It's Easier to Walk Away - Chapter 1
The year was 1997, and Rockapella was riding high on the wave of their success. The five of them had been close friends for years, and they shared an unbreakable bond on and off the stage, harmonizing perfectly together. But little did they know things were about to take a turn no one saw coming.
It was a crisp autumn evening when Sean and Scott found themselves alone in their dressing room after a mesmerizing performance. The adrenaline was still coursing through their veins, leaving them exhilarated yet vulnerable. As they exchanged glances, a warmth enveloped their hearts, and a profound silence lingered between them.
Scott, usually talkative, struggled to find the right words. His heart raced with uncertainty, afraid of the consequences that awaited them if he revealed his true feelings. Sean, ever perceptive, sensed Scott's unease, but he couldn't ignore the burgeoning emotions he held inside either.
Finally, breaking the quietude, Sean spoke softly, his voice filled with both trepidation and longing. "Scott, there's something I need to tell you, something I've been feeling for a while now."
Scott's eyes widened, his breath caught in his throat. He leaned closer, his voice barely a whisper. "What is it, Sean?"
A mix of emotions flooded Sean's face—fear, sadness, and a profound sense of resignation. He knew the truth would be bittersweet. "Scott, I... I think I've fallen in love with you."
The confession hung in the air, the weight of their unspoken desires suddenly tangible. Time seemed to stand still as Scott processed Sean's words. In that fleeting moment, the world around them ceased to exist. It was just the two of them, caught in the complex web of emotions they never anticipated.
Scott's heart ached with an inexplicable mix of joy and anguish. "Sean, I... I feel the same way," he managed to say, his voice trembling. "But we can't be together. You know that."
A heavy silence settled in the room, a veil of sorrow draped over their hearts. Sean nodded, a tear glistening in the corner of his eye. "I know," he whispered, his voice choked with emotion. "We can't risk our friendship, our careers..."
Scott reached out and brushed his fingertips against Sean's cheek, an achingly tender gesture that spoke volumes. "I never expected to feel this way about you," he admitted softly. "But we have to do what's best for everyone."
They both knew the truth – that their love was an unsolvable equation in a world that had yet to fully accept them.
And so, they made the painful decision to bury their feelings deep within their hearts, to lock them away in a secret chamber that only they knew existed. They vowed to protect their friendship, to shield it from the storm of emotions that threatened to tear them apart.
Their performances continued, their harmonies blending seamlessly as always. But the connection between Sean and Scott had shifted, becoming an unspoken understanding that whispered in every note they sang.
Their bandmates began to notice the subtle changes, the lingering glances, and softer tones. But they respected Sean and Scott's privacy, sensing that something profound was unfolding beneath the surface. They gave them space, allowing them to navigate their own emotions in their own time.
During their small tour of the Midwest, they found themselves alone on the tour bus together, while Barry, Elliott, and Jeff had stepped out for a while to do who knows what. They sat in silence, occasionally glancing at each other, while Sean typed away on his laptop.
Scott couldn't help but be drawn to the way Sean's furrowed brow accentuated his sharp features, a sign of his deep concentration. It was moments like these that made Scott ache with longing, wanting nothing more than to reach out and touch Sean's hand, to let their fingers intertwine in a silent promise. Knowing they had time, Scott leaned across the table and planted a kiss on Sean's lips, taking him by surprise.
Sean's eyes widened in shock, his fingers freezing on the keys of his laptop. The world seemed to hold its breath as their lips lingered for a brief, stolen moment. A rush of emotions surged through Scott's veins, a mixture of fear and anticipation. He pulled back slightly, searching Sean's eyes for any sign of regret or rejection.
But to his surprise, Sean's gaze softened, a spark of something unspoken flickering in his dark eyes. "Scott..." he said after a moment. "We can't do this. You're married. No one would understand."
Scott's heart sank at Sean's words. The reality of their situation crashed down on him, reminding him of the responsibilities and commitments he had made outside of their hidden desires. He felt a twinge of guilt for even allowing himself to entertain the thought of crossing that line.
"I know, but... I don't know how long I can keep denying that I love you."
Sean sighed, looking at Scott sympathetically. "I know. I don't know how long I can do the same either."
Scott's heart felt heavy with the weight of their love. The tour bus suddenly felt suffocating, their secret desires encasing them in a bubble of longing and frustration. They both knew they needed to find a way to navigate their emotions, to break free from the confines of their circumstances.
As he opened his mouth to speak, Barry, Elliott, and Jeff returned. Scott knew he couldn't say anything now, and sunk into his seat, quietly. Sean continued typing, writing a blog post.
"Sean's over there writing a novel," Elliott teased, watching as Sean's fingers moved on the keyboard furiously.
The tension in the air dissipated as Barry, Elliott, and Jeff settled back into their seats, unaware of the charged atmosphere that had just passed. Scott tried to shake off the heaviness that hung over his heart, focusing on the lighthearted banter that filled the bus.
"Yeah, he's probably writing a novel about all the crazy adventures we've had on this tour," Scott chimed in, forcing a smile. Inside, his mind was still consumed by thoughts of Sean and the fragile dance they were tangled in. He wondered how much longer they could keep their feelings buried before it all unraveled.
Sean chuckled softly, casting a fleeting glance to Scott before chiming in. "I'm writing about the knuckleheads I'm surrounded by."
The bus erupted in laughter, the tension dissipating once again as Sean playfully teased their bandmates. Scott joined in, grateful for the distraction, even though his heart still ached with unfulfilled longing.