Metaphorically, I'm a Whore... // Tyler Joseph

Chapter Twenty Seven.

The next night came so fast and once more I was stood behind the bar, serving people their drinks and keeping my station tidy like I was supposed to be doing. Except, I wasn't doing just that. I was daydreaming mostly. I couldn't stop thinking about what had happened last night and why Tyler had acted the way he did towards me. It made my head spin. His hug was so familiar, so warm and comforting. The way we fitted together when he hugged me was something out of a movie. It was almost as if his arms were made to hold me for eternity. But it just wasn't like that. They were made for Jenna and I knew that. He knew that. We both did.

Suddenly my phone buzzed in my pocket, snapping me out of my ridiculous daydream. Luckily, no one was waiting to be served and so it was safe for me to check my phone. It was a message...from Josh?

"Amanda. Come backstage. We need you."

I quickly locked my phone and shoved it back into my pocket. Putting a notice on the bars worktop, I quickly threw off my apron and raced backstage, showing the guard my work pass.
"Josh!" I called out, waiting for a response.
I then see him running round the corner towards me.
"You're here! Great!" He said to me with relief.
I raised an eyebrow, confused as to why he would need me so quickly.
"Is something wrong?!" I asked in a panic as he began to lead me to the backstage area by the wings.
"Honestly, yes." He stated. "Our support act has walked out on us!"
"What do you mean? What happened?!" I questioned, I was worried for them, there's no way the crowd would respond kindly to them having no support act, especially those in the crowd that had come to the show to see primarily them.
"I don't know! They all had a huge argument and are now refusing to perform together! They've all left!"
At this point, Tyler and Jenna had joined us and we were all trying to think on who we could get that could get down here quick enough to be their replacement act.
"Amanda. Why don't you do it?" Tyler asks.
I froze in my space and stared at him with wide eyes.
"Tyler.." I began.
"Sing like you did yesterday. We both know you were amazing."
My head began to spin. Josh looked a little confused at what Tyler was saying but he quickly agreed as he knew it would save their night.
Jenna, however, was not looking too impressed.
"But Tyler, you said I wasn't allowed to perform in their place. Why does she get to do it now?"
I stared down at my feet, the urge to smile taking over me. Tyler wanted me to sing. Not Jenna.
I let out a loud sigh, "okay. I'll do it."
Tyler and Josh cheer and high five each other with excitement. Jenna looks at me up and down and rolls her eyes. I instantly felt intimidated and began to wonder if this was such a good idea after all.

The lights on stage all switched off and the venue was now almost pitch black. An announcer headed on stage and explained to the crowd that the previous support act weren't going to be able to perform and that I was simply there to replace them. He gestured for me to walk out and I slowly made my way to the stool on stage, the way I did the night before, but only this time, I wasn't just performing for Tyler. I was performing for thousands of people.
The crowd was deadly silent.
"So, hello." I speak into the microphone. "My name is Amanda and I'm gonna be opening the show for tonight."
I gulped and nodded at the tech guy to start the backing track I needed for my song.
Mona Lisa.

As I got deeper into the song, some of the crowd began to sing along with me. And so I kept going. I sang and sang until finally I had managed to reel out three more songs for the crowd.
By the end of my performance, everyone was cheering for me and it felt amazing.
I smiled at the crowd and bowed, earning a round of applause.
"Thank you guys, and thank you for listening!" I spoke happily as I headed off stage.
I ran into Josh's open arms and he hugged me, congratulating me on my performance.
"You did so great!" He said warmly as he released me, I smiled and thanked him and then turned my gaze to Tyler who was clapping slowly for me and giving me a warm smile. The same way he did the night before, only this time, there was no hug, and I would be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed.
His gaze was soon taken off of me by Jenna who came up to him and wrapped her arms around his waist, kissing him on the cheek, he leaned in and kissed her on the lips before going to take his place on stage with Josh.
Jenna smiled at me, a smile as if to say she was winning. I turned and watched Tyler as he began to perform, remembering what he said to me last night.
The contest may have led me to him, but it sure as hell didn't lead him to loving me.

And this killed me.