Your Guardian Angel

Natasha was standing in front of the crowd to watch her brother. Much to her surprise, Formula One was more popular than she’d realized. Dozens of people were gathered, singing along with Ben. Those who just came to the club were standing around in the back, nodding along.

They didn’t have many of their own songs, and once those were done, they were taking requests. During a cover of “Sick” by Adelita’s Way, Natasha made her way to one of the tables they had reserved for the band members and friends. A waitress came and got her drink order and walked away. Callie collapsed in the seat across from her, wiping the sweat from her forehead.

“So there’s this guy that’s been staring at you all night,” Callie said with a foxlike smile on her face.

“Who?” Natasha asked, looking around.

“He’s that guy in the blue polo on the far right of the stage,” Callie said, directing Natasha’s eyes to the guy. He had a clean face, like he’d just shaved before he came. He was wearing a dark-blue polo with the Ralph Lauren symbol on it. His jeans were very stylish and he had on those boat-shoes that Natasha hated (but had a pair of). His hair was spiked in the front and his eyes were on her as he lifted his beer to his lips. Natasha smiled and turned back towards Callie.

“He is cute,” she said, smiling.

“Go talk to him!” Callie urged, but at the same time, Ben dropped into the place beside Natasha, his arm coming around her. The band was taking a break while music played from the speakers in the background.

“I didn’t expect a turnout like this,” Nik, the bassist said as he dropped into the space beside Callie.

“Neither did I! I didn’t know you guys were so popular,” Natasha said, beaming at her brother. He beamed back.

“Duh, we’re fucking famous now, sis,” he said in a joking manner. “You sure you don’t want to get up there and sing with us?”

Natasha suppressed a grimace. She knew she was a good singer; she’d had lessons when she was younger, but the idea of getting up in front of people scared the shit out of her.
“No, I’m sure.”

The waitress came back with Natasha’s drink, and had even brought a round for the guys in the band. They sat and joked for a few minutes before the guys had to go back up for another round of songs. This time, they were doing a dedication to Natasha, of all the songs they knew she’d like. They opened with a Three Days Grace song, and before Natasha and Callie could get up from the booth, the blue polo guy approached.

“I couldn’t help but notice you were with the band, and before I make a complete fool out of myself I was just wondering if you were dating any of them,” he said, looking at Natasha.
Natasha, who was taken aback, looked towards Callie but realized she wasn’t going to get any help from her friend because Callie was laughing as she stood up. She completely walked away.

“No, actually, I’m not dating any of them.” Natasha said politely.

“Well, do you mind if I invade a little bit? I couldn’t help but notice you and I really would like to get to know you, maybe even take you out,” the guy said, taking another swallow of his beer as if he needed the liquid courage.

“Well, I’m flattered, and I’m sure I wouldn’t mind if I knew your name,” Natasha said, playfully.
“Yeah, I guess that would make sense. I’m Justin. Justin Townsend,” he said, extending his hand.

“Natasha Banks,” she said, shaking his hand.

“Well, I know you were heading over to listen to the band, so shall we?” he asked, sweeping his hand out to the dance floor area where other fans were.

“I’m heading up front so keep up.”

He followed her to the front of the crowd where he sandwiched her in between himself and Callie. He surprised her by even knowing a few of the lyrics to the next song, also dedicated to her. Natasha sang along to “Got the Life” that her brother was nailing at the moment.

She turned around during the song to find the waitress and order another drink. Her eyes scanned the back wall where the bar was and they settled on a guy; the same guy from school who had been staring at her. He was staring at her again, but she hadn’t felt it. The corner of his mouth lifted up to a smirk and she couldn’t help but smile back at him; he was so damn attractive. However, once he saw her smile at him, the smirk was gone, replaced by a frown. Natasha was shoved by a person, and she looked at them to say something. By the time she looked back up to the bar, he was gone. Well, damn.

She kept looking for him, but couldn’t find him. She stopped her search once she heard her brother’s voice ring out above the crowd.

“Thanks for being an awesome crowd, you guys, but we’ve got one more song before we go.” Natasha looked at her watch; it was already two-thirty in the morning. “This one, I want to dedicate to my sister, Natasha. It’s her twenty-first birthday, so everyone lift your fucking drinks up and give a toast to her.”

Natasha watched as everyone lifted their cups, cheered, and took a long drink. She laughed as Ben took a shot and handed another one to her.

“This is for you, Tasha,” Ben said, changing guitars. She smiled at him.

Within the first two seconds of chords, she screamed, recognizing the song from so long ago; the song that brought them closer together as a brother and sister.

“So close no matter how far, couldn’t be much more from the heart. Forever trust in who you are and nothing else matters. Never opened myself this way; life is ours we live it our way. All these words I don’t just say and nothing else matters”

Even though it was highly unconditional for her to tear up over a Metallica song, this one held special meaning. The first concert she’d gone to was a Metallica concert that Ben had snuck her out of the house to go to; their dad said she was too young to go to it. Metallica was Ben’s favorite band, and would play them loudly when he was younger. When he was learning guitar, “Nothing Else Matters” and “One” had been the first songs that he’d learned. The first person he’d played in front of was Natasha, and she’d fell in love with the band then. That was her biggest connection with her brother. She even had, much to her parents dismay, the Metallica star tattooed on the back of her neck just for him. When Ben saw it, he’d immediately gone and gotten the same tattoo.

“Trust I seek and I find in you. Every day bore us something new; open mind for a different view and nothing else matters. Never cared for what they say… Never cared for games they play… Never cared for what they do. Never cared for what they know, and I know”

Natasha smiled as her brother’s fingers flew over the strings for the solo. As he got to the end of the song, he made eye contact with her the whole time. Once the song was finished, Natasha was the loudest person there, yet everyone was cheering.

Getting back to the table, Justin stood to the side as she sat down.

“I know this is completely random, but I really want to take you out,” he said.

“Sure. When?” Natasha said with honesty. They’d talked some during the set and she really felt this guy deserved a chance.

“Next Friday?” he asked.

“Sure, that sounds great,” she replied and put her number in his phone. He said goodbye then, claiming he’d call her over the weekend to set a time.

I love my life, Natasha thought as she and Callie exited the club a few minutes later.