Behind The Beat

V - A place to stay

The morning light filtered through the thin curtains of Rozalie's hotel room as she lay in bed, her packed suitcase beside her. Her flight was booked for early afternoon; she'd planned everything out before she even arrived—this whole experience was supposed to be brief, just a few days of interviews, a quick dive into the world of her favorite band. But now, after all that had happened, the thought of heading back felt almost jarring, as though she'd be leaving something behind, something she hadn't yet fully explored.

Rozalie checked her phone for the hundredth time that morning, half-expecting a message that would somehow make her decision easier. She'd barely slept, her mind replaying the rehearsals, Val's encouraging words, the feel of the guitar in her hands as she'd played alongside the band. She glanced back at her phone and saw her flight reservation notification blinking on the screen.

Her phone buzzed, breaking her thoughts, and she glanced down to see a message from Val.

"We're rehearsing this afternoon if you want to come. You can bring your guitar, and we'll work on a few things."

Rozalie's heart skipped at the casual invitation. She hadn't mentioned that she was supposed to be leaving, and she could tell from Val's tone that she assumed Rozalie was staying—at least for now. Her mind raced. She hadn't brought her guitar; it was still at home, along with the clothes and belongings she hadn't packed for this trip.

She typed a quick reply.

"I'm actually flying back today. My hotel reservation ends this morning."

She took a slow breath, her thumb hovering over the "cancel" option on her flight reservation. All it would take was one tap, one small decision, and she could stay here a little longer. But it felt bigger than that—it felt like a commitment, like crossing a line she wasn't sure she was ready for.

The three dots appeared, disappearing and reappearing as Val typed her response.

"No need to rush back. Why don't you crash at my place? I've got a spare room, and we can figure out the rest later."

Rozalie stared at the message, her mind racing. She reread it, feeling the weight of the words. Staying at Val's place? It felt surreal. And yet, the offer was genuine. Rozalie's fingers hesitated as she tried to find the right words, something that would capture both her excitement and her uncertainty.

She typed, trying to downplay her hesitation.

"I wouldn't want to impose"

The reply came back quickly.

"You wouldn't be. I've got plenty of space, and it'd be good to have you around for rehearsals. Plus, I'd like the company."

Rozalie read the message slowly, her heart beating faster at the thought of staying, of being part of the band's world even just a little longer. She took a deep breath. This wasn't something she could decide on a whim.

With a final, steadying breath, she pulled up her flight information and tapped "cancel," feeling a strange mix of relief and apprehension settle in as she saw the confirmation. Her flight was canceled. She was staying.

She typed back, her hands slightly shaky.

"Alright. I'd love to"

Rozalie put her phone down, letting out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. She looked around the hotel room, at her neatly packed suitcase and the stack of notes she'd gathered for her original plan—one interview, a short stay, and a return to her quiet life. Yet somehow, in just a few days, all of that had shifted, her plans unraveling as easily as a string pulled from a seam. She felt as if she were standing on the edge of something unknown, her nerves and excitement mingling like an electric current beneath her skin.