Stay with me, let's just breathe (Eddie Vedder FanFic) | Completed

Chapter 7 - Public

I was standing at the outside of the bar where the guys were going to be playing in a few moments. Eddie had picked me up and drove me and the band to the bar, shaking the hole time. Since there were six of us I had to sit in Stone's lap which made Eddie kind of jealous but he was to nervous and excited to worry about that. I couldn't blame him, this was going to be a big gig, a proper concert as Stone called it, something important for them and looking at the amount of people that were entering the bar they were going to play for lots and lots of people. I looked around for a few moments and observed the crowded area: long haired guys, good looking girls and a crazy amount of excited almost hysterical people. This was it. This was going to be the first of many great gigs and I knew that they were going to make it in the music industry. They had the talent, the passion, the looks, and the guts to show themselves to the world.
A breeze blew my hair to my face, waking me from my thoughts. I was waiting for Joe and Patrick to show up, so I decided to walk towards one of the sides of the bar and from there I could see a lot better if they arived. I stood there for about five minutes, but I was to nervous to stand still, so I searched my pockets for a cigarette. I didn't smoke often, but when I did it was because I was nervous or something was bugging me. In this case, I was more then nervous. I searched in the last pocket of my jacket but the only thing i found was a lighter, no cigarettes. "Great" - I thought to myself as I rested my head against the bar wall. I wanted the concert to go well, after all this could be the start of many other big concerts. Eddie and the guys were already inside to do the sound check and set their things up. I closed my eyes trying to calm down, but soon after I heard a voice close to me:
- Looking good sis! - I looked over to Joe who was holding the redhead from earlier by her hips. She looked good and happy to be with him, but Joe just looked like he was trying to show her off. My brother can be a real brick sometimes. Patrick was standing behind them, looking submissive.
- Thanks Joe - I waved at both the girl and Patrick - You guys ready to go? Eddie told security we could enter.
- Sweet! - Joe laughed and started walking towards the door that would lead us backstage. We all followed behing him until he reached the guards. They looked at us, but before they could shove us away Joe said smilling and confident - Eddie, the lead singer, is expecting us! - The guards looked at eached other and then at us before saying:
- He is expecting one girl and two boys, but I see two girls and two boys. So how is it going to be?
We all looked confused at each other, but than it hit me. Joe brought the redhead with him, and me and Eddie had no idea, so he didn't knew about her coming along. He was just counting on me, my brother, and Patrick. I looked over at them, but before I could speak the girl spoke facing Joe:
- It's fine baby, you guys go ahead I'm going to make my way to the crowd and we met after the show, okay? - She than kissed Joe, and he grabbed her but, smilling into the kiss:
- I will seach for that amazing ass of yours, beautiful!
I looked over to Patrick while whispering "ew, gross". He giggled a little and I looked over to Joe again.
- So! We better get going! - I said loudly, hoping the two of them could hear me behind their not so little make out session. I glanced over to the guards with a forced smile and said :
- It's going to be the three of us, it's that okay?
The nodded their heads and began to let us in. I was the last one to get inside, but before I could one of the guards screamed at the redhead that was trying to enter the other door:
- You have to buy yourself a ticket sweety! - They both laughter at her. She looked pissed of at the two and screamed back:
- Oh Jesus! FUCKING FINE! - She wield at them. God, that girl had a temper.
I followed Patrick as we entered a long corridor that ended in a large room. Joe was ahead of us, leading the way, not that he knew where he was but there was only one way possible to go: straight ahead. We continue to walk down the corridor as voices grew louder from inside the room. I could hear Stone laughing and enjoying himself. I smiled in the most silly way possible: I was glad they were more relaxed. Joe reached the entrance of the room where the band was and soon after so did Patrick and I.
The first thing I saw when I entered the room was Stone laying on a brown carpet laughing like there was no tomorrow. After that I looked up and saw Mike picking up his guitar from the ground and started playing some choirs. Jeff was right behind him, making weird noises and voices and was probably the reason why Stone was laughing so hard. The last person I saw was Dave, sitting in a large burgundy sofa with his drum sticks in one hand, moving them around like they were an airplane. Eddie wasn't there whatsoever and that got me worried. Was he alright? Did something happen? I thought to myself as I scanned the room still looking for him, in vain.
- What's so funny? - I finally said after once again look for Eddie with my eyes and trying to keep a serious and not worried face.
- Oh, Cassandra! So nice of you to greed us with your presence! - Jeff stopped with the funny voices.
- Do that duck voice again, dude! - Stone asked whipping the tears that feel from his eyes while he was laughing.
Joe quickly shook hands with everyone and Patrick followed. He was acting scared, like when he was a little boy. Patrick never liked being around lots of people, and I was surprised when he said he wanted to come. First of all this place was loaded with screaming gils and sweaty boys, I was shocked he haven't run through the doors yet. Patrick was never confortable with a bunch of people surrounding him, but he was doimg fine trying to keep himself calm and look relaxed.
