In Focus

Roses scattered on the table waiting for their thorns to be taken away. In her nineteenth year, Avery never saw herself spending her summers after high school working for her mother. She did not mind the work even enjoyed the expected repetition of being a florist. Yet, she always found that she would rather be doing something else. Something that would be much more exciting and fun. The problem is she did not necessarily know what exactly she should be doing. That is why she took a gap year in the first place. So far, the only thing she has been consistently doing was to spend her meagre salary to see concerts with her friends. She would bring along her camera whenever the venue permitted and took some photos. After some time, she had built up a following on social media. She manages to pull some local bands to take pictures for but not enough money to quit her florist job.

Her phone shook the table interrupting her thoughts. A text message appeared on her phone asking for her rates and if she could come to take photographs for an upcoming tour. Avery’s eyes widened at the opportunity that she did not even care what band it was for. She quickly paused what she was doing and instantly agreed to the proposal.

When she took up the offer, she never expected the tour to be a nine-month tour for one of the biggest rock bands in the world, Werewolf Love Bite. She adored their music ever since she was thirteen. The idea of working for them almost made her faint. The assistant had to do some convincing to prove that he worked for the band. Avery could not believe her luck. Yesterday, she was just some wannabe photographer taking photos for local bands. Now, she was a full-blown official band photographer who worked with well-known bands.

She ran to tell her mother the news barely concealing her excitement. Her mother matched her intensity and fondly expressed how proud she was of Avery. They celebrated with a pizza lunch at their favourite Italian restaurant while endlessly talking about Werewolf Love Bite.

Werewolf Love Bite’s latest single “Please Love Me” was put on loop in the Archibald household. Avery’s friend Laura came to her house as soon as she heard the news. Being a fan herself, she could not contain her excitement that her best friend was going on tour with her favourite band. However, Avery worried since Laura’s a fellow photographer that she would be jealous of her achievements. Avery did her best not to gloat in front of Laura and promised to buy her tickets when the band comes to the city. Her eyebrows knit together in seriousness and gloom.

Laura laughed at Avery’s expression. She knew Avery well enough to know she was withholding how excited she was for her sake. She confessed that she wouldn’t die if she is not able to tour with Werewolf Love Bite, but she will take up on her offer for free tickets.

“You know what’s weird? You love their love songs but you’re the most anti-love person I know,” Laura said.

“I’m not. I just don’t think it exists,” Avery said.

It still did not dawn on Avery that she was going on tour with the biggest bands in the world. Her two suitcases were filled with shirts, jeans, sweaters, shoes, and of course, her camera bag. Space was made for any trinkets she would be getting in her travels. Promises were made to her friends to send in the funniest looking postcards she could find. With her mother’s blessing and her bravery, she was ready to go on the chance of a lifetime.

Surprisingly, Avery found that she managed to fit in well with the other crew members despite being half their age. Her hope of being friends with the band was dashed when she learned they spend most of their time with their own company. She preferred the company of the other crew members anyway. There were three other photographers hired for the tour. One of them acted as the mentor and leader for everyone else to follow suit. Avery did not mind that she did not have complete creative control. At first, she was nervous that all of the responsibilities would be put on her. The lead photographer had that burden instead. As the tour carries on, everyone seemed to work like a well-oiled machine with each necessary part doing their job.

In the Europe leg of the tour, the opening band changed to a young singer named Madelyn Rosewood. She was not very well-known outside of the UK. Her voice was soft yet strong carrying her melancholic lyrics of heartbreak and longing. She also covered songs by bands like The Cure. The crew members whispered about her eccentric nature.

When Avery first met Madelyn, she did not recognize that she was the singer for the band. Madelyn did not have a very strong personality typical of singers that Avery came across. Avery thought that she seemed too meek to perform on a big stage. She couldn't imagine Madelyn being able to enrapture the audience with her charm like the singer for Werewolf Love Bite. Avery chastised herself, everyone seemed meek and boring compared to Werewolf Love Bite.

As the day goes on, the crew seem to take their places. As Avery walked past the dressing rooms, she heard stifled sobs at one of the dressing rooms. She softly knocked on the door to see what was going on. Madelyn opened the door surprised to see Avery there. She was completely expecting someone else regardless she motioned for Avery to come inside.

“I-I don’t mean to interrupt but are you okay?”

“Not for a long time” 

“Maybe, I can help”

The weekend before, the band had a gap in their tour to serve as a break after touring nonstop throughout North America. The band treated everyone for a day around Amsterdam, the Netherlands to do anything they want. Some just went to the pub. Others checked the nearby spa. Avery and her photographer friends decide to eat their way around Amsterdam. Avery found out that she liked Stroopwafel the best. The pastry was the holy matrimony of a cookie and a waffle. Two of Avery’s favourite things.

As Avery leads Madelyn out of the venue, it never occurred to her to tell everyone else their whereabouts. Aside from the fans camping out of the venue, no one else saw them leave. Everyone else was busy setting up the stage and preparing for the show that night. Avery planned to take her to the best place to get Stroopwafel. It was not that far of a walk. They rushed through the Dutch streets in search of the best Dutch pastry Amsterdam can offer.

