Dandelions & Daisies

10

~Mitchel's POV~

"I'm from Seattle Washington. Lived in a small and cozy suburban neighborhood though." Astrid replied.

"I heard you're attending uni for music production,and videography. How's that going?" Christian asked.

"I dropped out. I need to take care of my mental health right now." She replied.

"Hey is yellow your favorite color? Cause I noticed you used it for every wax seal on your letters." Clinton asked.

"At first no.. I know you guys go through a lot of stress.. I thought it'd lift Mitchel's mood.. kind of um.. like some sun on a gray day." "Then it slowly became my favorite color.. because whenever I was having a bad day.. writing to Mitty became my sun on a gray day." She explained fondly.

I pulled her on to my lap and held her protectively. I kissed her temple and held her hands. "I adore you." I murmured as I kissed her shoulder.
She kissed my knuckles.

"What's your favorite place to relax in Seattle?" Pat asked.

"She works at this radio station that's also a café. It's called Kexp. It's nice and spacious.. there's a fireplace and above the mantle is the window I to the radio room." "And there's lounge chairs beside the fireplace. And there's a secret back door,opens to a hall with all these pretty wall lights..." "that leads to a big recording studio that bigger,touring bands play and get interviewed." I explained fondly.

"And there's on occasion,smaller bands that play live in the café. There's a raffle competition to win,to watch a band play in the secret back studio." "And only seven to ten people can win. And also, you're not allowed to record on your phone." "But you can certainly take a one or two photos before the band comes in." "There's a few shelves of vinyl for small,and only local bands that you can purchase with your coffee." Astrid added.

She pulled out her phone,and showed them some photos.

"And really cool fact,with KEXP, when there's a band interview,let's say you're in your car and driving let's say work." "You turn on the kexp station,and listen into the band interview, you're literally listening live." "It's not pre-recorded  earlier in the week then aired another day like pretty much every station out there." "That band is literally live,in studio,at Kexp radio station café,in person." She explained.

The guys raised their eyebrows with interest. "No way!" Christian beamed!

"Yea! Cool right! And that's why I love my fuckin job! Some days I'm just brewing coffee,socializing with the customers." "And can I just say,the teens and uni students of Seattle are so nice and chill? Like on god. Angels the lot of them." "But some days I'm in the little radio room,just reading out the scheduled events and weather forecast." "Some days, I'm interviewing bands,and going to the shows and getting footage from side stage and in the crowds!" "Since you guys already know, Seattle doesn't fuck with barriers!" Astrid explained passionately.

"That's why Seattle is my favorite tour stop! Y'all go all out. Did you go to our recent show there,at The Neptune Theater?" Clinton chimed in.

"Absolutely! My best friend Lilly had gotten me into you guys about three months before that show. We went and Oh my God!" "My Voice? Was almost gone afterward. I was sore for days! I saw A girl did a project for stuckinmybrain.." "we held up signs that said I refuse to be stuckinmy then we filled in the blank line with shit like... Anxiety,depression,addiction. Etc.." "of course Lilly and I participated.. and everyone held up their signs.. and..." Astrid trailed off.

"What?" Jesse asked.

Astrid sighed contentedly. "Kras,you walked over to the far right of the stage where we were standing,and you knelt down to our level." "You held out your hand and I took it.. interlaced fingers and everything.."  "And you looked right in my eyes.. like you were looking right into my soul.. and that was the first time I felt home.." "and safe.. I was genuinely happy and felt like I was floating.. for the first time in what seemed like ages and years.." "it was only a few seconds.. eleven to be exact. I counted. And I haven't forgotten it since." "And what's even funnier.. what's hilarious is.. after you let go Kras.. I looked at Lilly.." "and I suddenly couldn't breathe. I had a full blown panic attack right there." "And through the whole interlude and through all of swim,she held me." "and helped me do my breathing excersizes to calm down." She explained with a light laugh as she wiped her tears.

Kras moved over and opened his arms for a hug. She hugged him,curling up into his lap and snuggling into him,as she cried.

He kissed the top of her head a few times as he rubbed her back. She soon calmed down and Christian wiped her tears. He held her hand,interlacing their fingers. "You're okay,I've gotcha." He said soothingly.

She lightly smiled and nodded as she softly chuckled. "Last time i was this big of a mess was when you guys played Love is Not Easy,and Uncomfortable,during that night." "Lilly and I were sobbing our eyes and hearts out. We were singing through the tears." "I've been to a lot of concerts,but no one's ever made me feel that type of closure.. that's when I definitely knew I was home." She explained.

"Did you catch a setlist?" Jesse asked.

She nodded and walked over to her purse. She grabbed a folded white piece of paper and unfolded it.

Our band name was in bright neon lime green at the top.

"You could've straightened out the crinkles babe!" I chuckled.

She shook her head. "No. That's what makes it the most special. When we got home,Lilly and I wouldn't stop saying 'Holy shit! Mitchel Charles Cave touched this setlist!' and we were so excited,that we barely slept." She explained fondly.

Astrid yawned and rubbed her eyes. I carried her up to our room and got in bed with her.