A/N: Okay guys! Here's a new story! This is a one shot story and it's especially dedicated to my friend Wendy, who asked me a long time ago to write a story like this. I hope I didn't disappoint you, Wendy! When I decided to write this fanfiction I think it could be great if I don't write only about how a life with Darren Criss could be being only in a romance. I wanted to write also about how a friendship with Darren Criss could be, so here it is. LiesMiranda also asked me if I could write about a friendship with Darren Criss, so here it is! And thanks also to Chaz, who once gave me an idea about meeting Darren in a social network way, it's not exactly like that but it's like the idea. Alright, I don't wanna tell you anything about the story so I should stop talking so you can only read it. I'll keep writing other stories and I'll try to upload faster! So guys, I hope you like this story! Thanks for your reviews of the last chapter of Chain Letters, I'm super, super happy that you guys liked that story! Okay, now seriously I should shut up! Enjoy this new story!
DUETS
"Oh god, this is crap." You exclaimed angry and frustrated in the empty room, throwing your news scores in the trash can of your bedroom.
You put aside your guitar to lie down in bed and try to calm down. You were a girl who wanted to dedicate your life to music; but unfortunately it was hard there, in the Netherlands. What you knew to do the most was to sing and few years ago you started to take guitar classes. You knew how to read scores and a few years ago you also learned how to write your very own scores. Since you learned to do it all, you decided to take the risk of dedicating your time and life completely to music. You tried to write your own music, it was more like acoustic music. But once you wrote about four songs and you went out there to try to show your music to people or when you tried to get an interested person with whom you could get some kind of agreement and contract to gain more experience in music; no one wanted to give you the chance. You tried to play your music in any bar even for free, but they never accepted it; you also tried to play your music in the street, but sometimes people are so focused on their own business that they aren't interested to see what is happening around them, they didn't care about your music, they didn't care about you. Before deciding that you wanted to dedicate your life to music, you knew it was really hard because music isn't much appreciated for everybody and they prefer to listen to a world-renowned singer than a new artist who tries to introduce in this music world; but you never knew it could be this hard and frustrating. As much as you wanted to dedicate your life to music, you couldn't do it in the Netherlands; you had to move to somewhere else but for that you needed to get money and you couldn't do it if you worked only on your music. So you had to get a job of something you didn't like, but it was worth the effort to get to do in the future what you loved the most. Working in the supermarket near your house was exhausting, but the good thing was that you had free time at nights, when you could keep working on your music. Now was one of those exhausting days. You had a terrible day at work because a man started yelling you because he thought you were stealing his money. How in the earth would that man think it? You almost lost your job because of that man who judged you with no reasons. And now you were in your house, you thought that working on your music would help you to forget that bad day; but it didn't work. It seemed that everything was going wrong that day. You tried to compose a new song but you failed, that song was terrible and it expressed a lot of anger obviously caused for your terrible day and your frustration to be working on a supermarket, every day getting away from your dreams of becoming a singer. The day, in fact, was terrible. Not only because of that man in the supermarket, because of the fact you almost lost your job, because it was a rainy day and a car went by your side and soaked you with the dirty water from the street, because of your song failed you tried to compose; but now the light went out.
"Oh great! The last thing I needed! Something else is going to happen to me today?" You exclaimed angrily and in disbelief in the empty room, now also dark.
Why did you say it? There had been less than five minutes until you heard how the window of your bedroom broke because of the very windy and rainy day. Apparently a branch of a tree crashed on your window.
"Damn it!" You yelled in a rage, standing up to cover your window with a bedspread.
In your attempt to do it as fast as you could, you tripped over furniture because of the darkness. Then a hurricane force wind blew and it knocked down your guitar. Now you were feeling really moody and a bit scared. You only wished that your guitar was okay, it was what it mattered the most. You went almost running to the kitchen, trying not to fall down the stairs, to grab a candle to light up the dark rooms. Then you came back to your bedroom to find that your guitar was in fact broken.
"Oh no! No, no, no!" You exclaimed nervous with a feeling of distress in the chest while you grabbed your broken guitar. You definitely were on a losing streak.
That was the guitar you've had for years, your first and only guitar you've ever had. Your dad gave it to you before he and your mom went to live to another country. Your dad made you promise that you were going to take care of it because it was like a family heirloom; and now it was broken. The instrument that you considered part of your life, with which you could compose music and do what you loved to do the most; was broken. And you didn't have the money to fix it and less to buy a new one. Why was this happening? You always had a losing streak, but not as bad as this. You went to your bed with your now broken guitar and you lay down in bed thinking in your losing streak, not only on your losing streak to have lost your guitar, but on all your losing streaks you've had in these years. You'd retained many feelings that were now emerging and you knew only one way to feel better: writing a song which could express all your pent-up feelings. You just grabbed a pen and a paper and you started writing, somehow you were feeling very inspired. It was an intense night and you barely knew what you've written about, because you wrote everything that came into your mind at that time. It was only you and your music.
NEXT MORNING…
You woke up with swollen eyes next to guitar and the new song you've written. You barely could remember what you've written and why you've ended up sleeping in that weird position. Now all your body was hurting and you got really moody when you remembered that your guitar was broken. The electric light hadn't returned to normal, but it was happening only in your house because you could notice that your neighbors had electric light already. Angry, you grabbed your phone to call the electric service company.
"Hello sir." You said harshly when a man answered the call. "I was calling because I don't have electric light since last night. I thought it was because of the weather but all my neighbors have it. Why not me?"
"Wait a minute, Ms." The man answered quietly and you huffed impatient. "Yes, Ms. The system says that the electricity service has been cut in your house for an accumulated debt in payment of taxes."
"What? That's ridiculous! I paid all my bills! I demand you restore the service as soon as you can." You said angrily because you always paid your bills and this was absurd.
"I'm sorry Ms. We cannot do it, the system says..."
"I know what the fucking system says! And I'm telling you that I paid my bills." You yelled out of you.
"In fact, it isn't like that. The system says you owe taxes of July." The man said trying to sound polite.
"You know what? I'm going to sue for false information and attempted theft!"
"I don't recommend it. You will lose the case because the system..."
"Fuck your damn stupid system! Asshole!" You yelled in a rage before hanging up and throwing your phone.
You never were like this, you actually were nice and polite, but that man brought you out of your mind. Great, you didn't have electric light, your guitar was broken, you were about to lose your job, your window was broken and soon you had to go to work to that boring place full of cantankerous people. What a way to start a new day!
Stop. You needed to calm down and clear up your mind. This day couldn't be bad if you take it in a positive way. Before going to work, you took money from your savings to pay again the tax of electricity service of July.
"You're late." Your boss said bad-tempered when you arrived at work.
"I'm sorry Mr. Clark. I had to..." You tried to explain him why you were only ten minutes late.
"You're late and your job is hanging by a thread." Your boss said harshly.
"I'm sorry. I'm only ten minutes late anyway! Not a big deal!" You said without thinking. Crap, you screwed up.
"Go to work and do it right or you're gonna be fired. Now." Your boss said demanding and even grumpier, looking at you harshly.
"Yes, sir." You answered coldly but trying to sound polite before going to the supermarket cashier counter to start doing your work: cashing out grouchy people.
Everything was going good and your workday was almost over. But then that woman arrived and everything went to hell.
"Cannot you be faster? I have an appointment in an hour and you seem to have a disability for this job. Young people nowadays think only get high and get drunk, going from party to party and aren't able to do their work." The arrogant and snobbish woman complained loudly.
"Sorry, Mrs.?" You asked looking at her coldly and raising an eyebrow because of your displeasure for the way the woman thought. But you needed to calm down or you were going to lose your job.
"Youth is lost and you're the living proof." The snobbish woman said arrogantly, looking at you as if you were a freak.
"Sorry, Mrs. But I won't accept it. Only because you surely have more work experience and more money than me, it doesn't mean that you have to treat me as if I were incapable to do my job." You said looking at her coldly but with a polite voice, trying to contain your anger. "It's $120."
"What? That's crazy! I didn't buy that much! You're stealing me, junkie girl!" The woman yelled altered and everyone in the store turned to look at you.
"Sorry. How did you call me?" You yelled angrily now, knowing that you were screwing this, but there was no way you could shut your mouth off.
"Thief! Junkie thief! How would someone hire a junkie thief?" The woman yelled again furiously and altered while your boss started walking right to where you were.
"You know what, Mrs.? You can put all your grocery in your ass and fuck off! People like you is the reason why young people are treated like shit and the reality is that you are a shit that reflect all your shit on young people because you feel frustrated and stifled by your own shit! Dammit! Let us live in peace!" You cursed loudly and in a rage. Actually, you never ever cursed in that way before, you never ever got out of control like this time.
You committed a big blunder; you knew it when you noticed how all the people in the store were looking at you thunderstruck, how that woman was looking at you aghast and how your boss was looking at you in a rage. You shouldn't have said it, it was too much and offhand.
"You are fired! Get out of my store now!" Your boss yelled madly in your face. He was flushed with anger.
"Fine! I don't want this stupid job with stupid people! Screw this!" You screamed furious and then you left the store, banging the door behind you.
You walked away from there as fast as you could, feeling all the anger accumulated all these years. You were glad to leave that place where you were treated like a slave, denigrated to the lowest point. But while you were walking you started to regret. Oh no, what did you do? You lost your job, your only chance to go out of this country and to start living and working of what you really wanted. What you were going to do now? How would you pay your bills? How would you buy food? Where would you find a job? You were a fool, you and your uncontrollable emotions.
"Wenskir! Hey, Wenskir!" Someone yelled behind you. You turned around and you rolled your eyes when you saw him. Why the hell did you tell him your nickname? At least he didn't know your real name.
"Hi Timothy." You greeted him curtly and kept walking.
"Hey, wait, wait!" Timothy stopped you but you kept walking. You really weren't in mood to talk to him. Anyway, he approached you.
Timothy was a guy who you met in the store you were working, a few months ago. Since the time he met you, he started going to the store very often, usually to buy only junk food, like chips or snacks. He was a nice guy but he talked far more than he should. He was tall, with dark curly hair and big green eyes. Actually he was really handsome but he seemed to be a snooty guy because of his beauty.
"What do you want, Timothy?" You asked curtly and bad-tempered but anyway you tried to not sound so harsh because he wasn't guilty of you crappy mood.
"Please, call me Tim." Timothy said with a bright smile.
"Okay, Tim..." You said raising an eyebrow and really wanting to get home. "What's up?"
"I saw what happened in the store. What the hell of woman!" Timothy exclaimed loudly and you looked at him blankly. "Your boss was unfair to you, you do a good job."
"Yeah well, he doesn't think the same." You said moody and then you kept walking.
"Is there something I can do for you?" Tim asked while he was walking next to you and you stood up to look at him surprised raising your eyebrows.
"No. Unless you can get me a place where I can do what I really want that is singing and playing my broken guitar in front of people who would really appreciate what I do, in front of people who wouldn't kick my ass every time I try to ask if I can sing. But that's impossible, so no. You can't do anything for me." You said sarcastically and grumpy by that thought. Why did you tell him so? As if he really wanted to know your frustration. You didn't even know him well to tell him that.
"Wow that was really honest. Maybe we could start by going for a coffee?" Tim said jovially with his big smile.
"I don't think so. I'm not in the mood." You answered harshly. His offer was nice, but why the hell was he doing it? Has he really thought that you were going to do whatever he wanted? No. And less with someone you didn't know.
"Come on, it's just a coffee. Maybe it could help you to think about something else." Tim insisted still smiling.
"I have things more important to worry about now than going for a coffee. I had a crappy day and all I want is to get home. So, if you excuse me. Bye." You said harshly and kept walking, faster this time.
"Alright! Maybe next time!" Tim yelled behind you.
"Yeah, sure." You answered yelling and rolling your eyes without looking at him, knowing that it wouldn't happen.
After few minutes you finally arrived at you house. Well, at least you had electric light again. That day had been a really crappy day and now you couldn't stop thinking where you would find a new job. Maybe you could get a job as a waitress in the bar near your house. You knew there they needed people. You didn't like so much that bar because you went there several times to see if they could let you sing there since that was a recognized bar and a lot of people were used to go there, but they always rejected you. But now you were going to go there to find a job as a waitress, it could work to help you to get money and pay your bills. But you were going to go there next day, now you really needed to relax and not think about all the things that happened earlier. You lay down in bed and turned on the TV to watch any program, you really didn't mind which one. When you turned on the TV there was a TV series called Glee. You watched it but you actually didn't pay attention until a guy with gelled hair started singing Teenage Dream by Katy Perry. At first you only laughed because of the senseless amount of gel on his hair, it was ridiculous; but then you started listening the way he was singing.
"He's a good singer. I'd only take away his hair gel and it'd be perfect. Poor guy, I imagine how tedious is to have that product on his hair. And those eyebrows, boy! Have you stolen two triangles, sir?" You said out loud as if someone else was there to hear what you were saying. "Who's this guy?" You asked to yourself once that short guy with gelled hair finished singing.
It seemed it was a marathon of this TV show called Glee, so you just kept watching it. It was a good TV show; you wondered why you haven't watched it before.
"Oh my God! Oh my God! Finally! Yes, finally! Oh my God, that's adorable! Aww, they're so cute. Wait, wait, wait! No, fuck! I want to see more kisses, I don't want to see them dancing and singing. So unfair, I want to see how those two boys keep practicing!" You squealed excited when you saw your favorite characters, who were called Kurt and Blaine, finally kissing for the first time. You didn't even know why you were so excited; you just were because they were really cute and adorable.
When the Glee marathon ended, you turned off the TV and you went to your computer to find out who that Blaine guy was in real life. You wrote on a paper all the male names of the actors on the show. You started searching in internet one by one until you found him. His real name was Darren Criss. First you looked some pictures of him.
"Oh, thanks God you don't have gelled hair in your real life, Mr. Criss." You laughed when you saw he actually had curly hair. Then you found a picture that seemed to be really old. He was wearing pink sunnies and a long and outrageously curly hair, making a really funny face. "Oh god, whatever it happened to your hair. You shouldn't have cut your hair, those curls were really nice. And those sunnies? I want those!"
You kept seeing more pictures of this Darren Criss guy. You found a lot of kind of pictures of him: funny ones, cute ones, derp ones, hot ones. He was actually a sexy guy and he seemed to be really funny. But that was enough. You looked for him on internet to find if he had his own songs or something. You googled him and you found out that he had a few own songs and an EP album called Human.
"Oh man! These songs are precious! He's good, he's really good! I need to download his songs. Okay...iTunes. Here you are. Okay, done. Wait, what is this? AVPM? What the hell is that?" You asked to yourself frowning and curious, clicking on a link of YouTube. "A very Potter musical. Alright, let's see what this is."
