Remember My Dreams

30. Welcome back

Saying goodbye to Bill this morning was harder than expected. We held each other tightly, as if afraid of losing one another. His kiss was soft but filled with emotion. "I'll see you tonight at the Tokio Hotel studio," he whispered. I nodded, a lump in my throat, and kissed him one last time before he walked out the door.
When I arrived at our studio, I felt a nervous flutter in my stomach. It had been so long since I was last here, and the last time I had been, David had attacked me. I tried to shake off the bad feeling as I opened the door and stepped inside.
Paul and Bas were already waiting for me, their faces lighting up when they saw me. "Welcome back!" they said in unison.
"Thank you," I replied, looking around the room. It felt both familiar and strange at the same time. I noticed that the rest of our team wasn't there, and a pang of unease shot through me.
Paul sighed deeply. "Elise, due to the delays we've faced, we had to let go of all the staff working on 'From Another World.' It's back to just the three of us until we make some money again."
My smile faded, and I felt the weight of guilt pressing down on my shoulders. It was because of me that all those people had lost their jobs.
Bas saw the worry in my face and pulled me into a comforting hug. "Don't worry, Elise. Most of them found jobs with Tokio Hotel," he reassured me.
I looked at him, hopeful. "Really?" I asked.
Bas laughed. "Tilly's going to be doing Gustav's makeup."
I chuckled. "Oh dear, Tilly's in for a challenge," I laughed back, a wave of relief washing over me as I hugged Bas tightly.
Paul clapped his hands and said, "Come on, folks. We don't have time to waste. Let's get to work."
Still a bit nervous, I stepped up to the microphone. What if I didn't remember the lyrics? What if I couldn't sing like I used to? Bas started playing, and I closed my eyes, letting the music flow through me. To my relief, the words came easily. It was as if my voice had never left. I savored every moment, my insecurities melting away.
It felt like coming home. The melodies, the words, the energy—everything fell into place again. Paul looked at me with approval, nodding his head. Bas played with an intensity I hadn't seen in a long time. It was clear that this was where we belonged, making music together.

After a long, exhausting day of rehearsals, Bas and I were on our way to the Tokio Hotel studio. Bas's convertible gave us a sense of freedom as we drove through the city. The cool air brushed against my skin, refreshing after the tiring day. The sun was still low on the horizon, casting warm hues on the buildings, giving the city a golden glow. It was the perfect ending to a good day, and I felt relieved that we were finally on our way to see Bill.
"Have you and Bill sorted things out yet?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me. Bas glanced at me, as if unsure of what I was referring to.
"What do you mean?" he asked, raising his eyebrows slightly.
"Well, I heard he wasn't exactly on his best behavior towards you when I... uh, when I was gone," I continued, my voice hesitant.
He shrugged as he signaled left and looked in that direction. "Yeah, Bill and I had a good talk yesterday before your surprise party," Bas said finally.
"Oh," I replied casually, not quite satisfied with his brief response. I felt like there was more to it.
"Bill and I are never going to be best friends, I'm afraid," Bas added, and I looked at him, surprised.
"Why not?" I asked, my eyes fixed on his face as he navigated the busy streets.
He sighed and cast me a brief glance. "I don't think he trusts me. He's convinced I have feelings for you," he said, his voice calm but serious. He looked back at the road, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly.
"But that's not true, is it?" I asked, frowning.
He smiled and shook his head. "No, of course not. I told him I'm only into guys," he said with a laugh. "Bill has no reason to be jealous."
"That's right," I said, feeling relieved. "You're just my best buddy." I gave him a playful nudge on the shoulder, and he nudged me back lightly.
"Should I talk to Bill again?" I asked more seriously, my voice focused. I didn't want any unresolved tension lingering between them.
"No need. We get along and don't fight. That's what matters," Bas replied, relaxing his shoulders. I nodded in agreement and let the subject drop.
"Oh, we're here," Bas said as he pulled the car to a stop and turned off the engine. I looked at the studio in front of us, the large, modern buildings of Tokio Hotel reflecting the morning sun, giving a sparkling glow to our destination.