(Title)
Chap 1
Emma’s POV:
An annoying ringing tone blared from my phone, causing me to groggily role over and
tap on it aimlessly until the noise stopped. I was about to fall back asleep but a quick glance at
my phone reminded me that I couldn’t.
5:00 AM ALARM: 5SOS CONCERT
Holy shit. I jumped out of bed and ran over to shower, turning it to my desired temperature. I
looked over at myself in the mirror, attempting to calm myself down obviously failing. This was
quite literally the most important day of my life, my best friend Julia and I were finally going to
see the loves of our middle school lives, in person. We’re both currently on summer vacation,
visiting back to our hometown of San Diego, California, from college. We had begun by just
sending each other old pictures of the band that we used to so heavily obsess over in the 7th
grade, but it slowly grew into a full blown love for these boys all over again. Before we knew it,
we had general admission tickets to the House of Blues in downtown to finally accomplish this
dream. Seeing 5 seconds of summer perform live, not on our computer screens, but in person.
I was starting to hyperventilate.
I shot Julia a quick text to make sure she was up before hopping in the warm shower. The
burning water soothed my nerves slightly as I quietly hummed Heartbreak Girl, a classic. I
finished washing up and turned the taps off, grabbing a towel to wrap my hair in, and another for
my body. I slathered on some lotion before slipping on my black leggings and my college
sweatshirt. I quickly applied a layer of powder and mascara to my face, then packed a bag of all
my other makeup, along with the shirt and pants i’d be changing into later. I then dried my
blonde hair and styled it into tight curls, knowing that by the time the show will have come
around, it will drop into simple beachy waves, just the way I liked. I gave myself a quick once
over before grabbing my phone, bag and portable charger, and jumping into the driver seat of my
car. I looked in the back to make sure I had a blanket and the cooler of drinks, before driving
down the street to pick up Julia.
We’ve been neighbors for as long as I can remember. We’ve been friends since the 5th grade
when she and her family moved in down the street. We bonded over our mutual obsessive
behavior of the bands we loved and our similar personalities. We could sit in a room for hours
silently on our phones, communicating via grunts or sighs, then pausing every once in awhile to
update each other on what we had seen or read. We went to different high schools which pulled
us apart a bit, but whenever we got together, it was as if we had never been separated.
I pulled up to the front of her house where she was already waiting with her bag in hand. She
hopped in the passenger seat and threw her bag in the back. We shared a quick glance, a squeal,
then we were off.
We pulled up to the house of blues at 7am, even though they weren’t allowing people to get in
line until 10. However, there was already a line of girls on the opposite side, waiting to sprint to
the line at 9:59. I parked the car, paid for parking, then we grabbed the blanket and cooler before
heading over to the venue.
We had no intention of playing nice, we haven’t been waiting 6 years for this, just to be in the
back. We were gonna be barricade bitches. So that meant at 9:50, while the other girls waited
across the street to get in line, I sauntered over to the convenience store next to the venue to have
a closer shot at the front. Of course there were other people who had the idea, so when the time
came, Julia and I ended up being 6th in line. Not bad if I do say so myself.
We got yelled at by some fans who had been on the other side of the street sine “2am”, but its
like, sorry you weren’t aggressive enough, my b. No matter how much they yelled at us for “Not
respecting the system” we didn’t care, because we were about to be barricade.
Hell yeah.
At around 5pm Julia and I traded off going to the car to get ready.
I slid into the back seat where there was more room and slipped off my hoodie. I replaced it with
a black strapless crop top with thin red and yellow stripes. It was super cute and had like was like
cinched at the top and bottom so it had teeny little ruffles and it was just short enough to show
off my belly button ring but not too short to where I was showing too much skin, ya know?
Sorry, i’m rambling.
Next, I slipped off my black leggings, replacing them with mid-rise ripped black skinny jeans.
Then I pulled on my high top black converse that were pretty distressed and in need of replacing,
but I loved them too much. I pulled out my makeup bag and let the magic begin.
I love makeup. I’m pretty comfortable with a bare face or just some mascara, but I loved the art
of putting on makeup and the confidence it gives me. I slapped on my foundation, and while that
dried I aggressively used my finger to apply my pink glitter super shock shadow from colourpop,
it’s a must. I gave myself a thin line of eyeliner on my top lid, followed by some dramatic falsies.
I applied my powder, bronzer, and blush before using some glitter in my cheekbones instead of
highlight. I filled in my brows and fluffed my hair before getting out of the car and looking at
myself in ite reflection. I felt good.
I walked back to the line, and by that time it was almost doors open. My stomach started to turn
as excitement bubbled up in side of me. Julia and I both had our tickets in hand, and we made
sure all we had was our phones so there was no need for security to slow us down. Once our
tickets were scanned we flew down the stairs to the main stage. A lot of the front row was
already filled because of VIP entrance, but there was a perfect spot directly in front of Michael
that julia and I filled.
It was happening.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
It was the most amazing experience of my life.
I got so many incredible videos, and I swear Calum looked right at me at one point. Of course he
probably didn’t, but I’m just gonna let myself believe he did.
Julia and I sauntered outside, trying to wrap our minds around the beauty that stood right in front
of us just 20 minutes ago, and the fact that we may never see them again.
Now we’re crying, damn it.
We walked aimlessly around the streets of downtown, which probably isn’t the safest thing for
two young girls to be doing at 11pm, but we needed to calm down before I had to drive us home.
Ugh, I never wanted to leave.
Just then my phone lit up in my hand. I looked down at it and saw a message from one of my
best friends Kyle.
Kyle: Hey Em! I know you and a friend are downtown right now and I wanted to let you know
that the boys and I are going to a hotel party at the Hard Rock right now if you wanted to come?
