I gotta say, I’m a little jealous. I could have used a drink or two after today.
Rough one? Is that why you can’t sleep?
…You could say that. Basically just a shit day at work.
Wanna talk about it?
I guess… but that would require me telling you what I do.
Is there a problem with that?
I guess not… it just usually changes things when people find out.
Nothing happened when I told you I used to be a rock star. You should give it a try.
…
You should know I’m not a very patient man, Eloise. Spill.
Ugh. Fine.
I’m a concert pianist. A pretty well-known one, for the people who listen to that kind of stuff.
I’m not saying that to brag. I say it because tonight, I had to play for a sold-out concert hall of all the stuffy Neon Valley elite. And I fucked up. Royally. They’ll probably be laughing about it in the tabloids tomorrow.
I pause, unable to process the information she’s giving me. I wasthere. I heard her play. She was beautifully, utterly flawless in her performance—and though I only saw the first half, I doubt the part I missed was any less spectacular.
You were holding out on me. A concert pianist? It makes sense why you’re progressing so quickly with the guitar.
I’m so sorry you had a bad day, sweet Eloise. But I sincerely doubt your performance was even an ounce as messy as you’re making it seem.
And then, before she has the chance to disagree, I type another message to distract her.
We’re always harder on ourselves than we should be. And I say that as someone who finds it extremely comforting to wallow in my own self-hatred. Try to give yourself a little grace. If not for you, then for the sake of me and my weary bones.
You do not have weary bones. You’re what—36?
Ouch.
Sorry. Was I close at least?
If today is opposite day, yeah.
You were the one talking about ‘weary bones’!
Because I have bad knees!
You are so ridiculous. I think I’m actually ready for bed now.
Aw, don’t go. It was just getting fun.
And there will be fun times to be had another day. I really do need to get going, though.
Thanks for answering. It was really good talking to you tonight, Riot.
I go to type my response, but then she sends one last message. A little emoticon music note, followed by a black heart.
Fucking adorable.
