After Effects

Chapter 11 - Sleep Trouble

All i could hear was my own heartbeat and muffled voices that blended into white noise. I was sitting on Nace and Bojan's bed with Jan next to me. Nace was on the phone with Gregor, our PR manager while the others were talking about the interview. Even though i tried to listen to their conversation, i just couldn't keep my focus. I was shaking with anxiety and horrible scenarios were racing through my mind in a pace i couldn't keep up with. Every ounce of my body was terrified of what news Nace would bring when he got off the phone with Gregor. We'd be told whether or not the interviewer would be pressing charges. 

My legs were dangling over the edge of the bed as i leaned my elbows on my knees, holding my hands against my temples and sculp. I was slightly tucking at my baby hairs. It hurt like hell but it was the only thing keeping me in touch with reality at this moment. 

"Okay. Okay, great. Thanks, Gregor." Nace removed his phone from his ear and hung up the call. Everyone fell quiet, waiting for Nace to bring good news. I looked up at him. What would happen if it was bad news? 

"You don't need to worry, Tuva. Gregor talked to the interviewer and convinced him not to press charges." Nace said and put his phone on the nightstand next to the bed. 

I nodded. Relief washed over me like a wave on the beach. I was still not feeling sorry about what i did, the man deserved it and nothing was gonna change my mind on that, but Gregor was a literal God for making sure the interviewer wasn't gonna do anything. (Gregor is a nasty fucking pig) 

I didn't have to worry about the police and as a band we didn't need to worry about our reputation or negative PR. Despite being told everything was gonna be alright, i couldn't stop getting hot flushes sent through my entire body. I could feel my skin and it made me want to peel it off of me. Strand by strand, just peeling off my skin, all the way from my nails so my face. 

"Oh thank God." I sighed and sank my head into my hands. 

"Good." Jan said. "That's good. 

"Okay, so we're safe?" Bojan asked, referring to PR. Nace nodded and sat down in a chair across from the sofa Jure and Kris were sitting in. Bojan was standing next to a window. 

"Sorry for worrying you gu-" I began but was cut off by Kris. 

"Don't worry, the dude deserved that punch." The others seemed to agree. 

"Yeah, had to hold myself back to not punch him sooner." Nace said and took a sip of his coffee. I felt Jan's hand on my back, soothingly stroking his thumb along my spine. I gave him a small smile. I could feel every drop of blood in my body running through my veins. 

They might say i shouldn't feel bad but it didn't help. If the interviewer had decided to press charges, it would've been over for the band. No Eurovision for us. 

Jure had noticed my energy. 

"The fucker grabbed you, it was just self-defense." He took a sip of his coffee. 

"Yes! Self-defense." Bojan assured. I got up from the bed, Jan's hand falling to the mattress. I tried to stim with my hands to calm down and expressing my feelings in physical form. 

"It might've been but I'm not sure the police would see it that way. Besides, all i got is my word against his and he got a broken nose to show for it." I told them. 

"Hey you got witnesses." Kris said, trying to calm me down from the very noticeable anxiety attack i was having. My hands were clearly shaking and just because i was stimming with them. 

"It wouldn't matter, i didn't even get a bruise and he still got a broken nose. There's no evidence that he came onto me first!" I shouted. I felt a tighten in my chest.