Rose Colored Boy - dreamwastaken

chapter sixteen

tw drinking but its fun dw

Progress was definitely slow, to say the least. Especially since she was acutely aware of every time their fingers brushed or they sat shoulder-to-shoulder.

Sage had roped Dream into playing some video game that Blair didn't really understand, so she just watched and complained and appreciated the feeling of sitting so close to someone.

"I don't get it, you're just playing soccer? As cars?"

"It's because you're not a real gamer," Sage teased.

"Hey! I am a real gamer! I play four very real, good video games. I just- it's just soccer and you are a car."

She was interrupted by Aspen, who came around the back of the couch to sit at her other side. "Hey," he said, and kicked his feet onto the coffee table.

"Hey."

"So, uh, this is your Christmas present, but you have to use it today, so I'm giving it to you today," Aspen mumbled, and pulled out an envelope.

Blair split the seal and revealed two paper tickets, each reading a date, location, and performance.

"Aspen! You never told me you had a real show?!"

She had known that his band was growing more successful, but Blair could tell from the fact that Aspen was beaming that this was a big deal.

"It's small, just at the bar in the next town up. But, I figured you guys could come, get wasted, listen to the new stuff."

"Is this your first gig?"

"Eh, first serious one."

Blair grinned and clapped her hands against her knees. Dream glanced over and set down his controller (it was clear that the game was won for the fact that Sage was whooping loudly).

"Look, his band's got a show tonight," Blair said, and handed over the tickets.

Dream looked closer at the papers, then turned to Aspen. "What? Blair told me you had a band, but, like- this is cool!"

Aspen ran a hand through his hair and nodded. "Yeah, uh, thanks- thank you," he said, stifling a smile. "We'll leave in a few hours?"

-

The bar was bigger than Blair expected, dimly lit with a small stage centered on the back wall. Familiar faces were already setting up equipment by the time they'd arrived.

"Blair!"

A woman, tall, with long, blue hair in a high pony tail, jumped off the stage and ran up to her, sweeping her up into a hug. Blair jumped, but only took a second to return the gesture.

"Charlie, hi! This is- this is Dream, my roommate, and, Dream, this is Charlie. She plays the bass," Blair said after she was released.

"Also kick-ass singer and Aspen's best friend. Nice to meet you," Charlie said with a big smile. She threw an arm around Blair's shoulders again and steered her towards the stage. "Y'all go find something to do!"

Blair glanced over her shoulder and shot Dream an apologetic look. He shrugged with an amused smile, and turned to chat with Aspen.

Charlie sat down on the edge of the stage and patted the wood next to her, so Blair joined.

They sat for a moment, staring at the many photos on the walls and listening to the seventies music was playing quietly over the speakers. Blair leaned back, laying on the stage (even though she was sure it was gross) and looked at the ceiling.