Two for Tragedy

4. Prelude to Shadows

It was finally announced: "Double the Power: Requiem of the Fallen and Tokio Hotel Join Forces for Groundbreaking Tour!"

Jo glanced at the headline as she walked briskly to their rehearsal space, her heart fluttering with a mix of excitement and anxiety. The tour name, Symphony of Shadows, echoed in her mind, a fitting title for a collaboration that promised to blend their dark, emotive sound with Tokio Hotel's pop-rock energy. With the tour starting in just a few months, the thought of being on the road for at least a year felt both thrilling and overwhelming.

This would be her second tour, but the stakes felt higher this time—she had never been to America, Asia, and Australia. She felt the nerves creeping in as the starting date approached. While she had no doubts about her abilities to perform live—after all, they were exceptional on stage—what truly gnawed at her was the uncertainty of the atmosphere. Would both bands coexist harmoniously, or would they remain distant factions? On top of that, she was the only girl surrounded by eight guys.

Jo had already discussed her concerns with the manager, insisting on having her own private room, no matter how small. He had agreed, assuring her that both bands would be separated into two hotel suites, with her having her own space. However, he also mentioned that there would be times when they'd have to sleep in a camper due to the long stretches on the road. Jo found some comfort in knowing she could retreat to her own room most of the time, even if it wasn't always guaranteed.

Finally arriving at the practice venue, Jo stepped inside and greeted her bandmates. They immediately dove into their routine—practicing cues, sound checks, and light checks—each member contributing their part to the preparation. They were determined to refine their performance over the next three months, perfecting every detail in anticipation of the tour.

"Record-Breaking Demand: Symphony of Shadows Tour Dates Completely Sold Out!"

Jo picked up a newspaper lying on the table and read another headline. This time, she was at the airport, coffee in hand, with her bandmates by her side. They were about to fly from Finland to Germany, where they would finally meet the Tokio Hotel band. The news of their sold-out tour only heightened the buzz around them, but it also underscored the reality that, despite knowing they were touring together, neither band had reached out to the other.

Jo picked up her phone as they waited at the gate, scrolling absentmindedly before her eyes landed on Aleksander sitting across from her, tapping away on his own phone. She sighed, putting her phone down.

"I can't believe we're about to meet Tokio Hotel in a few hours and then spent every day together for a year," she said, the words almost tasting foreign on her tongue.

Aleksander looked up, raising an eyebrow. "Nervous?"

Jo shrugged, crossing her arms. "More like... bracing myself. You remember that time I thought Tom was some random fan, right? He's probably still pissed about that."

Aleksander chuckled, shaking his head. "Oh yeah. How could I forget? He tried to hit on you, and you just dismissed him like he was nobody. The guy's ego must've taken a hit."

Jo smirked. "Yeah, well, that was almost two years ago. He should've gotten over it by now."

Aleksander tilted his head, giving her a knowing look. "Jo, you know these types. Players like Tom, they don't forget easily when someone bruises their pride. Maybe you should apologize. Smooth things over before it gets awkward."

Jo made a face, shaking her head. "Apologize? For what? He was acting like a fanboy—how was I supposed to know he was the Tom Kaulitz? It's not like I keep up with every band out there. And honestly, he's the one who should apologize for being so full of himself."

Aleksander sighed. "I'm just saying, it might make things easier if you clear the air. They're going to be with us for this entire tour, and if Tom's holding onto a grudge, things could get... messy. Besides, you don't want that drama distracting you on stage."

Jo leaned back in her chair, looking up at the ceiling. "Ugh, I don't know, Aleks. I feel like if I bring it up, it'll just make things worse. It's not like we've been talking for the last two years. Why should I even care?"

Aleksander gave her a teasing grin. "Because you're too proud to let anything go, and you hate it when people have the wrong impression of you."

Jo rolled her eyes. "I don't care what Tom thinks of me."

He raised an eyebrow. "You sure about that?"

She hesitated for a second before waving it off. "I'm sure. He's just going to have to deal with it."

Aleksander laughed, leaning forward. "Alright, but when he gives you that sulky 'I'm too cool for this' look, don't say I didn't warn you. Still, you've got to admit—it's kinda funny. Tom Kaulitz, brought down a notch by Jo of all people."

Jo cracked a smile at that, but there was a twinge of tension under it. "Yeah, well, I'm not about to feed his ego by groveling over something that wasn't even a big deal. I'll just keep it professional. We don't have to be friends. Just... bandmates for the next few months."

Aleksander shrugged. "Whatever you say, but you know Bill's probably going to try and play peacemaker between you two. The guy can't stand drama."

Jo let out a groan. "Great. Just what I need—Bill trying to mediate like some kind of pop psychologist."

Aleksander smirked, leaning back. "This tour's gonna be fun."