"Jenna, wake up." I said as I shake my little sister. She groans and puts her pillow over her head. "What time is it?" She mumbled. "It's 10:00. We gotta get to the venue before meet and greet." I said. "What venue?" She asked. "Are you awake? How did you forget you're meeting Why Don't We today?" I asked, laughing. She jumps up out of bed with a huge smile on her face. "I'm so excited!" She yelled. "Shhhh. Don't wake up mom. She'll get mad." I said. "Okay, sorry." She said. Our mom is an alcoholic. Ever since our dad left, she quit her job and just started drinking for a living. I make all the money for the house and for Jenna. I'm 21 so I have a job. I didn't go to college because we didn't have enough money. I work as a waitress. I don't make that much money but it's just enough to pay the bills. I saved about $500 to buy Jenna tickets to her favorite band, Why Don't We's, concert because she never gets anything she wants and she never complains. She just lives life with a smile on her face. That's what I love about her. We never keep any secrets from each other but....I have a big secret I've never told her. I don't know why, I just never have. I used to go to high school with corbyn besson. He's in the band Why Don't We. Jenna knows he used to live in this state but she doesn't know he used to go to my school. And, to be honest, I did have a little crush on him. Okay I'm lying. I HAD A HUGE CRUSH ON HIM! I swear I was in love with him. I still think about him from time to time but that's only because Jenna talks about him constantly. I just want to tell her everything but I don't think I could. I don't know why but I feel like she would get mad at me.
After me and henna get into our cutest outfits and out on our best makeup looks and hair, we go downstairs to eat. As we're eating, I hear footsteps come down the stairs. It's my mom. "Hey!" She yelled. Me and Jenna both stop eating and look at her. "Where do you two think you're doing?!" She asked. "Um....eating." I said. "Don't talk back to be!" She yelled as she gets closer to me. I sigh and put my dish in the sink after I finish. Jenna does the same. "Okay, lets go." I said to Jenna. "where do you think you're going?!" My mom yelled in my face as I walk towards the door. "To a concert." I said. "What concert?!" She asked. "A Why Don't We concert." I said. "What's that?!" She asked. I don't know why she's always so mad at me. And she obviously doesn't pay any attention to Jenna at all because she would know who Why Don't We is. Jenna talks about them constantly. "It's a band, mom. Now, let's go." I said to Jenna. We start walking out the door. "No, you can't go!" She said. "Why not?" I asked. "Because you.....you Uh.....you need to buy me more beer!" She said, making up excuses. "You've got plenty in the fridge." I said. Me and Jenna walk out the door. "IF YOU GO TO THAT CONCERT, YOURE NOT ALLOWED BACK INTO THIS HOUSE! I WILL GO TO THAT CONCERT AND DRAG YOU INTO THE CAR AMD TAKE YOU HOME, JENNA!" My mom yelled in me and Jenna's face. A tear rolls down Jenna's cheek. She's trying to be strong but I know it's hard for her. "We're going." I said. I take her hand and we walk to my car. "YOURE GONNA REGRET THIS!" She yelled. Me and Jenna get into the car and drive away. She starts crying. "Don't cry. You're gonna ruin your makeup." I said. She laughs a little but continues to cry. "Hey, it's okay. You're gonna meet the boys, dance and sing like no ones watching, and have the best time of your life. Don't even think about mom, okay?" I said. She nods as she wipes her tears. "This is gonna be the best day of my life!" She said. I smile. "And yours." She said. "What?" I asked. "You love Why Don't We too." She said. I laugh. "I'm not OBSESSED like you are." I said. "Yeah but you like them." She said. "True." I said. "Who's your favorite?" She asked. "I don't have one." I said. "Yes you do. Who is it?" She asked me. I laugh. "Fine. It's corbyn." I said. She smiles. "Mines Jonah." She said. "I know. You tell me everyday." I said. She laughs.
When we get to the venue, Jenna jumps up and down with excitement. She's never been to a concert let alone a why don't we one. We see Jon and go up to him. "Do you know where meet and greet is?" I asked him. Jenna is freaking out because she's so excited. "Yes. It's down that hallway and you'll go through a door on the right." He said. "Okay. Thank you so much." I said. "Of coarse. Have fun!" Jon said. People always say he's so serious but he was very nice. Jenna takes my hand and pulls me down the hallway. "Slow down!" I said as I laugh. We walk into the room and see a line of girls. "This must be it." I said, laughing. Jenna jumps up and down. "I don't know what to do with myself, I'm so excited!" She said. I laugh. "Calm down. You're gonna have a panic attack or something." I said. She laughs and calms down. The girls in front of us laugh. "We were the same way the first time we met the boys." The one girl said. "The first time? You met them more than once?" Jenna asked. "Nine times." The other girls said. "Nine?!" Jenna asked, shocked. "Yeah. They pretty much know our names." The first girl said. I laugh. "Give me tips." Jenna said. "Just, stay calm. Don't be all crazy cause they'll think you're weird. And hug them tight. Don't be awkward. And tell them you love them." The other girl said. "Okay. Thanks!" Jenna said. The girls smile. I smile. It's crazy how corbyn is actually famous. He was the king of high school. He was the quarterback of the football team, super hot, he dated the most popular girl in school (my enemy), and he's very popular himself. He had it all. And now he's famous and in a boy band. It's insane.
