The Argument
Tom threw the door open and entered the room with a look of exasperation clouding his face. Bill was only a few steps behind him. His hand caught the door and he slammed it shut. He stopped short as he watched his brother pace the floor a few times. Tom's pacing stopped and Bill saw him heave a deep sigh before he spun around to face his twin.
"Are you serious?! You wanna start this shit now?!" Tom spat the words as he took two long strides that brought him within a foot of Bill's face.
"Now's a good a time as any!" Bill spat right back at him. He crossed his arms over his chest and set his jaw.
"You can be so stupid!" Tom yelled and rolled his eyes. "We have to be on stage in less than five minutes! You know I hate when you do this!"
"When I do what?" Bill asked. "Piss you off before a gig?"
"Not just that!" Tom said as he threw his arms in the air. "I hate it when you speak on my behalf for something!"
"I didn't speak on your behalf." Bill said as his arms remained crossed.
"Ugh!" Tom bellowed. "You told that magazine that I'd be there tomorrow when you go to accept that- That- Whatever it is they're giving to you! I never said I wanted to go. You just volunteered me."
"Are you crazy?! It's not just for me! It's for the band!" Bill said as his arms uncrossed and he waved his arms in the air for emphasis.
"Okay, so it's for the band!" Tom mimicked Bill's arm movements. "I still didn't say I wanted to go!"
"So, what? I have to do this alone now?" He said as he placed his hands on his hips.
"Yeah!" Tom nodded as he put his hands on his hips as well. "You agreed to it so you can just go alone!" Tom smirked.
"You really want me to do it alone?" Bill's brow furrowed.
"Yes." Tom met Bill's eye. "Next time you should ask me before you agree to things."
"You're such an asshole!" Bill yelled as he pushed past Tom to walk further into the room. He sat forcefully on the couch and stared at the wall.
Tom went over to the mini fridge in the back corner of the room and pulled out a water. He twisted off the top and took a quick sip before putting the cap back in place. He wasn't really thirsty. He was distracting himself to keep from having to look at Bill.
The door opened just enough for a stagehand to pop his head in the room. "Let's go, guys. You've got 3 minutes."
Tom nodded and started out of the room.
"Tom?" Bill said quietly. Tom ignored him and kept walking. "Tom!" Bill said a little louder.
Tom stopped but refused to turn around.
"Are you seriously gonna make me do this alone?" Bill pouted a little as he spoke.
"Fuck off, Bill." Were Tom's final words as he threw open the door and headed toward the stage.
Bill pushed himself off the couch and made his way out of the room. He slammed the door in anger and stomped down the hall toward the stage mumbling about how stubborn Tom was being. By the time he reached the stage he was fuming.
Tom stood off to the side talking with a pretty blonde wearing a headset. He laughed and touched her arm. She giggled as she blushed and looked away shyly. Bill stomach knotted and he clenched his fists at how Tom could just act like nothing was wrong. Bill pursed his lips and watched Tom flirt with the girl as he listened to the announcer on stage. "We have a special treat for you tonight. Right here on this stage to perform a few acoustic songs for us, we have Bill and Tom Kaulitz from Tokio Hotel!"
Bill quickly walked toward the stage. He purposely bumped into Tom, causing Tom to lose his balance and nearly fall into the girl. Bill continued onto the stage. He smiled and waved to the crowd as they erupted into applause and screams. Tom steadied himself and apologized to the girl. He clenched his jaw and took a deep breath to keep himself from running on stage and tackling his brother. He excused himself and stepped out in front of the crowd. He plastered a fake smile on his face and waved at the audience as they screamed louder.
Bill was already getting comfortable on his stool and adjusting his microphone. Tom walked behind him and muttered, "Diva bitch" just loud enough for Bill to hear it. He watched as Bill cringed slightly and smiled to himself. He picked up his guitar and put it around him as he sat on his own stool and adjusted his strap.
Bill began his monologue to the audience, thanking them for coming. He announced the first song and looked over at Tom to begin. Tom played the first few notes to Automatic but refused to look over at Bill. Bill turned back to the microphone and began the song.
Bill's thoughts turned to Tom's side of the argument. He began to understand where Tom was coming from. Just because they were a band didn't mean they all had to go to every event and just because they were twins didn't mean that he and Tom had to do everything together.
Bill purred the last few notes of Automatic and the crowd screamed for more. Bill suddenly wanted to apologize to Tom but Tom wouldn't look his way. They sang two more songs with Tom ignoring any and every glance that Bill threw his way.
Finally, Bill began his speech to the audience for the last song. "I've decided to do something a little different tonight." He saw Tom turn his head to the side and sigh in anger. Tom wasn't used to Bill changing things while they were on stage but he knew better than to argue in front of an audience. "We were going to end with another song but I think I'd rather do this song. This song means a lot to me-" Bill paused and looked over at Tom. Tom kept his eyes on his guitar. "To both of us." Bill said and turned his attention back to the audience. "The song is In die Nacht. I hope you enjoy it."
Tom tapped his foot to get a beat and his fingers commenced to plucking out the song. Bill begin singing but he ignored the crowd. He kept his eyes on Tom the entire time. Tom could feel Bill's stare. He turned his head slightly to avoid being able to see Bill with his peripheral vision. He knew that Bill was singing the words directly to him. He wanted to ignore it. He wanted to stop playing and tell Bill to shut up but he continued to play.
As the song was drawing to an end, Bill took the microphone from its stand. He stood from his stool and walked around the back of Tom. He stepped up beside Tom and crossed his arms as he stared into Tom's face. Tom looked up at him for an instant, wondering what Bill was up to. Their eyes met and Tom felt tears begin to sting. He looked back down at his guitar as Bill sang the words to end the song. "Du bist alles was ich bin und alles was durch meine Adern fließt."
He couldn't stay angry at Bill. "It was a stupid thing to argue over anyway." He thought. Tom felt the anger melt from his heart. He played the final notes as he looked up at his brother and smiled. Bill smiled back broadly and he knew that everything would be okay between them.
Bill thanked the audience as Tom put his guitar back on its stand. They waved their good-byes to the crowd and walked off the stage together. As they headed back down the hall, Bill nudged Tom's arm. Tom nudged back and they both smiled.
This story was inspired by this video:
The argument scene was inspired by this video: