Chapter Text
"You're ridiculous."
"I'm not ridiculous, you're just obnoxious!"
The three bystanders ambled a few feet behind the escalating squabble, exchanging looks and unspoken words. They didn't even remember what started the war of words between their friends, just bickering back and forth with no real purpose.
They thought walking home would take their mind off of the studio— overwhelming sounds of guitar riffs and symbols crashing, nearly bursting their eardrums: turns out, it only caused more havoc.
Austin rubbed his face, a hint of amusement behind his tired eyes. He didn't think they were annoying, just oblivious.
Florence, walking beside him, was more entertained by the situation unraveling before them. She couldn't help herself, adding her own two cents, "Can you two just kiss already?"
With a quick-witted smile, she watched as their bickering halted and features contorting with disgust as they simultaneously whipped their heads around.
"Florence," Esmeralda abruptly put her hand out, and by her tone you would've thought that she got her whole bloodline insulted. "Don't ever imply that I would want anything to do with this empty-headed imbecile."
Axel shoved her forcefully, only making her stumble a step back. His eyebrows furrowed with sheer offence and jaw tightened— he spat out,
"Hey! I'm right here jackass!"
"Good!" She retorted, shoving him right back. "I wanted you to hear it!"
Elias, taking out a single earpod, sighed briefly. "You guys are children." He chided, agitation brewing in his stomach from previous hours of sitting in the studio with an unproductive outcome. Just disagreements clouding the process and creating an unpleasant atmosphere.
Esmeralda— who had been one of the main factors behind the failed rehearsal— didn't seem to catch his tone, but gestured accusatory at her band mate, "He started it!"
The accused swatted her hand away with malice, while the childish act earned an eye roll from all three bystanders. The bickering between the two had become an everyday occurrence for the upcoming band. They were afraid they would disband even before their debut.
The walk back home was tranquil. Of course, other than the quarrel— no matter how much it amused or aggravated them. The silence that ensued once the group emerged within the familiar neighbourhood was a breath of fresh air. It was a relief they all were in desperate need of.
Subdued conversations were bouncing back and forth, laughs echoing through the quiet night. Until they reached their stop. Esmeralda delicately clung onto Florence from behind, wrapping her arms around her shoulders. Florence leaned into her embrace like it was the most natural thing in the world, smiling, "Are you tired already, Esme?"
"Today drained me."
Florance chuckled softly, leaning her head against Esmeralda— head facing down and resting on her shoulder. She hummed understandably, letting the words linger in the still air. Esmeralda felt like she could finally breathe again, just blissfully existing in the sincere moment with her best friend.
She had almost forgotten what that felt like, after the hostile chaos that had been caused by her and Axel. She sighed briefly. She didn't know how the others were able to put up with them, she almost felt bad.
"Finally, silence."
Nevermind.
"Shut up Austin." Esmeralda groaned from her content spot, instantly catching Axel's echo—briefly catching his eye as she looked up.
A retort audibly rushed to Austin's lips, eyeing Esme's arched brow. Until—
"Listen," Florence interjected to prevent any further arguments from ensuing, "This was just an off day for..."
She shot Axel a narrowed look.
"...some people, and yes, today was disappointing. But please, let's not make it worse by arguing. I think we've had enough of that already."
She nudged Esme, the waggish statement earning a brief laugh from the culprit.
There was a silent agreement between the group. They were all affected by fatigue, and they'd hate to burden themselves and everyone else with unnecessary, unresolved problems.
Axel felt himself rolling his eyes. The gesture perceived to be accusatory, anyone else would take offence. But only his band mates could notice the apologetic glimpse brimming in his withdrawn gaze.
People saw deep brown, nearly black in low light. But once the sun hit: they revealed a soft, golden warmth waiting to be discovered.
Now, they didn't need the sun to see it.
He shifted uncomfortably, Esme could see the rise of his chest with each calming breath he took.
"I'm sorry."
Elias grasped the other's shoulder. So much unspoken words of understanding was disclosed within that simple touch. "It's alright, man."
"We're used to it."
Axel stuck up his middle finger, biting back a smile— a wave of ease washing over his stoic, stiff posture as he grimaced sarcastically. Austin grinned, lightly nudging the other.
