The Assistant | Scavi

Release Party

It was a long week for Avi, he was going back and forth between meetings, interviews and preparations for the tour. It was the part of the job he dreaded most, he was out of his comfort zone, the studio and had no excuse to not be present at the meetings. And the worst thing was that Scott wasn't there. He was busy studying and even though they texted a few times every day, they didn't have time to meet up. Also, Avi had planned to go up to Visalia for the weekend to visit his family one last time before the release of his EP and the tour.

And even though he was happy to go home, he felt bad for not being able to spend time with Scott, especially when he got one text on Thursday afternoon:

"Hey, Avi. I really have bad news and I am very sorry about it already. I need to be at University next week. It's my fault, I messed up the dates. I thought I had the second bunch of seminars later this month, but it's next week already. I already called Esther and told her, but I wanted to let you know, too."

Avi sighed when he read the message. He really wanted Scott to be there in the release week, after all, he had done a lot to help him with the EP. But Scott was an intern and his seminars were more important.

"Hello, Scotty. That's very unfortunate. I had hoped to see you bright and early on Monday, but that will have to wait, your seminars are important. But... I'm just wondering if you're still coming to the release party Thursday night? It's not much, just an event the company is organising. I will be performing a few songs and there will be free foods and drinks. You could bring Mitch if you like to, I don't know if you'll see much of me, but I would be happy to see you there."

"Of course I'll be there. Don't know about Mitch, but I'll ask. Have a good day, Avi."

Avi smiled when he saw Scott's message and replied immediately:

"I'll do my very best. Have a good day too, Scotty. I... I miss you."

"You are so sweet, Avi. I really miss you too. I'll see you soon. Call me if you got time tonight."

"Avi? Are you with us?" Esther's voice pulled the musician back to the meeting he was attending.

"I am... where were we?"

"We just wanted to know if you had the setlist for the party ready?"

Avi shrugged his shoulders. "we definitely want to do I'll Get By, maybe It Knows Me, Chains and Born in California. I didn't know how many songs you wanted me to play..."

"Four songs is good, Avi. We'll record your performance and might use it for promotion, especially for the upcoming tour. We're selling pretty good, but there are still tickets left" Jared, his other manager explained.

Avi just nodded when he proceeded with numbers and figures. He didn't mind if the concerts were sold out or not, all he wanted was to play for his supporters.

~

"I'm so glad that you're coming, Mitchy. You have way more experience with such official gatherings..." Scott said as he straightened the collar of his button-down shirt.

Mitch giggled. "And I am the one with social anxiety" he returned, winking at his best friend. "Do I look fashionable, yet not too queer to make Avi uncomfortable?"

Scott chuckled. "You look like Mitch Grassi toned down just a little bit. Perfect for the occasion, even though I would love to see you in heels."

"Me too, but my feet disagree" Mitch replied. "Now come. Our uber will be here any minute."

Scott grabbed his jacket and his phone and left the apartment together with his best friend.

At the party, he spent a lot of time with Kevin and Esther who had brought their significant others. Avi was busy talking to what seemed to be important people. Scott watched him every now and then and realised immediately that the musician wasn't too much into everything. No one else would have noticed, but Scott just knew his body language by then. Avi just wasn't fully comfortable.

Scott didn't want to approach him just like that, so he texted him to let him know that when he needed him somewhere he would come. But he didn't get a reply, Avi apparently was too busy.

"Scott? Are you okay?"

"Hmm?" The blonde turned around to Esther, who approached him with a fresh non-alcoholic cocktail. The others were mingling with other people, but Scott stood a little aside and eyed the crowd. He needed a moment to himself.

"Mmhm, why?"

"You've been looking at him a lot, Scott."

Scott shrugged his shoulders. "I just wanted to know if he's okay..."

"He is coping, Scott. He knows that this is part of the job. It's draining him, but he'll make it through the night" Esther explained patiently.

Scott nodded. "I know. It's just..."

"I know, Scott. He told me about your date and... let's just say that he is really happy" Esther said with a smile on her face. "He'll need a lot of time for everything, though, so be patient, please."

Scott smiled back at her. "I am trying my very best. But he is working so hard on himself, too and I feel that me being patient with him is really paying off." He shrugged his shoulders. "He really means a lot to me and I can't wait to be with him again. I miss him and the fact that I have seminars this week as well doesn't help."

Esther chuckled. "Well, I hope that your seminars are bearable. I remember those internship seminars to be very boring. I learned more during my internship than in the seminars."

Scott shrugged his shoulders. "I mean I need the seminars for my degree, but that's it. I learned so much from you and Kevin, a lot of things I never learned at university. Anyway. I need to go to the bathroom. Do you know when Avi will perform? I definitely don't want to miss it."

"You still have some time, maybe like 20 minutes," Esther said after she had looked on his watch. "I'll see you later."

"Yep," Scott replied and walked away. Since the party was happening in the studio building, Scott went to the bathroom on the first floor, hoping that it would be empty.

He opened the door and was surprised to see someone standing at the sink.

"Avi?"

The bearded man flinched. "Scott..." he said as he turned around and shoved something into the pocket of his jeans.

"Are you okay, Avi?" Scott asked softly. "You're so pale..."

Avi nodded. "A little dizzy" he whispered. "Just need a moment." He turned on the water and splashed his face.

Scott noticed that Avi's fingers were shaking. "You're not fine" he concluded.

Avi shook his head. "Just my circulation, Scott, nothing bad. I need just a moment, I... need to perform, want to perform."

Scott approached Avi and put an arm around him. "I get that. Come, we'll get you a glass of water, sit you down, Esther said you have twenty minutes..."

"Mmhm..." Avi hummed. "I..."

Scott was shocked when he felt Avi slipping down and he had to hold on tight to prevent the musician from falling to the floor. "Avi? Avi!"

~~~~~~~~~