Two Intertwining Melodies (Will Ramos)

XVIII.

It took a few seconds after I woke up, to recall what had happened the evening before. I had walked out on him. I had called time on us because we couldn't compromise.

The cold wave hit me again and the sadness swept me under. My chest was heavy and my thoughts were deafening. I cried rivers again and Maria held me close, hushing me like a baby.

"You said things you didn't mean, we all do it and he'll understand." She stroked my hair.

"I meant what I said though, I can't forget about my career for a man. No matter how much I love him, love won't pay my bills. I've neglected the band for months now, the album hasn't even been a thought on my mind. I need space, we both do. We moved fast and I'm paying the price now."

She comforted me until it was time to get ready. I flipped a switch in my mind, as we made our way to the festival. The band was my main focus, they always should have been. They'd move mountains for me, if I asked them to. I need to push my feelings aside for them, they're my main priority. Just like his band was his main priority.

By some divine miracle, we dodged Will and the rest of Lorna Shore before we played. Only running into him when we finished our set.

Will stood at the side of the stage. "Hi"

"Hey" I smiled faintly

"Can we talk later?"

"There's nothing to talk about, Will." I went to walk past him but he grabbed my hand.

"There's plenty to talk about. I don't want to leave it this way, how did we go from being so happy to this?" He looked heartbroken, it killed me inside.

"There isn't space in either of our lives for a relationship right now, let's be honest." My thumb stroked over his hand. "I love you, more than I could ever express but I can't follow you around like a stray puppy forever. I need distracting. I need to concentrate on my career. So do you."

"We're not over though, right? Because I take it back, I'll move to New York. I'll do whatever, just please don't do this."

"Then you'll be miserable. Then you'll resent me for slowing your career down. There will be a time and a place for us, it just isn't right now." I squeezed his hand and left.

I went back to our trailer and drank myself into oblivion. I'd hurt him and I hated myself for it.
I awoke to someone scooping me up from the floor.

"Will?" I hiccuped.

"Shhh, it's okay sweetheart let's get you back to the hotel."

"I'm sorry. I love you." I began sobbing. "I didn't mean to hurt you"

"Honey, it's not Will. It's Elijah." I squinted and was met with the dark sky.

"Where is he?"

"He's on stage, we want to get you out of here."

I nodded, falling back into my drunken sleep.
When I woke up I was in total darkness, Maria sat up beside me in the bed.

"Hi, sugar" she stroked my arm "how are you feeling?"

"Like there's teeny tiny men with pick axes working inside my head" I groaned.

"I can't say I'm surprised. You hit the bottle pretty hard there. Are you going to speak to Will before our flight tomorrow?"

"I don't even know what to say to him." I sat up slowly. "We need to work on the album, I need to concentrate. I can't be running backwards and forwards."

"You can have both. You just need to talk properly."

"No, I can't! His career is more important to him and I need to act the same. I can't be in love with someone who I have to fight to spend time with and I can't abandon you guys, for my own happiness. I was stupid to ever think me and him would work in the long run."