Adam
It was the end of a warm September day. Los Angeles tends to have sunny days but this was off the chart almost boiling hot. My cheeks felt hot so I was pretty sure they were rosy red. I wore a t-shirt and jean shorts today. Plain and simple but breathable. There were fans throughout the room. We were inside a music studio. Those tend to have no windows and boy did it only add to the heat.
Auditions were slowly coming to an end. I am truly amazed by the talents I got to witness today. We started at 10 am this morning and it was nearing 5 pm. I had almost every position filled; And to think the Idol tour just ended and here I was. About to release an album soon and go on my first tour. Me. I did that. And oh, how grateful I was. Finally being put in a position to be what I wanted ever since I was a little boy. A singer. Performer. Entertainer. Yes, yes yes.
As I reflect, a picture is placed in my line of sight on the table. Oh, wow. Such a beautiful face. I looked over at my manager and thanked him before actually looking at the face in the photograph. His hair was cut into a fringe which was partially covering the right side of his face. It was bleached blond, his roots were a dark brown. From what I could see, he was wearing black eyeliner around his dark brown eyes, and a light gloss. I raised an eyebrow as I observed this. "Okay. He is gonna bring something new to the table." I thought.
"Here's your last auditioner. We can call it a wrap after this and if we can't every position today we can continue later this week." My manager says. As the words left his lips, in walked a petit guy with a rather large black guitar case. He said a soft greeting and proceeded to set his equipment up. Heavy clicking sounds were heard as he opened the case which held a rather shiny cherry red electric guitar. I observed as he carefully picked it up and placed the strap over his shoulders. I was amused. He wore a Metallica shirt and black jeans. On his feet he wore black puma's. Somehow this all screamed a bit of glam to me. Such a tiny guy with a large guitar. It somehow seemed to fit him well.
He then picked up the cable that would hook his guitar up the amplifiers we already had set up and plugged it into his guitar.
"Uh hi, my name is Tommy Joe Ratliff. Feel free to call me Tommy." He says as his eyes pierce into mine for a second and then at the floor. My eyes fluttered a moment before I blinked. Weird. Why did that happen?
"I'm gonna audition with Enter Sandman by Metallica." He continued and then nodded. He then hooks the chord leading to the amplifier to his guitar. He then turned a metronome on. "Tic-tic-tic-toc" sounded as it counted.
"Take it away." My manager says and Tommy begins. His right hand picked away the strings of his guitar and his left seemed to flawlessly go through the chords. A rock song. A classic rock song. He eased through the riffs of the song. He walked around a bit and his facial expressions showed real dedication to doing this perfectly. Mouth slightly ajar. He threw his head back and his hair fell backward. His full face was to be seen and I felt my heart speed up a bit. Weird. Behave Adam.
"WOW!" I exclaimed as he came to finish. My manager's jaw was down. He too was pleasantly surprised by how well Tommy played. Tommy held a small smile on his face and a hint of nervousness. It pulled at my heartstrings to see it. He was such a cutie.
"Uh, thanks." He mumbled as his cheeks took on a pinkish hue. He fiddled with his guitar pick in his right palm as he gripped the neck of the guitar with his left. He turned and turned the metronome off. The ticking immediately stopped. The room was once again almost silent. The sound of the fans were the only sound to be heard.
"Yeah..." I say and pause. I wanted him, but unfortunately, we already had a guitarist. Shit, I made him play for nothing. "Sorry, even though I really like your style, we already have a guitarist."
I saw how his facial expression turned to that of a slight disheartenment. He wasn't happy that he couldn't get the part. I kind of was too since, well, he gave such an amazing performance. He looked so in his element. His hair falling in his face as he strummed away on his electric guitar. Here and there he mouthed the words to the song he played.
"S-sorry but we already have a guitarist." I repeated with a stutter. This happened absentmindedly. I did feel bad for having to let him down. I could barely look Tommy in the eyes. "We do, however, need a bassist but-"
"I can play that as well!" He exclaimed as he quickly walked over to his equipment to carefully place his guitar on the stand. I looked him over as he did that. He was shorter than I was. He was a slim guy. Spoke timidly. I'm guessing he was into horror and gore since his tattoos seemed to represent that.
"Okay, well we have a bass here that you can test out and audition with if you like," I mentioned. A little part of me was excited to see what he could bring. The final decision was mine to make if he would be a part of the band or not, but of course, management would've wanted to have their input as well.
