Overkill // Joseph Quinn

3- familiar

"I can't do it, Jo."

Jo rolls his eyes and paces the room. I'm sat on the piano bench, my usual spot, watching him frantically try to think of something to say to convince me to do it.

"But why?" He finally asks the question I didn't want him to ask. I threw my hands up and eventually landed them on my lap, sending out a harsh slapping noise.

"You know I don't have a good history with this sort of thing, it's just not in my favor." I was speaking the truth, but I couldn't let myself go deeper into it.

"This time is different, Eds. You could easily get this!" He now sits next to me, keeping his eyes away from mine. My lips turn to a frown seeing how frustrated he is over this.

"I'm sorry, but I can't." I made my final decision with all of this.

Last night, I had stayed up late trying to redo the audition tape over and over until it was perfect. The clock had read two in the morning and the tape never came close to it, causing me to give up on my dream once again. I knew at that moment that it wasn't meant to be, and never will be.

"I get it, I'm sorry for pushing. I just know you'd be great at it." I rubbed his shoulder, consoling him. I felt bad for letting him down, letting myself down, but I couldn't let someone else let me down. I couldn't bare not getting yet another role.

"I have someone coming in soon." I spoke softly, feeling bad for practically kicking Jo out in this sensitive moment.

He nodded before gathering his things and slowly going toward the door.

"They stop taking auditions next month, in case you change your mind." A spark of hope shed in his eyes, which only made me feel sadder. I nodded and waved him goodbye without commenting on his last statement.

As soon as he left, the man that was sent to me from Capitol Records walked in. He had longer blonde hair and was very tall. He was very intimidating, but charming with how he carried himself.

"Hi, I'm Eden. It's nice to meet you." I greeted him with giving him my hand to shake and he obliged politely.

"I'm Jamie Bower, it's a pleasure." His thick British accent rung through my ears. I was slightly taken back by it, and it was obvious.

"Where are you from, Jamie?" I asked as I led him over to the table that sat in the corner.

"Oh, London." He responded. I smiled as we both sat across from each other.

He placed his things onto the table and rummaged through it all in a panic.

"I had something for you to look at but I don't know where it's gone." He continued to struggle through the scatter of papers before finally lifting one up with a smile. He extended his arm to hand me the paper, to which I took and immediately examined it.

It was a few lyrics he had jumbled together all over the page. I smiled as I read through them, seeing he had a good talent.

"This is good, yeah I like it." I looked up at him from the paper as he held a proud smile on his face. He was shy, but also confident when it came to his music.

"So what kind of style do you have the most interest in?" I asked, beginning to kickstart something good from all of this.

The session went good, Jamie was actually a really cool and pleasant person. We talked more about his personal life and how he got here. We exchanged a few laughs and ended the session with some piano playing.

He was really good at it, playing the song I had recommended to him with ease. I sat beside him in awe as he played each chord beautifully and it eventually came to an end.

"That was great!" I praised and he was quick to thank me.

He left about an hour ago. I still stayed sat on a chair with a guitar in my lap. I circled back to the song I had written yesterday, adding more onto it.

I found myself behind the production of things, adding more sounds and adding a drum line to the song. This was definitely something I'd put out to the world for myself, it was too personal to give away.

I wrapped up my personal session when I realized I was late to go home to Dixie. I knew she was going to be pissed that I've missed her lunchtime.

I sprinted back to my apartment and rushed inside. A harsh meow greeted me and I cringed at the expected response.

"Sorry, princess." I apologized normally and bent down to pour food into the bowl. She didn't hesitate to run over and begin her late feast.

My phone began to ring in my back pocket and I leaned over to retrieve it. It was Jo.

"Hey." I spoke through the speaker.

"What are ya doin?" He asked casually, like the events that took place just a few hours ago didn't happen.

"Feeding my cat, what about you?" I laughed softly while looking over at Dixie who was nearly done eating.

"Let's go out for dinner tonight." He suggested which made me excited.

"Sure, what time?"

"I don't know, I'll let you know." He spoke shortly which made me laugh nervously.

We ended the call and I went back to my usual routine after work. I thought back to my session with Jamie and how talented he was. I couldn't wait to tell Jo about him, maybe he could work with us one day.

The time came around for dinner and I suggested that Jo just come over and I'd cook. I wasn't too keen on going out, especially on weekends when the streets were filled. I liked being to myself and myself only, including Dixie.

"I brought alcohol!" Jo bursted through the door unannounced which made me almost jump out of my skin.

"Christ, Joseph." I let out a breath that I didn't realize I was holding in and focused back to the stove.

He walked around the kitchen island and set a bottle of wine on the counter next to me. I glanced over at it and smiled, realizing it was my favorite.

I finished the food and put it on two plates to serve. I put a plate in front of Jo and he was quick to dig in. I poured more wine into my glass after already having one while cooking and sat down behind my plate of food.

"How was your session today?" Jo asked with a mouth full of food. I shook my head at his lack of manners and took a bite from my plate.

"Really good, guy has a real talent." I spoke while swallowing the bite I had taken.

We finished up our food and took ourselves to the couch to watch tv. Dixie jumped up and landed onto Jo's laugh, making him giggle and rustle with her fur.

"What was his name?" Jo asked. I furrowed my brows at the random question but soon realized what he was referring to.

"Jamie Bower. He's from London." I responded while browsing through my options on the tv.

"That sounds familiar." Jo spoke as he continued messing with Dixie.

The night came to an end and Jo was ready to go home. We bid our goodbyes and I was soon alone again with Dixie. I sighed, relieved it was finally time for bed, and changed into my pajamas. I plopped myself onto my bed and waited for Dixie to soon join me.

My phone buzzed on my nightstand and I was reluctant to look at it. I reached over, blindly grabbing it off the table and opened the message.

Jamie Campbell Bower. He auditioned for the show.

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i love jamie