𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 | 𝘑𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘒𝘭𝘦𝘪𝘯

Chapter 14 - Soft Launch

"Okay so October or November?", Ellie wanted to know. We were currently discussing when the best release date for my album would be.
Besides the time needed to finish the album we had to plan the promotion time as well.
"Either end of October or beginning of November", I replied, looking up the dates.
"October 21st sounds sick", Joost uttered from beside me. I agreed, it did sound pretty nice:
"I can manage that, to be honest and we still have enough time."
"Alright so it's settled", Ellie clapped cheerfully.

I had most of the songs down but I was severely indecisive about the leading song and name of the album. I looked through the list of song titles in my notes app.
The sequence still had to be decided. Why is it so hard to choose? Should I start with a slower song or a more danceable one?

I sighed in distress, rubbing my face with my palms.
"What's wrong?", Alanis urged.
"I really can't decide on a leading single", I said, observing my list of songs once more.
"Trust your gut, Len. I know you want it to be 100% perfect and it will be if you trust yourself. I know you have a feeling for it", Joost adviced me, squeezing my side.
"But there are like three songs with a completely different meaning than the others", I whined, throwing my head back,"I can't talk about love in one song and the next talks about being insecure."
"Stop stressing yourself, Lenny. You still have time until you announce the album!", Teun tried to comfort me with a smile.
"Fine, I'll figure it out."

——

Hours had passed by and I had become silent.
I sat on our couch with my earphones while my legs were draped over Joost's lap. He held them in place while talking to Teun and Aggu about some organisation stuff.
I listened to every song on my album individually, letting them do their thing in hopes it would make my decision easier. It's not like I had to figure it out now but I wanted to. I was excited to announce the album and didn't want to wait. Surprisingly, it did make the decision easier.

1. Sugarcoated
2. Bad Idea Right?
3. Ganni Top
4. Close To You
5. Car Park
6. The Things We Say
7. Teenage Dream
8. Lifetime of Wanting
9. Pretty Isn't Pretty
10. Remember When

That was my final tracklist, it made sense to me. The album would start with a lot of energy but would get slower towards the middle and get more upbeat again. I closed my eyes, reflecting on every track.

Lifetime of Wanting.

My debut album would be called that. It described the entire album perfectly and put a bigger spotlight on the song as well.
I let out the deep breath I seemed to be holding the entire time without knowing.

——

"I love your outfit so much, Alanis", I complimented her. We were getting ready for a night out. I have never partied in an actual club in the Netherlands before.
"Thank you! I like your outfit as well", Alanis replied with a big grin.
I was wearing a short skirt with a printed white baby tee, a leather jacket covering it slightly and white sambas to match my tshirt.
I thanked her before finishing off my hair.

We waited for our bus into the city for about 10 minutes. Joost leaned against a wall. I stood in between his legs while he held me closely from behind. I looked down at our matching shoes, taking a picture at the sight.
I love soft launching.

—Instagram—

lennon.not.john just posted a story!

—Twitter—

lennyupdates
Lennon just posted a picture with an unknown man on her Instagram story! Who could it be? 👀

| lennyfanpage1 If that's Aggu I'll sob, I've been rooting for them since day 1

| lennyfanpage2 I think it's one of the Inhaler guys! She was really close to Bobby while she was opening for them. I met them together on the streets of Dublin on one of their off days!

| lennyfanpage3 WAIT does this mean we get love songs on the album?????
— lennyupdates Maybe??

————————

"My twitter is exploding right now", Ellie cried out as we sat on our bus to Leeuwarden.
"Why is that?", Teun asked looking over her shoulder.
"Lenny decided to soft launch Joost and now there are hundreds of theories about who it might be", she answered again with a groan.
I laughed at my best friend's reaction and shrugged: "Didn't think it would be that big of a deal." "Well it is Lenny! People are debating whether it's Aggu or Rob."
"Who's Rob?", Joost asked confused.
"Inhaler's bassist. We were close while I was their support act", I explained, not worrying since that time was over.
"A little too close if you ask me", Aggu laughed,"I don't know if hooking up is a thing between friends, Lenny."
"You hooked up?", Joost interrogated me while taking his hand off my thigh. "No, I mean yeah but it was a one time thing! We both agreed we wouldn't work."
He nodded in acknowledgment but stayed quiet.

——

Our night out went like it always did. We were all drunk, Joost a little more than usual. I don't know why exactly but didn't question it. Only when he distanced himself from me I started thinking about it. When I got drunk, I became even more touchy and also emotional. It really got to me. But I didn't want to ruin the mood and I didn't think the club was the right place to talk about that stuff, so I'd have to wait.

"Let's dance!", Alanis urged me and took me to the dancefloor.
Right when we reached Ellie in the middle, the song switched to "Breakin' Dishes" by Rihanna. This was my jam. The alcohol in my system getting the best of me and suddenly the three of us were wildly dancing. I felt free in that moment. All problems long gone.

I used to be a dancer. I quit when I was 18 because I realised music was what I wanted to pursue and focus on. My love and passion for dancing never stopped though. The confidence while dancing never left my body either.

After the song came to an end, I dragged my friends to the bar. I felt a pair of eyes on me, looking around to find them. It was Joost on the other side of the room. He looked... mesmerised? This man was very confusing tonight. That didn't keep me from enjoying my night. I was having quite a lot of fun.

Suddenly a hand touched my lower back.
It couldn't be Joost because my eyes were still on him. It couldn't be Aggu either, he was standing right besides my boyfriend and ever since we started dating he's been less touchy with me.
I turned around so fast that I got a little dizzy.
A strange man with the most disgusting smirk I've ever seen, held me tightly by my hips. My strength was limited due to the alcohol in my system.
"Don't touch me!", I shouted, trying to get out of his grip. He wouldn't stop, he almost looked turned on by it. His hand reached even lower to my butt. That's when he got dragged away from me. Aggu was holding him by his neck. Joost punched him right across the face.
"Don't you ever touch her touch her again you disgusting pig!", he yelled in his face, spitting in it in the meantime.
Aggu spun the man around and to the floor.
We left him there and immediately left to go outside.

"Are you okay?", Joost asked me concerned.
"I'm fine", I shrugged it off. It didn't enjoy it at all but this is not the first time I've experienced something like that, unfortunately.
"Are you sure?", Aggu forced me to look at him while bending down to me.
"Yes, fucking hell. Nothing happened it's okay can we please go back inside?"
I was shaken by the situation and also didn't want to think about it right now. I won't let a man ruin my night.
Aggu sighed and led us back into the club. Joost's hand had found mine and gave it a squeeze.
He was being careful, understanding that this had its affect on me.

I continued to party. My thoughts about the incident started to fade and I was blantly having fun again. My blissfully unaware girl best friends helped me a lot.

——
A/N
anyone who can relate to this situation or has experienced anything similar, you are not alone.
it's horrible that the majority of us have to go through this. talk to someone you trust, report the person and take care <3 hope u enjoyed this chapter anyway !!