𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 | 𝘑𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘒𝘭𝘦𝘪𝘯

Chapter 36 - LOML

Pinkpop day one was a hell of a ride. Despite this being my second time, we weren't any closer to being organised. Actually, Stevie forgot her bass. Her bass! She's a bassist on her way to a show, how did she manage to do that?

"What are we supposed to do now?", Stevie asked restlessly. I was already overburdened.
I let out an agitated sigh: "Look up basses in the area on Ebay. We'll figure it out."

We needed a break, that was definite. Our showtime was set for 18.30 and we we're getting closer to it. "You have 40 minutes left!", Ellie shouted from the tent. I glared at her, although it wasn't her fault. I was overstimulated and exhausted.

Stevie jumped up and announced: "I found one!" Thank god. "We'll get it, you keep doing what you need to do."

They left me in the backstage area. My anxiety rose with every minute passing. Ellie urged me to do something against it, smoking, eating, anything. I refused, no way I would let myself get distracted. And drown in the misery of my own life.
10 minutes before we had to start, my band came back. With an older bass in hand and a wide grin plastered across their faces. I was relieved and finally able to calm down at least a little, adding a rookpauze to that.

——

My set went surprisingly well. I expected it to be as chaotic as the rest of our day had been.
We had three more songs to play as we got off for our encore break. This one-minute-pause brung us time to drink and catch our breaths.

"Lennon!", a yell from the backstage area was heard. I reversed perplexedly, thinking I imagined it. Bright blue eyes stared back at me. The tousled blonde hair laid on his forehead while he panted like he just ran a marathon. I frowned deeply at the sight of him. He marched over to where I stood. My feet quickly moved away from him, to keep some distance.
"Joost, what are you doing?"
"Talking to you. Lennon, please. I'm in love with you, I don't know why I did what I did, but I know it wasn't right."
Ellie shared the same expression as me, signaling me that I should go back upstairs to the stage.
But the audacity he displayed made me go insane. Does he expect me to fall right back into his arms after he broke up with me two months ago and then proceeded to tell me to move on?
"Should've thought about that before."
"I know, Len. And I'm sorry. The past weeks have shown me how much I need you."
I laughed in his face. Joost was being unbelievable, he had put me through agony for him to do this.

"Lenny you're up again", Ellie motioned for the stage. I did as told, taking a last glance at him.

——

I ran around the festival grounds, backstage was packed. No one did me the favour of answering my questions.
Apson noticed me coming over: "Lenny?"
"Where is he?", I grabbed his arms. He searched for any type of information on my grimace. No second thoughts, he guided me to the space behind the DJ booth, also known as Teun's spot. No one could see me, except for the people on stage.

Joost jumped around to his own music. Teun vibed, lost in his own world. 'Buurman' ended and Joost headed for the drinks. I stared. He saw me. Stunned by my presence, he turned back around.

"I have to tell you guys something. A year ago I met someone, here at Pinkpop. And I fell in love", Joost admitted to the crowd, earning cheers,"But I messed up. There's nothing I regret more. As you know, I don't care about other people's opinions. So this is why I'm saying all of this." Joost spun his head around to me for a moment to see my reaction. His intentions were unknown to me. He kept going though.
"I'm so fucking in love with Lennon Waalkes. She is the love of my life and nothing will ever change that! Fuck everyone who has something against us!", he yelled into the microphone. His audience roared at that, applauding the man.
Shock took over my face as I tensed up.
Joost, once more, turned around, this time coming up to me. My eyes followed him, the rest of me was unable to move.