Neither Heaven Nor Hell

Chapter 2: Adrenaline

I am snapped put of my thoughts as someone tackles me. We topple over, and she lets a small giggle out. "Haiiii, Jake." Her coppery eyes are smiling, and she giggles again, revealing a slight chip in her front tooth. I smile and hug her. "Hey, Elena. Did Jace bring you?" She nods, and I help her stand. "He told me you guys were playing tonight, and I really wanted to watch." Her caramel-brown hair falls in front of her eyes, and I sweep it back, like I always do. After I do this, however, her eyes catch mine and a pink tinge comes to her cheeks, contrasting against the normal tan. She smiles shyly and looks away as Jace comes in. "I see Elena found you." He grins and motions me to the door. "It's almost eight. Let's do this." I nod and hug Elena again. "I'll walk you home at about eleven, okay?" She nods with her head against my chest, and I pull away. She looks at me, something in her eyes, something I can't identify, and smiles. "Good luck." She skips from the room.

Jace smiles and looks at me. "It's pretty obvious that she's got a major crush on you, dude." I shake my head. "You're crazy, Jace. Stop fucking around and let's get up there." He nods. "I just gotta find Jensyn, and we'll be up there soon." I walk out, nodding. He wades through the crowd of people, to the front of the house. I check the mic, singing a scale to warm up as I finger a few notes on my guitar. Soon, I check my phone. Eight oh three... "Goddammit, Jace...." I mumble to myself, walking through the crowd. I come upon him and Syn, her back pressed against the siding, his arms around her, their lips together. I clear my throat, and try to say something. Nothing comes out, that bothers me that much.

They finish, Syn smiling and turning to face me. "Fuck! You scared the shit out of me!" Jace looks at me, remorse plain on his face. At the moment, I don't really care. "Let's just get this over with.." My voice is dark, and I walk away. Getting up on stage, I focus my anger into the first scream of the first song. Waiting for Syn and Jace, I kick on the amp and blast out a chord, catching everyone's attention. Jace and Syn come forward, and I drop my head, pretending to check my finger and pick placement. When they seem ready, I nod back at Adam, and inhale noticeably, starting the song. "OH, SWEET INSANITY!" I scream the line with intensity, playing hard. The crowd seems astonished, but soon get into it and cheer, pumping their fists.

As soon as the song finishes, I immediately feel better. With my heart pounding in my chest, I start playing a cover of the song "Painkiller" by Three Days Grace. Finding Elena in the crowd, I smile and look in her eyes. She blushes when people turn to look at her, and I finish the setlist at 10:30. Jensyn puts her bass down and grabs my arm, mumbling, "Find me afterward." I jerk it away, and get ready to go. Elena comes up to us and grins. "What was that song about, Jake?" I blush slightly, grabbing her hand and pulling her into the kitchen. "That song was me asking you out, Elena." I mumble, looking at my feet. A gasp slips from her lips, and she tackles me again. "Yes! A million times yes!" She buries her face in my neck, and I feel a smile come to my face.