Chapter Text
College was awesome.
It truly was, Scott wasn’t lying to his family about it, he was truly loving it.
He was finally studying subjects he truly enjoyed, had met amazing people and his campus even had an amazing acapella group that he joined as soon as he got there. He couldn’t have dreamed about a better time in college, but thing are never as easy as they seems.
He realized that when Rachel had said that she was coming to LA and would have loved to see him again, to see how he was holding on.
He and Rachel had known each other for years and Scott was excited to see her again but he felt a little bad when he realized he had wished that someone else would have called to say the exact same thing.
In high school he used to hang out a lot with Rachel, but even more with Mitch and Kirstie and he hadn’t seen them in months.
He sighed.
Of course they called each other almost every day, but it wasn’t the same.
Kirstie was studying in Oklahoma, while Mitch was still a senior in high school, in Texas and he was starting to feel just like they were becoming part of different worlds.
What if one day they would no more understand each other like they used to do?
The thought of this catastrophe was too unbearable for him.
She shook his head and closed the book he was supposed to study that morning, realizing that he had read barely a page.
He was definitely going to fail the test he had on the following week.
Scott decided it was better not to think about it and start to get ready. The appointment with Rachel was in less than half an hour and he still hadn’t decided what to wear, not that it really matter since it was just a meeting with an old friend and not a date and Mitch was not there to question his outfit.
When he arrived where they were supposed to meet he found her already there.
Rachel was looking at her phone, smiling, so he crept behind her.
-Who are we texting now? You didn’t tell me you got yourself a boyfriend!!-he exclaimed, starting t laugh seeing her jump.
-Scott, you idiot! You scared me!-she protested punching him on his arm, making him laugh even more.
-C’mon, is not like I’ve never crept behind your shoulders to spy on you-
-Yes, but that was in high school! People use to grow up a bit during college!-
-Boring people, not me-
-Definitely not you-
He didn’t reply and she stared at his blue eyes for a while before hugging him.
-I’ve miss you big boy-
-I’ve miss you to Rachel, but right now I’m missing the food too. Should we goo and get something to eat?-
-Sure. You lead-
Scott started walking and she followed without even asking where they were heading.
-So, why don’t you tell me about your new boyfriend?-he asked when they reached the cafè he had picked for lunch.
-He’s not…..I don’t……-
-Don’t lie to me. You know you can’t. I mean, like, C’mon! I know that look and that smile, so tell me about this boy-
-Well, all right, you won. He is nice, tall, brown eyes and…….-
-Just show me a picture of him and go to the juicy stuff-
-You know Scotty? You can be a pain in the ass sometimes-she replied, handing him her phone.
-People you to say that a lot but I’m still don’t know why-he said, starting scrolling through the gallery.
-He seems……can I say hot or are you going to get jealous?-
-You just said that Scott so……-
-Well, he is definitely hot. I’m happy to see you can still chose a guy. But tell me more about him, like, are you just first base, how is he…..You know, that kind of stuff-
-I’m not gonna talk about this with you!-
-All right, all right. I had to try. Can you at least tell me how you met him? Is he at your same college or what?-
-We actually met at the Sing-Off audition-
-Wait, wait. You actually went there?-
-Yes. Why?-
-I was thinking I may actually try that out. I know I’m not usually lucky with these auditions, but, I don’t know. You know how much I love singing, especially acapella pieces so I thought that maybe the Sing-Off was worth a shot-
-It definitely is! It’s an amazing show if you are a choir nerd, and you definitely are one. I remember the arrangements you used to do with Mitchie and Kirstie and I do believe that you three should go for it. You’re still in touch, right?-
-Of course. It’s not like distance can come between us, especially not now that everyone has a phone!-
-You’re right. So, you just have to ask them. I bet they would love to try. There’s just one thing…..-
-What?-
-You need a group of at least five people to compete-
-This means our trio is going to become a quintet-he replied with simplicity, making her smile.
-Do you have someone you can ask?-
-Well, actually I don’t……But I’m gonna ask my friends in the vocal group if someone want to join and……-
-No, this is not going to work, Scotty, you can just ask random people to join if you really want to stand a chance.
Your trio need some rhythmic section. You have to look for a bass and a beatboxer and than you can go to the audition-
-That’s bad. Our basses truly suck. They are not even nice people. And a beatboxer…….I’ve never even met one!-
-Easy there drama queen!-she laughed, seing his reaction.
-I might have a solution…..-
-You do?-now there was hope again in Scott’s eyes.
-Well, not actually me, but…..Jack has this friend that has an amazing reputation to be something like the best bass at least in the South California area. I bet he would join if jack asks him to-
-I’m sorry, who is Jack?-
-My new boyfriend, Of course-
Scott had completely forget that they had started the conversation talking about Rachel’s new guy and he just realized he hadn’t even ask what his name was.
-So, I was thinking……I showed him the video of telephone you guys did in high school…..-
-Oh my Gosh Rachel!!-
-Can you shut up and listen for five minutes? I was saying…..I showed him the video and he loved it. So I’m pretty sure that he would ask his friend to sing with you if you ask him-
-But I don’t even know him!-
-No problem. He’s gonna come later this afternoon so, if you want, I can introduce him to you. Maybe we can hang out a bit together-
Scott was actually surprised.
-Are you really at this point with him? You never introduce me to one of your boyfriends before-
-I’ve never really dated someone for this long actually and I do feel like he is different from the others. He could be the one Scott-
He looked at his friend eyes amazed. He had never seen her so in love. He had to met this boy!
-Than that’s a deal. I can’t wait to meet the guy who stole your heart-
She didn’t reply, but a wide smiled appeared on her face.
