Isabelles pov.
My 19th birthday was only a month or so away, and yet my mum was still controlling my life. She so badly wanted me to get into a top university for jornalism, but all I wanted to do was play my guitar and write music.
But as usual she’d won our argument. So here I was, standing at the back entrance of the main hall with a bunch of kids. They were all dressed in their band shirts and skinny jeans, whilst I was in a floral mini dress. At least if i had to do this, i would stand out from the short stack fans. But my bright blonde hair and SLR got a few weird looks on the way here.
My mum had organized this entire gig, i was supposed to interview the band and get some photos. I don’t even like short stack, so it may seem like i’m lucky but i’d do anything to not be here. To not be me.
I’d been waiting for about a quater of an hour before someone came out to meet me, his name was shaun jennings, and he was apprently the bands tour manager. He only looked about 23 but he assured me he was the right guy. He must have been pretty popular cause when he came out all the people out the back started screaming at him.
He bundled me through the door, shutting it behind him and miming an over enthusiastic “phew”.
I pinned a pass to the belt loop of my dress, and listened to shaun tell me what the plan was. I didn’t expect to be let in to see the band so soon, but just a few minutes later i was sitting on a lounge oppiste them
They didn’t match, and didn’t look at all like the photos i’d seen of them. The blonde one was in skinny leg tracksuit pants, and some weird hippy like top, the tall one was in skinny jeans and a shirt and tie.
At least they were smily, and looked optimistic.
The one on the very end was kind of pale, and looked like he hadn’t changed his clothes for a week. The interview went much smoother than I thought it would, the boys were happy to answer questions, even the sulky one who turned out to be shaun. They each gave me a light hug before they had to go get ready, and we posed for a photo for the article.
Now that the first part was over, i had an hour to kill, and I could have- should have- left. Instead i let my head take over, and decided to find shaun and see if he was okay. Backstage was huger than i would have thought, and it smelt insanely like deoderant and hairspray. Nearly everywhere i looked people were either sitting in a cornor kissing or talking, or chasing each other, or half naked. Not the best scene. I ended up finding a bathroom and as far as i could tell it was unisex. i went in to fix my hair and makeup, and i heard someone in one of the stals. It was awkward enough being the only person here that wasn’t in or with a band, and stupidly i just froze.
A few minutes later the person appeared, they had red rimmed eyes and a glassy expression. Which in my experience were only seen on people the were high or had just been crying. It was shaun, and he glared at me.
“i’m sorry i thought um um i was just leaving?” my voice shook and he frowned.
“fuck off” he muttered and pushed past me to the door.
I guess i’d grown up sheltered, spoilt even. And being blonde and pretty usually made guys like me, this was a first. I’d never been told to fuck off before, and it stung.
what was his problem?
I was still upset and trying to compse myself when someone else came into the bathroom, but instead of being rude she smiled sympathetically.
“don’t take shaun seriously, hes being a total asshole to everyone at the moment. he needs space, and time i guess…” she smiled again and put her arm over my shoulder.
“anyways im imogen”
“isabelle”
This time we both smiled, and she cleaned me up a bit. She told me she was bradies sister, and that she’d stick with me until the bands went on.
It felt so good to have a friend here.
