Chapter Text
The sun had risen and shone straight into Jan’s bedroom, making the guitarist grunt because of the extreme brightness. Igor peacefully slept beside Jan’s legs, purring steadily in his sleep. Jan rolled over onto his other side and slowly blinked his eyes open. It was a really nice-looking, sunny, winter day, even though winter wasn’t Jan’s favourite. He preferred spring and summer much better. Jan sat up on his bed and stretched his arms carefully. Then he realized to look what time it was and he was a bit shocked when he saw that it was already 2.34. pm. Jan saw many notifications, a few of them were from Bojan and the rest were from his sister.
Bojan
9.03. am
Morning Jan, hopefully, you slept better!
10.23. am
We’re meeting with the band at 12 if you’ve woken up by that you should come, but it’s not mandatory! ☺️
Jan
2.35. pm
Yeah, sorry. I have been sleeping for like 14 hours!
Bojan
2.35. pm
No, don’t apologise! And we’re still here if you want to join in. We have options for the new bassist.
Jan
2.36. pm
I’ll be there in 30 minutes!
Bojan
2.36. pm
👍
•••••••••••••••••
Daša
2.13. pm
Hey, could you message me?
I want to know that you’re alive!
2.15. pm
Mami and Bubica are going insane here…
Jan
2.38. pm
I’m so so sorry, I have been sleeping so badly and finally, I got to sleep like 14 hours.
Daša
2.39. pm
It’s okay, at least I can tell them that you are alive.
I love you, remember.
Jan
2.39. pm
I remember and I love you too.
Daša
2.40. pm
*picture of Daša’s daughter* Ajda misses you very much!
Jan
2.40. pm
Aww, I miss her too! I have to drop by as soon as I can!
Jan opened the studio’s door and was immediately greeted by Jure, Bojan and Kris. “Hi! It’s good to see you!” Bojan said smiling at Jan, who took his place on the couch next to Kris. “Hello”, Jan answered running his fingers through his hair. “I’m glad you slept”, Bojan said. “Yes, I am really happy about it too”, Jan answered and lifted his leg on top of the other. “So have you chosen our new bassist already?” Jan then asked and Kris shook his head, turning his laptop’s screen towards Jan. “We haven’t made any decisions yet, but we have a few good options whom we could ask”, Kris said opening his Facebook and showing the first one to Jan. “Here is Jakob Novak, he has been playing bass in a few different bands”, Kris showed some pictures to Jan, from Jacob’s Facebook page. “But he’s currently playing with this youth orchestra, so I don’t know how easily he would like to change bands”, Kris said and Jan nodded. “Okay, do you have anyone who wouldn’t be in any band already?” Jan asked and Kris nodded his head, searching for another name. “I think this is our best option”, Kris said and then showed the profile of Nace Jordan. Jan blinked his eyes a few times, seeing this man's profile picture. “He’s been playing in different bands and in a few television live bands”, Kris explained and showed some pictures. Jan wasn’t saying anything, he was mesmerised by this man’s looks. He looked so incredibly handsome and exactly Jan’s type. “Jan?” Jure tapped his shoulder and Jan turned to look at him. “Yeah?” Jan mumbled and Jure smiled at him. “Pleased by his looks?” Jure asked and Jan shook his head. “I don’t know what you're talking about”, Jan said turning to look out of the window. “Yeah, of course you don’t know, that man is just exactly how you’ve described your type”, Jure said and Kris turned to look at them. “Oh shit, you’re right”, Kris started smiling widely. “I think we know who we are going to ask first”, Kris added and started immediately writing a message. “What if my type has changed? You don’t know that”, Jan was trying to defend himself. “Oh drop it Jan. Since you came out you’ve been saying the exact same thing about your type”, Bojan said and Jure nodded his head smiling. “Yeah, your type in men is good-looking, tattooed, sweet, nice, taller than you and interested in music”, Jure listed and Jan rolled his eyes, but the smile on his face told that Jure was exactly right.
Kris
3.54 pm.
