[Gabe/Felicia/Dex] Eye Of The Beholder

[Zoe Lauren Pierson]

Zoe smiled as she stood on her toes and gripped her hands against the fabric of Gabe’s shirt. “ Go. Kick ass tonight. You are going to be amazing and I will not be able to take my eyes off of you..” she said, giving him another quick kiss. “ Now go.. go go go!” she said, pushing him away from her so he wouldn’t be late. But, she needed him to leave. So she could leave. Secrets were healthy, let’s not pretend she was a bad girlfriend here for keeping a part of herself from him. First of all, it was dorky. Second of all, it wasn’t like anyone was going to die from the information being withheld from them. It was just.. she already tried so hard to not look like a bumbling idiot next to Felicia. Add ‘ Hey I play violin’ to that and she felt like a straight up nerd, standing next to perfect Barbie. Once Gabe shut the door, going out the door instead of the window since he was leaving the building and not going to his apartment, Zoe turned on her heels and screamed for Felicia. “ Go go go!” she yelled, using a completely different tone of urgency with her than she had with Gabe. “ Good God I thought he was never going to leave,” she said as she finished putting on her earrings. She’d gotten dressed and gotten ready since Gabe already knew that she would be there to see him dance, but she was supposed to be there about a half hour ago, technically..so was he. She sighed, stepping into her heels before she ran towards the door. When she took her jacket down and opened the door, she stopped, hearing Felicia yell behind her. “ Violin” which caused Zoe to curse beneath her breath and turn back around, going back to her room, where she ran past Felicia who was walking through their apartment, casually finishing getting ready as Zoe was running around with her head cut off.

The entire cab ride Zoe bit the edge of her lip, shaking her foot nervously as her hands were wrapped around her knee. Honestly, what was the worst thing that could happen. So she lost a few sexy points. No big deal. Gabe had already slept with her. Couldn’t really stuff that cat back in the bag. He wouldn’t stop sleeping with her. … Right? I mean guys stopped sleeping with girls for less. You know when Clark Kent stepped into a phone booth and out emerged a sexy superhero? She kind of felt it was like that in reverse. Here she was about to be stripped of her superhero cape, and handed a violin. How’s that for sexy, Mr.Atherton? Zoe licked her lips and found about two seconds of zen before the cab pulled up in front of the building and she bolted out of it before it could even come to a complete stop. “ See you on the other side, Felicia” she said, giving her a mock salute before she ran inside the building, moving past attendants and towards the small orchestra that would be accompanying her. Most of them were middle-aged. She could tell they didn’t like that she was the principal musician. Seventeen years old and accomplishing more than they were. But here’s the thing. Zoe wasn’t a skilled dancer. She wasn’t tall or beautiful. She couldn’t handle things with finesse the way Felicia did. She couldn’t sing to save her life. She couldn’t cage fight,.. not that she would if she could. She couldn’t act. But when you handed her a violin it pretty much felt like the most natural thing in the world. It hadn’t always been that way. Hours, bleeding fingers, broken violins out of anger, the whole works. She’d worked for it. Much like all of her friends had worked for their talents, no matter how natural they were.

These were things she knew. That they all had talents that the others didn’t share, that it made them unique, special, different. She knew all of this, and yet when the stage was dark and the light shined down on Gabe, her breath was still taken away as he started dancing that she almost had a pause in her own performance. She watched him, turning away from her orchestra completely as she played, unable to take her eyes off of him. She was in the dark, so she knew he wouldn’t be able to see her. They were starting off the show with a interpretation of Snow (Hey Oh) and Gabe looked magnificent. Her fingers flurried across the strings as she played, but there was no way to describe the way Gabe moved. She’d seen him dance so many times. Formally, informally. But there was something about seeing someone do what they were so passionate about. That stage, for the rest of the performance, was his home, where he belonged. Her heart literally felt like it was going to burst out of her chest out of how proud of him she was. Not only of his talent, but that he had found something to be so passionate about himself. If she didn’t know she loved him before tonight, she would have known in those first minutes of him on stage.

