So…I have never really thought of myself as a writer, but I had this story in my head and I had to get it out. I wrote it a few months ago and just found it on my computer again. I thought I’d share. If a lot of you enjoy it, I can definitely see it having several different chapters, kind of a mini-fanfiction. It was suppose to start as a preference/one-shot, but it just kept getting longer and longer. If I were to continue, this would the first chapter. I hope you enjoy!
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Holding On to the Past (Long Jay One-Shot)
You met Jay almost 2 years after you mother passed away. She had an 18 month battle with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, a harsh illness. That time had been rough on you and your family. You felt like you needed to be strong and keep living life after she passed. Some things that cemented this idea into your mind were the fact that everyone mentioned that you had your mother’s smile and optimism at the funeral. Your mom was your best friend. You felt like you were providing a sense of normalcy for your family. However, you never stopped being strong. Whenever emotions would boil up and you were around others, even your best friend, you’d push them back until you were alone. The spark that you had before your mother passed still hadn’t returned. The path that your career took didn’t help rekindle that spark either.
You had become a fan of Jay’s band about 5 months after your mother’s passing and you fell in love with their music. Hours were spent in front of your computer, watching YouTube videos of the band that brought a smile to your face, no matter how brief. You went to a gig about a year later and had the time of your life.
The next 8 months were tough. Not only were you still dealing with the emotions from your mom’s death, but you were also in the first year of a new teaching job. You were always told that if you could survive the first year of teaching, you were made to become a teacher. This year was extra stressful because a colleague that you worked very closely with all year had a completely different personality than you, causing all sorts of stress and anxiety. The students were the highlight of the year and were your motivation to keep at it. You always smiled when the students would sing along to ‘Glad You Came’ when it came on the radio while they were working. Even with so many bright moments, the first year was exhausting.
Your best friend, Amanda, was going to LA at the end of May for an interview and invited you along for “moral support", as she put it. You knew that she could see how drained you were and that you needed a vacation. School had just ended the week before, meaning you could go if you wanted to. You were ready for a break and LA sounded like the perfect place to find that, so you jumped on the opportunity.
The flight was nerve-wracking to say the least. You had never been on a plane before and Amanda was definitely having a go at you. You were usually the one to give her a hard time because of some ditsy comment so she was taking this opportunity and running with it. She would bust out laughing every time you flinched at a jerk in the plane’s motion, a loud bang in the cabin, or even a cough from the older gentleman behind you. Needless to say, you were overjoyed once you were off of the plane, out of the taxi, and in your hotel room.
“So Kady, what do you want to do for dinner? It needs to be something fairly quick since my interview is tomorrow. I don’t want to be up to late.” Amanda said once you had showered and had flopped onto the plush white comforter on the bed across the room.
“We could just order room service tonight and go out tomorrow. I’m not feeling the whole getting presentable thing.” You were already in a baggy pair of basketball shorts, a tank top, and your hair was a wet mess. Getting ready honestly just felt like more trouble than it would be worth.
“You paying?” Amanda teased.
“If that’s what it takes for me to stay right here, yes.” You mumble into the pillow, eliciting a laugh from Amanda as she walked across the room to get the room service menu from the table. She ordered food for both of you and the two of you discussed different things that you wanted to do while you were in LA this week. The beach, Rodeo drive, and Disneyland were just a few of the possibilities considered. As soon as the two of you finished eating your meals, you collapsed onto your beds and would be unable to decipher who fell asleep first when you woke up the next morning.
The next day while Amanda was at her interview, you decided to spend some time at the bookstore near your hotel. It wasn’t one of the major bookstores where there were people everywhere, but a cozy place situated between a small, family-owned Hispanic market and a Laundromat called “Suds for Duds”. The moment you walked in, you felt at home. There was a small coffee bar in the corner and armchairs that you could get lost in scattered throughout the two story building. Grabbing a chai tea, you find a small nook on the second floor and make yourself comfortable for the long wait.
You have spent nearly the entire afternoon reading a classic novel when you faintly hear someone clear their throat behind you. Assuming it is your friend; you turn around—ready to ask about her interview. It is a familiar face, but not Amanda’s. It is Jay McGuiness.
“Is anybody sitting here?” he motions toward the empty arm chair across from you.
He smiles, extending a hand toward you. “Good. I’m Jay.”
“Kadence.” You smile and shake the hand that he offered.
“You look really into that book. Do you read often?”
You look down at the book, turning it over in your hands. “When I can. Reading is one of the only ways I can escape real life for a little bit.” As soon as you said this, you second guess yourself. Why were you telling this person who is technically a stranger that you need to escape life? Would he ask for an explanation? Your throat tightens up at just the thought of sharing those things that made you so excited to leave home for a while. Your eyes stay on the book, waiting for his barrage of questions.
Jay could see the inner battle playing in your eyes. Not wanting to scare you away he decided to stay on topic, but try to switch it so it wasn’t as threatening to you. “I completely understand. Music is my escape. I can’t go a day without it.”
The two of you started discussing your favorite books and music. You brought up how you were a fan of The Wanted and how you had been to one of their gigs. The conversation was easy, but whenever it started getting a bit too personal, Jay seemed to be able to sense it and tried to move it in another direction. You talked about how you and Amanda had come from Kansas to LA for her interview and a mini-vacation. He talked a little bit about his family and the band. Before you knew it, an hour had passed and Amanda sent a text saying to meet at the nearby Italian restaurant for dinner.
“I’m sorry, but I need to go. I had a nice time talking with you today, Jay,” you say as you stand, giving Jay the most genuine smile that you had smiled in weeks.
“No worries. I should probably go and meet up with the guys. Is there any way I can get your number so we can maybe meet up again before you head back home? Maybe I could introduce you and your friend to the lads?” As he said this, you notice he is looking unsure of himself.
“Of course!” The two of you exchange numbers and go your separate ways, but not before he wraps his arms around you in a massive hug and whispers, “See you soon, Kadence,” leaving you speechless and smiling. Boy, did you have some girly gossip for Amanda tonight!
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