The Weight of Dreams || Greta Van Fleet

Chapter 42: Not Until Him

I peeked my head into their dressing room, looking around to see them all gathered together on the couch. Sam's head instantly perked up, turning to face me, flashing me a warm smile.

I felt safe already.

Josh waved me over, patting the spot next to him, inviting me to join them.
"Come on, superstar. Let's hear it. Give us your critiques." He laughed. I playfully rolled my eyes, making my way over and sitting down.
"You're like.. a perfectly painted doll." He giggled to himself, looking me over. "How do they get you to look so.. shiny?" I shook my head, feeling my cheeks burn.
"You want some?" I asked, motioning towards my glitter. He hesitated for a moment, contemplating. I went over to the vanity, grabbing one of the smaller palettes and brought it over to him, sitting down close.

"Alright, close your eyes." I said. He did, his smile growing.
"But really.." Danny chimed in. "How were we?"
"You guys were awesome." I said simply. "I'm excited that I get to see that every night."
"Yeah, but we know who you were really watching." Josh said softly, smirking back at me. My cheeks burned.
"Shh. Keep your eyes closed." I laughed. He sighed, doing as he was told.
"Yes Ma'am."

I loved being a fly on the wall to their life, getting to hear them talk about their set, what they loved, what they didn't, and how excited they were to do it all again tomorrow night.
"Are you guys gonna watch me?" I chimed in, now peeking over at Sam. He nodded, his smile growing.
"Of course." He said. "If we're allowed."
"That's true." Danny said. "Security doesn't let anyone get near you. It's actually.. really impressive."

As thankful as I was for my team, it got pretty lonely, not having the same kind of support that other acts got, right up until they went on stage. I knew it was a safety precaution, but still.

"How are you so good at this?" Josh asked. "Don't you have your own makeup artists to do this for you?"
"Yeah, but.. I had to learn in the beginning. Who do you think taught them what I like? Alright, done. What do you think?" He got up, going over to the mirror, his eyes instantly lighting up when he saw his reflection. I couldn't help but smile, noticing an instant change in him. He stood up straighter, admiring himself.

"I think you're in the wrong line of work." He giggled to himself. "I look great."
"What do you think the odds are of Jake letting me-"
"Zero." Sam laughed. "He's not into all that." I smirked back at him, knowing he was probably right.
"But.. I'm sure if you asked, he'd probably let you." Josh muttered.

"Hey, so um.. Jake told me that.. you're into filmmaking?" I asked, now remembering the conversation him and I had the other day. He nodded, his face now lighting up as he flashed me an eager grin.
"Y-yeah, he told you?" He asked, coming back over, sitting down next to me. I nodded.
"Yeah, he said that.. you're really good, and I've actually been looking for someone to work on my next music video, if you're interested-"
"Yes!" He blurted out. I couldn't help but laugh, missing this sense of enthusiasm that I had once had.
"Okay, great, I'll keep you in the loop once things get moving then."
"T-that's.. amazing, thank you." He said softly, reaching over and grabbing my hand. I nodded.
"Of course, I like you guys, and I wanna help anyway I can."

And then my heart jumped as the door opened, gripping tighter onto Josh's hand until I saw Jake peek his head in, his eyes instantly shooting over to me, flashing me a relieved grin.
"Hi.." I mouthed to him, giving him a gentle wave, trying to contain my giddy smile, the same one that always took over every time I saw him. He made his way over, plopping down on the couch next to me, wrapping his arm around me. I didn't hesitate to move over, cuddling closer to him, feeling my heart beat faster.

"Everything okay?" I whispered to him, leaning in close. He nodded, biting down on his lip. I wasn't entirely convinced, but he didn't come back with a black eye, so I guess it wasn't too bad.
"We can talk later." He said softly, leaning in, gently kissing my cheek. I nodded, leaning my head on his shoulder.