You spent all your afternoon and night watching those videos on YouTube, laughing as never before. Not only you watched AVPM, you also watched other musicals of this production called StarKid: AVPS, Me and my dick, StarShip and Holy Musical B man. Those musicals were extremely hilarious and those were really good. You couldn't remember when was the time you laughed as much as this time. This Darren Criss guy was very talented. Somehow, he inspired you to keep doing what you loved to do.
"Thanks, Darren Criss. Even though I don't know you. Thanks." You said out loud in the empty room.
Suddenly you started to have a positive feeling. And it happened after you discovered the existence of this guy called Darren Criss.
ONE MONTH LATER…
Fortunately, you got the job as a waitress. With your salary you managed to pay your bills and buy some food; and with the perquisites you could fix a bit your guitar, at least you could change the strings. Now you worked at night and you had almost all the day free, so in that time you tried to write songs now that you were inspired. You threw on the trash can the song you wrote that night when your guitar broke, because it was a sad song and you wanted to write more cheerful songs.
That day was a wonderful day, so you decided to write a new song in the park near your house. Lately, you've been locked in your house writing and throwing to the trash can new songs you tried to write; so you really needed fresh air. In your way to the park, a little boy bumped into you and he spilled his ice-cream in your jeans.
"Oh my god! This is not happening!" You exclaimed out loud in disbelief and the little boy looked at you scared before running away. "Great, my new jeans are screwed now! Chocolate had to be!"
"You know, I can buy you new jeans. Meanwhile, let me clean it." A man's voice said behind you and you turned around to see Tim. How come this guy always managed to find you? As if you had a GPS on you.
"No, Tim. It's okay." You said moody trying to clean the chocolate ice-cream on your jeans with your hands, but it got worse.
"Trust me. A tissue will work better than your hands." Tim said smiling amused showing you a tissue he had on his hands.
"Fine." You finally agreed when you saw the disaster you've made. Tim smiled and he cleaned the chocolate ice-cream in your jeans. Why he was doing it and why were you letting him to do so? He couldn't clean it completely, but it got better.
"Well, it's the best I can do. Maybe we can go to that store there, to buy new jeans. I pay." Tim said kindly, smiling at you.
"I can buy my own jeans, Tim. Thank you anyway." You said still looking at your ruined jeans. "It was nice to see you, Tim. Have a good day." You said quickly to go away and finally arrive to the park.
"Wait!" Tim said hurriedly, grabbing your arm to stop you. You looked serious and coldly directly at your arm and how he was grabbing it. Apparently, Tim noticed that you didn't like it because he quickly let out your arm. "I just... Sorry." Tim said a little embarrassed and that was weird. That snooty guy was feeling shame?
"It's alright, Tim." You tried to say kindly because you felt bad in the way you looked at him. "I guess I've overreacted."
"Yeah, okay. Uhm...anyway..." Tim said now feeling a bit uncomfortable and you felt bad for it because it was your fault. What happened with your kind manners? Now you seemed to be a bitch. "I only wanted to tell you...Do you remember that day when your boss fired you?"
"Yeah, I remember. I don't have a really bad memory precisely." You tried to joke but it didn't work because apparently Tim felt even more embarrassed. "Tim, it was a joke. A bad one."
"Yes, right!" Tim said a bit more lively. "Well, you told me that I could do nothing for you unless I get a place where you can play your music."
"Yes well, that day I was really grumpy and negative...Just forget..." You started saying because you thought that Tim would forget all you told him that day.
"I got the place!" Tim said with a big smile, looking at you brightly.
"What?" You asked bewildered. Obviously you were really surprised, you never imagined that a guy that you didn't know and who didn't know you could try to find a place where you could play your music after a short and random talk you had. Why was he doing it?
"Yes, I noticed you felt frustrated because you couldn't find a place. So I just wanted to help you. You seem to love music and I have a contact. So, why not?" Tim said still smiling brightly and you looked at him frowning.
"Tim, what? I don't get it. Why are you doing this? It's not that we're friends or something." You asked curious and confused at the same time.
"Yes, I know we aren't friends." Tim said now looking down with a faintly smile. Why did you have to be so rough? You shouldn't have said that thing of friends. After all, he did something for you that no one has done before. But Tim then looked up to you. "But I'd like to be your friend."
"Look, I'm sorry Tim. I was rough and bad-mannered." You apologized and Tim smiled again. Well, at least finally you said something good. Maybe he wasn't as snooty as you thought, at least not with you. "So... How's that you found a place?"
"Well, I have a contact. So I went to this bar, XtraCold Amsterdam Lounge & Icebar. They accepted you to play your music there. It's gonna be a cold experience, but it's a popular bar full of tourists, so I guess is a good thing." Tim said shrugging and smiling brightly.
"Have you mentioned the XtraCold Amsterdam Lounge & Icebar?" You asked raising an eyebrow, surprised.
"Yeah, I have. Well, if you don't like the place I could..." Tim started saying when he saw your disturbed face.
"No, no, no. It's not that. It's a cool place, but it's the bar where I work now as a waitress. It's weird, I tried several times to play my music there but they never accepted. Have you mentioned that it was me who was going to play music there?" You asked bewildered. How in earth has he got it so easily?
"That's odd! Well, no, I haven't mentioned you. But they owe me one. So you just have to go there and play your music! I guess it's a good chance for you." Tim said happily and you just shook your head.
"No, I can't do it. I mean, when they get to see it's me who's gonna play, they're gonna reject me again. Anyway my guitar is broken so I can't do it." You said still shaking your head.
"They won't do it; as I said, they owe me one. About your guitar... we can fix it right now. Don't waste this opportunity, come on!" Tim insisted you in a way you smiled and thought...why not?
"Okay. I guess I could do it." You smiled brightly and Tim smiled back.
"Great! Come on, let's go fix your guitar now!" Tim said vividly. He seemed to be as excited as you were if not more.
"Yes, let's go." You smiled kindly and you and he started walking. "Oh, Tim. Thank you, a lot."
"My pleasure." Tim smiled nicely before starting to walk again on your way to fix your guitar.
You didn't know why Tim was doing this for you and why you couldn't be nice to him. But it was like Tim was the only one who had good news for your losing streak. What a weird guy, you thought.
"Ready for tonight?" Tim asked excited.
He was in front of your front door because he was going to accompany you to the bar where you were working but where you were going to play your music that night. He was very nice to you that day: he helped you to fix your guitar, it was still broken but at least you could play it; he bought you new jeans to wear that night even though you tried to convince him that you could pay those jeans; he invited you to have lunch; and you and he talked about a lot of things. He actually wasn't so snooty, he was nice and funny; and you felt bad to have judged him in the first place. Still, you couldn't get why he was doing all of that for you or why he wanted to be your friend even though you treated him really bad. Anyway, you were glad to go to the bar with him that night. You were freaking out, of course, because you've dreamed for that moment for so long and it was a great opportunity; but you tried to calm down because you really didn't want to screw it over. Maybe that night things could change and finally people could appreciate your music, or maybe not; but you had to try it.
"I'm ready." You said with a bright smile before leaving your house to go to the bar.
You and Tim walked to the bar because it was really near to your house. On your way, you talked about funny things, what made you relax. But when you arrived to the bar, you started to get nervous, and more when you entered it. It was funny because you never got nervous when you entered the bar to work, but this time was completely different.
"Hello, Peter. This is the girl I talked you about, the one who's gonna perform the show. I guess you already know each other." Tim said to your boss once you entered the bar. You only looked down because you didn't know how your boss would react; you knew he was very grumpy and arrogant.
"You gotta be kidding me, Tim. I thought you were bringing a real singer." Your boss said looking at you contemptuously. You had the feeling that nothing good would happen after the way he talked about you. Stupid boss.
"Don't forget that you owe me one, Peter. And anyway, you have no idea if she's a good singer or not. As far as I know she's a really good one, I heard her singing. So you just shut up and give her a chance." Tim said presumably and serious. He was officially lying. He never heard you singing and he had no idea if you were good or not, actually you could disappoint him; but he supported you anyway, he defended you in front of your arrogant boss. You glanced at Tim, very surprised and thankfully.
"Yeah, sure." Your boss huffed annoyed. "Better if you do a good job, girl. Today we have special and important guests and I'll kill you if you screw it. Now go change and start your work as waitress, I'm gonna tell you when you have to go out to sing."
"Yes, sir. Thank you, thank you a lot." You thanked amazed because he finally accepted you to sing there. What was up with Tim and all of this? How come he made your boss change his mind?
"Yes, yes, whatever." Your boss said arrogantly and looking away. Then he looked at Tim with a killer look. "If something goes wrong, I'm going to kill you, Tim. Why it had to be tonight? Damn!" Your boss yelled angrily while leaving the place where Tim and you were.
"Oh my god, I can't believe this! Thank you, thank you a lot, Tim!" You squealed excited and because of your excitement you hugged him before you could realize what you were doing.
"Oh, it's nothing." Tim said hugging you back a bit shy, smiling slightly. That was the moment when you realized you were hugging him and you didn't know him well to do so, so you just stopped hugging him to feel embarrassed.
"Uhm, well…I need to change my clothes so I can start working." You said shyly and starting to blush.
"Oh, yes, right. Uhm, well, I'll be out there." Tim said also a bit embarrassed. "Good luck, Wenskir!" Tim winked before leaving the dressing room.
For some reason that night was full of people and you had a lot of work to do as never before. Why the heck was the bar so full? You had to serve a lot of people and you had to do it fast otherwise people started to complain. You were afraid that maybe now your boss wouldn't let you sing because of the ridiculous amount of people, but your boss only told you to be fast to serve people because soon you needed to sing and better if you did it fine. You haven't been this strained since a long time. After serving a table that ordered four drinks, you went to a table to take a new order.
"Hi sir, hi lady. What can I do for you?" You asked politely despite your stress, looking only at the lady because you were behind the man.
When the man turned around to look at you got in shock. Somehow you got even more strained and opened your eyes widely. That Darren Criss guy from the TV was there. What were the chances of this happening? Why was he there anyway? He was from USA. Why was he in the Netherlands and why was he in that bar that night you were going to play your music? Maybe he was just a guy very similar to that Darren Criss guy. Anyway, you didn't know why you were freaking out if you didn't even know him. Oh, but he was so talented and he was like the person who, without knowing, helped you to keep writing songs, who inspired you.
"Hi!" That Darren Criss guy greeted cheerfully with a bright smile. Well, he seemed to be a nice guy. "Well, we'd like to drink something that could warmth up us, is freaking cold in here!" Darren and the lady laughed and you smiled faintly, feeling shy. "What would you recommend us? We're new on this."
"Well, there's a cocktail called Xtracold Fever." You answered shyly, trying to not seem you were freaking out.
"Okay, what's that? Because it seems I'm gonna get sick with that cocktail, the name is like freezing." Darren Criss laughed and you giggled softly. He seemed to be funny as well.
"It's vodka, rum and a flavor of your choice. And I'd recommend strawberry flavor. That cocktail accompanied with a finger food, most precisely warm tapas." You answered politely with a slight smile.
"Sounds good to me. What about you, Mia?" Darren Criss asked to the lady who was in front of him.
"Yes, you convinced me, girl." The lady called Mia said with a nice smile.
"Then, bring us two Xcold Fever or whatever its name is and those warm tapas. And if you can, bring us also a warm jacket with furry hood. Summer they told me, summer my ass in here!" Darren Criss laughed out loud. Well then, he also was good at swearing.
"Unfortunately we don't have those. But I'll see what I can do. Be right back with your order." You said politely smiling.
"Thank you!" Darren Criss said loudly behind you when you were leaving their table.
You walked fast to the kitchen of the bar. Was that Darren Criss guy actually in there? Have you talked to him? Have you taken his order? This was crazy, totally insane. He was even more beautiful in real life and in fact, he didn't have gelled hair so that was good. And who would be that girl who was with him? Maybe his friend, sister or girlfriend. Anyway, you needed to stop freaking out and hurry up to bring them their order. But you also had to get them those jackets, so you went to the wardrobe you had in the bar and took two jackets. People had to rent those jackets, but you could pretend they did it so your boss wouldn't suspect anything. No, you couldn't risk your work. What the hell! That Darren Criss guy was in the bar and he was a celebrity, your boss wouldn't mind. After few minutes you came back to their table with their order and two jackets. They were talking pertly.
"Okay guys. Here's your order and the two jackets." You said with a big smile, leaving their order on the table and giving them the jackets.
"Oh my wizard god! I can't believe you actually got the jackets! I was kidding, but it's better to have these." Darren Criss said raising his eyebrows and with a bright smile. "I guess we also have to pay for the jackets?"
"Oh no, they're on the house." You said smiling. "Have a lovely night." You greeted them politely with a smile and they smiled back.
"Thank you, we guarantee it." Darren Criss said kindly before you left them.
You smiled at him once more before you left them and came back to the kitchen. You were trying to calm down and admit that this was actually happening, when your boss entered in the kitchen with his entire grumpy mood.
"Come on! Hurry up! Hurry up! You have to go out there!" Your boss yelled grumpy, he seemed to be more nervous and grumpier than ever. It was irritable.
"What do you mean? Is it time for me to sing?" You asked him nervously.
"Where are you living, girl? Of course is that! And let me warn you something..." Your boss said looking straight into your eyes and pointing you with his finger. It was scary. "There are two special guests, they've come from USA and they're celebrities. If you screw the night you better not bother to return to work. Got it?"
"Yes, got it, sir." You nodded feeling scared now, with all his pressure on your shoulders.
"Do not forget I'm risking my reputation because of this. Later, you'll have to pay me for this chance I'm giving you." Your boss said severely before turning around and leaving.
"Okay, fine. Stupid." You whispered once your boss went away.
You changed your waitress clothes and you put on your new jeans and your lucky jacket that your mom gave you before leaving the country. You went to the service restroom and you put on makeup. When you were ready, you grabbed your old guitar and stood in front of the door which was behind the stage. That was the moment when you freaked out. This was going to be your first show in front of so many people, what if you screwed it? Maybe your future depended on this moment. And there was also this talented Darren Criss guy who was going to listen to your music and you felt embarrassed. You wished he was gone already, so you'd feel more relaxed. You noticed that suddenly the people in the bar fell silent to hear how your boss presented you. It was time now to get out there and sing. You took a deep breath.
