The Jacket Snatcher

Chapter 36- Another Drinking Game, Another Kiss

It's the night of the first show, and I have spent the whole week tailing the boys to rehearsals and random meetings. I have to admit, the schedule they keep is pretty crazy, and the touring part hasn't even really started. Adam has been going over my photos every now and then, but the real test is tonight. Sure, they want some behind-the-scenes stuff, but I feel like how well I do tonight will make or break me.

The boys are already backstage preparing to go on, so I am ushered to the front where I will have free access to move around and get different shots. As I make my way across the front, I hear my name called. When I turn, I smile to find Lindsay standing on the front row.

"Linds!" I approach her and give her a hug over the barricade.

"Stephanie! Meet Rebecca. Rebecca, Stephanie."

I smile politely at the Lindsay's friend. She's beautiful; with hair so dark it's almost purple. I want to ask her if she dyed it that way, but she speaks before I have the chance.

"Thank you so much for the tickets! These seats are amazing," she gushes with a huge grin.

"No problem! I'm glad Lindsay was able to find a friend who actually likes their music," I say with a wry smile. A girl a few rows back—who is obviously eavesdropping—lets out a small gasp. I notice her horrified expression and try to give her a friendly smile.

"I can't believe Luke would date someone who doesn't even like the music!" she practically wails to her friend.

"Oh, lord," I mutter, afraid of the scene they're about to make. "I was just kidding!" I call to the two young girls. One looks at me like I just kicked a puppy and the other just seems shocked that I spoke to them at all. I don't have time to worry any more about it, though, because at that moment, the lights drop and the crowd squeals in unison.

I grasp Lindsay's forearm and lean over to talk to her. "I'll find you after! I have to go!"

With that, I continue my path to the left side of the stage. Once there, I stop and pull my camera to my face, adjusting the lens so that I am perfectly lined up to capture Ashton entering. After all those rehearsals, I pretty much have their antics memorized, so I'm ready when Ashton appears and hits hard on his snare.

The crowd erupts. He hits again, this time adding in the kick drum as well. Calum comes rushing out at the same time and prances over to his place. Michael is next, also accompanied by a drum hit. Finally, Luke comes out. On his hit, the rest of the band starts playing too. They seamlessly transition into their first song, and I can't help but be a little impressed by the introduction. I can tell the crowd is feeling the same way due to the ringing in my ears from the screaming and the feeling of electricity in the air.

The concert goes almost exactly like I expected it to. It's fast-paced with high energy. I manage to get a lot of shots that I think are going to look pretty cool. The thing is, it has very little to do with me and more to do with the lights, lasers, and the boys' performances. They're very expressive, so they make for good photo ops. I also get a really cool shot of the crowd holding up their lighted phones during one of the slower ballads.

When it's all over, I grab Lindsay and her friend and lead them backstage.

I can feel Rebecca start to freak out a little bit, the further we get. When we finally reach the room with 5 Seconds of Summer on a sheet of paper on the door, she stops dead in her tracks.

"Are you sure they won't mind us coming back here?"

I shake my head. "Nah. I already checked with them before. They're really chill, so don't worry about it."