Hey everyone! I've gotten some good feedback from the last chapter, so I'll happily continue. Thank you to everyone who left a review! Without further ado, here's chapter 2!

Chapter 2: Talking to the Moon

"Hey Will, wanna fill the mic tomorrow night? The person who was scheduled to come in fell sick and she won't be able to make it," Percy asked, glancing up from washing the glasses. Will looked at Percy with surprise. If Percy was asking him, then he was desperate. Usually, there were people lined up at the door waiting to sing at the popular Nectar Falls, a bar/café that had that quiet bookstore feel.

"Sure," Will responded before turning back to the table that he was wiping down. The last time Percy asked him to sing, he had gotten more than $50 in tips. It had been a great night. He loved the feeling he got when he was behind the mic. The smell of the metal, the heat of the spotlight on his forehead, and the nervousness that came to him every time he glanced out at the crowd were things he cherished.

"Have enough songs to fill up the hour," Percy said before locking the drink cabinet up. Will nodded in agreement before putting the cleaning supplies away. He and Percy clocked out and soon Will was on the bus heading home. It had been a long week filled with spilled glasses, broken tables, drunks hitting on women, drunks hitting on him. Will was ready for it to be over.

Will was greeted to the same sight that he faced every evening: an empty couch surrounded by sheets of music and broken pencils. He remembered back when he would come home to someone sitting on the couch, waiting for him to come home…

I know you're somewhere out there

Somewhere far away

He was glad he still had his old laptop. It was the only thing that had decent recording equipment on it, and if he was performing tomorrow, then he would need to have some backup tunes, just in case. He grabbed the laptop and set up his stuff, plugging his guitar into the jack.

The guitar had been given to him a long time ago, from his brother. Well, technically it was a gift from his father, but Michael had been the one to deliver the package, and neither of them ever really saw their father, so Will liked to think that it was a gift from his brother.

"Hey Will, I have a present for you," Michael announced, grinning from ear to ear.

"What is it?" young Will asked, giggling as he jumped up and down from excitement. Michael reached behind the couch and pulled out the acoustic guitar. Will gasped, his eyes growing with surprise and joy. He gave a cry of thanks as he gave his brother a hug, but when he pulled away, Will's eyes grew sad.

"What's wrong?" Michael asked, "You like it, don't you?"

"Yeah," Will said, looking down at his hands, "but I don't know how to play guitar…"

Michael laughed, and ruffled Will's curls, much to Will's indignation. "It's ok, kiddo. I can teach you!" Will's eyes lit up again, and he grinned up at his older brother.

"You will?"

"Of course."

Will sighed. Life had been easier back then. The guitar had gotten him a lot of friends. Heck, it had gotten him a girl, which had been amazing. But now, Will was alone.

"I don't understand. Did I do something wrong?"

"No, Will. I promise. It's just, it was a one-time thing. I hope you understand…"

I want you back….

I want you back…

She left him, time became a blur. He remembered people trying to comfort him. He remembered moving out with Michael to their new apartment, the one that he stayed in now.

My neighbors think I'm crazy, but they don't understand

You're all I had…

You're all I had…

Three hours later, and Will decided he was done. He had transposed some other music for piano and had cleaned up his songs. He was definitely tired now, so he again did his ritual. After brushing his teeth, he climbed into a bed meant for two people, staring at the empty spot next to him before drifting off to a dreamless sleep.

The next day went by relatively quickly, but he was lost in thought. The pressure behind his eyes didn't seem to want to stop building, and he found it incredibly distracting. He had taken the orders of more than two people wrong, and eventually Percy just dismissed him to the back room, saying that he "needed some time to sort things out".

Unfortunately, that was the last thing Will wanted. The memories of just being with someone was enough to push him to the edge of tears. He had found that he relied on it. It wasn't the person he missed, it was the companionship. The relationship. The closeness….

He heard Percy's call, the notice that it was his time to perform. Will walked up the steps in a nearly drunken fashion, stumbling as he reached the top, but the audience didn't respond, just like normal.

Will sat down at the piano bench with a huff. The crowd grew quieter, but not silent.

The tension was real. Will had no idea what was going on, but he was concerned. She had come back home like normal, but she didn't give him the daily kiss on the cheek like normal. She had eaten in silence, her only sound being the slurp of the freshly made soup that had been placed in front of her. Will couldn't help stare at her, his inner self screaming out to help her, to ask what was wrong. But he just sat there, watching her movements. She mumbled thanks when he took her bowl, and she walked into their bedroom.

