& if it's fate, our paths will cross again x3

Chapter 7: Dave is a lil cunt

"You don't sing it right, I'm sorry." We've been rehearsing the same song for an hour now. Dave tried to sing it in different octaves but Vince still isn't satisfied. Andy and I have been sitting on the couch following their discussion for some minutes already. "Well, why don't you sing it yourself then?" "Because I don't want to, why do you think you're here?" "Not for you to criticise me for singing. If you don't like it, sing it yourself or let me go. I'll find another band that needs me." Vince won't risk that, not after winning him as a singer for our group, not after Dave getting us gigs and having important connections. "Fine! Mart, try singing it." I'm not sure if he just said my name or if I'm just tired, the clock tells me we're half an hour overdue. "Mart!" Vince is tired as well, not because it's late but more of Dave's shit. He's grabbing my wrist, pulls me off the couch and hands me the lyrics for a song called "Any Second Now". "I'm not much of a singer.", I say after reading it. He already asked me to sing in the past but I don't like to do it in front of people, it makes me blush since I'm not confident enough. "Come on, you also write songs. Your voice sounds nice, much softer and calmer than Dave's." I smile and I can see him smile too, it's the first time this evening. He starts playing the music for the song we've rehearsed as an instrumental before. I heard and read the lyrics for the first time today; now I sing them. Vince seems to like it and Dave, who took place next to Andy on the couch, seems to approve as well. "Alright, thanks Mart. I think it's obvious who will sing the song in the future." "I'm glad you were finally able to make up your mind, good night." Dave is heading for the door, this time not saying goodbye like he usually does. Andy and I are following while Vince sits down yawning and rubbing his eyes.
"I gotta hurry, good night lads." Andy is leaving rapidly. "Why don't you get dressed, don't you want to go home?" "Not yet. Vince seems kinda tired. I'll talk to him, he's not like that usually." "It's okay, I'm not offended. It's just way too late and we're all bloody tired I guess." He puts on his jacket while looking in the mirror, I think he might be a bit vain. "If you're free tomorrow evening, I'll invite you for a drink. We should talk about a thing or two." Our conversation ended when we arrived at Vince's house some hours ago, it feels like a whole day passed by. It's strange but I have the feeling we're really alike in some way so I agree to meet him the next day. He hugs me before he leaves and I go back to Vince sitting in the living room.

"Since when are you that chatty?" I sit down and pour some whiskey in a jar Vince brought for me, he already drank half of his. "I'm not, I just tried to make conversation. Maybe we judge Dave for no reason." "I don't judge him, I just think he's after you and it annoys me so much." He's leaning back and closes his eyes. "You can't treat him like that during our sessions, though. You hired him as your singer." "I know, I'll apologize next time. He wasn't meant to sing the song in the first place anyway." I am confused. "I've written the lyrics recently, it was supposed to be an instrumental, as you know. I randomly came up with the lyrics but didn't feel like composing music so I just took the instrumental, doesn't matter since you've written one too, haven't you?" I have but it's not really good, in my opinion. Basically, I used random sounds on my synthesizer and created a melody that does sound acceptable. "I have, yeah. I'll bring it next time." Vince lies down on the couch and I do as well on top of him, I can hear his heart beating and it makes me even more sleepy. "So, why wasn't Dave meant to sing the song?" "Because I have the feeling you should get a chance to sing, too. I believe in your talent." I think about telling him that I'll meet Dave tomorrow but I don't, it would destroy the atmosphere.

"It's nearly 12 PM, wake up Mart." We somehow must have fallen asleep, I haven't slept that long in months. Vince waits until I get off him to stand up. "Shall I drive you home?" "Yes please, my mum will wonder where I've been the whole night." He gives me a ride home. Before I get out of the car, Vince asks: "When will you come over again?" and I reply: "Let's meet tomorrow afternoon." I already planned to eat with him in my favourite restaurant, I'm sure he hasn't been there yet.

Later that day, I walk into "The Edge Bar". Dave told me the name via phone call, I wonder where he got my number from. He's already waiting for me, alone, even though I thought there would be some friends of his. "Hi, I'm glad you took the time to meet me." I nod and smile. We're sitting down and I'm taking off my coat. "Vince gave me your number, if you were wondering." It's like he's reading my mind. Why would Vince do this? I'm sure he wouldn't have given it to him if Dave told him he's meeting me in the evening. I hesitate to ask, though. "By the way... how old are you?" Dave didn't tell us when he introduced himself and I feel like it's a good way to start a conversation. "I'm 18, surprised, huh?" I raise my eyebrows, his face makes him look a lot younger. "How old are you?" "19." "You're really small, are you sure?" His laugh sounds weird but it's sort of contagious so I can't help smiling too, despite feeling kinda offended. "Sorry, do you have any siblings?" "Two sisters. Well, half sisters, but I grew up thinking their dad is also my dad so it doesn't really matter." A waitress comes and we order cocktails before we continue our conversation. "Wow, my mum got two more sons with my stepdad as well. I have one real sister, though. But back to you: You write songs in your spare time?" "Not really. I write down my thoughts and feelings..." "You're doing well! I prefer your song over Vince's lyrics, to be honest." I thank him even if I think he can't really say this knowing only one song of mine. "Are you close to Andy?" "Yeah, he's my closest friend." "He seems pretty plain, less involved in this music thing." I don't know how to react. He goes on: "What about Vince?" I'm becoming slightly nervous. "We know each other from school, we all, actually, including Andy." "Could've sworn he left love bites on your neck." What? I look at him confused. "We got involved in a fight last week." "I'm just kidding, boy. Just thought that it's funny how you both had bruises when we met." Our drinks arrive and Dave can't hold in his laughter while I'm not sure if he's really joking or knowing more than he should. "Are you into boys?", I ask. "Not at all, only did it with girls, are you?" "No, you look like you are, though." Dave seems to be surprised, he still smiles nonetheless. "I'll take that as a compliment." There's somehow something pissing me off about him, might be his rum sense of humour and his vanity.

In the end of the evening, we're taking the bus home and I think about the drug and sex stories he told me, all interesting but in some parts very extreme. I still can't really dislike him in spite of his negative personality traits or his crimes. Dave seems to genuinely like me. He praised my musical talent several times (and was also fascinated by my hair?) and repeated how alike we are throughout the evening.

I arrive home, answer some questions from my mum about who I've been with and where and get ready for bed. My thoughts revolve around what I'll tell Vince tomorrow until I fall asleep.