Hands Down (eddie x chrissy)

Nine.

Chrissy arrived at the dark and dingy Hideout shortly after 8pm the next day. She wasn't familiar with her surroundings as she was never in that part of town. After parking her dad's car, she cautiously walked through the front door. The music was very loud and room wasn't well lit, besides the stage lights on the band. Eddie was being modest when he told her the crowd usually consisted of about '5 drunks'. The bar was more than half full. The crowd, who was mostly men, were jumping around, fists in the air, and head banging to the music. The local rock band clearly had a small following. Once inside, she noticed a table near the front door. Corroded Coffin posters and t-shirts were being sold. She approached the table and smiled. There was only one option for a t-shirt but it was perfect. A black and white raglan with the band's name etched on the front. She pulled out her wallet and handed the teen behind the table a crisp ten dollar bill. He passed over a t-shirt. She took it from him and held it up. It was about 2 sizes too big.

"Anything smaller?" Chrissy yelled over the loud music.

The teenager shook his head. "That's all we have!"

Chrissy nodded acceptingly and threw it over her top. She made her way over to the bar trying not to bump into any of the rowdy audience members. She found an empty stool and took a seat. Even in her new t-shirt, Chrissy stood out among the crowd. A pretty, strawberry blonde, fresh faced 18year old girl with the whitest sneakers anyone had seen. The bartender, 20-something year old women with tattoos, a nose piercing and shaved head looked at the doe eyed cheerleader and raised an eyebrow. "Can I.... help you?"

Chrissy looked up. "Oh... umm... just a Diet Coke, please." The bartender turned and started pouring her drink. It was at that moment Chrissy's eyes finally found Eddie on stage. Her eyes widened and her mouth formed a smiled. Eddie was rocking out on stage wearing a red and black plaid flannel shirt, blue jeans ripped at the knees and Doc Marten boots. Completely engrossed with his guitar and the music. He was making funny faces as his flingers slid up and down the frets. From biting his lower lip, scrunching his nose and sticking out his tongue, all of them making Chrissy giggle.

The bartender slid Chrissy her Diet Coke over to her. "That'll be a dollar." Chrissy either didn't hear her or didn't care because all her focus was on the lead guitarist. "Miss?" The bartender tapped her hand on the bar to get her attention. "Helloooo?" she spoke up.

This got her attention. "Oh! Sorry..." She reached into her purse and pulled out two one-dollar bills and handed them to the bartender. She took her glass, spun back around the stool facing the stage and sipped her drink. Eddie was so fun to watch. He was 100% in his element. And he was good! He knew how to play the hell out of that guitar. His right hand still bruised from the fight with Jason, didn't seem to inhibit his skills. As much as she absolutely loved watching him shred on his guitar and own the stage, her favorite part was when he stepped up to the mic stand and sung backup vocals with their lead singer, Jeff. She didn't know any of the songs they played but she didn't mind. She found herself bobbing her head along and swaying in her seat.

It wasn't until 2 songs later when they finally made eye contact. Eddie scanned the bar while Jeff spoke to the crowd in between songs. That's when he saw her. As if a spotlight was shining down on her from the ceiling. Suddenly she was the only one in the building. Sitting perfectly perched on that wooden stool near the bar. His mouth dropped open slightly. He was hoping all day that she would make it out after his offer yesterday. She mouthed the words "Hey" and waved with her fingers. Eddie smiled that devilish smile of his and waved back. Chrissy glanced down at her shirt, pulling the bottom of it so Eddie could clearly see it was his band's own merch. His mouth fell open (again!) with his eyes wide. Holy Fuck. His lips mouthed the words "Oh my god" as he starred at her. Chrissy sucked in her lips into a shy smile and shrugged.  Gareth, the drummer, hit his drumsticks together 3 times and started the next song. Eddie was startled out of his trance but caught up to his cue quickly.