Backstage

Part 6

Just like that, the day of our flight to Malmo has dawned. I woke up at 6 am, even though our flight wasn't until 1 pm. I just couldn't contain my excitement. I looked at the opened balcony doors and remembered yesterday evening. My heart filled with joy. I still had some photos left to edit so I did that. After getting ready I still had a couple of hours to kill, so I decided to go outside to the city to get some fresh air before our big trip. I stopped by a coffee shop and got myself some coffee. I walked for some time enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of morning in Amsterdam. I decided to sit on a bench and enjoy the view of the main canal. As I was sitting on the bench, I noticed that it was already 9 am. So, I went straight back to hotels restaurant, where we were going to eat breakfast with the rest of our team. I got some scrambled eggs and sat down at a table by the window. I was enjoying my food when suddenly I felt a slight tap on my shoulder. I turned around and saw Joost standing behind me. He was wearing a white, slim, long-sleeved T-shirt, baggy jeans, and the iconic black glasses.

"May I sit here? "Joost asked.

"Of course you can!" I answered.

We ate breakfast together and then took off to the airport along with other team members by the rented bus. Joost sat in front and discussed his performance details with the director while I sat more in the back and chatted with this nice stylist named Olivia whom I met yesterday.

When we arrived at the airport, we took our bags and went to register them. When we got our tickets Joost came up to me and asked:

"What's your seat number? "

"It's 17 B" I answered.

Joost didn't say anything and started walking around asking other team members what seats they got. I saw Joost switching his ticket with someone. He came up to me again and said:

"Now we'll sit together" he smiled, and I smiled back.

I have a big fear of flying, so during the take-off I closed my eyes and was taking deep breaths. Joost asked if everything was okay, I assured him I was fine. But he took my hand anyway and held it during the entire takeoff. That really calmed me down.

"Thank you Joost" I said awkwardly after the take-off.

"No problem, I'm not a very big fan of planes myself. "

The flight was only one hour and a half, so I took the book I was currently reading.

"What are you reading?" Joost asked and tried to take a peek at the cover of the book.

"Oh it's "Milk and Honey" a poetry book.

"Ok cool, cool do you want to listen to some music while you're reading, or will that distract you?" Joost asked while giving me one of his wired headphones.

"Yeah sure, thank you" I took it and put it in my ear.

He was listening to this year's Eurovision playlist.

"I like this one, who sings it?"

"It's Silvester Belt, Lithuania's representative"

"Oh cool, did you know that I have Lithuanian roots? My grandma's Lithuanian"

"No, I didn't, do you understand what he sings then?"

"Some of it, my grandma died when I was 7. But I still had visited her in Lithuania a few times".

"Oh really? How is it?"

"It's very beautiful actually, the nature is spectacular, you should go there sometime".