Chapter Text
One Month Prior
Gally shook his head slowly, "Newt, this is ridiculous. You're moving with Thomas? Where to? What about.. what about us?"
"I'm living with Ben right now, I can't afford to travel with you." Alby exhaled deeply, drumming his fingers against his knee.
Newt momentarily stopped his pacing to look between them, "I have to go, I'm sorry. But if I stay here in this city for another, what, year? Two years? Three? I think I'll lose my mind."
Silence descended upon the band like an unwanted blanket, thick with tension. Gally softened his tone, "Newt, I'm not saying you can't leave, but this is really short of notice."
"Agreed. You can go. Fine by me. That being said, we can't work as a band if that's the case." Alby slowly stood, stretching, "I'm a drummer, not a singer, so it's easy for me to find a new placement. I'm just worried for you."
"I'll be fine." Newt muttered, tugging at his jacket collar, "And I can make do, I'm no stranger to hard times."
"Is that so?" Alby kissed his teeth, starting to move towards the door.
Gally tried to interject, "Alby-"
"What do you mean by that, Alby?" Newt's tone shifted, coldness seeping into his worn voice.
Alby whispered something under his breath before turning his head, "I feel like you're acting as if you're better than us. Walking out, just like that? And yet, oh you're the one who's been through "hard times"."
"Guys-" Gally got to his feet.
Newt waved a hand at him, "No, no, I get it. Alby, you're angry. That's okay, and I'm sorry. Still, you can't just discredit me if I've said if seen rough places-"
"What kind of rough? Hm? Mummy and daddy cut short your pocket money?"
Newt's eye twitched but he remained strangely calm, like the gentle hum of wind before a storm, "I wish. Sadly it's far from that. Before I met you guys and had enough pennies to fuck around with, do you know where I was?"
"Where."
"The streets. Me and Sonya both. And you know what? I'm proud of myself. We fought our way out of poverty, something no child should ever have to do. So don't bloody come at me and be so ignorant."
The fight drained from Alby almost immediately, guilt visible in his eyes, "Well.. shit, man"
"Forget it." Newt ran a shaky hand through his hair and moved past Alby, "I'm going with Thomas in month. I wish you both well."
"Newt," Alby stopped him, a firm hand planted on his shoulder. Newt lifted his eyes in acknowledgment. A faint smile curved on Alby's lips, "Go make 'em hear you."
Like a thread being drawn from a piece of fabric, all of the tension in the room was pulled bare. Newt let himself smile back, "Thanks Alby."
Gally appeared behind them, his eyes stuck on his phone, "Uhm, Newt? You may have to put up with my face for a little while longer.."
"And.. why is that?" Newt raised an eyebrow.