Summer of Love

It was the night of the concert. As far as I was concerned, everyone was coming except Rita. Her mother had grown ill and she wanted to stay home to care for her. She apologized and gave the ticket to me to return. I hoped her mother was alright and it was nothing serious. Cian had long since gone to work and wouldn’t be getting off till late; working behind the bar meant staying later hours.

Caroline and Tori had come over to help me get ready for the concert. I had asked Sara and Hannah, but they both were going on a double date with Fox and Jack. Frowning, I didn’t know who else to call for help. I had found Caroline’s number in my cellular so I called her up. She relayed the message to Tori and 20 minutes later, showed up on my doorstep.

Now we stood in my bedroom going through my wardrobe. Caroline frowned. “Do you have anything girly?”

I narrowed my eyes and folded my arms across my chest. “I just have what I have.”

Tori gave a snort from where she sat on my bed. “Please, you have nothing flirty or girly.”

I ignored her nasty comments as always and turned to Caroline. “So?”

She shook her head and gave a shrug. “I can’t work with any of this. Can you borrow some clothes from Sara or Hannah?”

Sighing, I sent them both a message. In reply, they gave Caroline the go ahead to look through their stuff. We stepped into Hannah’s room first and peered through her closet. She had dresses, cute tops and brand new jeans. In other words, she had innocently cute clothes. Next, we stepped into Sara’s room and found more than we bargained for. Her lingerie was hanging right for everyone to see. Caroline lifted an eyebrow, fingering a silky piece of see through material.

“Wow...she’s got some taste,” she acknowledged with a grin and I rolled my eyes. My face was flaming red at the sight of such undergarments. Of course, I was still a virgin after all. She had low cut dresses, tight fitting jeans, leather pants, corset tops with flirty lace and brand name shirts.

“I am very impressed,” Caroline said with a wide smile, taking some articles down to observe them carefully. It was as if she wanted to wear them herself. I don’t blame her; Sara had good taste indeed when it came to clothes and shoes. She was the epitome of ‘Girl’.

“Okay, so now we just have to decide whether you are the innocent or sexy type.” She tossed a few pieces of clothes onto the bed adding to what we had taken from Hannah’s room.

She pointed at me. “Strip.” I stared in horror.

“Right here?” I squeaked. Tori smiled wickedly.

“Are you hiding something, Misa? A few extra pounds maybe? Don’t think you can compete with us?” The dark side has returned.

I sighed, my face burning with embarrassment and Caroline patted my head affectionate.

“We’re all girls. We’ll turn around if you makes you feel better. Just hurry up!”

As soon as they turned their backs, I quickly stripped and put on the dress of Hannah’s room. I zipped it up and held out my arms.

“Well?” They turned and Caroline’s eyes narrowed.

She circled me in silence. It was a soft yellow dress that tied over the shoulders and hung above the knee. It was definitely a summer dress and I felt awkward. Finally she shook her head and I sighed with relief. I shed the dress and slipped into the next outfit consisting of well worn jeans with tears in the knees and an off the shoulder sparkly top in ocean blue. They stared at me for what seemed like hours before Caroline sighed.

“Nothing is just calling out to me yet. Change; we still have time left.”

I was beginning to get annoyed with all this changing. Why couldn’t I just wear my own clothes? I dressed in the last outfit Caroline had put together. I looked down at myself and my face turned red in horror.

Caroline peeked over her shoulder and gasped. She turned to face me, catching Tori’s attention and she turned curiously. Her eyes popped, her candy pink lips parted in awe.

“Wow.” It only took one word.

I touched the lacy fabric of the tight corset. “Are you sure this is even a shirt? It’s really uncomfortable.”

Tori slapped my hands away and stared. “It looks sexy on you. No one has ever seen you like this. It’s perfect.” She had that glint in her eyes that frightened me.

Caroline nodded in agreement and grinned. “You look like a sexy beast.” She winked and my face grew hotter.

