"Connor, wake up!" I was shaken awake by Jonas. His short blonde hair messy and his arm tattoos made it look like he had bruises.
"What time is it?" I muttered rubbing the sleep from my eyes.
"Five." What. "We have to be up early to beat traffic." He started for the door. "Plus, we're going to an Athens concert, can't keep her waiting."
"But we go tickets for the pit..?"
"And we should be in the very front. Now, chop chop!" Jonas claimed to be in love with Athens, but I didn't see it. Yeah, her music was good and she was pretty but there were a lot of things floating around about her. Overall, it was fun to see him this excited again.
I tossed the covers off me and made my way to the ensuite bathroom. I turned on the hot water for a shower that would hopefully wake me up.
I stood in the front of my full body mirror in the corner of my room. I stood there in just my boxer briefs, staring at my reflection. From the slight stubble on my face, to my Adam's apple, then to my faded scars below my pectorals and the scar on my forearm from my phalloplasty surgery, and the other across my lower stomach.
When I was fourteen, I came out to my parents as transgender. They weren't accepting of the topic. The news spread like wildfire. My fears became reality. The jocks would beat me up, rip up my school work, called me the worst things, my life was hell. But then there was Jonas. He accepted me. He called me by my desired pronouns, and leant me some of his clothes so I'd feel comfortable. Jonas was more than a friend to me, he was my brother.
We changed my name from Emily, to Connor Wells. Jonas' parents battled for custody of me, and won. I started seeing a therapist to see if I was fit to start testosterone and eventually I did. Jonas told me: "The only reason those assholes bullied you was because you are more man than they'll ever be." And I believed him. I took Brazilian jiu jitsu so I could properly defend myself, and I brought home some medals from competing. Jonas and I graduated and moved to LA. Everyone was surprised to see one of our songs on the charts for a bit. It wasn't until a year ago when I finally got my top surgery. I've never been so happy with my body. I am who I was meant to be now, and that's how I wanted it.
"Come on bro!" Jonas pounded on the door. I woke up from whatever trance I was in and got dressed. I wore black jeans, and a dark red flannel with the sleeves rolled up. I was in the process of tying my shoes when Jonas came through the door.
"What do you think?" He asked referring to his outfit. My brother sported a white polo with kaki pants.
"Are you trying to get things thrown at you tonight?" I chuckled.
"I'll try something else." And like that, he left. Minutes later I was scrolling through my phone when he returned.
"Jonas, we're brothers but we don't have to be twins." He wore a very similar outfit to me but with a dark blue flannel.
"Damnit!" He left again, then came back. This time with a light blue, short sleeve button up shirt and tan cargo shorts. I walked over to him and unbuttoned his shirt.
"Looks better if its like this, shows that you're not up tight or a dork." I patted Jonas on the shoulder. "Ready?"
"Yeah," he said excitedly, grabbing his car keys and phone. And we're off!
We did beat traffic and got to the hotel room we reserved. Thankfully there were two beds so one of us didn't have to sleep on the floor. Jonas went ahead and plopped himself on the bed farthest from the window, he always hated being close to the air conditioner. I on the other hand didn't really care.
After a few hours of doing absolutely nothing, we decided to head out and see if they'll give out meet and greets.
We stood in line, one of the first to show up actually, waiting for 7pm when it was 5:45pm. Jonas had left to get something to eat while I held out spot in line. A while had passed and not only has Jonas not returned, but people were cutting in front of me to join their friends. One of the guys with a yellow shirt come out and start handing out the meet and greet wristbands. I pulled out my phone and tried calling Jonas but it went to voicemail. Just when the guy was about to put my wristband on me, I felt someone grab my shoulder.
"Thanks for holding my spot Connor." I turned to see my out of breath brother, with a bag of fast food.
"Is he with you?" Yellow shirt guy asked me. I nodded in response. "There's no outside food allowed."
"Then here you go," Jonas handed him the bag of food.
"Thanks I guess." He put a wristband on both of us and we went in. A few people recognized us and we took a couple pictures.
The lights went down and the opening act began. Against the Current I think they were. When they were done I had a few minutes to go get a couple beers for Jonas and I, just as I got back the lights went down.
When they slammed on the bass drum everyone cheered, even I did. Athens was..wow. She started the night with I Am The Fire, and it was great, she even played the guitar too. We had something in common I guess. Athens ended another song and smiled at her audience.
"How is everyone tonight?" The crowd roared in response. "That's good," she smiled broadly. "Well, I'm going to need a drink for this next one," she looked down at me and smirked, she reached down and took my beer. "Thank you sir," Athens downed the alcohol and tossed the empty cup into the crowd. "This next one is called I Like It Heavy."
She was something else. Now I see why Jonas obsessed over her so much.
It was our turn for a picture with Athens, when we walked toward her she smiled and winked at me, I think.
"You guys are The Unbroken right?" She asked wrapping her arms around our necks and smiling for the picture. Athens pulled us aside. "Wait here," she said before going back to finish the other meet and greets.
"She winked at you!" Jonas whisper led to me.
"Your point? She probably does that to a lot of people." I whispered back.
"Whatever you say," he shook his head.