Hi! I am Kris Guštin and I am another guitarist in this band called Joker Out. The band’s other members are Bojan Cvjetičanin, our vocalist, Jure Maček, drummer and Jan Peteh, another guitarist. Recently our previous bassist had to leave the band for personal reasons and now we are looking for a new bassist. We started looking for one and your name popped up. What do you think? Our style is probably mostly indie-rock and our songs are mostly in Slovenian and Serbian. Here is a link to our YouTube channel if you want to check us out! We would really like to meet up with you if you are interested! Thank you already! 😀
Nace
4.27. pm.
Hello Kris and Joker Out! I really haven’t been looking for a band, but I checked a few of your songs and I really really enjoyed your style! I would really like to meet up with you guys and see if we get along nicely! Thank you for reaching out to me and let’s see if this is a life-long story! 😄
Kris read Nace’s reply aloud and Bojan and Jure started cheering. “I didn’t think it would be this easy!” Bojan smiled and opened their minifridge, taking a wine bottle out of it. “We should celebrate!” Bojan said, raising the bottle in the air. “Yeah!” Kris was already up and finding glasses for them. “Jan, why so quiet?” Jure asked, placing himself next to Jan, and tapping the man's shoulder. “Just a bit tired, that’s all”, Jan said and gave a sleepy smile to Jure. “Okay, hopefully wine will cheer you up”, Jure said and Bojan was already stuffing a full glass into Jan’s hand. “Thanks”, Jan smiled at him. They all took glasses and toasted. “Let’s raise a glass to our, hopefully, new bassist, Nace Jordan”, kris said and all the others repeated: “For Nace”.
Jan returned to his apartment later than he had first thought. Igor was right away in the hall, demanding for food. Jan squatted down to pet his furry friend. “Hi, sorry that I was away for so long. You must’ve been lonely”, Jan said and Igor was pleased by the attention he was getting from his owner. “I’ll give you food right now”, Jan said, straightening up and walking to his kitchen. Igor followed him as closely as possible. Jan fed his cat and after that, he laid down on his bed thinking about what would happen tomorrow. Nace Jordan was the name. Jan will remember it probably forever. Tomorrow he would meet this man, who was exactly his type and Jan was expected to be normal about it. How is that possible? Jan sighed deeply and checked his phone. Apparently, he wasn’t able to dodge Nace Jordan even if he tried. This man, who was exactly his type, had sent a friend request to him. Jan wasn’t an idiot, of course, he accepted it.
Jan couldn’t sleep, which wasn’t an unusual situation. A year back, Jan was diagnosed with insomnia, and the reason for this diagnosis was psychological stress. Jan was really easily stressed, but he never thought that it could lead to something like this. Igor was peacefully sleeping next to Jan’s pillow, which was one of his usual places. Jan petted his cat’s head and sighed. “I wish I could sleep”, he whispered. Jan’s phone buzzed on his nightstand and he reached to take it. He knew it wasn’t good for his insomnia, to be using his phone this late, but what could he do? Just lay there and stare at the ceiling? I don’t think so. Jan opened his phone and saw that he had gotten a message from Jere. That was an unusual situation. Jere was his friend, but they didn’t text that much, that was Bojan’s piece of cake. Of course, Jan opened the message.
Jere
2.37. am
Hello, Jan! How are you? 😁💓❤️
Jan
2.37. am
Hi Jere! I’m okay, just can’t sleep. 🙂
Jere
2.39. am
Oh no! 😢I hope you sleep soon.
2.40. am
I think that I fly there next week. Do you have gigs?
Jan
2.40. am
That would be really nice! We actually don’t have any gigs right now, we’re looking for a new bassist. ☺️
Jere
2.42. am
Yeah! Good, I fly there then! ✈️❤️
2.42. am
Don’t tell Bojan, it is surprise!! 😀🎉
Jan
2.43. am
I won’t tell him. Text me when your flight is here and I can come and pick you up from the airport! ❣️
Jere
2.44. am
Yes!! Thank you Jan!! ❤️❤️❤️
Jan woke up and suddenly he was severely stressed. He had completely forgotten that today was the day, their new possible bassist would visit their studio. Jan had fallen asleep quite quickly after his conversation with Jere. It had made him forget Nace Jordan, who was exactly his type. Now Jan was reminded of the fact that he was going to meet this man today. Jan sat up on his bed and just stared in front of him. “Igor, I am going to fucking die”, he said and glanced at his cat, who was happily asleep still. Jan sighed and opened his phone where he saw that the time was way too early for him to be awake, 7.46 am. Jan groaned and fell back onto the bed. “I shouldn’t be awake”, Jan said, hating himself or more likely his sleeping skills. He should start taking his medicines regularly.
