He took one more good luck shot as the act before him started their last song when he saw his sister at a table across the room. He was clearly high but hoped she didn’t notice because there was no way he was getting out of this without talking to her. He didn’t want to admit how much he missed her because everytime he looked at her he just felt ashamed of hurting her.
Jaden: “I hope there’s no hard feelings. I just kinda needed to do my own thing for a while.”
You: “I’m not mad, bub. I’m happy for you.”
Jaden: “So you been good? Golden-boy still treating you right?”
You: “It’s really good. I actually decided to major in music studies. It showed me a whole new passion for music that I honestly wouldn’t have discovered if I was still focused on performing with the band.”
That was the truth, but so was the fact that you really really missed it.
You: “Are you doing okay?”
Jaden: “I’ve been crashing at a friend’s house and playing every night.”
You: “You should come home soon. Mom misses you a lot. Even just for dinner.”
Jaden: *seeing right through what you were trying to say* “Hey, I miss you too.”
You couldn’t help but pull him into a hug and the way he kissed the top of your head reminded you of how protective he’d always been over you and your heart ached. Jaden pulled away and grabbed a shot from the table next to him before slurring: “But, hey. Stay for the show.”
You knew you were running out of time so you blurted out: “Have you seen Amelie lately?”
Hearing her name felt like a knife to the heart. He’d never wanted anything as much as he’d wanted that to last but instead of admitting that, he responded: “I’m never going to forgive her and if you’re smart you wouldn’t either.”
You: “That’s not really your business, Jaden. You left remember? Plus that’s between me and my best friend.”
Jaden: “You’re an idiot. How could you jus-”
You: “You know, you can’t just control everything to make up for how miserable you are that you don’t have the guts to tell mom and dad that you want to quit basketball.”
Jaden: “Well, that’s done now. I withdrew from college this morning so they’ll figure it out eventually.”
*END JADEN’S POV*
He turned and climbed up on the stage before you could fully react but your stunned state wouldn’t have given much anyway. He started singing and you watched him come alive on the stage and couldn’t help but wonder if things would get better now that he was finally doing what he obviously loved so much.
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Nessa: *walking up and handing you a drink* “He’s awesome, huh?”
You: “No thanks, I’m driving.”
Nessa: “Don’t worry, it’s soda. I don’t have a fake like Jaden does so no alc0h0l for me at these venues.”
She pulled out a bottle of pills and popped a handful with her soda and smirked: “Besides, who needs it when I have these?”
You: “W- What are you doing here?”
Nessa: “I’m a musician too. I’m the one who got him this spot. My set is later tonight.”
You looked up at your brother on stage and saw him smiling as he danced along to his song and noticed he was looking right at her as he sang. Suddenly it hit you, Nessa was the girl who’d picked him up at Zack and Emma’s apartment after their big fight.
Was there something going on between them? Obviously there was. Wait, was that who he was staying with? She nodded her head along with his song as she sighed: “God, he is just so… *sigh*… ya know?”
