It's Friday, four days since I've seen my friends. I'm at home with the flu, I always manage to get a cold at this time of the year. I'd much rather be at school, being home alone sick while my mum's at work is not exactly my idea of fun, or anyone's idea in fact.
It's easy to tell my friends are concerned, I get never ending calls from them and notifications on facebook. I hope I'm well enough to go to school, it's the last week and there's only two days left.
The boredom takes over, I decide I'll take a nap hoping to wake up later on when mum gets home from work.
*
My eyes flutter open. I curiously check the digital clock on the bed side table. 3:10, school finished twenty minutes ago. I reach for my phone to check texts from any of my friends but something catches my eye instead.
My house is a double story, I'm on the top floor. Outside of room is a balcony bounded by glass doors. On glass doors is note, taped from the outside. Someone's been up here while I was asleep. I emerge from my bed wondering what the note possibly says and who left it there.
I open the doors and retrieve the note:
'Is,
I really need to talk to you. Come to our show tonight, you know where it is. Emma and Kate will pick you up at 5:30.
Love Shaun'
I smile at the note. Shaun is one of the greatest people I've ever met, I'd never disappoint him.
*
I have a shower. I change into leggings, a white knit jumper with diamontes though it and black scarf. I'm too sick to wear anything better, I'm already wearing the nicest jumper I own.
Emma and Kate are already here, they're waiting for me to finish curling my hair so we can leave.
"HURRY UP WE'RE GOING TO BE LATE!" Kate screams, I laugh to myself and gather my phone and wallet.
*
Of course I'm very curious as to what Shaun needs to talk to me about. But the pain of standing watching Andy be completely fine while I'm a complete mess overtakes my curiousity. The show finishes soon, I've been mindlessly standing here for almost an hour and a half whilst Emma and Kate have the time of their lives.
I know usually I'd just run away from the pain. I'd turn around and leave the venue and wait for Shaun to come to me another day. But I'm sick of being that girl. The one that everyone pushes over.
The last song of the set blares though my ears. 17, my personal favorite Short Stack song. Tonight it just seems so relevant to my situation.
'Some might say, some might say. I'll be your biggest regret'
'Dont give up on me yet'
The words sting my heart. I feel drained, I probably stand here looking pale, colourless.
My ears are so used to hearing this song finish that when they stop playing half way through,
it shocks me. Why did they stop playing?
Andy steps up to the mic, god he's so breathtakingly beautiful. I watch his every move. I watch his face turn pale and his breathing become heavier.
"Sorry to interrupt the show for my personal reasons. But I have something to say"
Personal reasons? What does he mean?
"There's a girl here tonight. I'm pretty sure she knows who she is." His voices echoes around the now completely silent room.
Emma looks at me, she looks as though not shocked at all. Like she knew this was going to happen all along.
"I've had feelings for her for a very long time, I don't think she knew that part. But I have."
I immediately find myself wishing he was talking about me. I have this intense feeling in my gut that he's not. He can't be, today he declared us friends and only friends the other day.
"Anyways. Today I gave her the wrong message, and now she thinks we're only friends."
"I think she had feelings for me, and I think she felt a little humiliated, and now she's being a little distant. So I felt it necessary to humiliate myself back for her, by standing up here and confessing my love for her."
The whole crowd let out 'awwwwws' and the girls scream 'good on you Andy!'.
Kate nudges my arm with her elbow. "He's taking about you babe".
By now I had figured that, I'm speechless. Words weren't coming from my mouth.
"I think I've given the person enough hints. If you will forgive me for being a jerk, meet me on the stage after the show. And with that we'll continue with 17.." He finishes before returning to his spot on the stage.
After 17, the supposedly last song of the set, they decide to pay another song and I'm glad. Am I one hundred percent sure he was talking about me? I know what he said previously matches our current situation perfectly, but I can't help but let doubt overtake. I'm so nervous. But I know I have to do this, I have to approach him.
The moment I've been both hoping and dreading for arrives. The end of the show. I watch people filter out of the venue, they boys are having chats with the fans. They haven't noticed us yet, but I notice Andy warily look around. His hands shaking... He looks afraid. Time to bite the bullet Issy.
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