That night, no one talked, yet the room was filled with the sound of her tossing and turning, looking for that comfortable position that was the key to sleep.

The next morning, she was gone. The note on the table said that it wasn't his fault, but it was hers. She had fallen in love with someone long ago.

The sadness came over him until he couldn't stand it. He opened his eyes and glared at the piano. He placed his hands over the keys and started to play.

At night when the stars light up my room

I sit by myself

Will could feel himself giving into the song, into the lyrics. He wanted someone. The notes drifted through the room, stirring the audience. Something was different.

Talking to the moon

Trying to get to you

"Will, you need to calm down. I promise life will be better," Michael had tried consoling him, but to no avail.

"You don't understand, Michael. I swear she's a good person…" Will had sobbed into his pillow.

"Will, she had been cheating on you with some other guy. She used you for sex. She's just like the other girls you've been with. You are better off without her, without all of them, I swear," Michael reminded gently, rubbing Will's back.

In hopes you're on the other side

Talking to me too

Ring Ring

Ring Ring

Hey, you've reached my voice mail. I'm not available right now, so, like, leave a message and I swear I'll call you back!

BEEP

"Hey, this is Will. I just want to hear your voice…"

Or am I a fool

Who sits alone

Talking to the moon…

With the final note, a silence fell over the room. You could hear the clock ticking on the far wall. Women were in tears, men were staring at their beers. Then, like a great roar, the sound of applause crashed through the room. Will just stood up, ignoring the people surrounding the stage filling the tip jar. He grabbed his apron and headed back to the counter.

Will was mopping the floors when a man walked in. Everyone had left a couple minutes ago, and even though the bar wasn't technically closed, Will knew only assholes or troublemakers ever came in this late. Will looked up from his cleaning to acknowledge the man.

"Can I help you, sir?" Will asked, glancing up and down the man's body. He was wearing a black pin-stripe suit, complimented by a silvery grey tie and equally grey hat. The man set a briefcase on the table next to Will.

"Are you Will Solace?" the man asked.

"Yes, that's me," Will answered, cautiously. A huge grin grew on the face of the man. He walked forward, eagerly.

"My name is Leo. I represent the music company 9 Muses. I was wondering if you could help me."

Will's mouth fell open. What did a recording label want with him? Surely he wasn't that good, and he only sang the one song. Will motioned at Leo to sit down, which he did. Will sat across from him, staring at him. "How can I help you?"

"Well, the company is looking for new artists, and they told us to go out and look for someone that might fit the criteria that 9 Muses looks for," Leo explained, "and your show tonight was great."

Will just stared at him. Was he implying what Will thought? Surely this guy wasn't here to give him a recording deal…

"So I was wondering if you wanted to visit the recording studio?"

Will blinked. He let out a huge breath that he didn't even know he was holding and leaned back in his chair. Leo's eyes lit up.

"We could record a demo, and then send it off to the big heads. If they like what they hear, and I bet they will, then you could get yourself a contract." Leo explained, smiling. He reached down and opened his briefcase, pulling out some papers. "Here's a list of the benefits of signing with 9 Muses."

Will took the piece of paper and slowly read through it. What was even happening right now? Was this real? The list included a pay over four times what he received now, granted he met the album quota on time. Wow. That was a lot of money. He could finally pay to get a new car, maybe even go back to school. The company also paid for medical stuff, like dental and basic health care. This was a big step in the right direction…

It hadn't registered to Will that Leo had addressed him until he heard him clear his throat. Will looked up to expectant eyes.

"U-um," Will stuttered, "Can you give me some time?"

"Of course!" Leo grinned. He shut the briefcase and stood up. "Here's my card. Call me when you're ready."

Will mumbled his thanks and watched as Leo walked out of the bar. What was he going to do?

So I know this is probably the worst ending for this chapter that's already bad, but before you judge me and stuff I have some excuses.

I have been dealing a lot emotionally and consequently, I wasn't able to work as much. I've also had THE WORST case of writers block, which is another reason why the chapter is short BUT DON'T WORRY! I have a plan.

The next chapter will also be short, so sorta combine this chapter and the next chapter together. The next chapter will be written from Percy's POV, but this will be the only time you guys see him (unless you want more, then I'll gladly whip something up). After next chapter, I will be back on track and everything will run smoothly.

Thanks for all the great reviews! Keep them coming! The only way the story can get better is if y'all tell me what's wrong.

Song for the chapter: Talking to the Moon by Bruno Mars

Until next time!