"Well, this is new." He laughed, turning to Josh, now admiring his revamped look.
"Juliette did it for me." He said proudly, flashing me a satisfied grin.
"I could do your's too, if you want." I joked, knowing that he would never go for it. He held his stare on me for a moment, smirking back at me.
"I think I'll pass." He finally said. I playfully rolled my eyes.
"You're no fun."

"Juliette was just saying she loves a man in glitter." Danny chimed in. Jake scrunched up his face, peeking back at me.
"Is that true?" He whispered. I subtly shook my head, smirking back at him.
"No, it's okay. I like your look." He nodded, reaching over for my hand, intertwining our fingers.

"So, you two have gotten comfortable with each other." Josh said. Jake looked back at me with a questioning look.
"Have we?" He asked sarcastically. "I hadn't noticed." I shook my head, giggling to myself.
"I don't know what you mean." I said, playing along. He leaned in, gently rubbing his nose against mine.
"Oh, you two are disgusting." Josh laughed, rolling his eyes.

I jumped again at the sound of another knock at the door. Jake instantly pulled me in closer, his grip on me getting tighter. I loved how protective he got over me now, making me feel like, if he was around, nothing could ever happen to me again.

But I could relax again once I saw Amy pop her head in, her face softening into an appeased smirk when her eyes landed on us.
"Juliette, you're on." She said, motioning out into the hallway. I sighed, nodding, wishing that I could just stay here with them. Jake leaned in close, whispering into my ear.
"Can I walk you?" He asked, giving my hand another squeeze. I nodded.
"Please."

"Have a good show, Juliette!" Josh called out. "We'll be watching! And taking notes!" I playfully rolled my eyes, giving them all a small wave before following Jake out into the hallway. He was quiet for the most part, gently swinging our arms as we followed Amy backstage and towards the rising floor.

"Are you okay?" I asked, peeking up at him. He nodded, forcing a smile.
"Yeah, I'm okay, are you okay?" I nodded, holding my stare on him.
"Jake.."
"I'm okay, I promise. Don't worry about me, you're about to go on." He giggled, his smile now more genuine. It helped a little.
"Everything.. went alright with Don?" I asked. He nodded.
"Mhm.."
"Well, I can tell he didn't hit you considering you're still cute as ever." I muttered, feeling my cheeks burn. His smile grew as he reached up, gently caressing my face.

"You really think I'm cute?" He teased, staring back at me with dazed eyes.
"You know I do." I whispered, my eyes moving down to his lips.
"I think you're pretty cute too, Julia."
"Just cute?" I pried, wrapping my arms around his neck. He sighed, leaning his forehead against mine.
"You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen." He said. I felt like I could explode.
"R-really?" I asked, now feeling the conversation getting that much more serious. He nodded, not once breaking our stare.

"Jake.." I sighed, leaning in closer, our lips now inches apart.
"Mhm?"
"Please stay with me tonight." I asked. He nodded, this time without hesitation, leaning into a deep kiss. His hands slowly traveling up my neck, pulling me in closer, kissing me harder. I kissed him back, now feeling the world around us disappear, because in this moment, nothing else mattered but him; him and I and everything we represented.

In no way did we make sense; we came from two different worlds, lived two different lives, but how lucky we were to find each other in this one.

I had never said the word to anyone but Don, and even then sometimes I questioned how much I meant it, but now, being here with him, I could feel it, taking over me in such a way that I've never experienced before, making me believe that I had never actually felt it before, not until now, not until him. And how terrifying it was to fall into such a word without knowing how deeply he had fallen too.

If he even had..

When he finally moved away, he reached up again, lightly licking his thumb and wiping my lip again. I couldn't help but laugh at the faint pink stain that lingered on his lips, knowing that it was once on mine.

"Jake.." I said, feeling the rush of nerves take over me.
"Yeah?"
"I-" And then I felt the stage begin to rise, ripping him away from me again as I was submerged within the screams of the crowd.