Thru Fade Away - (Stone Gossard (Pearl Jam)X OFC)

1.

Looking back, Faye remembered how it was in high school when she met him.

Stone Gossard that is. 

He was incredibly shy, but so was she. They bonded over their love for the Lord of the Rings book series and their enjoyment in Bob Dylan and Led Zepplin. They would spend most days together, even convincing him to pick up the guitar when he showed an interest in an acoustic they saw in a thrift store window.

"You should totally get it." Faye said, noticing that Stone couldn't take his eyes off of the Yamaha.

"I'd need a paper round." Stone smirked. "You know what my old man would say...you gotta learn to pay your own way."

"I'll get one with you, then you'd have more to save." Faye smiled, knowing what it meant to him.

"No, you don't have to do that...it would be your earnings. Not mine. Get something you want." Stone responded.

The petite blonde nodded.

"I know, but I want to help you get that guitar. It's what...120 bucks...it'll take us both a few weeks to make that?" She estimated.

Stone looked at her, his eyes genuine and grateful he had this optimistic friend. She always made him smile. 

Her smile was infectious to him and it wasn't until they got a little older that Stone realised he had loved her.

He never told her of course, he was never sure if she truly felt the same as him.

Faye was a bookworm and spent most of her free time with her nose in a good paper back. When she wasn't doing that, she was hanging out with Stone and his friends, listening to music, smoking weed and occasionally going for walks in the forest. She never really had any female friends, not for any reason, just the fact she got along with guys a lot more and had more common interests.

Years passed and Stone found himself in a few bands here and there as a rhythm guitarist, whereas Faye would go to College. It was a little tough on them both, as Faye went to college in New York and stayed there for a 2 year course in Literature and the Arts. Stone was in a band called Green River and although he met a few female admirers along the way, he always thought of his friend. 

He never stopped loving her despite their distance from each other.

Faye had made a few friends in the dorm room she stayed in, both roommates and her first true female friends.

Faye never revealed her feelings for Stone, however she always held a torch for him. She missed him dearly and even when she went back to Seattle for the holidays, she would see family. Stone would be with his own family and then when she went to visit him he was always out somewhere. They missed each other.

A couple of years on in 1988 and Faye went back to Seattle after graduating from College. Her style was more reflective of what was seen in New York, she wore stylish dresses, but never higher than her knee, and occasionally the odd pair of Levi's with a band tee fashioned into a feminine style and tied at the waist.

It was around this time that she met someone who she would have her first serious relationship with. She'd been on dates and even slept with a few guys during her college years, but never had a real connection. Not like she had with Stone.

However this guy was a musician, a guitarist in fact who was playing some of the circuits. She had a type that was for sure.

After being in Seattle for a few months, she got a job at a local bookstore which helped with saving for her own place. Luckily her mom had let her stay back home until she was able to find an apartment.

Her boyfriend had his own place, so if they ever wanted time alone they would spend time at his, although she was there more often than not.

One Saturday she was working at the bookstore, filling up the shelves with the newest releases and ringing through purchases. It wasn't until the shop went quiet that Faye sat behind the desk with a coffee and a notepad, taking note of all the books she had sold that morning. The bell rung as someone opened the door and entered the store.

Faye looked up and then back at her notepad, then quickly realised who it was.

Her head shot back up towards the gentlemen. She stood up and their eyes met.

"Stone?" she said with surprise. It had been a few years since they actually saw each other and it was a pleasant sight.

"Faye? No way! How....I mean...when did you?" Stone said, trying to find his words.

Faye sauntered over to him and threw her arms around him and Stone returned the embrace.

They stood in the hug for a little while, enjoying the moment. Enjoying the feeling of finally being in the presence of one another.

"I missed you." Faye whispered into his ear.

"And I missed you." Stone replies.

His hair was much longer now and he wore corduroy pants, Doc Martens and a 'Malfunkshun' tee with a hooded jacket. It definitely suited him and Faye couldn't deny that this look was her thing.

Both 22 years of age and much had changed, but a lot had stayed the same, for example the way they looked at each other. The same way Stone would admire Faye, and Faye would enjoy Stone's beaming smile.

"You look great." Stone said as they released from their embrace. "Dresses suit you."

Faye giggled.

"You got style yourself Mr Gossard." she smiled.

"How have you been? It feels like a life time." Stone asked, genuinely wondering about her.

"Good! I graduated college! Just been back in Seattle a few months, thinking about bringing out the plaid...I forget how cold it gets here." Faye responds. 

"You graduated? That's fucking amazing! Congratulations!" Stone replied with enthusiasm.

"Thank you! Hard work pays off!" Faye says, blushing slightly. "So what have you been up to?"

"Band stuff, had a few shows, brought out a few albums...all kinda exciting." Stone smiles, his eyes meeting hers again.

"You have albums out? Stone! That's amazing! I'm so happy for you!" The blonde says excitedly.

"Actually...we got a show tonight down at The Paramount...you should come." Stone suggests. "I can get you VIP backstage."

"I'd love that! What time?" 

"8. I'll put you on the guest list." the guitarist confirms. "So I'll see you then?"

"You sure will." 

Stone heads towards the door again and nods at Faye with a smile before leaving.

Faye smiles brightly at the prospect of seeing her friend again, and then the bell rings once more and Stone walks back in.

"I uh....forgot, I need to look for a book..." Stone smirks. 

Faye giggles. "What were you looking for?"

"The Sandman Volume 1, by Neil Gaiman." he replies.

"Just to your right, walk all the way to the end to graphic novels." Faye instructs and Stone nods.

"Thank you" he smiles.

Faye continued to smile, her heart full.