don't follow - layne staley

chapter 4

Filling out crosswords with a newspaper spread out across the counter; Ivy was yawning and rubbing her eyes after her bustling night. She didn't particularly want to return to work, but money doesn't grow from trees.  The tinkle of the bell rings, letting Ivy's headache also ring throughout her body.

"Who knew Ivy from a little café was the singer of a band?" A deep voice joked, the familiarity fueling Ivy's exuberance. Her head tilts up, her dark eyes saliently glimmering with excitement. Layne. 

"You came! I was going to say hello but you disappeared so quickly," She put herself on the tips of her toes before rocking backwards and forwards out of the pure joy; her celebration from last night had obviously not faded away. The thought of him there being there was terrifying but perfect contributing at the same time. He was there to watch her performance, her every move. Her night identity was revealed; what would he think?

He laughed, "Your voice is incredible, but sorry, I had to leave pretty quickly,", his eyes staring directly into hers, meaning every word he said. His eyebrows were so firm yet soft and thin, gentle and kind. Their eye contact was like two magnets, unable to repel. Only attract.

"Oh I see," Ivy joked, plastering a disappointed face on.

"Sorry, I have better things to do instead of hanging around some band with some wannabe rockstars," He played along, grinning at their sarcastic humour. "My roommate was raving about your band beforehand,"

She laughed, "Really? Wow. I can't believe we are getting so much attention so quickly,"

"When's your next performance?"

"Well, I'm waiting for a phone call to see if my band has weaseled their way into a festival,"

"They'd be missing out if they refused, I've never heard a band more enthusiastic and unique," He said, unknowingly sending Ivy into a spiral of embarrassment. Her face was painted in rosy pink, alongside her ears.

"Are you here for your usual?" She attempted to distract him, indulging in a conversation that is less entertaining. His expression twisted from a determined one to an almost disappointed one.

"Yeah- Yes I am," Faintly losing the obvious reason he was here. He looks back at his usual seat, only wishing Ivy would sit opposite him; chatting and talking about any nonsense she desired.

The entire time Layne was sat in the café, Ivy only thought about his hurt face as she dismissed him. The repelling of their magnets, opposites no longer attracted. But she couldn't take her eyes off him; constantly flickering to him when she was preparing and serving for other customers.

Not a single guy has ever taken over her thoughts, attention and energy like this. She had no experience in relationships apart from the odd date, no one ever striked her as the one. Nothing bloomed her heart to swirl when their name was mentioned or their voice was heard. Nothing made her want to let them into her vulnerable pieces.

Settling into late afternoon, Ivy finished her shift and headed outside into the sparkling, spring sunshine. Sighing, she wrenched her eyes shut and faces towards the sun, soaking in the rays.

"You're the singer from yesterday! Ivy!" A guy called out, his long hair easy to identify. 

"Hello Jerry," Ivy chirped, turning her body towards him.

"How are you doing? You must be pretty happy after your successful show," He asked, his fluffy, layered hair glowing in the sunlight.

"Yeah, but then you forget you have work the next day," She laughed, tucking her stray whiskers of hair behind her ear.

He smiled, shoving his hands in his pockets. "Life is punishing you for having too good of a time. So, this is where you work?"

"Yeah just this little place, it's cute isn't it?"

"That's funny, this is a favourite café of my singer's. Anyway, are you still planning on coming to our show? I couldn't tell if you were seriously drunk or high off adrenaline and maybe agreeing to everything. I'd like to introduce you to some people who could seriously get your band places,"

It crossed her mind that he may be one of those men who fish for compliments but he didn't seem the type. Everything about him felt genuine and kind-hearted. She giggled at his profession in talking. "Yes, I'd really like to get familiar with the bands around here; I don't want to be out of the loop. I'd love to come to your show,"

"I'll get you front seats then," He confirmed, his eyes creasing and mouth turning upwards. His amiable charm definitely wasn't flirtatious in any sense, Ivy felt he was portraying almost a proud older brother; far away from any possessive and sensual context.

"Wow, I feel privileged. I don't really know why you're putting so much effort in," She admitted, biting her lip.

"Well, why wouldn't I? We're both bands that are new and could probably benefit from one another. I also think you're pretty sick and so does my bandmates," He reassured, the smell of cigarettes rots on his jacket. "I wouldn't want to witness good talent being ignored,"

"You seem too good to be true, you could be a walking, talking living scam," She insinuated.

"Lucky for you I'm not and I'm doing it from the kindness of my soul," He chuckled, wondering why she was being so skeptical. 

Ivy thought for a second. Most of the time men do something nice they expect sex in return because their brains are placed in their cocks.

"Do you want sex from me?"

He burst out laughing, his eyebrows raised. His shoulders jerked up and down as he leaned forward from laughter.

"No? I'm not some fucking weirdo Ivy, if I wanted sex with you it'd be a lot more obvious," He stated, the sunlight falling onto his face.  His eyes laid on her face, that was also glowing from the sunshine.

"Sorry, I was just making sure. Some guys around here just want to waste my time," She admitted, removing her hairband and allowing her hair to trickle down her back. "It's nice to have a friend that isn't my band," She gives him her smile, that was like the morning sun- warm and strong.

"You should come around my place, you can meet my singer. I'll show you a few tricks about getting into larger venues," He asserted, "and maybe get you some more friends" He added, laughing.

Ivy would usually say no to such. But some force compelled her to say yes. She desired to be spontaneous and adventurous- so why not take this opportunity?