These Streets are Yours (Dan Smith Fanfic)

Gig

When I got to the building, I felt a hand on my shoulder from behind. I turned to see the face of my manager, Marilyn.

"Are you ready, dear?" She asked, her brown eyes fixed into my silver ones.

"I am." I answered, with a smile.

"Good." She smiled back. "The other people are already inside, warming up. I'm glad you're dressed all pretty yet casual at the same time."

I was wearing a T-shirt underneath my denim jacket, with black jeans. I had on my blue converse, one out of five of the pairs I owned. My sleeves were rolled halfway up.

When I headed inside, my hears were instantly filled with the loudness of a band playing, which was To Kill a King. I walked around the crowd all until I found my Amy, who was such a good friend to support me.

"What took you so long?" asked Amy, pulling me away.

"Marilyn and I got stuck in traffic on the bridge." I replied. "There was an accident with like...three vehicles."

"Well, you need to hurry up." She shouted. "After this band, Bastille are playing, and then you're on after that!"

Bastille. One of the bands whose work was inspiring mine. I had recently bought their album 'Bad Blood', and even listened to it at my apartment on sick days. Though I had been wanting to, I hadn't ever met them, not even through Twitter.

"Rose!" Amy shouted. "What's with the lost face? We need to go over a few things!"

"She's right." said Marylin. "I don't want any of us to screw this up."

"Okay." I sighed.

In the small room we waited in, I played with the ends of my hair. I turned my head to see a tall, skinny guy with a thick beard and mustache. He looked familiar, as if I knew who he was...

"Do I know you?" He spoke, with a sharp accent. It took a second to realize that he was actually speaking to me.

"Me?" I shrugged. "I don't think so. Although I think I recognize you from somewhere."

"Are you...Branner?" He squinted.

"Yeah um...Rose Branner." I corrected him.

"Yeah!" He jumped up. "You're that knockout rockstar...a friend of mine is obsessed with you and your work!"

"And you're...Kyle, right?" I asked.

"Yeah." He said. "You listen to Bastille, do you?"

I nodded. "I've been wanting to meet all of you."

"We'll, if I get the chance, I'll introduce you to them. Especially Dan, he's a fan of yours."

"Really?" I smiled. It flattered me to know when someone liked my music, but someone who's music I liked in return? How nice.

"Kyle!" someone shouted.

He turned. "Coming!" And then he was gone. Within a few seconds later, I heard the song 'Pompeii' start playing. I got chills.

"Okay," said Marilyn. "These men have three songs, and then it's our turn."

"Yeah." I replied.

"You're gonna do just fine!" a man's voice appeared from behind.

I turned around to see Chester, Marylin's husband. He was always good to be around.

About fifteen minutes had passed, and I heard some applause.

"Okay, that's you." said Amy. "You go do your thing."

I swallowed, as I walked towards the stage, passing a tall, skinny, dark haired man who appeared to be Dan Smith. After one glimpse, he turned his head quickly. Odd.

As I grabbed onto the microphone, I felt shaking. Another odd thing, given I never got this nervous during a performance. A few seconds after I heard my background music playing, I started singing...

Three songs later, it was over with. I was showered in applause as I walked down. I felt many hands touch my shoulders, and through my hair, as I walked to the back of the room.

"Rose?" I felt Marilyn touch the back of my neck. "Are you alright? You seemed pretty tense the entire time."

"Yeah," I shrugged. "I'm fine."

"Rose!" I heard another familiar voice. I turned to see Kyle, followed by three men who appeared to be Will, Woody, and Dan.

"I kept my promise!" He laughed.

"Yeah." I smiled politely. "It's very nice to meet you. I'm a proud owner of 'Bad Blood'."

"Glad to hear it," said Will.

"Thank you," said Dan. "I love your record too."

I smiled. "Thanks."

I noticed the other three men start walking away slowly, Kyle whispering something in Dan's ear.

"So, do you want to go for a drink?" He asked, rubbing his fingers through his hair, nervously.

"Oh..." I hesitated. "I don't drink."

"Oh, I'm sorry," he said. "Do you wanna go outside where it's not so loud, then?"

"Yeah," I smiled. But I was somewhat scared. I hadn't been alone with a man in a long time. I didn't know this one's true intentions.

When we got outside, it was so cold in comparison to indoors. It was the middle of November.

"So you're what, American?..." Dan said. "How is it that who live here?"

"Well...The label that signed me- gave me two separate choices. I chose this one." I said, remembering Amy and the others I had met. "Several types people live around here, I've noticed."

"I know," he laughed. "So do you have a lot of friends since you moved here? I know lots would be all over you."

"Actually no." I said, looking away. "Some people are really nice, and I do have a few new people around now. But not very many."

"Well, Miss Branner, now you have me."

I felt myself involuntarily smiling. "You're very kind, Dan."

Basically, the rest of our conversation that night was more about music than either of our personal lives. It felt nice to talk to someone who didn't seem like a total ass. Normally I liked hanging out with men over women, but I was smart enough to know that some just wanted to fuck around.

. "Do you think we should go back inside?"

"Yeah," he replied. "That's a good idea. I hear it might rain soon."

He was sweet, and funny. I truly understood the reference "Eyes are the windows to the soul", because his blues seemed to let me in on his insides. I could tell just how pure he was, and yet so experienced and intelligent too.

The whole gig carried on for about another hour, and there happened to be an after party. The whole crowd and dancing thing I found very awkward and upsurd.