Nate
What an exhausting few days, with non-stop practicing and minimal sleep. This Thursday is flying by, which scares me because tomorrow is our first performance. I have never sung at a volunteer event before, which gives me some jitters.
I also feel like this might be an extremely low-pressure situation, which hopefully reduces my nerves.
Like, who comes to a puppy adoption event and actually watches the performance?
I have never been to a puppy adoption event.
Still, I am sure my serotonin levels will be as high as everyone else's.
Imagine I end up leaving with a new dog.
As much as I would love a dog, my broke ass is not ready for that.
Mel and I have been practicing day and night, which is why we've been melting on the couch and watching The Office for a few hours.
The goal is to mix up our genres depending on the type of event. I agree that it is important to be versatile and learn other styles. Still, everything's coming together really well.
Before continuing, Mel suddenly blurts out that her friend Paul is coming, and he's bringing someone else, a friend she's never met.
But according to her, anyone who's friends with Paul must be cool.
She also admits she's a little nervous that most of the people at the event will be focusing on the puppies rather than on our performance.
That's partly why she invited Paul to make sure someone's actually watching.
Knowing Mel had already invited her friend, I consider inviting Evan, too. It would be nice to have him there, but he's always been my safety blanket. I need to start making my own friends and building my own life. I think Mel and her crew could grow into something real.
At around 6 p.m., we decide to run through the first two songs we will perform: "Same Old Love" by Selena Gomez and "Kiss from a Rose" by Seal.
Before we run through the set again, Mel blurts, " I think we need around ten songs total, which should hopefully last us between thirty and sixty minutes.
I am thinking we could go with a few well-known Goo Goo Dolls and Third Eye Blind Songs.
It might be best to focus on ones that are a bit easier to sing and harmonize with - something that creates a relaxed, mellow mood.
The goal isn't to energize the crowd but to provide a calming background while people look for their forever puppies.
Even if no one is actively listening, we want to help set a chill vibe. "
I nod and say, "Totally agree; I know a bunch of songs from both bands so that I can pull those together.
I think it's good for us to get in a couple more hours of practice tonight and maybe a bit more in the morning as well.
But honestly, If we overdo it, we'll start to lose our minds.
I say we just relax and see what happens.
As you said, this is a low-pressure environment, and we really have nothing to lose. "
We continue practicing until about 9 p.m. and decide to call it a night. My nerves haven't fully crept in yet, so I think it's best to pass out now before they decide to make an entrance into my mind.
Before I even get the chance to say good night to Mel, she is already back in her room with the door shut.
It's kind of funny because she didn't even brush her teeth or do any moisturizing, which is gross.
Even though I've been crashing at Mel's, I still stick to my whole nightly routine. Gotta stay pretty, obviously.
After my usual ten-minute self-care ritual of skincare and brushing my teeth, I settle in on the couch. I turn off all the lights and just sit there for a bit, letting my thoughts drift.
Most of what I feel is excitement. Excitement to meet new people. To meet this Paul guy and hopefully connect with his friends. I'm looking forward to building something with Mel, too, and practicing music together and seeing where it goes.
Maybe, if we're lucky, someone at this event will notice us. Maybe word will spread. Perhaps this could be the beginning of something real, with new people, new opportunities, and new momentum for our small group.
Around 11 a.m., I'm shaken awake by a pretty aggressive shove, followed by Mel yelling, "Wake the fuck up, it's 11!"
As my eyes slowly open, all I see is Mel standing over me, staring like she’s about to lose it. Then she shouts, “We literally have two hours to practice, get dressed, and get ready!” As chaotic as Mel is, I love her.
For the next two hours, we practice like our lives depend on it. We're sharp, focused, and ready to go. We are completely dialed in and ready to kill this performance.
A half-hour after we end our final "dress rehearsal," Mel calls an Uber, which is scheduled to arrive at 1:30.
We should arrive at the venue by 2 p.m., which gives us an hour to get ready and mingle a bit.