When we're next in line, Jenna is starting to freak out. "It's okay. Just be yourself." I said. She takes a deep breath. "You're up, sweetheart." Jon said to her. She looks at me and takes my hand. I hold hers and and we walk to where the boys are. They all smile. I let go of her hand and stand aside. They said I can go in with her cause I'm "the parent". "Hey, do I know you?" Corbyn asked me. I smile. "My name's Riley. We went to school together." I said. Jenna looks at me, confused. Then she realizes she shouldn't waste time so she continues to hug and talk to the boys. "Oh my god! I remember now." He said. He walks over to me and gives me a big hug. I smile and hug him back. He's still so cute and sweet. He smells so good too. "How've you been?" He asked as he stops hugging me. "I've been great. I'm assuming you are too." I said, looking around. He laughs. "Yeah. It's crazy." He said. "Alright, guys. Time to take the picture." Zack Caspary said. I step out of the way and let Jenna take a picture with the boys. Jonah squeezes her tight and the other boys just do whatever. She hugs all of the boys goodbye after the picture is taken. "I'll see you later?" He asked. I nod and smile. Jenna runs over to me and hugs me. I smile and look back at corbyn. He's saying something to the boys and they all look at me. I look forward and continue walking out of the room. Jenna jumps up and down. "I can't believe I just met why don't we!" She said, excitedly. "I know!" I said. Then she realizes. "Wait.....you went to school with corbyn?!" She asked me. I sigh. "Yeah." I said. "And you didn't tell me?" She asked. "I didn't want you to bathe me or something." I said. "Why would I hate you? That's so cool!" She said. I laugh. "Were you guys friends?" She asked. "Uh....I don't know. He was super popular and I wasn't." I said. "Did you guys talk?" Jenna asked as we walked to our seats. We're in the second row. "Yeah, sometimes. We were lab partners in science for like, 4 years." I said. "That's so cool! Did you have a crush on him?" She asked. I blush and look at the stage. "Oh my god, you did! That's why you were blushing so much when he hugged you!" Jenna said. "Was it that noticeable?" I asked. "Uh, yeah." She said. I put my hands over my face in embarrassment. "This is so crazy." She said. I laugh.
When the boys come on stage, Jenna gets really excited and screams. I get excited too because Jenna forced me to watch all their interviews and music videos so I'm kind of a fan, myself. I don't like to admit it cause it's kind of weird cause corbyn went to my school but they're cool. And I know all the words to every song.
During What Am I, my favorite song, corbyn looks at me dead in the eyes as he sings the first verse. I smile and look down at the floor. He laughs as he sings and looks somewhere else. Jenna looks at me and smiles. I laugh.
After the show, Jenna grabs my hand and pulls me out of the venue. "What?" I asked. "We need to get to the tour bus so we can touch the boys hands when they get on the bus!" She said. "Alright." I said. We stop at the fence. We're all the way in the front. I hear girls screaming so I look and see Jonah. "Jonah!" Jenna says. He looks and she waves and smiles. He smiles and comes towards us. Jenna gives me her phone. "Take a picture of us." She said, freaking out. I smile as he poses for the picture. He kisses her on the cheek and gives her a hug. "I love you." She said. "I love you more. Keep smiling." He said as he walks away to take pictures with someone else. The other boys come out and take pictures. I see corbyn but he doesn't come anywhere near me. He's so cute when he's smiling. He looks like he has a happy life. I wish I could relate. I look at the time. It's 9:30. All the boys get on the bus after they're done taking pictures with fans. They don't drive away yet. "Okay, we can go now. They're probably not coming out again." Jenna said. "Okay." I said. We walk into the parking lot when I see someone by our car. We get a little closer and I see my mom. She looks mad. "Get over here now!" She screamed. People look at us. Me and jenna walk over to her. "Give me the keys." She said. "What?" I asked. "Give me your fucking keys!" She screamed. I give them to her out of fear. "Come on, Jenna." She said, grabbing her arm. I take her other arm. "No. You're not taking her." I said. My mom pulls harder. "Come on!" She yelled. She started punching my arm until I let go of Jenna's arm. She picks up Jenna. "No! Riley!" Jenna yelled as she starts crying. I try and take her back but my mom throws her in the car and closes the door. "Mom, please. Give her back." I said. "No. She's my daughter, not yours." She said. "But who takes care of her? Not you." I said. "What are you talking about?! I'm her mother!" She yelled. "I'm more of her mother than you are! And I'm her sister!" I yelled. She punches me in the face and I fall to the ground. I touch my cheek and see blood on my hand. Oh no, my face is bleeding. She gets in the car and quickly drives away. I stand up and start to cry. I walk back to the venue. My mom took Jenna. What if she hurts her? What if....she kills her? I sit outside the building, in a corner where no one can see me. I don't have anywhere to stay tonight. I lay my head against the wall and close my eyes. I'm so dizzy because my mom punched me. I fall asleep right away.
