Annie
When the night came, two days later, I was buzzing with excitement. Work that morning had dragged by at an excruciating pace, with few customers to fill the time. I’d chatted to Dave for the entire shift about that night’s impending experience, in great detail, and sought advice on what to wear. He was all but excited to let me go early, I presume so that he got some peace and quiet.
I had an early dinner of macaroni and cheese, before dressing in a pair of denim shorts and a cropped tee with the band’s name on it.
Nathan arrived at my apartment door on time, with a polite rap of knuckles against the wood. As I opened it, I couldn’t help but smile. He’d dressed in casual shorts and a t-shirt, but had combed his hair so it was less messy than usual. He presented me with a small bouquet of red roses – somewhat cliché but adorable and endearing nonetheless – that I spent a few minutes hunting a vase out for.
“You look lovely,” Nathan kissed me on the cheek, and I grabbed my bag before we left the apartment.
“You’re not too bad yourself,” I noted as I locked the door of the apartment. “And I appreciate what you’ve done with your hair.”
Nathan flashed me his familiar, happy-go-lucky smile that I’d learned to love. “Shall we, my lady?” he gestured to his faded orange Vespa.
“So you loaned it from a friend again?”
He nodded. “I’m coming to like it, especially when I can escort attractive girls around on it.” The accompanying wink made me laugh.
“So you do this often then? Maybe I shouldn’t accompany you if you already have so many attractive girls begging to be on your scooter,” I teased, and Nathan backtracked quickly, assuring me I was the ‘only one’.
The ride to the concert venue was short, but I enjoyed riding on the Vespa once more. The wind toyed with my hair as we drove, and I felt considerably colder, but at least it gave me an excuse to wrap my arms around Nathan’s middle.
After we parked the scooter and locked up the helmets, we walked to join the steadily growing crowd that was amassing around the entrance gates. We had standing passes, so our line was smaller, and we managed to get close to the front of the line. As soon as the gates opened, we rushed in, Nathan grabbing my hand and pulling me along through the crowds.
The venue was a medium sized stadium, with rows and rows of seats extending up each wall of the room, save for the front which was occupied by a large stage. Presently, there was no one on stage, but it was clear that the band had been setting up, with equipment and instruments already spaced across the stage.
Nathan and I rushed towards the bar, and managed to secure a spot that was only three people back from the front of the stage, with a clear view. As time passed, more and more people filtered into the room, occupying vacant seats and pressing in behind us, filling up the floor. It was half an hour before the lights faded and the first act came on, a DJ that preceded Bastille.
The next hour and a half was spent listening to the acts that came on before the band, each interesting and talented, but not nearly as exciting as seeing the band itself. Nathan stood beside me, his arm around my shoulders absentmindedly while he bobbed his head to the third pre-act, a small band from the local area. He looked so happy and innocent in that moment, and I knew I’d forgiven him for the incident at the club. He’d been a perfect gentleman since then, and showered me with gifts. I could feel stirrings of affection inside my chest at the sight of him beside me, and I enjoyed the moment, feeling as if we were the only two people in the densely populated space.
