The Weight of Dreams || Greta Van Fleet

Chapter 28: Less Pressure

The bar was old and run down; I was surprised that anyone would even know it was open considering how dark and tattered it looked. This was the last place anyone would ever suspect me to be.

It was perfect.

"Now, I know it's nothing like your fancy clubs.." Jake laughed, scooting closer to me. "But.. it's fine. I think it's.. better when it's more casual. Less pressure."
"Was there any pressure before?" I asked, smirking back up at him. He bit down on his lip, trying his best to contain his grin.
"N-no.." He finally muttered.

Despite understanding him not wanting to take this.. any further, I couldn't help but feel like it was a tease, having him so close and yet now.. so far away. I was slowly getting used to the feeling of finally having an actual boyfriend, or at least, the closest thing to it, something I hadn't felt in years.

It was so nice to finally feel truly wanted again, instead of just like an obligation. Don and I's relationship had become more like a business transaction over the years. I couldn't tell you the last time he really kissed me just because he wanted to, not because we were on a red carpet or because there were cameras around.

Finally I felt the bus stop after pulling around back. Jake went to reach for my hand, but quickly stopped himself.
"Um.. I.. uh.."
"No one's here.." I said softly, reaching back over for him. He bit down on his lip, hesitating for a moment before finally taking my hand. I couldn't help but smile, feeling my cheeks burn.
"Fine, but no further." He said, smirking back at me as he intertwined our fingers, guiding me off the bus.

Aside from the quiet murmuring of the voices inside, it was quiet; peaceful. There was a slight chill in the air that was refreshing. Part of me just wanted to stay out here with them, or maybe.. just him.

As we walked in, we were surrounded by normal people in their normal clothes, no flashy lighting or loud music that rattled your brain, just a quiet juke box in the corner playing something out of an old time movie.

To me, this felt like a movie.

Jake carefully guided me through, shielding me with his body as we made our way to the back. I couldn't help but smile, loving how he still tried to protect me.

"I think I'm okay in here." I whispered, leaning in close. He smirked back at me, shrugging as we made our way into one of the booths, him letting me slide in first as he followed in after, his leg brushing up against mine. I reached over, holding onto his arm. I could feel him tense up, but he stayed quiet, subtly moving closer.

"So, how do you like it so far?" Josh joked, sliding in across from me. I nodded, looking around at the crowds of people who could care less about who I was.

I loved it.

"I feel normal." I finally said. He laughed, playfully rolling his eyes.
"Sorry it doesn't live up to your-"
"No, I.. I like it."
"That's cause you don't know any different." Sam sighed, flashing me a subtle grin. "When you spend your whole life invisible, all you want is for someone to notice you."

I bit down on my lip, feeling my face get hot.
If only he knew just how much I noticed him.

"I'll get us some drinks." Jake said, getting up, motioning over to Sam. He sighed, forcing himself out of the booth and following Jake over towards the bar. I watched them as they made their way through like they had been here a hundred times. Josh noticed me staring.

"So.." He said, propping his head up onto his hand. I could feel my heart beating faster the longer he stared. I knew what he wanted to say.
"What?" I asked, looking away again, watching as the two of them stood up against the bar talking amongst each other.
"You know what." He laughed. I shook my head, smirking back at him.
"Nothing's going on." I sighed.
"I heard about the wedding." My stomach dropped. The last thing I wanted to think about right now was that.

Just for one night, I wanted to feel normal. I wanted to know what the possibility of a normal relationship could feel like. Because.. what if I decided not to go through with it? What if I decided that.. I liked their life better than all of this?

"There's no wedding yet." I said softly.
"But there will be." I shrugged.
"I haven't decided yet." I muttered, peeking back at him. He held his stare on me for a moment, as if trying to figure out what that really meant.
"What's stopping you?" He asked. I bit down on my lip, peeking back over at the bar to see Sam already looking back. My heart jumped as I instantly brought my attention back to Josh, hoping my blushing face wasn't too noticeable.

"Jake really likes you, Juliette." He said quietly, now looking over at them. I tried my best to contain my grin.
"Does he?" He sighed, smirking back at me.
"You know he does."
"He might've mentioned it."
"How do you feel about him?" He pried. I looked back over, watching as Jake stood back, scanning the room. He was just.. so sweet. I had never met a boy like him before, and the last thing I wanted to do was hurt him. But knowing me, that was exactly what would happen. I shrugged.

"I don't know." I mumbled. I heard him giggle to himself.
"You sure?" He asked. I shook my head again.
"Not like it matters.." I said, my voice trailing off.
"Of course it matters, Juliette. You can decide the kind of life you want for yourself. If.. this isn't what you want, then maybe-"

"Here we go." Jake said, making his way back into the booth, sliding a drink in front of me. The glass was sticky, the paint from the decal already chipping, the foam from the beer spilling over the edge.
"This is what you guys like?" I asked, carefully pulling it closer. He nodded, taking a napkin and wiping it down for me.
"Don't worry, your highness, I got it." He laughed, carefully handing it back to me. I smiled back at him, feeling my face get hot again.
"Thank you." I said before finally forcing myself to bring it up to my lips, taking a sip.

"Sorry we can't afford the top shelf." Sam joked, taking a sip of his, keeping his eyes locked on me as they stared me down from over his glass. I shrugged, looking around. The last thing I wanted them to think was that I thought I was above this place. If this was where they were comfortable, then I was happy. And it was nice having gone at least twenty minutes without a phone or camera being shoved into my face.

I went into my bag, pulling out my wallet and placing my card down onto the table.
"You guys get whatever you want." I said. "It's on me." They all quickly looked around at each other, wide-eyed. Sam reached over for the card, picking it up, joking at the weight.
"You just carry this thing around with you?" He laughed, tossing it back down onto the table to hear the heavy metal clang against it. I sighed, playfully rolling my eyes.

"There are only four in the world, you know." I said softly. His eyes shot back over to me, getting even wider than before.
"And.. who has them?" He asked. I shrugged, smirking back at him.
"They don't tell you who, but they do tell you how many." He sighed, leaning back against the seat, running his fingers through his hair.
"We really do live different lives, don't we?" I shrugged again, looking around.
"Maybe. But.. I want to share it with you guys."

He stayed quiet for a minute before finally pushing my card back over to me.
"As generous as that is, we're gentlemen. And.. we offered to take you out tonight, so.. sorry, but your money's no good here."
"Sam, I-" He shook his head, getting up and going back over to the bar. I couldn't help but smile, finally putting my card back away.

No one had ever offered to pay for me before.