Deer in the Headlights

Part 22 - Ocean Eyes

Sorry I haven't updated in a while, I've had a little touch of writers block recently; so this chapter might not be anything special, still I hope you enjoy! Emma.

[Adam's POV]

Weeks raced by before my eyes and before long those weeks turned into months. Each with the same consistent theme.

Music, insomnia, organised chaos.

Everything was running quite smoothly, some could even say like clockwork; Anders had been released from hospital and was steadily recovering back at home, Brielle was still working at the sports hall often spending her free time with me in my parent’s basement making music.

Which was another thing, today was a very special day in terms of Owl City.

“Mum where are my tigers?” I holler from the hallway.

“They’re in the kitchen by the washing machine Adam; I gave them a clean a few days ago.”

“Alright.” I shout back as I run into the kitchen. Finding the shoes I bend down and begin lacing them up, my fingers trembling nervously as I hold the dark laces between them. I was supposed to be picking Brielle up in ten minutes but somehow I’d managed to misplace everything I needed; I wasn’t entirely sure if my nerves were due to that or because of how momentous this day was.

Today was the day that I’d be journeying to Minneapolis to hand over the official tracks I’d been working on over the past months and sign the deal for the latest album.

Ocean Eyes.

We’d already discussed what tracks would be featured as well as choosing album artwork several weeks ago during one of the monthly meetings, despite that though I was still really excited to see the plans again. It was all finally beginning to slot into place in my mind, in a way it felt so surreal but at the same time I was so excited.

Doing the final knot on the shoes I stood up and picked up the laptop bag that was on the kitchen table and slung it over my shoulder. At that moment Mum walks in. She’s smiling widely; the look of pride on her face is evident to see.

“Have fun Adam, look after Brielle.” I smile back at her, feeling genuinely happy. Holding out her arms Mum gives me a warm hug before quickly letting me go, for a moment she stands looking up into my eyes, I can’t help wondering if she’s trying to tell me something but my mind is racing too fast to stop and think about it. I grin again and she seems to snap out of her reverie as she lets me past into the hallway. Grabbing a thin hoodie from the coat rack I slip it on and give Mum a final smile before stepping outside into the warm July air, she follows me to the doorstep and watches me get in the car. A moment later Dad joins and puts his arm around her, they both look so happy, the mood feels just so infectious today.

As I drive down the street to Brielle’s house my mind wanders as I imagine what will happen later that day. At around lunch time I’d be meeting with my manager Steve Bursky from the record company to have the album officially signed, on one hand it was a really daunting prospect but on the other I really couldn’t contain my excitement about it. I was glad that Brielle had agreed to come along too, not only for the company but also because she would be signing her name down too, Brielle had helped me with a lot of the tracks and it was only right that she should be mentioned in the album too.

As I pulled onto the road outside her house I unlocked the doors and smiled as she stepped inside, from down the street I’d seen she was already waiting for me and I couldn’t help but wonder if I was late.

“Hey.” I greeted with a warm smile. Brielle smiled happily back at me as she fastened her seatbelt.

“Excited?” She asked with a big grin. I adjusted the glasses on my face for a moment as I nodded and pulled out from the sidewalk onto the road.