For the life of her, Zoe could not tell you the rest of the songs that she played, or in what order, just that a lot of them were melted into a combination of songs. It had felt like she’d been standing in the same spot watching him, forever. Which she had. Before she even realized that the show was over, they were done playing music, her violin hanging down at her side where her arm was hanging loosely as Gabe took to the stage, bowing for all of the applause that was being literally thrown at him. He was phenomenal, how could they not clap for him? ’ He is so cute..’ one of the girls behind her said, though she didn’t turn around to see which. The applause for him continued, having clearly been the shining light of the entire performance. He outshined everyone. But that wasn’t surprising, he did that daily. The spotlight didn’t move off of Gabe, but a new one instead finally shined down on the orchestra, something Zoe hadn’t been anticipating which resulted in her bringing her violin up to shield her eyes for a quick second so she could adjust. After she blinked a few times to let the light sink in she lowered it, offering a shy wave to audience where she waved at Zach like a elementary kid who just spotted their parents in the audience. “ Bow” someone said, nudging her in the side before she stepped back clumsily and bowed the only way she knew how… the way they did in those old movies from the forties. The King and I style. After a moment she placed the violin under her arm before she turned back to Gabe and clapped her hands to direct the applause back to him. She waited until the lights dimmed down, letting the dancers move off of the stage. Zoe threw her violin down, before she ran up the side steps of the stage and to the back. It was dark, who could really see her anyways? She stopped running and smiled as she spotted Gabe, standing still where it seemed like everyone was moving around them. After a second of taking it all in she stepped out of her high heels and ran towards him, jumping in the air until she landed against his chest and bent her leg back into the air as she held her arm against his neck and her hand against his cheek as she kissed him.He was the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen in her entire life. And this time she could say that without him having to take his shirt off.

[Travis Dex Jenkins]

Dex took a drink from his beer and sighed looking around the empty apartment. Going to a dance performance. But come on,man. Gabe loved it. And he came to every single one of his fights didn’t he? He turned his neck to the side, letting it pop. Dex set his half-full beer bottle on the kitchen counter before he leaned away and made his way out of the apartment. At least Felicia was going, all dressed up. It’d be fun for them all to get dressed up for a change. The girls looked gorgeous in dresses, and him and Gabe weren’t too bad to look at either. Maybe he’d offer to take everyone out to dinner afterwards. Actually that was pretty much a guarantee. They’d want to go out. And it was Gabe’s night, he shouldn’t have to pay and it wasn’t like he would ever have the girls pay for themselves. Dex adjusted the way his suit fit against him before he hailed a cab, texting Felicia to see if she and Zoe had left already. Now that Zoe and Gabe were official and well..’active’, him and Felicia were spending a lot more time alone together. No complaints there, she was a cool chick. He pinched his nose as he laid his head back. It had to be broken, he thought he had set it back in place about a week ago but it was still killing him. At least it wasn’t crooked.

Dex looked out the window as the cab pulled up in front of the performance hall and smiled, seeing how Zoe was running away from Felicia. Probably off to tell everyone that Gabe was her boyfriend. But what was she carrying with her? That was weird. Dex got out of the cab and made his way over to Felicia. “ Well you look stunning,” he said, smiling down at her as he placed his hand on her lower back and led her up the steps and into the building. He took a glass of champagne for each of them, offering one to Felicia as he found their seats. “ Where’s Zoe? She’s going to miss the beginning,” he said, settling down beside Felicia before he wrapped his arm around her slim shoulders and tossed his glass of champagne back. Dex remembered his sour patch kids in his inside pocket, his favorite candy since he was about born. He took the package out and smiled at Felicia. “ Want some candy? I’ve also got a shady van parked out back if it’ll help lure you into it” he said sarcastically as he placed the bag between them so she could have some. Dex quieted down as the lights dimmed and the show began to start. This was part of the reason him and Gabe were friends. They’d met at a bar where Dex had gotten into a fight defending Gabe. Could Gabe have defended himself? Absofuckinlutely. But Dex was just a fighter. He fought for those he cared about, for things he cared about. He didn’t know Gabe but he didn’t like the assholes who were trying to mess with him. Let people do what they loved without being dicks about it. Ever since then they’d been best friends. Besides, he was a fighter in a lot more aspects than physically. He wanted to be a writer, and he was bound and determined to make it happen one way or another. Even if meant getting himself beaten to a pulp to pay for college.