At the restaurant, Madelyn confessed that she was crying because of how nervous she was that she was opening for Werewolf Love Bite. This was the biggest venue and audience that she will ever play for. Before, she just toured around local bars and the occasional festival. It just recently dawned on her that if she messes this up her whole career could be in jeopardy. She expressed how grateful she was that Avery brought her to this place since it helped to settle her nerves. She reached across the table to hold Avery’s hand and express how grateful she was once more. Avery hoped that Madelyn did not see the blush creeping on her cheeks.

The opening act usually brought their photographers on stage. Madelyn had one of her own, but Avery still waited in the wings to take her photos. She reasoned out that this was for her personal project, but she just wants to see Madelyn perform. For some reason, she was compelled to be there for her.

Madelyn’s performance was better than Avery expected. She came on stage in a silver dress that went past her ankles. A silver guitar strapped to her matched her outfit. It was no hiding that she was stunning. The silver colour made her blonde hair look like a halo. However, it was her voice was what gave Avery shivers. It was electric and hypnotizing that Avery felt that everyone in the venue was focused only on her. There was no reason at all to be nervous.

After the show, Avery expected to be forgotten by Madelyn. She was just another crew member. There was no real importance for her. She was to blend in the background and take good photos of the band. That is not how everything panned out. Madelyn sought after Avery after the show and hugged her, whispering a quick thank you. It made the hairs of Avery’s neck stood up each time. She could not believe what was happening at the moment.

Before every show, Avery and Madelyn ran around the city to find the best pastry in the city. It has become a ritual for the two of them. They meet at the front of the venue ready to venture onto the streets in search of delicacies and more.

Besides their before-show rituals, they enjoyed sending each other notes. At first, the notes were just short thank you’s that Madelyn would leave Avery. At some point, they had gotten longer. Some would reach a page. It was ridiculous since they could just text each other but they enjoyed putting pen to paper. In between the lines of the page, they manage to talk about topics deeper than the weather. Madelyn leaves Avery notes that she would read over and over again at the tour bus. Her curly handwriting scrawled over pastel paper. Avery would return the favour by leaving her notes on her dressing room. Her heavy-handed writing held encouragements for Madelyn on her performance. In these spaces, they learned more about each other in ways they never have shared to anyone else before.

Avery wondered if she had not been scouted as a photographer and Madelyn was not chosen to open the tour. They would have never met. Madelyn would just be another singer that Laura and Avery would discover but never end up meeting in real life. She marvelled on how there were many factors to be put in place for them to be friends. She was never a big believer in fate until now. However, she was not so sure she remains to be friends with Madelyn. Her crush on her was growing with no signs of shrinking but there was no sign that it was returned.

Avery tried in her ways to see if Madelyn liked her back. She would obsess over the smileys and drawings she would draw in her notes. They never revealed any deeper meaning as much Avery stared at them. They were just mindless doodles that Madelyn did in her spare time. She would try to see if she would treat her differently than the others. All she could tell was that Madelyn was as affectionate with her band members as she was with Avery. She tried her best not to agonize over it with Laura, who was getting tired of Avery’s longing texts.

Days then weeks passed, the European leg of the tour was coming to an end. Avery had been dreading the end of this part of the tour. Not only had she fallen in love with Europe, she worried she had fallen for Madelyn as well.

Madelyn eagerly woke up Avery which surprised her. Avery did not even know that Madelyn knows which tour bus she slept in. She also felt very underdressed for this moment that her face was red. Madelyn had a surprise for her. Her eyebrows quirked up at the word surprise. Avery loved surprises which Madelyn was well aware of.

“Your surprise lies in heaven’s door.”

“Is this a riddle?”

Avery sighed at the idea of a riddle. That was something Madelyn was fond of. She would sometimes make up riddles for fun. It made everyone else roll their eyes, but it did not faze her.

“Hmmm…your dressing room’s door?”

Madelyn smiled turned into a lovely pout. She was upset that Avery got it so quickly. Though, she could never stay mad at Avery for too long. It was also partly her fault for referring to her dressing room as her heaven too many times.

Avery pulled a chair to reach for the ledge of the door. She felt around until she felt a solid object that she pulled out. The surprise was a photo book by the elusive photographer, Donna Thomas, who happens to be Avery’s favourite photographer. It was an examination of the youth of Amsterdam which included some concert photography. Amsterdam was the first time they ever really got to know each other. She flipped the first page surprised to see that there was an autograph by Donna herself. Her eyes began to tear up at the gesture.

“Sorry, I thought you would like it”

“No, I love it!” I love you.

The last part Avery did not manage to say. She did not need to. She knows that Madelyn knows she loves her or at least she hopes that Madelyn does.

Avery quickly closed the distance between her and Madelyn before she loses all the courage she had. She could taste the sweetness of the yoghurt that Madelyn must have had for breakfast. Her lips were so soft, softer than Avery could have imagined in her dreams. The moment passed as fast it came yet it felt like it could last a lifetime.