Pompeii ➳ muke

two

The next day, Arcadia is scheduled to record a demo for their upcoming single. Of course, with Illuminate Me just dropping, they have quite some time to sort it out. There isn't much prepared for it, only a few lines and choppy instrumentals, but that's the reason they are here.

After the incident yesterday, the band had a relaxing day in Noah's hotel room. They ordered pizza and chicken wings and played video games for hours. Michael quite enjoyed it, finally feeling like an average person again.

But when he was woken this morning, all sense of being average trickled away. Wilde was pacing up and down the hallway, knocking feverishly on each band member's door, threatening to kick their asses if they did not hurry. Typically, Wilde was a cool guy. He let the boys get away with far too much, saw them as family, but when press or publicly was involved, he went all serious businessman.

Ajax and Tristan are the first to be ready and enter the van that's waiting outside. Noah stays back to calmly help usher Michael out of the door, telling him not to be a diva so early in the morning. Once in the vehicle, Wilde goes over Arcadia's schedule for the day.

"We are on our way to Victory Studio in which we will be meeting with the producers. They know who you are and how you operate, this means you Michael. They are only here to help you."

Michael rolls his eyes dramatically as Ajax playfully shoves his arm. He has his own way of doing things and refuses to settle for anything less.

"Let's not have another meltdown today," Wilde adds as the van pulls up outside of the studio.

To everyone's surprise, there is a small group of fans waiting outside of the building. They are all female, appearing to be in their teens, and become visibly excited when they see the vehicle. A wide smile spreads across Noah's lips as he presses his face to the window, wanting a closer look at those whom are waiting. He has always been devoted to the fans, going out of his way for them. It's admirable, of course, but Michael won't go out of his way for anyone.

"Stay close, we'll stop for just a few minutes, that's all," says Rossi as he steps from the sleek black vehicle.

The musicians exit the vehicle as well and follow the instructions they were given, keeping close to one another as they approach the fans. The teens squeal and run up to them, instantly asking for photographs and autographs alike. The boys oblige, completing the tasks with smiles and making small conversation. Michael puts on his best smile, acts as polite as he possibly can, but the crowd is making him uncomfortable.

Once he has met each person, he offers a small wave and enters the building, making his way down the halls to their designated room. Inside, there are two men sitting in swivel chairs, and they greet him kindly.

"It's nice to meet you, my name is Jack,", a tall, dark haired man greets.

Michael extends a hand, offering to shake, "Pleasure, my name is Michael. Um, the rest of the band is on their way in... There were fans... outside."

Jack simply nods in understanding, informing Michael that there are drinks and snacks on the bar and he is welcome to have them. Michael feels grateful for that, he thinks that maybe these people aren't so bad. Maybe, just maybe, they can work together.

Just as the other's enter the room, Michael is popping the cap on a beer bottle and tipping it back. The cool liquid burning his throat in the best way. Ajax joins him quickly, taking a bottle for himself and stating that he needs to calm his nerves, too.

"Alright, if you're ready to get started, I'd like to put Michael in the booth first," Jack says, motioning to the room on the opposite side of the glass wall.

Michael simply nods, making his way into the room and standing in front of the microphone. There is a pair of black head phones resting on a music stand next to him and he puts them on routinely. He has done this very thing several times, he knows just how it works.

"Okay, we are starting vocals for Constellations. We have the start of the instrumentals already laid down so I'll play the track," Jack's voice comes through the headset.

As the music starts, Michael closes his eyes lightly. Simply hearing the sounds, the way the bass carries the introduction. And then he sings. He opens his mouth and he belts out the lyrics. There is so much passion in the words and feeling in the way Michael carries them. The song ends far too quickly and Michael's green eyes open once again, looking through the glass and out to the group of people standing there. They are all smiling, nodding their heads and sharing words that Michael cannot hear through the sound proof walls.

Noah reaches out and presses the speaker button, his voice coming in through the headset, "That was fucking killer, Mikey!"

And maybe Michael has an overwhelming sense of pride filling him right then, but he only smiles and sets the head phones down before exiting the booth.