Normally Dex didn’t go for this type of stuff. Yeah, let people do what they wanted to, but that didn’t mean he had to be a fan of it, he just didn’t hate it. But if someone tried to say Gabe wasn’t talented, they were full of shit and about to get their ass kicked. Because he was. Gabe was one of the greatest guys Dex knew in the first place. His family. Dex didn’t have one of his own so he had sort of been adopted into Gabe’s family, holidays, birthdays, everything. For all intensive purposes that was his brother on stage. He clapped loudly, cupping his hands around his mouth before he cheered out for him before he noticed some disapproving looks. Dex shrugged, chewing on his sour patch kids before the spotlight turned to the musicians. Probably some middle aged housewives and male trainwrecks who owned like fifty cats. He hardly paid attention except he stopped, doing a quick double take when he noticed the small frame. Dex felt what he had done before he realized it, spitting the sour patch kid out of his mouth in reaction, only subconsciously noting that it had landed in the elderly lady in front of them’ hair. “ What the… fuck..” he said, looking between Zoe in the orchestra pit, to Gabe on the stage. Wait, was this recorded? Dex brought his hand to the back of his hair. Nooo… Someone that clumsy couldn’t be talented, too. He looked at the old lady next to him who had gasped. “ I said, I wished him good luck… Oh fuckin’ forget it” he said, obnoxiously waving her off before he looked back at two of his best friends in the world and turned his attention back to Felicia. “ Why does no one ever tell me anything?” he asked, lowering his hand to hers before he grasped it. ” Come on,” he said, tilting his head towards the stage so they could go backstage and find their friends and congratulate them.

[Felicia Nicole Jenkins]

Felicia finished putting the back on her one earring and sat down at the couch, slipping her black pumps over her feet. Zoe was freaking out, but for good reason. She was supposed to already be there, and Gabe had only barely just left. Felicia stood, slipping on her jacket and stood by the door patiently as Zoe ran towards her, empty handed. "Violin." She said calmly reminding Zoe what she was forgetting and shook her head adoringly. What that girl would do with out her. After they had hurried out, Zoe was quiet on the cab ride over. She was nervous. It was one thing to play in front of people and whatever, that came with the usual performance jitters. But Gabe didn't know she played. Or Dex. Or anyone really, for that matter. The only people who knew was Zoe's family, and well, Felicia's family. Thy only lived next door to her for years, they heard every sour note on the way to being as amazing as she was. Felicia had a feeling Zoe didn't particularly want them to know either. After Zoe had darted inside, she looked over and found Dex who had found her first, complimenting her and leading her inside. "Thanks, you clean up well yourself," she added grinning and took the champagne from him. He commented about Zoe missing the beginning but Felicia said calmly, "she probably just had to use the rest room real quick." They had gone inside and sat down, Felicia peeking down at the pit to see if Zoe was down there already. She turned to Dex, smiling, "Ooh, yeah, I'll have some of your candy..."
reaching over to grab a small handful. She popped one in her mouth, saying in a mock serious tone, "You know how I'm drawn to shady vans, and shady guys with candy." The lady in front of them turned and glanced back at them before scoffing and quickly turned back around. Felicia made a face at the back of her head and settled into her seat as the performance begin.

