This (above) is a video from the St. Louis gig. My friend @danistormer88 was there for details about the show, so she's partially writing this chapter (You can see her, the blonde with a ponytail in the lower left corner in the video at 3:11 I think) . I also added a Dan POV to chapter one if you're interested in that.
Laura POV:
The opening band, which I've figured out is called Lewis Del Mar has finished a few minutes ago. Some rep who's voice sounds familiar from the radio this morning goes out on stage to talk for a bit. Dan is currently chugging coffee with 5 hour energy mixed in with probably some red bull mixed in. I've noticed when their instruments were being re-set up, someone was shaking back and forth on top of a box in the center, which I assume is for standing. I hear Charlie doing vocal exercises in the corner. He looks a bit drunk, but what do you expect from a twenty/thirty-something on his last night of USA tour?
Dan POV:
I'm basically shaking because
A) I always get anxiety before gigs
B) It's the last one for a while, so we have to make it good.
C) Laura's here so I want it to be good for her.
D) I don't think anyone should ever mix red bull, coffee, and 5 hour energy in the same cup.
As I hope I don't spew stomach acid from my mouth onstage tonight, I watch Laura twist a watch around her arm. It looks familiar. It's the watch that I bought Ashley when we went on our third date. It has an adjustable leather band and a shiny face.
"Laura," I start, walking over to her. "Where did you get that watch?" I ask.
"My mom... She had a box of things, mostly notes. All of them had your little signature torn out of them. I grabbed it when I was leaving for foster care because every night I would look at the things you had given her. It's in my orange bag." She explains.
"She kept everything?" I ask, as if I can't wrap my brain around it.
"Everything. She even had a coffee stained napkin that looked like it had been crumpled up and trampled with a note written on it." I blink. I didn't know she had missed me that much. That much to keep a box of everything. I don't know why she removed my name.
"There was also some pictures with your face cut out." She giggles. "Your hair was still there, though." I remember my hideously tall hair that stuck out on the sides just as far out as it did on top.
"Do you think she wanted to-" I start.
"Keep the memories but loose the face?" She finishes. "That's exactly what I was going to say." She finally looks up. Her eyes look slightly pink and puffy, like she's been trying to hold tears in.
"Wha-"
"DAN WE GOTTA GO!" Kyle says, jumping around. "Damn, you'd think he had every energy drink in one cup." I exhale. Woody gives me a side hug. "Remember Hangin instead of Oblivion." He reminds me.
"Oh yeah. "After Good Grief?" I ask, just to make sure.
"Yeah. Whenever feels best." We see the auditorium lights dim into darkness. The stage lights go red. We walk out, causing the already incoherent screams grow louder. I crouch awkwardly next to Woody's drums. Kyle confidently walks to his keys setup where he can hide with his synths.
"It was a slight on my honor, so he deserved it." the all-too familiar voice from Cosmos: War of the Planets says. "But we're talking about the most brilliant mind this world's ever seen!" I run up to my dancing/jumping box and thrust my arm to the crowd. More screaming. I smile as I look at the faces of screaming fans. I notice that I just made eye contact with about 5 people, who are currently screaming just because there's five british men on a stage. I turn around and do my awkward dance. I've given up hope to be a good dancer. Before I'm even aware of that, I'm singing.
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Lost Dad: Dan Smith
Fanfiction"Hello, Mr. Smith. We're calling about a child you had with..." Theres a pause, "Ashley Caraway." - "Laura, about your Dad... He wants to meet you."
