The library

December 5th 2003 - Alex

Lottie looked beautiful. Better than usual actually. She wore her signature pair of black converse, denim jean shorts and a black oasis top covered up by a woolly black sweater. I looked terrible in comparison to her in some beat up white old Adidas, the same pair of skinny jeans from earlier and a Strokes shirt which was currently covered up by my coat which I had thrown on last minute after advice from Lottie. It was a rather chilly Friday night actually and I was somewhat surprise that Lottie had opted not to wear the coat she had brought along. Even more surprised that she was wearing a pair of shorts in this weather. She had justified the choice by saying, "Its gonna be really hot whilst we're in the middle of a mosh pit."

I realised that maybe she had a point when I was being thrown about whilst everyone around me screamed the lyrics of the set opener "Reptilia". I enjoyed the song but it wasn't my favourite The Strokes tune by any means. It didn't stop me from repeating every single syllable back to the stylish Julian Casablancas who looked so natural up on stage. I wanted to be like him.

"I'm not drowning fast enough!" Myself and everyone around me sang the final line of the song before erupting into a roar of applause I only ever heard at Sheffield Wednesday matches.

I turned to the right and was surprised to still see Charlotte beside me. I grinned at her and shouted, "That was fooking amazing!"

Charlotte laughed and nodded in reply.

"Thank you very much London." Julian slurred. It was blindingly clear he was drunk and I loved it.

*****

The madness carried on for a further hour and I loved every second of it.

My personal highlight was the whole palace barking the lyrics of the set closer "Take it or leave it" and then going crazy during the amazing guitar solo.

It was definitely when I realised what I wanted to do for a living. I wanted to make music. I wanted to play sold out shows like the one I just attended and put on an electrifying performance.

I relayed this all to Lottie as we walked hand in hand off the grounds of Alexandra Palace and towards our hotel.

"That's great Alex," she gave me a sincere smile, "I hope you'll do awesome keychains as well."

I had bought Lottie a Strokes keychain which was carved into the shape of the band's logo. It looked great. She had insisted on buying it herself until I quickly shoved my money at the cashier before she could. She sulked for a few minutes but it seemed like we were fine now.

"We'll make the best keychains in music I can assure you of that darlin'"

We found our way back to the hotel at which point it was just past midnight. We checked in before trudging up the stairs to our room, myself instantly collapsing onto my bed. I listened as Lottie quietly shuffled around the room before speaking.

"Aren't you gonna have a shower, you sweaty pig?" I could almost hear the smirk on her face.

"I can't be fooked." I mumbled into my pillow.

Lottie giggled and not long after I heard the bathroom door open and shut quietly as I slowly drifted to sleep.