“I’m not wearing this in public!” I fingered the hem of the black and red plaid skirt. It hung a little too high above my knees. My legs were exposed completely and the tall devil heels scared me. I just want my regular attire back!

“Misa, seriously,” Caroline said with a smile. She took me by the shoulders and pushed me in front of a mirror. “Look at yourself and tell me you don’t feel sexy.”

I stared at myself carefully, my lips parted in surprise. My hair puffed at the top in the shorter layers and fell long and straight above my elbows. Adding the finishing touch, Caroline took a black bow clip from Sara’s dresser. She clipped it to hold my bangs from my face to the side and grinned.

“Sexy style completed.” She sounded extremely satisfied. I just continued to stare at myself until my feet began to ache. I made a face.

“Can I wear flats instead? These are killing me,” I pleaded and she rolled her eyes. Rummaging through Sara’s closet, she found a pair of cute black flats with studded spikes along the sides.

She tossed them at me. “You’re good to go. Now it’s our turn.”
I slipped from the room to let them change. I went downstairs into the kitchen to grab a drink and thought about tonight’s concert. In all honestly, I was a little nervous. This is my first concert. I reached into the pantry and pulled out some Cheetos and munched on a few until my friends came down. Caroline was dressed in hell red spandex and a black top that was baggy up top, tight at the waist. Her hair was swept back into a messy bun, her bangs swept back and held with pins. Her makeup was light but accentuated her hazel eyes. She smiled.

“How do I look?” she asked with a twirl. I smiled and gave a nod.

“You look amazing.” I looked to Tori dressed in simple tight worn out jeans and tight black shirt with a giant peace sign on the front. I never pictured her wearing clothes like that.

My phone began to ring. I dove for my purse and flipped it open without seeing the caller ID.

“Hello?”

“Misa? Where are you guys?” It was Travis.

“We’re just leaving now.”

“The concerts just about to start, so hurry your cute little butts!”

I laughed and hung up, beckoning to the others. “We got to go! Concerts starting!”

We piled into Caroline’s candy apple red Honda Civic and sped off toward the stadium in the park. Cars were parked miles away from the stadium and there was nothing at all. Caroline cursed and swore loudly as she searched the parking lots nearby. We were lucky to find a parking space in a business parking lot right behind the stadium. We almost got into a collision with another car, but Caroline was determined to have that damn spot.

Shaky after the encounter, I pried my hands from the dashboard. I got out of the car on weak legs and closed the door, eyes wide.

“Wow, you’re a devil driving a car,” I said slowly. I was still in shock.

She grabbed my hand and pulled me after her toward the roaring screams and flashing lights. “Forget about that, we’ve got to hurry! It sounds like it’s starting.”

We pushed through the crowds and I was growing annoyed with being bumped into. At one point, someone had stepped on my foot and I turned, ready to hit someone. Caroline wouldn’t have it and dragged me after her through the crowd.

We made it to the side of the stage and I breathed a sigh of relief. Screams tore around us, hands lifted toward the empty stage and I shook my head.

“Is this how all concerts are?” I had to yell over the noise. Caroline nodded with a huge grin. Her eyes darted to the side of the stage and she waved. Turning to look, I saw Travis poking his head from behind the curtain in the shadows. He grinned and waved, disappearing again.

“Thank god we made it,” she said and wiped the newly formed sweat from her forehead. It took a lot of stamina to push your way through a crowd of screaming girls.

“Ladies and Gentleman!” A loud voice boomed all around us, making me jump in surprise. “Is everyone ready?”

The screams got louder if possible. I was pushed forward by the girls behind me, wanting to get as close to the stage as possible. The music started and the lights flashed on, blinding me. The screams grew louder and I was pushed right up against the metal rod to keep the fans back. All four boys appeared on stage grinning out to their audience. They started to dance in time with the beat and I was captured in the heat of the moment. This was my first life band!

