Restoring Force

The two of us pushed our way through the groups of kids that had clumped together talking about their adventures so far. Finally making it to the Of Mice & Men tent, we stood on the outside of the crowd.

Perfect. I thought, not too close to anyone, and an easy place to be in case we needed to escape.

They were probably on their second or third song, so not too bad, we weren't all that late. Remmy and I settled there and listened to the music flow from the stage, gaining everyone's attention.

-

Later on in their set, Remmy leaned over and tried to whispered something in my ear, but I didn't quite catch her words.

I was starting to over heat and figured it was probably time to go anyways. I turned around, preparing to walk away and go find some water and maybe a place to sit, but when I turned, I ran square into someone. I realized that we had been enclosed in the crowd by a wall of overexcited teens.

This is why people were so fucking horrible. Getting over excited about everything and shit.

I heaved an annoyed breath and faced forwards again.

Remmy leaned over and tried to say something else in my ear, but I cut her off and yelled, "I CAN'T HEAR YOU OVER THE SOUND!"

She just laughed, and screamed a reply, "I TOLD YOU, WE WERE TRAPPED!"
I noticed how close we had been pushed forward, as well as to the right, and now we were pretty square in front.

I took in a few more lungfuls of air, feeling claustrophobic, and peered up at the stage.

The whole band played with such emotion, especially the frontman.

When I turned to look at Alan, he was already watching me, (or someone close by me) and a smile slowly spread across his face. Quickly disappearing when the bass dropped and the whole band violently dropped their heads, like someone had cut a rope attached to the base of their skulls.

The crowd screamed and reciprocated their action, headbanging, and yelling out lyrics. It was really something.

The clean vocalist came on and the bands lead singer dove into the crowd. I believe his name was Austin. As kids threw him into the air, something clicked.

I did recognize the man in the hotel hallway. I recognized him because he was right here, getting harshly thrown around a tent at Warped Tour.

-

"You guys have been an amazing crowd! You fucking rock!" Austin said, screaming the last word 'rock.' Everyone went wild, as the band exited the stage.

People began to file out into the cool night air. It was around 8 ish I thought, but I couldn't be sure with no way to check the time. Remmy and I had to wait at least 15 minutes before we could leave, since we were so goddamn close to the front. But when it was our turn, we followed suit and pushed out of the tent. The air flooded over us like cold water.

The two of us had just begun walking towards the nearest gate when I heard someone say "Pst!"

I didn't think much of it, since there were so many potential people on the receiving end of that pst. But I heard it again, and this time my name was attached to it.

"Pst! Kathrine! Err, Kat!" I turned in the direction of the voice and saw a very exhausted looking Alan hidden mostly by the tarp of the tent.

I glanced around and slowly walked towards him, careful not to alert anyone of his presence. He clearly didn't want to be seen, otherwise he probably would have made more of a grand entrance.

Remmy continued walking a few steps before realizing I wasn't beside her anymore. When she saw me, she reluctantly turned and followed, a confused look present on her features. She obviously didn't know I was talking to anybody. It must've looked like I just decided the tent walls were a pretty shade of fuck-all, and I was admiring them.

When I got close enough to speak to Alan, he looked relieved.

"I thought you didn't hear me." He breathed, then took my hand, or more like grabbed it. I was so shocked, I almost pulled away, but decided against it, on the risk of hurting his feelings. I wasn't particularly into holding hands, so I made a point of staring down at them in the unspoken question of 'Why are you doing this to me Alan? Why?'

Remmy strolled up behind us, and realized who I was with, before she gaped at him.

"Hi," he said cooly. "I'm Alan, Kat's friend."

"I-I know, I know, who you are." She stammered in awe. "I didn't- when did.. You guys know each other?"

Her gaze travelled to where he gripped my hand, and I felt myself squirm.

"Should I.. Um.. Would it be better.." She trailed off, making me feel even more uncomfortable. "Do you want to meet me back at the hotel later on?"

"No, I'll come with--"

"I'll give you a ride home doll." He interrupted me, raising an eyebrow.

I noticed my hand was starting to hurt, and realized he had been pressing something into my palm the whole time.

"Uh.. Yeah. OkaySureIGuessSureYeah." I replied, speaking fast making it sound ridiculous.

Remmy turned on her heel, giving me a two-finger salute and walked away. "Okay, well call me or something. Use protection." She called back, laughter filling her voice.

I coughed awkwardly and slid my hand out of his. Something clattered to the ground between us and I looked down. He had been pressing a phone into my hand the whole time. I guess he wasn't expecting Remmy to show up, so he must've just made it look like we were holding hands.

Was it a smart tactic to make her leave faster? I mean if she thought we would be doing anything, she'd be more inclined to leave. Right? Or maybe he didn't want her to think he was the one that had stolen it. Because I was fairly certain it was my phone he was pressing into my palm, and not some strangers. In fact, how did he have it in the first place?

I bent down to pick it up off the ground.

"Where'd you find it!?" I asked, turning it on, and seeing that the battery was almost dead.

"I picked it up outside of a water station. "I was just going to put it in lost and found, but.." He paused and looked at the phone, then at me. "It just so happens I turned it on and saw a smiling picture of you and that girl from earlier." He shrugged. "Figured it was yours."

I laughed a little and put it in my pocket. "Well you're right, it is mine."

"Thought so." He grinned. "You must have found the paper I left in your bag?" He stopped and waited for my answer.

I nodded and held up my finger to clarify that I had indeed, found the stupid, cute, piece of satan paper. The corners of his lips curled up in a smile and he continued.

"Well, since I hadn't heard from you all afternoon, I figured you were either crazy, or phoneless, not to have called all this creamy ginger goodness," he gestured up and down his body, "as quickly as possible."

I burst out laughing and patted him on the back, "of course hun, keep telling yourself that."

He jokingly pouted and started walking away. I stood there a little bit confused as to what to do. I hadn't meant to actually offend him.

"You coming?" He called back over his shoulder. "You just got here, it'd be a shame to see a pretty girl like you go home so early, especially if I'm giving you a ride. I'll give you a tour around the place."

I nodded, relieved that I didn't have to do the whole awkward, rejected walk away thing, "Well how can I resist that kinda of charm?" I heard him laugh faintly up ahead, and I ran to catch up.

Notes