Standing By - Avi Kaplan

s i x t e e n

 I woke up the next morning with a knot in my stomach. It was the day that we were supposed to perform for the president, and I was literally shaking hours beforehand. I sighed, getting out of bed and went into the bathroom, washing my face and brushing my teeth.

"Hey Scott?" I looked at him as he took a bite of toast. "When are we stopping off at the hotel for showers?" Scott pointed out the window and I saw that we were pulling into the parking lot for the hotel. "Wow," I said. "Nice timing, I guess."

We went up into our rooms and I looked over at Avi, who seemed to be quite uncomfortable. "Do you want to take the first shower?"

Avi shrugged. "I don't know."

"Are you nervous for tonight?"

Avi shook his head.

"Listen, Avi. I understand that whatever's going on between us is really weird, but can we please, please put that aside for today? We're actually going to be performing for the president of the United States. So please. Just pretend like nothing's wrong?"

He shrugged and stood up. "Can I take the first shower, then?" I nodded, and he gave a weak smile at me, walking into the bathroom.

As Avi showered, I heard him singing. It sounded like vocal warmups, and I found myself giggling. He sang his lowest note and it honestly felt like the entire room was shaking. Then, he got out of the bathroom, wrapped in a towel, and gestured to the door. "Bathroom's all yours."

I went in and rinsed myself off, then went to shave my legs. Obviously, I wasn't being careful, and so I nicked myself. I cursed quietly, wiping off the blood, and then sighed, sitting on the floor of the shower. I doused my hair in shampoo and then sat there, unmoving, for I don't know how long.

"Olivia? Are you alive in there? It's been almost an hour."

I stood up, shutting off the shower. "Yeah, I'm alive." I quickly got dressed and then stepped out of the bathroom. "I was just doing some thinking."

"Thinking about what?"

I shook my head. "Nothing too important. Set list, words to songs, things like that."

Avi nodded, and I could tell he was not buying it. But what could I tell him, that I was thinking about him? About him and me? No. He'd be so creeped out. I sighed. "Well, we've got to be at the White House in four hours, so we've got time. Wanna watch Lord of the Rings?"

I nodded, grabbing my comb and my makeup. As the movie played, I got ready, combing my hair and putting on some light makeup. The winged eyeliner was giving me problems, and so I kept making one side thicker than the other, until I looked like a deranged Amy Winehouse. I looked over to Avi, who immediately burst into laughter, staring at my eyes.

"I know it's bad. You don't have to laugh."

Avi sighed. "I know, I'm sorry, but it's just so hilarious!" He handed me a tissue. "Maybe you should start again?"

I nodded, wiping off the eyeliner. This time, it went on easily, and I had two perfect, symmetrical wings.

"Wonderful," Avi said. "You look like a dragon."

I stared at him. "Is that supposed to be a compliment?"

He shrugged. "It is whatever it is."

————————————————————————————————————-

I stood backstage, stretching my arms and fingers. I reviewed my setlist for the hundredth time, and then took a deep breath, walking out on stage. When I saw the president, I forced a smile, my pulse racing.