Time was going so slowly and so quickly at the same time. Jan had thought about his outfit for an hour. He had two options, but he didn’t know which one to choose. Then he had showered and done his hair and not to be selfish, Jan thought he looked really nice today. The only thing that was bothering him, was his under eyes that were darker every day. Jan had been thinking that he should buy some makeup that would cover his insecurity. Jan had finally made the decision about his outfit and right when he got his shirt on, his phone rang. “Morning”, Bojan mumbled when Jan answered to his Facetime. “Morning”, Jan said, sounding really awake and placing his phone on his desk. “Woah, you’re looking fresh”, Bojan said and Jan glanced at his phone screen. Bojan was still in bed, only his eyes and forehead showing on the screen. “Thanks, I’ve been awake like three hours already”, Jan sighed and tried to complete his hair. “When did you go to sleep?” Bojan sounded worried. “I don’t remember, maybe at 3 am or something like that”, Jan said, not looking at the camera. “Jan! You’ve slept like three hours if even that?” Bojan said and Jan sighed. “Yeah, I know but I just couldn’t sleep. You know that it’s not an easy thing for me to sleep”, Jan blasted and after that, he just sighed. “I know, but I’m worried about you, have you taken the medicine?” Bojan asked and Jan just huffed. “There are so many side-effects in the medicine”, he mumbled and now it was Bojan’s turn to sigh. “Yeah, but it would help you to sleep”, Bojan tried to assert him. “Maybe, but I would be just cranky all day”, Jan objected. “You’re cranky also if you don’t sleep!” Bojan answered and Jan just shrugged his shoulders. “You’re right, but today I will be tired”, Jan announced and Bojan nodded. “It’s okay”, he said.
Jan had fallen asleep. JAN HAD FUCKING FALLEN ASLEEP. And when he woke up, he was already late. Of course. Jan cursed his insomnia, his whole journey from his apartment to their studio. “Fucking stupid, how the hell can this happen”, he mumbled and opened their studio’s door. He stepped in and heard a happy, bubbly conversation coming from the main room. He took his shoes off and suddenly he was really nervous. He was about to meet their new possible bassist, who was exactly his type. Bojan peeked his head out of the room and saw Jan just standing in the hall. “I knew it was you, is everything okay?” Bojan asked, lowering his voice. Jan just shook his head and lowered his gaze. “I’m fine”, which meant he was fucking mess, but didn’t want to talk about it right now. “Come on then”, Bojan said, walking back to the main room and Jan followed a little behind him. “Jan! Hi!” Jure said when Jan stepped into the room, taking his leather jacket off. “Hello”, he greeted everyone and then he laid his eyes on Nace Jordan. This man was exactly his type but looked a bit different than in the pictures. In pictures, this man was serious, a performer and sometimes a bit mean-looking. In real life, Nace had his glasses on, which Jan hadn’t seen in any of the pictures Kris had shown him. This man had a permanent happy smile on his face and his hair was a bit messier in real life. Maybe this was the “normal” Nace Jordan. Jan was absolutely mesmerised. “So you’re Jan”, Nace said, standing up and walking towards Jan, his hand out ready to shake Jan’s hand. Jan took his hand and shook it. “Yeah, hi”, Jan’s voice was a bit shaky and he was seemly nervous. “Nice to meet you”, Nace’s smile was so mesmerising and Jan was sold out for this man.
