Stardust Chords || Greta Van Fleet

Chapter 4: The Exception

I kept my eyes down, trying my best to contain my grin but it was no use. Part of me wondered if Jake had "forgotten" on purpose, wanting to make sure that Noah knew his place, or perhaps he truly didn't care at all. Either way, I could tell it got to him.

"I told you, they're all the same." Noah snapped, now heading over towards Jake's guitar.
"I already got everything set up over here, don't worry." I quickly said, not wanting to risk him messing anything up, especially now knowing how meticulous Jake was when it came to his guitar. He seemed pleased with the way I had it, and the last thing I wanted to do now was upset him.

Noah shot me a look, eventually rolling his eyes.
"Fine." He muttered. "The less I have to deal with him the better." I avoided his eyes until he hopped down and made his way backstage, unable to contain my smile any longer.

As bad as it was to admit, I loved when people put Noah in his place, and no doubt the fact that Jake called him by the wrong name would be lingering in his mind for the rest of the night, and as much as he hated to admit it, Noah cared what other people thought, and he was going to do whatever it took to make sure Jake never forgot his name again.

But something told me that Jake couldn't care less.

"Everything just the way I like it?" I heard from the other side of the venue. I looked out, now seeing another one of the boys from this morning. As he got closer, I could eventually make out the recognizable hair.

The singer.
Josh.

"Well, I don't know." I laughed. "You tell me." He flashed me a toothy grin, making his way up and quickly looking around before giving me a satisfied nod.
"Perfect!" He exclaimed. I could tell he was much more laid back than Jake.
"But you know, just as long as the king is happy." He added mockingly. I nodded, giggling to myself, knowing exactly who he was referring to.

"Is he always like that?" I asked, trying my best to keep a neutral tone. The last thing I wanted to do was offend any of them on the first day, but I also wanted to know what I was getting into. First day nerves are one thing. He didn't know us, so why would he trust us? But eventually he would have to if we were going to keep everything running smoothly. He gave me an indecisive shrug.

"Pretty much." He laughed. "But you get used to it." I nodded, looking around one more time to make sure everything was perfect. Josh noticed.
"Oh, he'll love you in no time." He laughed, making his way into one of the wings. I felt my cheeks burn as I watched him disappear into the darkness, hoping that maybe him and I could be friends.

But this was a job after all; you couldn't expect to become friends with every band you worked with, but aside from Noah, I really didn't have anyone out here, and my best friend Audrey was a million miles a way, back home in our small town.

I looked forward to our weekly phone calls to check in and catch up; our lives were so different, so it was always fascinating to get to see how life could have turned out if I had decided to take the college route.

Audrey did everything by the book. She got good grades, went to school, got a job and a boyfriend, now soon to be husband having just gotten engaged last May, constantly reminding me of how long Noah and I had been together without a ring in sight.

But deep down, I didn't know if I ever wanted to get married.
Things were fine right now.
Why change it?

But I couldn't wait to call her tonight and tell her about my first day with the new band. She was always so excited for me, something I hadn't really received from anyone else back home, constantly being accused of "ditching" them for my own selfish gain by running off and becoming a "glorified groupie."

They never understood.
But Audrey did.

I did one last look before hopping down and heading back out to the buses, now seeing that more fans had gathered outside, no doubt waiting for any trace of the guys.

They reminded me of me when I was young, their eyes so full of excitement and hope and.. passion. It was so beautiful to see someone love something so much, to get excited about something.

As much as I loved my job, I couldn't tell you the last time I had truly gotten excited about a show. I guess when you become a part of it, some of the magic wears off; you get a peek behind the curtain and realize how real they truly are, and perhaps they were onto something when they said you should never meet your heroes.

I could only hope that these guys wouldn't crush their dreams like so many had done to me. But I was optimistic.

When I got back onto bus, Noah was on the couch, his feet propped up onto the arm rest as he flipped through his phone, no doubt relishing in his "well deserved" time off before curtain call. I looked away as I passed by, having learned it was just better that I didn't know what he was doing on his phone, especially after the last time.

He kept his eyes glued to the screen as I made my way to my bunk, clearly unfazed by me being there too. There were times when I enjoyed the fact that him and I could be so comfortable with each other, but then there were times when I missed being looked at like I was the only girl in the world, and now that I thought about it, I couldn't even tell you the last time Noah lit up at the sight of me.

But I guess that's just what happened in relationships. Though, Keith always lit up when he saw Audrey. But.. Audrey was stunning. Audrey was the exception, not the rule. I guess I had just accepted that some people had to be the rule. And I was no exception. 

I plopped down into my bunk, rolling over to face the window before pulling out my phone, scrolling through and clicking on Audrey's name.

Jewel: will call tonight, cant wait to tell you all about it.
Audrey: can't wait! any cute ones this time? ;)

I bit down on my lip, trying to contain my grin.

Jewel: you're engaged, remember?
Audrey: oh hush
Audrey: I mean for YOU.

Audrey was never a fan of Noah. No one was, really.
But Audrey had always made it known.

Jewel: no lol
Audrey: send me a pic, I wanna see them.

I hesitated for a moment, peeking over my shoulder before quickly googling them, sending her the first photo that popped up. She was quiet for a few minutes before sending me a photo back, zoomed in on Jake.

Audrey: who's this one???

Another smile escaped my lips, my cheeks now burning red.

Jewel: will you stop it lol
Audrey: don't make me come out there.
Jewel: you know I wish that you would.
Audrey: I promise I'll come out to a show
Audrey: but when I do I'm getting you laid.
Audrey: by someone other than that loser.

I shook my head, giggling to myself, knowing that I couldn't tell her that nothing had happened between Noah and I in months. And not by lack of trying, only making me that much more worried about what was going on on that phone. If he wasn't getting it from me, he had to be getting it somewhere, right?

But even still.. it was better than knowing for sure.

Then I jumped at the sound of screams just outside. Peeking out the window, I could see that Jake had come back out to talk to the rest of the fans that had shown up, flashing them enthusiastic smiles, signing whatever they wanted, taking the time to stop and pose for a photo with each and every one of them.

Maybe they were different.

Jewel: talk to you tonight.
Audrey: can't wait ;)