What If I Can't Forget You?

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Hi. I'm Ian Davis.

I'm Vegas born and raised, I'm 23, and I'm a victim of bullying.

I come from a great home in the suburbs. My parents are amazing people. We were never rich, we were never perfect. But we were a family, and we stuck together.

When I moved out for college, I decided to stay nearby and attend The University of Nevada. I live in an apartment near campus and I walk to class every day, even though I have a car. I have a pretty peaceful life. Mostly.

I've always been a little different. My taste in music is alternative, I wear a lot of black, I'm quiet. People pick on me for never wanting to socialize, for not having a girlfriend, for not conforming to the stereotype for a college kid.

I used to let it get to me. I used to cry, I used to cut. But now I just shut them out. In fact, I shut out a lot of people. I feel bad about it, really I do, but it's how I defend myself.

Now I'm sitting on my bed, listening to music, just thinking. The final notes of Only One by Yellowcard faded out, and Hell Above by Pierce The Veil started playing. My favorite song. I drummed my fingers on my knee, singing along softly.

I study music at UNLV. I play guitar, and sing a little. Not that I would in front of anyone. I always looked up to Pierce The Veil because they were all guys about my age that came from a place not a whole lot different from where I am now. I'll never be like them, but why not dream?

I stood up and looked out my window at the palm trees rustled by the warm spring breeze. I hope they perform in Vegas this year. They never have, but sometimes they spontaneously announce shows a few days before the actual event. I hope that's Vegas this year.

My music stopped. I glanced at my phone quizzically to investigate. It began vibrating. Oh, Jesse was calling.

Jesse has been by best friend since I got to this university. Well, my only friend.

I yanked my earbuds out.

"Hey man." I said.

"What's up, Davis?", said Jesse. "I have a little surprise for you." I scoffed jokingly.

"Whatever, Carter. The best surprise I've ever gotten from you was a squirrel in my dorm room, and there's no way you can top that one." That was a good prank.

"No, dude seriously! I saw a poster in town a few minutes ago. Guess who's playing Vinyl at the Hard Rock Hotel on Friday?"

"Your like, favorite artist, Justin Bieber??" I asked, mimicking the tone of a teenage girl.

"No, fag. Pierce The Veil!"