If || rsl & r5 (SLOW UPDATES)

• 5 •

Charlotte's POV

I didn't realize the venue for the concert would be so crowded, so I brought Ian closer to me, wanting him out of harms way. I knew how concerts crazy could get first hand, and I wouldn't know what I'd do if my baby got hurt. Mel had a tight grip on my wrist, tugging me along through the crowd as we tried to find our seats. According to the tickets and Mel, we had great seats, only a couple of rows away from the stage. Though I wasn't completely thrilled with this idea, Ian's excitement was enough to bring a smile to my face. He had woken me up this morning by jumping up and down on my bed, shouting about his first concert. It didn't matter to him that he had no idea who he was seeing.

Hell, I didn't even know who we were seeing. Mel was neglecting to tell me who the performer was.

A small sigh of relief escaped my mouth once we found our seats. The amount of people I bumped into was ridiculous. Though Ian had his own seat, I didn't feel comfortable setting him down. I placed him on my lap, wrapping my arms around his tiny waist as we waited for the other concert goers to file into the large, open area and find their seats.

My eyes scanned the stage, and I held back the gasp that wanted to escape. Three microphones up front, a keyboard and drum set in the back with the band name on the bass drum. R5.

"Mel," I muttered through clenched teeth, slowly turning my head. She was smiling sheepishly, her facial expression just screaming guilty. "Why would you bring me here?"

"Because I know you still like to listen to their music," she explained. When my glare didn't weaken, she sighed. "Look, I know you don't want to see or talk to Ross, but just try to enjoy this. And look at him," she nodded her head towards Ian, who was furiously clapping despite no music playing. "He's so excited. I know you don't want to stay because of Ross, but stay for Ian."

I didn't want to stay, to remain seated in this chair that really wasn't that comfortable. But Mel was right. Ian was so excited for his first concert, and I didn't want to ruin that. We didn't do much because I was working a lot, and sometimes the guilt would just eat me alive. I hated that I couldn't give him everything he deserved. If I could fill his room with toys, I would. But I couldn't, and it sucked.

I tightened my grip on Ian and kissed the back of his head, so grateful that he was in my life. I loved my little boy more than anything.

The soft chatter that engulfed the venue soon turned into loud cheering as the band walked out on stage, the dim lights brightening almost immediately. Everyone rose to their feet as the first song began, and I had no choice but to do the same, hiking Ian over my shoulder so he could see. His contagious laughter was like music to my ears.

Watching the man I once loved move on stage, thrust his hips and sing with so much passion, was like turning back time. It brought back so many memories, so many good memories, of when I attended their concerts when Ross and I first started dating.

"Ross, stop." I muttered, unable to muffle my giggles as my boyfriend peppered my neck with kisses. His arms were wrapped tightly around my waist. "We're not alone." 

"Don't care," he murmured, giving my hips a good squeeze.

We were at the venue where R5 would be performing, waiting backstage until it was time for them to go out on stage. This was the first concert I would be attending of theirs, and to say I was excited would be an understatement. I absolutely loved their music and could probably listen to their songs all day.

When it was time for them to head out on stage, Ross grabbed my face and kissed me hard, completely ignoring the fact that his siblings and parents were around us. I could feel my cheeks heating up, but the feel of his lips pressed against mine was enough to cloud my mind and deflect the embarrassment I was feeling. We had only been dating for two months, and the most we had done in front of his family was a quick peck on the lips. I was still shy when it came to kissing in front of other people.

He flashed me a wink - a sexy wink - before rushing onto the stage with the rest of the band, the crowd immediately cheering once they appeared before their eyes. My cheeks were flushed, the heat on my skin evident, and my smile was so wide I was starting to get cramps. But I didn't care. I was happy.

I had watched videos of R5 perform online, but nothing could compare to seeing them live. The intensity of the bass, the guitar, just everything, was amazing. They were amazing. And no matter how much I tried to watch everyone and not just Ross, my eyes seemed to move on their own, always landing on his form. The way he would thrust his hips as he danced along the stage, and grip his hair tightly as he sung into the mic... he made it look so effortless. He was really made to do this.

I snapped out of my daze as loud cheering erupted around me. My throat felt constricted, my vision blurring as tears filled my eyes. I was so happy back then. I had thought I found the man I would spend the rest of my life with, the one I could call my best friend. When I found him with that other girl, it felt like he had ripped my heart out of my chest and stomped on it. I made a promise to myself that I would never fall in love again, to stop being in love with him.

Only I had never stopped.

And that broke my heart more.

~*~

As the concert came to an end and the band took the front of the stage to bow, the one thing I didn't want to happen happened. Ross' eyes connected with mine. I averted my eyesight immediately, hoping that maybe if I looked away quick enough, he would believe I wasn't actually there. That maybe his mind was playing tricks on him.

Wishful thinking on my part.

I tried to hurry out of the venue as quick as possible, making sure Ian had his arms tightened around my neck. I tried to listen as my little boy talked about how much fun he had, but all I could hear was my heart pounding. Why did he have to see me? And why did Mel have to bring me here? She knew how painful it was seeing Ross at the park, yet she thought seeing him on stage would be easier. If anything, it was harder. I used to love watching him perform and sing his heart out, but all it did now was cause me heartache.

Once we crossed the parking lot and got to the car, I buckled Ian into his car seat, smiling softly as I watched his eyes start to droop. He would be asleep in minutes and probably sleep through the night. Though I wasn't exactly thrilled that I had seen Ross, I was glad that Ian had fun. I made sure to cover him with the blanket before climbing into the drivers seat, Mel sitting beside me in the passengers seat.

"You're mad," she stated.

"Really? Never would've guessed." I muttered, turning the key into the ignition. The car sputtered before stopping altogether. I tried again, but as soon as I heard the same noise, I groaned and dropped my forehead onto the steering wheel. "Great. Just great."

"Guess we better call a tow truck."

I let out a sigh. "I'll do it." I quickly glanced at Ian - he was asleep - before exiting the car, gently closing the door so I could lean against the metal. Just as I took my phone out of my pocket, the voice I was forced to hear all night hit my ears.

"Charlie, hey," he hesitantly stepped towards me, his hands shoved in the front pockets of his pants. His hair was wet, his shirt covered in sweat, a clear sign he didn't bother taking a shower. "Is, uh, everything okay?"

"My car won't start." I rubbed my arms as a gentle breeze blew past us. "I was just gonna call a tow truck."

"I could give you guys a ride," he offered. "Make it easier on you."

"Make it easier on me?" I repeated, letting out a humorless laugh. "Sitting in the same car as you would not make it easier on me. Watching you perform on stage wasn't easy for me. Being around you isn't easy for me, Ross! It hurts! It physically hurts!" I sucked in a large breath, trying - but failing - to keep my emotions in check. "You know what I was thinking watching you up there tonight? I was thinking about the first time I went to your concert. How I was so proud of you, and so happy for you. And now? Now, I can barely look at you without wanting to cry and scream."

"Charlie, I'm sorry. Can we please just talk? Please?"

I shook my head, reaching behind me to grasp the handle of the door. "No."

Tomorrow it'll be 2 months until I meet r5 and I'm so excited! 😆