“So should we try to play something?” Bojan suggested after they had been chatting and eating some snacks. “Sure!” Kris said, standing up and taking his guitar from its stand. “What was your favourite song, Nace?” Bojan asked and Nace thought for a second. “I think either A sem ti povedal or Ona”, Nace said and Bojan nodded his head. “Okay, I’ll get you the chords so we can play”, Bojan said smiling and walked into another room. Jan took his guitar, sat on his usual seat and checked that the guitar was tuned. “So Jan, how long have you been playing guitar”, Nace asked, sitting on a chair, closest to Jan. Jan’s breath hitched and he swallowed. “Uhm, I started when I was like uhm maybe 13 or 14”, Jan said and mentally hit himself because of how nervous he sounded. “That’s so cool. Your solos in the A sem ti povedal are amazing, that’s what made me fall in love with that song even more!” Nace told happily and Jan could faint in that place. “Oh, well I’m really glad”, Jan tried to smile as genuinely as possible. Nace just smiled back and Jan was almost out of his breath. “Here”, Bojan handed the sheets to Nace who took them and quickly read them through. “Okay, let’s do this!” Nace said and stood up, opening his bass guitar from its bag.
They played together and Nace fit into their band like a missing puzzle piece. Everything went perfectly and they played perfectly together. Jan had lost himself when he had played his solo in A sem ti povedal and after that Nace had flashed a proud smile at him. Jan could’ve fainted and he almost did and at that point, he realized that he hadn’t drunk anything in a really long time. After the song Jan placed his guitar on the floor and leaned onto his hands. Bojan who had already been worried about his friend, rushed to him and placed his hand on Jan’s back. “Hey, what’s up?” Bojan asked and Jan just breathed out: “Could you get me something to drink?” Bojan got up quickly and found a water bottle for Jan. “Let’s get you to lie down”, Bojan said handing the bottle to Jan, who nodded his head. Bojan helped Jan up and then they walked towards the studio’s living room. Jan lay on the couch and took a sip from the water bottle. “I embarrassed myself. We have a new possible bassist and I am being all dramatic”, Jan said, hiding his face with his hands. “You are not being dramatic, you are being reasonable”, Bojan said and tapped Jan’s knee. “Can I ask them here?” Bojan added and Jan sighed. “Sure”, he mumbled.
They all had gathered in the small room. Jan was lying on the couch, Nace was sitting next to the couch on the floor, Jure and Kris had taken places on the small couch opposite the big couch and Bojan took his usual place on the floor. “So what do you say, Nace? Would you be interested in joining our band?” Kris asked and then silence fell into the room. Nace looked thoughtful but then he started smiling. “Yes! I don’t remember when I’d had this fun while playing and hanging out. You guys are amazing and I’d be honoured to join your band”, Nace said and all of them (except Jan) cheered. Jan just smiled shyly. “Welcome Nace! We are so so happy to have you!” Bojan said and smiled. They were all so happy, but one of them was beyond that, a bit flustered.
Joker Out 🫶
Bojan
8.29. pm
Welcome to the group chat Nace!! :D Here we make agreements about when are we practising or then we are just chatting about something stupid, yeah hope you enjoy your time here!!
Nace
8.32. pm
Haha, thank you! I’m happy to be here!
Jan was back at home and he was still in kind of bad condition. He was in deep dehydration and extremely tired. That wasn’t a good compilation. Igor was sleeping right next to him and Jan could’ve cried. He was in a really sensitive mindset and if someone would be nice to him right now, he would cry.
Nace
8.47. pm
Hi, Jan! Are you okay? ❤️
Jan cried. He cried so much. How this man was so angelic? Why did he care? Did he care? Apparently, he did care, maybe? Jan was puzzled, he was crying, rambling and a tired piece of mess. “Igor, help me!” Jan sniffed and drowned his fingers into the fur of his pet. “What am I going to do?” Jan whispered and started crying again.
Jan
9.13. pm
Hi Nace! I am okay, thank you for checking! I was just a bit dehydrated at the practice today. Getting better, my cat is keeping me safe! 🤗
Nace
9.14. pm
😮 You have a cat!!
Jan
9.14. pm
*picture of Igor sleeping next to Jan* His name is Igor❤️
Nace
9.15. pm
Aww, he’s such a cutie!
Jan
9.16. om
You have to meet him! 😊
Nace
9.16. pm
I’d love to! 🫶