Short, Blond and Cute

Blond Hair P2

 That same night

Jen wormed her way through the excited crowd, till she reached the stage. A fog machine had filled the room with a wispy cloud that caught and reflected the bright lights as they bathed the teens in hues of blue and green. A couple of beach balls were already being bounced around and the noise level had reached a restless rumble. Since the concert was taking place in such a small venue, Jen and others were able to rest their elbows right on the stage and look up at the band member faces.

Jen jumped up and down in excitement as Tom and his band members came out onto the stage, they didn't waste any time and lunched straight into their first song. A group of teen girls beside Jen were clearly enthralled with the lead singer, screaming wildly, and reaching towards him whenever he came close. But Jen had eyes only for the drummer. Tom was clearly in his element, flicking sweaty hair out of his eyes, spinning his drumsticks, and gazing into the middle distance like the best drummers do.

But he noticed Jen.

They were beginning their second song, one that began with a sick drum solo when Tom caught a glimpse of Jen doing the chicken dance with great enthusiasm. He cracked up, a smile splitting his face and his solo stuttering into silence.

The lead singer glanced back, "Uh." He said, playing to the crowd, Tom, doing his best to stifle his embarrassed laughter, did the classic 'buh dum tiss' before beginning again. All through the song he kept looking at Jen and shaking his head ruefully as she pulled the most ridiculous dance moves.

When the song was over, they paused for the lead singer to address the crowd, "Hey everyone." He spoke into the mic with a baritone breathlessness that sent the front row of girls swooning. Jen wasn't paying him much attention; she was watching Tom as he laid down a background beat.

"You might have noticed our drummer is a little distracted tonight," the lead singer caught Jen's attention at last, he spoke into the mic like he was hoping to make out with it later, "That's because he's got a special someone in the audience."

Jen's jaw dropped in delight.

"He's ah, kinda shy, should we ask him about it or what?" the lead singer raised a brow at the crowd, they answered with a cheer, he took the mic and sauntered up to the drum set. "Hey man, I know you like to ride solo, but rumor is you've got a girl out there tonight."

Tom shrugged, trying to play it cool, but Jen squealed, and his mask of indifference slipped away with a bashful grin.

"Oh, there she is!" the lead singer turned to the crowd and scanned the room, "Our last song goes out to the girl who's distracting our drummer!" he announced.

When the song was over, Zombie Fail exited the stage a success and the mainliner band took their place, it was not long before Tom found his way to Jen's side. She greeted him with a bounce and a squeal that was drowned out by the speakers.

For the rest of the concert, enjoy the music though she did, Jen was mighty distracted whenever she and Tom were pushed against each other by the rowdy crowd.

When the concert was at last over, she and Tom went out into the lobby area, two lines had already formed as fans anxiously waited for their chance to buy swag and met the band members. "I gatta go." Tom explained, gesturing to the table where the other Zombie Fail members had already set up shop. "Get me a shirt too, ok?" he requested glancing at the much longer lineup for the mainliner band.

"Wait!" Jen held him back, the noise level at last allowing for conversation, "You told your band about me?"

Tom ducked his face bashfully, "Don't mind them, I didn't tell them to call you 'my girl'." He glanced at her nervously.

"I don't mind." Jen shrugged, face glowing.

Tom smiled and nodded as he backed away to his table, "Uh, ok, cool."

Jen waited her turn in line for both merch tables, the time meant nothing to her, and her smile stretched ear to ear. When it was her turn, she got two signed T's from the mainliner band, then she turned her eyes on the Zombie Fail table.

It wasn't long before she was next in line, her body trembling with excitement and exhaustion. The teen girl ahead of her was batting her eye lashes at the lead singer, and he was eating it up. Jen bounced impatiently on the balls of her feet but paused to watch in astonishment when the girl leaned forward over the table for a kiss. The lead singer shrugged and obliged.

With squealing and hollering, the girl finally moved on and Jen, distracted by what had just happened stepped up to the table.

"Hey," the lead singer greeted and quickly signed a band poster for her. Jen considered him for a moment then turned her eyes on Tom and smiled.

Tom looked up at her, his thick lashes inviting her to stare all night.

"Do you wanna date?" Jen asked suddenly, bringing the other band members to a full stop.

Tom's mouth hung open for a moment, then he shot out of his chair, "Yeah, yes, um sure, ok." He stuttered.

The people around them might as well have been snapped away for all Jen cared as she leaned forward, her eyes fluttering shut. Tom's hand slipped along the side of her face as he leaned across the table. The kiss was short, awkward, shallow even. But it was still the sweetest thing Jen had ever experienced.