Salvation

32 ∆ milk

        The words to Anna Sun flowed automatically out of my mouth, while Michael played guitar next to me, Ashton banged the drums and Calum's bass line took over my ears. We were in the studio and Matthew, George, Hann, Ross, the producer Edmond and the manager Stuart watched us play.

We finished off and went outside; I was instantly attacked by drunk Matthew, who wouldn't stop saying how great that was.

''She's got a deal now, yeah?'' He slurred, looking back at his manager.

''We still have to see more of her before we get something as serious as a deal-''

''Yeah yeah, blah blah blah, you're making it, darling.'' He grinned, kissing me.

Smiling, I kissed him back, before Stuart and Edmond called me again. I pushed Matthew away lightly and walked over to them.

''Yeah?'' 

''Could you maybe meet up with us sometime so we could make some tests with you?'' Edmond said.

''Um, sure, but... tests?'' I questioned, rubbing my eye.

''Yeah, vocal and psychological avaliation, to check if you can get a deal with the record label.'' Stuart explained.

''Oh... okay.'' I nodded. ''When?''

''Anytime before the guys go on tour.''

''Whenever it's best for you.'' I shrugged.

''Well, Friday afternoon, then?'' Stuart suggested.

I nodded, smiling lightly, and it was set. We'd meet up in two days to see if I'd be able to make it into the path towards my childhood dreams or... not.

***

That same night I ended up going to sleep at Matthew's, because I knew my brother would be home the next morning and to be honest my apartment was too far away and I couldn't be arsed to get the tube at that hour of the night.

He wrapped me in his arms as we stumbled inside the house, taking off our clothes lazily and then falling on to his unmade bed, too tired to try anything else.

I got some sleep for a couple of hours, but then I woke up, confused as to where I was.

''What...''

''Anna?''

''Matthew?''

''Why are you awake?'' He asked softly as he looked at me from his seat on the armchair by the window.

''I should ask you the same thing,'' I mumbled, rubbing my eyes. ''I can't sleep right.''

''I can't sleep right either.'' He said, looking back down at his cigarette, the pale moonlight streaming through the wide windows, illuminating part of his face and the wooden floorboard. ''Come here.''

I looked at him for a while, at his movements; the way he inhaled and exhaled the smoke, the way his hair fell over his face and he didn't seem to care, and his black boxer shorts that clung loosely on to his hips, his dragon tattoo on his arm, the freckles on his face.

Standing up to find myself in one of his tees, I slid over in my socks towards him. I did something unsual when I reached him; I was never one for kisses or hugs, or voluntarily interacting with people, but Matty made me feel different. 

I sat on his lap and nuzzled my face into his neck, telling him to hold me too.

''Matty.''

''Yes?'' He mumbled, exhaling the smoke in my hair.