-jackies pov
i stumbled up the stairs of my apartment complex, my mind still racing from this morning's interaction. why was i so baffled over meeting him? why was that so awkward? maybe i was over reacting. i was extremely embarrassed, knowing there was no way sam was as scrambled as i am.
i opened the door and plopped on the couch. i curled into a ball and dialed the number i knew by heart. awstens face popped up on the screen as he answered the facetime.
"hey jacks." he said fixing his colorful hair in his reflection. "hey.. i need advice." i said in a soft tone. i could feel his eyes burning through my expression. "who did you meeeet.." he said in a sing song voice. i sighed and put my hand over my face.
"well.. i think im being crazy, but i met the new band in my dads building.." i said wiping my eyes. "mhm" he said following the story. awsten was a fellow musician. i've known him for years. my best friend since 2011. "so what band is it?" he said trying to catch on.
"im not sure, i didnt catch the name. but i know his name is sam. samuel.." i said trailing on. "but i met his brothers, and his older brother josh was very.. outgoing." he nodded as i told him the whole story.
"okay.. so if you know his name, and his brothers names.. google him." he said trying to hide a smile. "no." i said immediately. "that is so creepy." i said laughing. "well i want to see what he looks like!" he said yelling and laughing. "you never talk about relationships with me anymore." he said beaming. "so this must be important."
i shrugged. "i dunno.." i mumbled. the conversation trailed off and we started talking about his upcoming tour. awsten was letting me photograph some of his shows in LA. i was shocked he actually agreed because hes so particular about his photography. after a long conversation we said goodbye and i shut my phone off. i stood up from my small sofa and went to shower before work.
-sammy's pov
"alright that's enough recording today. tomorrow we'll work on the lyrics for the end of flower power..." josh said turning to all of us.
i dropped my bass back on its stand and took my hair down from the bun i put it in during practice. "anyone down to go eat? maybe hit a few record stores? i saw a nice one down the block on my way here.." jake said unplugging his amp.
"sure.." i said agreeing and preparing to leave. my mind had been trailing off all day, ever since this morning. i couldnt shake the thought of her smile, her eyes, her fluffy dark hair falling from behind her ear. i was brought back to reality by a hand waving in my face. "samuel, lets go." jake said motioning to the door.
the cold november air met me as soon as i opened the front door. my hair blowing in my face when i put my sunglasses back on. i shoved my hands in my pockets while following jake awkwardly. jake hummed quietly while turning corners of LA streets.
he stopped in front of a small record store with a smiley face on the door. he pulled open the door and stepped in, i followed. the smell of incense and old wood surrounded me. indie music swarmed my ears. i looked around at all the records and posters on the wall. i shuffled through a few records and hummed quietly.
i looked up to show jake a record i found but he wasnt beside me anymore. he had disappeared while i was zoned out in my own little world. i put the record under my arm and looked around for him. i looked around the corner and saw him standing at the counter, laughing with someone.
jake turned around and saw me, grinning. "sammy look who works here.." he said moving so i could see who he was talking to. my heart sank. jackie...
she sent me a soft smile and a wave. "hey sam." she said still smiling. i walked over to join the two at the counter. "what'd you find?" she asked pointing at my arm. "oh uh.. just a .. hendrix album i've been missing." i said awkwardly setting it on the counter.
"siick.. i like it." she said nodding and taking it into her small hands. she handed it back to me. "on the house. for a new friend." she said switching her glance between me and jake. i shook my head. "no i insist." i grabbed my wallet from my pocket and took out my card. "no don't worry about it.. my boss wont care at all i swear."
while she was speaking someone walked behind the counter where she was standing. "small iced white mocha for jaclyn.." said the person as he sat the coffee on the counter. "thanks aws.. oh! awsten this is jake and sammy.. the band in my dads building." she said pointing at us.
"oh dope. im awsten." he said grinning at us then sipping his drink. he put his hand on the small of her back and looked back at her. "ill be in the back, i have some stuff to work on." his gesture made my body tense. it couldve been platonic, but it felt awkward. she nodded and sipped the coffee.
jake took that as our queue. "alright well now we know where to find you! you should come get lunch with us sometime!" he said looking from her to me. i nodded. "yeah for sure!" she said putting her hands on her hips. "here, ill give you my number." she said to me. we exchanged our digits and said our goodbyes.
after leaving the small store we walked around looking for a restaurant. "was it just me or was that awsten guy super friendly with jackie? do you think theyre a thing?" jake said trying to make small talk. "probably." i said shrugging. i was acting like i hadnt been thinking about it since i left.
"i dunno. he couldve just been being nice..." jake shrugged. "theres still hope for you.." he punched my arm. "what is that supposed to mean?" i said laughing at him. "im not stupid sam... oh oh uh uh just a hendrix album uh uh.." he said mocking me and stuttering. i punched him and he laughed.
"its okay sammy boy. you got her number." he said through laughs as we walked into a diner.
-jackies pov
"please tell me you didn't give him a free record jacks." awsten said turning the corner. i sighed. "im sorrryyy it just felt like the right thing to do. ill pay for it." i said shaking my head. he laughed at me. "it was cute, you played it off super cool, im proud of you." he said patting my head.
awsten had always been touchy, but its his love language. he only seemed to be that way towards me. "i dont know though, he didnt look like your type." awsten said throwing his coffee in the trash. "and how do you know that?" i said furrowing my eyebrows. he shrugged, "im going on my lunch." he said leaving me alone in the store.
the day was long. we only had 3 customers after jake and sam. i wondered if sam would text me. i shook the thought. he was probably too busy. awsten was in the back hiding from customers. i checked the time on my phone. 5:30. i had 5 minutes till my shift was over so i decided to clock out early, i figured awsten wouldn't mind.
i walked down the busy streets to my apartment and trudged up the stairs. my phone started buzzing. an unknown number was calling me. "hello?" i answered, more than a question than a greeting.
"hey darlin, its josh! i made sam give me your number. you up for dinner?"
