Rhythm

1.

The final encore stops, and the band members do a wave and a bow before departing into the fog ridden backstage. You were curious what went on behind the dimly lit curtains. The smell of the sweat from those around you, alcohol, and a slight tinge of marijuana kept you begging for more music, more sweat, more drinking and fun. However, the night was over, and instead of going back to your house, you went to the bar down the block from the venue.

When you entered the bar, you couldn't help but notice it wasn't full of concert-goers and groupies, instead, it was simply occupied. It wasn't busy, nor was it dead, there were a few adults hanging out and playing pool, and an old man toyed with the jukebox drunkenly. You didn't fit in here, but, neither did anyone else there.

The bartender approached your end of the bar, and smiled peachily toward you.

"You enjoy your concert?" they asked, and you nodded. "Good, I hear they make good music." You couldn't agree more. In fact, you almost wished you had brought spare cash so you could play songs from "The Battle at Gardens Gate" for the bar-goers. Instead, you asked for a glass of Coca Cola, and dabbled on your phone. You watched TikTok for a while, but it was too boring- your adrenaline was still rampaging. The need to relax was addicting, but you also really wanted to get up and dance. The old man played a slow country song, so you turned the volume up on your phone. It wasn't that you disliked country, because to be frank you didn't really care, it's just you wanted to feel the same energy of the concert.

For a moment you felt the adrenaline slow down to almost nothing. Your heart stopped pounding in your temples, and the ringing in your ears became annoying for only a moment. Then, the door to the bar swung open and laughter flooded the room. More attendees? You thought to yourself, but when you half-curiously looked over your shoulder, you gasped. It was them.

Josh, Jake, Sam, and Danny waltzed into the pub as if it were their own, ordering vodkas and mixed drinks. One of them asked the guys playing pool to stop their game early, so they could do an after-the-concert round. The men took bribery money and stepped aside to watch. They weren't all drunk, yet; Danny and Sam seemed barely tipsy, Josh was blasted, though. Danny sent Josh to the bar to get him a drink, and Josh looked at your phone while he ordered.

"Hey- that's us." he said, pointing to your Snapchat story that you were reviewing. You tried desperately to hide your phone so that he wouldn't see it. You wanted them to enjoy their evening without the pressure of fans on their shoulders. "Lemme see." he grabbed at your phone and held it closer to his face. "You were in the pit! Lemme see your face."

You looked at him, and smiled with embarrassment. You knew your cheeks were red, and he pointed at you. "I recognize you! I know you! I saw you in the pit!" The others looked over at the two of you in curiosity and concern. Jake looked puzzled, whereas Danny and Sam were expecting worse. "Guys- guys come here, [they/she/he] was[were] at the concert!" Danny and Jake approached, while Sam stayed behind, chalking the pool sticks.

Now, surrounded by band members you just watched in awe, you felt the pressure of the adrenaline start again. Oh god, you thought, They're gonna leave now.

"I'm not gonna beg for autographs or anything," you said, "But can I please watch your pool game? I really liked the show, but I want you guys to enjoy your night."

"Sweetie," Josh said drunkenly, "You're not disturbing us at all." he placed a reassuring hand on your shoulder.

"[They/She/He] should drink with us." Jake said, tapping Josh on the shoulder, who nodded to agree, "What's your name?"

"[Y/N]," you said, "But really- I don't intrude, I don't even really drink."

"It's a celebration!" Josh said, giggling, "Come on... have a shot with us! A toast! To a good show."

Sam approached and stood silently behind Danny. He played with his necklace anxiously, and Danny put a supportive arm around him. Josh ordered a round of five shots of Vodka, and lifted his glass up to the air.

"To a great performance!" he said, and then looked at you- "And to even greater fans, like [Y/N] here."

They clinked their glasses into yours, and slammed back the alcohol. You tried to sip it, but Josh pushed the glass gently up and up and up until your head tilted back and took it all. They let out a cheer, and each of them patted you on the back to invite you to their game.

"Danny's watching if you wanna watch with him," Jake said to you, and looked at Sam who sat at the table sipping what seemed to be a glass of fine Whiskey but you weren't sure if it were something else, "Looks like Sammy isn't playing either. Are you?" Sam shook his head.

You got shy, and scared. Were you intruding? So you sat at a table in between Sam's table and Danny's standing post. Danny walked over to your table for two, and sat down, swiveling to face his friends like you were.

"What'd you think?" he asked, "Of the show."

"It was amazing." You said simply.

"Come on," Sam said swiveling to face you, "Tell us more. Stroke our egos." he giggled.

"Okay- uh," What were you meant to say? "I mean, I love all your guys' music, so I had to go. I knew I'd love it but I didn't realize it'd leave that much of an impact on me."

"Josh had your phone in his hands," Sam said, pointing to your phone, "Did ya take any videos?"

"Of course I did," you said, unlocking the device to show the two men, "You can cycle through my Snapchat story to see them. I took pictures too."

You couldn't help but notice that Sam was looking at you, every so often, but just enough for you to notice.