"T-thanks." He said nervously as he went to get it. It was a black bass guitar. Tommy quickly adjusted the shoulder strap to accommodate his posture. "Is it okay if I do a bass solo?"
"Sure thing. Go for it." I say with a smile. He returned a small one and got right into it. He went into a blue's infused solo. Blue's. A genre I could appreciate any day. Minor chords rang through the room as he picked away. Again flawlessly executed. He fumbled a bit at the end and in turn, his face turned cherry red. He stops and begins to stutter.
"S-sorry. I promise I can do t-this." He says with pleading eyes. Such beautiful brown orbs filled with hope. I wasn't planning on saying no to him. No way I could. I'd be an idiot to do so.
Tommy
"You got the part." I felt as though I couldn't breathe for a second. Holy shit. I did it. I finally fucking did it.
"Y-You're serious?" I asked. I barely believed it. Just a couple days ago I was working in a call center to make ends meet and now here I am. I'm going to be a part of a band. And not just any band. I was going to play for Adam Lambert.
He laughed. I felt my heart flutter in that moment. He had beautiful teeth. Weird thing to notice but I did and these beautiful misty beach blue eyes. They twinkled as he smiled at me. "Yeah I am. Congrats man." He said as he got up to give me a handshake. I was so overwhelmed that instead and wrapped my arms around his waist and buried my head in his chest. I saw a look of surprise mixed with a bit of confusion.
"Thank you so much. This means a lot to me." I mumbled into his chest. I heard him chuckle and his chest vibrated against my head. I felt almost at home in his arms. Wait what. I'm straight. But it's whatever. I don't get weird vibes from Adam so why not.
"It's fine. I get it." He said as I let go and looked him in the eyes. Gosh he was beautiful. Someone cleared their throat and we both looked back. It was his manager.
"Uhm Adam. I think we can talk next week with everyone so you guys can start practicing. I have a few things lined up for you so I need this done ASAP. Are you free tomorrow so we can talk dates? He asks Adam who in return nods his head.
"Thanks man." He replied.
"Good. Shall we get packing?" His manager asks.
"Yeah sounds good." Adam replies and then turns and looks at me. Wait why was I even standing in front of him still? I felt my cheeks warm up with embarrassment.
"Hey Tommy, would you mind helping out and maybe get a drink with me?" He asks as he looks me straight in the eyes. I hear a bit of uncertainty in his voice but I ignore it. Holy shit, Adam Lambert wants to get a drink with me. Like what for? I'm nobody. I don't think I have something to bring to the table unless it's about music. Maybe it is. Maybe he wants to talk about music. Tommy grow some and get out of your head.
"Yeah sure. Sounds good." I mumble looking down.
"Cool." He replies and walks off to help clean up. I soon follow after. I help switch off the amplifiers and go towards the guitars to place the borrowed bass back. It felt good playing it. I check the brand. A Gibson. Sweet. I was obsessed with Gibson guitars. There was nothing better in my eyes. Well that and Esp guitars. I admired the other guitars and basses for a moment before walking towards my guitar case. I looked around and everything seemed to be already set back in place.
"Alright guys. Have a good evening." Adam's manager says to both Adam and I as he and his entourage leave the building. Adam and I wave at them as they walk out and the door closes. We then turn and look at one another.
"I uhm, came with my car so..." He started.
"My cousin brought me. My car is in the garage. I don't mind riding with you." I reply. He looks at me with a small smile.
"Good. I know some good places around here that we could go to so let's go." He says with a wider smile. I smile back and nod. We then walk out of the building together and towards his car. "Here, let me take that for you." He says as he carefully reaches for my guitar case. I hesitated for a moment and looked him in the eyes for confirmation and he gave me a small smile in return. The twinkle in his eyes never left.
"Yeah okay thanks." I say as he takes it from my hand. His hand brushes against mine as he does this. I felt a bit weird but I ignored it. I proceed to walk towards the passenger side of his car and I get in and wait. His car smells just like him. Not a bad scent. More sweet. I like it. I hear the driver side door open and watch as he gets in. He looked so normal sitting next to me. We both had eyeliner on and a mit of makeup. His hair yet black with blue streaks.
"Alright..." he said and paused. He then pats his pockets to get his keys. Once he does that he puts it in the ignition. "And we're off." He says with a smile. I face forward and smile too. This was one of the best times of my life hands down.