All the lights were directed to you when you came on stage and it almost blinded you. People started cheering even though they didn't know who you were and you barely could see them, everything seemed blurry and nerves took over your body. There was a chair and a microphone. You walked to the chair and sit there, now looking better to the people who were there, all of them looking at you curious and expectant. You thanked them shyly and then your gaze shifted to where it was Darren Criss. Damn, he wasn't gone. He was looking at you frowning and curious, with an amused smile, also as expectant as the other people. You regretted to be on that stage, you wanted to go away, but then your gaze shifted to where it was Tim, who encouraged you with his thumbs up and a huge smile. You didn't know how Tim got it, but suddenly you felt more relaxed and happy. As you ever dreamed, you started playing your music in front of people who seemed to be waiting cheerfully to hear you sing.
The show has ended an hour ago and now you were getting ready to come back to your house. It was amazing, a unique experience. You couldn't believe that people cheered you when you finished singing instead throwing you tomatoes or something like in the movies. You were completely happy, it was like a dream come true. For a moment you felt as if those people really liked your music, something that you've dreamed. In fact, you felt as if you were dreaming. You thought that nothing could screw that moment, but you were wrong. When you were getting ready to come back to your house, your boss appeared.
"You were good." Your boss said with his arrogance.
"Thank you, sir." You thanked him blankly.
"Apparently people liked what you did." He said presumptuously looking away.
"Yes, it's crazy." You nodded, grabbing your personal stuff to go to your house.
"Yes, it is. Anyway you have to pay me for it." Your boss said now looking at you. He had this expression in his eyes that scared you.
"I know, but I don't have the money now. Maybe you could take off the money from my salary." You said now really hurrying up to get ready and leave because he was looking at you in a scary way.
"I never said you should pay it with money." Your boss said placing a hand under your breast and looking at you with a lustful glance. Now you were really scared. What the hell was he doing?
"I'd rather to pay it with money. I have to go." You said with trembling voice and you ran outside.
But your boss was fast. He reached you and he pulled you against the wall aggressively, hurting you. You tried to punch him and go away, but he was holding you in a way you couldn't move. The alley was empty and dark and you couldn't even yell for help because he covered your mouth harshly. You didn't know what to do, you were really scared and tears started falling down your face when you felt his hands touching your body. In a moment you bit his hand which was covering your mouth. In pain, your boss uncovered your mouth to look at his hand which was now bleeding, really angry. You took the advantage to shout for help.
"Help! Help me!" You yelled scared and desperate and you got to get away from him.
You started running as fast as you could, but your boss reached you again and he grabbed your arm aggressively, pulling you against the wall again. He was out of himself, really mad. This was going to end in a bad way and you knew it. No one was near there, no one could help you, and it was all dark.
"No, no! Let me go! Leave me! No! Leave me!" You yelled desperate and terrified.
"The lady said no. Let her go." A man's voice said in the dark.
"Who's there?" Your boss asked madly but now a bit frightened. "And what if not? Get out of here and get into your own business, whoever you are."
"You, fuck off. The lady said no and if you don't get your ass out of here in five minutes I'm gonna blow with a fist your face." The same man's voice said in the dark. You tried to look who was the one who was helping you, but you couldn't see anything.
"Come on, come here coward! Get out of the darkness and face me! Show your damn face!" Your boss yelled madly now leaving you to walk to where the man's voice was coming.
Without thinking and trembling, you took advantage to run to your boss and hit him in his head with your guitar. You heard how your boss yelled in anger and pain and turned around to grab you fiercely. You closed your eyes in fear when you saw his fist going directly to your face to punch you. But nothing happened. You opened your eyes and you saw how that man who was there grabbed your boss by his hood and how that man punched your boss in his nose. You cornered against the wall in fear; all your body was trembling and you still couldn't see anything, you were only hearing how the two men were fighting. You couldn't move and you couldn't think about anything.
"Get out of here before I kill you, asshole!" The man's voice said angrily.
You heard steps running and then you heard steps getting close to you. You hugged yourself still cornered against the wall and you closed your eyes in fear. You didn't want to know if the man who was walking to you was your boss or that man in the dark. You felt how the person who walked to you kneeled next to you, placing a hand on your shoulder.
"Are you okay?" The same man's voice you heard seconds earlier whispered reassuringly. You sighed in relief and you finally opened your eyes to see who the man who helped you was. Darren Criss.
"I'm...I'm fine." You said with choked voice but then you started crying and your body was still trembling.
"Calm down, I won't hurt you. That asshole has gone already, you're safe." Darren Criss said reassuringly, rubbing your shoulder.
"Th-thank y-you." You said honestly thankful, still crying.
"It's nothing." Darren Criss said kindly and then he grabbed your hand. "Let's go, is really dark in here and it's dangerous."
You nodded still shedding tears and then Darren Criss helped you to stand up. He took you by the arm because you barely could remain standing. He started leading you, but then you stopped to look at your guitar on the floor, completely broken into pieces. Darren Criss also looked at your guitar when you stopped. You couldn't move because you were in shock and anguished by looking at your loved guitar like that; so Darren Criss walked to your guitar and he kneeled to grab it.
"This is your guitar, isn't it?" Darren Criss asked looking at you with your guitar in his hands and still kneeled. You only nodded. "It's a really good one."
"It was a family heirloom." You whispered distressed.
"Don't feel bad, it can be fixed." Darren Criss said reassuringly, standing up with your guitar. "I know a place here where you can fix it. It will look like new."
"Yes." You said looking down anguished because you knew where that place was, but it was absurdly expensive and you couldn't afford it.
"If you give me your guitar, I could bring it to that place. Then tomorrow night I can return you your guitar. I guess tomorrow you'd be also working here." Darren Criss said next to you.
"I can't pay for it. But thank you anyway." You said looking down and wanting to come back to your house.
"I'll pay for it. Consider it as a reward for your excellent attention as a waitress and for your amazing performance." Darren Criss said looking at you with a warm smile and you looked up to look at him amazed.
"Thank you, but I can't accept it." You said still amazed.
"Yes, you can. It's nothing and anyway I could get a cash discount." Darren Criss said winking and trying to cheer you up. You only smiled faintly. "Come on, I really want to do it."
"Okay." You smiled at him shyly. Why was he doing it for you? This was really surreal. And how come you were talking to a celebrity? This was weird. "Thank you very much, it means a lot to me."
"Oh no, I said it's nothing." Darren Criss said smiling kindly. "By the way, I'm Darren. And you are...?"
"You can call me Wenskir. Is the way that everybody calls me." You answered smiling back at him.
"Nice to meet you, Wenskir."
"What the hell Darren? I can't believe this!" A woman's voice yelled annoyed behind you. It was the same girl who was with Darren Criss in the bar, called Mia. You looked down feeling embarrassed and uncomfortable.
"You said you wanted to come back to the hotel room because you were really tired and you weren't in mood to go to the party and then you get entertained talking to the waitress? Unbelievable!" Mia exclaimed loudly and sarcastically.
"Baby, can we talk about this later? It isn't a good moment." Darren whispered looking at Mia.
"Never is a good moment for you! You always have an excuse for everything. No I can't, no I don't want, no I'm tired and bla, bla, bla. When it comes the time to hang out with me you always have an excuse! I'm sick of it!" Mia screamed angrily.
"Baby, it's not like that. Please, calm down. We'll talk about this later, really." Darren whispered again and then he looked at you uncomfortable. "Uhm, this is my girlfriend, Mia. Mia this is..."
"I know who is she, the hot waitress. You know what? Why don't you hang out with her? I'll find someone who really wants to spend time with me, Darren." Mia said mad and apparently tired. You had to do something because she was misunderstanding the situation.
"Wait. It's not what you're thinking." You finally said shyly and then both Darren and Mia looked at you. "He was only helping me because someone tried to abuse me earlier. Only that."
"Honey..." Mia said looking at you fixedly. "I don't think that Darren was cheating on me with you or something. I know he's not that kind of person. But there's something else in a relationship..." Mia said now harshly looking at Darren who looked down. "There's something in a relationship that should never miss, that is to get time to spend together. And this man here always has an excuse to not doing it. And I'm sick of it. I'm sick of it, Darren!" Mia yelled desperate looking at Darren and then she looked at you again. "So don't worry honey, it's not your fault." Mia said looking at you and then she looked at Darren again. "Don't you dare to come with me. I'll have fun by my own, at least let me do it, Darren." Mia said before turning around and starting walking.
"Baby, wait!" Darren yelled behind her.
"Don't follow me, Darren! I really want to be alone now. Respect it." Mia yelled without looking at him, still walking until she was out of sight.
Darren remained there, looking in the direction where Mia walked away, apparently feeling uncomfortable but not as much as you were. You looked down not knowing what to do or say and both of you remained silent. After few seconds, you looked up at him.
"I don't wanna sound like a busybody..." You started saying shyly and Darren Criss looked quickly at you, surprised because you broke the silence. He didn't say anything, he just stared at you. "But you should've followed her." You said almost in a whisper, trying to not sound like a meddlesome. Darren just giggled softly and a bit bitterly.
"Well, she asked me to respect it. I don't want to screw it more than it already is. And no, you didn't sound like a busybody. It's fine." Darren said smiling faintly trying to make you feel better. So you just decided to give him your point of view. He helped you so now it was time for you to help him.
"Well, we, women, are really weird." You said now feeling more comfortable. Darren looked at you and raised his eyebrows giggling.
"No kidding!" Darren joked more cheerfully and you giggled softly.
"It's true. We always say get out of here, I don't want to see you again, don't follow me and screw you. But the truth is that actually we're thinking, please stay, please come with me, and please show me that you really care." You said with an amused smile, raising your eyebrow.
"And if it's so, why don't you just say it? It could be easier for us, men!" Darren asked raising his eyebrows and not understanding.
"Oh well, we're kind of complicated. We're pride and we're constantly putting to test you, men, to check if you really care about us, women. Blame it on the movies, which show us all the time men only want to have fun and they aren't able to show us if you love us." You said kind of amused and Darren looked at you frowning and in disbelief.
"That's absurd." Darren said shaking his head and laughing in disbelief.
"It is. But we think there's nothing wrong with it because is always nice to hear a man telling you that he loves you or that he cares about you. Sometimes we, women, need that. Those little and stupid things make us happy." You said shrugging and smiling and Darren looked at you amused.
"So that's the secret about women. I'll keep it in mind from now on." Darren said smiling and raising his eyebrows and you laughed.
"It's a real secret, so don't tell anyone that I told you so." You joked.
"My lips are sealed." Darren said amusingly.
"Good." You smiled at him. "So just you know; as much as it may seem that a woman is not romantic and cold, she always would love to receive a nice and romantic gesture. We always say that we hate all that romantic crap, but it's not true actually." You said as if you were revealing a secret.
"Oh man, you women are a pain in the ass. But I must admit you're the best pain in the ass." Darren joked and you laughed out loud. "So you are a woman..."
"Well, I was a woman the last time I checked." You joked looking at him amused and Darren got surprised by your comment before laughing out loud.
"You're funny." Darren said still laughing. "Let me rephrase what I said. What would be your advice to me to fix things with my girlfriend? I mean, you, as a woman, what would you like that a man do for you?"
"Complicated question. Well, I don't know. I'm one of those women who say that hate all the romantic crap. So, I don't know if I could help you that much." You said frowning.
"Come on, you say you hate the romantic crap; but considering what you've told me about women I already know that you actually like it." Darren insisted. He seemed to be really interested in hearing your response.
"Good move. Alright, let's see..." You said thoughtful. "I don't know. I'd like him to make me feel really loved, as if he really cares about me. He could prove it by taking me to a place that I love to go, or telling me beautiful things in the ear. Women tend to have low self-esteem as much as we try to hide it, so is always nice to hear that someone thinks you're beautiful inside and outside. We actually don't need material things unless you're with someone for his money. But I don't think it could be your case. We're happy just spending time with the loved one, doing whatever it is, even just breathing with the loved one, showing us that he's really happy to be with us and that nothing else matters. That's all we need." You said deep in thought and not realizing that you were actually saying it loudly. When you realized it and when you saw Darren looking at you raising his eyebrows and as if he was fascinated by your sincerity; you felt ashamed. "Well, I was just saying how your girlfriend..."
"That's really beautiful and completely selfless. Do you women really can feel that way when you're with a guy? As if nothing mattered but you two? I mean, guys can feel that way also. But it's like sometimes we feel more the physical part and you are very emotional, and that's amazing." Darren said still as if he was fascinated.
"Well, yes. It's really like that." You said smiling slightly. "So you should try it with your girlfriend. I'm sure things between you are gonna get better soon." You encouraged him.
"Wenskir! Here you are! I've been looking for you all this time! A girl told me that someone tried to abuse you and I was worrying like hell! Are you okay?" Tim's voice said next to you. You didn't know why you felt that way, but you felt really good when you saw him.
"Tim!" You exclaimed loudly and ran to him to hug him. Why did you do it? You didn't know, but it felt good when he hugged you back and he started caressing your hair. "I'm happy you're here." You whispered. Oh damn, why did you say it? What was wrong with you?
"Oh gosh, I was so worried! What has that guy done? Has he hurt you? Are you okay?" Tim asked sounding in fact very worried.
"I'm fine, Tim." You looked at him and smiled slightly.
"Is that guy over there who tried to...?" Tim started asking furiously, looking at Darren suspiciously.
"No, Tim, no. He helped me. Thanks to him I'm fine now." You said trying to calm him down. Tim looked at you and nodded, kissing your forehead. Has he just done it? Has Tim kissed your forehead? Oh wow, this felt weird.
"Thanks, man. Really, I don't know what I'd have done if something bad had happened to her." Tim said looking at Darren but still holding you in his arms. You looked at Tim frowning and stunned by what he had said. Why was Tim talking that way about you if you even weren't close friends?
"Oh, it's okay. I just heard screams and I came here to see what was going on." Darren said humbly.
"It was a nice gesture. Thank you." Tim said again looking at Darren and then he looked at you. "Do you want me to walk you to your house?"
"Yes, please." You whispered looking at Tim thankful. "Just, let me thank him to have helped me."
"Of course, take your time." Tim said kindly and you nodded before walking to where Darren was.
"Thank you, Darren. Really, you've been really nice to me and not everybody would have done what you've done." You said smiling thankful at him.
"You're welcome. And I'm sure anyone would have done that." Darren smiled back at you. "So, I'm taking your guitar and I'll return it to you tomorrow night, I guess."
"I guess. Thank you a lot for that too, you really don't have to..."
"But I want." Darren interrupted you and smiled brightly. "And thank you for your advice. Now please be safe."
"You're welcome and I will. See you tomorrow night, Darren." You smiled and kissed his cheek. What? Why did you do it? You kissed Darren Criss on the cheek. How unreal was it? Gosh.
