Meet My Dedication

I woke up to a text from Zakk:
Rise and shine, beautiful! Gavin and I are picking you up around 8, so be ready! ;)
-Zakk
I rolled my eyes at it, and texted him back:
Wouldn't miss it for the world.
-Mikey
I tossed my phone on the bed, gathered my clothes, and headed for the bathroom. Milly was still asleep, so I had time to take my shower and do my hair and make-up before she woke up.

It was still early so no one was even thinking about waking up yet, which was a good thing. I didn't want to get into it with mom and dad so early in the morning, especially today. Despite my reluctance, I was totally looking forward to Warped Tour. Milly was right, I needed to get out more. I needed to try to be normal again. More importantly, I needed to see Of Mice & Men.
Today was going to be an amazing day.
I hope.

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"Where do you girls want to stop to get breakfast?" Gavin had way to much excitement in his voice, this early in the morning. I could see all of the empty Red Bull and Monster cans in the front of Zakk's BMW.
"Not McDonald's. I hate that place." Milly squished her face together, in disgust. I had to agree with her, I really wasn't much of a fast food junkie, but McDonald's is the worst.
"Dunkin Donuts?" I suggested, donuts sounded amazing.
"I'm in for that one!" Zakk made his way towards Dunkin, since it was on the way anyways.
We got a dozen different donuts and ate in the car, on the way to the Orlando Fairgrounds, making jokes and singing to the radio for the next hour and a half.
"I wonder who else will be there," Milly said. "Like Bryan Stars or something!"
"I doubt it, if he was going, he would have gone to the LA show. If anything, just a bunch of radio stations and groupies." Zakk responded, and I took his word for it. I knew this wasn't his first Warped experience, and he's toured with Memphis May Fire and other bands. "Stick with me, kiddies, and you'll get the experience of a lifetime." He looked directly at me, which made me feel really uncomfortable.
Milly nudged me, and took my hand in hers, "you're going to have so much fun, I promise." She squeezed my hand and laid her head on my shoulder, falling asleep.

"How much longer?" I asked, getting antsy and ready to get out of the car.
Gavin looked at the GPS on his phone, "about ten more minutes. You got your VIP pass and ticket?"
I checked my bag, again, for everything, and nodded, "I'm all good. I even brought a water bottle, just in case it gets too hot."
"Cool, now, as soon as we get inside, grab a map and highlighter. It's gonna have all the bands set times and stages, so you can highlight which ones you want. Also, we're gonna make our meet up spot, too, for after all the sets are done."
I nodded, making a mental note to grab everything I needed, inside. I started playing with my bracelets, trying not to scratch my wrists. I was nervous as hell, but I couldn't figure out why. Probably because it's my first concert, and the first time I've really left my house since Issy and Geremy died.
I'm sure they would have loved coming to Warped Tour with us. They always did this sort of stuff, never standing still.
I missed them, and tried to fight back the tears. I didn't want to cry today.

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Milly woke up as soon as Zakk parked the car by the entrance. It was nearly 11 and there was a ton of people here!
"So much for getting a good spot in line," I mumbled, grabbing my bag out of the car and closing the door.
I guess I said it loud enough for Gavin and Zakk to hear, because they both laughed and lead me towards the front of the line. Zakk pulled out his phone and started texting someone and Gavin went up to one of the security guards, talking. Milly and I just looked at each other, confused. Zakk went over to Gavin and handed the security guard something, then whistled for the two of us to follow.
"Looks like we're getting even better spots!" Milly squealed. "How'd ya do it, babe?!" She grabbed Gavin's arm and started walking next to him.
"It pays to know people," Gavin winked at Zakk and he just shrugged it off.
"The buses are behind the main stage," he grabbed maps for everyone and handed them to each of us. "Matty said that there's liquor, so that's where I'm going. Care to join me, gorgeous?" He held out his arm for me. I looked for Milly and Gavin, but they were already out of sight.
I took his arm, "sure, how bad could it be?" and we started for the Main Stage. I took a look at the map and started highlighting the times for the shows I wanted to see. "Of Mice & Men is at 5, on the KIA stage. That's the main one, right?"
"Yeah, c'mon. I got some people I want you to meet."

