Eighteen
Avory
Leaving Sawyer isn't an option I'd have given myself for the evening, and I didn't want to leave. I could lay here with his head on my shoulder, learning about every single memory and moment, for the entire night until we’re blessed to see the morning sun rise over this town. Just watching how he moves, how he talks, how everything is calculated and thought over in that beautiful mind of his, it inspires lyrics which I never thought of writing. I'll have to try and explain to Marcus why he is suddenly singing about attraction, confusion and dedication. Marcus' text is unexpected as it doesn't include asking me to pick up take out or if I have listened to his most recent demo.
Marcus: Got some big news, kiddo! Get home ASAP! :P
I love that he has just started figuring out how emoticons work, because I won’t dare teach him about emojis. I'm not explaining the world of eggplants and peaches.
“Hey, it's my uncle. I think I need to get back, it seems important.”
Sawyer nods and begins to rise from my lap. I really hope he doesn't notice the tension he has slowly been causing. I shuffle, readjust, and stand next to Sawyer. Our hands lock together as he brushes his lips against mine once more. His soft yet tender lips feeling like a heaven opening its gates to welcome me in.
“You can go out of the back door. I've locked the front already. The alley will take you straight out the high street.”
“I usually go in the back door, but alright.”
Sawyer's jaw falls so wide open that it might as well drag on the floor like the classic cartoons. I laugh as his hands land on my shoulder blades, and he starts pushing me out of the fire exit. It’s cute seeing how much force he has to use to move my stature. I stop and lean on the fire exit frame, taking him all in once more until the next time I’ll see him.
“I'll message you, okay?”
“You better, Bright.”
He bites his thumb, holding back a laugh as I wave him off. Sawyer lingers in the doorway until I turn the corner and leave the alley. The suns setting over Tetherton today, and all I can dream about on this walk home is how I'd love to run the entire length of that beach with him.
“Hey, I got home as soon as I could, what's up?”
I’m scrambling to get in the front door and to take my boots off at the same time. I’m so confused by Marcus' message, but I don't want to risk being too calm or nonchalant about it. Could it be about my father? No, the message was too friendly. Are we leaving already? That thought sends a chill over my skin because I am not ready to leave Sawyer just yet. We are… something. And that something needs to be discussed soon.
Marcus leans on the island with a coffee in hand, the mug moving between his lips and the marble counter.
“This is nothing compared to that coffee you bring back all the time.”
I smile and nod in agreement as I sit on one of the bar stools.
“Thank you for coming back from wherever you were, but I couldn't keep this news back from you.”
He finishes his mug and dumps it in the sink before placing himself on the stool next to me.
“We've performed in many venues. Stages, festivals, pubs, bars, and clubs.”
I raise an eyebrow, trying my best to figure out where this is going.
“However, we have never performed on a beach.”
My mouth drops and my hands grab the counter to stabilise my seat since my surprise nearly sends me to the floor.
“You and I, Bright Lights, are performing tomorrow night at the Tetherton's Farewell to Summer Nights!”
We both leap up from our stools and hug each other, jumping and patting each other's back as we celebrate.
Marcus had been contacting anyone with any relevance to this festival in the hopes it would tempt someone to make some space for us.
While Marcus’ begging and pleading over the phone and over emails didn’t seem to convince anyone, it seems it wasn’t needed.
The founders of the festival had seen our sudden uprise, our sudden soaring popularity around the town resulting in multiple ticket holders putting our name forward to perform for the masses attending.
Tetherton definitely feels good for us, for multiple reasons.
A night on Tetherton's beach vibrating with back-to-back band performances, fuelled by overpriced alcohol, barbecue meat and party goers who are not ready to say goodbye to Summer.
Summer is practically disappearing already, with the single digit temperatures creeping in and the sun leaving us too soon now, but some people just can't accept it.
It seems that this is the biggest night for local talent in Tetherton, so we need to perform the crap out of it.
“This is our chance, Avory! Our best chance yet!”
Marcus darts for the fridge and pulls out two brown glass bottles of beer.
He cracks them both on his teeth and passes me one.
We clink the openings together before sipping, celebrating a new experience we'll never forget.
Marcus places his beer down as he dashes to the bathroom, and in those moments on my own, I send a text to the person who I also want to celebrate with.