You didn't know how you gained confidence with Darren, you didn't know how you felt as if Darren Criss was just a human being like you instead a celebrity; you couldn't understand why Darren Criss was in the Netherland, why he and you talked, why he helped you and why he was going to fix your guitar. You couldn't get how you and he agreed to see each other the next day. All of that and also the fact you finally played your music in front of a lot of people. And not to mention the fact you were feeling weird being next to Tim, a guy who you've been avoiding since the time you met, a guy you didn't want to see or to talk. You were feeling weird next to him, but it was like a positive feeling. Despite what you had to experience that night, everything seemed good and surreal. And mostly, you couldn't find out what was wrong with you and why you were acting like... truly yourself.
NEXT DAY…
"Tim, you really didn't have to come over here." You said opening the door of your house, minutes earlier before going to work.
"I told you I wouldn't let you to go alone to your work after what happened with your boss. First I'm gonna check if he isn't there and if he's not there, then I'm gonna come back to my mother's birthday in peace." Tim said smiling and taking you by the arm.
Yesterday night, when Tim was walking you to your house, you told him all that happened between you and your boss when you finished working. Tim got really angry with your boss, apparently your boss was a friend of his sister's boyfriend or something like that. He accompanied you to your front door and before leaving he told you he was going to pick you up to accompany you to your work, for safety. After telling you so, he hugged you again and you let him doing so. For some reason you felt good in his arms, as if you were safe with him. Anyway, you tried not to think about your feelings because the situation was already very odd itself.
You were really scared to go to work that day. Actually you didn't want to come back; you didn't want to see the face of your boss. But you had to come back at least that day to pick up all your personal stuff you left there and because Darren said he'd be there with your guitar. But after this day, you weren't going to come back. It was a relief for you to enter the bar and see that your boss wasn't there and instead he, a girl who worked in administration was replacing him. Tim made sure that your boss weren't going to come back that night before leaving you. He insisted you to text him if something bad comes to happen and he insisted you to text him once you return to your house. He was being kind of overprotective but you didn't mind it, actually you liked the fact that someone could care about you the way he was doing. That was a quiet night and your boss, thankfully, never appeared. The rumors were that your boss had an accident and he was very injured, so he was at hospital; of course it was a false rumor, but you didn't say anything.
All the night you were waiting for Darren Criss to arrive with your guitar, but the closing time was close and he didn't appear. You wondered if he actually was going to appear, maybe he was following your advice and so then he was spending time with his girlfriend. Maybe he thought he could give you your guitar next day, but the problem was that you weren't going to come back to that bar after what happened. An hour before the bar closed, Darren Criss entered in the bar and he sat on a table, very quietly. He was alone, with your guitar as he promised. You quickly walked to his table and you had to pretend you were only going there to take his order, because the girl who was in charge now was supervising your work.
"Hi sir. What can I do for you?" You asked to Darren Criss with a polite smile. Darren looked up to you and he smiled slightly. There was something weird in his eyes, very different than last night.
"Hi." Darren greeted you with the same slight smile. "I brought your guitar as I promised. It's like new."
"I can see that. Thank you very much, sir." You said smiling brightly and happily, but always trying to sound like a waitress just in case the girl who was in charge hears you. "What would you like to order, sir? They're on the house tonight."
"Well, thanks. Do you have something like...whiskey? I need a stiff drink." Darren said with a bitter smile. "She left me."
You couldn't explain why you felt bad for him in that moment, like really bad. You got why he was very different than yesterday and he surely was feeling sad. Somehow you felt the need to help him because he helped you last night, but you couldn't do it in that moment. You actually didn't know what to say to him because you didn't know him that much and this was weird, it was weird that he was telling you that; but apparently he needed someone to talk and you guessed that probably he went to the Netherland only with his girlfriend and now he was alone. So maybe you were the only one with whom he could talk or something, or maybe not; you didn't know.
"I...I can't talk right now." You whispered feeling bad.
"Yes, I'm sorry, you're working." Darren said also whispering when he noticed you were nervous looking around to see if the girl who was in charge was looking at you. "What time ends your work schedule?" Darren asked curious and you looked at him stunned and raising your eyebrows. "I'm sorry; I don't want to seem like a stalker or something. You may be thinking I'm a freak." Darren said shaking his head and smiling bitterly.
"None of that. About an hour." You said smiling slightly. Of course you thought it was really weird and maybe he was a freak. But on a second thought, maybe he just needed someone and that was it, you needed to pay back what he did for you.
"Could I...?" Darren started asking a bit uncomfortable and embarrassed.
"Yes, sure. I'm gonna bring your order now, sir." You said when you noticed that the girl who was in charge was walking near you.
"Yes, thank you." Darren smiled politely when he also noticed why you were so uncomfortable looking at that girl.
You went away and after few minutes you came back to Darren's table to bring him his order. You didn't say anything that time. People in the bar started leaving because it was almost time to close the bar, but Darren was still there alone, just drinking his stiff drink quietly and with a gloomy presence. You walked to Darren's table slowly.
"I'm sorry, sir, but we're closing." You said politely and Darren looked up to you. You took advantage when the girl who was in charge got distracted. "Wait for me outside. I'll be there in a few." You whispered and Darren nodded, standing up and leaving the bar with your guitar.
You hurried to change your clothes and leave the bar. You didn't even say goodbye to the people who worked there, you just left that place. When you went outside, you found Darren Criss leaning against a wall, looking at nowhere in particular. He seemed to be deep in thought. You walked to him and he didn't notice it until you talked.
"Hi" You greeted him again cheerfully, trying at least to make him smile slightly.
"Hi." He greeted you with a slight smile. Well, at least he smiled as you wanted. "Here, your guitar. You wouldn't recognize it, it's like new." Darren Criss said kindly giving you your guitar and you grabbed it with a big smile.
"I can't believe you actually did it. I have no idea how to thank you." You said still smiling happily.
"You really don't have to." Darren Criss smiled faintly, looking at you and your guitar. "So...uhm...I don't why I'm doing this. But...I was wondering, if you don't mind... I mean, I don't know anybody here...and I'm like… damn, I don't know what to do." Darren Criss rambled uncomfortable and ashamed.
"Hey, it's okay." You said placing your hand on his shoulder reassuringly. Why did you do it? You didn't know, but it seemed as if he really needed it. "I don't know if you want to talk or something...Everything is closed at this time."
"I know, I know. You know? This is kind of creepy. I mean, you aren't creepy, well; you don't seem to be creepy. No wait, it sounded bad; creepy shouldn't be the word. What I'm trying to say..." Darren Criss was rambling again uncomfortable and you just giggled softly.
"You don't have to feel uncomfortable. I guess I know what you're trying to say." You said smiling kindly and apparently it worked because Darren giggled shaking his head and feeling more comfortable.
"Well, yes. What I tried to say is that this situation is odd. I don't have idea who are you, we just met yesterday randomly; and you also don't have any idea who I am. And here I am, waiting for you at past midnight in a place I never came before surrounded by people I've never seen in my life and not knowing what to do. And here you are, talking to a guy that you may be thinking is freaky. This is insane." Darren Criss said raising his eyebrows and looking away.
"Yes, it is." You giggled a bit amused and that was when Darren looked at you. For some reason, you weren't scared of him. In other circumstances, you'd never talk to a stranger, but this seemed to be different, you had that feeling. "But I have a knife hidden in my pocket just to make sure you won't try to kill me, so it's okay. I hope you also have one, just in case I'm the one who tries to kill you." You joked to make him feel comfortable. In fact, he laughed out loud.
"Unfortunately, I don't. I don't know if my phone could replace the knife. Instead of stabbing you, I could hit you with it. Does it count then?" Darren Criss also joked, apparently feeling more cheerful.
"It could count, yes." You answered smiling amused. "So, now that we have objects for self-defense and considering everything is closed at this time...If you want, you can come to my house where we can talk." You offered a stranger to come to your house. Were you crazy or something? But he was this famous guy... You weren't crazy, the situation was crazy.
"I'd like it, if you don't mind. I really don't want to seem that creepy guy." Darren said frowning. Well, evidently he really needed to talk to someone, he seemed almost desperate.
"I really don't mind. After all is my house and I'm safe there." You answered smiling. "So, just follow me."
"Yes, sure." Darren said and you both started walking quietly. "This is the craziest thing I've ever done."
"That makes two of us." You said raising an eyebrow, still not believing you were indeed doing it.
After a while you finally arrived at you house. When you opened the door, Darren started looking around very curious.
"Well, here we are. It's a really small house, but I prefer calling it cozy." You joked, inviting Darren to get in. He just smiled amused and got into your house, still looking everything around.
"It's nice, I like it." Darren said now looking at the picture on the wall. "Are these your parents?"
"Yes, they are." You answered smiling, also looking at the picture. "I don't have much to offer you, but maybe a coffee?" You said ashamed because you really had nothing but coffee and pre-packaged foods.
"Yes, I'd love it." Darren answered humbly.
"Alright. Please make yourself at home. Be right back." You said kindly before you went to the kitchen to make coffee for two.
You made the coffee as fast as you could and you tried to find any snack to eat, but you had nothing. It was kind of embarrassing that you couldn't offer him anything else but coffee. Before coming back to the living room, you sent a text message to Tim telling him that you arrived home and everything was fine, as you promised. When you came back to the living room, you found Darren looking at all the pictures which were hung on the wall. In silence, you left the two cups of coffee on the coffee table. Still in silence, you sat on the couch and let Darren to see those pictures; he didn't notice that you were there. After a few minutes, Darren finally turned around and as soon as he saw you were there, he jumped startled.
"Geez, you scared the hell out of me. I didn't know you were here already." Darren said still with face of fear and you just looked at him trying to hold back your laughter. His face was priceless. "I'm sorry, I was just..."
"It's fine. I didn't want to interrupt you, you seemed entertained. Here's the coffee." You smiled politely at him and he smiled back, walking to your couch to sit.
"Thank you, it smells good." Darren said grabbing his cup of coffee. "You have nice pictures there. Are your parents musicians?"
"Kind of. My father plays the cello in an orchestra. And my mother, well, she's more interested in musicals."
"Well, that explains your amazing performance last night." Darren taking a sip of his coffee and you blushed. Was Darren Criss really telling you that your performance was amazing? That was crazy. Darren then looked at you and chuckled. "You're blushing."
"I am not." You said looking away embarrassed and Darren chuckled again. Damn, if you only could control it. "Well, maybe a bit."
"Why? Because I said that your performance was amazing? I'm sure a lot of people tell you so." Darren said shrugging and you just looked down still blushing.
"No, actually. Anyway..." You said quickly trying to change the topic of conversation because you were feeling uncomfortable. "You said that she left you...How come?"
"Oh yeah." Darren said now changing his mood and looking down with sad eyes.
"Hey." You said softly almost in a whisper. You really didn't know what to do because you didn't know him at all to comfort him or something. It was kind of awkward. "You...uhm...You don't have to tell me anything if you don't want. But if you want, I'm here to listen and... This is gonna sound weird and creepy, but you can lean on me if you need to." You said looking at him, not knowing what to do with your hands. If Darren was a person you knew well, you would have placed your hand on the shoulder, but you thought it was inappropriate with Darren Criss.
"You're so kind." Darren Criss said smiling faintly and then he looked at you nervous. Why? You didn't say anything wrong; at least that was what you thought. "I...okay, I swear I'm not a freak like I seem at the moment. But... could you... could you hug me?" Darren said almost in a whisper and you looked at him thunderstruck with eyes wide open and raising your eyebrows. "I'm sorry, that was totally freaky. What's wrong with me?" Darren whispered to himself, annoyed.
Yes, it was freaky. The whole situation was uncomfortable. But Darren seemed to be uncomfortable because he didn't know you at all and he was asking if you could hug him, something that only friends do; he seemed to be uncomfortable because apparently he was acting in a way he wasn't used. But you were uncomfortable because this was beyond belief, that Darren Criss, the famous and talented guy, was asking you to do it, that he was talking to you, that he was in your home. How come this happened? This was insane and things like this never happen. But there was him, sad and needing someone to lean on because apparently he was going through a really bad moment and he didn't know anyone there but only you, a bit. You couldn't leave him like that, not after what he did for you last night.
"No, hey. It's weird, yeah. But...it's only a hug." You said smiling slightly and then, nervous and unsure, you leaned to hug Darren Criss.
At first you thought you shouldn't have hugged him, because Darren was stunned and he got strained. But then he buried his head on your shoulder, wrapping his arms around your waist. It was a weird feeling and you felt really uncomfortable at first, but after few minutes of silence and just hugging each other, you felt better. He seemed to really need that hug because he didn't unwrap his arms around you. Yes, you were hugging Darren Criss and it felt good. You had this weird feeling, as if he was already your friend; but that feeling disappeared when your brain made you think that you were only two strangers. Anyway, you were enjoying the hug and you hoped you could be helping him as well with this hug.
"I tried to follow your advice, I swear I tried." Darren said breaking the silence and you startled because you weren't expecting him to talk. You tried to look at him but he insisted on keep hugging you and burying his head on your shoulder. Maybe he felt more comfortable talking to you like this, so you let him doing so. "But she left; she told me she was tired. She didn't even let me to stop her, to change her mind, to tell her that I was going to change things. She only left me a note that I read this morning, she wasn't there anymore when I woke up. And what can I do now? I tried, I tried." Darren said with choked voice as if he was about to cry and you didn't know what to do, so you just rubbed his back reassuringly. "And I'm here about to cry like an idiot and I'm gonna screw your shirt and you don't even know me to put up with me and with what I'm saying."
"Darren, calm down. I told you I'd listen gladly what you have to tell, even if I don't know you. It doesn't matter to me. And if you have to cry, just cry; I won't judge you, not even if you screw my shirt, I'll buy a new one and that's it." You said reassuringly still rubbing his back smoothly. You felt tears on your shoulder. Oh god, Darren Criss was undoubtedly crying on your shoulder. "I want to help you, but you have to tell me what the note said."