We showed the security guard our VIP passes and were greeted by who I expected to be Matty Mullins.
"Matt, this is my good friend Mikey. She's a Warped Virgin." Zakk introduced us, I smiled weakly up at the red-headed singer. He couldn't have been older than me.
"Hey, Mikey! Welcome to Warped Tour. I'm sure you're gonna love it." He seemed really friendly, and consumed me in a tight hug.
I almost couldn't breathe, so I hugged him in return, hoping he'd let me go. "Uh, thanks. I'm pretty excited to be here."
"She's here for Of Mice & Men. Do you know where the guys are?" Zakk was looking around at all the buses. I saw bands that were pretty well known, and some that I'd never heard of before. There was even a group of teenage girls with every color of the rainbow walking around with guitars.
"Who's that?" I asked Matty about the chicks. "They look like they're 16."
"They are, that's Cherri Bomb. Don't be fooled by their age, their music kicks major ass. They're pretty talented for just being kids." Matty waved to them, and two waved back while the other two were unloading their bus.

I pulled out my phone and texted Milly.
Where are you guys?
-Mikey

Over by the Kevin Says stage, Mayday Parade goes on in 15. Where are you?
-Mills.

By the buses, with Zakk and Matty Mullins.
-Mikey

Hope you're having fun! ;)
-Mills.

It was pretty cool, being back here and having a conversation with Matty Mullins. I turned around when I heard someone yelling Matty's name, Zakk smiled and waved him over. I couldn't tell who it was until he was a few feet in front of me.
"Sup man?" Zakk hugged him, and he hugged back. "This is Mikey, one of my clients. It's her first Warped Tour." He looked at me, "Mikey, this is Jeremy McKinnon from A Day To Remember.
I smiled and waved, "hey." Was all I mustered Up to say. I liked A Day To Remember, but I'd never thought I'd be meeting their lead singer.
"Welcome to Warped, honey. Hope to see you in my crowd" He winked and shook my hand, then went to talk about some party after the shows tonight. Matty and Zakk were engulfed into the conversation, so I made that my cue to leave.
They didn't notice, so I made a run for it.
I stopped in front of the Monster tent, and dug into my bag for the water bottle I brought, when someone bumped into me, making me spill my water on me.
"Woah, sorry!" He was tall, and was wearing a black v-neck shirt and black cut off shorts with a beanie. He was kinda cute.
I couldn't help but laugh, "it's okay!" I capped my water and set it on the table next to us. "no harm done, it's just water."
"Phew, what a relief. Haha!" His smile was kind of goofy, but still cute. "I'm Alex, but everyone calls me Woody. Who're you?"
"I'm Mikeal, but everyone calls me Mikey." I smiled up at him.
"Mikey, eh? That's pretty cool, never met a girl named Mikey. So, uh, what were you running from, back there?"
I bit my lip, he noticed? "Oh, nothing, just felt like getting some cardio in! What were you doing bumping into people?" I smirked, trying to play off my nerves. This was the first real conversation I'd had with someone in a while.
"It gave me a reason to talk to a cute chick, didn't it?" He flashed that goofy smile of his, and I couldn't help but blush.
Was he flirting with me?
"Well, it was nice seeing you. Maybe you can bump into me again?" I started to walk away, until he grabbed my wrist. It stung a little still, but not too much to where he noticed.
"Hey, wait! My band's set it at 1. Want to come watch?"
"You're in a band?" Of course he was. This was Warped, I could run into anyone and not realize it.
"Yeah, Our Last Night. We're pretty good, if I don't say so myself. Just go up and show security that nice little VIP pass you got there, and find me!" And with that he kissed my hand and walked off.
I was dumbfounded, I just got hit on. By a guy. Not just any guy, though. A guy in a band.
This was so not happening to me.

Notes

Yay! My buddies finally made it in the story! So, Mikey's opening up a little bit, and already the guys are going after her.