- Hey sweetheart, if you are wondering were Eddie is, go check the backdoor. - Mike said to me smiling and with his finger pointing at a door behind Dave and his "airplane".
- Thanks Mike - I said, putting my hand on the doorknob but stopping and looking to Mike again. - Hm, before I go, can you do me a favor? Please keep an eye in both my brother and Patrick. Joe is way to excited, and Patrick... well, he is just trying to keep it cool.
- Sure thing! Don't worry about them. And have fun there in the back - He giggled as I opened the door and got through.
Eddie was sitting on the concrete floor, holding a piece of paper and a pack of cigarettes.
- Rockstars don't sit in the back. They scream at the top of their langs, push everyone to the side and sit right in the front, fearless! - I said while sitting by his side.
- I'm shiting bricks just thinking about going up there, I doubt I can push anyone to the side. I'm so excited yet so nervous to screw this up. Cass, this time it's going to be a big gig, with security at the front door and a room for us to be before the concert! People are calling it backstage! This is insane! One day I'm playing with the guys at a stupid bar that only has three or four drunk middle aged guys, and the next thing we know Stone magically gets us this huge gig at this huge place were Nirvana started their first concerts. I'm sorry, am I making any sense? - He finally finishes off, breathing heavily and looking straight into my eyes. I smiled looking at him and put my hand on his knee.
- You will be fine, don't stress about it. Just sing from your heart and do what you love, you will be just fine you'll see.
- Oh Cassie, you do me so good... - He picked my hand, kissing it - I want the band to succeed so badly...
- You guys are going to be bigger than the Beatles, you'll see!
- Ah, I doubt that, but living of our music would be a dream - he looked at the sky again.
- Thrust me, you guys will make it - I kissed his cheek, snuggling to his neck.
- YOU GUYS ARE ON IN FIVE! - A masculine voice screamed from inside the bar.
- This is it, the first of many Eddie - I smiled kissing his lips and running my fingers through his wavy hair.
- I'm glad you are were with me, you make everything better - He kissed me back. I stood up and put my hand near his for he to grab: "You coming or what Mr. Rockstar?"
- I will be there in a minute, go ahead babe - he kissed my knuckles, smiling at me with his eyes shining. I opened the door and went inside the room where the rest of the band was, still laughing. Boy, did they know how to have a good time. Joe and Patrick were already drinking some beer and chatting with the guys. Patrick seemed more calm, laughing with Stone. I took a seat beside Dave and looked at his "airplane".
- That's a nice airplane you got there - I giggled.
- Right?! RIGHT?! - He screamed looking excited - By the way, is Eddie alive or what? - He started to giggled with me.
- Yeah, don't worry this gig is going to happen!
The backdoor opened reveling Eddie, smiling as his eyes met mine.
- Joe, what's up man? - Eddie said to my brother with a grin. They have met a few times and Joe really liked Eddie. When I introduced the two of them Eddie just looked at me and mumbled "You forgot to tell me you had a fucking skyscraper-height-well-build-like-he-is-going-to-kick-my-ass-brother" . They get along fine which made me more than happy, although I wasn't surprised since my brother is one of the most outgoing guys I know. Eddie then turned to Patrick and gave him another beer - Sorry if the guys are acting like pre-schoolers, we are just trying to shook the nerves away.
- Don't worry, I'm actually glad Jeff and Mike found me and that now I'm here, I'm having a blast belive me - Patrick smiled.
-YOU GUYS SHOULD BE IN THAT STAGE LIKE YESTERDAY! - The same masculine voice screamed.
-Camon guys, let's make them scream their longs out! - Jeff yeld exited. They rushed to the door and me, Joe, and Patrick followed behind them.
Jeff and Dave got on stage and the crowed screamed with their arms up. Next up was Mike, picking up his guitar and greeting the public. Stone entered running all excited with his guitar on one hand and with the other waving at the crowd. And the last one was Eddie, but insted of going to the stage he grabbed my waist leaning me against the wall and pressing his lips against mine for what felt like forever. I kissed him back, and soon after he pulled away looking at me with a enormous smile on his face.
- You are my girl, don't forget that - He said while brushing my hair. I was speechless so I just smiled back and watch him get on stage making the crowd wild.
I watched the entire show from the backstage, always getting hit by my drunk and jumpy brother who got crazy since the gig began. Jeff was the most inhibited one, jumping around and smilling continuously to the screaming crowd, his colourful hat banging in the top of his head, giving him a funny yet attractive look. Stone was enjoying himself like he always his, playing his tone and having a good time with his hair down almost covering his face, but always grinning at the crowd, pleased. Mike was getting his shit done, with a serious face, packed lips and eyes closed focusing only on his music and nothing else. Dave was completely in his own world, his sparkly eyes, his bare chest sweating and his head banging at the sond of the music. Sometimes he would look at me at the backstage and smiled looking pleased and like he was having the time of his life. The concert was going more than well, they were killing it. Jeff's energy on the bass, Stone's guiding rhythm, Mike's screaming guitar, Dave's beat making the hole crowd jump, and Eddie's amazing voice. I couldn't stop looking at him. With his eyes closed, his deep and truthfull voice and his strong presence, he was hypnotysing me. I couldn't stop admiring him, watching as the public screamed his name begging for another song. He was doing what he loved and for him that must have made him more than happy. In that moment, watching him as he kept singing like there was no tomorow, I knew. I knew that I couldn't deny my feelings towards him. I didn't care if rockstarts didn't had girlfriends, I wanted to be his and I wanted him to be mine. No one else's. The lights turned and some off them hit my sight, making me wake from my thoughts and back away a bit. I wasn't going to deny my feelings for him anymore, and I didn't want to try and forget that he was important to me. I was sick off forgetting things.
