Lover/Leaver (Jake Kiszka)

Chapter 1: The Opportunity

"Oh my holy Lord-She sets my soul on fire-Flames of love and sweet perfume-She's my heart desire-She's an angel straight from Hell-Draws me to the deep-In darkness, way below-It's my heart she'll keep"

Amelia Parker sat in the cramped coffee shop, the air thick with the scent of espresso and baked goods. Her fingers tapped nervously on her laptop keyboard as she scrolled through yet another list of job postings. College graduation was supposed to be a gateway to new opportunities, but so far, it felt like a dead end. Her degree in music theory was impressive on paper but it hadn't helped her land any of the jobs she's applied for.

She sighed, brushing a strand of her dark hair behind her ear, and glanced around the cafe. It was packed with students and freelancers, all seemingly absorbed in their own worlds. Amelia couldn't shake the feeling of being stuck, her dreams of making it big in the rock scene felt increasingly distant.

Her phone buzzed on the table, pulling her out of her trance. She glanced at the screen and saw a familiar name flashing, Mike her manager, Her heart skipped a beat because when Mike called it was usually for a gig.

"Hey Mike," she answered, trying to keep her voice steady despite the butterflies in her stomach.

"Amelia! How's it going?" Mike's voice was upbeat, a good sign.

"Same old, same old. What's up?"

"Listen, I have got some great news that I think you're going to like," he said, a hint of excitement in his tone. "You know how we've been trying to get you some bigger gigs?"

"Yeah, but nothing's really panned out," she replied, trying to keep her expectations in check.

"Well, that might be about to change. I just got off the phone with the tour manager for Greta Van Fleet. They're looking for an opening act for their upcoming tour, and they were offering it to you guys!"

Amelia nearly dropped her phone. "What! Are you serious?"

"Dead serious. They saw some of your videos online and were impressed. They want to meet you guys and see if you're a good fit for the tour."

Her mind raced, excitement bubbling up despite her best efforts to stay calm. "This is huge, Mike. When do they want to meet?"

"Next week. They'll be in town for a few days, so it's a perfect opportunity. Think you can be ready by then?"

"Absolutely," She said, her confidence surging. "We'll be ready."

"Great. I'll send you the details. This could be your big break, Amelia. Don't blow it"

"I won't," she promised, hanging up and staring at her phone in disbelief.

Amelia attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, a prestigious institution known for nurturing some of the greatest music talents. She has chosen to major in music theory, a decision driven by her deep fascination with the technical aspects of music and her desire to understand the mechanics behind the sounds she loved. Berklee had been her dream school since she was teenager, and getting accepted had felt like a monumental achievement.

Her college life was a whirlwind of classes, rehearsals, and gigs. Amelia had quickly become known for her fiery guitar skills and her independent spirit. She played lead guitar in a band called The Echoes, a group she had formed with her best friends: Lisa, the lead vocalist with a voice that could shake the rafters; Max, the drummer who always kept perfect time; and Eddie, the bassist who could make his instrument sing.

The Echoes had started playing small venues around Boston-dive bars, college parties, and open mic nights. Their sound was a blend of classic rock and modern indie, with Amelia's intricate guitar solos often stealing the spotlight. Over time they had built a modest but dedicated following, enough to get them regular gigs at some of the more popular local spots.

Despite their growing reputation, breaking into the larger music scene had proven difficult. The competition was fierce, and opportunities to open for well-know acts were rare. Amelia had poured everything into her music, often sacrificing sleep and social life to perfect her craft. Her bandmates were just as dedicated, sharing the same dream of making it big.

Amelia's friends outside the band were supportive, though they often teased her about her single-minded focus on her music. Her roommate Jess, a photography major was her biggest cheerleader. Jess would often accompany The Echoes to their gigs, capturing their performances with her camera and helping them build a presence on social media.

Balancing college life and her musical ambitions had been a challenge. Amelia juggled her coursework with late-night rehearsals and early morning classes, relying on copious amounts of coffee to keep her going. Despite the exhaustion, she loved every moment of it. Music was her passion, and she couldn't imagine doing anything else.

As she walked through the bustling campus, guitar case slung over her shoulder, Amelia felt a renewed sense of purpose. The call from Mike had reignited her determination. She knew that touring with Greta Van Fleet could be the breakthrough she and her band had been working towards. She was ready to show the world what she was capable of, and nothing was going to stand in her way.

She approached the studio, she could hear the faint sounds of music drifting through the air. Amelia pushed open the door and was greeted by the sight of her bandmates mid-rehearsal. Lisa was belting out a powerful note, Max was pounding on the drums, and Eddie was lost in his bassline. They had stopped playing as soon as they saw her.

"Hey Amelia!" Lisa called out, her voice ringing from the last note. "What's up? You look like you have some news."

"Spill it," Max said, setting down his drumsticks and leaning forward.

"Okay, so I just got a call from Mike," Amelia began, her voice trembling with excitement.

"Greta Van Fleet needs an opening act for their upcoming tour and they want us!"

The room erupted in cheers and exclamations of disbelief. Eddie's bass nearly fell off his lap as he jumped up, and Lisa enveloped Amelia in a tight hug.

"Are you kidding me?" Lisa asked, pulling back to look Amelia in the eyes.

"Dead serious," Amelia replied, grinning from ear to ear. "Mike said they saw some of our videos online and were impressed. They want to meet us next week to see if we're a good fit for their tour."

"This is incredible," Max said, shaking his head in amazement. "Opening for Greta Van Fleet? That's huge!"

"I know," Amelia said, feeling a swell of pride. "This could be our big break guys. We need to bring our A-game and show them what we've got."

"We've got this," Eddie said, his voice filled with determination. "We've being working our asses off for this moment."

"Absolutely," Lisa agreed. "Let's make sure we're ready. We've got a week to perfect our set."

They spent the rest of the day rehearsing, the excitement was so noticeable in the air. Each note, each chord, each beat was infused with a renewed sense of purpose. Amelia felt the bond with her bandmates strengthen even more as they played, their shared dream finally within the reach of their hands.

Hey guys how was that? I know this is a new story for me to write and I'm absolutely obsessed with how it's turning out! Please let me know how you feel about this story and any suggestions. As always see ya next chapter! ~T