Jordan.

(Don't) Panic

Rose spent the whole day thinking over how awkward that soundcheck had been, and to her dismay it didn't get any less awkward that evening either. In fact, it was like Levi and the rest of the band didn't even know Jordan was there at all.

A few hours later, Madison Square Garden started to fill up with thousands upon thousands of fans. Since Jordan was the opener, he was to go on first. Dressed in black skinnys, a baggy "the kooks" shirt, and a flannel that made him look like he should of been in the crowd of indie concert, rather than performing to a crowd of his own. This was only his third show, and was extremely apprehensive.

Rose could tell. Standing at the side of the stage, looking up at him as he walked up the stairs, she noticed his brow furrow.
"Jordan! Come back here! You've forgotten again!" She shouted up at him, his head swiftly turning back.
"And what might, and what that be?" He replied anxiously, his Canadian accent coming through.
"You've forgotten your good luck hug you idiot!"
He smiled and ran back down.

As they embrace she sweetly kissed his cheek and whispered, "you're gonna be fine. Sing like you do to me like back at Cambridge. I love you."
"Okay."

"Quick." She continued "don't miss your queue."
The crowed roared somewhere in the distance as they split apart. Taking a step back, Jordan lifted his right hand up, next to his cheek, crossing his fingers. Rose did the same, mirroring him.
"Tight?" He asked.
"Tight." She replied.
And he rushed up the stairs to face the music.

He did a good job, getting the crowd involved, although they already knew the words to one of his songs. Her song.

A few verses and an encore later, Jordan stumbled back down the stairs and Rose  skipped over to hug him. At first she thought he was shaking from adrenaline, but soon realised it was something beyond that.
"Jordan, are you okay?"
He stammered "no, no I feel sick."
"Do you want me to get you water or..." Rose began.
"No don't worry baby. I'm okay." He cut her off. "I just--- I just need to sleep. Stay for the rest of the set."
"I can come with you if you want me to."
"No, no you don't have to."
"Seriously Jordan I don't mind I..."
"Rose. Stay. You should enjoy it even if I don't get to. I can't take you away from it."
And with that the Canadian boy was gone, lost in the rabbit-warren maze of backstage corridors. Not one to question his motives, Rose stayed to watch the Tide's performance.

It was the same set. Same as always. Same songs. Same cheers. Same chords. The same until...

Levi broke formation from the rest of the band and sat on the front of the stage. Legs hanging down and guitar slung casually across his lap, as though this position was as natural to him as standing on two feet.

What this was - Rose didn't know. So she listened with intent curiosity as he began to speak.
"MSG..."
A cheer.
"Hiii." He look a girl somewhere by his feet in the eye "and hi to you."
More noise from the crowd.
"So today I've got something special for you guys."
Excited yells.
"This morning someone very special to me played a song and it blew me away. And sometimes I find myself forgetting how powerful music is till a moment like the one we shared this morning before soundcheck. Mystery girl; you know who you are and this, this is for you."

Oh shit.

Those chords. She knew those chords. He was singing don't panic. But that voice... however hard she tried not to listen - it was beautiful and she couldn't lock it out. Before she knew it, Rose saw Levi coming down the steps toward her - the same steps Jordan had descended mere minutes ago. "Levi wha..."
He put a finger over her lips.
"Shhhhh. Think of it as a gift."
And kissed her.

Oblivious to the one girl in the huge crowd, with the one phone camera trained on the exact point, at the exact right angle, to catch it all.