The alcohol I had drank before started kicking in so I leaned against the same wall Eddie had kissed me in, still focussing on him. Some months ago Nirvana had been playing on that same bar, and now the guys were playing on it. Nirvana were now starting to grow and became well knowed, were Pearl Jam going to follow the same path? - I wondered to myself as Mike's guitar echoed in the pub.
- Are you liking it Cass? - I heard Patrick ask, talking loudly in my ear for me to hear behind all that noise.
- Are you kidding? They are amazing! Look at them! - I yield for him to be able to hear. Suddenly I was pushed away by my brother who was drunkenly jumping like a maniac.
- Joe please, I would like to survive this gig to congratulate them for their success!
- Yeah sure sis! Especially to congratulate Eddie ... - Joe winked at me.
- Oh, very mature Joe - I glanced at him with a disapproval look.
The music ended and I could finally start not screaming, just talking.
- What are you and Eddie anyway? I never understood you know! - Joe asked, trying to keep a sober face.
- Well, neither did I... - I awseard looking away to see Eddie talking to the crowd: "We have been working on this song for quite a bit and I wanted you guys to hear it if that's okay" , he started saying with an innocent smile. "I wrote this when I heared that a little boy shot himself in front of his classmates. I know this is not a happy song but we live in a fucked up world and we can't just ignore it, so there you go... this song it's called "Jeremy" and I hope you guys like it". He finished looking to the floor, not smilling this time. The crowd clapped and the song began. It was beautiful, and the fact that they were showing the world who fucked up we are just made it more honest and truthful.
- But you guys are like boyfriend and girlfriend or something? - Patrick asked, which I found odd since he haven't said much since the show started.
- I don't think so I mean, he never came up to me and said "Hey, we are dating now" - I anwseard, starting to feel the sadness growing inside of me. I didn't know what we were, maybe we weren't even anything. I tried to shook the sadness away and to look calm like that conversation wasn't affecting me at all. I started to focus on the song that they were playing only, but as I stared at Eddie I could feel jealousy growing inside me as well. The though of not being his was starting to hunt me. The though of him with another person scared me. He had became so special that not having him hurted me.
The song ended and Eddie brushed away the hair from his face and talked softly to the crowd "Well, this was the last one. I hope you guys enjoyed the evening, and thank you for making mine unforgettable."
They started to leave the stage waving at the public with a big smile on their sweaty faces.
- Oh man, I want to do it again! - Jeff screamed taking a towel and wiping his face with it, after taking of his hat.
- For Christ sake Stone get us another gig FAST! - Mike placed his guitar on the floor, next to Jeff's bass.
- Did you guys saw that!? People liked us!! - Stone started jumping around with Joe.
- They don't liked you, they loved you guys! - Joe screamed at Stone trying to impersonate a little girl's voice. Dave got of stage running like a maniac and yelling "I GOT TO TAKE A PISS".
Last one was Eddie, walking calmly and facing me with a friendly grin on his beautiful face.
- Hey there stranger... - He whispered as he got close to my ear, grabbing my waist firmly.
- You were amazing, all of you were! I told you that they were going to love you right? - I asked putting my arms around his neck.
- You did baby - He pulled me into a tight hug. His warm skin against mine and his sweaty hair tickling my face. I started to giggle which made him pull back.
- What? - He smiled back at me.
- Your hair is tickling me - I giggled once more.
- Oh yeah?! - Eddie said before shaking his hair in front of my face, making it tickle even more. We both laughed until he stopped and pulled me back towards him again.
- So, which song did you like best?
- Well, I have to say the last one, "Jeremy". I hadn't heard it before, and you made it seem like it was very special to you.
- It is, and you know what else is very special to me?
- I truly hope you say that it's me or else I will be truly hurt - I giggled again.
- I was going to say "food", but I guess I can say "you" - He trying to keep a serious face, but started laughing soon after. I pulled on my most serious face to try to convince him that I was upset, but he came close to be and his lips feel on mine, making me melt into him.
- You were truly amazing Eddie...
- Thank you for being were - He whispered before starting to kiss me again. We staid there for what felt like forever, and honestly I didn't want it to stop, but that after a while I heard Jeff screaming at us:
- Hey, lovebirds! We have to get out of here!
Eddie kissed me once again and smiled at me looking pleased and happy:
- Came'on baby, let's go home - He said taking my hand and leading me to the exit.