Do You Ship Us?

Chapter 2-1

Chapter 2The opportunity to show off what Ryan is so good at seems like one he should have taken. But his hesitation perfectly times with Chris returning, right before Jasper can insist on him taking the floor. Jasper shakes his head, chewing his lip as he turns away and strolls over to stand with Blake. The clear frustration destroys Ryan’s short-lived relief at not having to perform on the spot.

“So, the plan is for you all to spend the morning going through your first album with Ryan,” Chris announces. “He has to learn the songs so he can put together some simple moves. In time, I expect full routines. I’ve scheduled in a press conference for two P.M. to announce Ryan’s addition to the band.” Chris gets no reaction from any of the members. “I’d hate for your fans to be conflicted or see Ryan as an intruder. I’m sure Ryan would appreciate it if you can control yourself and don’t act as though you’re unhappy about my decision.”

Jasper holds his hands up defensively as Chris’s attention lingers on him. “Whatever’s best for the band.”

Chris turns on his heel, muttering, “Get to work,” under his breath as he leaves the room again. Most of the tension disappears with him the moment the band is alone again.

Then all eyes fall on Jasper, expectantly. “What?” Jasper rolls his eyes. “I seriously don’t have a problem with you, okay? I just want to see for myself what you can do before I put blind trust in Chris’s judgement. Is that too much to ask?”

“I’m not dressed for dancing.” Ryan’s gentle tone forces Jasper to concede on his mission for a demonstration. For now.

“Well, they’ll want to see you dance, so I hope you have something prepared to show off.”

Ryan’s chest tightens. “Christopher didn’t tell me to prepare anything.”

“Shocking. It’s unlike Chris to come up with on the spot decisions about your career without involving you.” Jasper turns to the mirror.

Simon strolls into the center of the room, rubbing his hands together. “Right, we should get to know each other.”

Jasper groans.

Blake scoffs. “Nah, we’ve played too many games of never have I ever. I’ve got no secrets left.”

“Spoiler alert, Blake’s slept with people in a lot of interesting settings.” Jasper spins around with a s**t stirring grin.

“Thanks, Jas, let’s tell him our worst qualities first.” Blake rolls his eyes, though not seeming that bothered.

“Oh, like you’re so private about that stuff.” Jasper pokes his tongue out at Blake.

Simon pinches the bridge of his large, straight nose. “Guys, can you stop being idiots for one minute? Ryan didn’t come here today to hear about that.”

“It is weird that this is about the third thing I am finding out about you.” Ryan glances towards Blake.

Jasper raises his eyebrows. “The third thing? Surely you’ve heard more about him.”

“Uh, well no actually.” Ryan shakes his head, though he regrets admitting that now that Jasper is staring at him.

“This may shock you, Jasper, but some people go about their lives only hearing your voice over the radio while they’re at the supermarket. Most people don’t care who they’re listening to,” Luke says with a soft smile.

Jasper gives a dramatic gasp, placing a hand to his heart as though shot with the harsh truth.

Blake nudges Jasper. “Yeah, Ryan’s not exactly our target demographic. I’d be shocked as s**t if he was an undercover fanboy infiltrating the group.”

Jasper’s eyes widen and the cheeky smile returns. “That’d make a great fanfic though.”

“Why don’t we let Ryan ask us questions?” Simon takes a seat on the floor. Blake, Luke and Jasper move over and join him. Ryan follows over too, sitting an uncomfortable distance from the others.

Jasper reaches his hand out, patting the ground closer to him. “We don’t bite. Well, Blake does, but only if he’s roleplaying…Ow!” Jasper rubs his arm after Blake punches it to shut him up.

“How about you get your own s*x life and stop talking about mine?”

“I would, but I wouldn’t want to take away something that’s ninety percent of your personality.” Jasper pokes his tongue out at Blake.

“Ninety percent? b***h, just because while you were busy fearing the devil whispering naughty thoughts in your ear, I did things the devil couldn’t even dream of doesn’t mean I haven’t outgrown my fuckboy stage. Leave eighteen-year-old me out of this.”

They haven’t even started and yet the band already lost Jasper and Blake in this friendly argument, apparently ignorant of everyone around them.

“Sorry you lost your moves,” Jasper teases.

Blake scoffs. “I didn’t lose my moves, thank you very much. The problem is, now I’m famous. Half the girls that want me are underage and the rest of the girls out there think I’m on the other team because someone keeps flirting with me on stage.”

“Well then, I’m sorry your image is so delicate that a few comments from me are enough to convince people you’re into guys. I had no idea my powers of seduction were so strong.”

Luke gestures for Ryan to move over beside him. “This kind of thing never ends with these two. You’ll learn to tune them out, don’t worry.”

“That’s enough!” Simon cuts off whatever comment had been too inappropriate from the distracted duo. “It’s so distasteful to be talking about that kind of thing around someone that’s a stranger.” As Simon lectures, the pair turn their attention back to Ryan as though they’d forgotten about him.

“Okay. I have a question. Have you, at least, listened to our music?” Jasper asks.

“Christopher played your album on the drive over this morning.”

Jasper gawks. “That’s the first time you heard our music? As if you haven’t heard of us before that. I mean, we had a very successful first album. The radio plays at least one song at least every hour on multiple channels. How can you not have heard us before now?”

“Maybe because you’re so graciously quiet about your success.” Ryan’s remark catches Jasper so off guard he leans back, scoffs, pauses, scoffs again, then licks his lips.

