I can't stop shaking, I shouldn't be this nervous, I'm not even the one trying out. Oh god I'm sweating. I didn't realize how tightly I was holding Brendon's resume, I almost wrinkled it. I took a deep shaky breath, trying to calm myself down. I had heard this guy's music before, it was good. I ran a hand through my dark curly hair started to feel slightly at ease, it's not like there was anything to worry about.
"Next."
Oh god. Mark gave me a pat on the back as I walked up to the white door, it looks so much taller now, an uneasiness settled in the pit of my stomach and my heart rate increased. I get anxious over the smallest of things, but honestly, I was a little intimidated by this guy, he seemed like a crazy talented artist and I didn't wanna screw up in front of him. Brendon, this is for Brendon, not you. I finally gathered my courage and opened the door, telling myself there's nothing to be scared about. But when I saw him sitting there looking uninterested at someone else's resume, the nerves came flooding back. He wasn't wearing any kind of fancy get up, just a colorful T-shirt and a jacket, but he still seemed intimidating as ever. He looked up and took a second to process me as I stood uncomfortably. Immediately when we made eye contact, I felt a rush, everything felt familiar, a connection of some sort. I almost forgot to breathe until I snapped back to reality. I saw his eyes widen and his mouth open slightly. He straightened up and continued to examine me, I gulped and cleared my throat, avoiding eye contact.
"U-uh, I'm here for-"
"Hired."
I stood silently, mouth ajar, shocked at what he had just cut me off with. He stood up at his desk and continued;
"You're perfect, do you have your resume with you?"
"Uh, no, I'm actually-"
"That's fine, what's your name?"
He walked out from behind his desk and came towards me with a hand out.
"Josh, but I-"
He had a firm, strong handshake, my hands were so shaky and weak he practically shook my whole body. He walked further towards me, as I backed away.
"Great, did you fill out your phone number at the front?"
"N-no but-"
"Do that before you leave and I'll get back to you, yeah?"
"But I-"
"Great!"
I hadn't even realized I had backed up all the way into the hallway until a door shut in my face. What just happened? I stood wide eyed like a statue until I snapped back into reality. I walked back to the front, dazed and confused. Mark got up and looked almost as confused as I was.
"That was fast, what happened?"
"He hired me."
"Wait, you?"
"I guess."
"But you were trying out for Brendon!"
"I know."
I let out an exasperated huff and walked towards the door, until Mark put a hand on my shoulder and stopped me.
"Well are you gonna do it?"
"Why would I? I'm no good at music."
"You can drum!"
"Yeah but that's like, it, and I'm sure this guy is looking for experts or whatever."
"Well he hired you."
"I don't even know why he did!"
"Just give it a try, it'd be an experience don't you think?"
I thought it over, it would be cool to play in a band, I never thought I could. It'd be a lot of work but, what the heck, it'll be an experience.
"...I guess so."
~~~
I was laying on my back, staring at the hotel ceiling, thinking back to the day we met.
"Hey Tyler?"
I knew it was late, and even with how exhausted I was from performing the first show of the ERS tour tonight, I couldn't sleep, my mind was swimming with thoughts. Apparently he couldn't either, because he rolled over in the bed that we were sharing and answered, awake and alive as ever.
"Yeah?"
"Why did you hire me?"
I wasn't looking at him but I could only assume he had been slightly taken aback by my question. There was a silence, presumably Tyler trying to piece together his response.
"Because when I saw you for the first time, the moment we made eye contact, I felt something. A connection. I don't know what it was, but it felt right."
There was another pause, I smiled, hoping he could see it in the darkness.
"I did too."
He shuffled over and gave me a strong hug, smiling into my shoulder and giving a soft sigh, then rolling back over.
"Goodnight, Josh."
"Goodnight, Tyler."
I could suddenly sleep much easier.
