Grace

I looked at myself in the mirror. I was wearing a crop top and jeans with a pair of sandals. My hair was tied in a ponytail. I was wearing very light, a little to no makeup. I did not want to attract any attention. On my fair skin the top looked good if not too good. I hoped at night with so much crowd around me, I would feel hot and sweaty hence I chose this outfit.

“Why did I agree to this?” I whispered to myself turning one way to the other to find anything wrong. It really does not matter now. I have to go and get it over with. I need to loosen up and start to have fun.

“You're an adult. You are free to do whatever you want.” I assured myself. I grabbed my purse and brought myself out of the apartment.

I finally arrived at the place. It was past seven pm and the sun had already gone down. I looked to my right and left. This place was crowded. People were hanging around in groups, chatting and laughing. Some were going in and some were coming out. There were cars parked out and motorcycles. Apart from street lights, this whole was brightening with electric lights. I took out my phone and dialed Angela's number. It rang once and twice and thrice, I cut the call and dialed again. The ringing was going, again, but she did not pick up. I tried again, cursing.

“Pick up, pick up, pick up…” Yet there was no answer. I dialed again and told myself that it will be the last time.

“Pick up, goddammit!” I was about to cut the call when someone tapped on my shoulders. I turned and…

“Boo!” I closed my eyes to calm myself down. I sighed and looked at the laughing figure in front of me. I gave her my death glare.

“Sorry, sorry. My phone was on silent mode and I didn't see it.”

“I was going to turn around and leave this place.” Angela put both of her hands on my shoulder.

“Don't be so dramatic. Come on, let's go inside. They're about to start their concert.” She grabbed my hand and dragged me inside.

“Whoa!” I said as I looked around.

“I know my darling. I know.” From outside no one can really tell that this place was so open. It was surrounded by a single but tall wall. There was no roof and it was opened to the dark night stars. It was packed but Angela pulled me between the crowd. From there we could see the crowd but also, the performers.

Suddenly Angela grabbed my chin and turned my head in the direction of the stage. People around me roared so loud that I could not even listen to myself speaking in my head. I saw three guys walking on the stage. I barely recognized the faces of my bullies. Jake was in the center and probably the lead singer. I suddenly realized that I didn't know the other two guys' names. I turned to Angela who was jumping up and down and roaring with other people. I grabbed her hand and turned her to me.

“What are their names?” I screamed the question towards her.

“What?” She screamed back. I couldn't hear what she was saying but I could read her lips.

“What are their names?” I asked again.

“I can't hear you.” She said. I figured it didn't matter and it was too much of an effort to scream my lungs out. I shook my head at her and turned to them. One random guy came out and stood in the middle. He spoke in mic.

“Hello everyone! Settle down please. I hope you're having a good time. If not then who is better than Jaxon Field group to make your night better? Welcome the most talented group of musicians on campus. The keyboard player, Ethan!” Everyone around me erupted in cheers.

“The drummer and bassist, Mason!” Again everyone repeated the same thing.

“And now the main vocalist and a guitarist, Jake!” This time the voice was a bit too louder. This place was isolated, so I did not think anyone would come here to complain about the noise. It was so loud that I thought it could burst down my ear drums.

“Hello everyone. How are you all doing? Good?” He said when everyone cheered.

“Let's get started then.”

A rock music tune flowed into the dark night and everyone jumped on it. I looked to see Jake was holding the mic. He started singing. Everyone was jumping. I didn't like the song, but I was there to have fun. I started jumping with Angela. That music was like crows were fighting with each other on a random topic that didn't even make sense. Still, I jumped high in the air, feeling vibration under my sandals. Lights were floating around. We danced, screamed, jumped, shook our heads and let the music control our moves. I smiled and laughed. Finally, Jake announced the last song of the night. He said it was dedicated to his not yet found, true love. It made girls squeal with excitement and I rolled my eyes. He closed his eyes and started singing.

“I tear through the night, cause at the end of the tunnel I saw there's a small light.”

“When I came out of that tunnel, you came out of nowhere and stood at my side.”

“Every night, yeah… every night.”

“In this dark world, I couldn't even feel my eyes.

Yet, through your single touch, I saw how you shine so bright.”

“Every night, yeah… every night.”

I didn't know when Jake started looking at me. I was so invested in the song that I didn't even realize that like others, I was swinging side by side to his song. His voice was soothing and deep that I forgot everything. He was still looking at me but abruptly turned his face away.

“Even if I was blind, you would have showed me the world,

the world that you keep inside...”

“Everyone says, love is something that comes with time,

but every time I look at you, I feel like time has stopped spinning,

just, so I can make you mine.”

“Every night, yeah… every night.”

“I cry every night, because I know that you've gone to the fairy world, a world that you belong…

And you are not coming back, for me or this stupid heart of mine.”

“Every night, yeah… every night.”

Applause erupted forcing me to come out of my haze. I looked to my side to find Angela dabbing under her eyes with a tissue. I sighed and looked around to find not just her but many girls were doing the same. A bit dramatic, I must say.

Jake raised his guitar in the air. He and his group left the stage and everyone started leaving.

“Let's go.” Angela said and we both walked out of there. When we came outside then I realized that till then I was breathing hot air. I closed my eyes and took deep breaths, gathering as much as fresh air I can get. I opened my phone and saw that time was one and a half pm. I turned to Angela.

“How am I going to go home?” I asked.

“Don't worry, I'll ask someone.”

“How are you going? How did you come here, anyway?”

“My friend gave me a ride. I'm going back with them.” I looked at her, a bit confused.

“Can your friends give me a ride?” She was looking frantically everywhere but when she heard me saying she looked at me with a surprised look.

“Uh… No. Actually I live in the countryside area. It's completely opposite to your place. Sorry.”

“I understand.” I said. She was not looking sorry at all. More like, frustrated. She asked some people but they all denied. Some were carrying drunk kids to the car. Some were making out and almost everyone was leaving in a car or on a motorcycle. Each and every single person she asked, denied. It was becoming a nightmare for me.

“Angela! Are you coming with us or not? We are leaving. Come on.” Her ride screamed, making both of us more agitated. I was trying to ignore anyone she asked for a ride. I didn't want to admit it but it was embarrassing. I don't want to see them looking at me. I was going to die out of humiliation when I heard a voice.

“Hey girls.” Angela's face brightened. I turned to see Jake was standing there with his rest of the group hanging around a car. He was the last person I wanted to add in this nightmare.

“Any problem?” He asked. I looked at Angela and me.

“No…” I said but Angela cut me off.

“Grace needs a ride but I have to go. We live in opposite directions.” Shit! No.

“It's alright. I can give her a ride. If it's fine for you.”

“No, we will find another ride.” I said. Anything but this.

“Thank you so much Jake. I really appreciate it.”

Angela said, making my blood run cold.

“What? No. You can't be serious.”

“Yes I am. Come on he will give you a ride. I have to go, bye.” She pecked my cheek and ran away to her ride. Now I seriously regret coming here. I looked up to see Jake smirking at me.

“Your welcome.” He said and winked.