A Second Chance at a First Impression

Within minutes, we were at the Roseland Ballroom, waiting in a queue with about a thousand pubescent squealing girls. Not exactly my idea of fun.

Even amongst all of the squealing, Eve and I still managed to have a good chat. She told me about her boyfriend Nick, and I smiled. Throughout the years I’d known her, she’d met and gone out with a number of men, but they all ended up screwing her over, however, this Nick guy seemed like he was different. And by the way she twirled her long dark brown curls around her fingers showed me she was serious about him.

“I’m so happy for you Eve,” I said, hugging her tightly.

“Ooh, the line’s moving!” she squealed as we got closer and closer to the door.

My heart skipped a beat, “Oh great…” I muttered.

We successfully got into the venue. But we weren’t anywhere near to the front, due to the fact that we got there around an hour before doors opened. Despite that, we still had a very clear view of the stage.

“I loved their new album,” Eve said, giggling. I laughed at her, she was like a kid in a candy store, I never knew how much she loved the band.

I was too nervous to really listen to everything she was saying. I hadn’t seen Brendon in almost five years, it was terrifying thinking it was mere minutes before I was going to see him again.

“We were busy writing songs for YOU!” their first song was very infectious, within thirty seconds, I was singing along.

“Are you enjoying yourself? This isn’t too much is it?” Eve asked, in between screams I didn’t know a woman of her age was capable of.

“Its fine Evie, don’t worry!” I called over the music. It had been quite a good show, the band were great live.

Around an hour into the show, three members of the band left the stage, leaving Brendon alone with his acoustic guitar.

“I’m gonna need your help guys, this song has a keyboard intro, but,” he looked around the darkened stage, “I don’t have a keyboard. This song is Time to Dance!” immediately all of the people around me (including Eve) began singing some tune, I wasn’t sure what it was, but in time, Brendon began singing.

While I watched him, I couldn’t help but think of Oliver, he was so much like his dad, very bubbly and energetic. He had lots of friends, and liked being the centre of attention – everything I knew Brendon was too.

At that point, I knew I had to tell Brendon, it was unfair of me to not tell him of his son and it was unfair on Oli for him to miss out on the necessity of having a father figure in his life.

“So, do you want to go to Betty’s?” Eve asked, speaking of the 50’s diner nearby that we had spent many a sleepless night in.

“Of course,” I smiled as we walked down the sidewalk, every so often, making sure we had our possessions. Living in the city, actions like that became second nature; it was just too risky to leave things on show.

“Two coffees please Betty,” I said to the gray haired lady behind the counter. We were such regular customers that were on first-name terms with all of the staff.

“Alright then Katy, I’ll have Joe bring them over in a second,” she smiled before shuffling off to make the beverages.

The familiar black and white booth was our regular spot, as I sat down; I couldn’t help but tug at the same piece of peeling black leather as every single other time I sat there.

“Evie, are you okay?” I asked, her face had paled, and she looked to be shaking.

“I feel a bit light-headed Katy,” she said, placing the back of her hand to her forehead.

“Okay then, let me take you home,” I said, grabbing my purse and getting up.

“No, don’t worry hon, I’ll go on my own, my car’s only a block away.” she said, getting up gingerly.

“Are you sure?” I said feeling bad.

“Yeah, just don’t walk home!” she laughed, I was known for walking around at ungodly hours of the night on my own.

“I won’t I promise you I’ll get a cab home.” I hugged her before pushing her towards the door.

“You better,” she called back with a sour smile before leaving.

I sat there alone; I let my head fall into my hands, wondering how on earth I was going to tell Brendon about Oli. Scratch that, how the hell was I going to get into contact with him?

I heard the bell above the door jingle, I didn’t bother looking up, I just kept staring into the black abyss that was the cup of coffee.

“That was a great show tonight,” I heard a semi-familiar voice say.

I craned my neck upwards, and saw, across the diner, Brendon, the rest of Panic and a few other guys. Right then I made a vow not to look over there, on the off chance that I would catch his eye.

Not wanting to be seen, I slid down in my seat, trying to cover my face because there was no way of getting out of there without him seeing me.

“Katy!” I cringed when I heard that. Bracing myself, I looked up, only to see Joe, the waiter standing in front of me.

“Are you okay? I’ve been calling your name for about 5 minutes.” He chuckled at me.

“Yeah, I’m fine thanks, just a bit lost in thought.”

“You sure?”

I nodded, partially just hoping he would leave, so he wouldn’t draw any attention to me. He smiled once more before leaving me be.

Inwardly, I sighed, before breaking my vow, I looked straight over there. And, just my luck, Brendon was looking right back at me. After a few seconds, he broke the contact, he looked confused. Y’know, that look of ‘where-do-I-know-you-from’?

Before he could realise, I made a dash for the door, breathing a sigh of relief when I was on the other side. I hailed a cab, once I was inside, I cursed myself for not doing the one thing I really needed to.