Dreams Can Come True

7. Miss you already

After a full day of intense rehearsal, it was almost over for us. I was busy perfecting a specific section in "Noise" when Hans, our manager, entered the rehearsal room. Stef, our musical director, gestured for us to stop, and we all looked curiously at Hans.
"How's the rehearsal going?" he asked Stef, who replied that we were doing well and that everything would be fine for the show if we kept it up. Hans then turned to us and began his lecture. "Guys, I would appreciate it if you wouldn't pressure me like you did earlier. We already had an arrangement with another band, and I won't tolerate your blackmail."
We all fell silent, realizing that Hans was right. He continued his explanation. "Next time I say no, it's also a no, understood?" We all nodded in agreement. Hans went on. "I've had a contract drawn up for Elise and Bill's secret relationship. You all need to sign it."
Now Hans specifically addressed me. "And Bill, I don't want to read in the magazines next week that you two were caught kissing. Okay?" "Yes, Hans," I replied, aware of the need to be discreet about my relationship with Elise. "We're sorry for pressuring you," Gustav added as he emerged from behind his drum kit. "Just don't let it happen again." He turned around and left.

Tom and I returned home tired after an exhausting day of rehearsing for our upcoming tour. The sun had long since set, and the streets were illuminated by the warm glow of the streetlights. Our footsteps echoed in the quiet streets as we walked to the front door of our apartment.
Tom and I dropped our bags and sank onto the comfortable couch. The fatigue of the day was in our muscles, but at the same time, we felt the satisfaction of a productive rehearsal day. "Where do you think Elise is?" I asked, surprised.
Tom glanced at me and then shrugged. "Maybe she's still sorting out some things for the opening act," he suggested. I nodded, but couldn't deny that I secretly hoped she would be here. It felt different without her.
I grabbed my phone and tried to call Elise. After a few rings, she finally answered. "Hey Bill," she said cheerfully. "How was your first day?" I sighed for a moment and replied, "Tiring, but good. Where are you, actually?" Elise chuckled softly on the other end of the line. "Oh, I'm at Bas's place. We were discussing some details for our opening act." I nodded understandingly, although I secretly hoped she would be at my place. "Okay, have fun then. I miss you here." She responded with a playful tone: "I miss you too, but we have a lot to do. I'll come over tomorrow, promised." I smiled, glad to hear her voice. "Sounds like a plan. Love you." "Love you too, Bill. See you tomorrow." We hung up, and I stared ahead for a moment. "She's at Bas's place," I told Tom. "Oh really?" Tom replied as he stretched out on the couch. "Well then, we have the place to ourselves." I nodded, but couldn't suppress a slight disappointment.
I decided to send her another message. "Miss you already. X" Tom rolled his eyes. "Seriously, Bill? That sounds almost like you're married or something."
I chuckled. "Maybe it feels like it."
We waited for a while but didn't get an immediate response. Meanwhile, Tom told me about the details of the rehearsals and what we still needed to fine-tune. The distracting conversation was welcome, but my thoughts kept drifting back to Elise.
After a while, I got a message back from Elise. "Miss you too! xx"
I smiled as I read her message and sent Elise another message back: "How's it going over there with Bas? X." As I waited for her reply, Tom looked at me with a grin. "You sound like a teenager with a crush," he teased. I smiled and said, "Oh well, it's just that I haven't seen her much today." Tom laughed, "Not jealous of Bas, are you?" I shook my head. "No, not at all. I know she's missed her best friend, and it's good for her to spend some time with him." Tom nodded understandingly. "Exactly, relax, Bill. We have an evening to ourselves. Let's enjoy it."
"What are we going to do?" Tom asked after grabbing a coke from the kitchen. I thought for a moment, and in the meantime, I noticed that Elise had replied saying she was having a cozy evening with Bas. "Maybe just watch a movie or something?" Tom nodded in agreement. "Sounds good, Bill. Let's take it easy tonight." We decided to put on a movie and relax after a tiring day.
During the movie, however, I felt my phone vibrate. My heart skipped a beat when I saw Elise's name on the screen. I opened the message and read her sweet words: "Goodnight, I love you." A smile spread across my face, and I felt butterflies in my stomach. Tom noticed my grin and teasingly threw a pillow at me. "Hey, watch the movie, or you'll miss everything." With a laugh, I threw the pillow back at Tom, but my thoughts were still on Elise.
As the movie continued, I sent Elise a sweet message back: "Goodnight, darling. I love you too. Xx" The warmth I felt spread throughout my entire being. The rest of the evening, Tom and I enjoyed the movie, occasionally joking and enjoying the brotherly atmosphere. It was a good end to a tiring day, knowing that Elise had a nice evening and that we would be together again tomorrow.