I realise that I never told him that everything’s alright as I see a message waiting for me.
Sawyer: Hi, is everything alright? Is your uncle okay? :)
Avory: Yes! More than okay, thank you! We just got a place in the Farewell to Summer Nights show! This is huge for Bright Lights!
Sawyer: Omg that's amazing, A! The drinks are on me the next time you are in! <3
Avory: Deal <3
Sawyer: I wish I could come and see you guys live, but I hope you can understand why I can't :(
Avory: I'll take some videos and photos for you <3.
Sawyer sends back three green hearts as our conversation ends.
My mind still struggles to comprehend everything he has told me, from everything that has happened in the past to everything he is forced through now.
I'd give anything to see a familiar face in a crowd of strangers.
Marcus brings my mind back into our kitchen as he strolls in, readjusting his belt.
“So, are you ready to rehearse?”
We spend the rest of that evening and the whole next day rehearsing in the studio, and it pays off massively. The night curtains have been pulled over the sky as it overflows with stars and the full, silver moon, reflecting over the waves that are soaking the golden sands. Towering tiki torches are staked in the sands, the tangerine flames serving as the only light source across the entire beach as bamboo huts with woven straw roofs are scattered all over. An overwhelming number of regional menus hang from each hut, accompanied by assortments of cocktails which we don’t even recognise.
In the centre of the incredible setup, proudly stood a stage, the largest we have ever performed on. A wall stands behind the curved-edged stage, lined with paper-flamed tiki touches, where a group of staff come on between each performance and change the flag hanging to the next performer’s name. We drag our cases through the sand, which isn't an easy job in itself, let alone with our performance outfits on and meet a burly, bearded man who stands by the side of the stage, tents pitched up behind him for performers. A hi-vis jacket is stretched to its limit because of this man’s shoulders, and he really minimises Marcus as we approach.
“Hey there, we're Bright Lights, we're performing tonight!”
Marcus has to shout due to the sheer bass coming from the speakers which line the front of the stage. The man cracks his neck as he checks a clipboard which sits on a speaker, and he ticks a box.
“Go on though, but don't bother with a tent! You're on next, so go straight the side of the stage and my associates will direct you from there.”
His voice is deep with a raspy tone as he points to a couple of people waving us over.
Marcus takes the lead as we nod and wave to the security guard. A ginger woman, who dons a headset and a baggy black hoodie which reads ‘crew’ on the sleeve and back, quickly waves as she answers a call, while a shorter guy – around Sawyer's height – rushes up to us with a camera dangling around his neck.
“Hey there! I'm Brendon, and that's Sophie! She's the coordinator for the entire production basically, so anything about your show that is particular, speak to her!”
Marcus and I shake his hand and introduce ourselves as he speaks. Brendon seems nervous as the words pour out of his mouth at rapid speed. He’s wearing a blue button up shirt, navy shorts and a grey hoodie which wraps around his small waist. He has these light blonde curls which bounce when he walks, and talks, and a similar pair of glasses to Marcus.
“I'm a photographer! As long as you don't mind, I'd love to shoot some photos and videos and then send them over to you guys! I need some practice so it's free!”
Marcus agrees and hands over some details so that Brendon has a way to get all the photos over to us afterwards.
“You're on in five! Hand over your equipment and we'll set it up!”
Sophie barks as staff grab our equipment and cart it on stage.
We discuss our set, hand over everything that needs setting up to Sophie and she nods along, scribbling everything onto a notepad. We have moments before going on stage, Brendon is putting in some ear plugs as he makes his way down to the speakers to get photos from below and Marcus places his hands on my shoulders.
“We've got this, lad!”
Marcus pulls me in for one of those big bear hugs he gives, and my chin balances on his shoulder in these boots. As I peer over Marcus, my eyes scan the audience for his beautiful face, but I knew it’s a long shot. I do recognise a blonde woman with a taller, blonde man. She leans on the barrier, her phone aimed at the stage, covering her face, and only when she lowers her phone do I realise who it is. Gwen is here with, who I assume is her brother, Xander. Gwen's face glows with festival paint as she waves with her arms above her head, and I wave my hand back in a more subtle fashion. Brendon's smile beams up as he waves at me. Shit, that wasn't meant for him, but at least Gwen saw my wave to her.
