Deception (Michael Clifford)

Eleven

I stand in the General Admission line outside the venue.
Rows and rows of girls dressed in black skinny jeans and ripped shirts wrap around the building, gossiping excitedly and waiting to move in. It's been a long time since I've actually been to a concert. I've hanged out back stage with Kellin but being a part of the crowd has always been too... crowded. The sun has set, and the only light we bath in is the artificial glow from the street lamps and the lights clinging to the side of the venue. I welcome the darkness tonight, I fit into it. If it wasn't for all these people hanging around, the concrete landscape and its shadows would appear quite intimidating, but with so many guards around and such a big crowd, I don't take notice. I look up and down the line, assessing the number of people here. There's got to be over a two thousand here, split into 2 lines in each direction, all waiting anxiously to be let in. I still can't believe I'm here. I didn't even know All Time Low were playing let alone have a ticket, and now I'm standing in the GA line outside their concert, wearing my too-big-for-me burgundy All Time Low sweater. I shake my head smiling as suddenly the people in front of me start to shift, I peek my head over their shoulders and notice a light spilling out of the doors up ahead and people moving in. "About time," I mutter, though I can't hide a little smirk of anticipation.

As we slowly shuffle forward I dig out my ticket from my back pocket. I came by myself... As I had no one to go with. I considered taking Ashton, but I thought that might be weird, plus he was no where to be seen. I was texting Hannah about what happened when I met Jack, and how I have no one to go with, when she suggested taking Michael, which I shut down straight away. 'Why not?!' She would text, 'maybe he'll open up a bit if you spend some time with him,' I didn't tell her his name, it's not important, but I told her about his hostile attitude. 'No' I would reply, 'that's a terrible idea.' 'Aw common Scar, he can't be that bad,' I shake my head to myself, 'you have no idea.' The lines makes steady progress towards the door and each person has their bags checked, tickets scanned and wrist bands applied for those in GA, before they enter. The excitement has escalated now, and people are chatting quickly to each other, pulling out their phones to take pictures, and clutching onto their tickets like a life line. I shuffle silently but anxiously after them, having no one to talk to since I didn't bring anyone, and the girl in front of me does the same. Standing with her back to me and not talking to anyone around her, she must have came by herself as well. Ohwell, I think, at least I'm not he only one.

We finally reach the entrance and the people in front of me hand over their tickets, offering their bags to be searched. I didn't bring a bag, just my ticket, phone, and $5 to get home, so I don't have to have to stop by the search guards. I hand over my ticket to the second lady to be scanned, and she snatches it without hesitation. I give her a dirty look when she's not looking. The 'beep' of acceptance sounds from the machine and I hold out my arm to get my wrist band. I look down the hall that leads round to the pit, and shiver at the cold breeze that drifts out from it. Just as I'm about to move on though, my attention is caught by a commotion to my left. Quickly looking over, I spot the blond haired girl that was in front of me in the line, ruffling through her bag desperately, and I watch the exchange between her and the ticket guard who's attending to the second line, standing with a look of impatience.
"I have it I promise!" She exclaims anxiously, still searching through her bag, ripping out possessions and trying to get to the bottom.
"Sorry, I can't let you in without a ticket," he tells her in a nonchalant tone, motioning with his hands to move on.
"No please!" She begs, "I had it, I probably just dropped it back-"
"Move along young lady," he cuts off her pleas, "no one enters without a ticket," and moves on to the next person in the line.
"Please!" She steps in front of him, "I've been looking forward to this day for so long, I promise I-"
"Look, if you don't leave, I'm going to have to call security to escort you from the property," he replies with a stern voice and a tone of increasing impatience. Before I can think about what I'm doing, my legs carry me over to the pair.
"Is there a problem here, Dave?" I direct at the man, throwing a quick glance at the name badge on his shirt. He looks at me with a look of contempt and sniffs. But before he has the chance to reply my hand reaches into my back pocket and pulls out the spare ticket. "Yeah mate, shes with me," I tell him in a disapproving yet authoritative tone, and hand him the ticket. He looks between me and the girl, then suspiciously at the ticket in my hand, before deciding to take it. A few of the fans in the line have paused to watch the exchange and he looks it over carefully, examining the small details and the authenticity of the bar code. He eyes me cautiously, then scans it. The girl next to me holds her breath as we both wait for the granting 'beep' of the scanner. I stand with confidence though, since the source of this ticket couldn't be more authentic. Then it sounds, I smile to myself and the girl lets out a relieved sigh. I look at the guard with an expectant look, and he just grunts disapprovingly before stepping aside to let us pass.
"Thank you Dave," I smile tightly, and breeze past him with a smug hint of arrogance. The girl follows me through the doors of the venue after getting her wristband.
"Thank you so much!" She gasps, coming to stand beside me. I turn to look at her as we walk down the hall and smile warmly.
"No problem," I reply, "That guard was being an arse," I reply.
"Yeah no kidding," she sighs, "I seriously panicked though when I couldn't find my ticket, I've been looking forward to this concert for weeks and just as I get enough money to buy a ticket, I go an' loose it." She explains in her American accent. She pauses then looks at me, "I'm Savannah by the way," she reaches out her hand in a gesture of greeting, and I shake it politely.
"Scar," I reply.
"Thank you so much Scar, I promise ill pay you back." She says in a serious voice, but I stop her before she continues.
"No, no! Don't worry about money! I didn't spend a cent on those tickets anyway." I explain quickly, and she looks at me with a curious expression.
"What d'you mean? Did you win them?" She asks, furrowing her eyebrows.
"Not exactly," I linger, I can barely believe the story myself, why the hell would she believe me?
"How did you get them then?" She queries, confused. I may as well tell her, I think to myself, though it's not likely she will believe me.
"We'll uh, actually..." I pause, "Jack gave them to me," I expect a snort of laughter, or a dismissive comment, but instead I'm greeted with an astonished gasp.
"No way!" She exclaims, "Are you serious?" She looks at me with an admiring yet awe struck expression, and I'm caught off guard.
"Uh, yeah," I laugh, "I couldn't believe it!" My hands lift to my neck and I feel my face go red as I think about the encounter in the cafe again.
"Oh my god that's so cool, like how- when? Why?" She asks in an escalated tone.
"I don't even know, I mean," I start to get excited all over again, "I was sat in a little restaurant," I go on to explain the whole encounter. What happened, how he came up and saw my drawing, and when he offered me the tickets, a huge grin spreads across my face. Even now, I still can't believe my luck.
"Aww," she coos, "that's so sweet of him! Why didn't you bring anyone? You came by yourself as well right?" She asks, and I cringe silently at the question.
"Um yeah," I stumble, "well you know, I just... no one likes my music." I smile at her quickly, trying to dismiss the subject. She laughs as if in understanding, and we walk on down the hall. As we round a corner we come into view of the hall, in which everyone is gathering. We both take a second to examine it. A wooden balcony is suspended above us, rattling with the thundering of feet as excited fans run to their seats. Accompanied by the excited chatter of mostly girls echoing in the room. The floor is barely occupied at the moment and only a few rows of girls pressed up against the barrier, I got here pretty early to make sure I got a good spot, and it looks like it paid off.