I laid on my bed that night, looking up towards the ceiling. Well, actually, I'm not staring at the ceiling because I'm holding up the flier that the Kali girl gave to me above my face. I examined the flier over and over, looking at every detail that's been put into the flier. You can really tell that the band put effort into making the flier look amazing as possible because the flier was white with purple and black and red paint splatter all over it and right in the middle of the flier was a large drawing of an electric guitar rocking out and right under it were the words 'WORDS ARE LIES' in big, bold gothic letters. I'm assuming that that's the band's name because the rest of the flier says, 'COME SEE WORDS ARE LIES TONIGHT AT NINE PM AT THE ROCK HARD CONCERT HALL'.
The flier looks too beautiful to just be crumpled up and thrown away. I've actually thought about not going so if I don't, I'll keep the flier for safe keeping. Then again, the Kali girl said that I should go because apparently it's supposed to be 'killer'. I sighed softly as I pressed the flier to my chest and stared up at the ceiling for real this time. I was at a crossroads tonight. The only thing that ran through my mind was, to go or not to go? Even though the Kali girl told me I should come, did she really mean it? I mean, maybe she only told me to go just so their concert will have more people and maybe she's expecting me to invite someone if I do go.
I sighed once again and set the flier next to my head before I turned over on my stomach, rested my arms on my pillow and laid my head on my arms then I stared at the clock on my nightstand table that's right next to me. The time on the clock is screaming eight thirty at me. If I do decide to go, I'll only have thirty minutes to get ready and head to the concert. This is probably the first situation I've encountered where I'm at a crossroads about what to do. If anybody else were in my shoes, they wouldn't hesitate to go, but I'm not like everybody else. I'm extremely shy, I don't enjoy company and I've never been to an actual concert before, let alone been invited to one.
Finally, I groaned loudly then turned back over on my back and grabbed the flier then looked it over once again. I bit down on my bottom lip before I finally decided that I'll go just to check it out. I mean, the worst thing that can happen is that there's a possibility of drugs and alcohol being sold there. Though, if there are any drugs and alcohol being sold there, I know to leave right away. I don't want to stay at a place and then come home smelling like marijuana and booze. My parents aren't super protective, but they're the type that if they notice something suspicious happening then they won't hesitate to find the problem.
I sat up in my bed then contemplated what I'm going to wear while I looked around my room. I always keep my room neat and tidy. I can't see how anybody can just sleep in a pigsty. I have a lot of posters on my walls. Some of them are band posters while others are quotes from Edgar Allen Poe and the very few are posters of familiar book covers by famous authors like that one author who writes the Maximum Ride series and such. I have a desk and a chair right next to my nightstand table, a bookshelf on the other side of the wall next to my bedroom door, my closet is right in front of my bed, my dresser sits right next to my bookshelf and my window is on the wall next to my bed. I have a medium sized TV that sits on top of a small, silver rolling cart, but I don't really use it much because I don't enjoy watching TV. For the last finishing touch, I have a large black skull shaped rug that sits on my floor next to my bed. The rug is pretty soft to the touch and I enjoy laying on it with a pillow while I read a good book.
After sitting on my bed for what seemed like forever, I stood up then walked over to my double folding door and opened up both doors. I looked over the clothes I had and tried to pick out what might look good for a concert scene. After debating for a long time, I finally decided on wearing a black shirt with a large white skull on it. There were words under it that said, ROCK ON!! in big, red and grungy lettering. The shirt also had a thin rip going down to the end of it on the side, but it's held back with red cloth that crosses over like an X. I pulled the shirt over my head after I slipped on a white tank top then I pulled the shoulder parts of the shirt down a little over my shoulders so you can see the straps of my white tank. I then slipped on a red and black checkered skirt that almost reaches my knees and slipped on knee high black skull socks and for my finishing touch, I threw on black chained ankle boots.
