Wait For Me to Come Home (Noah Schnapp x Gay Male OC Story)

Part Seven

Noah

7:22pm

Millie and I had managed to get in without any fuss. If this was an arena or stadium gig, we would've no doubt been recognised. Luckily everyone around us seemed to be more focused on getting a better place for their standing positions. Another bit of luck was that Millie had managed to get seated tickets in the level above the standing area around the sides of the venue, which I was more than happy with, after spending a whole day standing up on set.

We get up to our seats, and I nod at the young couple next to me who give Millie and I that brief 'Do we know you?' look before they turn back to taking selfies with one another. I'll give Millie credit, she got us really good seats. We can see the whole floor of the venue and have an unobstructed view of the stage. We sit down just as the opening band make it up onto the stage.

'Atlanta! We are Walking Amongst The Stars! Are you ready to rock?!'.

A roar comes up from the room which is rapidly becoming full, which Millie and I join in with, happy to let out some noise. Their guitarist starts shredding out their first riff as the drummer hits out a mean beat. The sound is amazing in such an old building, and I'm so happy we're seeing Robbie here. It's somehow still a relatively intimate venue though, which is also another benefit of coming here.

Millie is already filming something on her phone for her Instagram story of the band as they play, and I just focus on them for now, enjoying the loud music. They're a pretty good band, I'll give them that. I become a little more pensive as I try to picture what Robbie would be doing right now. I think it's a performer thing, where I always end up thinking about what the people I'm about to see on stage are going through, seeing as I've been in the same position. I remember waiting behind the stage for my first Stranger Con, and I was terrified. I'm sure Robbie has a handle on things, he's used to this now, like me.

7:49pm

The band finish their final song, and the room which had finished filling up during their set erupts into a series of cheers and whistles. They were a good opening act, and it looked like Millie enjoyed them a lot more than I did from the way she was clapping her hands in time with the beat; she's really looking to unwind tonight and I'm glad to see that she's so happy. I'm slowly getting there, my excitement was building throughout the set and as horrible as it sounds, I'm excited their set is over cause it means we're closer to Robbie's arrival on stage.

I haven't been this excited in a while, I'm starting to get the buzz which grows from my stomach which normally crops up when I'm about to go on stage at a convention or in front of a camera. I hope Robbie feels the same way. There's just something about him that I find intriguing after listening to his album in the car.

'Tabernacle, thank you so much! We also just wanna say a quick thank you to Robbie and his team as well for giving us this amazing opportunity.'

The crowd cheers a little loudly at the mention of Robbie's name, and Millie and I join in.

'We've been Walking Amongst The Stars, it's been a pleasure, enjoy the rest of your evening!'

The band walk off the stage to a well deserved loud round of applause and cheering. The stage lights dim, and the general room lighting turns back on so that we can actually see the people assembled in the crowd. I notice the instruments left on stage by the band already being moved off, and a man walks with purpose towards the centre of stage, wielding two microphone stands. I recognise them from the video Millie showed me, and I nudge her, pointing over at the stage hands and techs moving stuff around.

The dude who was carrying the mic stands has left the stage, but then reappears carrying the famous loop pedal. I nudge Millie again, and she nudges me back.

'Look! I think that's the loop pedal!'

Millie looks at me curiously with a look I haven't seen before.

'You're really excited aren't you?'

I nod, and eagerly continue watching the crew bringing out and connecting cables in their appropriate slots.

'I'm glad I brought you along. I haven't seen you this excited or happy in a while. It's really sweet to see.'

I turn to look at Millie after she says that, and it registers with me. I hadn't realised that my change in behaviour had been that noticeable, but of course Millie noticed. I wrap her in a hug, which she returns.

'Thank you so much for this Mills. I genuinely think tonight is going to be amazing.'

'No problem at all. It's good to have you back Noah.'

She pulls me in for a selfie (which will no doubt be up on her Instagram story) before I can say anything, and I pull a big smile, and for the first time in a while, it feels genuine.

Robbie

7:58pm

I'm waiting for the band as they come off stage, after I'd spent their set pacing back and forth. I'm running my set list through my mind although I know I'll probably end up ab-libbing off of it. They enter through the door, covered in sweat, and I go up and initiate a group hug all of them.

'You guys sounded amazing from back here, thanks for opening up for me!'

All of them smile and the frontman looks earnestly at me.

'We wouldn't have been up there if it wasn't for you. Thank you so much Robbie.'

'No worries at all, I'm more than happy to have helped you guys out.'

We all pose for a group photo at Quinn's request, and then share another hug after we finish, which Quinn captures on camera too. The frontman shakes hands with me again.

'The crowds incredible out there tonight. You'll do great dude.'

I blush again, really at a loss for words. The band grab some water bottles and head for the exit, just as Connor comes in, ready for the final preparations. He hands me a small ear piece, which is wired to my loop pedal's channel so I can always accurately keep track of what I'm playing despite how loud the crowd gets. Slotting the earpiece into my left ear, I brush myself down and give a nervous grin at Cade and Quinn.

Cade comes forward and embraces me in a hug, which is very unlike them.

'Knock them dead kiddo. I know you'll do great.'

I squeeze them back in the hug, before they let me go. Quinn joins me as I head for the door leading up to the stage. We go through the doorframe and I can see the steps leading up to the stage and the bustling tech crew running around, who all stop and give me nods and thumbs up.

I can hear the chatter of the crowd and can already feel the charge in the air. Suddenly, my nerves are gone. Adrenaline, and a lot of excitement is now coursing through my veins.

My phone buzzes in my pocket and I check it - it's a text from my Mum. Bless her, she stayed up ridiculously late despite the difference in time zones so that she could send me a text before I go on stage.

It's a simple 'Good luck' followed with a kiss, but it means more than enough to me. I pocket my phone, grinning a little.

'I'll be nearby with my camera so don't freak out if you see a shadow running across stage'

Quinn and I share a laugh, knowing that he only freaked me out during the first show of the tour when I wasn't used to having him shadow me taking pictures whilst on stage.

We bump fists, our ritual before I make the walk up on stage.

Connor hands me my first guitar for this evening and I can't help but smile at the coincidence. It's the 'Noah' one. As I slip the strap over my shoulder suddenly everything feels real. He puts his hand up to an earpiece in his ear just checking that we're ready to go. He nods, and turns to me.

'You're good to go kid. Show 'em what us Brits can do.'

I nod, and stare at the steps. I take a deep breath - and start walking.