"Music To My Ears." || Gareth Emerson x Reader

𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 2 - Garage Drums

All throughout your classes, you couldn't help but feel as if someones eyes were on you.

The bell rang.

Finally, the day was over. You stood up out of your desk and collected your books. You looked forward to going home and laying down, listening to music on your walkman. Nothing to bother you, nothing to worry about. Just peace.
You approach your locker, placing your things inside and removing your bag, swinging it around your shoulder. You close your locker and make your way home.
The walk home was peaceful, step after step you were daydreaming about all sorts of things. Suddenly you hear a voice from behind you.

"Queen? Nice."

You stop and spin around just to be greeted by Gareth, who seemed to be walking the same way you were.

"Huh?" You questioned.

"Your shirt. It has Queen on it." He pointed out.

You looked down at your shirt, remembering you did have a Queen shirt on. "Oh, yeah. You like them too?"

"Like them? I love them!" He said with a big grin on his face. "I'm Gareth." He said sticking out his hand for a handshake.

"I know." You take his hand and shake it quickly. "You're that drummer boy that's in my class."

"Oh? Well then the feeling is mutual. I recognize you as well, Y/N was it?"

"The one and only!" You joke. Earning a chuckle from him.

As you two continued walking you conversed, getting to know each other better. Sharing your favorite bands, your hobbies, your favorite movies, stuff like that. Soon enough you realized that both of you have quite a lot in common. You liked some of the same songs, some of the same shows, etc.
Sooner or later you arrived at Gareth's house. He stopped in his tracks, which gave you a sign that you had to close off the conversation.

"So yeah, I've always wanted to learn how to play an instrument, I just never knew who to reach out to." You finished off. "Well, I'll see you Gareth!" You waved.

He waved back at you, he looked unsure of something. Did he want to tell you something? You ignored it and continued to walk, making your way home. Or at least that's what you would've done if he hadn't stopped you.

"Hey, Y/N!" He called out.

You froze and spun around on your heel. "Yes, Gareth?"

He took a few steps forward. "You said you always wanted to learn how to play an instrument, right?"

"Yeah.. Why??"

"Come with me." He grabbed your arm and dragged you along with him into his house.

You stumbled along next to him as he shut the door behind you. He continued to lead you around his house, and eventually into the garage where a full set of drums stood. You looked at him, back at the drum set, and then back at him. You felt a large smile creep onto your face.

"Well? Are you just gonna stand there or are you gonna let me teach you how to play?" Gareth smirked.

"Holy shit, you're the best." You say excitedly as you rush to the set and take a seat on the drum throne.

He pulled up a random chair that was lying around somewhere, and sat down in front of you and the drums. He sat there for a moment, staring at you. You picked up the drumsticks and met his gaze thinking he would look away, but instead he just kept staring. You two stood gazing at each other for a moment. You felt your face starting to get warm.

"Gareth?" You finally decide to speak up. "What's up?"

Gareth blinked and shook his head slightly, being brought back to reality. "Hm? Oh,, nothing." He took a deep breath before explaining how to set up your posture correctly. He got up out of his chair and made his way behind you. He poked at your back with his finger, gently pressing, causing you to straighten your back.

"Your back needs to be straight."

Once achieved, he pointed to one pedal, and then the other.

"Place one foot on that one" He pointed to the bass drum pedal. "And the other on that one." He pointed to the Hi-Hat pedal.

He made his way back to the front of the drums and analyzed you.

Gareth nodded slowly "Okay, Okay, you may look insanely stupid right now, but it's a start." he stated jokingly with a big grin on his face.

"Fuck you!!" You shouted back, giggling as you crossed your arms.

He made his way back around behind you. You could tell he hesitated for a moment before he leaned down and overlapped your hands with his. His head peaking over your shoulder so he could see where he was guiding your hands. Your face felt like it was burning, His touch was soft and comforting.
Out of your right ear you could hear Gareth exhale slowly, trying his best to keep his composure. Before he could guide your hands to do anything there was a loud knock on his garage door. You jumped slightly, startled at the sudden interruption.
Gareth's face went red as he let go of your hands and walked over to the switch to lift the garage door.

"Sorry Y/N. I totally forgot the band had practice today." He chuckled, trying to ignore the fact that his face was obviously flustered.

"It's fine! I don't mind watching you guys." You smile at him, disappointed the moment had to end so soon.

The lifting garage door revealed 3 men standing with their instruments and equipment in hand. Once the garage door fully opened, You were the first thing they noticed. Their gaze went from you, to Gareth, and then back to you. There was a long moment of silence.

"There's no fuckin way." A man with long curly hair exclaimed. "No fuckin way!" He gave Gareth a big smirk

"Gareth, is that.. You know.. Her?" A dark skin teen chimed in.

"Guys!" Gareth said in a hushed tone, trying to get them to keep quiet.

Confused as hell, you tilted your head and furrowed your eyebrows. "Huh?"

The men return their gaze to you.

"So that is Y/N!!" The long curly haired man said as he slowly made his way to you to get a closer look. "Wow Gareth.. You sure do have good taste."

"Wait a minute, what's going on? How do you guys know me?" You questioned.

The other teen began to explain the situation. "Well you see.. Our friend Gareth here hasn't been able to shut up about yo-"

"UPUPUPA, JEFF, EDDIE, BOTH OF YOU SHUT THE FUCK UP!!" Gareth exclaimed in a panicked tone, cutting the conversation off before it would go any farther.

Both of them smiled and backed off, leaving you spiralling. Still confused as hell. You decide to shrug it off and pull yourself up from the drum throne, then make your way to the free chair in front of the drums and sit down.

"Well then, off of that topic... Let's get to work!" Eddie said energetically.

You watched as all 4 set up their instruments and equipment, eager to watch the group as they work their magic. While you waited, you couldn't help but wonder...

What that was all about?

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