Tender (Damon Albarn)

Parklife

a/n: aye sorry for the slow updates, I'm on holiday once again camping so the wifi is yet again shite! I'm also struggling finding time to write so thanks for being patient 😂

25th April 1994

"All the people! So many people!" I sang loudly as blur's new album 'Parklife' spun around on my record player.

"They all go hand in hand, hand in hand through their..." Emily sang along as we both danced around the apartment.

"Parklife!" We screamed simultaneously.

Parklife had just been released today and I got a copy first thing in the morning. Damon stopped by to drop it off then left shortly after because he was dealing with 'band stuff'. I've been listening to it on repeat for the whole day, and I've memorised all the lyrics to every song.

However, Damon said he would stop by later this afternoon with a surprise for me. Emily's been pestering me all day about what I think the surprise is. She's been bringing it up every chance she gets.

"I wonder what that surprise is..." she says again.

"Stop asking babies I have no clue," I laugh, "if I did it wouldn't be a surprise."

"What if it's a ring?!" She asks, getting excited.

I look at her, my eyes wide, "it's only been a few months of us actually being together."

"Well he does really love you," she shrugs.

"I don't like to rush into stuff, I told him and he respects that," I say.

"Yeah, that's true," Emily shrugs.

"How're things with you and Graham anyway?" I ask.

Emily smiles, "same old, same old. I haven't seen him in a while."

"Do you guys not go on dates or anything?" I ask in disbelief.

Emily shakes her head and my mouth drops open and my eyes widen. Me and Damon go on dates all the time, so I wonder why Emily and Graham don't.

"Ask him out for one!" I demand.

"I don't know if that's like his type of thing..." Emily says.

"Well bloody find out!"

"Okay...I'll call him when Damon gets here because then I know he's finished with band stuff," Emily laughs.

"Okay, you better actually bloody so it though," I command.

"I will don't worry," she chuckles.

"So what do you want to do?" I ask, "it hasn't been just me and you for a while."

She shrugs, "the weather is shit so we can't go anywhere."

"Movie day?" I suggest.

She nods her head eagerly and smiles. I grin and walk over to the shelves full of films. My eyes scan the shelves and I begin pulling out films like 'Labyrinth' and 'The Lostboys'. Emily joins me and picks 'Dirty Dancing' and 'Grease'.

"I love Grease, but the ending really annoys me," I tell her as we pile the films on the coffee table.

"Why?" She questions.

"Because if they really loved each other they wouldn't have needed to change," I explain, "but that's just my opinion."

"Well I guess they changed for each other to prove their love," Emily says.

I shrug, "Maybe."

"What do you want to watch first?" Emily asks.

"I don't mind," I say, collapsing onto the couch.

Emily shrugs and puts on 'Labyrinth'. I smile happily as the film begins with the cast and crew.

"I know every word to every song so don't get mad at me if I sing," I laugh.

Emily rolls her eyes, "I'll try not to."

I laugh as a song begins and I sing along. Emily groans as a joke and rolls her eyes as I continue to sing along.

"I love David Bowie," I smile happily to myself as the song ends and the film itself begins.

"Me too," she laughs.

-

"Hello?" I hear Damon call out as he opens the apartment door.

"Damon!" I shout giddily and bound over to him, practically jumping onto him and engulfing him in a bone crushing hug.

"'Ello, love," he smiles, hugging me back and squeezing me tightly.

I giggle as we break the hug, "how was band stuff?"

He shrugs, "same old. I have a surprise for you."

I grin like a child, causing Damon to laugh. We sit down on the couch in the living room, Emily is making herself tea in the kitchen.

"Jess..." Damon begins, biting his lip nervously.

My heart begins to pound, hoping he's not going to propose. As mean as it seems, I don't want to rush into marriage. I want to see if me and Damon still love each other after a few years and take things steadily. We've had this talk and he agrees.

"How would you like to go on holiday with me?" He asks after a short pause.

My eyes widen, "are you serious? Where to? I don't know if I have enough money! What about my job? What about the band?"

He laughs, "calm down, Jess. Yes I'm serious and we can go anywhere you like. Don't worry about the money, I've been saving for a nice holiday for ages. I'm sure Mr Applegrave will give you time off and we all want a rest."

"I'd love to go on holiday with you, but I feel bad about the money!" I frown.

"Jess for Gods sake," he laughs.

"I definitely will bring some," I insist.

"Fine, if it'll make you feel better," he smiles.

"Yes, it would."

We both smile and try figure out where we're going when Emily enters the living room with her tea.

"I thought I heard Damon," she says.

"Em, he's taking me on holiday!" I say excited.

"Oh my God!" She yells in excitement, "where?"

"We're not sure yet..." I say.

"Didn't you say you could speak Italian, Jess?" Damon asks.

"I can a tiny bit, not sure how I picked it up but I understand most of it I guess," I shrug.

"Should we just go to Italy then?" Damon asks.

"Sure!" I say happily.

Emily gets up suddenly and begins to walk to the other side of the living room.

"Where you off, Em?" I ask her.

"I'm ringing Graham to see what we're going to," she says, picking up the the phone.

Me and Damon laugh and proceed planning the trip to Italy.