I looked myself over in the mirror and was satisfied with what I was wearing. I grabbed my phone and slipped it into my small black messenger bag and pulled my messenger bag over my head. I always carry my messenger bag around because I keep my poetry book and a small polaroid camera in it. You never know when inspiration might strike. Once I made sure I had everything, I left my room and turned off the lights, closing the door behind me. I started walking down the hallway till I reached the living room and saw both of my parents sitting on the couch, watching a movie.
"Hey, hon. I rented a movie for the weekend. Want to come watch with us?" My dad asked.
I shook my head.
"Nah. I'm going to a concert."
That's when both of my parents turned and looked at me, suspicious.
"What kind of concert?" My mom asked.
"Will there be drugs or alcohol?" My dad asked.
See what I mean? I shook my head and gave them a small smile.
"Nah. I don't think so. If there is, I'll come straight home." I assured them.
They both seemed a little content with my answer until my mom started asking me more questions.
"Are you going with anybody? Maybe a friend from school?" She asked.
"No. Though, this girl who's having the concert invited me to come watch."
My mom smiled at my answer.
"That's good. Go and make friends. Oh, do you have your phone?"
I nodded then pulled out my phone from my messenger bag and showed it to her.
"I have it right here." I said, waving my keyboard phone back and forth to show her that I have it.
"Good. Go have fun and tell me all about it when you get home."
"Speaking of when you get home, how long is it?" My dad suddenly asked.
I shrugged. "I dunno. It starts at nine so...maybe it'll end at ten? Ten thirty-ish?"
My dad nodded, content with my answer then both my parents faced the TV again.
"Have fun." My mom said again.
I smiled softly. "I will." I said then left the house.
When I got to the concert hall, I realized that it was as small as a coffee shop, but it wasn't a coffee shop. When I walked inside, I saw a couple bathrooms and the stage at the front, but that's about it. The room even looked grungy with it's dark red walls. I assume that the band is a small band that's just starting out. There were a lot of people, but there was enough room to stand around and not worry about your foot being stepped on. Luckily, there weren't any drugs or alcohol in sight so I'm safe for tonight.
I looked towards the front and saw the band setting up their equipment. Each member looked really grungy and band like. Even the Kali girl. She had on a grungy black tank top, ripped black skinny jeans and black timberland boots. I couldn't help, but smile a little bit, thinking that she's looking cute tonight. Once the band finished setting up, Kali grabbed the mic.
"Alright, everybody! ARE. YOU. READY!!!!!" She shouted and then everybody in the room yelled, yeah! as the lights started to dim and the large spotlight shone on the band.
"This is a song I like to call, Blood Doesn't Lie." Kali mumbled into the mic and then the drummer started hitting his drumsticks together, counting off.
"ONE. TWO. THREE. FOUR."
That's when the room immediately exploded with loud noise. I stood there, watching as each member rocked out on their instrument before my eyes finally landed on the lead singer. As I watched her, I suddenly started to feel that we were the only two people in the room and everybody else disappeared into darkness. I noticed that as Kali was singing, her eyes slowly landed on me and it made me feel like she was singing only to me. I suddenly started to feel my heart thumping hard in my chest and I wasn't worried about anyone hearing it over the music.
Once the song was over, everybody clapped and shouted, including me. Well, actually, I only lightly clapped. When everybody finished clapping, the band burst into another song and another song after that until it was time for the band to take a break. That's when everybody started to move from their spots. A few people sat down near the wall and talked to each other while others went to the bathroom. I wasn't sure what to do since this is my first concert. Though, I figured that I could sit down while I wait for the band to start their next set so I started to make my way over to the wall when I heard someone shouting towards me. I stopped and saw as Kali jogged over to me then smiled brightly.
"Hey, you came." She noted.
I nodded and smiled.
"Yeah. I figured why not? Though, this is my first concert so..."
"Really?" Kali asked, her eyes widening then she smiled. "That's awesome."
I blushed softly and nodded. Then, Kali started to look me over from head to toe.
"You look really cute." She complimented.
I couldn't help, but blush even more and smiled softly.
"Th-thanks."
I wanted to say, 'you too', but the words wouldn't come out of my mouth.
