The Coldplay Reporter

Chapter 2

9:00 P.M.

“I know, Mom, isn’t this crazy?  This job is a dream come true.” 

            I had called my mom as soon as I had finished packing with my news.  She had sounded happy for me, and told me to have a safe trip.  She and my father still lived in the town in which I had been born, which puzzled me to no end.  My father had retired several years ago, but despite that they continued to live in the same house.  My parents simply cracked me up.

            I had boarded the plane six hours ago and already, I wanted off.  I had never flown for this long before.  An hour trip was long enough.  Sleep seemed almost impossible, as the person next to me snored with the intensity of a freight train.  But I knew that I needed to sleep if I wanted to be presentable the next morning.  The last thing I needed to do was make a bad first impression on the guys.  “An interviewer must never do that if he wants to have the full attention and respect of those he is interviewing.”  Or at least that’s what my boss is constantly telling us.  She probably knows what’s best anyway since she has been in the magazine business for over twenty years now.  One day she will have to retire, and I know the majority of the magazine staff will be glad when she does. 

            Close to midnight, I drifted off, giving in to sleep.  I awoke seven hours later with the sound of the pilot’s voice coming over the loudspeaker.  We were landing.  Immediately I craned my head past the person next to me to look out the window.  I was blown away by the lights of the city below and couldn’t help gaping at the sight.

            After picking up my bags from the baggage claim, I set off to find my hotel.  Thankfully, my boss was correct about it being nearby, and I checked into my room by seven o’clock.

            My room was simply beautiful.  The window overlooked the city, and I decided to leave the curtains open the whole time so that I could take in the view during the entirety of my stay.  The size of my room was reasonably large, with a bathroom which I could move around in unlike most of the hotels I had stayed in. 

            Though I had over an hour before I needed to conduct my interview, I decided to begin my walk to their studio.  According to what I had read in other magazines, they called it The Bakery.  I wondered how they had come up with that name.  Maybe if I remembered, I would think to ask them such a question. 

            The walk to The Bakery was relatively short, and I found myself at the door fifteen minutes till eight.  Perhaps they would agree to let me in ahead of schedule.  I knocked twice and inhaled sharply.  I was nervous, there was no denying that.  It wasn’t every day that one got the chance to interview their favorite band. 

            A moment later the door opened, and I was face to face with their lead singer, Chris.  I knew he was tall, but I didn’t realize he was that tall.  I didn’t say anything at first, and then I seemed to remember what I had come for. 

            “I’m sorry, my manners are terrible.  I’m Elizabeth and I’m from Music Magazine, and I’m here to interview your band.  I realize I’m a little early, and hope I haven’t interrupted anything.”

            Chris smiled and ran a hand through his hair.  “Of course, you are.  Please come in, the rest of the guys are inside.”

            I nodded silently, and realized how nice of a voice he had.  And he had really pretty eyes too – the bluest I had ever seen.  It was really too bad that he led a completely different life than I did.  He was famous, whereas I was just a girl who worked for a music magazine.  Shaking my head, I decided to think strictly business.

            As soon as I walked through the door, I saw the rest of the members sitting on a slightly worn out couch toward the side of the room.  All three looked up at me as Chris directed me to a chair located near the couch. 

            Clearing my throat, I made eye contact with them as I again stated who I was.  They seemed quiet – shy, almost. 

            Jonny, their guitarist, raised his eyebrows at me and proceeded to speak to me, his accent almost as lovely as Chris’s.

            “What’s your story?  Yes, you’re here to interview us, blah, blah, blah, but where are you from originally?”  His green eyes were lit up, his face animated.

            Smiling, I gave a small giggle and played with a loose strand of my hair.  “I’m from the United States – North Carolina, originally.  I live in L.A. currently because that’s where my job is located.  I moved there almost a year ago, and really enjoy what I’m doing.  I just really love music.”

            The guys smiled and Chris looked at his watch.  “Maybe you should begin? It’s eight now, and I know you have somewhere to be after this.”

            I laughed and proceeded to grab my notebook and pen.  “Actually, this is all I have planned today.  Maybe this afternoon I’ll get to see the city a bit, maybe get a bite for lunch.” 

            Looking directly at Chris, I proceeded to ask my first question.  It seemed fitting that I ask him since he started the band. 

            “What’s your favorite part of your job?”

            Chris smiled and tucked his feet up under him.  “The fans and being able to do what I love for a living.” 

            Almost blushing, I tucked the strand of hair behind my ear.  I didn’t take into account that I would have difficulty concentrating when I accepted this assignment.  But neither did I anticipate being given this assignment either.  Like I said earlier, all I ever did was go on local assignments within the United States – this was almost out of my comfort zone. 

            The rest of the interview went smoothly, despite my shyness.  Out of all the guys, Guy, their bassist, said the least out of everyone.  I could relate with him in that respect.  I don’t particularly enjoy speaking in front of others, which puzzled my parents when I told them what type of job I had landed. 

            After chatting for a couple more minutes, I stood up to leave, receiving a hug from each of the guys.  I was honestly sorry that I had to go, and perhaps, hugged Chris a little longer than necessary.  When I pulled away from him to leave, I prayed that he hadn’t noticed or thought anything of it.  Besides, why would he even be slightly interested in someone like me?   I wasn’t particularly beautiful or talented.  Yes, I too played the piano and guitar, but not on the same level.  He could play without any sort of sheet music – he couldn’t even read sheet music. 

            But as I walked out the door, I noticed that he was right there behind me.  He didn’t say anything at first – just closed the door behind us.  He stood in front of me for a moment, his hands in his pockets, appearing unsure of what to say to me.   Then he blurted out a question that would change my life forever. 

            “Want to get something to eat?  My apartment is just several blocks away.  Jonny and I share an apartment, actually, so it’s not entirely mine.  He won’t be there of course.”

            His blue eyes stared at me, waiting for my response.  I certainly could not say no to him, but then I was faced with the option of using what he said during our lunch in the article, which seemed unethical to me.  Either way, I was going to do whatever he wanted to do. 

            “Sure! I’d love to.”

Hope you guys enjoyed Chapter 2.  :)  I hope you're at the very least enjoying the storyline so far.  I may go through later and further edit the story.  

 Liz xx