Simon gives a pleased smile and seems to relax. “Wow, I’ve never seen Jasper without a comeback. I’m going to enjoy having Ryan here.”

“Have you seen what happens to quiet people in this industry?” Jasper ignores his bandmates’ enjoyment of his momentarily derailed ego, to dish out his own subtle insult. “Welcome to the industry. You either stand out, or you’re forgotten.”

The members glance at Ryan who nods at what Jasper is saying, unable to ignore the unfortunate truth.

“So, you didn’t research us before you joined?” Jasper softens his tone.

“No, I wanted to form my own opinions when I met you all.” Ryan shrugs, fiddling with the cuff buttons on his sleeve again. “I only found out this morning that I’d be joining the band. I didn’t really have much notice.”

“Glad we’ve made a good impression then.” Blake grits his teeth and nudges Jasper.

“Is there anything you want to know about us, Ryan?” Simon asks, bringing the attention back to what they are meant to be doing.

Ryan sips at his water, then clears his throat. “Who picked the band’s name?”

Everyone points to Blake.

“Angsty teenager stage.” Blake shrugs.

“You say, as if you’ve left your angsty teen stage,” Jasper comments.

“The angst life chose me. It’s not my fault.”

Simon groans as the two get off topic again. “Next question.”

“Who inspires your music?”

“That’s a really good question. As a band we have an eclectic variety of inspiration.” Simon stares at Jasper and Blake, who have slipped once more into their own tangent, until they notice and shut up again, tuning back in to the conversation going on around them. “Lyrically, I always idolized Queen. I appreciate the intelligence and creativity of their songs.”

“When I said going through an angsty teen stage, I meant it’s following me to my grave. I’m only eyeliner away from being a proper early 2000s punk, emo, whatever you categorize it as, singer.” Blake shrugs.

Jasper sighs. “I miss your emo, punk, eyeliner days. You used to be cool.”

“Yeah, and not promote-able, apparently.”

“I think that’s a lack of good taste on Chris’s part. Girls love the emo bad boy style. Totally promote-able.”

“I’ll bring it back one day. Get my snake bites redone. Dye my hair blood red. Get a tattoo.”

“Love how you could wear as much eyeliner as you wanted, and no one thought anything of it. Yet I make one suggestive comment and the world thinks you’re gay.” Jasper leads himself and Blake off topic about who is most guilty of perpetuating their ‘ship. Simon clears his throat to get their attention again, seemingly just about done with them already.

“Why did you want to pursue dancing?” Jasper asks, casting his attention back to Ryan.

“Why did you decide to be a singer?” Ryan’s eye contact with Jasper falters the minute Jasper smiles. He glances down at his hands and rubs his neck. “I wanted a job that fulfilled me, something I enjoy and am passionate about, not just something to pay the bills.”

“That’s a way better answer than mine. I got picked from a choir, told I had potential and signed a contract in this company,” Jasper admits, sounding embarrassed by his lame story.

“Second best thing you’ve got from church choir, eh, Jasper?” Blake nudges him.

“Second best?” Jasper frowns.

With Jasper and Blake caught up in their own conversation once again now, Simon seems to give up on trying to refocus them. Instead, he and Luke talk between themselves about song ideas for the next album and Ryan is once again left out of the conversations.

He sits back, trying not to eavesdrop on the very personal conversation happening beside him, but also under-qualified to join in a conversation about the album. He finds himself some space and sits with his headphones in, listening to The Obsolete’s first album, picturing how he’ll choreograph moves for the songs. The members leave him alone, much to his mutual thankfulness and anxiety. A morning full of trying to not freak out while in a group of strangers has exhausted him. Some time left alone is exactly what he needs to socially recharge before he’ll undoubtedly be back into a whirlwind of panic and stress.

It’s Jasper that yanks a headphone out, takes a seat beside Ryan, then puts the bud in his ear instead.

“When I say I love you, it’s a promise from the heart. A promise I have made, right from the start. That I will let nothing tear us apart,” he sings at Ryan. “Doing some research on us?”

Ryan pauses the music, taking his headphone out and neatly wrapping it. “It’s good. I like it,” is the only thing he can think to say.

“Well, that’s lucky, isn’t it, dance boy? We should really practice them for you so you can learn who sings what parts and how it all goes together.”

“I can pick out your voice.” Ryan hates himself when the thought comes out of his mouth. He tries to cover for it by adding, “Blake’s too. You’ve both got distinct voices.”

“It’s been interesting watching you react to our songs. I can’t believe he added you without having listened to any of our music before.”

Jasper is doing Ryan’s head in. His energy drained in anxieties from this one guy’s comments. The peaceful alone time he’d been enjoying only minutes ago, now ruined with the knowledge he had been being watched and possibly judged while out of earshot and not paying attention.

“Jasper, your girlfriend is calling.” Blake holds up Jasper’s phone, the name BETH on the screen. Jasper stands up and fights Blake for his phone. He takes it and walks out of the room.

“You doing alright? It’s probably a lot to take in.” If Simon had any idea how much it’s stressing Ryan to have people single him out like this, he’d have let him be.

“Yeah. I’m not really sure what I’m supposed to be doing yet.” Ryan watches as Jasper walks back into the room, stopping to hold the door open for Luke who’s carrying a couple of pizza boxes. “He doesn’t like me, does he?”