Dude, that's not true," Seth retorted before punching him on the arm. Caleb held his hands over his mouth to cover up his laughter. Jade then said, "I feel like an outsider in this conversation,"
You frowned and said, "Aw babe, I'm sorry for leaving you out!" You wrapped your arm around his neck and laid your head on his chest. "Are you going to come see us tonight?" you said while listening to his heartbeat.
"Of course I'll go. I'll bring Adam's camera with me too so I can have memory of your talent...along with your friends talent as well," He smiled awkwardly as he got glares from Caleb and Seth. Then they all laughed as we went back to the hotel.
You all found yourself in your suite as you bundled the acoustic guitars together so you could practice. As Jade started out the door, you said, "Where are you going?"
He turned around and smiled warmly before saying, "I don't want to see you practice or it'll ruin the surprise I'm in for tonight. I've always wanted to see you on stage but I can never be the on looker. I'll see you tonight, okay?" He kissed you on the cheek before leaving you alone with Seth and Caleb. You smiled and said, "Let's get started, then!"
That night
You smiled nervously as you saw the crowd grow around the stage. You looked out of the corner of your eye and saw Jade sitting on a bar stool smiling at you. You suddenly felt a pang of anxiety. You really hoped your voice blended well with Caleb and Seth's voices. You sighed as you walked up onto the stage and sat down on the stool. In front of you, you put the words on the stand so you wouldn't forget them and make an idiot of yourself in front of everyone. Not like it'd be the first time. You looked down as Caleb and Seth sat down next to you and set up their guitars in their positions.
As he played the first few chords, you sucked in and sang," And when we get home, I know we won't be home at all
This place we live, it is not where we belong
And I miss who we were in the town that we could call our own
Going back to get away after everything has changed
Could you remind me of a time when we were so alive?
(Everything has changed)
Do you remember that? Do you remember that?
(Everything has changed)
Could you help me push aside all that I have left behind?
(Everything has changed)
Do you remember that? Do you remember that?
So we stand here now and no one knows us at all
I won't get used to this
I won't get used to being gone
And going back won't feel the same if we aren't staying
Going back to get away after everything has changed
Could you remind me of a time when we were so alive?
(Everything has changed)
Do you remember that? Do you remember that?
(Everything has changed)
Could you help me push aside all that I have left behind?
(Everything has changed)
Do you remember that? Do you remember that?
Taking up our time
Taking up our time
Taking up our time
It's taking up our time again
Go back we can't go back at all
It's taking up our time again
Go back we can't go back at all
It's taking up our time again
Go back we can't go back at all
It's taking up our time, taking up our time"
Caleb started singing before we all joined in, "Could you remind me of a time when we were so alive?
Do you remember that? Do you remember that?"
Your voices all blended beautifully as you finished In harmony. You then heard uproar of applause mostly from the corner where AFI and their people's were. You smiled and bowed your head as you walked off the tiny stage.
"You did incredible! Your harmonies we so perfectly timed! That was your first practice?" Jade yelled as he picked you up and spun you around. You smiled and felt color rise in your cheeks. "I was so scared, I'd mess up in front of you!" you said enthusiastically. You heard him sigh and whisper, "I'm so in love with you," into your hair as he embraced you and wouldn't let go.
This was the first time he'd ever said "In love". I love you is one thing but In love with you? You felt something in your heart suddenly. Like, you couldn't breathe for a second before getting your breath back twice as fast. Then you realized something.
"I need air!" you screamed as you realized Jade was hugging you really hard.
"Oh sorry," he said as he released you from his death grip. You smiled at him as you caught your breath.