Fool Me

Chapter Sixteen

Fool Me

Chapter Sixteen

Lauren and Camila arrive at Rock Shock just before the first round of bands are set to perform. There are a total of six stages spread throughout the venue so immediately after presenting their passes at the gates, Lauren grabs their map while Camila holds the schedule they wrote out for themselves.

"Lava Water is going to be on Stage 4 in about 15 minutes," Camila reads from the top of their itinerary.

"Can you check the program they just gave us for Rust the Nail? Their appearance wasn't confirmed on the official website, but I got a tip from Twitter that someone spotted them here. It could just be one of their members attending in the audience though."

Camila tucks the itinerary under her arm and opens the program as requested by Lauren. She scans the pages which list the bands by time slot. It takes a couple minutes for her to catch their name listed from the corner of her eye, and she points to avoid losing her place.

"They are performing on Stage 2 during the third session," Camila confirms.

"That's the same session as Symbiosis, I think. We may need to split up."

"Are you comfortable chatting up one of these groups and buying their EP if they have one? I can reimburse you later."

Lauren folds up the map and begins to walk in the direction of the first stage as Camila follows, keeping up pace beside her.

"I've met the drummer of Rust the Nail. She used to play bass for Wounded Dreams before they split up. I think you should check out their set today, because if her band members are as easygoing as she is you'll barely break a sweat approaching them. As for Symbiosis, I'll be fine starting that conversation. They formed less than a year ago and I am positive they're in no position to turn away any expression of interest in their music," Lauren explains.

"Thanks again for getting so involved with organizing this. Technically only one of us is supposed to be working, so I hope you still have fun as if you came here on your own under different circumstances," Camila replies genuinely.

"Don't worry about it. You're helping me cross a major goal off my bucket list right now, and I can't think of anyone I'd rather be sharing this experience with than you."

Time flies between when they find the stage for the first session and when they are due to split up for the third. The first band, Lava Water, appeals to both their tastes but technical difficulties make their session run over the allotted time, causing them to rush off for their second session at Stage 6. Barstool has a heavier sound and Camila passes on making any effort to meet them. The label would think she lost her mind if she brought them up. Lauren stays behind at Stage 6 to see Symbiosis while Camila books it over to Stage 2 for Rust the Nail. They end up outshining both of the previous bands, in Camila's opinion, and her only regret is Lauren not being with her to witness it.

"Hey! I really enjoyed your set. Everyone's energy was fantastic," Camila compliments after approaching the merchandise table and getting the bands', but mostly the drummer's, attention."

"Thanks! The adrenaline was definitely flowing through me that time around," the drummer responds with a smile.

"Have you been on the road much besides this?" Camila asks while casually looking over the track list on the back of their CD.

"This is only our third gig since we finished recording that," she replies, gesturing toward the case in Camila's hand.

"How much is it?"

"Ten dollars. We'll even sign it for you, if you'd like," the guy she recognizes as the lead guitarist offers, joining the conversation.

Camila fishes out a $20 bill from her wallet and hands it to him before slipping the CD into her bag.

"That's all right. You can keep the change, too," she insists, passing up the offer for an autograph because she plans on turning it over to the label anyway.

"Why not take another and gift it to a friend?" Their bassist suggests, holding out another copy of their CD.

Camila thinks of Lauren and accepts the offer, reaching out to place it in her bag before pulling it back slowly.

"Actually, would you mind signing this one?"

All four of the band members agree without any hesitation. The drummer is the last to sign it and when she finishes she surprises Camila by holding it just out of her reach.

"Okay you can have this now, but there's a condition," she announces with a sly grin.

"What type of condition?" Camila asks with a raised eyebrow, suspicious of her intentions.

"I'd like your number," she admits boldly.

"Oh um..." Camila begins to respond nervously, unprepared for this scenario. "But I don't even know your name," she realizes.

The drummer shrugs and holds out her free hand.

"I'm Jennel. And you?"

"Camila," she introduces, accepting and shaking her hand.

"It's settled then. May I call you, Camila?"

Camila nods and retrieves her phone.

"If you program your number in, I'll text you so you'll have mine," she promises.

Jennel adds herself to Camila's contacts before giving her phone back.

"Cool, I hope to see you again," Jennel tells her as they prepare to part ways.

"Me, too," Camila replies politely before excusing herself, realizing from the clock on her phone that she's already late meeting Lauren for the fourth session.

AN: I realize it probably took you five minutes to read this, but it took me like three hours to write it, so I apologize if it seems so short. I'm just too particular about how I write sometimes. Thank you for reading.