Dear Friends

Beer, laughter, and friends for life

ABBY'S: POV

it was Friday the 13th. The time was 8:03 and i was rushing around making sure i had everything packed for the weekend pub trip. it had been a few months since i had first met Roger in a bar in Kensington and things were going well. we seemed to get closer and closer by the day. His band mates had already become close friends to me and i loved every minute of it. i was pulled out of my thoughts when i remembered that i still needed to pack a few things. "OH SHIT!" i said out loud to nobody but myself. i had left my favorite shoes at work which of course were the ones i wanted to take with me. clearly that wasn't going to happen. As i found another pair of shoes to put in the bag, somebody had buzzed my apartment. "who is it?" i asked into my end of the intercom thing. "it Roger the light of your life! i have come to help with your bags" i couldn't help but laugh at his way of being charming "alright Roger, come on up" as i walked back to my bag to give it one last check i head the lift doors open and my front door open and close. "Rog im in the bedroom!" i shouted. my apartment was a rather spacious studio that had separate rooms rather than curtains that slid across the rooms. it just depended what apartment you had and what part of town you lived in. "mornin' Abby. if you wanted some bedroom action then i would have come round earlier!" i had to laugh at his stupid innuendo and roll my eyes just for good measure. "are you all set then?" he asked he zipped up my bag for me while i put a jacket on. "yep im all packed and ready to go!" he picked up my biggest bag and i picked up the smaller one of the two. "what the fuck do you have in here Abs?! its heavier than my fuckin' bass drum." again, i had to laugh. " sorry i may have over packed  but i had to make sure i have everything i need!" he muttered something that was inaudible and once were out the flat and i had locked the door, we made down all the way to the van.

As we walked out the front of my building there was a white wan parked on the side of the road. i was instantly greeted by Freddie who immediately started complimenting my curled hair. "oh Abby look at the curls! you must have spent ages on these! " i answered him and looked behind him to see 3 girls stood with big smiles on their faces. Oh Abby come meet the girls!" Roger took my hand and walked me over to the 3 girls. He told me that the girl with the reddish hair was Veronica. she was Johns girlfriend she seemed very sweet and i could instantly tell that hey were a perfect match.  i already knew Chrissy as she was a college friend but i never knew she was with Brian. Lastly there was Mary who had long blond hair. She was Freddie's girlfriend. Once the boys had put my bags in the van (i wasn't allowed to help) we climbed into the back and away we went.

About an hour into the drive i could tell that i was going to get on with Mary and Veronica very well. We never ran out of things to walk about and they were both full of stories that they couldn't wait to share. And honestly, i couldn't wait to hear them.  the overall journey time was supposed to take 2 hours. unfortunately we had Roger driving and Freddie navigating which meant that they were constantly bickering over which way to go. turns out that Roger was quite a good driver and map reader. Freddie on the other hand wasn't so helpful. Overall it took us 5 hours to get there as we had got lost 3 times. On the plus side to that we had to stop for fuel which meant that Me, Roger, Mary and Freddie could have a fag break before we set off again...and of course, we could buy snacks. overall, the journey was long but with great company and great friends, i really didn't mind.

We parked the van in the car park behind the pub. it was a well lit area so it should be fine to stay there overnight. we worked like a well oiled machine while getting things out of the van. in total, i think it took us about 45 minutes to get everything out the van and into the village hall. they were supposed to play at the pub but the village hall was much bigger and had a proper stage area so it was best if they played there. luckily, the pub was connected to the hall so alcohol wouldn't be a problem tonight. once we had finished setting the bands equipment up, we took our overnight bags out the van and headed up to our rooms in the pub. we were given the 4 sets of keys and was told to help ourselves to whatever room we wanted. Freddie and Mary had room 1 which to Freddie's annoyance, wasn't the biggest but it did have the biggest bathroom. Brian and Chrissy took room 2. John and Veronica had room 3 and lastly, me and Roger had room 4. our room was the  biggest and had a double bed placed at one end of the room and also a single placed at the other side of the room but happened to have the smallest bathroom. it was so small that only 1 person could fit in the bathroom at a time...unless someone was stood in the shower.once we had inspected our rooms for the weekend we started unpacking our bags. i couldn't help but notice that Roger kept glancing at me the whole time...not that im complaining though.

the boys had just finished their first set for the weekend and it was absolutely amazing. its the first time i have ever heard them play. the way Freddie owned the stage and interacted with the audience, the way Brian was completely in tune with his guitar, the way John played the bass. you could tell he was quiet and reserved but at the same time, he was smiling to the crowd and the boys on stage. Then of course there is Roger. The way he Pounded away behind the kit with a massive grin on his face. Always glancing my way or giving me a wink while playing. Then came his drum solo. Everyone could tell he was concentrating hard but he made it look sexy. there is  no denying that. If this is a taster into the band life then im all for it. Veronica, Chrissy, Mary and I waited at the bar in the pub while the lads went back to the rooms upstairs to have quick showers and get changed. John arrived back first shortly followed by Brian. Roger came down 5 minutes later. we ordered everyone a pint and by the time we had payed for the drinks, his majesty arrived and instantly gave us all a hug. the conversation started with how well the boys had played tonight and how the sound was. the lads were discussing different things t do with sound and stage positioning. Us girls however just sat back and listened to what was being said. The boys had finished their conversation about staging and Freddie went on to talk about things to do while we were away. i noticed out the corner of my eye that Roger seemed pretty nervous about something but I didn't want to ask in case i made it worse. Luckily i didn't have to. "Hey Abby, can you come outside with me a minute, i need to talk to you about something"

As i followed Roger outside, i could tell there was something up with him but i couldn't work out what it was. "whats up Roger? you seem nervous" "to be honest, i am a little." i stayed silent while he figured out what to say. "alright Abs look. these 3 months have been amazing. And you really are a great friend but..." the thoughts running through my head were enough to tell me that whatever he said next was probably gonna crush my spirits. he sighed and then carried on. "i. i wondered if you wanted to be my girlfriend. Your really amazing Abby and i cant stop thinking about you. I was gonna ask you when we went for that walk around London but i guess i never had the guts" a smile crept on my face. It was now that i noticed he was rambling to mask how nervous he really was. he was also starting to play with his hands. " so, uhh, what do ya say?" he looked at me with pleading eyes i just had to put him out his misery. i wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him softly. he deepend the kiss  a little then pulled away. "yeh Rog, course ill be your girl" He kissed me again a little harder this time then took my hand. "im so glad you said yes. i really dont know what i would have done if you said no" i just giggled and followed him back inside. when we walked back inside. We found that the others had migrated to a table so hand in hand, me and Roger walked to greet them again both smiling from ear to ear. a perfect ending to a perfect first day.