Thankfully, the Uber arrives on time and could fit both guitars and a few other pieces of equipment.
We pull into the event, which is held in a medium-sized bar, and we see an immense amount of puppies. Is this heaven? Before we come to a complete stop, Mel grabs my wrist with such force that I am sure she is going to break it.
Mel looks at me with shock. "Why is Carter Elliot standing next to Paul? I knew Paul was bringing a new friend, but what the actual fuck! He could have easily said, ‘Hey Mel, I am bringing a hot, sexy football player for you to fuck. Please look your best.’"
“Holy shit, holy shit! I haven’t seen this guy in years.” I whisper back.
Mel mutters, “Wait, you know him? You did not tell me this when I brought him up a few days ago. Um, spill the details now.
I say under my breath, “We went to the same college, that’s it. I met him maybe once in passing.”
Why am I so excited? Why do I feel so nervous? I have been with other people since that brief kiss, but the electric feeling I felt with Carter on that hammock was way stronger than anything I've felt.
As I get out of the Uber, I start walking towards Carter, and I can't help but glance at his biceps, and my God, is he jacked.
As I get closer, I catch the look in his eyes.
There's definitely a surprise there, but I can't quite read the rest. Is he nervous?
Shocked? Pissed to see me? I have no idea, but I need to find out.
Before I could say anything to Carter, Mel goes barrelling into Paul and pulls him into a big hug.
After a hug that felt like it lasted forever, she grabs Paul by the arm, pulls him towards me, and says, “Paul, this is my new partner, Nate, he’s literally amazing. You’ll hear him sing in about an hour. And seriously, isn’t he so cute?”
Paul’s eyes travel from my feet to my face, and I can’t help but feel a little objectified.
He smirks and says, “Hey, stud…how’s it going?
I’ve heard great things about you, even though you’ve only known my girl for, what, three or four days?
” He pauses with a playful look, then adds, “I should probably introduce my friend, though I doubt he needs an introduction. This is Carter Elliot.”
He turns to Carter, then back to us. “Carter, meet Mel and Nate. They’ll be doing the singing, and we’ll be doing the spectating. We’ll clap, cheer, maybe even start a wave - whatever it takes to hype them up. And then, obviously, everyone’s leaving with a puppy. Got it?”
I look at Paul with a smile and say, "I don't think this is that type of event, but nice to meet you."
Then I turn to Carter, trying to figure out how to respond and how I should act around him. He looks a little nervous, maybe even scared. So I decide to play it cool as if I don’t remember him at all. I keep it simple, with a simple nod, and say, "Hi, nice to meet you."
As Carter introduces himself to me and Mel, I catch the look on her face; she’s practically drooling. I can’t help but laugh a little in my head. She’s hilarious. Completely unaware that she has absolutely no shot with him. But hey, that’s not my place to say. Clearly.
It seems like Paul and Mel either haven’t seen each other in a while or just really love talking; either way, they wander off into the bar together, and Paul grabs all the bags like it’s no big deal.
Honestly, I didn’t mind. It gave me a moment alone with Carter, a chance to feel things out and see where we stand.
Should I pretend I don't know him? Should I say something? Or do we just move forward as if none of it ever happened? I'm not sure yet, but standing there with him, the silence felt heavy with possibility.
Once the other two are out of sight, I turn to Carter and say, "What the fuck, what are the chances?
I literally just moved to New York. You just got traded, and now, somehow, we're both here?
" I pause and give him a teasing smile. "Is this fate?
Are we, like…destined to be together forever? " I joke.
“For real, though," I say, lowering my voice a bit, "I know we've never really hung out and only met once, but...how should we play this? Do we pretend we don't know each other? Act like we're friends? What's the move here?"
Carter hesitates for a moment before replying, “I think…Let's just go with not knowing each other. Feels easier that way.”
I raise an eyebrow, a slight frown tugging at my face, but nod. “Works for me.”
And just like that, we make a silent agreement and head inside the building together.
When we step into this adorable bar, we're immediately surrounded by puppies and dogs of all ages. I instantly obsess over all of them and am ready to take every single one of them home.