"Yeah, it said something like she was coming back to USA because she wasn't having a good time here with me. She told me that she's been patient all this time; that she was wishing for our relationship to improve but it never happened because I wasn't brave enough to deal with what we were experiencing, because I knew that our relationship was worn and that I never did anything to change it. She told me that this wasn't only my fault; it was hers also; because she never told me this before. She said she needed to be alone, that the best was to end this to keep with us good memories and not bad ones. She also said that we shouldn't force this relationship because we both knew that it wasn't going to last, that maybe we were destined to be only friends because that was what we were after all. And then she wished me good luck and she said that hopefully in the future we both were going to find someone to love and make it work. And that was it; she didn't even wake me up to say goodbye." Darren said still burying his head on your shoulder and shedding tears, real tears. He sounded really anguished and you finally understood why he was so gloomy. She broke up with him and he still loved her, but the girl was tired. You felt pity for him and you weren't very good at love advices since you never had a boyfriend before, but you needed to try your best. "I swear I tried to follow your advice and the night before she left, when I came back to our hotel room, I asked her to go out next day together. I brought her flowers and I told her I was really sorry, if she could give me a second chance. I told her in the ear that I loved her, as you advised me. But, it didn't work and I don't get it, she seemed happy when I told her so. I don't get it."
Oh wow. You really didn't know what to say to him to comfort him. You didn't want to say him that everything was going to be alright and that he and his girlfriend were going to come back together and they were going to be really happy, because you didn't know it and you'd be lying. And it was a lame way to comfort him. This was the reason why you never had a boyfriend, love was always complicated and almost the time you suffer because of it. But he didn't need to hear it. Then you figured out that you didn't need to comfort him telling him that he was going to be fine and things like that; you needed to help him to find his own way to get her back if that was what he really wanted. But he needed to do so by himself, you were only going to encourage him.
"Do you love her?" You asked after a few minutes of silence. When you asked it, Darren finally looked at you and he stopped hugging you.
"Of course I do." Darren answered frowning confused because surely he was waiting for a kind of advice but instead he got a silly question from you.
"Why?" You asked quietly looking into his eyes.
"Because I do. I don't get your point, this is silly. I mean... why do you ask me that? What would you get with it?" Darren asked still frowning and looking away. Obviously it was an uncomfortable question for him and probably he was thinking it was inappropriate.
"Forget that you're talking to me, a complete stranger; that you're in this place that you've never been before; and forget how odd and inappropriate everything seems to be. Imagine that your girlfriend is the one who's in front of you and that you're in a place where you and she used to go together. Then say what you would say if she asked you why you love her." You said smoothly still looking at him. Yes, you knew you were being totally a meddler but you were doing this because of a reason.
"I'm not gonna do it." Darren said looking at you suspiciously and frowning. "In the first place I don't know why I'm telling you all of this and why I'm in your house. I shouldn't be here; this wasn't actually a good idea."
"Okay. You can go if you want, I won't force you to stay and I won't force you to tell me private things. And I'm not even mad or something because I understand that you don't know who I am and I don't know who you are, so it's normal that you don't want to answer me it." You said shrugging because actually it was true, you'd never force him to be whole-hearted with you because you understood you were two strangers. "But try to answer that question to yourself when you're alone. It could help you to find the way to get her back if that's what you want." You said smiling kindly and Darren was just staring at you with suspicion. "Do it before meeting her again. So... you won't get lost if you try to find the front door to leave. I mean, it's a tiny place, isn't it?" You said now smiling a bit amused and then you stood. "Good luck, Darren. It was a pleasure to have met you, honestly. Now, if you excuse me, I have to wash these cups."
"No, wait." Darren Criss said quickly grabbing your wrist to stop you and you looked at him stunned. Maybe he changed his mind. "I think... I think that at least I could give it a try it, right? After all, I don't have anything to lose and... Well, yeah... maybe you're doing this with good intentions, I don't know."
"Alright." You said sitting again on the couch frowning because of the way Darren changed his mind really fast. You didn't know the reason, but oh well. "So, talk as if you're talking to your girlfriend. Forget that this is me."
"Okay. Well...Uhm...I love you because..." Darren started saying nervous and uncomfortable. "Damn, I can't do it. I can't pretend you're Mia. I just can't."
"Fine. Let's do this: I'll go to wash these cups and meanwhile you can answer the question loudly; here alone. I'll give you some space so you can feel comfortable. Would it be better?" You asked looking at him deeply into his eyes.
"Yes, I guess." Darren whispered looking down.
"Okay, I'll be in the kitchen. Call me when you're finished." You said kindly and you stood up to leave. Darren only nodded still looking down.
You walked to the kitchen and left the cups in the sink and then go to the door and hear what Darren Criss was going to say, so you could help him. You felt bad for spying him, but this was the only way you thought you could help him somehow. Darren remained in silence for a long and you thought he wasn't going to answer the question, but then he started talking with an imaginary person in front of him.
"I love you because of who you are and how I am when I'm with you. I love you because all the moments we spent together made me be who I am, I love you and I love all the memories I have with you. Even the worst ones, I love them too because it proves we aren't perfect and what we have isn't perfect as well, but it didn't stop us to love each other. I love you because you're the only one who makes me feel this way, as if I couldn't be away from you not even a second. And everything is better when I'm with you because that's all I want honestly. Yes, maybe I'm not the kind of guy who can go with you wherever you want to go; maybe I'm not the guy with whom you can be all the time because let's face it, I'm always working and so you are; maybe I'm not the guy who's gonna bring you flowers all the time, who's gonna whisper in your ear beautiful things all the time, who's gonna go out with you all the time. But I'm the guy who's gonna be there for you in the good and bad moments, I'm the guy who promises to love you always. If I could give you the world, I'd do it; but I can't and you can't, because we're just human beings. But I can give you all I have, what it's mine, it's yours. I love you because I can't picture my life without you and I hope you can forgive me for all the mistakes I've made, all the things I've done and all the things I haven't. Maybe I haven't told you this enough, but I love you, Mia. And I'll always do, even if we grow apart. You're the one and I'm sure of it." Darren said whole-hearted looking at a fixed point.
Oh gosh. Why were you feeling like that? What Darren Criss said touched you. He said it all so simple and wonderfully and you never heard someone saying something with such honesty. e truly loved his girlfriend and surely that was how it felt to love someone.
"It was wonderful." You said from the kitchen door and Darren looked quickly at where you were, apparently disturbed and embarrassed.
"Did you hear what I said?" Darren asked defensively and apparently a bit upset.
"No, my ear did so." You joked but actually you felt guilty for doing something you shouldn't have done.
"It's not funny. It was something..." Darren started saying serious but you interrupted him.
"Private. I know and I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done it." You said a bit regretful.
"Yeah, you shouldn't." Darren said looking away. Now you were sure he was upset.
"I'm sorry."
"Is fine, I guess. Anyway, it doesn't change anything." Darren said shrugging looking down and you walked to him.
"But it could." You said once you were in front of him and Darren looked up to you frowning. "Come with me."
"What?" Darren asked with suspicion.
"Here, take it." You said giving him a knife you took from the kitchen. "To self-protection, just in case you think I want to kill you or something." Darren looked at the knife and then at you and he laughed softly, shaking his head.
"No. I... sorry I've overreacted. It's just this is weird and well, I'm still not sure why I'm doing this. But I guess after all you've done, you don't want to kill me." Darren said smiling slightly.
"So, trust me and come with me. Sure you don't want to take the knife?" You asked once again smiling amused.
"I'm sure." Darren laughed softly and he stood up. "I follow you."
You took Darren upstairs right where your bedroom was. Of course Darren didn't want to get in there, but you convinced him to do so and you put the knife on his hands; so he entered in your bedroom. He looked around and smiled uncomfortable.
"Sit there." You said pointing him the chair who was in front of your laptop. Darren looked at you curious before sitting there.
"So...What are we doing here? Is this some kind of couch that psychologists have in their study?" Darren joked but asking you it serious at some point.
"No, I don't wanna be jailed for malpractice." You joked and Darren giggled softly. "You're gonna send an email to Mia, saying the entire thing you said in the living room."
"And why would I do it?" Darren asked raising an eyebrow because of your demanding voice.
"Because that was the time you opened your heart to say all you really feel about her. That's exactly what you have to tell her and I'm almost sure that she never heard it from you." You said looking at Darren persuasively and Darren looked at you curious and raising an eyebrow.
"So... was this the reason why you wanted me to say why I love her loudly?" Darren asked.
"Yep." You answered shortly, smiling mischievously. "You needed to deal with your feelings and find the answer by yourself, the real way you can get her back."
"Whoa. You're good on this." Darren said looking at you stunned and amazed, with a smile on his face. "Okay, I'll do it."
"Take your time." You said smiling and then you lay down in bed with a book to entertain yourself while Darren was typing the email.
It seemed that Darren took seriously what you said about taking his time, because you almost fell asleep with the book. In fact, you didn't know if you were sleeping or awake because you were in that state where what seemed to be happening in real life was actually a dream. You opened your eyes. Damn, you fell asleep and you were drooling, what a shame. Hopefully Darren didn't notice it. You found Darren near your trash can, with the scores you wrote days ago and you threw because those were really bad. Fuck, he was reading it.
"What are you doing?" You asked loudly and a bit annoyed, not because you were mad but because you were ashamed that he was reading those scores. Darren startled when you spoke and he turned around to look at you.
"Nothing." Darren excused himself, hiding the scores behind him like a kid. "You were sleeping and I didn't want to wake you up, you surely are very tired..."
"What are you doing with my scores?" You asked serious looking at him fixedly and Darren got a bit nervous.
"I don't have any score...I don't..."
"Oh come on." You said annoyed standing up and Darren got even more nervous. He tried to put the scores on the trash can again but you were faster. You took from him your scores and looked at him very serious, showing him the scores. Darren just looked at you nervous and agape.
"I'm sorry." Darren said looking at you regretful. Somehow he looked like a puppy. Who in the earth have a puppy look? Only him. "I finished writing the email and you were sleeping and I wanted to let you sleep a bit more because you seemed really tired. So I didn't know what to do and those scores caught my attention. I'm sorry; I didn't know that you could get mad for it."
"You know, is okay. But those were in the trash can for a reason. And anyway, who takes things of a trash can?" You said looking at him kind of disturbed and in disbelief.
"Uhm… me?" Darren said innocently and you tried to remain serious but you failed. "Why were those scores in the trash can?" Darren asked curious.
"Because of reasons." You answered curtly; throwing the scores in the trash can again.
"Hey no, wait!" Darren said quickly, grabbing your scores again. "Don't throw these. These are really good."
"No, those aren't; you're lying right now and you don't have to. I admit when something that I did isn't good." You said crossing your arms and frowning.
"But it's really good. It's like you were down this time and you ask someone to give you joy, this someone seems to be special. You talk about this someone in a way that only that person can make you feel full. And you describe this sad reality, but it's like when you are with this person everything magically turns into an awesome reality where you don't need anything else but being with that person. It's fabulous." Darren said as if he was bewitched and amazed and you just couldn't believe that he was telling you something like that. "Is that person the guy I met last night? That Tim guy?" Darren asked curious.
"God, no." You answered shaking your head. "Actually the song isn't about a person."
"Oh, it isn't?" Darren said now a bit embarrassed because he said a lot of things of his interpretation of the song and he was wrong. "But, you're the one who's asking for joy, aren't you?"
"Yes, it's me." You answered in a whisper because it was kind of awkward admit it.
"And...If you aren't asking a person to give you joy, what is it then?" Darren insisted.
"Well, it's kind of silly, you know... I really had a bad day that time. And well, there was this storm and they cut the electricity and my guitar broke, then I got fired in my old job...and well, a crap day." You said a bit nervous, it was embarrassing to admit for what that song was written. "The song...It's like I'm talking to my guitar."
"To your guitar?" Darren asked stunned, raising his eyebrows.
"Yes. I told you it's so silly and...Oh damn." You whispered and blushed, feeling really embarrassed.
"I don't think it's silly." Darren said with a nice smile looking at you. "Only a person who truly loves the guitar and who truly understands the real point of music can write a song so wonderfully about it. After all, music isn't only about a good melody, a good composition, or a good technic; it's also about how it makes us feel, how we think that music can turn everything into a better place. So that's only what a really good musician can do. And you did it with your song."
"I...I have no words...I..." You really were speechless. Darren Criss got your point of view and if you didn't misunderstand it, he was telling you that you were a good musician.
"Could I try to play this song with your guitar?" Darren asked looking at your scores.
"Uhm...Yes, sure you can." You said and Darren smiled at you and grabbed your guitar to start playing and singing it.
"Give joy, joy to my heart, that's all I ask at least today;
Give joy, joy to my heart: turn on the lights of this love,
And you'll see how it changes the air of this place,
And soon, soon you'll see that we won't need anything else.
Give joy, joy to my heart that I didn't have a good day, please
Give joy, joy to my heart: when you give me joy I'm better
And you'll see that shadows which were here will disappear,
And soon, soon you'll see that we won't need anything else.
Give joy, joy to my heart, that's all I ask at least today,
Give joy, joy to my heart: the pain and grief will fade out,
And you'll see that shadows which were here will disappear,
And soon, soon you'll see that we won't need anything else."
Darren sang it in the best way he could have sung it. He got the right chords and the right tempo. He sang it and suddenly your song seemed to be good. He was so damn talented and his voice was delightful to hear. Darren Criss sang in front of you. Then you started how it'd be to sing a duet with him, how your voices would sound together. He made you feel moved somehow. And that was only what a good musician could do to you. You couldn't say anything because you were stunned.
"I really like this song. Please, don't throw it." Darren finally said breaking the silence and putting your guitar aside.
"I won't. You… Gosh, you sang it so wonderfully." You finally said, still stunned and Darren giggled.
"Well, thank you. I only sang what you wrote. Maybe sometime we could sing it together, who knows." Darren said shrugging and you smiled brightly.
"Yes, who knows?"
"I think I should go now, so you can sleep. I… I had a good time. Thank you, for what you did and for welcoming a stranger into your home." Darren said looking at you thankful and with a kind smile.
"You're welcome. And thank you. I hope things between you and your girlfriend can work out."
"Hope so. It was nice to meet you, stranger." Darren said giggling and then he smiled at you. "You really don't have to accompany me to the front door, as you said, I won't get lost in your cozy and nice home."
"Yeah, okay." You laughed. "And if you steal me something, I'll know it was you." You joked.
"Oh damn. I really wanted to steal you that cup of coffee." Darren joked frowning. While you were laughing at his joke, he walked to you and he hugged you. It was really weird and you it took you by surprise, but you hugged him back. "Keep on with your music and maybe sometime we'll meet again in a show, stranger."
Those were the last words that Darren Criss told you before he left. That was the oddest moment that you experienced, an odd moment that inspired and encouraged you to keep doing what you loved the most: music. Thanks Darren Criss, you thought.