-Why don’t you show me around Scotty?-
-Fine, let’s go!-
Scott walked Rachel all over the campus and at the end of the day his feet were sore. He was not used to wander around so much, preferring going to parties or join random jam session in his friends’ rooms.
He looked at the watch and sighed.
He had planned to study that afternoon but that was definitely not going to happen.
Why was he so bad in planning his study time?
College was going to be hell for him, he was sure.
-Hey-a voice from behind bought him into reality.
He looked at Rachel and he didn’t need to ask her who the guy was.
-Hi, I’m Jack. You are Scott, right?-the brown haired boy said, shaking Scott’s hand
-Yes, that’s me-
-I know I might sound awkward but I have to say it. I’ve watched your video, I mean, the one with you and your friends, what are their names? Mitch and Kirstin, am I wrong?-
-Mitchie and Kirstie, yes-
-Well, me and my friend, we watched that video over and over and we’ve loved it!-
-Your…..Your friend?-
-Yes, well, I bet Rachel might have mention to you that I’m a bit of a choir nerd and of course some of my friend are too. So, when she showed me the video of telephone I just have to show to Avi because I was so sure that he would have loved it…..-
Jack was talking so fast that Scott was having troubles to understand all he was saying.
-Avi?-Scott finally manged to ask, puzzled.
-Jackie, I think you should slow down a bit, love-Rachel said, trying not to laugh.
The man seemed to finally realize that the blond boy in front him was not following his thoughts.
-I’m sorry. I just got this way when I’m a bit nervous……-he apologized, passing a hand through his hairs.
Scott could avoid thinking he was truly cute when he got so embarrassed, but didn’t want him to feel inappropriate.
-Nothing to be sorry. I’m just……I don’t actually know who you are talking about-
-Oh, you right…..Avi is one of my best friend and probably the greatest choir nerd in the world.
Like he went to his college pretty much because of the acapella group that was there and all he can do is talking about choir. It’s annoying sometimes, but if there is someone can recognize true talent, it’s definitely him, and you guys are full of talent so I had to show him the video.-
-I don’t think we are that good-Scott started to say, but Jack stopped him.
-Are you joking?
You know what? I thought you were good, but, I’m not that expert and I get easily excited about vocal pop performances so it’s not that big of a deal when I fall in love with video like yours.
I always show that videos to Avi, because, even if he has a classical background, like opera and stuff, he love vocal pop as well and I swear, I’ve never seen him so enthusiastic about something before.
He usually points out every single mistakes, but with you……
Oh my gosh, I still have the scene playing in my mind.
We were having a barbecue at his place and he was eating this huge cheeseburger. When I showed him the video he just stopped eating and pretty much started babbling about how amazing and talented you guys are and so on.
I couldn’t believe my eyes. Nothing can part Avi from his food, especially if it’s a cheeseburger, but he got so enthusiast that he didn’t even notice that his sister was eating his cheeseburger!!-
Scott painted the scene in his head and started to laugh.
-I’m sorry. It’s just…..That must have been a very fan scene to watch-
-It truly was actually. And the funny thing is that he actually start to sing along at some point. He didn’t know the words, but that has never been a problem to him since he is used to sing just few lines, you know how bass parts are….-
-Wait, you said bass?-
Pieces of the conversation that he had with Rachel that morning were remerging in his mind and his brain was starting to put the pieces together.
-Yes, Avi is actually the bass I was talking you about earlier-Rachel said, knowing perfectly what Scott was thinking.
-Why were you talking about Avi?-Jack asked puzzled
-Scott want to try for the Sing-Off with the his trio from high school but I told him they need a bass and a beatboxer. I just thought they might ask Avi, since he is so amazing. Well, I was actually thinking that you could……-
-Yeah, of course! You must try for the show! I’ll give you Avi’s mail so you can write him!-
Rachel smiled to her boyfriend. She loved seeing that excitement in his eyes.
-Well, that wasn’t actually what I was going to propose but I think it will do-
-So, Scott, will you write to him?-
Scott nodded.
If Avi was truly that good he had to ask him..
-If you have any problem in convincing him just tell me and I’ll do everything I can to get him to meet you.-
-Well, thanks-
Scott was not usually at loss for words, but Jack was just so nice he didn’t know what to say.
-No bother. I really think that, with Avi in your group you might do something really really great.-
-We are still missing a beat boxer-Scott tried to joke, but a weird smile appeared on Jack’s face.
-I might have a solution for this-
-I you have the mail of a beatboxer too I would actually hire you as our “band” manager or something-
The brown haired boy laughed and took his phone out of his pocket.
-No emails, I’m sorry, but look at this-
He pressed a button and a video with a black guy playing the cello started to play.
Scott looked at it for a while, amazed.
The guy was not just playing the cello, he was beatboxing as well and at the same time!
-And you know how to reach this guy?-
Scott asked, still in shook.
-Well, it’s YouTube. You just have to write him-
-C’mon do you think he would come to join an acapella band with a bunch of strangers? We don’t even know where is he from!-
-I didn’t say it was the perfect solution, but…..I mean, in the worst case he would say “no thanks”, in the best case you got an amazing beatboxer. I think it’s worth a try-
-You just have to leave a message on his channel Scotty-Rachel said, joining her boyfriend.
Scott sighed.
They were right, he had to try.
-All right, I’ll send him a message. After dinner tough. I’m starving!-
-You haven’t changed a bit Scotty-said Rachel laughing.
-What, are you not hungry?-
-I’m actually-replied Jack.
-And I know a place where I bet you never went that has some pretty amazing stuff-he added.
Scott smiled.
-You are the man of the solutions today. I trust you. So were are we going?-
-Just follow me-he replied, starting walking and the two old friends followed him without a word.
It was weird, but, even if he had known Jack just for a couple of hours, Scott truly felt like he should trust him.