don't look back

seven|| i don't belong here

Sage

August 30, 2018.

As I brushed through the orange waves of my hair, the nerves were already running through my veins. I was certain the inside of my cheek was about to bleed due to the anxious knawing.

"SAGE? Are you even listening to me?" Sierra nearly shouted over the group facetime.

"What? Yeah, what did you say?" I cocked my head back to the screen.

"You're getting an uber, right?" Aria asked.

"Mhm," I nodded my head, setting my brush down on the counter and inspecting the light makeup I had put on my face. "Sierra, is this too much makeup?"

"Seriously? You just filled in your brows and put mascara on," Aria's brow raised as she spoke in a sarcastic tone.

"I'm not asking you. You don't leave the house without a cat eye, I was asking Miss. Natual face." I took the phone in my hand as I walked out of the bathroom and into the main area.

"You look beautiful, Sage," Sierra assured me.

I nodded my head while glancing into the refrigerator. I tuned out their 'argument' about makeup. My stomach was grumbling but I was in no shape to eat, and the lack of food in the fridge was also telling me not to eat. I filled a glass with water and plopped down on my bed, staring at the keyboard that sat in the corner of the room.

"Guys, I feel like I'm gonna barf," I interrupted their playful banter.

"I know that feeling, I feel the same way, and I'm three states away," Aria chuckled.

"Don't listen to her. I have full faith in you, you can do it. All it is, is a meeting and if you don't like it then you can leave." Sierra attempted to calm me down.

"Okay," I exhailed.

-

As the small stuffy car approached the large matte black building, my lungs felt as though they were about to close. I stepped out of the car and shut the door, watching it drive away. My eyes explored the exterior of the building, it looked about three stories high. An 'Interscope Records' sign lit up above the double door. The clouds filled the sky, I watched them as they moved at a slow pace, practicing a few breathing excersizes before finally taking a few steps forward and pulling open one of the glass doors.

I walked into a large lobby, immediately my eyes met a security guard. Do the actual celebrities come to this building? A few dark couches and coffee tables were splayed throughout the open space. In front of my eyes sat a large receptionest desk, where I slowly made my way.

"Hello, how can I help you?" One of the ladies behind the desk asked.

"I'm Sage, here to meet with Andrew," I spoke clearer and more confidently than I was expecting.

"Perfect, he's on the second floor. I'll let him know you're here," she smiled, motioning to the elevator to the left of the room. I nodded my head before walking into the lift and hitting the second floor. I watched the number move once from '1' to '2'. The second the two metal doors separated, my heart rate picked up'; my confidence flying out of my body. Keep it together, Sage.

I stepped out of the elevator just in time before the doors shut. I glanced to the right, all that could be seen was a large carpeted hallway with closed wooden doors. "Sage!" I heard an overly excited male voice. My head snapped to the left where my eyes were met with a fairly tall man. He had dark hair and a bit of scruff on his face, looked to be in his early thirties. "Andrew," he introduced himself, holding out a hand. I tried to steady my hand as I shook his.

"It's so great to meet you. Why don't we head into my office?"

I nodded my head, taking deep breaths as he led me to the left, the hallway looking the same as the one to the right. The wooden door opened up into an average looking office with two chairs across from his desk. He held the door open for me and ushered me in, "Have a seat," he smiled, shutting the door behind himself.

I watched as he sat behind his desk, my leg involuntarily began bouncing as I waited with anticipation. "So, I'm guessing you are wondering what you're doing here," he chuckled, folding his hands together as he placed them on his desk.

"Yeah," I nodded, my eyes averting to my lap. I feel like I'm being interrogated.

"Well, I'd like to start by saying you have a very beautifuly unique voice. It holds a lot of emotion and that's what we look for in an artist. I have a few offers to make you, but first, tell me about yourself. Do you play any instruments other than the ukulele? Do you ever write originals?"

I cleared my throat, still staring at my lap as I began to speak, "Um, I play a bit of piano and yeah I write some stuff," I shrugged. I don't belong here, I thought to myself.

"Great, I would love to hear some of your originals. I'll make you this offer and you don't have to agree now, but think about it. We have a few studios on the third floor and I would like to hear what you could do in there," he explained. I tried to grasp the words but they went through one ear and out the other.

"If I like what I hear in the studio, which I think I will, then I'd love to have you sign with Interscope. It would be a contract of at least three years, we would want most ideas to come from you. Basically, we would help you get your music out on all streaming platforms, advertise, approve of your work, and get you a manager."

At the thought of having a manager and the pressure of putting out music, my body began to go numb. My throat tightened and the room temperature raised about ten degrees.

"D-do you have a washroom?" I stuttered out, standing from the chair in a panic.

"Yes, down the hall, three doors down is the ladies' room," he held his arm out, gesturing to his door. Without another word I practically ran out of his office.

-

A/N: Ayo ayo, I'm supposed to be doing school but fuck that I guess. I feel bad because I put money into the class I'm supposed to be doing and it's mandatory for me to keep my job. ugh.