Calum:
The time is 1:03 am. I slowly open the window and throw my guitar and duffle bag filled with my wallet, a change of clothes, and a toothbrush. I prop myself up and hop out the window. I run across the street where I parked my car and start it up. It takes a few tries, but it works. I pull out of my street and find the closest freeway. I drive. And drive. I don't stop.
The time is 4:24 am. I decide to stop at a gas station to fill up my gas tank. I open the car door and it's freezing outside. I shiver but get over it. I quickly pay for the gas inside and buy the cheapest snacks they sell. I now have $14.56 left. I quickly get into the car and drive off. I find the freeway again and merge on. Not that there's much traffic. Just the odd car coming home from a graveyard shift or going to work early.
The time is 8:35 am. There's way more cars so I decide to go on city streets. I look up and see the sign. The sign I've been looking for. Los Angeles. I don't have the energy to smile, but I know inside that this is what I need.
The time is 10:46 am. I have now parked my car on a side street and started walking around with my guitar. I decide to sit on a street corner after a little bit and I start fiddling with it. I begin to play different songs that I keep in my repertoire, including songs that I've written myself. I begin to feel the tiredness, but I don't let it phase me. I've made $10.50 and I'm proud. This is more than they'd ever thought I could make with my stupid guitar.
The time is 12:47 pm. I decide to go into a Panda Express to get a cheap lunch. I spot some people in the corner but those are the only people there. I order my meal and sit down. I place my guitar next to me and begin eating.
"Hey." I hear an Australian voice say beside me. I look up.
"Hello." I muster out after swallowing the last piece of orange chicken.
"I couldn't help but notice the guitar there, do you play?" he smiles.
I nod.
"Do you mind if I..." he asks, gesturing towards the guitar.
"Sure." I try to smile but it doesn't work.
He begins strumming a song that sounds all too familiar.
"It's a nice guitar. Where'd you get it?"
"From this shop back home." I whisper.
"Where's that?"
"North."
"Ah." he smiles.
"What brings you here?"
"To Panda Express?"
"To LA."
"Passion."
"For what?"
"Music."
"Ah, that's the same reason I'm here. That's actually my band over there." he says, pointing to the three boys in the corner.
"I see."
"Well how long have you been here?"
You look at your watch.
The time is 1:02 pm.
"About four and a half hours."
"Really? Wow. So you like just got here?"
"Yeah." you sigh.
"So what kind of music do you play?"
"Just kind of whatever comes to mind. How about you?"
"Same, but mostly alternative."
"What kinds of bands do you like?" you decide it's time to make a friend around here.
"Fall Out Boy, Green Day, stuff like that, how about you?"
"Same, actually my first concert was All Time Low."
"That's awesome! I know this is weird but do you wanna play a song for us? I mean we're looking for people to sign to our record label and we kinda wanna find undiscovered people."
Your eyes open fully for the first time in hours. You nod your head and take your guitar back. You begin strumming the chords to the song you had written a few nights back when you decided it was time to leave.
"Wow. You're really good." he smiles.
"Guys, did you like it?" he turns to his bandmates.
They all stand up and walk over to you.
"What's your name again?" the green haired one asks you.
"y/n."
"I'm Michael."
"I'm Ashton." the curly haired one smiles at you.
"I'm Luke." the other blond one says.
"I'm Calum." the brunette sitting across from you says.
"How would you like to come to a meeting with some of our record label peoples?"
"That would be insane." you honestly say.
"Ok, just go to the Capitol Records building tomorrow morning and we'll meet you inside."
"Okay."
"Hey we gotta go, but we'll see you."
"Yeah..." you say as they start walking away.
"Wait, where exactly is the Capitol Records building?" you stop them.
"What's you phone number? I'll text you the address?" the brunette says, turning to you. You take his phone and put your number in.
"I'll text you." he smiles.
You smile back for the first time in a while and sit back down at your table. Suddenly, your phone vibrates.
From: *Calum's number*
hey y/n, it's calum here :) how about we meet before the meeting tomorrow?
