Hurting Kind//Del Water Gap

Chapter 8

Holden

Sound check went great. Nat knows what needs be be done, so not many adjustments were made. Nat's time with me is coming to an end. I met Nat when we were in school. She was in engineering and I was in music. We had met at a local cafe one day before. We stayed friends and when I started making music, she helped me produce it. When I found out I was going on tour for the first time, I had invited her to work with me. We both already work well together. She's worked on all of my songs with me anyways.. I'll be sad when she has to go. I was dragged from my thoughts when I heard a knock on my door. 

"Come in" I called

"Hey you" Nat peeked her head in

"Hey Nat" I smiled at her, "Sound check went great don't you think?"

"Yeah all ran smoothly. Aren't you excited?" She asked me as she walked in. She didn't immediately shut the door like usual. Ivy walked in right behind her. 

"Yeah I think touring with Niall is really going to be good for me." I said not breaking eye contact with Ivy. She was so much quieter sober. 

"Oh this is Ivy." Nat held up her hand towards Ivy.

"Yeah we've met" Ivy spoke up.

"When's the last time we've seen each other?" I asked her not knowing if she remembered.

"It was backstage at the festival." She answered skeptically

"Right. I forgot you completely ditched that meeting."

"Sorry I got caught up with something." She looked embarrassed and a little scared

"I'm just joking. It's okay. Are you showing her the ropes, Nat?" I looked at Natalia

"Yup. She's going to be replacing me here soon" Nat looked at me with a sad expression. 

"Shoot, guys I gotta go. Niall texted me." Ivy spoke up holding her phone.

"This is the only time you are getting out of sound check talks" Nat pointed at her, "make sure you tell Niall that."

"Okay I will. I promise." Ivy said backing up. She walked out and shit the door behind her. I watched her every step. 

"Okay what's up with you guys?" Nat asked me. I tuned to look at her and she had her 'something is happening and I know it' look on her face.

"Nothing is happening. I swear." I raised my hand defensively. 

"Yeah okay. I've never seen you watch a girl walk away like that. Plus, you asked when the last time you met was? Hello? You always remember when you meet someone." Nat scolded me like a dog.

"Nat nothing is happening. I just forgot" I shrugged her off

"No you didn't." She pointed at me like a mom

"Nat, can we please just talk about sound checks, please?" I sat and put my arms behind my head. 

"Fine," she sat beside me giving up. 

We talked about sound checks. It didn't take long before Niall was done and Nat left to watch the fans stampede in. It's her favorite part and I have no idea why. All I could think about was the fact that Ivy was replacing Nat. I mean I love Nat but I'm excited to have an excuse to talk to Ivy everyday. 

I got up and went to go find Niall in hoping that they are together. I found him alone outside his dressing room. He looked up when he saw me walking towards him. 

"Holden I wanted to talk to ya." Niall put his phone in his pocket wanting me to follow him.

"Okay what about?" I asked kinda nervously.