FIVE MONTHS LATER…
When Darren left your home two months ago was the last time you saw him or heard about him. He didn't even say goodbye and he really didn't need to because after all you were only two strangers who met randomly and who helped each other randomly. But the truth was that random meeting with that stranger called Darren Criss (who actually wasn't a stranger in show business) gave you the encouragement to keep working on your music. In these two months you wrote new songs because you were kind of inspired. Not only that, but Tim helped you to find places where you could play your music. Tim and you became good friends. He and you were used to spend a lot time together, just hanging out and knowing more things about each other. You figured out that Tim wasn't that snooty guy you thought he was when you first met him. He actually was very nice and funny, he was a good person and very humble, even though he had everything to be a snooty guy. Your friendship was the most real thing you had and you couldn't be happier to have let go of your prejudices about him, otherwise you'd have never met a person like him, who always made you smile every time you saw him.
Now you found a nice place to work, which was more related to music, so you were happy for it. Tim found you that job for you, you got a customer service job in a music store. At the weekend nights, you played your music in a recurrent venue where their owners hired you to entertain people there. You weren't famous and people usually didn't pay attention to your music, but it was a start and that was what mattered. At least you had one fan that was always going to be there to listen to your music: Tim.
That night you invited Tim to your home to have dinner together and to watch a movie. The two of you were making dinner, you found out that Tim was a good cook and very creative when it was about it, in fact, he wanted to be a chef. When you finished eating your delicious dinner, you went to your bedroom to lie down in bed and watch that movie you've watched a lot of times: Harry Potter. It was funny because you seemed two little kids, but you had fun with it, so why not? You rested your head on his chest and he wrapped his arms around you, as you two were used to do. But this time was different, you had that feeling. For some reason you were a bit nervous and you've never been nervous being with him like this. But you knew you were feeling something different for him even though you didn't want to admit it. A lot of times you thought if this feeling could mean that you were falling in love, because you actually didn't know how it felt. Lately you found yourself habitually thinking and dreaming of him, and not in a friendly way; and it was worrying you. You never wanted to feel this way about Tim, because he was a good friend to you. You couldn't lose your best friend because of this weird feeling you had.
"Wenskir?" Tim asked in a whisper while you were deep in thought and you weren't paying attention to the movie. "Are you asleep?"
"No." You answered in a whisper trying to not look at him.
"Oh, because I was talking to you and you weren't answering." Tim said caressing your hair. You closed your eyes and smiled. Oh, you loved when he did that, it felt so good.
"Well, maybe I was a bit asleep." You lied trying to make it as a joke. Of course you wouldn't admit him you were thinking of him.
"Do you want me to go so you can sleep?" Tim asked still caressing your hair.
"Oh, no! Don't go!" You said hurriedly and it sounded so desperate that you got ashamed of yourself. Tim laughed softly and he kissed your forehead. Oh gosh, why were you feeling like this?
"Alright, I'll stay then. I didn't want to go anyway." Tim said in a whisper and then he lifted your chin so you now were looking at him into his eyes. His green eyes were so beautiful. You remained looking into each other's eyes but it wasn't awkward, it was more like you were trying to figure out something else, just that you didn't know what. "You're beautiful." Tim said in a whisper, smiling and still looking into your eyes.
You couldn't hold back your feelings any longer. You didn't think, you only got carried away by what you were feeling. You reached his face and you rested your forehead against his, you touched his nose with yours and you closed your eyes to kiss him very slightly on his lips. You didn't know why you got carried away, how you dared to do something like that, why you were feeling as if this was the best you could feel: his lips against yours. But as soon as you kissed him you regretted because Tim didn't kiss you back. You opened your eyes and you saw that Tim was still with his eyes open, looking at you stunned and dumbfounded. Oh fuck, you shouldn't have kissed him; now surely you fucked up your friendship with him because of this stupid action. You moved your face away from his and you looked down feeling nervous and stupid. Now this was awkward. The first kiss in which you took the initiative and it was a failure. You felt so humiliated and abashed. Tim didn't say anything, you knew he was still looking at you dumbfounded but you didn't want to make eye contact with him. When you were about to apologize; Tim unexpectedly leaned and kissed your lips, placing his hands on your cheeks, caressing them with his thumbs. Of course you kissed him back and you placed a hand on his chest and the other one on his curly hair. You kissed each other for a while and the kiss was deepened as time passed. After a while you stopped kissing and you looked into each other's eyes intensely. Then you started to regret because this was weird and jeez, he was your friend. How could you be kissing your friend? What kind of friendship was that? And maybe Tim kissed you back because he was also unsure and just because he wanted to kiss someone but not you, his friend.
"This wasn't right." You said looking away, feeling more confused than ever.
"Yes, it wasn't." Tim said also looking away and a bit nervous. "I think...I should go. I'm sorry."
Tim said and quickly he stood up to leave your bedroom and then your home. You couldn't even say something to him because he left really fast. Oh gosh, now you were feeling really bad. Judging by the way Tim went away so fast, everything was fucked up now. Thanks to you, your friendship was screwed. Why did you have to do it? You should've waited to figure out which were your feelings for him, but no; you didn't do it because you were a fool. What if Tim didn't want to be with you? What if Tim thought that you were playing with his feelings? What if you and Tim weren't feeling the same? Maybe Tim only wanted to be your friend and then you kissed him and he got scared because he didn't want it for you. Or maybe Tim was in love with you but then you told him that this wasn't right and you hurt him. How could you do something like that? You didn't want to hurt Tim and less yet to lose him. But you couldn't talk to him about this because you didn't even know what you wanted. Damn, you were screwed.
The fact was that you needed to clear up your mind, so you just walked to your computer. You checked Facebook, there was nothing. Then you checked your Twitter account that you haven't checked in weeks, you had a few mentions from your friends and you also had a DM. Your heart skipped a beat when you saw that the DM was from Darren Criss.
"I found you! Wee!"
That was what he DMed you, three weeks ago. You couldn't believe it. How in the earth has he found you? Anyway, you couldn't answer him because he wasn't following you on Twitter and you didn't want to tweet him because you didn't want people to know there was something weird because you'd have to answer awkward questions and probably you wouldn't be able to answer. Maybe you could tweet him something in code.
" DarrenCriss I'm just a stranger who wants to say Wee! I'm trying to talk to you in my mind but you'll never know what I'm saying. So, wee!"
You thought it could be accurate because a lot of fans tweeted him things like that. You wished that Darren could get what you were trying to say, that you couldn't answer him the DM because he wasn't following you. So you just sent the tweet. You never imagined that minutes after a new interaction would appear in your Twitter account, and less that it was: Darren Criss followed you. So he really trolled in his mentions, well that was interesting. Fortunately anyone would find out that Darren Criss was following you, an ordinary girl. You thought how annoying it would be to have a lot of requests of his fans to follow them back. But maybe it wasn't annoying for him, you didn't know. Not many minutes later, he DMed you again.
"Let's go yell WEE! together! I totally got your tweet, very clever of you. Hey, do you have any other way in which we can talk? Cause, yo know, it'd be chancy that my followers find out I'm following you; and I guess you also don't want to answer queer questions, do you? ;)"
"Well, you're arty-crafty, sir! Let's see...Facebook, email, Tumblr, Skype, Whatsapp (this one is risky, you know? I'd get your phone number and I could stalk you to death, ha!)?"
"Let's be risky and then you can call me up if you a gangster! ;) Just kidding. Skype is totally awesome! Gimme your username, I'll find you."
You couldn't believe you were doing it, but you gave him your username. Were you nervous or happy? It was weird. It was weird that he found you and he wanted to talk to you. Why? But it was a good feeling, or that was what you thought. After several minutes, you heard a sound: It was Darren Criss, calling you to make a video call. Oh gosh.
"Answer it, I know you're there! I was given the power of reading minds!"
Darren sent you an instant message in Skype. You laughed and then you answered the video call.
"Oh. There you are! I've been looking for you forever." Darren said charmingly and then he laughed. "I'm just kidding, that was a line of the character I play in a TV series."
"Watching you do Blackbird this week, that was a moment for me. About you. You move me, Kurt." You continued with the line and then you laughed. Darren looked at you amazed, raising his eyebrows and smiling amused. "Glee, I know."
"Do you watch Glee?" Darren asked still amazed.
"No. Well, yes. But I found it just months ago and well, I loved it. Your character is good, but too bad you have to use that product in your hair. I must admit that I love Klaine." You laughed amused. You couldn't believe you were having this conversation with Darren Criss, admitting him what you thought.
"That product in my hair." Darren said nodding and laughing and then he looked up to you frowning and amused. "Hold on, wait a minute… Does it mean that when we met you knew who I was?"
"Uhm…well, yes." You finally admitted, now uncomfortable. Darren looked at you bewildered and with eyes wide open.
"I can't believe it." Darren said still bewildered and shaking his head. "But you haven't mentioned anything like: hey I know you, but you don't have gelled hair, can I take a picture of you, goober man? No, you just acted like naturally. That's weird, so weird."
"Well, let's agree that we didn't meet in an ordinary way. How could I ask you for a picture while someone was pulling me harshly against the wall?" You joked but Darren was still looking at you thunderstruck.
"Yeah, yeah. But still is weird. I mean, we saw each other next day and you didn't say anything. I even went to your home and we talked and all, but you never acted like any other would act, like…hey, you're the guy from the TV!" Darren said frowning in disbelief. "Like, I thought you thought I was stranger, that I was a random guy fooling around."
"Sorry, was it wrong to not have mentioned it?" You asked now frowning because maybe you really should have said something, judging by the way Darren was looking at you.
"No, of course not! Actually I liked you didn't do it, not so many people do that, you know? Including myself, if I see and I talk to a person who appeared on TV or whatever, I'd surely fanboy over that person. But you didn't and you made me feel comfortable. Holy crap, this is weird." Darren exclaimed now amazed.
"Well, now I can tell you that I saw in Glee. And then I've watched all your musicals, you know those amazing videos on YouTube. And I also know you're an actor, a singer, a songwriter; I know you can speak a lot of languages and you can play a lot of instruments. I know you were on Broadway and you make contributions to Trevor Project. Oh, and I know you were born in San Francisco. Now, freak out!" You laughed and Darren looked at you agape. Maybe you actually freaked him out. "You know, I really don't want to freak you out. I just want to let you know that I knew you were a talented guy and I love your work. One of the reasons why I flipped out when you were reading my scores."
"Oh my wizard God. This is unbelievable!" Darren exclaimed raising his eyebrows.
"Can I take you a picture, now?" You tried to joke and make this situation comfortable again. Darren looked up to you and he giggled.
"I don't know, I have to talk to my manager." Darren said serious but in a joking way. Then Darren pretended to be grabbing his phone and calling his manager. "Hey Ricky, there is a crazy girl who wants to take me a picture. This is creepy; she is kind of freaking me out. What should I do? Should I call the police? Oh yeah, that's a good idea, but no! I can't send her to Pigfarts, hey no, I want to go there." Darren pretended to be talking with his managed and you just were laughing. "What? If I'm sure she's crazy? Yeah, yeah Ricky, I know I'm also crazy. Yeah, maybe you're right, maybe we're gonna get along. Fine, if you don't get news from me in a couple of hours is because I've been stabbed virtually. Bye, Ricky!" Darren pretended to hung up and then he looked at you amused. "Can you believe that my manager told me we're gonna get along because both of us are crazy? He told me to talk to you and we can make up a crazy world."
"Wise man your manager." You laughed out loud and Darren laughed along with you. "So...How things are going with your girlfriend? Are you fine now?" You asked curious.
"Dammit, it's been like five months that Mia and I are more than fine! She read the email and then when I came back to the USA we talked. We both agreed that we had to work out this. And she loved the email, she said it was one of the truest things she heard from me and that she fell in love with the guy who wrote the email." Darren said cheerfully with bright eyes. "I never had the chance to thank you for that. You really helped a lot, believe it or not."
"Well, now you're thanking me and I say that you're very welcome. I'm really glad this worked out for you two. It could sound hypocritical because I don't know you, but I'm really are." You said smiling happily.
"And I believe you." Darren also said smiling. "And what's up with you and that Tim guy?" Darren asked looking at you intrigued and you just raised your eyebrows astonished. Why he was asking you that and how the hell has he remembered Tim's name?
"What do you mean exactly? And how do you remember his name?" You asked still astonished and it seemed that Darren laughed because of your astonished face.
"I'm not gonna lie to you. I've hired my friends, the Mafia, to research all his private information, also yours. The Mafia has been watching you and all your actions. You know? That stuffed bear you have in your bed, yeah that one I'm seeing right now, it's actually a hidden camera." Darren joked but with serious face. Gosh, this man had a huge imagination and he really was a good actor. You tried to continue his joke, it was funny.
"Really? Oh my God! They've watched me naked! Hopefully they didn't notice the warts on my stomach! That's terrible." You said serious pretending to be worried. Darren looked at you agape and thunderstruck with eyes wide open. Yes, it was really disgusting what you said, but it had to be something like that. You regretted nothing.
"Yeah, that's terrible. Hopefully they didn't see that or you could have beaten the Mafia. An historic moment." Darren said frowning and pretending to be serious, but it was obvious he was trying to hold back his laughter. "Oh damn, that's disgusting. I don't want to picture it. Terrible, completely terrible." Darren said shaking his head.
"Do you want to see my warts?" You joked.
"Oh please no!" Darren refused hurriedly and then both of you started laughing. "Well, now let's be serious. I just don't forget names. Usually. Sometimes. Who am I kidding? I have a terrible memory; I even forget my lyrics on a show! But I remembered his name. So, how is going everything with the guy who is in love with you?"
"Oh please, don't be ridiculous. He isn't in love with me and we're just two good friends." You answered a bit uncomfortable.
"Okay, call me up when the guy kisses you. It's gonna happen, you know?" Darren said raising an eyebrow and smiling amusingly. You only remained in silence looking down and starting to blush. This was so inopportune in this moment. "Oh shit! There was already a kiss!" Darren exclaimed excited and you looked up to him totally blushed and embarrassed. How in the earth has he noticed it? "Suck my balls! There was a kiss!"
"Oh shut up." You said a bit annoyed because actually you were very embarrassed. You didn't want to remember that uncomfortable moment with Tim when you kissed him.
"Hey, you don't need to be ashamed. It was only a kiss, and hell, we're grown. It's not like we're ten or something." Darren tried to calm you and you just looked away. Of course you knew it, but you were embarrassed because the kiss was a disaster. "How was it? I knew he was going to kiss you sooner or later. Since the first time I saw him, the way he was worried about you, the way he was hugging you, the way he was looking at you. Damn, that boy is so into you."
"He didn't kiss me. I did." You finally cut him off because he was making this worse for you. Darren parted his lips, looking at you surprised.
"I'd never imagine it. Look at you, a decisive and self-confident woman. Taking the initiative. Good for you!" Darren exclaimed amazed and smiling.