We collapse at the closest tiki bar we can find. So many voices have just been thrown at us from every direction as we finished our set. So many unfamiliar faces tried their best to grab us as the notes of our last song rang through the speakers, but the adrenaline carried us here. The crowds cheered, screamed, applauded every performance and began to chant the band's name as we finished our set.
Marcus orders the most expensive cocktails on the menu, and we cheers to our successful evening. A bead of sweat trails down Marcus' forehead, even after using the towels which were thrown to us by a folk band which were one of the first to perform.
“I'm so fucking proud of us, Avory!”
“I am, as well! That was incredible. Any chance you noticed the stragglers at the back who were filming a hell of a lot and taking notes?”
I know that news would excite Marcus. His eyes widen as he slurps the bright blue concoction through his swirly straw.
“Fuck, really? That's really good! If they are scouts, let's hope we hear something soon!”
Marcus pats my back twice as we watch the bartender throw around a cocktail shaker in the most artistic way possible. We were lucky enough to find a quieter bar away from the stage, that’s until a voice comes bundling towards us.
“Hey, there you are! I've sent those photos and videos over! Thank you so much, and you guys are awesome!”
We thank Brendon for his service, and Brendon shakily asks to join us for one drink before he heads off for the evening. Marcus accepts on our behalf, ordering him the same dazzling drink he’s on currently, but it seems Brendon struggles to down them like we do. As he bubbles the last parts of his drink, quietly burping to the side, Brendon leans into my side, his hand tentatively wrapping around my bicep. He readjusts his glasses and smiles as he nervously speaks.
“Um, if it's not weird, um, could I maybe ask you out sometime? Just to a local bar?”
Those words blurt out of nowhere, and I feel my eyes widen while I bite my swirly straw. You can see that he hasn't done this before, or if he has, not towards someone like me before. My lack of response causes Marcus’ elbow to bump into my side for encouragement and for Brendon to speak again.
“Oh sorry, you don't swing this way, do you? I was stupid to—”
“I do! I swing any way, and you seem really sweet, but I'm just not really doing much in that field right now.”
Brendon seems disappointed and hugs me before leaving.
Marcus creeps in from my other side. “Um, did you just shoot down a kind of cute guy?”
I love that he knows so much about me, but I also hate that he knows so much about me, because he's about to see straight through me.
“Just… not interested.”
I sip my drink and avoid eye contact with Marcus.
A drunk couple, a woman nearly falling over in a tight-fitting dress and a man trying to stop her from eating a mouthful of sand, stumble around our tiki bar as we speak.
“Bullshit. Something’s been different about you since we got here but that's the weirdest thing so far.”
Marcus wiggles his eyebrows at me as he slurps the final sips of his drink.
The couple grow louder as they stumble closer, the woman ironically shouting at the man to shush, and I realise that I have no way of getting out of this.
“There's someone, a guy, who has been confusing the fuck out of me recently but in the best possible way.”
Marcus swivels his chair around to face me. “Let me guess, a barista at that café? What was it? Sombre's Café?”
The couple instantly turn silent as the woman shushes the man again, and I widen my eyes at the fact that I have been this obvious with it.
“I pieced it together over time, with your willingness to serve me delicious coffee practically daily, and I’ve never seen you this happy.”
Marcus holds his hand between my shoulder blades as I talk, a smile plastering my face as I am finally able to tell Marcus about my—this incredible man.
“His name is Sawyer Sombre, he's the barista and we've been seeing each other when we can, but I—”
The woman stumbles into our chairs and finally earns the mouthful of sand which was coming for her. Marcus offers a hand to the lady but the same man with an unbuttoned shirt and thick gel coating his hair, bats Marcus’ hand away and helps her up.
“Don't mind her, she’s pissed and we're on our way back to hers anyways, am I right lads?”
Marcus raises his eyebrows to them as the man winks, soon realising that his disgusting joke has been told to the wrong crowd. We swivel our chairs back around and I continue sipping, the light and airy feeling swirling around in my head becoming stronger as I reach the bottom of the glass. I glance over my shoulder to the man carrying the woman, the woman feeling oddly familiar. Surely that isn't her?