Rock 'N Roll Ruined Everything

There's No Such Thing as Getting Out of Hand

A/N: All depictions of Brendon and Sarah, that contradict how they actually are, should not be taken as truthful or factual. Their actions and mannerisms have been changed and/or altered for the sake of the theme and mood of this story. Hope you enjoy!

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                                                           [Sarah's POV]

Twenty five years I've been on this planet and you'd think I would have learned how to pick and choose the people I let into my life. That I would actually have some sort of respect for myself by  weeding out the assholes and keeping the humbled ones around. The ones who made efforts to be there for me, and actually were good company. 

Unfortunately, I had failed to do just that.

Alex and I had been together for what seemed like ages, but really turned out out to be just under a year and a half.  In the beginning, things were great. We were happy. He did and said everything that a boyfriend was supposed to do. Somewhere though - things went wrong. I don't know what started first, the under the breath remarks, late nights coming home, the screaming matches that almost always turned physical. I had everyone in my ears telling me to leave, telling me that I deserved better. But, damn, me being the empathetic I am, believed he would change. Believed that this was just some phase. 

The first night I had really started to notice a difference in him, was the night I explained to him that I'd be going out to a concert with one of my closest girlfriends, Amy. We were seated at the table eating dinner,  in silence for the most part, the only sounds were our forks occasionally scraping against our plates. 

"So," I started, taking a sip of my wine. 

"Hm?" He half mumbles, taking another bite of food. 

"Amy called into the radio station today, for some chance to win concert tickets and she got them! Isn't that awesome?"

"What band?" He asks blandly. If the conversation wasn't about him or his job, he really didn't care to hear what I had to say.

"Panic! At The Disco." I replied quietly. "They're new-ish." I said. "I've only heard a few songs, but, they're actually pretty good." Alex remained silent, continuing to eat. I took that as my cue to continue. "Anyways, the concert's next weekend in California...and she asked me to go with her."

He let out a sickening chuckle and shook his head. "Sara, babyface, you're not going to California. I know what goes on at those types of concerts."  He had seemed to have already made up his mind about this.

" 'Those' types of concerts?" I reply coolly. The wine not helping my case. I normally just took what he said and dealt with it.  "My friend just wants to go and have a good time at a concert, listen to some music, ya know. Enjoy life." I start.

"And what? Dress like whores and cheat on your undeserving boyfriend?"

My eyes widen. How could he even possibly say something like that? 

"What? Alex, no. I just want to go have a good time wit-"

"A good time with, Amy. A good fucking time with Amy." He replies, his voice growing dark and agitated. "I said no, Sarah. You're not going."

I take another sip of my wine, my fingers idly tapping against the side of the glass. "Amy already booked the hotel and flight." I reply, getting out of my seat and heading towards the kitchen. "I don't actually need your permission to do anything. I was just letting you know what was going on." This new found courage was probably only present because of the alcohol in my system, but I was running with it. 

"You're not going." Alex growled. His voice was close now as he had me slammed up against the kitchen wall, my glass falling to the floor and shattering. "You're not going, Sarah. If you love me...you won't go, okay baby?" He said, gently cupping my face now.

I swallowed thickly, "It's just a concert. I don't understand what the big dea-"

SMACK.

My skin stung as I realized Alex had slapped me and I gasped aloud, my hand quickly moving to my face, gently touching the now tender skin. "You made me do that, dollface." He says, his face inches from mine now. "If you keep talking back to me and disrespecting my wishes, there's more to come." A sickening smile crawls onto his lips. "That's a promise." He begins to walk away from me, "And clean that shit up." 

I lean back against the wall, tears pricking at my eyes, my heart in my throat. Everything that I thought I knew about this man, was completely shattered. All the hope in the world that I had for him changing, was destroyed. I knelt down and began picking up the shards of glass, tears managing to make their way down my cheeks. "I'm going." I mumbled to myself quietly, angrily.

And if there was one thing I was ever sure about in my damn life, it was that I was going to that concert.