I Have Been Chosen

Oliver 6

Friday 16th January

The following Friday quickly rolled around, at least for some. It was a slow drag for Oliver, what with having no job; he would be starting his new one next week. The two weeks leading up to this were supposed to be spent with Arden as his ex's birthday was during that time; however, now that they were broken up, those two weeks were slow and arduous. Arden's birthday presents were still neatly wrapped and hidden in his wardrobe; thankfully, Kara hadn't seen them. Oliver didn't know yet what to do with them, they were too personalised to be able to sell and get the money back, nor did he want to give any of them to Arden. It was his birthday on Wednesday. Being blocked on all social media, Oliver had no way of knowing how Arden was faring, not that he particularly cared; they were broken up, nor did he feel he had to send him any birthday messages.

Instead of spending a week spoiling his partner, Oliver mostly remained at home reading, doing puzzles, or taking long walks, unless Kara dragged him out to do something or invaded his apartment with a carrier bag of snacks and a movie. However, Oliver did try and do something new: go out for a hot drink alone. Before, he only saw cafes and coffee shops as social areas, but he found a strange solace in bringing his books or puzzles into new scenery and enjoying a beverage. He had to time it just right to avoid the rush hours and when parents would drag their loud and screaming children with him, but the momentary experience every day took out the monotony and drove away the developing stir-crazy of having two weeks off with no one to spend it with, what with Kara sometimes being too tired from her job to socialise in the evenings.

Before, Oliver never would have thought he would look forward to going to a bar with live music, not that he disliked the music; it was the crowds they drew in. And yet, that Friday, he kept glancing at the clock, waiting anxiously for it to be time to leave and catch the bus into the city centre and meet with the rest of the band.

He dressed in his usual muted-coloured knitted jumper and a light blue shirt underneath; the top button was undone to give the sense of casualness, then he donned his winter coat, stuffing his hat and gloves in the pockets if needed, and headed out the door.

The bus journey there was less pleasant during the night, most of the seats taken by groups of nattering partygoers seeking to be wasted, all wearing deely boppers that lit up, giving Oliver a headache, so he had to avoid eye contact. Fortunately, they did not get off at his stop, and Oliver prayed that the group did not go to the bar Common Anomalies was playing tonight.

Being overly punctual, Oliver ordered a glass of lime and soda and waited until he saw the van pull up outside. He greeted Darren, Rheanna and Zeke again whilst Kara hugged him, almost choking him as she thanked him for volunteering to be their sound guy again.

Not shortly after they had arrived, Cody turned up, carrying his guitar and amp, having already parked in the nearby car park.

"Oh, look who has showed up on time!" Darren teased. "I don't believe it!"

Cody rolled his eyes. "It was slow at work, so I left early."

Darren frowned, his mocking fading. "You... left early?" he said slowly. "You chose to do less work?"

"Well, yeah, it means I got here on time and didn't have to rush," replied Cody, shrugging. "I had time to have a shower too."

"Thank god," sighed Kara, jabbing Cody playfully in the ribs with her elbow, which Cody jokingly threatened to swing his amp at her in return for the insult.

Everyone helped unload the van and take the equipment inside; once the vehicle was empty, Zeke drove to the car park, and the rest of the band members began to set up. Having arrived early to scope the new location, Oliver knew where to stick the wires down on the floor. This time, his inane perfectionism over safety did not cause the band to start late again. Instead, Oliver had already developed a more efficient system in setting up, configuring the settings and positions and wirings as the experienced sound guy he was, even if it was for school performances.

Before they did a sound check, Cody got everyone drinks from the bar, already knowing everyone's order; Kara's anything with whiskey, Darren's cheapest larger they have, Rheana's amaretto and cranberry juice, Zeke's cider, and of course, Oliver's lime and soda. However, Cody opted for his water bottle to be filled up, not choosing his standard lager, or non-alcoholic substitute, which Oliver saw received odd looks from his friends.

"What?" Cody smirked. "Am I not allowed to drink water now?"

Kara leaned over and whispered to Rheanna loudly, "I think he's been replaced with an imposter. First, he arrives on time, and now he's drinking water at a bar!"

Rheanna shook her head in disbelief, tutting.

"Aw, proud of you, man," said Zeke slapping his hand on Cody's shoulder, gently rubbing it momentarily before pulling him into a side hug. "Gotta treat your body right," he said, then downed a large gulp of cider.

"Well, I feel great!" said Cody when he was finally released. "Before, I was feeling shit and lacked energy. Turns out I was just dehydrated!"

"Why? How much water were you drinking before?" asked Darren.

Cody paused, staring at him, then said, "let's get that sound check going, guys!"

Once the sound check was completed, and Cody gave a thumbs up to the bar staff to turn the bar music off, the band began to play. Tonight it was the standard setlist called 'standard', a collection of songs with varying vibes and themes, all of which most people would know. The pub had been practically empty before the music began playing. Though it was still January, the place was not full to the point it was like packed sardines, much to Oliver's relief. But if these numbers were not busy, then what was busy? He did not want to find out. If someone ever tried to take him to a place fully packed with no open space, he would not dare go inside, no matter the amount of persuading. Once January is over, perhaps he will stop volunteering for Kara's band. Oliver did not know if he could mentally help with that many people around. It was already bad enough tonight as he was set up on a table in view of the crowd, with no pillar to hide him this time.

If Oliver had to compare, he would have said that the band's first performance he worked with was better, not because their playing was lacking but rather the overall mood. Tonight felt like a standard night, likely because of the standard playlist, but last week was different; it was filled with that intense and raw emotion of Kara's drumming and Cody's vocals. But, of course, Oliver preferred it did not happen; that performance was influenced by heartbreak; he would rather not see Kara cry nor hear Cody destroy his voice from belting out every song in desperation.

The performance's first half was soon over, with Oliver getting through it by sucking on a mint. As soon as the crowd around the stage dispersed, Oliver headed towards the pub garden. He needed a fucking cigarette.

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Loner by Theory of a Deadman

[Oliver watches the band perform, wincing as he sees the crowds gather so close to the stage. He shrinks away when someone just goes near the table he's sat at. There are people practically in Cody's face, dancing and screaming along to the music, and yet he seems so fine with it, unbothered, still playing the guitar and singing. That was one of Oliver's nightmares right there.]