A small smile crept it's way onto Esme's lips. It was barely there. As much as she found Axel annoying and wanted nothing to do with him, she couldn't help but recognise the light tug at her heartstrings. She continued to watch the scene of a heartfelt moment unfold infront of her with a deep benevolent desire. She hated how much she cared when she was tired.
Resulting in a satiric eye roll, she uttered, "I beg you guys to move on."
The slow turn of Axel was entertaining enough for the smile to spread to Florence. Sheer offence flickered across his features, scoffing. Elias and Austin had turned around too, eyeing his reaction.
"You know what, Esmeralda—"
"Yo!" Elias interfered, reaching out his arm to lightly nudge Axel's shoulder, "What did Flora just say?"
"Yeah, you gotta stop being so emotional, Axel."
The deep brown eyes burned into hers, narrowed as he sarcastically grinned. He mimicked her sentence in a ridiculous voice, the immature act earning an eye roll from the ridiculed. On her face was a smile dripping with sarcasm— one she knew would piss him off. One he'd call a 'shiteating grin', it brought her endless amounts of joy.
Austin's eyes flickered between the two, letting out a faint sigh. He adjusted the bagstrap until it sat comfortably on his shoulder, the weight of his electric bass killing him. "I need to head home, I have class in the morning."
"Yeah same, I have to get up early for my shift," Elias winced, dreading the thought of having to deal with incompetent customers on the opposite end of the counter at 7AM.
Florence chuckled faintly at the frown— taking in the light squeeze of Esmeralda's arms before she let go, the warmth from the embrace slipping quickly. It was their version of a quiet goodbye, exchanging tired smiles as Esmeralda clutched her bag.
"Are we practicing tomorrow too?" Florence directed the question to all of them.
The group collectively agreed. Even though they had gotten the gist of it— the rhythm, timing, solos; they felt quite comfortable with the concert being merely a week away. Still, they wanted to be sure. Equivalently, they enjoyed each other's company. Minority of the reason why Raw Rhythm had established in the first place was to finally spend time together again, now that they couldn't just sprint to each other during break and try to make up for all the time they spent apart in separate classes.
Satisfied with her answer, Florence smiled. Her pace started slow, emerging between Elias and Austin to gently squeeze their shoulders in passing. Turning around one last time once she'd left the circle, a child-like wave is what established their departure. "See you tomorrow!"
The group waved back, now starting to separate themselves.
Elias and Austin initiated a handshake that developed into a half embrace, meanwhile Axel swiftly slipped out his phone to check on his roommate.
Esmeralda merely observed the moment infront of her quietly, eyes lingering on Axel in an attempt to make out what he was typing on his phone.
Suddenly, he caught her eye. He turned his phone off, putting it back into his pocket as if he realised what she was doing. He cocked his head with slightly widened eyes, mouthing 'what?'.
Esmeralda— rather taken aback, shook her head dismissively, almost a little too quickly.
The conversation got interrupted by a gentle shove on Axels arm, the other's wanting to say their goodbyes.
In passing, Austin grasped the opportunity to ruffle Esmeralda's hair and left a defeated smile on her face.
She sighed, reminiscent of a mother fed up with her son. Elias' unmistakable, amused giggle piped up from his spot, letting out a simple "Goodnight, guys!" as he rounded a corner with Austin by his side.
Esmeralda turned around, instantly met with an annoying, amused grin, eyeing her hair. She couldn't help but recognise the tug at her lips too.
"Shut up."
"No no, you look nice," Axel put his hands up, adjusting his guitar case on his back. "Real.. rockstar adjacent."
A subtle laugh escaped her lips, clutching her bag as she ran her cold fingertips through the mess. "Whatever, I'll see you tomorrow."
As she pivoted towards the direction of her house—
"See you around, drummer girl."
Esmeralda spun around on her heel, "Drummer girl?" She reiterated, laughing at the pure stupidity. "That is the dumbest nickname I've ever heard in my whole 17 years of existence."
"What? It fits!"
She shook her head, redirecting herself again. Scoffing, the girl retorted, "See you around guitar boy."
A silence followed, dwelling upon the crisp air that nipped at Esme's cheeks. She could practically feel the eye roll from her band mate, the warmth of a tiny grin shielding her from the weather.
"I know you're smiling! Same time tomorrow!" Axel exclaimed— Esmeralda hated how well he knew her.
Without another word, she stuck up her middle finger in the air with a hidden smile. She shook her head, a defeated sensation churning within her stomach—but yeah, same time tomorrow.