"Heeeey...." She started then leaned in towards my face.
My eyes widen and I slowly pulled back a bit, wondering what she's doing when she grinned at me.
"You're that new girl right?" She asked then pulled back.
I blinked my eyes then pointed towards myself.
"M-me?" I asked.
Kali then laughed lightly. "Yeah. Who else would I be talking about?"
"Oh." I smiled softly then nodded. "Yeah. My name is Sabrina, but I go by Salem."
"Really? That's hot."
Suddenly, I felt my heart racing. I know she's only calling my name hot, but still...
"I mean," Kali started.
It seemed like she was trying to correct herself.
"I mean, you know. Your name sounds awesome so....yeah." She said, rubbing the back of her neck.
"Oh." I awkwardly chuckled. "Right..."
"Anyways, I'm Kali. Obviously the lead singer." She said.
I nodded. "Yeah. Your band is awesome. How long have you guys been a band?"
"Oh...only a couple years. We're now just getting out of our garage scene." She explained.
"Really? That sounds cool."
Kali nodded. "Yeah. I always dreamt of being in a rising band. What about you? Interested in any music?"
I shrugged. "I dabble here and there. I mostly write dark poetry."
That seemed to catch Kali's interest because her eyes widen.
"Oooo. Sounds awesome. Would you like to show me some of your poems sometime?"
I smiled at the offer and nodded. "Sure."
"Cool." She said, smiling.
"Yo, Kali! We have to get ready for the next set!" One of her band mates yelled.
"Alright! Be right there!" She yelled back then turned towards me.
"I gotta go. See you afterwards?" She asked.
I nodded. "Yeah. I gotta go to the bathroom anyways."
Kali nodded. "Cool. Later." She said then rushed back towards the stage.
I smiled softly as I watched Kali leave, placing my hand on my heart. It was still thumping like crazy and I had butterflies in my stomach. Could these feelings mean that I might have a crush on Kali? I decided not to think about it too much and started walking towards the bathrooms.
I went into the girl's bathroom and did my business then I walked over to the sink to wash my hands. There was a girl standing next to me, hovering over the dirty sink as she stared at herself in the cracked mirror, putting her black lipstick on. I didn't pay much attention to her and was about to take my leave when she suddenly called out to me.
"Hey, you're that new girl right? Sabrina?" She asked, looking at me with mysterious eyes that was coated with heavy black eyeliner.
I slowly nodded as I turned off the sink and dried my hands off on the rough brown paper.
"Let me give you a piece of advice, it would be wise for you to stay away from Kali." She coldly said.
I blinked my eyes, confused.
"Why?" I asked.
"Word on the street is that she's a player. She's like a boy with a vagina. She always charms girls and then when she has them hooked around her grungy finger, she gets into their panties and...you should know the rest. She dumps them and all that." She explained.
I stared at the girl, feeling very confused. I'm not sure where that rumor is coming from, but even if the rumor is true, why should I believe some stranger who I don't even know? Could the girl be a past fling of Kali? Or maybe someone who wants to get with Kali? Either way, Kali doesn't seem like the type to hurt anyone. From the conversation I've had with her, she seemed so nice and genuinely loves music.
"Don't let me tell you I told you so if you don't believe me. If you don't watch your back, you might end up being her next victim." She said then went back to re-applying makeup on her face.
I stood there, staring at her for a minute before I threw my trash in the trash can and left the room. Just when I got back to my spot on the floor, the band started up their next set. After a few more songs, the band finally finished and everybody started to leave the place. Once the room was empty enough where I could see, I noticed that there were still a few people going to the bathroom for the last time and others were just hanging around, talking to each other or the band. I pulled out my phone from my bag and looked at the time.
"Ten. Not too bad." I said to myself then smiled.
I turned to leave when Kali called out to me and jogged right over to me.
"Hey, leaving already?" She asked.
I turned to her and nodded.
"I...I gotta get home..." The words felt awkward as they left my mouth because I knew that with Kali being in a band and being a popular teenager, she probably doesn't really have a curfew.
