Walking After You | Dave Grohl

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DAVE WAS DEEP in his own world. Whenever he sat behind that kit, he was always actively trying to better himself, using the whole power of his energy through the drum sticks. The floor shook with each hit of the snare and toms, and the people went crazy on the pit, riding on the high that Scream's music created.

Dave's concentration, however, didn't stop him from occasionally glaring at the side of the improvised stage, his chest inflating proudly at the sight of Nessa enjoying herself, dancing to the sound of the music he was producing. And when their eyes met, and he caught her rosy cheeks, he would smile contently.

Jimmy had joined the girls not long after the start of the show, standing beside Stacy. He was singing the lyrics to the songs he knew so well, being that he and Dave had discovered Scream together. To him, it was surreal that his best friend was sharing a stage with a local group they admired so much. Things like that didn't happen to guys like them. And even though Jimmy couldn't play an instrument to save his life, he was content in just supporting his best friend.

When the gig ended and the band dispersed, Dave jumped up from behind the drums, dripping sweat. He was exhausted, but the adrenaline made him erratic. Every muscle on Dave's body ached and pleaded for rest as he made his way back towards his friends, grinning shyly.

"So..." he started, expectantly waiting for a reaction. He was proud of himself and confident in his talents but still looked for signs of approval, something that could assure him that his decision to pursue music and drop out of high school, had been right and worth it. "What did you think?"

Nessa was the first to speak, although she barely had words to describe what she had just seen. "David..." She struggled to make up a sentence that summarized what she had just experienced. Dave was good, very good. But more than that, he was a natural talent. "That was... Amazing! You guys were amazing!"

For the first time that night, Nessa actually seemed to loosen up around him. Maybe it had something to do with the other three beers she had downed, despite being a lightweight, but at least the alcohol had shut down the part of her brain that always thought too much. She had a wide smile on her face as she spoke to him, and he couldn't help but be the one blushing this time.

Dave opened his mouth to say something, perhaps to thank her, but was taken aback and caught off guard when a slightly drunken Stacy jumped in his direction, throwing her arms around his neck, and almost making him fall back in the process.

"You were so great, David!"

Nessa and Jimmy shared a laugh as Dave struggled to hold the girl without both of them falling down into the dirty club floor. Stacy pushed away, smiley and excited as always, still sort of buzzing from the show.

"Thanks, Stacy," his cheeks were reddish, and Nessa noticed he became shy when on the receiving end of compliments. "If it wasn't for your boyfriend allowing me to practice on his instruments, I wouldn't be doing this"

Stacy rolled her eyes. "Bullshit. You would've found another way. This is what you were made to do"

"He's even the best air drummer I know," Jimmy added, and the girls giggled at Dave's timid roll of eyes. He shifted awkwardly on his feet but offered his friends an appreciative smile. Not only for their words, but for being present for him.