Stitched Up Hearts (HIATUS/POSSIBLY DISCONTINUED)

Chapter 6-The Duet

"Andy, Andy wake up."

I groaned, only half awake, "Hm-mh.."

"C'mon on sleeping goth. We are at the venue," Ashley's voice floated to me through the grogginess of sleep.

"Grrrrr...okay...where's Jen," I asked, sitting up slowly.

"Showering."

"Again? She showered this morning," I replied.

Ashley laughed, "Dude maybe she wants it."

I growled, defensive, "Hey don't talk about her that way!"

Ashley stepped back, his eyes wide, "H-hey man I was just joking, I wasn't serious."

"Good, because if you were..."

"If he was what," asked CC, walking through the bunk area, laptop under his arm.
I looked over, breathing hard. Ashley looked between us then shrugged before trodding down the hall to the front of the bus.
"Andy you seem upset. Everything okay?"

I looked at him and nodded, "Y-yeah, I am..."
"You are what? Upset or okay?"

"I'm fine, I promise. I'm just tired of Ashley hounding on my relationship with Jen."

"What do you mean-"

"Y'all," Jake broke in, walking past, "check is in fifteen, we gotta set up!"

I nodded and gratefully followed him, CC in tow. The conversation was dropped as we all headed to the venue. I felt a small, soft hand take mine and I felt myself blush.
She looked up at me and smiled, "I-is it okay if I hang backstage?"

"Of course honey, there's no problem with that," I say, smiling.

"Okey," she replied. We all silently walked into the stadium and found our rooms before going to the stage. The wide expanse of space caught me by surprise.

"Biggest we've ever performed in huh," Jake chimed into my thoughts. I could only nod before walking over to the front of the stage, grabbing the microphone stand and adjusting it until it was suited for my height. My adrenaline was starting to kick in already and it was only an hour till showtime.

"Hey Andy, we are playing The Morticians Daughter our second set right," Ashley asked me.

"Yeah, between Love Isn't Always Fair and Goodbye Agony," I reminded him.

"Thanks," he replied, writing it down on a pad of paper. He wandered off as he shut it, going to find his bass if I know him. Suddenly a loud squeal came through the system and I winced, "Hey!"
The squealing stopped and one of the sound guys popped up from behind his station with an apologetic expression before going back to work.
I looked over and smiled, noticing Jen in the wings. I motioned her out and she broke into a smile herself as she walked over, as if she treaded holy ground.

"You wanna test the mic," I asked, gently brushing her back.
She grinned, "You mean it? I-I mean...I can't really sing, you may hear that squeal again-"

"Nonsense. I heard you this morning," I reply, kissing her head, "Why not give it a go?"
"Well," she said trailing off.
She grabbed the stand and took a deep breath before beginning to sing,
"I open my lungs dear.
I sing this song at funerals...no rush
These lyrics held a thousand times just plush..."

Her voice faded as she saw us all staring. Ashley's mouth was wide open in infatuated shock.
Jen looked around, her face flushed, clinging to the microphone stand as if it was her favorite teddy bear, "A-am I that bad?"

"Heck no," blurted Ashley and Jinxx at the same time. CC shook his head rapidly and Jake continued quietly staring in shock. I wrapped her in my arms.