Just Talk to Him! (IM5)

Chapter 10

July 4th, 2013 -   10 pm

Red, white, and blue litter the streets, dust over celebrating people, and most importantly, explode into the sky above IM5’s outdoor concert. The girls in the crowd cheer and scream, adding even more to the deafening boom of sparking fireworks in the Seattle atmosphere and the beat of the band’s recorded songs blasting out of the speakers.

The boys stand in a line on stage, watching the fireworks in awe. Standing off on the sidelines, I do the same. I’m so captivated, I hardly notice when the boys’ manager pushes me, stumbling, on stage to stand next to Cole. When I do, though, it’s the same time some of the fans notice. They cheer and squeal out my name. Since when was I so famous?

Intrigued by the the explosions in the air, Cole is in a good enough mood to slip his arm around my neck and squeeze me closer. And, in light of celebrations, I allow him.

Soon enough, though, the big finale wraps up the spectacle and I scurry off stage. The concert finishes up and the girls slowly trickle out of the festival. When the area is empty, I can’t help but feel lonely and deflated, like the trampled-over patriotic balloons. Concerts ending always leave me like that. It’s so strange to be among hundreds or thousands of other people to having it just be me, the band, and the staff.

I stick my hands in the thin pockets of my patriotically colored shorts and give one last look at the few stars in the sky. With the city lights all around, it’s nearly impossible to see more than three stars in the night sky. I find the boys stuffing their microphones and earpieces in a bag.

“Hey,” I greet Dana. “Those fireworks were amazing.”

“But our performance was better, right?”

“I wouldn’t say that,” I giggle.

“Have you talked to any of the boys like Anna and I suggested?” He questions, squinting in a mirror and adjusting his snapback.

“I’ll do that now,” I promise. I look around and see the boy I’m most comfortable talking to. “Hey, Dalton!”

He sees me and smiles. “Hey. What did you want?”

I shrug. “Nothin’. I’m just kinda bored.”

He glances behind me. “What, don’t wanna talk to Dana?”

I giggle. “Nah.” I glance over my shoulder and say loud enough so Dana can hear me, “He’s too busy checking himself out.”

Dana fakes shock and saunters over to Dalton. “I thought we were friends, Kylie.”

I laugh. “Oh, did you?”

He pouts. “Not cool.” Then he walks away, before glancing at Dalton and giving me a small wink.

I turn to Dalton, trying to think of some conversation points. “Aren’t you also in a punk band?”

He half smiles. “Oh, is that all I’m known for? Being a two-timer?”

I subconsciously play with the ends of my light brown hair. “Maybe. My best friend says your band is called Fly Away Hero.”

“Your best friend, huh? She seems to know more about me than you do.”

I pull at my locks sheepishly. “She’s a 5er.”

“That explains it!” Dalton laughs.

I glance around the backstage area for Dana. Trying to keep up a successful conversation is so hard. How do people do it? I notice Dana chatting with Will in a corner. As I focus back on Dalton, Dana glances at me from across the room.

I extend the conversation longer, bringing in new subjects when I feel like the last one is dropping. Before long, talking to the boy with eyeliner and bleached blonde hair gets easier and easier. Dalton seems to be skilled at making me laugh or giggle with just one snarky remark.

One thing I’ve realized this summer is the difference in conversation between people. Some people sound like they’re just barely putting up with me, like Cole when he gets up on the wrongs side of the bed or some of IM5’s more single-minded fans. Some people feel like they were born to talk to me, like Anna or Dana. Anna is like the twin I never had. Dana is so cocky at times and verging on charlatan, but when we connect, it’s like the bond between Anna’s tabby cat and rottweiler. Cole acts overly perfect and is demeaning in a brotherly way to me, but sometimes we fit together like jigsaw pieces and he makes my heart feel so full. Dalton is like my favorite TV show. It never gets boring to watch or listen to him.

So that’s why, when the clock strikes twelve and we have to go back to the inn, I’m bewildered by the lapse in time since I first struck up my discussion with Dalton. With our new bond of friendship, I know Anna would say it’s more than acceptable to hug him. So I do. And when Dalton lets go of me in that brief embrace, he ruffles my hair and whispers, “I think Dana is waiting for you.”

I follow his line of vision and grin at the sight of Dana staring intently at me. I only see it for a fraction of a second, though, because the moment he sees me turn, he loosens up and smiles broadly. “See ya later, Dalton,” I chirp. He only laughs as I speed toward Dana.

“Waiting for me?” I ask lightly. “That was a good idea, by the way. I have to thank Anna later.”

He blinks. “Huh?” We exit the area and head to the back lot where the van is parked.  

“The whole ‘Just talk to him!’ thing. Geez, where have you been?” I swat Dana’s arm playfully. “Dalton is so cool. I guess it isn’t that bad to talk to someone new.” He doesn’t answer. “Don’t think I didn’t see you watching me,” I add. “You’re not very discreet.”

He nods, his expression going back to the same solemn as when he was watching me.

I frown. “What happened to Mr. Exuberant?”

He opens his mouth to speak, then pauses. He looks right at me, like he’s searching for an answer. “Kylie, I’m still your best friend, right?” His voice is soft and serious.

I look at him strangely. “Duh. What’s gotten into you?”

He shrugs, forcing on a smile. “Just wanted to make sure.” He pulls off his I Heart LA hoodie and drapes it over my shoulders. “You must be freezing.”

When I tell Anna about this later, she only scoffs with an ‘I told you so’ air. “Ky, he wasn’t acting weird. He was acting jealous of Dalton.” I don’t believe her. At least, I don’t let myself.