old fashioned • dj&ts

iv. los angeles

"You guys made it!" Eddie yelled over the sound of the rain. Camila closed her umbrella and hopped in the back of the minibus to sit with Billy while Alexis stayed outside. She was only holding a leather jacket over her head.

"Need help?" She yelled back. He laughed.

"You're still dry!"

Alexis removed her jacket from above her head and held out her arms, embracing the rain. "Not anymore!"

"You're crazy!"

"I can't let you be the only one out in the rain!"

Eddie smiled, watching the water drip from her hair as it got flat. Her eyes squinted as she laughed and he couldn't help but stare at her.

"You do that a lot!"

"Do what?"

"Stare!" She smiled again. "I didn't think I was that interesting!"

"You're the most interesting person I've ever met!"

From outside, Eddie and Alexis could barely hear themselves. On the inside of the bus, though, everybody heard the conversation clearly. Camila smiled up at Billy who shook his head. "I don't see it happening."

"I can," Camila told him, looking at Graham and Warren who both shrugged. "I think it's cute."

Camila's thoughts were interrupted when the pair both jumped into the back, getting everyone else wet in the process. Billy threw a blanket at them that had been crumpled up next to him, and Eddie threw it around Alexis's shoulders. After they bickered for a minute, Alexis ended up sitting between Eddie's legs as he held the blanket around both of them. It all looked so natural for them, like they've known each other their whole lives. The rest of the band couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, although the pair thought of it as nothing more than a friendly gesture that would end once they were dry enough.

"What are you doing?" Alexis asked.

"Documenting this moment," Camila smiled, pointing her camera in their direction. Alexis waved at the camera while she and Eddie both laughed. The camera turned to Graham, and that was that.

Eddie and Alexis couldn't deny that they noticed each other, at the very least. Eddie noticed how Alexis laughed differently around him, and Alexis noticed how Eddie would play with the ends of his sleeves around her.

When they arrived in Los Angeles, Billy took everyone to talk to a tour manager snd set up shows. His hopes were too high, though, and he was humbled pretty quickly. The only thing they left with was a gig at a bar on The Strip.

Driving through The Sunset Strip felt like an out-of-body experience for everyone in the minibus. The crowds, the lights, the sound; everything surrounding them took their breath away. They had nowhere to live and barely any money, but nobody cared. They were exactly where they wanted to be. They made it.

Alexis in particular felt a huge weight lift off of her shoulders. She was starting a new life away from Derek and away from her family. She has a new family now. A family that actually wants her around and misses her when she's gone.

When they found a cheap motel, they booked three rooms for the night. Warren and Graham were in one, Billy and Camila in another, and Eddie and Alexis in the third. Camila offered to switch with Eddie, but neither of them felt uncomfortable by the sleeping arrangements. Alexis and Eddie went into their room and each smoked a joint. Eddie sat on his bed with his back against the headboard while Alexis laid upside-down on hers with her legs up against the wall.

"What's your favorite color?" Alexis asked, deciding she wanted to know more about him if they were spending the night together.

"Yellow," Eddie answered, looking at her.

"That's a weird favorite color," Alexis giggled. "You're the only person I know that likes yellow."

"Alright, what's yours, then?" Eddie asked.

"Red," Alexis answered. "I'm the only person I know that likes red."

"What's your favorite song?" Eddie continued, wanting to learn more about her as well.

"They Long to Be Close to You by The Carpenters," Alexis answered, finally looking at him. "It gives me hope that one day I'll feel the kind of love they sing about."

"You will," Eddie said quietly. "You deserve to be loved that way."

Alexis was quiet for a moment while staring at the ceiling, taking in what he said before asking, "What's yours?"

"My favorite love song is Your Song by Elton John," Eddie answered. "But my favorite rock and roll song is Brown Sugar by the Stones."

"Mine's Sister Morphine by the Stones," Alexis smiled. "I think you'll be as big as the Stones one day."

"No way," Eddie shook his head. "They're legends."

"If you don't think you can be a legend, why are you here?" They looked at each other as Eddie pondered the question. Silence filled the room, but it was comfortable. "Dream bigger, Eddie Loving."

When they went to bed, Eddie found himself staring at Alexis again. The room was dark, but moonlight filled the room just enough so he could see her. She slept quietly, her breathing calm. He wondered what it would feel like to sleep next to her. The last time he let his mind wander off like this was when he had a crush on Camila not that long ago. Those feelings were still inside of him, but not for Camila anymore.

He didn't want to feel this way. He didn't want his heart to be broken again. He's always been the one to fall first, but every time he ends up hitting the ground hard. Maybe this time could be different, he thought. Maybe this time it would work out. He just didn't know if "maybe" was enough for him anymore.