Amateur - A Jon Cozart fic

Chapter 22 - Shine A Light

*Jon's P.O.V*

Jesus, that airplane ride was rough. Fourteen hours of it too. Yikes. I can now see why Carm doesn't sleep on planes, especially after enduring that hellish ride upon first coming to L.A. But we've arrived! And as we walk into the food court, right above us, literally just hanging there, is a giant Gollum. I shit you not. This is the coolest airport I've ever been in. That sculpture might be the scariest, yet most amazing thing I've seen all year. Oh, there's Gandalf. I can see why they just call New Zealand middle earth if the rest of our trip'll be covered in this much lotr stuff. If the wedding is lotr themed, my entire life will be made. I might go buy a Legolas costume to fit in. Hm. We walk down the stairs and out the doors, to find Elise standing outside, waiting for us. Okay. Jesus. It's cold out here. Carm and I load up our stuff into Elise's car, and then we're off. Okay. Carm was being serious when talking about the Wellywood sign. Noted. The skies are grey, which probably affects the scenery a fair bit, so hopefully I'll be able to properly admire it once it all clears up. But it's certainly laid out differently to anywhere I've been before, and I love the vibes it's giving off. Carm is in a fully fledged conversation with Elise regarding Elise's graduation and Carm's broadway run. I need a small break from all this socializing, so I just observe. Winding, long streets that remind me of a somewhat more lowkey Brisbane, and  all of a sudden, it hits me like a slap in the face. This is where Carm grew up. This is the place that effectively shaped her, all her major life events happened here, and somehow, she grew up to be one of the most amazing, talented people I've ever met. Perhaps I should take note. Maybe Wellington will give me some of that magic as well. It's just, knowing her, she's so incomprehensibly perfect to me. This is the place that made that happen. All of a sudden, I zone back in on the conversation.

"Oh god, I'm so nervous. Graduating uni seems so scary, and  I can't believe I'm doing it tonight." Elise keeps a firm grip on the steering wheel and you can see how anxious she is.

"I think everyone in your class is gonna be nervous, Elise. Didn't some company already offer you a job to be a pharmacologist?"

"Yeah, and I took it. It's just that like, this era of my life is gonna be over soon, yanno? Suddenly I'll be a functioning adult. I don't feel like a functioning adult. I'm really just still sixteen. I still feel like I've only just turned legal."

"Wait, what?" Carm and Elise turn their heads around to the backseat to look at me. "Turn legal at sixteen?"

Carm replies with a casual "Oh, the legal age here is sixteen. Our government is cool like that sometimes, but for the most part, John Key is a dickhead."

"Hey, at least you don't have to deal with the legitimate possibility of Donald Trump winning your next election." I shoot back.

"Touche." Elise replies, nodding her head. Before I know it, we're there. It's a bit of a long elevator ride, but I guess that's what happens when you live in a central city apartment. And here it is. Elise's current apartment, and the one where Carm was situated before she moved. One thing comes into my mind: it's fucking small. Like. Really fucking small.  It's temporary though, and I guess it's cozy. Yeah, I can deal. It's got a relatively good view down at the streets below, and besides, at this point, anywhere Carm is is good enough for me. God, that sounds cheesy. I don't care. Tonight, it's off to Elise's graduation, but for now, it's just unpacking. I'm spending a week here, I'd best get comfy. 

I'm also still working on that song I'm writing. Carm doesn't know what it is, or that it's even happening. She tends to stay in her own lane unless I specifically ask her for help with the youtube stuff, which I appreciate. But it also means I'm having severe writers' block. You see, for my next potential video that isn't the song I'm writing about her, Carm's been helping me with writing it, and my work flows so much faster. I don't know what it is about her, but she's certianly effective. Just being around her makes me so much more productive. Oh, jesus christ, she's gonna be away for six months. That'll be fun. All my videos are going to have to go through yet another me-not-uploading drought most likely, but they'll survive. They've already gone through it before many times though. They can do it again. The other issue is I don't know if I wanna put it to Piano, Uke, or both. Why is writing about my feelings so hard? I really wanna be able to put this up while she's in New York so she can watch this whenever she's lonely over there. But I'm not sure I'll be able to get that done in time. God, I want to give her the world. She deserves it. She deserves all of it. Her and Elise sit on the couch watching TV as I walk out back into the lounge area. They're deep in some conversation about how the storyline between Hannah Montana and Jake was so weak and unnessecary. They don't notice me standing in the doorway, so I can just lean here and admire for a little bit. The way Carm's face lights up, the way her hair falls whenever she shakes her head. This is Carm in her natural habitiat. And it's a glorious sight. All of a sudden, Carm jumps up onto her feet, biting her nails, squealing with happiness.

'What is it?' I walk over to them, standing just behind her.

'Jesus christ, Carm, calm yourself, what's going on?' Elise adds to my statement. We both look at her, expecting one hell of a glorious answer to get this reaction.

'Our Ms. Fleming has just been announced! Idina Menzel is gonna be Ms. Fleming! I get to work with IDINA FUCKING MENZEL! She originated Maureen! My favourite role I've ever played! Look! She mentioned me in the tweet!' Okay That definitely was one hell of a glorious answer. She practically shoves her phone in my face, and I take it, reading as I walk a few steps.

'Pleased to announce I'll be taking on the so very role of Ms. Fleming in @HeathersMusical on BWay - @CaramelAllen ready to shine a light?' I look up at her in amazement, to find Elise is now encasing her in the biggest hug. I can't see her face, just a mop of hair over Elise's shoulder. This is incredible. Words can't even begin to describe how I feel right now. An immense sense of pride. Damn, I'm so glad I asked her if she liked sheep in the pizza shop, because without an awkward moment like that, this beautiful moment can't happen. I look back down at the tweet. I can't believe it. People in the replies are going absolutely nuts. I know it's Carm's turn to shine her light, but the question is, does she?

'Well Carm, are you ready?' She looks up from over Elise's shoulder at me. Her eyes are wide and full of joy.

'Ready for what?' she asks in a smaller voice.

'Ready to shine that light of yours?' She nods, tears of joy now springing up in her eyes as she breaks away from Elise's hug and dives into my arms. She makes me so happy. This is her dream. I don't know how to describe what I'm feeling right now. She's the most witty, beautiful, funny, sexy, passionate, adorable, the most perfect person I've ever known, and I'm the person she chooses to hug. I'm so lucky.

Hm. I've never felt like this before about someone.

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lol yeah this kind of sucked ha ha HAHAAHAHAH but i'm tired and need to get this out let me live

Lemme know what you think should happen next! Elise's graduation is coming soon! Be prepared for some more fluffy stuff!

See ya in the next chapter!

~Ellen Cozartist