UNSOLVED

17

Taylor made her way up the stairs to the street level, exiting the subway station together with a mass of other people. She was about to get her phone out of her purse to check where she needed to go when she saw there was no need for it. The Bowery Ballroom was located right across the street. A wide grin appeared on her face.

She found Karlie, Derek and Cara waiting in line only a minute later. Everyone exchanged hugs and greetings, though Taylor felt a little shy meeting Karlie's friends again. She had only met them once briefly. Karlie hugged her a little longer and tighter than her friends did, and when they separated she looked her up and down with a raised eyebrow.

"I see we're both dressed in black tonight?" she asked and smirked.

Taylor took in Karlie's outfit and blushed. Karlie was wearing a very, very low cut black dress and a black choker. Her hair was in a neat ponytail. Taylor wrecked her brain to come up with a witty comment, but it was too focused on Karlie's muscles visible underneath the wide-flowing, see-through fabric.

Cara next to her cleared her throat.

"Oh yeah, one of us should definitely go home and change" Taylor remarked drily. It caused the others to laugh, and she managed to look at Karlie's face again.

Karlie looked back at Taylor intently. "You look pretty." Her voice was low and quiet, but Taylor was standing close enough to hear. She blushed again and bit her lip.

"So, Taylor, are you excited?" Derek chimed in, unaware of Karlie's compliment.

Taylor let her eyes wander over the crowd of people on the sidewalk before she spoke. She noticed the illuminated letterboard above the entrance, announcing tonight's band. HAIM.

"Yes, I've been listening to their music for a while now! And they seem fun live!" She turned towards Derek and smiled.

When Karlie had invited her to come along, Taylor had been concerned to be out of place. She had invited Abigail, but her friend had plans with her boyfriend, as usual. Karlie had to convince her it would be alright and that she would warm up to her friends quickly. So here Taylor was, trying to do just that.

They made small-talk. A while later the doors opened, and the line moved along steadily until they were inside. They all breathed a sigh of relief when the cool air-conditioned air hit them. It was the early evening, but the day had been hot, and Manhattan was bustling with cars and people on a Friday night, heating up the streets.

"Where should we stand?" Karlie asked, walking forward and looking over the crowd.

Taylor giggled at how Karlie acted so naturally as their walking look-out tower. She was used to being the tallest among her friends, but that was not the case when Karlie was there.

"Near the bar?" Cara asked hopefully.

"I do want to see the band though, not everyone here is 6'2" Derek said and made a grimace.

Karlie laughed and turned around. Taylor, who was walking behind her, bumped into her a little.

"Where do you wanna stand, Taylor?" Karlie asked, standing close to Taylor and touching her arm.

Taylor shrugged. "Anywhere is fine."

They opted for a spot a little to the side of the stage close to the bar.

"I'm getting a beer for everyone" Cara announced and went away.

The other three stood there and waited, watching the room fill with people, chatter and laughter. They talked about concerts they had been to before. Cara came back with the beer, and the opening act started playing a while later.