expectations.

“Here is your parking spot validator, pins, and all of your passes that say you are a band and not some crazy fans. You do not want to lose those.” The woman hands the pile of things to Hayden and he in turn gives the passes out to Hayden, Bren, and Presley.

“This is insane,” Hayden comments as the band stands still in awe of all the activity going on around them. Crew and techs were running around trying to set up for the opening show tomorrow while assistants and managers flitted around, tending to their band’s needs.

Finley breaks their stunned silence with a suggestion. “Let’s go meet some bands.” Presley hangs back as the boys all rush off to different areas of the park.

She thinks about calling Elliott and meeting up with him but thoughts of “He probably wants you to leave him alone.” and “Don’t be clingy, freak.” circle around her head, stopping her.

She sits down on the ground. “Alright Bruce,” she mutters as she pulls her phone out of her back pocket, “let’s see what you’re up to.” She texts the number he had given to her through twitter, nervously drumming her fingers on the warm pavement.

hey Ben. i just got to warped. where should i go first?

His answer follows a minute or so later.

ey pipsqueak! you should come to my bed ;)

She laughs out loud but then stops. People passing by probably thought she was a weirdo. She really wishes she could say she had that I-don’t-give-a-shit-what-anyone-thinks attitude, but she couldn’t.

na, i kinda dont wanna catch AIDS on my first day of tour.

your loss :) but seriously - come to Asking’s tent.

alright, she responds, where r u guys?

The phone chirps a minute later, signaling his reply.

Her chipped turquoise nails type her password and she eagerly reads his answer.

near the back of the park. youll see the kia stage and when u get there just follow the music.

“Okay,” she tells herself as she stands up and wipes off her jeans and tank top, “it’s time to go meet some rockstars.”

She wanders aimlessly for a few minutes before mounting up the courage to stop a guy who seemed like he knew where he was going.

“Excuse me,” she taps his tattooed shoulder. It was so hot out that everyone either had a tank top on or no shirt at all. This boy had gone for the no shirt look.

“Could you tell me how to get to the Kia Soul stage?” He turns to look at the small girl with the bright purple hair.

“Just go straight down this path and keep walking until you see a Monster concession stand. It’ll be right there.” His surprisingly low voice directs.

“Okay! Thank you…” She trails off, not knowing his name. He smiles gently at her, the child-like grin contrasting greatly with his dark, bad boy image.

“It’s Colten. I’m one of the Of Mice & Men techs.. And you are?”

“I’m Presley. I’m with my band,Last To Leave.”

Colten looks at the black watch on his wrist and purses his lips, not happy with the time it reads.

“Hey, I’ve gotta go but I’ll see you around.” He gives her a sort of wave-slash-two-finger-salute kind of thing as he walks off and she waves awkwardly in response.

The way he walks reminds her a bit of Elliott’s rather cute gait and she smiles absentmindedly, pulling her earbuds and phone out of her pocket and turning on some music to make her walk more interesting.

Annabelle, you think you’re so damn special. But there’s a million other girls just like you. Thirty minutes and you say we’re official - I’ve got some news for you.

Her head bobs to the beat as she follows the directions Colten gave her.

“You’ll see the Kia stage and once you get there just follow the music.” Ben had said. Now that she had found the stage, she could see (or rather, hear) what he meant. Vengeance by Woe, Is Me was blaring from a few tents down. She makes her way through the surprisingly crowded path, trying not to get in anyone’s way.

As she spots the Asking tent she texts Ben.

I see u, loser.

He looks up, grinning as he tries to pick her out of the crowd. You would think the purple hair would make her easy to spot, but it’s whatever, man.

“Pres, you’re here!” He slings his arm around her in a startlingly friendly way before bringing her back to introduce her to the rest of the band.

Holy shit, she thinks, I’m meeting Asking Alexandria.

Notes

So.... I'm really awful at author notes. My bad. Just know that I appreciate every one of you guys and every time I see the views, subscribes, and comments go up a die a little. You know, in a good way.