Luck, Lust and Lana

A Dream Come True

Today is the day; the day I have been anticipating for nearly a year. In a matter of hours, I will be mere feet away from my biggest idol and role model, Lana Del Rey. The occasion: Endless Summer Tour. Location: Bristow, Virginia. As I pack my bag with ticket in tow, I find myself with a sensation of butterflies consuming my stomach. 'This could be the day,' I think to myself excitedly. Also in hand is a mix CD I made (yes, I know -- so 90's) of what I anticipate will be Lana's setlist for the evening. I figure this way the two-hour car ride from Richmond will go by a bit faster. As I begin to drive off, the haunting guitar riffs and beautiful moans of "Cruel World" creep out of my speakers. My journey to Lana has begun!

"Arrived at your destination; Jiffy Lube Live," my GPS announces, interrupting my mid-"Serial Killer" karaoke moment. I'm finally here! My heart and mind race. Will this be the night I finally get to meet Lana? You see, I've seen her once in concert before. Last summer I saw her at a festival in Maryland, where she completely took my breath away. She blew my expectations away vocally and physically. Nothing crushed me more than watching her from afar hug and kiss numerous fans on the front barricade. This time was going to be different I decided. I splurged for pit tickets and was determined to fight my way to the front. I had to see her, hear her, meet her, and touch her up-close and personal. Tonight is the night, I just know it.

At this point, I've been waiting nearly two-hours for the gates to open. I needed to get here early to ensure I would position myself well in the pit. I don't mind waiting, I just wish it wasn't so damn hot. I check my phone and open the weather app: "100 degrees with heat index." Are you fucking serious? Here I spend hours picking the right outfit, doing my make-up, and perfecting my hair, all for it to just all melt away via sweat. Fucking perfect. If I meet Lana, I want to impress her, not terrify her.

As I'm fiddling on my phone trying to distract myself from the heat and boredom, I hear commotion from the security team. "Now?" asks one yellow-shirt guard to another. "Yes, now," the other replies. "Alright folks, we are going to open the gates now. Please stay in a single-file line and remain calm," he announces as if this idea were actually going to work. Immediately, everyone begins pushing and clustering their way through the gates. Luckily, I am near the front so I should be able to get in the venue fairly quickly.

After being searched and scanned, I am finally in! I immediately book it to the pit section. Unfortunately, there is another line just to gain pit access here. I patiently wait to be wrist-banded and checked off in order to enter the pit. After a few minutes, I am in the clear. I enter, scoping out the crowd and area. Now, I begin devising a plan to get to the front of the barrier. I am determined. Mission meet Lana is a go.

**Sorry if this first chapter is a bit boring, I wanted to make sure I give as much background and detail as possible. I felt the need to take the time to set up the story. Plus, I believe this makes the story and character more interesting and personal. Please continue reading! Sorry for any spelling or grammar mistakes, as well.**