Mid Way Through

Chapter One

My head was pounding. Every second I stood in the room, made my head pound even harder. The lights in the ceiling beamed down on me. I was already tired from the live show I performed almost four hours ago. I tried to take a nap in the bus, but i couldn't fall asleep. 

I tried to keep it together for the next hour or so. Me and the band were invited to attend Calpurnia's party. One of the biggest bands in North America right now. Lionel wouldn't dare let us miss the invite, even though we just finished being on tour. Lionel is our manager, he takes pretty good care of our band. We're known as O-pal. In a humble way, i wouldn't say we're that famous, but in reality, we are pretty well known for an indie-rock band. Especially after we released our latest album, "Blue Ground", almost a year ago. Our ratings shot through the charts so quick. After that, things became stressful for the band, but we made a ton more money than before. I'm the act, also known as, the singer. The drummer is Haida, he's 27. He's what people would say, the quiet one that kind of takes care of us when Lionel isn't around. He's not uptight, it's just that he's more responsible. Especially since he's older than us. Lana plays the bass guitar and her brother, Eric, plays the electric guitar and sings with me. I've known them both since Freshman year of high school. We formed the band when we were in our Sophomore year, when Lana and Haida were dating. Haida was a Sophomore in college at that time. But even after Lana and him broke up, he still stuck with us. We're like a family.

I was standing in a corner of the living area of the condo, Calpurnia had rented, with a plastic cup of water. Every five seconds a person would pass and i would pretend as if i was busy on my phone. This was boring. I had just turned 18, and i didn't have much patience for these kinds of things. But since this was for the band, I had to suck it up and deal with it. When I glanced in the crowd, i made eye contact with Lana. She seemed to have been having fun chatting up with Jack, Calpurnia's bass guitarist. She waved for me to come over. I sighed, and sadly walked over towards them. 

When i reached her, she wrapped her arm around me and faced me towards Jack, "Jack, this is Mynia", Lana said.

He reached out to shake my hand, "Hey."

"Nice to meet you. Well, in person", I replied, shaking his hand back. 

"Are you having a good time," he asked.

As much as i wanted to say "no, i really just wanna go home and sleep", I had to keep it together. "Yeah! This condo is really nice," I responded. 

"Hey! I see you guys are having a good time", said Eric. Next to him, appeared Finn Wolfhard, One of Calpurnia's lead singers. 

"Oh hey, yeah. Your sister just introduced me to your very beautiful vocalist," Jack responded. Jack's response made everyone in our circle look at me, which meant i had to engage more than i intended. 

I forced a small grin, "Thank you, Jack." Eric moved to the other side of me that Lana wasn't on and wrapped his arm around my neck, "She's the best. She's been working super hard lately with me and the songs on tour. She's a hard worker." All of the touching made my head pound even more. This conversing isn't helping, one bit. 

"Your voice sounded amazing in your performance in Montreal," said Finn. I nodded in response and said, "Thank you." Jack, Eric and Lana continued their conversation about the tour for another 30 seconds. I needed air. It was too hot in here. "Excuse me, I just need some fresh air," I said and smiled to the group. Everyone nodded and said "okay" except for Finn. I rushed to the balcony. The door was a pain in the ass to open, but when i got it open, a small gush of wind hit me. I exited slowly, and closed the door behind me. I walked over to the railing and leaned over it. My head was aching to the point where it felt like a migraine. I stood there and breathed in and out slowly the way my therapist taught me too. It helped calm the pain a slight bit but it wasn't enough. I drunk a sip of my water, but all the ice had melted and it was warm. I sat it on the table at the corner of the balcony, and went back to my leaning spot. 

After what felt like five minutes of me breathing slowly, i heard someone open the balcony door and step out. I turned to see who it was, it was Finn. We made eye contact, and he gave me a smile to say hello. I did the same, and turned around to look at the scenery of the Los Angeles City. He walked over and leaned on the balcony next to me. "May I join you," He asked. 

I cleared my throat, "Yeah, sure." 

He nodded. For a second we sat there in silence. I wasn't in much of a mood to communicate. 

"Are you okay," He asked. 

"Yeah, i'm alright"

He stared at me for a second, then looked ahead of him, "So you just got off from your first tour right? How was it?"

I sighed, "It was fun.. But stressful. But fun."

"Yeah, tours can take a lot out of you. I can say that with experience", he laughed nervously.

"It's so draining. All at once. You travel from here to there. So many faces and fans, and people screaming your name. So much compromise."

"Yeah then there's the aftermath."

"Exactly!" I agree, "The parties and interviews, and paparazzi. It's all so... fast and crazy."

Finn nodded, "Yeah, for sure. Tours are stressful for me. Especially when your the vocalist. So much screaming and yelling and just, craziness. I've gotten used to it though. It can be exhausting, i get it."

I don't respond for a few seconds so he asks, "How is your voice doing."

i rub my hands through my hair, "It sounds good but my throat is beginning to hurt. And my head is killing me at the moment."

"That's not good. Why didn't you say something," He asks.

"I want the band to have a good time. They're having fun, this is our first after party since the tour so i wanted them to enjoy it."

He looks at me for a second before saying, "Can I get you anything, it's the least i can do since it's my party."

I quickly wave it off, "No! No! Your fine. I'll be okay."

He inches to me a bit closer, "No, I wanna make sure your okay. You've been working so hard. You shouldn't strain yourself." I look at him for a second in surprise. Who does he think he is? He's worried about me like we've known each other or something.

"Let me help you, " He says with worried eyes. It takes me a minute to respond. Eventually i sigh and give in, "Fine, i guess so." He immediately takes my hand and takes me back inside the condo. We go into one of the open lounge rooms. It's a bit smaller than the living room. Its warmer though, and filled with books. The lights were dimmer so it wasn't as bright either thank god. He leads me to sit in one of the blue armchairs, "Sit here, for a sec." I obey. He walks off into another room and comes back with two large bottles of water and a bottle of ibuprofen. He hands me the bottle of water, and one ibuprofen pill, "Take this." I obey again, and he sits down. The water was so refreshing. I chugged it down, while he starred at me and laughed, "You must've been thirsty." 

I nodded, "Very, thank you so much."

"My pleasure," He responded before drinking from his bottle. 

"So when is Calpurnia going on tour, " I asked. Their party was to celebrate their album's release. It took him a second to answer, "I believe in two and a half months, possibly less."

"Wow. Soon then huh," I asked.

"Yeah, I've got a lot of preparation to do for that one."

"Well, i wish you and your band the best of luck Mr. Wolfhard."

We both giggled, "Thank you Ms. Butler." 

"You are very welcome."

"You know what. Since we do similar music, we should sing together some time," He said."

I smiled and nodded, "We definitely should." After a while of talking, Finn put on a movie for us in the room on the TV. My headache started to calm even more and i became tired. In the middle of the movie, I drifted off to sleep. I woke back up to change position when i realized i was no longer in the room. The room was moving. I was back on the bus, heading to the airport with a cover laid on me and my heals taken off. Was that a dream?