The Boy with the Guitar

The Concert

Chris:

I was very excited to go see my friend's band play. It's their first headlining tour and tonight is the first night. I'm not sure who's opening for them, some guy named Ricky I think. I'm not really sure. My friend's band plays acoustic stuff. I like metal and rock music, but this is my friend's first headliner, I have to go. That makes it sound like I don't want to. I do want to.

I arrive at the show and decide to stand in the back rather than in the middle. After a little while, the opening act comes out. He looks quite nervous, like he's never played a show this big. Although, that's probably the case. There are 300 or so people here as neither act is particularly big, and most people just came because it's a cheap, local concert.

"Hey," the boy says nervously. "Um...wow, there's a lot of you. My name is Ricky Olson." Ricky sits down with his acoustic guitar and adjusts the mic stand awkwardly. "This song is a cover, actually. It's one of my favorites. It's called Wait out the Days, it goes like this." Ricky starts singing and I'm...well, mesmerized. He's amazing. This scrawny, nervous, clumsy little guy with long black hair and heavy eye makeup is an amazing singer and guitarist. His voice is calm, steady, and soothing. He's really cute too.

As he sings some original songs, I listen to the words and it feels like I'm getting to know Ricky. Sounds like he's had some rough times. He sounds lonely too. Not completely alone, but lonely. I would really love to meet this guy.

Is he looking at me? He is. I smile at him and he blushes and quickly looks away. He looks like he's looking at someone in particular. Why was he blushing? Whatever.

I just stand and enjoy the rest of the concert, but not without admiring Ricky. He's...really attractive... This boy with a guitar who no ones ever heard of, playing a show opening for my friends, is fucking adorable. I would love to talk to this guy.

Ricky:

"You're gonna do great out there," says Gabriel, my boyfriend.

"I'm scared," I say. "What if they hate me?"

"They won't hate you, Ricky. You're amazing. You're gonna do great!"

"But there's so many people..."

"Don't worry, babe." Gabriel kisses my forehead and smiles at me. "Now, go. They're gonna love you, Ricky."

"You sure?"

"One hundred percent. I love you. Go get 'em."

"I love you too..." I nervously walked out on stage with my guitar and swallowed hard when I saw how many people were there. That's a lot of people, I think. There's...there's so many people here.

"Hi," I say, really quite nervously. I've never played for this many people. "Wow there's a lot of you." Did I say that out loud? Shit. "My name is Ricky Olson." I sit down and adjust the mic stand, nearly knocking it over. Good one Ricky. I can't remember my set list, but I think I'm supposed to play Wait out the Days first. I should probably remember by set list by tomorrow's show. "This song is a cover, actually. It's one of my favorites. It's called Wait out the Days, it goes like this." I start playing and everyone seems to enjoy it. They even sing along on the last chorus! I look over at Gabriel and he gives me a thumbs up and a big smile. I smile as I finish the song and I finally remember my set list. I sing a few more songs, original ones, and I get a bit distracted during one. I can't help but notice a guy standing in the back. He's maybe...20, 22. He doesn't look like he belongs here. He has tattoos, piercings, long black hair. He looks like he should be at a Slipknot concert, not some tiny acoustic show with only two artists. Then again, I guess I look like that too.
This guy seems to really like me, which boosts my confidence a lot. I find myself staring at him and quickly look away when he notices. I look over at Gabriel again to make sure he didn't notice me staring at someone. He gets jealous pretty easily, so I don't want to worry him.

When I finish I walk off stage and as soon as I can't be seen by the audience, I sprint over to Gabriel and throw my arms around him. "I just played a concert for 300 people!" I exclaim.

"Yes you did!" Gabriel replies. He hugs me tight and kisses me. "Oh, you were amazing. You're so talented, it's not fair."

"Shut up," I giggle, blushing hard.

"You're allowed to go watch the other band play if you want to."

Do I want to? Yes. Am I going to? No, probably not. I don't want to have to stand with hot tattooed metal guy. Hot? Did I say he's hot? Well, he's not exactly unattractive. You have a boyfriend. Just stop.

"No. I don't want to. We could, however, go make out in the green room."

"That sounds good too."

Chris:

After the show, I walk around back to congratulate my friend and to try and find that Ricky guy. I find Hayden and his band and walk over to them.

"Hey, you," I say to Hayden. "You guys did fantastic!"

"Thanks, man," Hayden says.

"That uh...that Ricky guy. He's pretty good."

Hayden sighed. "You think he's hot, don't you?"

"What? No! I just-"

"Dude."

"He's fucking beautiful," I said bashfully.

"Well. If you ask me...I would say he's taken."

"What makes you say that?" Hayden nodded towards a plain white van. A plain white van with two men pressed against it making out. And one of them was Ricky.

"I see," I muttered.

"Sorry bud."

I mean, I wasn't that upset. I haven't even spoken to the man, why would I be jealous? Okay...I'm really jealous. But I don't know why. Maybe it's not jealousy. Maybe I'm just disappointed that the cute talented singer is taken. Not shocking. I mean, he's a cute talented singer. Of course he's not single.

Ricky:

"Reggie," I said. "You're driving tonight." Reggie is Gabriel's 17 year old brother and Gabriel and I decided to bring him along. I'm bringing Gabe because I don't have anyone else to bring and it's not like he's leaving anything behind. The only thing he would leave behind is Reggie because they live together since Reggie can't stand their parents. It's summer, so it's not like Reggie is missing school.

"Why do I have to drive?" Reggie complained.

"So we can make out."

"Oh, lovely."

"It's what, two hours to Philly? You can sleep when we get there. Tomorrow night is 5 hours. Gabe can drive."

"I'm not driving 5 hours," groaned Gabriel.

"We can switch halfway, babe. Whatever." I turn around and see Hot Tattooed Metal Guy standing talking to the other band. "I wanna go talk to that guy. I'll be back."

"I'll come." No Gabriel. I love him, but I want to talk to Hot Tattooed Metal Guy by myself. Why do I have Hot in his name? I have a hot boyfriend already. Slow your roll, Ricky. Just go talk to HTMG.

"No, stay here." I kissed his cheek and walked over to HTMG and his band friends.