A Little Bit Yours

Chapter XVII - The Moment Before

Two months have passed since the day Ella left for college. We've been talking everyday, several times a day as much as possible due to the timezone differences. We talk about everything and nothing. She's really happy with how her classes are going and I share my excitement about the gigs I've been playing with Harry. I didn't lose Mia's friendship after all, she was a bit hurt in the beginning but once she was able to sleep on the subject, she went back to being the friend that we knew.

Harry has been getting closer and closer to the girl he started seeing, so now I barely see him when we're not rehearsing or playing gigs. I'm happy for him but it does get kinda lonely when you don't have anyone but your best friend and he's not around. 

Today we don't have many classes so we're taking the whole afternoon to practice. We were contacted by a local record label and they're interested in giving us a chance. They heard about us through a freelance agent and they're sending someone to hear us play tonight. Obviously this makes me incredibly nervous, but there's also another thing that's messing with my nerves. Truth is, I booked a flight that leaves early morning to the US. I couldn't wait anymore to see Ella. She doesn't know yet but I am planning on telling her.

Right on queue, my phone starts to ring and I smile when I see her name on my screen. I answer the phone and she greets me excitedly. "How's my rockstar doing? Nervous for tonight?"

"Yeah, hella nervous to be honest. We're used to play in front of these types of crowds, but not when we know for sure that there's someone there to watch us and decide if they want to help us with our future."

"You'll do great, I'm sure. You and Harry are extremely talented and they won't hesitate to sign you guys." She says but her voice grows sadder by each word. "I'm just sad that I won't be there to see it." 

Tell her now mate, she's so sad that she's missing all these important moments of your life when you have a trip booked to go there and see her tomorrow. Hopefully you're going to take good news with you but even if you don't, what you really want and what matters to you is that you get to spend time with her and share this moment, good or bad, with the woman you love.

Jack is right. What I want in life is the chance to, near or far, share every single moment of happiness or sadness with this incredible human being for the rest of my life. "Listen, Ellie, there's something else that's making me nervous."

"What is it, love?" Her voice changes from sad to concerned and I can tell that I have her undivided attention. "You know you can talk to me about anything."

"Well, it's just that around 6AM tomorrow I have a flight out to see this beautiful girl. It's a very long flight and since I need to drive to the airport I won't sleep tonight but I think she's worth it. What do you think?" A huge smile is planted on my face as I hear Ella gasp on the other end of the line and she squeals in happiness. "So I take it that you're excited?"

"Oh my God, Josh, are you really coming here tomorrow?" 

"Yes, love, I'm really going there tomorrow." I nod, although she can't see me. "But I'm not even ready, I wasn't expecting you to come! You cannot stay in my dorm because my roommate would kill me, I have no idea how I'm going to be able to organize everything. You should've told me sooner."

And just like that, she goes into panic mode and starts rambling. I could interrupt her and tell her that I have everything planned, including a place to stay and a rental car ready in case we want to go somewhere, but she just sounds so cute when she goes on and on like this. I do decide that enough is enough when she seems to be going into full power mode. 

"Love, you are aware that I have taken care of everything, right?" I laugh and she pauses her rant. "I have booked an apartment near your campus so that you can stay with me and still attend classes without needing to run around. I've also rented a car for us to visit places during the weekend."