A serenity prayer

Thank you

Tom looked at Bill one last time before starting to play the first chords. Bill's voice rose, melodic and steady, filling up the room as everybody turned to look at them. Tom had never been so relaxed in his whole life and, when his part came up, he didn't flinch or hesitate for a second,his mind and his body in perfect sync. He sang and he played, he could almost see his voice  coming out of his body and fusing with Bill's, forming something new, something real. As the applause filled the room he remember the dream he had the day he started working at the restaurant. The stage and the music and the screaming, he could remember how euphoric he had felt even if it wasn't real. This time however the sensation was real, and he could tell by Bill's smile they had killed it.  

They got off the stage and walked towards Alice who hugged them both while rambling about how good they were and how they should form a band. Diana stood behind her, next to Ashley, laying on the counter an empty glass on her hand, Tom could swear he had seen the ghost of a smile on her lips.  His sister ran up to him and hang up his neck monkey style, giggling and trying to pull him down.

- Congratulations! You guys were so good, I swear I almost cried midway through the song!- She pretended to wipe an invisible tear out of her eye. Tom gave her a soft punch on the shoulder and she laughed. Ashley then turned her attention to Bill.

- You know, I think that my parents actually liked the song.

-Really?- Bill looked skeptic.- Well I guess Diana was right then.

- Of course- Diana gave him on of her sly smiles that didn't reach her eyes. 

- We should go talk to them then.- Tom looked around and rose on his toe to have a better chance to spot his parents. - I can't see them, Ash, did you know where they went?

- No, they were here a second ago. - Ashley tried to look around but she was way to small to see across the sea of people that were now squirming around at the sound of the music coming from te speakers. Tom didn't recognize the band but he could swear it was by the killers.  

- I'll go get my phone, see if they texted me where they went. - Tom gave Bill a quick peck on the lips and rushed to their improvised camerino. He grabbed his jacket and took out his phone. No new messages. He returned to the rest of the group.

- Nothing- He said.- Not a call or a text.

- Maybe they went to commit suicide. - Diana had ordered whisky on the rocks and was sitting on the counter with no shoes on. 

- How much did you drink?- Tom hadn't even noticed before.

- Not much.- She took another sip of her drink. - Ash and I took a couple gin tonics before coming here and then some martinis...Mmm- She put her index finger over her lips like she was about to shush him but she just froze, thinking.- Yeah I maybe I had more than originally planned but, what did you expect? Your parents were coming and I didn't want to be sober when the confrontation came, not that it seems to be necessary now that they have bailed. 

-Well, we should take you guys home.- Tom took both the girls hands and dragged them out pushing through the crowd.He turned around a couple of time to make sure Bill was following them. When they got outside he took a deep breath and sighed.- You guys should go home. Ash? Make sure Diana gets home in one piece.- He bent to give his sister a kiss on the cheeks. 

-Where are you guys going? The night is still young.- Diana struggled to get her shoes on having to lean on Ashley's shoulder. 

-I know, that's why Bill and I are going to grab a drink. You, however, need to get a glass of water, put on some pijamas and get to bed. You can't even walk properly anymore.- Diana gave him a mean look.- See you're so drunk you're death glare doesn't even work. I'll call you a cab.

Tom turned to Bill who was lighting up a cigarette.

-You do want to have a drink right? My treat we're celebrating our success tonight.- Bill smiled, he'd been kind of worried that the sudden disappearance of Tom's parents would make the brunette sad or angry, but he looked excited and the look he gave him made Bill's stomach twist harder than any pre-concert worries. 

- Yeah, we can go to a bar near campus.

-I'll call two taxis then.

The bar was full with college students, the proximity to the dorms and the low prices made it one of the most concurred places in the city.  After the two ordered their drinks, one pint and a lemon-vodka spirit, they went outside and sat on a bench.

- That was something- Tom said taking a sip of his beer. 

- Yeah, I told you this place was great.

-I meant our performance. I mean, I know you've done it before, but I haven't and it was... natural. I can't think of a better word to express it. - He ran his hand though his hair looking nervously at the floor.

- It was amazing! The way you sang and play, and how our voices melted together, I've never felt something quite like it. 

-Really?

-Yeah, tonight was better than I could have possibly imagined. 

- Same.

They stood in silence for a while, taking sips of their drinks. 

-Thank you- Tom's voice was low and Bill barely heard it because of the noise coming from the bar and the street.

-Why?

- For letting me be part of your wonderland.

Bill felt himself blush and, as he felt Tom's lips against his, he thought he should be the one thank him.

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