Hurry Up and Wait

Chapter 11

They had hit every pound shop in Derry, as well as Primark that Saturday morning. Well, more like early afternoon as Michelle had refused to get up earlier than 10am on her first day off for mid-term.

They had gathered everything they needed and spent the afternoon in Erin's room transforming all the glitter, fair lights, and feathers they had bought in to angel's wings.

Erin tried to put on a brave face around the others after she had ended things with James the night before.

Much like before, to the outside world no one have guessed what had happened. James still treated her like the others.

However, Erin did notice he looked sad sometimes. When he thought her, or the girls weren't looking.

A few days had passed since that Saturday, and it was the night of the concert.

The sadness hadn't gone away. If anything, it had gotten worse for both of them. They both missed those little moments they had spent together alone in James's room or during the drive home to hers.

No one other than James and Erin knew the absolute agony they were in.

Why did she have to go and fall for her best friend? Classic Erin!

She couldn't have a nice fella she could go on dates with. Someone uncomplicated. No, she had to choose a boy that if they broke up it could destroy her whole friend group and lose her best friend. Two best friends because she would lose him too.

She didn't even want to go to the concert anymore. She knew he'd be there, but he would be closed off from her in a way that broke her heart.

However, she really didn't want to have to face a grilling from Clare, Orla and even her own family as to why she wasn't going anymore. Especially her mother who had given her the £20 for the ticket.

The gang were currently gathered in her bedroom. Orla was covering James in glitter. She liked that about him. That he was comfortable with all that girly stuff.

A lot of the lads in Derry wouldn't even go in to Boots because they sold make up.

Any other time it would have amused her, seeing Orla practically pour a whole tub of glitter her over him, but not after what had happened.

Why couldn't things be different? Simpler.

All the feathers they could find in Derry had turned them all into angels. Not swans as Granda had said. Well, he'd never seen Romeo + Juliet, so what would he know, thought Erin.

They managed to get ready and make the concert by the skin of their teeth. Mainly due to Michelle spending ages bargaining with Dennis over the price of the cheap vodka he kept under the counter.

They had necked it on the way. Even Clare had took a swig. Probably for liquid courage as the girl she fancied and who she had already had a cack attack in front of at the record shop was going to be there.

When they arrived at the venue, they hung around together for a bit as the concert began but Michelle soon went off looking for 'the biggest rides in the place' while James helped Clare track down the girl, she fancied from the record shop. Erin watched on as he led Clare through the crowd.

She was soon distracted by Orla who grabbed her hands and starting dancing with her. Erin smiled as Orla's joy was contagious. They danced together for a bit and for a few minutes Erin forgot all that had happened between her and James.

"I'm just going to get more sweets. Do you want any?" asked Orla.

"No, I'm fine Orla" replied Erin.

Orla left her on her own. She made her way to the edge of the hall. She watched on as the mass of people danced together.