Travis took center stage and lifted the microphone to his lips. The voice that flowed out made everything inside me melt and my heart skip.

When I Wake Up In The Morning I Think Of You

When I Dream At Night I Dream Of You

Everything That I Do, Girl I Do For You

Nobody Else Can Do

Oh Baby girl I'm A Fool For You

But I Just Cant Get Through To You

I'm Falling, Falling

Calling, Calling

Everywhere I Go, I See Your Face

When I Hear Your Name, I Get Out Of Place

So Delusional And So Dysfunctional

Could It Be, Could It Be

You're The One For Me

Girl Only You Could Get To Me

I'm Falling, Falling

Calling, Calling...

God, Travis had a beautiful voice. It was liquid running through the veins, like chocolate syrup...heavenly. At the chorus, they joined together in harmony and I couldn’t help but laugh. They were amazing!

Red stepped forward and immediately spotted Caroline. I mean, who couldn’t? He lifted the microphone to his lips and I felt my mouth drop.

Come On, Uh

As I Rise, I See Your Smile

Ain't No Other Girl Out There With Your Style

You Stay On My Mind Like A Midterm Exam

You Shout My Number On Your Redial

Oh Honey brown Skin, So Sweet Child (?)

To Have You In My Life You Make Me Proud

So I'm Callin' The Gang Cause I Heard From Your Friends

That Your Screensaver On Your Mobile Is My Picture

Wanna Get With Ya

Wont Boss, Lie To You Or Hit Ya (?)

Stop Playing So Hard, I Wont Diss Ya

All I Wanna Do Girl Is Kiss Ya

And Kiss You Through The Phone When I Miss Ya

I'll Take You With A Rainbow And As When You're Lonely (?)

And There Ain't No Friends, I'll Be With Ya

I Swear My Darling...

Holy crap, he can rap! His eyes remained on her the entire time and at the end, flashed her a wink. Caroline danced along and laughed.

“Yeah, baby!” she hollered over the crowd. I couldn’t help but start laughing. Tori joined in, the good side of her back.

When the song ended, the crowd went berserk! I was having a blast, despite the loudness and pushy people. I looked to the stage where the guys were getting ready for another song. Gage stepped forward and raised his arm.

“Hello, West Park!” he shouted. The crowd answered in the form of shrill screams and excited cries. I waved.

He smiled at his audience. “Everybody having fun?” Cue wild screaming crowd. “Awesome! This next song is dedicated to our new friends. You know who you are!”

The three of us exchanged a look of surprise as the music started. I laughed and my friends joined in, turning our attention back to the stage.

Woah Woah Oh Oh Yea

I need you like yesterday

I need you like yesterday

Hey little shawty i’ve been thinking about you, about you

I got this brand on my heart and it hurts more being without you, without you...

Alexander was up from and center. How many times was I going to be surprised tonight? All of them are amazing singers, especially Travis and Alexander during the high pitches. I was surprised that Red could sing and rap as well. Surprise, surprise!

I bumped hips with Caroline, laughing and enjoying the music. The song they had dedicated to us was so sweet, I was flying high. Song after song passed by until the one they had saved for the finale began to play. Turns out it was one of my favorite songs from their album!

I screamed and hollered like the rest of them. I didn’t care, like I said it was my first concert. I’m allowed to have fun!

Gage took leader point as the song began. He looked so sexy standing up there all sweaty under the bright lights of fame.

Might seem a little crazy

To think that one day maybe

You would notice me

We’ll fall in love

And know your all I’m thinking of

Might seem a little crazy

To think that one day maybe

I would want you to be my own

I’ll be thinking about you, thinking about you...

My body moved in time with the beat, feeling the music surrounding me. Their voices wrapped around me like a cocoon and I smiled. I hadn’t had this much fun is such a long time!

I looked up and faltered slightly when I saw Gage watching me with those cat eyes. They glowed under the lights, trained of my every move.

Slowly a smile spread across my lips. I’ve never had someone serenade me before.