𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐆𝐄𝐓 𝐇𝐄𝐑 | 𝘑𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘒𝘭𝘦𝘪𝘯

✰ 23 ✰

Only Joost's spacious living room offered enough room for their entire team. Even Brunzyn made an appearance, it was rare. They relaxed on the soft cushions, some on the carpet covering the wooden floor.

No particular reason caused their gathering, all the friends craved was time to chat and have fun beside their careers. Beer and wine bottles adorned the table. It was nearing late afternoon, each of their minds started becoming blurry overtime.

Maeve was leaning against the couch, between Joost's legs. His phone on the table in front of her began buzzing. She looked at the screen for a clue about who was calling this randomly. A Dutch number, unknown to her.

"Who's that?", Evie asked, handing the device to her boyfriend. He had the same muddled sense until Joost could place the last digits.

"That's AVROTROS."

His statement silenced the group. Teun, Stuntje and Apson exchanged wide stares of revelation. Evie turned in her seat to face the blonde behind her and watched intently as he answered the phone.

"Hello?"

"Hello there! This is Niek from AVROTROS, am I talking to Joost Klein?"

"This is him, yes."

"Well, I'm thrilled to inform you that Europapa was absolutely outstanding in our collection of applications. We would be delighted to have you represent the Netherlands at Eurovision 2024 in Malmö!", the man excitedly spoke.

Alanis gasped, holding onto Apson's thigh for dear life. The friend group stared at Joost in disbelief, the artist himself blanched with his mouth agape. He managed to compose himself to, at least, finish off the call.

He grinned widely: "This is unbelievable, thank you so so much!"

"Of course!", Niek chimed,"We will be sending you the necessary information as quickly as possible. Talk to you soon, Joost!"

"Perfect, thank you", he hung up.

The final beeps signalled them to finally release their pent up excitement. A mixture of screams, laughter and words of exhilaration built. Maeve jumped into Joost's lap, engulfing him into an energetic embrace.

"I'm so proud of you, oh my god! You're going to Eurovision", Evie squealed.

Joost giggled admiringly: "I know, can you believe it? I did it!"

His girlfriend was quite literally peeled off his figure and replaced by the weight of his three best friends. Evie instead joined the celebratory dance of Nadia and Ali.

Although the crew was aware of the incredible news, they doubted to actively realise what it meant. It was a big step in the Klein's career, perhaps his whole life. He would be representing his home country in a contest, with his art. The one thing he was the most proud of.

°˖✧✿✧˖°

Christmas approached with the blink of an eye. Maeve feared the decision between spending time with Joost and his family or hers. Well, her mother assisted thankfully. She invited her boyfriend and his siblings without question.

Evie called it a strange first meet-the-parents, especially since it was Christmas, yet she appreciated the enthusiasm to get to know Joost. The Irish girl had no mistrust in them to flourish.

The events led the Dutch couple to sit on a plane to Dublin, with both Caspar and Lieke. The Klein siblings seemed mellow in comparison to Joost and Maeve. His bouncing leg didn't leave much up to assume and her constant checking of the time left them in a state of anxiety.