I've Seen 2

Finally heading to Europe

"You guys are going to be fine." Brent chuckled.

"If we didn't believe in you, we wouldn't have fought so hard with the record label to have you accompany us to Europe, Australia, and Asia!" Zach added in.

"Yeah but you guys are so...you have so much more experience under your belt." Ash rubbed his face.

"You guys have been to these places before. You have the report with most of these audiences." Nikki sighed.

"You think we always have? Everyone has to start where you are. We didn't always have the report with other countries. You have to build your fanbase by going to those countries." Barry told them, "That's why we're so eager to help. We believe in you guys. We want to help you succeed and not make the mistakes we did."

"We greatly appreciate everything you're doing for us." Genesis smiled at her fellow drummer.

"Any time!" Barry smiled back.

"Don't show the audience nervousness. Go out there like you own the place. Fake confidence if you have to. I still have to do that sometimes with my anxiety issues." Eric confessed, "If you act confident about your band, people will dig what you're doing. Be friendly after the show but don't let them bully you. Sometimes these crowds and people can get a little too rambunctious!"

"How long is the flight?" Josie asked.

"Our flight is about twelve hours or so. Try to get some sleep if you can. Jet lag's a bitch. The time difference will definitely throw you off so be prepared for that!" Brent chuckled.

"Oh great." Ash huffed.

"The flight to Australia's even longer." Zach laughed.

"Are you guys excited at all or just nervous as hell." Eric looked at the four young adults they were mentoring.

"We're excited, honest. Just really, really nervous too. We've never been out of the country before so this is kind of overwhelming too." Josie explained.

"We've been there, really." Barry softly said, "You'll make it, I promise. And you'll kick some ass and make some new fans while you're at it."

"I sure hope you're right." Nikki stated

[Genesis] Well, we're at the airport waiting our flight to London. We're all nervous but the guys of Shinedown are being super cool about it trying to lift us up and boost our confidence. And yes, mom, I'll do my best to get some touristy photos for you 🤣🤣🤣

[Kalene] Have fun! Tell the rest of the band that we're all rooting for you guys and we hope y'all have lots of fun over there! Tell the Shinedown boys to have lots of fun too 😉

[Genesis] mom, are you trying to flirt? 😲😲😲😲😲😲

[Kalene] what? 😲 No! I just know that it's not their first time over there. I'm sure it gets mundane sometimes. That's all.

[Nate] have fun on your first trip to Europe! Get out as much as you can and be a tourist! There are lots of great tourist spots to see and great places that aren't considered "tourist spots" to see.

[Genesis] Thanks, Nate! I'll see what I can do about checking places out. Where would you suggest?

[Nate] I'll PM you my suggestions. Rob might have his own too. He's the real tourist connoisseur!

[Genesis] Ha ha! I'll keep that in mind. Thanks 😄

[Rob] Kyoto Gardens in Holland Park, for the weird, Dennis Severs' House, you might like Eltham palace, and you might actually like Chelsea Physic Garden too!

[Genesis] thanks, Rob!

[Tim] Have fun, sweetheart! I can't wait to hear all about your trip when you get back. Go kick ass all over Europe!

[Genesis] Ha! Ha! Ha! Thanks, Dad! I we will. Uh oh. Our flight is now being called. I'll turn my phone back on when I can. ✌️✌️✌️✌️

The group grabbed their bags and stood in line to board the plane. The younger band were all fidgety making Brent smile at them. He remembered those days. Hoping you didn't mess your set up. Worrying how the crowd was going to take you. Wondering how you were going to look on stage. He knew this band was going places and he wanted to help them succeed. They all did. They could see the potential in these kids. So did Sevendust, their good friends, who said they'd help in any way they could as well. Including taking them on tour with them.

They were finally up in the air and able to turn their phones back on. Genesis had several messages, most from Nate, one from her grandmother, and a few from her mother. She smiled reading the well-wishes from her grandmother. Some of her mother's messages made her giggle. 'My mom's a nut!' she shook her head.

Nate: hey sweetie! I'm sure you're not able to answer right away. Let me know how you are when you get a chance.

Genesis: I'm nervous, I'm excited, I'm already bored, I'm worried about this long ass flight. 🤷 🤷 🤷 🤷

Nate: why? Why nervous, bored, and worried? Is everything ok?

Genesis had to smile reading his text. 'Always so thoughtful!' she smiled to herself.

Genesis: nervous at playing European crowds for the first time. We don't have the report with them like Shinedown does.

Genesis: worried because this is a 12-hour flight and bored because it's a 12-hour flight and I can't sleep yet 🤦 🤦 🤦

Nate: pumpkin, you're gonna knock 'em dead! No need to be nervous. They're just like American audiences. Just with weird accents 😉 😉

She laughed making several people look at her funny. Not that she cared what people around her on the plane thought.

Genesis: thanks. I never really thought of it like that. Do you have any poems you could send to me? Might make feel even better. Something I could pull up on my phone whenever I need to relax and calm down 😳😳😳😳😳

Nate: I'm missing you so very much; And longing for your slightest touch; Dancing on the edge of doom*

Nate: We struggle just to find some room; Inside each other's little world; Tingling swells within my chest; Hold on to her forget the rest; Of all the fears that try and tear; Us apart from something rare; To have you in my arms will be *

Nate: Your best ever gift to me; Oh, sweetness, I am waiting for you; Unleash upon me your violet hue.*

She read, re-read, and then re-re-read what he'd sent. It was so beautiful! Smiling she screenshotted the three texts so she could save it in her private folder where she put all the photos he sent her that she didn't want anyone to see.

Genesis: that was so beautiful! I'm just speechless!

Nate: I'm glad you like it, my sweet

Genesis: I definitely like it.

The pair chatted a while longer before she finally started getting sleepy. She turned her phone off to conserve the battery. They'd be checking into their hotel then they'd be doing interviews all day the following day. There were two separate photo shoots planned for day two and day three was their very first European show. She was smiling as she finally drifted off to sleep.

*From: https://www.luvze.com/love-poems-for-her/

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