~ Astrid ~

I smiled to myself as I delicately packed my camera and extra film into a mini backpack to take to the show tonight. I really appreciated Wade doing this for me, lately I had been going through a dark spell and this was finally some good news. I sat my backpack on my bed and went to shower. Before stepping in I looked at my phone one more time. No messages, no calls, no emails. I sighed and left it to charge as I got ready for tonight.

After I got out of the shower, I cleared the steam from the mirror, catching a glimpse of myself. I stared blankly at my stringy dark hair, and the bags underneath my hollow blue eyes. Eventually I broke out of my haze and picked up my toothbrush. I had to finish getting ready, Wade was gonna be here soon. I didn't have time to overanalyze myself, this time.

After I left the bathroom I threw on a t shirt, jeans, and a jacket and got my phone and backpack. Eventually I heard the familiar knock of my co-worker/best friend.

"Pizza for dinner last night?" Wade chuckled, softly kicking the empty box on my living room floor.

"Yes shut up." I chuckled and rolled my eyes. Picking the box up and putting it on the counter to throw away later.

"Cmon, they want us to get there early so we can take some picture backstage." Wade said and opened the door for me.

I punched his arm as I walked out first, and he responded by bumping my shoulder as we approached the elevator. I let it go, I was in too good of a mood. It had been months since I got a freelance job. My hands were shaking from nerves and anticipation as we pulled up to the bar and walked inside. Wade told the bar tender who we were and he let us go to then back room where the band was waiting to go on.

~ Eden ~

"When is your friend gonna be here?" Olivia sighed as she laid on the beanbag in the corner of the green room. We'd sound checked an hour ago, and Jay's friends were supposed to come take some free promo pictures for us. Jay said they were supposed to be here 30 minutes ago, and me and Olivia were both dying of boredom and dying to get on stage.

"They're here now." Jay said as he looked down at his phone, a few moments before a knock came to the door. He walked over and opened it. A guy with a handlebar mustache and red framed glasses shuffled in and high fived Jay.

"Guys this is my old roommate, Wade." Jay smiled, and Wade chuckled and waved to us.

"It's nice to meet you guys, I'm Wade, and this is my friend Astrid. She's the one who's gonna take the picture for you guys." Wade smiled and stepped slightly out of the doorframe, revealing the girl standing behind him.

She looked around the room; her aquamarine eyes darting between all of our faces before she lifted her hand for gentle; stiff wave. We waved back and stood up from where we were sitting.

"So, uh...where do you guys wanna do this?" She asked, her voice huskier than I expected.

"Just over here in front of this wall that has a show poster on it." Jay said, pointing to the other side of the room.

She nodded softly and used her fingers to brush her chestnut hair out of her eyes. It was fascinating to watch her move so carefully towards us, like we were aliens to her. We posed in front of the show poster in a couple different ways. As she directed us behind the safety of her Polaroid, she seemed to actually be comfortable.

"They're gonna look so awesome." She smiled as she put the camera away. I couldn't help but stare at the little smile on her face, compared to how nervous she seemed at first.

"Thanks for letting us see the show." Wade smiled "we should get out there so we can make it to the front." Him and his friend left; as she walked out smiling down at her camera, not looking at any of us.

"I know that look!" Jay laughed and softly punched my arm.

"What look?" I asked.

He rolled his eyes at my apparently stupid question.
"You know what I mean, you have the hots for that girl."

"We just met like two seconds ago?" I chuckled back defensively.

Jay shrugged. "Whatever you say, E. Cmon let's get ready for the show."

I nodded and picked up my guitar, beginning to tune it perfectly. Jay say next to me with his bass, seemingly doing the same.

"You like her." He whispered.

"I don't!" I said and punched his arm. "Olivia come get your brother before beat the shit out of him."

"Nope, not my fight." Olivia chuckled and sipped her bottle of water from the other side of the room.

~ Astrid ~

The bar had filled up pretty well since we first walked in. I guess these guys were kinda big around here, I'd never heard of them though. I shuffled my way through the crowd, trying to get back to Wade after getting us a couple of beers.

"So what did you think?" Wade smiled and sipped his beer.

"Of the beer?" I chuckled "I guess it's okay."

"No of the guys." He laughed "the band, they're pretty cool right?"

"Oh." I nodded. I didn't really know them at all, it did seem like Wade wanted me to like them though. So I nodded my head in agreement and watched as a large smile appeared below that god awful thing he called a mustache.

"Awesome!" He smiled "so you wanna come hang out at the after party?" He sounded so excited but I could tell that he was reading the expression on my face clear as day.

"I, uh...I don't like crowds, parties y'know?" I said in a ham fisted attempt at explaining my extreme social anxiety. I never really have been good with words. It surprised me when he put his hand softly on my shoulder.

"I know." He said softly. "But I promise it's just gonna be a few people, really chill, not even like a party. You're a really cool person and I think if you got out there you'd meet some other really awesome people to connect with."

I softly bit my top lip; the only sure fire way to stop myself from crying every time. I'd never had a friend like Wade before, who cared. I think I really caught him off guard when I hugged him.

"Thank you." I said in a flat tone, in an attempt to not show any of the emotions I was feeling in my voice.

Wade smiled softly and patted the top of my head. "No problem, thanks for agreeing to come so last minute."

I smiled softly, not a half hearted smirk, but a genuine smile. "I'm glad that I did." I nodded and took another sip from my beer.

We'll see if I still felt that way when the "not really a party" party starts; I thought to myself as the lights began to dim, and the sounds of gentle strumming drew everyone's attention to the stage.

~~~~~~~

I'm still alive; and I suppose that's the best it'll get right now

K