It Started that Night

Part 1

The next time I get paid, I'm getting blackout blinds! Millie groaned to herself as the bright sunlight shone right into her tired hazel eyes through the tiny gap between her pink curtains. She loved the summer, but the light mornings drove her nuts. Her first thought each morning was often Why couldn't the sun just come up at 8? Why so early? And the bloody seagulls! 4am they start squawking! 4am! Why?! What even is the point of seagulls? Her mind began to wander as she adds ear plugs to her mental payday shopping list. She yawned, barely able to muster the energy to lift her head just enough to make out the time on her phone on the nightstand. 6.34am.

"You've got to be kidding me! It's my day off." Millie dropped her head back heavily into her pillow, her long chocolate-brown hair strewn over her face. She closed her eyes and rolled onto her side, hoping to fall back to sleep before thoughts began to fill her head keeping her awake. Snuggling into her thick duvet as if cuddling a person beside her she began to drift off, back into her own head again...

BEEEEEP! She jumped, eyes wide open as her phone vibrated loudly, dancing along the nightstand and onto her head.

"Ouch!" she groaned. Picking up the phone she squinted, trying to focus her eyes enough to read her message. She could just make it out through her blurred, sleepy vision.

Eeeeeek! See you later! xxx

Millie smiled, "Arrgh! It's today!" Millie was

suddenly wide awake. It was from her best friend Cate. They had bought tickets to see Millie's favourite band months ago and the day of the gig had finally arrived. Millie was beyond excited, not just to see the band but she'd been working so hard lately she needed a good night out. She hadn't had a night out with Cate for ages and as she thought about being just feet away from Dex Rose in a few hours, she couldn't help but smile; a smile she knew nothing and no one could wipe off her face today. She had the biggest crush on him, even though she thought it was totally uncool to have a celebrity crush at 26!

Bounding out of bed like the spring chicken she usually wasn't, Millie flung open her wardrobe and sifted through tons of clothes looking for the perfect outfit for the gig.

"I've got nothing to wear!" Millie sulked, grabbing the tenth outfit from her huge collection and hanging it on her door to try on later. Playing her favourite song from her phone she danced around her room. Today was one of those days that made Millie appreciate how great her life was.

Later, as dusk began to fall, the huge black tour bus arrived at the venue. Zach peeked out of the curtain-covered window.

"Wow, this city is chill," he mumbled, barely heard over the noise from the other guys on the bus. The city was beautiful, alight with the glow of streetlights reflecting on the river that ran through the pretty southern English city centre.

Zach watched out of the window as the tour bus reversed in close to the side of the building and turned off the engine. Zach sighed. It was so nice to be there after 48 hours of being stuck on the road travelling. The band's security manager opened the doors and climbed down from the bus, disappearing inside the venue.

Leaving the bus doors open, Zach could smell the city. It smelled fresh, like summer rain. New York could be so hot and stuffy, so it was lovely to breathe in such clear, cool air. Zach took a deep breath; it felt good to fill up his lungs. He felt ready for this gig. He pulled back the corner of the curtain again. A queue had began to form at the entrance already, with doors not opening for another three hours. Zach thought it was crazy people were willing to wait that long to see him, Jesse and Dex, when just nine months ago he was as anonymous as everyone in that queue.