"Oh." She said, looking a little sad, but then she quickly smiled again.
"Well, can I drive you home?"
Suddenly, my heart started to thump again in my chest. Kali wants to drive ME home? ME???, I thought.
"U-uh...what about your band mates?" I quickly blurted out.
Kali shrugged as she shoved her hands into her pockets.
"They wouldn't mind if I left early. I've done it before anyways."
"Oh? Why?" I asked.
"Um..." Kali suddenly got awkward and bit down on her bottom lip.
I blinked my eyes, waiting for her to answer my question when she moved on to another subject instead.
"Anyways, want me to take you home?"
I wasn't sure how to answer that. A part of me really wants her to drive me home, but another part feels awkward and would rather take the bus home.
"Um...wait, aren't you a Sophomore like me?" I asked.
Kali nodded.
"And you're...fifteen?"
"Sixteen." She corrected me. "I didn't get held back or anything. I just started school late."
"Oh..." I nodded.
"Anyways, want me to?" She asked again.
I bit down on my bottom lip, contemplating then sighed softly. I opened up my mouth to say no when instead, the word yes came out. Suddenly, I realized what I had just said, but it was too late to take it back because the look on Kali's face showed excitement.
"Great. Let me tell the band and then we'll go okay?" She said then walked away from me.
I groaned softly then pouted. "Crap..."
When Kali walked back over to me, she smiled.
"Let's go." She said then started to walk out of the building.
I watched her go before looking at her band mates and saw that they were all staring at me. I wasn't sure why and I felt sorta uncomfortable by their stares so I quickly left the place. When I reached Kali's car, I noticed that it was one of those old cars with the worn, but comfortable seats.
"Get in." She said after unlocking the door.
I slowly opened up the door and looked inside to see trash everywhere. Stuff ranging from CD's of rock bands to drink cups from Mcdonalds. To be honest, I wasn't that surprised to see Kali's car looking like this because I always imagined cool rockers in bands having a tricked out, but junky car and Kali was nice enough to remove all the trash from the front seats and put them in the back then grabbed air freshener spray and started spraying her car.
"It doesn't stink, but it doesn't smell clean either as you can tell and I don't want you to feel uncomfortable by riding in a pizza smelling car." She joked with a smile.
I smiled softly then sat down once she was finished. She got into the car after me and started it up then turned on the radio and pushed in a CD into the CD player. After a minute, I recognized the song that started playing.
"You like Sunny Day Real Estate?" I asked.
"Like them? I love them. Their songs are so real and comforting. Anytime I feel like rocking out to a chilled song, I would listen to them. You like them?" She asked as she started to pull away from the curb.
I nodded. "I listen to them every now and then whenever I write poetry. They give me inspiration."
Kali smiled. "Cool." She said and then we were both silent as Sunny Day Real Estate's music filled the car.
I calmly looked around the car till something caught my eye. I picked it up and realized it was a small torn piece of paper with a phone number on it and the words, CALL ME <3 at the bottom. I looked towards Kali to see her focusing on the road, not really paying attention to what's in my hand. That's when the girl from the concert hall's words played in my mind.
I looked down at the paper again before crumpling it up and tossing it away somewhere. I wouldn't believe that girl even if she was my best friend. The only person who can confirm any such 'rumors' is Kali herself, but I can't bring myself to ask her because I felt like it was her business and I should stay out of it so for the rest of the car ride, I stayed silent.
When we got to my house, I thanked Kali for the ride home then opened up the door and started to get out when Kali stopped me.
"Hey, thanks again for coming. I hope you enjoyed seeing my band perform."
I looked at her and nodded with a smile. "Of course."
Then we were both silent again for a moment before Kali broke the ice.
"So...see you Monday?" She asked.
I nodded then said goodbye to her before getting out of the car and closing the door behind me. I waved goodbye then headed into my house. My parents were no longer in the living room so I went up to my room and collapsed on my bed. I stared up at the ceiling once again with a smile on my face.
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