Gabe basically stole the show, which was no surprise to Felicia, nor probably to Dex. You couldn't help but let your eyes be drawn to him when he was out there. Felicia watched proudly, that kind of feeling when a really good friend does something great, but her ears were also wide open, knowing which instrument was Zoe's. Zoe played beautifully as always and it was a shame that Zoe was so embarrassed about her talent. Felicia just hoped one day Zoe would realize she was awesome and it was something to be proud of. She'd worked so hard growing up, spent hours practicing. She deserved to show her friends what she could do. Hell, half of them were in the music industry, they'd most definitely appreciate her talent. As the performance came to a close and the performers made their way back onstage, Felicia clapped loudly, seeing Gabe grinning from ear to ear and as the lights lit up the pit, she could see Zoe, clapping for Gabe before she realized she was being acknowledge. Felicia clapped louder, whistling over the crowd and had to choke back a laugh when Dex saw her and spit his sour patch kid right into the woman's hair who was sitting in front of them. Felicia carefully picked it from her hair and dropped it on the floor, careful not to startle the woman and had to cover her mouth when Dex cursed again, this time a different old woman making a fuss about it. Dex asked why didn't anyone tell him anything? But Felicia just shook her head, trying not to smile and shot eh woman and apologetic face before she turned and followed Dex out of the auditorium and lead her back stage. She pranced along beside him, laughing, "I thought that woman was going to wash your mouth out with soap, but Gabe and Zoe both did so good!"


outfit

[Gabriel Dylan Atherton]

Gabe figured he had a good show, nothing short of his usual performance. He always did fairly well anyways, no matter how jittery he got. Even sometimes when he thought he might really mess up, as soon as he got on stage it was like you didn't have to think at all, your body just already knows what to do. Your feet carry you, not the other way around. And the time leading up to show time feels like forever but as soon as the get out under the lights, brain goes off, jitters go away, and time flies so fast before you know it you're taking a bow and giving a polite hand for the strings in the pit, who just so happened to be his girlfriend standing and bowing and- wait, what the hell? Gabe blinked a few times as the grand dropped in front of him, blocking his view. Had Zoe been in the pit the entire time with a violin? Surely she would not just sit there and hold one for shits and giggles and bow after the performance. Gabe was assuming new knowledge that Zoe played violin, and why the hell didn't he know that about his own girlfriend? He knew everything about that girl, her favorite color, favorite cereal, favorite Joel song to jam out to in the car, knew every stinking little habit of hers, cute and otherwise, and here was this thing about her, this huge thing that surely she'd been practicing for years and years, and he had no knowledge of this talent she possessed. And to that he thought, what. the. fuck?

As Gabe made his way off of the stage and out of the wings he thought to himself, did this make him a bad boyfriend? Had there been clues and he'd just been so self absorbed he'd never asked? No, he couldn't have been that bad. He took time to ask her stuff. So then why would Zoe keep it a secret? Didn't she want him to know? Gabe turned around when he heard the sound of heels against the floor, just in time to see Zoe leap towards him. It was pretty nice to get such a congratulatory response after a performance. He smiled, wrapping his arms around her tiny waist, kissing her back before he set her down, placed his hands on her shoulders and looked her in the eye, "Zoe you didn't tell me you played violin. I'm not really sure why you didn't tell me, but regardless, you played beautifully and to be honest I'm really impressed." he shook his head, laughing softly, "Never fail to surprise me," and he hugged her again, leaning down to kiss her when he looked up and saw Dex and Felicia coming their way.

[Travis Dex Jenkins]