"It was a stupid thing what I did. Okay?" You finally said annoyed, but not with Darren.
"Okay. That didn't sound good." Darren said when he finally noticed he screwed it. "What happened? The guy stopped you or something?"
"Something like that. It didn't work and now our friendship is kind of screwed." You said sadly looking down. "I'm sorry; I don't want to bug you with my dramas."
"Oh come on, you aren't bugging me. What happened? It's weird, but you can trust me." Darren said looking into your eyes.
"Well, I had a moment. I don't know, we were watching a movie and then, you know, he was hugging me and we were so close. I don't know, I just kissed him, it was like an impulse. And yes, he wasn't expecting the kiss and of course he didn't kiss me back. Oh dammit, I felt so stupid." You said feeling embarrassed and angry with yourself.
"That's weird. I could have sworn that the guy was so into you." Darren said frowning. "You know, we men realize when another man is in love with someone. It's weird. And if he didn't kiss you back, then what did he do?"
"Well, he just looked at me like...what the hell are you doing? But then...Well, then he kissed me. And we kissed for a long time..." You said almost in a whisper.
"I knew it! The guy feels something more for you than only friendship. So you both kissed, I don't get why you say it's a drama. Isn't it what you wanted?" Darren asked curious now.
"No, it's not what I wanted. Neither he. I said it wasn't right and he agreed and ran away hurriedly." You said looking down remembering when you and Tim looked into each other's eyes after kissing, when you said it wasn't right and when Tim left you. A deep anguish grew in your chest when you admitted that your friendship won't work anymore.
"You look sad." Darren whispered looking at you. You've forgotten for a minute that he was there looking at you.
"I am." You answered looking down; trying to hold back the tears that now you wanted to cry. Tim was the person you loved the most, even though you still didn't know if you loved him as friend or something more.
"Are you sad because he ran away and you're afraid of losing your friendship or are you afraid because you couldn't deal with the fact that you're in love with him?" Darren asked softly. In any other circumstances you'd think that Darren was a meddlesome, but this time you knew Darren was doing it to help you.
"I never said I was in love with him. I said this wasn't right." You said still looking down with wavery voice.
"I know you said that wasn't right. What I'm asking you is if you really, with a hand in your heart, you think that wasn't right. Because you can't deny the fact you're in love with him, I can see that in your eyes when you talk about him, because that's the way Mia looks at me." Darren said softly and you just were astonished by the way Darren could find out almost everything you were feeling.
"I don't know. I really don't know. I'm a mess." You said now shedding tears.
"What are you afraid of?" Darren asked in a whisper.
"Of losing him." You finally admitted. You couldn't lie to Darren, somehow you felt vulnerable in front of him.
"I have one question last and I want you to answer me it with honesty." Darren said looking fixedly at you and you just nodded, your tears still streaming down your face. "When you both kissed, forget about the fact you're friends and all. The kiss, how did you feel in that moment? Only in the moment that the kiss lasted."
"I felt good. I felt as if that was what I was waiting for all this time, it was my realest kiss." You answered sincerely. "But then it wasn't what I wanted because I realized who I was kissing. Tim is my friend, my best friend."
"You're gonna lose him if you don't talk to him about this, if you don't admit the fact that Tim isn't a friend for you anymore because actually you're in love with him." Darren said with sincerity and his words didn't help at all.
"You're not helping me to feel better." You said with wavering voice, still shedding tears. Now, you were even more distressed.
"I know I'm not helping you to feel better. I'm helping you to deal with your feelings for him. Let me ask you once more time. What are you afraid of?" Darren asked looking at you serious and expectant.
"Of Tim not loving me back the way I love him." You admitted with watery voice and then you felt lightly. That was it. That was the real answer and you finally admitted it. "I rather having him as my friend than not having him at all. What if this doesn't work out? I don't want to lose him because like a stupid I fell in love with him. He didn't kiss me back the first time I kissed him. What if he kissed me after that because he felt pity or something? I don't want it, he's my best friend and he's all I have."
"Do not forget that sometimes we have to risk everything, to jump into unknown territory to find the true happiness. What I see is that both of you loved each other since a long time, but you both tried to avoid that feeling thinking it wasn't right. Until you kissed. It changed everything. Both of you wanted that kiss, but now you're scared because you, for the first time, don't know what you're gonna find after the kiss, which feelings would have to be admitted. It's hard, but trust me, when the two of you get to do it, maybe you're gonna be the happiest you've ever been. Don't be afraid because you're gonna lose what could happen to be the best that could happen to you." Darren said with such sincerity and sweetness that his words touched you. You remained looking at Darren into his hazel eyes. He had no idea how his words influenced on you, suddenly making you feel better. "So I ask you again, what are you afraid of? What do you have to lose?"
"Nothing. I should try it, I guess." You answered thoughtful, but yet still scared.
"Be scared, but don't let the fear beat you; be you the one who beats the fear. And just… don't think twice, just do it. Human beings sometimes think too much." Darren encouraged you and you smiled slightly. "Everything is going to be fine if you do what you want. And if not, you can text me to get my ass in here and we both are gonna get drunk to drown sorrows." Darren laughed and you laughed along.
"Deal. I'd have to tweet you then." You smiled at him, very thankful.
"No, text me. I'll give you my number. You won it, the Mafia corroborated that you aren't a psychopath." Darren giggled and you smiled. Was he actually giving you his phone number? Wow, this was weird. But, at this point, it wasn't so weird. Somehow, Darren and you got to get along very well; and you just forgot he was that famous guy.
"Okay. I…Wow, I feel like honored. The Mafia won't kill me." You joked and Darren laughed.
"Yeah, but in return, you'll have to sing a song with me." Darren said looking at you amused and he showed you his guitar.
"Like a duet?" You asked looking at him astonished. You were like freaking out. Darren was asking you to sing a song with him, and you just always wanted to do it.
"Like a duet." Darren affirmed smiling widely. "I have this accurate song for the moment and I just love the song. I'll start, I'm sure you're gonna know the song."
"Okay." You answered excited but fangirling at the same time. You were going to sing a duet with Darren freaking Criss.
"It's Maybe I'm Amazed by sir Paul McCartney." Darren said smiling brightly. Right, he loved The Beatles, you thought; of course he'd sing a song even though it was from Paul McCartney and The Wings.
Baby I'm amazed at the way you love me all the time
Maybe I'm afraid of the way I love you
Baby I'm amazed at the way you pulled me out of time
Hung me on a line
Maybe I'm amazed at the way I really need you.
Darren started singing and playing his guitar, looking at you with a bright smile and you just nodded. Damn, that was so accurate. Then you joined him, smiling happily. And Darren let you sing alone.
Baby I'm a man and maybe I'm a lonely man
Who's in the middle of something
That he doesn't really understand
Babe I'm a man and maybe you're the only woman
Who could ever help me
Baby won't you help to me understand.
Yeah, you only had to say woman instead man and this song was perfect for the moment. Darren kept playing his guitar, looking at you singing with a smile on his face that made you feel comfortable and happy. Then you both kept singing together.
Baby I'm a man and maybe I'm a lonely man
Who's in the middle of something
That he doesn't really understand
Babe I'm a man and maybe you're the only woman
Who could ever help me
Baby won't you help me understand.
Baby I'm amazed at the way you're with me all the time
Maybe I'm afraid of the way I leave you
Baby I'm amazed at the way you help me sing my song
You right me when I'm wrong
Maybe I'm amazed at the way I really need you.
Darren and you finished singing and Darren started clapping. You just looked at your lap giggling and then he looked up to him to let him know how thankful and happy you were for this and for his help. Darren smiled at you kindly in response.
"Someday, we need to perform together. We're gonna kick ass." Darren laughed and you nodded in approval.
This was your first duet with Darren Criss yet not the last one. It was incredible the way you and Darren let the conversation flow all the night, as if you were old friends. The weird situation suddenly turned into a very normal situation, you were only like two friends talking and sharing things. After like four hours of only talking, laughing and singing randomly, you and Darren got offline because it was very late for you even though it wasn't that late for Darren. But before you went to sleep, an without thinking twice, you texted Tim.
To Tim: I'm sorry for what happened earlier. The truth is, Tim, that I'm in love with you and I couldn't help falling for you. My hands are trembling at the moment because this was the bravest thing I've ever done and the most honest thing I've ever said. I'm sorry, but I can't be your friend because I don't want to only be your friend because what I feel for you is more than that.
You finally said it all, you couldn't wait for any longer and you wondered if you made the right decision. You got the answer few minutes later, when Tim texted you back.
From Tim: My beloved friend, I've been in love with you all this time, being afraid to tell you my real feelings. That kiss? Was the best that happened to me.
FOUR YEARS LATER…
Someone was knocking the door of this new place you were living, a place you called home. You put aside your guitar and you stood up from the chair to go open the door. It was 5pm and it was your favorite hour in the day. You opened the door to find a tall man with green eyes and curly hair smiling brightly at you with something in his hands.
"I was dying to see you, my love." Tim said pecking your lips and giving you a bouquet of flowers, your favorite one.
Since the time you kissed Tim for the very first time and since when you sent him that text message telling him your real feelings for him; Tim and you talked about your true feelings about each other. Since that time, Tim and you became a couple. It was crazy how you felt with Tim in the first months of your relationship as a couple; it was like you were meant to be with him because nothing could be more perfect. It was like he and you fit perfectly together. Of course you had fights and arguments, but you always found the way to stick together. You were so good together that three months ago you decided to get a new place where he and you could live together. So there you were, in your new house, waiting for your boyfriend to come back home from work at 5pm as every day.
"How was your day today? Have you been writing more of those marvelous songs? You know, there's nothing I'd love more than hearing you sing now." Tim said smiling brightly and holding your hand.
"Of course. By the way, today I was working on a song about us. Maybe I could play it for you now." You said winking at him.
In four years you've worked a lot on your songs and you've performed in a lot of bars and venues with help from Tim. You still worked on that music store and you were promoted because of your sympathy with people and all your knowledge. Yes, you still couldn't your music to be accepted by a lot of people, but you were progressing. You couldn't be happier for what you had, not even if you yet haven't accomplished your dreams. But you had all your life to accomplish your dreams, now next to Tim, your biggest supporter.
"I'd love that." Tim said smiling in front of your lips before kissing you. "But don't forget that you and Darren were going to be online in about 30 minutes."
"Oh dammit! I forgot it!" You exclaimed, very thankful that Tim reminded it to you. You remembered the last time that you forgot to get online to Skype with Darren, Darren got kind of mad at you because he waited for you all night long and you never appeared. "I really don't wanna be scolded."
"So better if you get online. Meanwhile I'm gonna cook something so we can have a tea." Tim said laughing softly when he also remembered the time Darren got mad at you like a child.
Darren and you became really good friends. You and he were used to get online at least once a week in these four years. Sometimes Tim and Mia were online also, so it was like the four of you were friends. But your friendship with Darren was special and unique. You weren't even in the same continent and you only could talk on Skype, but you shared more things with him that anyone else who lived in your country. Together you laughed and cried, you joked and talked about deep things, you were friendly and sometimes you got angry; you debated about life, music, society, politics, food, colors, entertainment, games, and movies and even about fashion and pranks. You shared your most amazing moments you experienced, your worst ones, your saddest ones, your most cheerful, and the most embarrassing ones. The most amazing thing that you and Darren were used to do was to sing together. Every time you got online, you had to pick a song to sing together. Today it was his turn and you were anxious to know which song he'd pick. Even though you had a great friendship and you shared a lot of things, there was something you never discussed about: your deepest dreams.
"I was starting to think that you forgot to get online again. I was already ready to call the Mafia to eliminate you. Like...Bam!" Darren joked making a hands gun sign, aiming at his webcam.
"You're forgetting that I have a boyfriend who happens to be a criminal judge, darling." You said winking at Darren and chuckling.
"Damn, Tim!" Darren exclaimed frustrated but still joking. "And I have a girlfriend who happens to be a rock star."
"And your point is?" You asked raising an eyebrow amused because of Darren's senseless point of view.
"I don't know." Darren said shrugging. "Just couldn't stand idly."
"Oh Darren, what am I gonna do with you?" You asked sighing and chuckling.
"Whatever you want except killing me. Please, don't kill me." Darren pleaded in a joking way.
"Oh, you're playing a dangerous game." You said raising your eyebrow and in an intriguing way.
This was the kind of random conversations that Darren and you always had. Anyone else who could listen to you would say that you were insane because from this random and playful conversation you happened to talk about serious and deep things. And this was what happened that day after 40 minutes of talking about senseless things.
"Today I decided to not pick a song. Today we aren't singing." Darren said serious. At this point you could tell when Darren was really serious and when he was joking.
"What do you mean Darren? I was really excited to know which song you'd pick. You're missing your turn!" You said frowning and pouting. You knew how this would end: on an argument. Yes, you always had those kinds of silly arguments and always one of you ended up upset because of those silly things.
"Oh no, no, no! Don't start with that! Hey, once you decided to miss your turn to pick a song and then the next time you didn't let me to pick the song, you had to pick the song. So now you can't just tell me that." Darren started complaining.
"You're so vindictive! I can't believe it. I did it only once!" You complained starting to get upset.
"And the time when you were annoyed because of that woman in the music shop and you told me to put the song in my ass and the day after you begged me if you could pick the song?" Darren pointed craftily.
"Alright. Only twice." You sighed upset. "You know what? Screw all the songs, this is stupid anyway." You said looking away still upset.
"Yes, screw this shit. Now I really don't want to talk to you." Darren said now also upset.
"Great, I don't want to talk to you as well." You huffed crossing your arms.
Darren and you remained in silence, both of you frowning, upset, crossing arms and huffing for a long time. Neither of you looked at each other. Then you heard how Tim was laughing behind you because of this situation that almost always happened.
"What? Mad again, guys?" Tim laughed behind you while he was reading the newspaper. It irritated you so very much that you turned around to throw him a pen which was on the desk. The pen hit Tim's head and he looked at you in disbelief. "Hey, you're mad at Darren, not at me! What did I do?"
"Shut up, Tim!" Darren and you exclaimed at the same time, annoyed.
Of course your annoyance didn't last. After you hit Tim with your pen as a child, after Darren and you said the same thing at the same time, and after Tim made fun of Darren and you about your way to get angry so easily; Darren and you ended up laughing, and Darren complimenting you for your aiming. Tim just shook his head amused because he knew that Darren and you couldn't be mad at each other for so long, because he knew that Darren and you were like children.
"Okay, this was my point about not singing today. Because, y'know, I had a point." Darren said looking at you raising an eyebrow.
