Project Runaway ✔️

Chapter Ten

Ten

"It's crazy in here. I can't hear anything other than the crowd." I had to practically yell in Tanner's ear so he could hear me, and vice versa.

The concert was lit with only spotlights on the general admission floor area and blue glowsticks that were given free on admittance.

"Not like it matters. I can't understand the lyrics anyway." Tanner said.

"Yeah, the band needs some work."

Turns out, Three Doors Down wasn't at the concert, but it was an impersonating band that sure tricked me because I hadn't read the fine print while purchasing the ticket online. Tanner purchased his ticket at the gate for an outrageous price and he read the stub before entering the arena while in the long line. Talk about he wasn't happy for spending money on two low-grade bands.

I used Tanner as a barricade behind me to stop the taller, squealing girls behind me who wanted to get in front but couldn't at least tap me on the shoulder but instead, I was being trampled on. Tanner kept close behind as a shield, and I felt safe with him.

"We can leave early, ditch the traffic and eat some pizza. Wouldn't that be a good idea?"

"It would be, but it's going to be equally as hard to pass through the crowd of people in here to find the exit. We're fighting a losing battle regardless."

"Ahh, I guess you're right." He agreed, coming to his senses.

Tanner soon fell way behind me, because one man isn't strong enough to fend off hundreds of crazy girls trying to get close. I looked behind and noticed one girl stopping when she spotted Tanner, glowing eyes and a flirty smile as if she had come looking for date instead of to enjoy the music. I couldn't hear what was said, but evidently the look on her face was one of disappointment, and then her face bucked up, looking in my direction. He must have told her he was here with me, and she certainly can't wrap around her tiny brain that a guy like him would take a girl like little ole' me to a concert. I guess she was right for thinking that, in a way. I was average at best at everything, and that's why I must be friendzoned for all of eternity.

Without being able to hear over the noise, I was forced to read Tanner's lips telling me to follow him out, which was perfect timing as the band, Life's a Pardi Brothers left the stage letting the impersonating band take the stage for one final song.

It was a nice night out, but nice wasn't what I came for. I don't know, I guess I was expecting not to be shoved back and forth like a rag doll, and maybe to be able to hear the sound of my own voice. Uncle Rudolph did, in fact, warn me about this, but I didn't expect a mediocre concert to be so rowdy.

After fighting the crowd, Tanner went to find the truck while I stayed behind with my terrible bladder that had been a ticking time bomb since our arrival several hours ago. Tanner offered to wait for me, weary to leave me alone with all of these people, but I insisted I was okay on my own. I was a big girl, or at least I tried to be.

After flushing the toilet with the bottom of my soles on my flats, I washed my hands and found my way through the crowd that flourished in front of me. I assumed the audience was trying to leave like I was, but apparently the line near the exit door was for autographs, as a booth was set up for the band members to meet, take pictures, and sign autographs. I saw the lead singer of Life's a Pardi Brothers signing a girl's chest, and u nearly barfed. I'd need some Germ-X stat if I were him.

While I was here and couldn't pass through to the exit, I fit into the shortest line for the lead guitarist and thought I'd get an autograph on my arm so I could laugh about it with Tanner.

The lines went unusually fast for the amount of people and before I knew it, I was first in line.

"Can you sign my arm?" I asked, holding out a half-dried out marker I had stashed in my purse.

Sorry, but I didn't want him signing my nice shirt, so it had to be my arm.

"Sorry, the line is closed." I may not be able to hear very well at the moment, but he made his point abundantly clear when he repeated his statement twice and averted eye contact.

"But..." The guitarist finally looked up. He seemed tired, with dark circles under his eyes, and a strained muscle in his neck, and the creases in his forehead were red as if he has taken a nap on the table. He had baby blue eyes and a dark beard with matching colored hair in a gelled, classic side part and a low fade. He dressed in casual clothing, but his lopsided smile was anything but casual. He was good looking, I will admit, but his attitude needed a serious adjustment.

"But nothing. Scram, kid." Kid. He was hardly older than me! I felt like punching him in his already-crooked nose.

"You know what? Take your sorry excuse for an autograph and shove it up your ass because I don't need it. It's not like I'll get any money for it; you'll never be famous. Better get used to this arena, kid." I flung the marker at him, hitting him on the sleeve of his shirt. He scratched near the sleeve next to his cross tattoo, as if it hadn't even hurt. If he wanted to, he could probably have gotten his bodyguards to drag me out, but he didn't. I don't think Tanner or my uncle would be happy about that.

His stared dumbfounded until the utter shock of what I had said and done wore off.

He hunkered down and for a second, I thought he was looking for a gun, or pepper spray to force me away, but instead, he grabbed the marker that had dropped to the ground, flicking it in his hand.

"Here, give me your arm." He ushered me closer and I extended my arm, letting him touch my skin and twist my arm around so that my palm was facing him. He drug his fingertips along my skin and then onto my upper arm, placing the cold marker down gently, spelling out his name, James Pardi.

"I like the watch." He said, pointing to my father's Rolex.

"Thanks." I mumbled.

"And I like you. You've got a mouth on you, not something I expected from a fan."

"I'm not exactly a fan, but I was in the area." I said truthfully.

"Hm, not a fan? Let me change your mind. Come with me."

Come with him? What?

"I have someone waiting...and my feet have been hurting and I should really get going..." The latter was a terrible excuse.

"Whatever and whoever it is can wait. Please, come with me." He was insistent, staring at me as if I were the only girl in line, and I felt special. It was a look I wasn't used to getting.

Tanner was the one who wanted me to have fun. I'm sure he wouldn't mind waiting a few minutes.

"Fine, but I can only spare a few minutes."