Dex finished chewing what was left of his sour patch kids as he held onto Felicia’s hand and led her back to where he knew Gabe would be. Here was the weird thing, Dex did not like to show his feminine side to anyone basically. He kept it hidden for the most part that he wanted to be a writer. Everything about him screamed testosterone. The women, the career, the way his room was decorated, how he approached most people. Then there was the side of him that could appreciate different things. Like the fact that he wanted to write. And the fact that if anyone ever made any kind of degrading remark to Gabe about his passion, Dex would react quicker than you could possibly imagine to permanently attach their face to the floor. He turned his neck to the side and let it crack as he looked over the group of people, giving a small nod of congratulations to a few dancers who passed him and Felicia. He was glad that he had her to hang out with during the performance. She just got him in a way that a lot of chicks didn’t. He didn’t have to try and put on a show for her. She let him be himself. He could be the guy that brought sour patch kids to a classy performance and she just joined along with him. That was a pretty rare thing to find. Dex grinned as he spotted both Gabe and Felicia and took his hand away from Felicia’s for just enough time to shake Gabe’s hand. “ Holy hell man, you did a hell of a job out there,” he said. Shaking hands. Sort of a jackass move, made you look like a prick, but the dude had his arm wrapped around his girlfriend, Dex wasn’t about to throw a hug at him and make him move.

Dex smiled as he looked at Zoe and shook his head. “ What was that about, kid?” he grinned before he leaned over and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “ You don’t hide your best asset. Look at Felicia. How often does she show off her legs? Why? Because she gives good leg. You should’ve told us… but uh.. wait, why didn’t you exactly?” he said, tilting his head to the side ever so slightly before he stepped back and wrapped his arm casually back over Felicia’s shoulders, letting his hand hang off of her body lazily like he’d done it a thousand times before. Dex took in a deep breath and sighed. He was planning on this only being a big night for Gabe, which meant taking him out for a few drinks and whatnot. But now he needed to celebrate with Zoe, too. Well – needed wasn’t the right word. He wanted to, he supported his friends and thought it was great when they were talented. “ Alright, dinner is my treat,” he said, pulling Felicia in a bit closer. “Should we let these two decide where we get to eat?” he questioned as he looked down at Felicia, tilting his head to the two lovebirds.

[Zoe Lauren Pierson]

Zoe wrapped her arms as tightly as she could around his neck and shoulders as she kissed him, almost like she was afraid that by some twist of fate God would be cruel and tear him away from her life. He was perfect, and amazing, supported her, was handsome, knew everything about her, let her eat off of his plate, didn’t insult her for not being a good dancer, let them go at their own pace, bickered with her but not to the point where anyone really noticed, their arguments were lackluster and a majority of the time she was holding his hand while she nagged him and then was quick to give him a kiss, and quick to forget what the hell she was even talking about. He was perfect because he was mature in every sense that she wasn’t. He was patient when she wasn’t. He understood the value of delayed gratification, when she didn’t. And she didn’t even need to mention how great he was in bed, look at him. Spoke for itself. And as cliché as it was, there was nothing better in the world than when he just kissed her and held her in his arms. Everything he did was beautiful- whether it was on the stage or not. Just being able to be a part of his life had added so much to hers. She bit her bottom lip and tried not to show too much disappointment as he set her down. He couldn’t carry her around everywhere.

Zoe smiled as he complimented her, but narrowed her eyes in an almost disbelieving way. “ Really?” she questioned but then shook her head. “ You wouldn’t have even noticed the strings if it wasn’t for me though, you can’t say they were extraordinary.” she said, scratching the side of her arm nervously as she nodded, knowing she should probably tell him why she had kept it a secret. And as if right on cue, over came Felicia and Dex who was congratulating Gabe and then asking her what the hell that was all about. “ Yeah..” she said, looking over at Felicia and then coughed nervously and looked back at Dex and Gabe. “ It’s just.. I mean violin isn’t really the sexiest thing in the world. And I always sort of thought you guys would think I was a complete…well, nerd…” she said talking quickly. “I mean look at who my best friend is.. she’s like a walking advertisement for sex. I didn’t want to be the girl that tagged along with her violin looking like.. a walking advertisement for.. abstinence and band camp.” she said, knowing that she was ranting her words out like if she didn’t say them quickly they’d be lost. She licked her lips and stood close by Gabe, almost feeling like she wanted to hide. But then Dex was asking where they should go to eat and it looked like he was directing the question towards herself and Gabe. “ Gabe’s choice, he’s the star of the evening,” she said, reaching down for his hand again before she placed a delicate kiss on his cheek.