"Fine, Darren. Maybe I overreacted and I'm sorry. Now tell me that shit you planned. Oh gosh, you and your plans." You chuckled amused. He always had a crazy plan.
"I know, I'm totally awesome." Darren said chuffed and like a stuck-up man, jokingly. "The fact was that I was getting bored of you..."
"Fuck you, Darren." You exclaimed frowning but amused. Somehow he always had that way to say some things; not that he really meant it but in that way was funnier.
"Oh thank you, I'll do it later. I can't fuck myself in front of a webcam, I'm not an exhibitionist." Darren joked and you laughed shaking your head. Of course he had to say something like that. "Anyway, the point is that I wanted to play a kind of game, since, as I told you, I was getting bored of you."
"Oh no, not a game. You know how it ended the last time." You said shaking your head frantically.
Yes, the two of you played a game in which Darren had to say a sentence and if you guessed if the sentence was false, Darren had to drink a shot of tequila and vice versa. At the end of the game, the two of you were too drunk to even focus your sight on the computer. It ended up on a terrible hangover in the next day. It was a terrible, terrible game. Funny at the moment but terrible at the next day.
"I remember." Darren laughed remembering that day. "But this is another kind of game, no alcohol involved."
"I don't know if I should trust on you." You said suspiciously.
"Damn, you're offending me!" Darren said with a hand on his heart, exaggeratedly pretending to be offended.
"Play that game!" Tim yelled from behind, amused. You only looked at him in a bitchy way, but playfully. "Sorry, I'm coming back to my reading." Tim laughed softly when he saw Darren with his thumbs up.
"Tell me what this game is about." You said looking at Darren intrigued and suspiciously.
"Questions and answers!" Darren exclaimed excited.
"Really Darren? Really?" You asked in disbelief. That game actually wasn't so funny and you already knew a lot of things about each other.
"Yes, really!" Darren exclaimed nodding still excited. "But this is the trick. We have to think the answers in only ten seconds and if we fail, we have a forfeit."
"Oh my God. I was expecting something crazier from you, but fine. I'm in." You agreed and Darren smiled excited.
Darren started asking some questions about everything, you had to admit that his questions were kind of crazy and weird; his questions weren't about like what your favorite color was or what your favorite animal was. You also asked him some crazy questions and actually the game happened to be really funny. But then Darren asked you something that you were afraid to answer. Yes, he asked you about that thing you never talked about.
"What is your deepest dream?" He asked looking into your eyes, very intrigued.
"Oh." You only answered ashamed, looking down.
"Oh is your deepest dream? I had more expectative." Darren made fun of you and you chuckled nervously shaking your head. "Come on, I never asked you it and I'd like to know. If you want I can tell you mine first."
"Alright. Tell me yours first." You said now looking at him. You were intrigued to know which his deepest dream was.
"Okay. My deepest dream is to make people happy with my music. I'd like to make people feel identified with my songs and I want to be recognized by my music and not by a fictional character. I think I'd feel complete if somehow I can reach people by my music, help them somehow. It'd be like saying...This is what I am and I'm sharing it with you all and nothing makes me happier than knowing you like what I do." Darren said thoughtful with a twinkle in his eyes. "I don't know how to explain it."
"I think I got it. And you know? You already accomplished your deepest dream. Maybe you can't notice it, but your music is excellent and it made a lot of people happy already. I think you aren't recognized only by your fictional characters, I think you're recognized by who you are and what you do. Honestly, Darren, you're such a talented and amazing person and people can see that." You said sincerely with a kind smile.
"No, you're saying it because you're my best friend." Darren said smiling back at you.
"Trust me, I am not. As your best friend I'd say you're an asshole with such a lucky ass and such a damn big talent and totally insane and goofy personality. And yeah, you fucking talented asshole." You laughed and Darren laughed along with you.
"Whoa! That was honest." Darren laughed and then he looked into your eyes smiling kindly. "So that is my deepest dream. Now it's your turn."
"Well, I don't know. It's a silly thing, you're gonna laugh at it." You said nervously, shifting uncomfortable in your chair.
"Will not. Come on!" Darren encouraged you, looking at you expectant.
"Okay...Uhm." You said nervously, but well, you knew that someday you'd have to tell him that. "My deepest dream is that I want people to listen to my music, but really listen to it. And then perform it on a stage in front of those people, and I'd like...well, I'd like to sing with...with you. Like our duets but on a big stage in front a lot of people." You said shyly looking down. Damn, you were blushing and now you felt really ashamed.
"Is really that your deepest dream?" Darren asked while you were still looking at your lap. When you looked up to him, you noticed that there was a twinkle in his eyes, as if he were thrilled.
"Yes, really. I told you it was silly..."
"It's not silly at all." Darren interrupted you while he was smiling sweetly. "I'd feel really honored to sing a duet with you, and more if is your music."
"Yea..." You whispered shyly.
"You want people to listen to your music, don't you?" Darren suddenly asked cheerfully. "Then I think it's time to let you know what I did months ago." Darren said intriguingly and you frowned confused, not knowing if you should feel good or worried.
"What did you do?" You asked cautiously.
"Once I told you I used to record covers and I had a channel on YouTube where I uploaded those covers. Remember?" Darren asked excited.
"Yes, I remember...so?"
"Well, I recorded us singing our duets and well, I uploaded our duets on my channel on YouTube."
"What? What, Darren?" You asked a bit altered. "Why the hell did you do it? Holy shit, this isn't good."
"Hey, hey! Calm down! Actually it's a really good thing. You should check my channel and check out how many people listened to our duets and you also should check out the comments below." Darren said still excited and happily and you just looked at him in disbelief. "Hurry up! Go check it now!"
You, still in shock for what Darren did, searched for his channel on YouTube and you saw that, indeed, Darren uploaded all your duets. In fact a lot of people saw the videos, like an insane amount of people. And the comments below were just beyond belief. All of the comments were nice, comments not only directed to Darren but also to you. You couldn't believe it. A lot of comments said that he and you should perform together on a show that they couldn't wait to listen to those duets in live. You came back to Skype and you looked at Darren astonished.
"Holy mother of God." That was the only thing you could say with eyes wide open. Darren looked at you raising his eyebrows before laughing out loud.
"I told it was a really good thing and I told you that you're very talented. You wouldn't believe me, then believe what people think of you. See? People listened to you, like really listened to you, and they love it." Darren said smiling brightly and your heart was beating so fast that you barely could set down what was happening.
"I just can't believe it. This is crazy!" You said with watery voice. You were really thrilled. "How did you do it?"
"Recording our Skype sessions, duh." Darren giggled. "And I got extra help thanks to that sir sitting behind you." Darren said pointing Tim and you turned around to see Tim smiling fondly at you. That was too much, your eyes filled with tears of joy.
"Did you know about this? Right, that was the reason why you reminded me to get online today and why you told me to play this game with Darren." You asked Tim and he shrugged, still smiling at you. You ran to Tim to hug him tightly and shed those tears of joy on his chest. "Thank you, Tim. I love you." You said with watery eyes looking at him.
"You really don't have to thank me. I only want to see you happy, so as Darren." Tim said caressing your cheek sweetly.
"Thank you, Darren. I'd hug you too, but it's gonna be kind of weird to hug my computer." You tried to laugh among the tears.
"Well..." Darren started saying mysteriously. "You can hug me on Saturday."
"I can't get online on Saturday, Dar. Tim and I will go to another place to spend the next two weeks. Tim's idea, to go to new places." You said looking at Darren apologetically.
"Precisely." Darren smiled widely still looking at you mysteriously and you frowned in confusion. "I guess Tim didn't tell you where you both are going to go."
"No..." You said cautiously, still confused.
"Oh, you owe Los Angeles a show with me." Darren said looking at you lively with a wide smile.
"What the heck? What are you trying to say?" You asked in shock again.
"I bought plane tickets for you and Tim so you can come here, to Los Angeles. Therefore, on Saturday you can hug me, if Tim doesn't mind, of course." Darren said shrugging still with his wide smile.
"Oh my fucking God! You just couldn't have done it! Darren, no! Oh gosh." You exclaimed speechless and then you looked at Tim who was smiling brightly and who shrugged. "You knew this?"
"Yep." Tim nodded with a bright smile. "Darren's idea. Don't look at me that way!"
"Yes, it was my idea and I already bought the plane tickets, I already got the place where we're gonna sing a duet together and everything is ready. So you cannot reject this. It's done." Darren said persuasive.
"I hate you so much." You exclaimed because you really had no words for this.
"Love you too!" Darren said giggling. "A reminder: Do not forget to bring your guitar. And...we'll see soon. I bet you miss me checking your trash can and surprisingly finding an awesome score." Darren said winking.
"I'm gonna kick your ass as soon as I get to see you." You said jokingly, but the truth was that you couldn't be happier.
Finally you were going to Los Angeles, where you always wanted to go. Finally you were going to perform a show with Darren as you dreamed. Finally you were going to be able to hug your best friend. All of this next to the person you loved: Tim. Darren and Tim plotted something together covertly to make you feel as happy as never before. Them, the people you loved the most, to do what you loved to do the most: sing and play your guitar. Everything was great.
SATURDAY – LOS ANGELES…
"My ass is ready to be kicked!"
That was the first thing Darren yelled in middle of the airport when he saw you, making all the people around to turn to see him. Not only he yelled it, but he showed you his ass, which was covered with a cushion. Obviously Darren didn't care that all the people now were looking at him, pointing him, laughing and most of them taking pictures. Sometimes you wondered if he really noticed he was famous and a lot of people recognized him. Sometimes you wondered why you were friends with a crazy guy like him and you actually wondered if Darren had shame at all. He didn't care about what people could say about him and his craziness and goofiness, he only was himself and anything else mattered. Yep, that was the reason why you were friends with him, because you loved him like that. But he wasn't the only crazy person there, you also were a bit crazy. You knew that he could do something like that so you wore a really huge shoe and you showed it at him as soon as he yelled it to you.
"Awesome! I'm ready to kick your ass!" You yelled and you really didn't care about the people who were now looking at you and the whole situation.
"Oh crap!" Darren exclaimed out loud with eyes wide open when he saw your big shoe.
You ran to him and Darren started to run away from you. Darren and you behaving like two kids running in middle of an airport full of serious people. Even the security walked to where you were and that was the time when you and Darren stopped running to hug each other very tightly. When the security saw this, they stopped walking to you but still they stayed close to watch your behavior. Meanwhile Tim walked to where Darren and you were with the luggage.
"Am I the only sane here? God." Tim exclaimed shaking his head amused. You knew that Tim loved it about your friendship with Darren and your craziness was what Tim loved the most about you. "Something tells me I'm gonna drive crazy with you two. You literally are worse than children."
"Shut up, Tim!" Darren and you exclaimed at the same time as you always did when you were talking online. The three of you laughed while you and Darren hugged Tim.
This was going to be the best trip of your life. You just had that feeling.
"I can't do this." You said freaking out minutes before you had to go on stage to sing a duet with Darren.
"Why not? Do you think you forgot your guitar? Because if you're looking for it, it's good if you realize that you have it in your hands." Darren joked looking at you amused. You just looked at him serious an raising an eyebrow.
"Not funny. Goddammit, I can hear a lot of people yelling, damn, it seems there is a lot of people." You said scared and nervous.
"There's a hell amount of people. All of them waiting for us." Darren said shrugging.
"Damn, Darren! You're not helping!" You said jumping nervously. Darren looked at you with eyes wide open raising his eyebrows and completely amused. Then he couldn't hold back his laughter any longer. "What?"
"That was hilarious. You know, you jumping. It's hilarious." Darren said still laughing.
"I'm nervous, Darren! I can't do this and you're just making fun of me!" You yelled now upset. There was your usual argument.
"I'm not making fun of you; I'm just laughing with you." Darren said still laughing and you looked at him frowning and upset.
"I'm not laughing." You huffed annoyed.
"Why you so serious? Have you eaten a sour candy? Your face looks like a raisin!" Darren laughed again and you got even more irritated.
"Whatever. You idiot."
"Arguing again, guys?" Tim said behind Darren and you, amused.
"Yes, because he's an idiot who's not helping me to calm down. Stupid, Darren, you're stupid!" You said annoyed.
"Well, you too! Cannot you take a joke?" Darren asked now frowning.
"I give you three minutes." Tim said looking at you and Darren amused. "One...two...three..."
"I'm sorry, Darren! I'm so nervous!" You said now anguished.
"Don't be!" Darren said now smiling softly before hugging you.
"There you are." Tim said smiling proudly because obviously he knew that your annoyance with Darren wouldn't last.
"I'll embarrass myself out there!" You said still anguished.
"You won't. You have the talent, now you have only to relax, because those people out there? They came here to hear you sing. And you can do it because you were born to do this and this is your dream. You told me that, didn't you?" Darren said reassuringly.
"Guys, I think it's time." Mia said suddenly with a smile on her face.
"No, no, no. I'm not ready." You said freaking out. Your body was trembling and your heart was beating really fast.
"You're amazing and you'll do it great, I'm sure. You always do it great and I'll be forever proud of you." Tim said grabbing your hand and smiling fondly at you. "Now you just to show them what you've got." Tim said encouragingly and the he kissed your lips softly. "I'll be out there in first row, cheering you."
"Good luck. Remember, you both are gonna rock it. Now, break a leg, guys!" Mia exclaimed encouragingly and she smiled before she and Tim went away to go to the first row.
Darren and you were now alone and you just looked down, trying to calm down. At least your body needed to stop trembling. You heard people cheering louder. You heard how someone was introducing you both. You heard how suddenly everybody got quiet before cheering loud again. You felt Darren holding your hand and kissing your forehead before he led you on stage. The lights blinded you and you heard more cheering. In fact, there was an absurdly amount of people, all of them looking at Darren and you. Everything was blurry and you barely could realize that this was actually happening. You were still freaking out and you couldn't calm down. Then you saw how Darren was looking at you with a smile on his face, like a proud and happy smile.
"We're gonna rock this. You and I, like our duets on Skype, my friend." Darren whispered at you. "Let's sing your song, the first one. Give joy to my heart."
You didn't know how you did it, but Darren's smile and look made you feel better. Your body stopped trembling and a weird feeling took over your body. Everything around you vanished and there was only you, Darren, your guitar and Tim. You were on a stage surrounded by million people who were there to really listen to your music, as you always wanted. You were there with the people you loved the most: your boyfriend, Tim and your best friend, Darren. You sang a duet with Darren Criss, your dream came true. Was this real? Yes, it was; and it was your most valuable memory. The first duet you sang with Darren Criss on a stage with your boyfriend as a spectator. The first one, but not the last one.
"Dreams can come true" You thought happily.