:•: autumn :•: a Josh Dun fan fiction

n.i.n.e.t.e.e.n

:•: autumn :•:

*Flashback*

I had just had an amazing rehearsal with the band and was about to leave the concert hall when my conductor approached me and asked if I would be interested in doing a solo in the upcoming concert.

I was shocked that he even asked me, since I was by far the youngest person in the band, but I gladly accepted.

I worked for weeks on a piece that I had picked out, and I was incredibly nervous and excited by the time the concert finally arrived. I had played solos in the past, but it was usually only a couple measures in a whole group piece.

This would be different. It was just me and a pianist on stage for about 10 minutes. If I messed up or made a mistake, everyone would know. That was part of the fun of it as well though. The suspense and excitement made me feel so alive!

The time finally arrived for me to go on stage, and I took a deep breathe as the pianist wished me good luck.

I walked on stage confidently, smiling and shaking at the same time. I looked at the audience, but it was all a blur. I couldn't wait to play and show everyone what I had been working so hard on.

I set my music on the stand in the center of the stage, and closed my eyes before bringing my saxophone up to my mouth.

I drowned everything out as I began to play the high, quiet, long note that began the piece. It was just me and my saxophone, playing simply because I loved it.

My sound resonated in the hall beautifully. As the piece grew in volume and intensity, so did my excitement. All my nervousness washed away as I got into the music and enjoyed playing this piece that I had grown to love so much.

The pianist kept up with me as the piece flew into a series of fast notes, and we were perfectly in sync. Both of our fingers flying rapidly as we played all of the notes perfectly.

The song eventually came to an end, and although I never wanted to stop playing, I reluctantly set my saxophone down as the hall became dead silent.

It was a good silence. The last notes from the music were resonating around the room, and everyone was sitting there soaking in the music, including me.

I had closed my eyes somewhere along the way, so the audience jumping out of their seats in applause surprised me, but I blushed and smiled as I took a bow and walked off the stage.

I was blessed to be so good at playing my saxophone, because I really did it for me. I never started to make a career out of music, but it just worked out. Why wouldn't I pursue a career if I could do what I loved and what made me happy for the rest of my life?

***

I woke up still wrapped in Joshua's arms, and for a moment I imagined that we were still on the mountain top and everything was perfectly fine. I tried to ignore my limp arm and simply snuggled deeper into Joshua's chest and closed my eyes. I didn't want to wake up quite yet. I smiled, surprised that I could feel so happy when I was surrounded by everything that had gone so wrong.

Right as I was falling back asleep my phone rang loudly, causing me to jump a little bit, and waking Joshua up.

"What's wrong?? Is everything ok?" He asked, concerned but still sleepy.

"Yeah I'm sorry I woke you up" I smiled at him. "My phone was just ringing and it woke me up".

He yawned and got out of bed to go get my phone that was charging on the other side of the room.

I gratefully grabbed it from him and turned it on, seeing a missed call from Isabelle.

"It's Isabelle" I explained. "The friend that you met at the concert".

He nodded, remembering. "Do you want me to leave while you call her? I could go get some coffee for us if you'd like?" He offered.

"Coffee sounds great actually" I smiled at him. "Thank you! There's some money in my purse that you can..."

"Of course not Autumn!" He laughed. "I can pay for your coffee it's fine" he smiled at me, causing a blush to creep into my cheeks.

Darn. I thought I was done blushing whenever he smiles at me.

I looked down at my lap, avoiding eye contact and hoping he didn't see my red cheeks. Although I'm sure they were extremely obvious.

"Ok I'll be back soon" he smiled at me again and walked towards the door.

"Thanks Joshua." I smiled back. "For everything" I added.

He nodded and smiled as he closed the door behind him.

I immediately called Isabelle, hoping she would pick up.

Thankfully she did, almost right away.

"Autumn oh my goodness what is going on?? I haven't been able to get a hold of you and then you said you had news and now you're at the hospital?? Please tell me you're ok. I've been so worried about you and didn't know what to do!" She gushed.

"I'm ok" I assured her. "Umm I was in a pretty bad car accident, and I'm in the hospital now but I'm fine. Well I mean not exactly fine.. I haven't talked to a doctor yet, but I think my arm is paralyzed..."

I was surprised at how calmly I was able to say that. I guess everything just seemed so surreal right now that the weight of my words didn't completely hit me. Well that and I had just been crying for hours and I guess I didn't have any tears left. Everything just felt numb.

Isabelle was silent for what felt like forever.

"Isabelle? Are you still there?" I asked quietly.

I heard a sob on the other end of the phone. "Isabelle? Are you crying? It's ok I promise I'm fine..."

"I-i'm s-so s-sorry Autumn, I-I just c-can't imagine w-what you w-went through a-and I-I've been s-so worried about y-you, and I-I should've b-been there for you..."

"Isabelle it's ok. It's not your fault! I'm fine, really" I tried to assure her.

My heart broke as I listened to her cry. I didn't deserve such an amazing friend like her, and I hate that I caused her all of this pain.

"I'm coming to the hospital right now!" She exclaimed as she got a hold of herself and stopped crying, becoming the confident Isabelle I knew and loved. "I've left you alone long enough! Don't worry Autumn, Isabelle is coming to the rescue!"

I laughed at her and smiled. She somehow always knew how to make me happy, and I loved her for that. I couldn't wait to see her again.

"About the alone part..." I giggled into the phone. "I've actually had some pretty good company..." I laughed now.

"What?" She sounded confused. "Are your parents there already? I didn't think you'd actually enjoy being around them".

"Not my parents!" I smiled. "Actually they haven't even replied yet" I rolled my eyes. "Big surprise there".

"Then who???" She almost shouted into the phone.

I laughed, enjoying her confusion.

"I guess you'll have to just see when you get here!" I laughed again.

"UGH! Sometimes I hate you Autumn! Ok that's not true... I love you, but sometimes you really get on my nerves!" She laughed.

"See you soon!" I said, smiling.

"Wait!!! No hint???"

I laughed and hung up the phone. Boy was she going to be surprised!

I just wanted to say thank you all so much for reading! Especially for those of you who continue to comment and encourage me, you truly make my day! I love hearing your feedback and what you think of the story, and it's just super encouraging to me so thank you so so much!!! I'm glad y'all like the story so far and thanks for reading this far! As always, I love to hear suggestions from you guys! Thank you again :) 💕