Saving Adam

Chapter 3

Adam walked to the golden gates, hitting the button to open them, and walked onto his driveway where his car would be waiting. Shit. His car was still broken down near the studio. Okay, no problem. He would just call for a car. He pulled his phone out of his pocket. Oh, right. His phone was shattered, and his plunge into the pool had probably broken it beyond repair. He sighed. Now what? The good mood he had gained from cutting was fading away, replaced by the same hopelessness he felt the second his car broke down. He considered cutting again. Wait, what? You fucking cut your shoulder up!! He yanked his sleeve up, seeing the faint white lines that had now almost faded away from his skin. Horrified at what he had done, he reached into his pocket and took out the knife. Holy shit. I cut myself. He never thought he would ever do something like this. But he had. And he had enjoyed it.

He needed to clear his head. He began to walk in the direction of the studio, not sure where he was going. If a fan sees me out on the street like this...
He stopped walking and reached into his suitcase, pulling out the hat and sunglasses he always wore when he went out in public. Putting them on, he continued walking down the road.

After a couple minutes, he made it to his car. He got into the drivers seat and tried the ignition again. It was still dead. Swearing, he went to the back and grabbed his guitar and the bag he always brought to the studio. Putting the guitar on his back, he took the bag in one hand and the handle of his suitcase in the other. Taking one last look at his now useless car, he turned and continued the trek to the studio.

A couple minutes later, he made it to the studio. Unlocking the door, he walked through the reception area and into the lounge. Exhausted, he collapsed on the black leather couch, dropping his stuff next to him. He took off the hat and glasses, throwing them with the rest of his stuff.
"Adam?" He looked up, and saw the receptionist, Julie. "What are you doing here? I thought the band-"
"Yeah, we did." Adam said, tears welling up in his eyes as the reality of what had happened hit him. His friends, the family that had been there for him since he was a teenager, were gone.
Julie walked over and stood next to the couch. Adam sat up and moved over to make room for her, and she sat next to him, holding her clipboard to her chest.
"I'm so sorry Adam. If you like I can-"
"There's nothing you can do. They all hate me now." He sighed. A bell rang from the front, and Julie's head turned toward it.
"Just go. I'm fine, really." She stood up and turned back to him, a worried look on her face.
"Okay, well if you need anything..."
"Yeah, got it. Go do your job." He rubbed his forehead, sighing. "I'll leave soon, I just need a moment."
"Bye, Adam." She walked out the door to go help the customer, leaving him alone.

He rolled up his sleeve, looking at his shoulder. The lines were gone, leaving only red skin. He looked at the red patch, and realized how amazing it had felt to cut. It made him forget all the shit that was going on with his life. He took the knife out and began to cut again. The burning pain resumed, and he sighed, leaning back into the couch. His hand moved automatically, slicing the knife across his shoulder.

"Come right this way." Adam jumped, shoving the knife back into his pocket. He barely got it in before the door opened, and Julie came back inside. Behind her was a tall man in a white shirt and a black jacket. He had bright blue eyes and short brown hair with flecks of grey in it. Adam jumped up.
"Oh, shit, sorry! I was just leaving!"
"No problem. Adam, this is Blake, Blake this is Adam."
"Hello Adam. Nice to meet you." Blake extended his hand to Adam.
"Woah, woah, woah. What is he doing here?" Adam asked, ignoring Blake's outstretched hand.
"This is the new co-owner of the studio." Julie responded happily.
"What?! Co-owner?!" Adam shook his head in disbelief. "This is my studio!"
"No, it was Maroon 5's studio. All of you were paying to keep it. Since I'm assuming they won't be paying anymore, and you can't pay for it yourself, I got you a co-owner." Blake smiled over at Adam, who glared back.
"Does he have a band? Can he sing, play an instrument? Did you even do a background check on this guy? He could be an escaped criminal or something!"
Julie sighed. "He's a solo country artist, he plays guitar, and no, he's not a criminal. I know you don't want to give up control of the studio but you're going to have to learn to compromise. You two figure out what you're going to do, and I'll be right back." With that, she spun around and walked out of the room.
"Bye Julie!" Blake called, waving. Adam rolled his eyes, annoyed. Blake turned back to him.
"So, I guess we're partners now, huh."
"Yep." Adam said, crossing his arms.
"And I'm guessing you're not too happy about it?"
"Nope."
"What happened to your band?"
"That's none of your business." Adam snapped.
Blake held his hands up. "Woah, don't mention the band, got it."
Adam sighed, sitting back down on the couch. Blake walked over and sat on the other side, looking at Adam. His foot hit the guitar as he sat.
"You play guitar?" Blake asked, looking down at the case.
"Yeah."
"Me too. Maybe we could do a song together sometime."
Adam looked over at him, raising an eyebrow.
"You're a country artist. I'm a rock artist. How the hell could we do a song together?"
"We could figure something out. Could be fun."
"Right. Fun."
"Hey, just a suggestion. Rock and country aren't that different."
Adam was about to respond when Julie came in.
"It's closing time, wrap it up."
Adam pulled at his shirt collar awkwardly.
"About that, I don't exactly have a place to stay tonight."
"Me neither." Blake said, looking downwards dejectedly.
"Oh...." Julie paused, unsure.
"Can we just stay here?" Blake asked, looking up.
"Together?" Adam asked, disbelieving.
"Yeah, it'd be like a sleepover." Blake said, his face brightening.
"No. Not happening." Adam said.
"Please?" Blake asked, turning to Julie.
"I guess it's okay, as long as you aren't too loud. Besides, it would help you guys get to know each other a little better." Julie said, thinking. "Okay, you two can stay."
"Yes!" Blake said, fist pumping the air.
"No! I'm not staying with him!" Adam protested.
"Would you rather sleep out on the street?" Julie asked.
Adam sighed, defeated.
"Fine. I guess I'll stay here."
"This is gonna be awesome!" Blake exclaimed.
"Shut up." Adam responded curtly.