Live, Laugh, Luke

Chapter 9

My friends say I should lock you down before you figure me out and you run away. But you don't and you won't as you kiss me and you tell me that you're here to stay.

Luke's POV

"Back in highschool we used to make up plans. Called you up one day to meet split ends"

"I found your shirt," Michael shouts into my ear as I lean away from the microphone to get a breath and Calum takes over the next verse. I shoot Michael a look of confusion, wondering what the hell he's talking about as he nods over towards his section. "Second from the right, fourth row back." I raise an eyebrow at him as he heads back over to his section for the chorus. I try to see what he's talking about but the lights keep that far over in the shadows. It's not until Permanent Vacation that I have a chance to head over to the far right side of the stage. I scan the crowd, and I almost forget to play when I see what Michael's talking about. There she was and from what I could see, that looked an awful lot like my missing shirt. She winks and I laugh, shaking my head in amusement as I head back to my microphone for my verse. Michael looks over at me, raising his eyebrows and I flick him off with a smile. The crowd roars and I glance back towards her where she's once again hidden in shadows, willing her not to disappear on me again. When we get to Rejects, and I start mocking Michael's playing ability, he starts looking through the crowd to pick the next person.

"I dunno Luke, do you see anyone?" he teases. "Maybe you should help me pick."

"Nah Michael, I trust you. Don't fuck it up," I warn. He better not pick her. The fan's would go nuts plus I'd never hear the end of it from the guys. He gives me a mischievous smile, holding my eye as he makes his way to the far right, finger held out. I hold his gaze, silently daring him to do it. He pauses for a second with a wide smile before slowly moving back towards the center, finally turning his eyes towards the crowd to pick a guy from the center. I let out the breath I was holding and he shoots me a wink. While Michael helps the guy with his guitar, I drift back towards where she was standing. Last time she'd disappeared right after Rejects. I didn't want to risk that happening again. I motion for one of the security to come over and I kneel down so he could hear me.

"There's a girl on the edge, red hair and Nirvana shirt. Can you ask her to stay after the show?" I'm careful not to look over or point her out since people were probably watching. He nods, his eyes flicking around, trying to find her and when I stand up he starts meandering in that direction. He pauses at her row and I give a small nod so he knows he picked the right girl. I head back to the group to help coach the guy through a song.

Freya's POV

I wish I'd stayed for the second half for the first show, because this was great. I'm buzzing off the crowd as they perform their Greenday cover when I feel a hand on my shoulder. I brush it off at first, thinking it was just another fan but the tapping returns. I turn, a bit annoyed to be interrupted during the show to see one of the security standing right up against the rail. He motions me over and I glance once more towards the stage, knowing full well that I'll lose my place if I move. Granted, it was only one space over. I switch places with the girl next to me, leaning up against the far rail so he could tell me whatever it is he wanted to tell me.

"I'm supposed to tell you to wait after the show," he says, leaning close so others can't hear. I'm shocked but I nod that I heard him. He quickly moves back to his position and I turn my attention back towards the stage with a smile as I watch him rock out.

When the show ends and the lights finally come on, I hold onto the rail as people swarm past on their way out. There are some fans that go up to the front railing, trying to get the guys that come out to clean off the stage to throw them water bottles or whatever from the stage, but they're eventually shooed out. Whenever someone came by to tell me to leave, I'd tell them I was just waiting for a friend. When that didn't work, the security guy that told me to stay vouched for me. Finally, everyone had cleared out and it was just me, the security, and people cleaning. After about 15 minutes, I start wondering if he'd forgotten when a different type of security comes out.