Ready for it? (Joost Klein)

10

Joost and I stop at a food stall at the festival that he said we absolutely had to go to.

"With 1 bite you immediately get to know the Dutch culture!"

He orders 2 different things, pays and takes me to a quiet spot. We sit on a bench overlooking the stage.

"So... first you have to try this. It's a frikandel in puff pastry."

He hands me something that smells delicious, and I take a bite. The taste is even better than the smell. "Oh my god, the whole world should know about this!"

Joost nods. "Right? It tastes even better at 4 a.m. when you're drunk." I eat half of this thing and then hand it to him.

"Don't you want to eat?"He takes one bite and then hands the rest back to me. "I'll eat later."

When I've eaten the thing completely, he brings out the second package. "This is more like dessert. It's a waffle with syrup."

We both take a syrup waffle and again, it's very tasty. "No, seriously. What is it that you guys put in your food?"

Joost laughs. "Every country has its specialties."

"I'm a little nervous for later, though. The audience has come here for you. Maybe they won't be happy to see me."

"Livia, don't be. Just be yourself and have fun. And I'll be beside you on stage all the time. If there is anything you tell me and then you can always leave the stage if you want."

A few hours later, the performance started. Hundreds of fans are watching Joost. They are shouting, dancing and singing along. I sit backstage waiting and talking to Apson.

"Dear people, I have a guest with me for you. Some will know her, some won't.                           

To me, she is the person who can get on your nerves so hard and with whom you could argue about anything.   But at the same time, she is also the person that, when I was standing in a room where I didn't know anyone, only she could make me feel at ease. 

Ladies and gentlemen, here is Livia Lissens!"

I haven't even been able to let his speech sink in because Apson pushes me onto the stage. As soon as I am visible, the audience cheers for me. 

Joost grabs my hand and pulls me all the way to the front.'

Europapa begins to play, and the audience is so enthousiastic. I set my mind to zero and decide to enjoy this. Just like in the karaoke bar, Joost and I sing Europapa together.

I do not sing along with some parts because it is still his song. And the show goes on like this for hours. Song after song I become more confident and start to really sing along with the audience.

Joost regularly points to his hoodie, which I am also still wearing, and then shouts into his microphone the name of his webshop.

After quite a while, Joost stops the music and beckons for me to come to him. He puts an arm around me. "Dear people, let Livia hear how much you enjoyed her!"

The audience cheers and I have to contain my adrenaline. 

"Netherlands, thank you for your enthusiasm! Joost, thank you for getting me here at the last minute."

Suddenly I feel Joost's both arms around me. This is the first time I have been this close to him. I hug him back and then turn to the audience one last time. "See you in Eurovision 2024!"

The audience cheers as I go backstage.

This was crazy.

I watch Joost as he sings Europapa one last time. And subconsciously I get a big smile on my face.

Hours later, in the late evening, Elio is there again with his car. I have just said goodbye to Apson and everyone backstage. Joost comes up to me with a bag of syrup waffles.

"I just bought these for you. Then you'll have something to eat on the way."

"Thanks for this evening, Joost. I really had a good time. And also thanks for the food."

I want to take off his hoodie but he stops me.

"No, keep it. Seeing my name on something you're wearing is nice. You look good with it. very good. Not just with my hoodie by the way."

There is silence for a few seconds as I hold his gaze.

Then suddenly Elio steps out. "Livia, are you coming?"

Joost and I break our eye contact and I turn around. "Yes, I'm coming. See you Tuesday, Joost!" I wave to him before getting into the car. He waves back until the car drives away.

In the car, his words stick around in my head.