Hey, Sorry for the lack of chapters lately. I've been busy with work and school. But we back....oh and I finally created a Tik tok account , so y'all can find me @Gress. Follow fo Followđ¤Ťâ¤ď¸
The day of the funeral had finally arrived. Rayn and the rest of the band were there in attendance but the question on everyone's mind was "Would Landon come?" The reason behind it? Everyone knew about the bad blood between them. As the mourners gathered around the gravesite, the tension was palpable. Rayn and the rest of the band stood solemnly, their faces etched with grief and respect. But amidst the somber atmosphere, whispers began to circulate about Landon's potential attendance.
The bad blood between Landon and the deceased was no secret. The two had been embroiled in a heated feud that had played out in the public eye. Many wondered if Landon would have the audacity to show up, given their tumultuous history.
As the minister began to speak, the crowd's attention turned to the eulogy. But everyone's ears perked up, scanning the surroundings for any sign of Landon. Would he make an appearance, or would he stay away, respecting the boundaries of their strained relationship? The anticipation hung in the air, a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. And then, just as the minister was about to conclude the service, a figure emerged from the periphery of the crowd...it was Landon's tall frame that stood out as he emerged from the crowd, his eyes fixed intently on the gravesite. A murmur rippled through the mourners as they parted to let him through. Julian's eyes widened slightly, his expression a mix of surprise and wariness.
Landon's face was somber, his usual swagger and confidence tempered by a hint of respect. He walked slowly, his steps measured, as if savoring the moment. As he reached the front, he nodded curtly to Rayn and the rest of the band, his eyes never leaving the coffin. The minister paused, unsure how to proceed. Landon's presence seemed to have shifted the atmosphere, injecting a sense of unease into the proceedings. The mourners held their collective breath, wondering what Landon's appearance portended. Would he offer some kind of apology or explanation for his past behavior? Or would he simply pay his respects and depart?
As the silence stretched out, Landon took a deep breath and began to speak, his voice cracked with emotion as he spoke, his words hanging in the air like a challenge. "We built this band from scratch, just the two of us. We were more than bandmates; we were brothers. But over time, things fell apart. He kicked me out, and it hurt â not just my pride, but deep down. I'm sure some of you know what it's like to lose someone who was once such a big part of your life."
He paused, taking a deep breath before continuing. "Despite everything that happened between us, I'm here today to pay my respects. He may not have been perfect, but he was a part of me once, and I'll always carry that with me." Landon's gaze lingered on the coffin, a mix of sadness and regret etched on his face. The crowd was silent, captivated by the raw emotion in his words. Rayn and the rest of the band looked on, their expressions a blend of surprise and empathy, as they began to understand the depth of Landon's pain.
As Landon finished speaking, the crowd remained silent for a moment, absorbing the weight of his words. Then, slowly, a murmur of approval and sympathy rippled through the mourners. Some nodded in understanding, while others wiped away tears. Rayn took a step forward, his eyes locked on Landon's. For a moment, it seemed like he might say something, but instead, he simply nodded. The two men shared a moment of understanding, a sense of closure and respect passing between them.
The minister, sensing the emotional shift, cleared his throat and continued the service. As the ceremony drew to a close, Landon remained standing, his eyes fixed on the coffin. It was clear that this moment had been cathartic for him, a chance to confront his past and find some measure of peace. As the mourners began to disperse, Landon turned to leave, but his gaze met Rayn's once more. This time, Rayn spoke, his voice low and measured. "Landon, wait." Landon hesitated, unsure what to expect, but Rayn's next words surprised him: "We need to talk."
Landon's expression turned guarded as he replied, "If this is about convincing me to come back to the band, it won't happen." He shook his head, a hint of bitterness creeping into his voice. "I'm done with all that." But before he could turn away, Rayn was joined by Julian and Aiden, the other members of the band. They formed a semi-circle around Landon, their faces somber and apologetic.
"It's not about that, Landon," Rayn said, his voice sincere. "We owe you an apology. Kicking you out the way we did... it was wrong. We were stupid, and scared that we won't make it big, and because of Noah's influence...we took it out on you."
Julian nodded in agreement. "We've all thought about it, wondering what would have happened if we'd handled things differently."
Aiden added, "We've been carrying around the guilt. Look, We're not asking you to come back or forgive us right away. We just want to make amends, for our own sake as much as yours."
Landon's guard dropped slightly, surprised by the band's words. He hadn't expected them to acknowledge their past wrongdoings, let alone apologize for them. "Go on," he said, his curiosity piqued as his eyes narrowed slightly, studying the band members' faces for any sign of insincerity. But all he saw was genuine remorse and a deep-seated regret. Rayn took a deep breath and continued, "We've been thinking about this for a while now, Landon. We've talked about it among ourselves, and we all agree that we owe you more than just a half-hearted apology. We want to make things right, not just for your sake, but for ours too."
Julian added, "We've realized that our success isn't just about the music we make, but about the relationships we built â or broke. You were a part of this band's foundation, and we threw you away without a second thought. We're not expecting you to forgive us overnight, but we want to try to rebuild some kind of bridge between us."
Aiden nodded in agreement. "We've grown up a lot since then, Landon. We've learned from our mistakes, and we want to show you that we're committed to making amends."
The band members stood in silence for a moment, letting their words sink in. Landon's expression softened slightly, and he looked at the band members with a mixture of surprise and curiosity. "What exactly do you propose?" he asked, his voice a little gentler than before.
Rayn smiled softly, relief washing over his face. "We're not looking for anything drastic or immediate, Landon. We just want to... reconnect, I guess. Rebuild the bond we once had, as friends and as musicians."
Julian nodded in agreement, his eyes shining with sincerity. "We've missed you, Landon. Not just as a band member, but as a friend. We want to get to know you again, to catch up on what you've been doing, and to share our own lives with you."
Aiden added, "We know it won't be easy, and we don't expect things to go back to the way they were overnight. But we're willing to put in the effort, to rebuild trust and friendship. We value what we had, and we don't want to lose it forever." The band members stood in silence for a moment, letting their words hang in the air. Landon looked at them, searching for any sign of insincerity, but all he saw was genuine longing and regret.
"Let's take things slow," Rayn suggested, his voice gentle. "We can start with small steps, grab coffee or something, and see where it takes us." Landon considered their proposal, weighing his options. He hadn't expected this kind of approach from the band, and he wasn't sure how to react. But as he looked at their hopeful faces, he felt a glimmer of curiosity and maybe even a little bit of hope. "Okay," he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper. "Let's take it slow."