The Leavers

2 (3)

1:30am

"You're gonna fucking miss us, NYC! Watch our asses come back harder next time. Put your hands together for my band! Lee on bass...D.."

Lee zones out and loses focus as Tate announces to the crowd.

His eyes lock on the sidelines of the stage. Thoughts jumble through his head, mostly incoherent as he glances around.
He's sweaty, exhausted and aching, hands tired and stiff from 90 minutes of continuous playing.

He finally switches back to reality as the crowd cheers again, harmonising with their passionate applause. Lee lets out a slight grin to the crowd as he unplugs his bass, the other band members following in suit.
"I'll catch you guys outside in a moment." Lee calls to the others as he takes with him his bass to the white room backstage.

Again, he creaks open the plain door.

Peering through, his eyes focus on Jon, snoring in the armchair he was left in.
Lee breathes faintly and rushed, in the knowledge the Club closes in 30 minutes and lets himself into the room.

He slowly lifts the heavy instrument off and places it gently on the leather couch beside the armchair.
Crouching down next to Jon, he takes a moment to truly look at him.

Jon, whilst appearing sound asleep, undisturbed, oozes tension and nerves. His face is freckled and slightly scarred by teenage acne and his chin is slightly dimpled.
Lee furrows his brows at Jon, mind arguing back and forth with itself.

Awkwardly, he taps Jon on the shoulder, and when that doesn't work, he gently shakes him, causing Jon's eyes to flutter lazily open.

Lee watches quietly as Jon wakes up, at first gazing around the room he's found himself in.
He furrows his brows and squints his eyes as he focuses on the faintly flickering luminescent lights above him, mouth open in confused awe.

"You alright, man?" Lee asks, tapping on Jon's shoulder again.

Jon, dazed and confused, lowers his eyesight to meet Lee, still crouched beside him.

"Where arm I?" he mumbles, with shy eye contact. "Who are you?"

Lee glances towards the door and back at Jon.

"I found you passed out a few hours ago, you didn't look all that good so I brought you back here." Lee explains.

Jon, still dazed, nods slowly.
"Right.. and you were planning on leaving me here?"

Lee squints.
"No..not really. The place closes for the night in 30." He explains.

There's a brief silence for a moment until Jon sniffles and climbs, uncoordinated, out of his chair.

"Woah, woah, careful there. You ain't looking all that good, you're gonna need help." Lee insists, securing Jon as he stands up.

"No, no, i'm fine, I've got to get back." Jon resists, starting to stumble slowly towards the door.

"Dude, stop, you're gonna hurt yourself."
Lee follows Jon, scrambling in his way.

"Look, guy, I've got to get back, thanks for allll your help, whatever your name is." Jon sarcastically adds as he tries to move forward, ultimately stumbling into a fall.

Lee swoops in steadily underneath Jon, holding his arms and securing him upright.
"I'm Lee. Let me take you home, please."