Carter, who clearly thinks what I am thinking, looks at me and says, "So, how many of these dogs are we taking with us? I am thinking of three each. We need to take one home at least, promise me that?"
I let out a soft laugh in response, "Um, do we just take all of them? I have a two-bedroom, so the dogs get both rooms, and I get the couch." Carter chuckles, sensing I'm only slightly kidding.
It looks like Paul is helping Mel set up the sound system, so I think I'm free to see if Carter wants a drink.
“So, thoughts on grabbing a drink? Just one. Do it, have one with me,” I say, practically begging. “I need some liquid courage. There are already like fifty people stuffed in this bar.”
Carter smirks. "You think I'd let you down? Obviously, I'm not turning down a drink." He pauses, then adds with a teasing, mischievous flicker in his eye, "I might even have two. Would you be jealous?"
I giggle. “Let’s just get to the bar. I think a vodka cranberry might be exactly what I need. vodka and sugar, what could possibly go wrong?”
As we start making our way through the crowd, I feel Carter’s hand lightly on my back. Maybe he’s just guiding me toward the bar...or maybe it’s something else. Most likely, it’s all in my head.
After about five minutes, each with a drink in hand, we stand off to the side, watching Paul and Mel struggle to set things up.
Carter leans in slightly and says, "I find it so random and hilarious that you know Mel from school. And I just met this Paul guy, like, four days ago, and somehow he's now my best friend. Well, not an actual best friend...but kind of.
I look at Carter, but before I can say anything, he beats me to it.
"I'm actually really excited to hear you sing later," he says. "It was like four years ago when I heard you sing for literally five minutes, and you were amazing."
I grin. "Oh yeah? You heard me for five minutes. Remember that time you went upstairs with that girl Sarah while I sang my heart out?" I tease.
Carter's cheeks flush, and he laughs awkwardly. "Yeah...definitely not my best move. But honestly? That night kind of confirmed it for me, that I’m full-blown gay."
He pauses for a second, then continues, half-laughing at himself. "Like, I was in bed with her. Tits out, everything out. Her mouth was literally on my dick, and still…nothing. Limp. I was lying there thinking, 'Yup, this isn't it.' That was the moment I knew for sure. Gay as fuck."
Seeing how happy Carter looks when he tells me about his gay awakening makes me so happy inside.
I have never felt embarrassed about my sexuality.
Maybe it is because I don't have a million friends, or perhaps it's because I don't even know what my sexuality is entirely.
Either way, I am extremely happy for Carter.
“Wow, I’m sorry you had to go through that," I say, smirking. "But also…I don’t really feel bad for you. Maybe you just picked the wrong person to go upstairs with."
I lean in slightly. "I mean, to be honest, that kiss on the hammock? Hot as fuck. If you had asked me to go upstairs, I might’ve actually said yes.
" I pause for a beat and giggle. "I don’t usually get that kind of feeling or want to fool around with someone right away. But hey…you snooze, you lose."
“Well, we’re still young,” Carter says with a wink. “You never know; maybe it’ll happen again someday.”
My face flushes instantly, and I open my mouth to say something back, but before I can, I catch Mel shooting me a look from across the room. She’s clearly frustrated and needs help with the damn sound system.
We're supposed to perform in about fifteen minutes, so I should probably get up there and test the mic and my guitar.
"Well, this conversation definitely isn't over," I say, giving him a teasing look. "But I've got some responsibilities, like, you know, performing in front of a crowd that may or may not listen."
I start walking toward the stage and glance back over my shoulder. “I hope you like it. And please, do your part; either pump up the crowd or, if everyone’s staring at us in horror, at least pretend we sound amazing.”
I flash him a grin and turn away before he can see me blush again. As I walk toward the stage, I know I should be running through the lyrics in my head, but all I can think about is how lighthearted Carter is and how easy it feels to be around him.
I don't expect anything to happen between us, not really. But still, it'd be nice to find a real friend in him.