Yeah yeah, no own. Piss off.
It's competition time! I apologize for the delay in this chapter, I got the flu (again) and really did not have the energy to do anything.
Aiming for the top
Chapter five
Competition
Time flew by and suddenly it was the evening before the big competition. During the week before everyone in the band had become more and more nervous. What was surprising to Aaron was that Spencer seemed calmer than the others about performing. The band was currently looking over the order the bands where to perform and had gotten to know they were going up second to last.
"Spencer, do you know any statistics about winning from the order one performs?" Emily asked the young guitarist nervously. They all knew by now Spencer enjoyed statistics.
"Well, people have tried to put together stats about that. However all the 'studies', if one could even call them that, are completely inaccurate. In the end it comes down to talent. Most of the time in competitions the running order is selected at random. This means doing studies on the subject would be pointless."
"Forget I asked" Emily mumbled in response.
"Hey kid, how come you seem so calm? The rest of us are nervous wrecks! Well, myself and Em anyway" Derek asked.
"I feel confident on stage. Not as awkward as I do off-stage talking to people I don't know" Spencer shrugged.
"Good thing someone else has their nerves in check" Aaron joked. The truth was he was nervous as hell, but he had become good at hiding his emotions over the years. "Anyway guys, I think we all should go home and try to get some rest. We need to be at our best tomorrow!"
When the day of the competition arrived Spencer was excited. Sure, there were some nerves there, but he figured that was good. He suspected however that his nerves might get the better of him while waiting for the result. For now Spencer decided to focus on the excitement. He loved performing.
"Derek? We should get going!" he called for the drummer.
"I'm coming… Shit Spencer, how can you look so relaxed? I'm nervous as fuck!"
Spencer only shrugged before grabbing his travelling-mug filled with coffee and headed for the door. They drove in silence. When they arrived Aaron and Emily was waiting for them. Penelope would arrive later, but all the competing bands had to be there a few hours before the competition began. It was to be held at an outdoor stage with tents serving drinks and snacks for the audience.
After greeting the singer and base-player the walked to the indoor backstage area and the first thing they saw was an open bar. There were plenty of people, some off the really drunk. Spencer frowned at the sight; he had never understood the reason to drink much before performing. Sure a drink or two to calm the nerves was fine, but actually getting drunk seemed stupid and pointless to him.
The other members of the band all decided to grab a drink before, but they had all agreed on never performing drunk as this negatively affected their playing. A few rehearsals had proven this. Time flew by and suddenly it was time for the competition to begin. Penelope had stopped by a few minutes ago to wish them good luck before leaving to stand in the audience supporting them.
Spencer and Aaron decided to watch the other bands playing. Emily and Derek decided against it. Some of the bands were really good and suddenly Spencer felt nervous. When a band called Avantasia played he shivered. This band was incredible.
Aaron seemed to have noticed.
"Nervous Spence?" the singer asked him.
"Yeah" was his only response.
"Me too" Aaron stated.
"Really? You seem so… well, put together."
"I guess" the older man chuckled. "You do too. The other two however, does not. They will be fine once we get started though."
Spencer smiled slightly in response.
"Ladies and Gentlemen!" the host suddenly said. This was it, they were up next. "We are down to the two last bands! Next band on stage is called Wicked Spirit! They almost thought they wouldn't make the competition due to some issues with their former guitarist, but here they are! I heard them sound check earlier, and to everyone that might think they're at a disadvantage because of this, think again! Wicked Spirit everyone!" the host continued before walking off the stage.
Spencer took a deep breath and glanced around at the others. They all seemed more determined than nervous by now. The audience cheered loudly when they walked on stage and Spencer couldn't help to grin.
He took grabbed his telecaster and took his place at Aaron's right.
"Hello everyone!" Aaron said into his microphone, causing the audience to cheer again. The singer also had a huge grin on his face. Spencer felt his stomach flutter at the sight. "We are Wicked Spirit and our first song is called Nomadic!
With a quick hand cruising over the guitar Spencer started the song with Derek on drums mere seconds later. At least they started off with good timing. Soon Aaron started singing.
I guess it's time to make it easier on ourselves,
is it time to let our feeling have their ways?
I know this time I won't do anything at all
this time I'll let the fire burn out of control
I get a feeling I can make it on my own
like it's meant to be my kingdom and my throne
but I can only make it last a little more
if I'd only let that fire burn out of control
Spencer was amazed. The singer seemed to be completely in his comfort zone. This man belonged on stage, at the center of attention.
So c'mon now!
Nomadic you, nomadic me. I'm walking on my knees
Nomadic you, nomadic me. a lot of things to see
I got a ticket for a nowhere ride,
everyday I've been a bit outside
Nomadic you
When the singer finished the first chorus he was in complete control. The audience seemed to follow every move the singer made.
We're so not related I'm so scared of heights
That's why I never learned to walk into the lights
I know it's time to say again you'll never send me back
now it's history, but the fire burned out of control
So c'mon now!
Nomadic you, nomadic me. I'm walking on my knees
Nomadic you, nomadic me. a lot of things to see
I got a ticket for a nowhere ride,
everyday I've been a bit outside
Nomadic you
Like if I was just nobody
would I still be such a mess
if I would I'd never confess
And there's you with all your sorrows
all those tears behind blackened eyes
you hide behind your fake disguise
Now it was Spencer's turn. This was certainly the guitarist favorite part of the song. It was time for his solo. When he began the solo he felt in control. He didn't care that all these people were watching him. This was, he realized, why he loved performing. He got to feel in complete control even though people were paying attention to him.
So c'mon now!
