Led Zeppelin was a welcome change to what Rob hadn’t expected from Jane. Especially not “Whole Lotta Love.” It reminded him of another memory that played out ahead of him while he kept the beat:

[i]Back in the day, Rob had been infinitely more obsessed with Led Zeppelin, even more than he would let on. It was a gateway drug for him; an entryway into music beyond the scope of generic rock or Top 40 radio. Somewhere during the height of the excitement, during the short time-frame where he drove her around before she had gotten a car, he’d always bother Jane with tracks like [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyKuNB_SqkY]Babe I’m Gonna Leave You[/url], blasting the breakdown at about two minutes and twenty seconds into the song, head-banging to the beat and slamming the wheel. He was pretty sure she thought he was going to kill them both.[/i]

The song Jane had chosen wasn’t the kind to fly down the highway too, but it was certainly one to play with someone with vocals like hers. She felt her way around the melodies, taking whichever route she wanted to. She seemed to sway in the rhythm, looking back a few times at Rob. He kept his own eyes with the guest bassist and guitarist, making sure to keep with them and motion for when he wanted to slow or speed up, but he couldn’t help but feel more than a few mixed emotions about the specific choice. And not only that, but…[i]the way[/i] she would look at him. It was so similar to the way she had that very first show of the tour, but in another way so completely different. 

He tried so hard to shake the thoughts from his mind, but he worried a parasite had wormed it’s way into his brain. Something he could never get out. Hope was the easiest way to get his heart broken, and it’s the last thing he wanted to happen. 

He kept it in his mind at the pizza place, too. all throughout the ultimately meaningless conversations and jokes. Each look in her eye. Each touch of the arm. All of it was starting to become overthought. Overanalyzed to the point of nothingness, until Rob eventually tried to admit to himself that it wasn’t something he could ever realize. 

Still in this moment, he was glad to be with Jane. With his friend. Regardless of motive, she was being forward with him, and normal again. For this small fleeting little moment, everything was just…fine. 

“I’m glad we got to do this,” he said, eyeing the crust on his plate, wondering if he wanted to go ahead and finish it. For some reason, eye contact with her was always easy…except when discussing themselves. 

As Jane motioned to leave, he decided against finishing the slice and agreed that it was time to go. 

[hr]

At the room, Rob switched out of his nicer clothes and reverted to old habits; an old [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4sqFmSqrSc]Anberlin[/url] shirt was thrown on, above a pair of black shorts and Nikes. 

Jane waited outside, and Rob just about stopped in place when he realized that she was wearing a [i]dress[/i], of all things. It wasn’t that she looked bad—in fact he found her gorgeous in this moment—but it was so very odd. Like there was some sort of special occasion. He made a mental note to ask Austin about this before trying to play it off.

“I didn’t know you owned a dress,” he said lightly, moving to the fridge and taking an energy drink out. He couldn’t help but be serious for a moment: “You look great, Jane.” 

He tried to focus on other things, such as the upcoming show, all throughout meeting back up with Sam and Austin, heading to the show, and all throughout load-in as well. The entire process was a blur to him, but he was sure to open his eyes again when he saw The Pit. 

It was a venue that looked almost like it was trying to copy The Cavern Club, that old shitty venue the Beatles had played in. The entire place was designed to look underground; so much so, he wasn’t sure if they actually were or not. Since they had decided to stay in New York for a few days, Harold had scheduled them in smaller, more intimate venues, known for launching bands. He figured it would be a good play for them, but Rob figured he had googled the place moments before booking them into it. 

Rob peered out behind a curtain to see the crowd, before he realized; they were the [i]headliner[/i] here. In all the chaos and confusion, Rob hadn’t realized Harold booked them as the headliner. Festivals were all they had ever played on this tour. Something about seeing the several hundred people all itching for them gave Rob a tinge of nervousness; broken by Austin’s voice: 

“Crazy we brought these people in,” he said, giving Rob a jolt with his loudness. Austin laughed at the scene. 

“Hope we can deliver…” Rob mumbled. Austin slapped him on the back rather, hard, before turning to go away. Before he could, Rob called out after him. “What uh…do you know what’s going on with Jane?” He tried to ask innocently. 

Austin’s face put on a smug little grin. “Dude, I’m not [i]even[/i] getting involved. Good luck!” 

Austin ran off before Rob could get in another word, leaving him to sit and wonder. 

Sometimes, he really fucking hated that guy.