Dangerous Daydreams

Chapter 2- Mesmerized

It was hot outside. The bright sun was beating down on the residents ofFlorida. You think they’d be used to it, Ryder and his Uncle Ethan, they had lived there their whole lives, but no, somehow they were still in utter shock at the temperatures in mid-July. Through their matching black sunglasses- they were practically twins- they spotted the stage that according to Ryder, “some old bands mom used to like” would be singing on later in the day.

“Why didn’t you tell mom One Direction were performing?” Ryder asked Ethan as they edged closer and closer to the portable stage. “I mean I might’ve slipped and told her that some old bands that she liked were performing, but why is it such a big deal?”

Ethan shook his head, laughing at the curious seventeen year old that had always been a mama’s boy. “She used to be literally obsessed with them… Everything she did had to do with them. Concerts, posters, clothes….everything. Even at the age nineteen, she was still drooling over a stupid boy band. She’d still probably be if it weren’t for you.” Ethan began laughing, but stopped when he saw his nephew’s face. “Sorry, monkey.” The familiar nickname for Ryder eased the tension. Ellie had called Ryder “monkey” the first time she had held him, and it just stuck.

“I still think you should’ve brought mom.”

A smirk spread across Ellie’s brother’s face. “If I know my sister- and I’d say I do- if she knows who’s performing, she’ll find a way to get here. Like this one time she didn’t even have tickets and she drove out of state to see them…” Ethan launched into a story of Ellie’s embarrassing past, which killed enough time for the two boys to forget the awful, awful heat.

Meanwhile at the house, Ellie was trying to find something cute, but yet cool, to wear. She was going to the One Direction concert… even if it killed her. Who knew? Maybe that charming personality of hers could get herself a front row seat. It had worked before when she was seventeen. What was stopping her now?

As if a prayer had been answered, a friend of Chase’s had called as soon as Ryder left and wanted Chase to go out with him that night, and Kennedy was going to a sleep over at a friends house… She’d be all alone tonight, but yet that was possibly the best thing ever. The house was empty now, as she walked downstairs and into the kitchen.

Times like this she enjoyed the most because she could think without hearing “Mommy! He’s being mean!” It was times like this when she could try to understand what had happened inside of her head. Even after all these years, it still bugged her to no end. What did everything mean? Why had Chase been dead, why Zayn of all people?

She didn’t have time to consider why. She just accepted it, and mentally cursed herself for liking a band. She checked the clock; it was going on six. The concert started in an hour. Ellie walked to the front door, set the alarm, and climbed into her shiny, black Tahoe. And on the drive there, she only prayed that she wouldn’t run into her brother and son. The drive there seemed like forever, but she finally made it downtown. Stepping out of the car, she smiled. The same feeling of adrenaline came rushing through her. It was the same feeling as all from all those years in the past. She couldn’t help but grin.

“Dude, this is taking forever! Why did you even want to come?” Ryder asked, the typical teenager attitude getting the best of him.

Ethan shrugged. “Broke up with my girlfriend… this was going to be her birthday present. Sorry if that seems awkward,” the twenty-seven year old said.

Ryder laughed, pushing the thought that he was his uncle’s date out of his head. “I’m gonna get a drink… you want something?”

“Nah I’m good, but hurry back.”

Ryder nodded and took off to find a drink, or just anything that would make the humid air go away. On his way, he looked around, wishing he lived somewhere just a little cooler. Not just in the sense of somewhere that had colder temperatures, but also in the sense of living somewhere much more exciting. Like maybe New York… he had been there once with his dad when he was nine and he’d never forget it. His mom had always talked about going to London. And he promised he’d take her one day, and now that he thought of it, Londonmight be a cool place to live. He wouldn’t have to see the same old boring town everyday… he could get out and travel aroundLondon. He could meet new people and learn a new way of life. The more he thought about it, getting out of this country sounded like a pretty good plan… only one more school year left and he could get out of the place that held him hostage.

His thoughts got the best of him, and he didn’t see where he was going, until he nearly collided with someone by the drink station. “I’m so sorry! I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going…” Ryder said, now mesmerized at the girl he was looking at. She was gorgeous. She had tan skin, and dark brown hair. And the longer he stared, the further he drowned into the young girl’s warm, brown eyes.

He must have stared to long, because the girl laughed and took a step backwards. She still hadn’t said anything to Ryder, but he continued to babble on. “That would’ve been awful if I would have spilt your drink on you….” He was still talking.

The young girl who still hadn’t said anything, but was staring at Ryder also, tucked her hair behind her ear, and smiled. “Why? Because you would have had to buy me a new outfit?” she said, finally revealing her high-pitched British accent. At least Ryder thought it was British...

“You- You’re not from around here are you?” Ryder asked, trying to make conversation, not wanting to ruin the moment.

“Does it sound like I’m from around here?” she playfully answered, teasing Ryder more and more by the second, and she knew it too. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be rude. My name’s Stella. And you are?” Her accent was sounding stronger by the second.

“His name’s Ryder.” Ethan said, walking up behind him, laughing. “C’mon dude, the show’s starting.” Ryder shoved his uncle’s hand off of his shoulder, mumbling that he’d be right there.

Stella smiled, once again put into an awkward situation. “So Ryder, I’d love to have a chat with you. Will you be in town the next few days? I’d like to see you again, but my dad’s band is only here for a couple of days.”

It didn’t hit him like it should have, but he nodded. They agreed to meet here the next day, and as Ryder watched the beautiful girl walk away, he knew there was something about her that made her special. It was almost as if he had seen her before.

 In the meantime, Ellie had managed to talk herself past the security guards that were protecting the streets of the local town. It had worked once, and it had worked again. Now she was shoving through the crowd of people, getting as close as possible to the stage… without a ticket that is. She finally made it three rows from the stage, just as the speakers began to rumble. Then she saw them… all five of them, still looking perfect after twenty years.

And maybe it was just pure luck that Zayn decided to stay on the side of the stage closest to Ellie… But it probably wasn’t. He didn’t know Ellie, and he never would, but it was still fun to dream. Because even if she was acting like a seventeen year old, she knew dreaming like a seventeen year old was her only escape from reality.