Nomadic you, nomadic me. I'm walking on my knees
Nomadic you, nomadic me. A lot of things to see
I got a ticket for a nowhere ride,
everyday I've been a bit outside
nomadic you
I'm walking on my knees
A lot of things too see
I got a ticket for a nowhere ride
Everyday I've been a bit outside
Nomadic you
They finished the song and people were cheering. Spencer wondered why people felt the need to use drugs; this was most definitely the most incredible rush he could imagine.
Aaron had backed up slightly when it was time for Spencer's solo. He had to struggle to not simply stand and stare as the object of his affection played, even though he was amazed. It was no longer surprising to Aaron why Spencer had been less nervous than the others before the gig; it was obvious Spencer was in his comfort-zone.
All too soon, in Aaron's opinion, the solo was over. When the song was over the audience cheered and yelled. They beamed at each other and Aaron thanked the crowd before introducing their second song.
After wrapping up the second song the band walked off the stage. Aaron couldn't contain himself, and as soon as the guitarist was near him he pulled the younger man into a tight embrace. Spencer seemed slightly alarmed and stiffened. Aaron instantly felt worried and was about to release him when Spencer's arms wrapped around him with an unsure motion. The smaller body in his arms relaxed slightly.
Too quickly the hug ended. He smiled at Spencer who returned his smile with some uncertainty, although his expression happy in general. Suddenly feeling self-conscious Aaron gave the other two members of the band a hug too. Both looked surprised, it was rare for the singer to initiate hugs.
They walked over to a table and sat down after a short stop at the open bar, too full of adrenalin and nerves to watch the remaining band perform. Derek and Emily quickly enrolled in conversation with musicians from other bands. Aaron leaned back on his chair and watched the young guitarist.
"You looked great up there Spence!"
"Huh? Yeah, I guess. Thanks, you too" the guitarist replied.
"Really Spence, you looked incredible! Completely blew everyone away with those solos" Aaron said with a smile. "You seemed comfortable."
"Yeah well… I do feel comfortable and confident on stage. Quite the opposite of how I feel otherwise" Spencer said with a weak smile.
Aaron remained silent for a while as he watched the younger man. He couldn't understand why someone as incredible as Spencer Reid was so awkward and shy. With a small shrug Aaron decided not to bring it up.
"Nervous about the result?" he asked instead.
"Yes aren't you?"
"Sure. There are some pretty great musicians here today. I also know we played better than ever today. Hopefully that's enough."
The younger of the two merely nodded in response before he leaned back on his chair.
"Boy Wonder! Chocolate Adonis!" a loud voice suddenly yelled from behind Aaron. He watched as Penelope Garcia dragged Spencer to his feet and into a tight embrace.
"Pen… Breathing!" the young guitarist managed to say with a choked voice.
"Oh hush you!" the eccentric blonde said before releasing him to move on to Derek. "You guys were incredible! By far the best!"
"Thank you Baby Girl! Although I think you are biased. Shame you aren't the one making the final decision" the drummer joked.
"Oh what would be the fun in that? No point in you competing if I made the decisions!"
Aaron laughed along with the other at the blonde woman's words. Following Penelope's arrival they enrolled in light conversation about random subjects.
"Aaron? You okay?" Spencer asked after a while when he noticed Aaron hadn't spoken for some time.
"I think I need some air" he replied. His thoughts had been drifting towards his feelings for Spencer again.
"Oh, okay. Mind if I join you?" the guitarist asked.
"Alright" Aaron said after a few moments of hesitation.
"Just… if it's okay? I don't have to" Spencer added quickly, his voice uncertain.
"It's fine Spence, I don't mind your company" he assured the guitarist. Aaron really did enjoy talking to the man, but it was difficult not to acknowledge his feelings towards him.
They walked out together and stopped not far from the entrance. Aaron leaned against the wall and closed his eyes as he took a deep breath. When he opened them again Spencer was watching him with an unsure expression.
"Are you sure you are okay?" the guitarist asked.
"I'm okay Spence" Aaron answered, his voice coming out more weak than he intended. "Why?"
"It's just… Well, you've been acting strange lately. Did I do something?"
Of course Spencer would think he had done something. Aaron had intentionally talked a little less to Spencer; the reason to his actions was the deep attraction he had for the young guitarist.
"No Spencer, you haven't done anything" Aaron replied, unable to keep a small chuckle from escaping.
"Then what's going on with you?" the guitarist demanded. "And I think whatever's going on with you has to do with me as you haven't been acting differently towards the others."
"Spencer…" Aaron began. The younger man's demeanor was different all of a sudden, determined but cautious and worried at the same time. He wondered what was going on inside the other man's head.
"Is it because you somehow found out I'm bisexual?" Spencer blurted out quickly followed by covering his mouth with his hands and blushing furiously.
Aaron stared in awe at the other man. "Did he just say he was bisexual?" He felt a small twinge of hope. Spencer however, turned around and moved to leave Aaron alone. He reacted quickly.
"Wait!" Aaron exclaimed, grabbing the other man's arm. Spencer stopped but didn't turn to look at him. "Spencer, I didn't know. It's not why have been acting differently."
The guitarist slowly turned around. Aaron had difficulty reading his expression; it seemed to be a mix of confusion, relief and something else. "Does he look hopeful?" Aaron couldn't help to think.
"Then why, Aaron?"
"Spencer I…"
"Hotch! Spencer! They are about to announce the winners!" Derek called from the doorway.
Cliffhanger! Please don't kill me! *runs away to hide* It had to happen somehow though!
Avantasia is not a band name made up by myself, it's an actual band (a great one at that)
Song used: 'Nomadic' by Backyard Babies
Do not own those either. Review?
Hugs and kisses
- Zandii