The hosts said it was fine!
I showed the text to Julia, but I already knew we were thinking the same thing. As much as we
might be incredibly emotionally and physically drained, we’d never pass up a good party.
To Kyle: We’d love to!
From Kyle: Sweet! Meet us at the hard rock lobby in 10 minutes?
To Kyle: See you there.
And we set off to find the hotel.
Chap 2
Emma’s POV:
We strolled up to the hotel, which was absolutely massive by the way. We opened the door to see
Kyle and 3 other guys sitting in some chairs by a tv showing an old interview of Ozzy Osbourne.
They all turned their heads to look at us before standing up and walking over. The other 3 I
recognized as some other friends from high school, Tyler, Ryan, and Jake.
They all approached us, giving us massive hugs, I felt like I haven’t seen this guys in forever.
We all go to college in different places, Kyle even went all the way to Australia, said he wanted
to “at least explore while he has to go through with the oh so awful schooling system”. He’s so
dramatic, but I’m happy for him because he loves it there. We all just got back pretty recently so
this is the first time I’ve seen them all in a couple months.
“Hey em!” Kyle smiled warmly as he embraced me, “I’ve missed you how have you been?”
“I’ve been pretty good! It’s so good to see you all!” I said excitedly. It really was, as much as I
love college so much more than high school, I do still miss a select few people quite a bit. I said
my “hellos” to the other boys as well as introducing julia, even though they already kind of knew
each other from parties.
“Alright so this party is gonna be great, booze is provided so don’t you worry and the hosts are
super chill, I just need to go grab a key card from the front desk then we can head up.” Kyle
beamed, nodding once before turning on his heels to go grab the card.
We all made our way to the elevator and pressed the button. It opened instantly and we all
squeezed in. It was one of those fancy elevators where, in order for it to move, you had to use the
key card to activate it. Kyle did then pressed the button to the top floor.
“Penthouse?” I questioned Kyle. He simply nodded with a goofy grin on a face. A normal room
in a mediocre hotel in downtown is already pretty pricey, I can’t imagine how much this place
cost.
The elevator made its way to the top, but instead of dinging, a little voice said “top floor”. Rad.
We stepped out into the hallway, and veered right to the one out of two doors that resided on this
floor. You could hear the music from outside causing me to slightly rise out of my post-concert
depression slump, and I looked over at julia who was already looking at me with the small grin.
Kyle swiped the key card and opened up the door to reveal about 40 people in a giant hotel room.
We made our way inside and I began to inspect the place. It was a large kitchen and living area
in the center with 2 rooms off to either side of it. I could tell there were a lot more girls than
guys, which must’ve made my friends very happy. Everyone had a solo cup in their hands and
already appeared to be pretty buzzed, thankfully. It’s so much easier to make friends with drunk
people, they’re always happier and nicer.
We all made our way over to the table with all of the alcohol on it. There was some expensive
shit here, I mean, grey goose? Come on I haven’t had that since like, ever. In college all you get
is plastic bottles that you down just to get it over with. I made myself a drink and headed back
over to my friends
“So how do you know these people?” I inquired Kyle. I didn’t recognize any of these people so I
had no clue how he did.
“Remember when jake and I did that exchange program for two years in Australia during grade
school for soccer? Well these are some of the guys we met. I reconnected with them when I
moved there for college and they’re super cool now!” He raved. He must’ve really liked these
guys. “So when they told me they were in town, we wanted to meet up! So here we are! You
actually might know of them, they have this band that’s really popular. 5 Seconds Of Summer I
think it’s called?” He beamed.
My heart stopped. Literally I think. Like I actually think I died for a minute. “Don’t fuck with me
Kyle, it’s not funny.” I seethed through my teeth. He flashed me a confused look.
“What? Why would I joke about that? Do you know them or something?”
“Um, YEAH! That’s the god damn concert we were just at. I’m gonna pass out–“ I was cut off by
him looking over my head, smiling at something behind me.
I turned around very slowly, preparing myself for what could possibly be behind me. My eyes
nearly bulged out of my head at the sight.
5 FUCKING seconds of summer was waltzing into the room.
Luke walked in first, sporting a plain black t-shirt, black skinny jeans and boots. His long hair
was left a little messy as it fell slightly in front of his face. A true god. Next michael came in,
wearing his “fear of god” long sleeve and jeans with a beanie over his head, I just wanted to
squeeze him. Ashton followed, wearing black jeans and a red button up which was only fastened
half way up, leaving his chest exposed and it obviously constricted his massive biceps. Finally,
Calum. I literally lost my breath. He was also wearing all black, like Luke, but instead he was
wearing his skinny jeans that rip at the knee and a black tank top that was entirely open at the
sides, exposing his entire torso.
I think I’ve died and gone to heaven. Or maybe hell?
I quickly averted my eyes and scanned the room for julia, who was standing there with her
mouth agape and eyes wide at what just walked in. I quickly raced over to her and jolted her arm
so that she would look at me.
“Ok, we need a game plan,” I said quickly, “I’m pretty sure they won’t come talk to us because
they have no idea who we are and they have plenty of other friends here, BUT, if they do, we do
not show them the obsessive, love struck, “I’ve watched every video of you ever and seen your
baby photos” side of us. Got it?”
“Yeah, we only say we know who they are and fans of their music,” she agreed. We shared a nod
before downing the rest of our drinks and making our way over to Kyle and Jake. I’m not sure
where tyler and ryan were, probably flirting it up with some girls. I sent a glare Kyle’s way.
“I’m sorry buddy, I didn’t know.” he shrugged, before once again peering over my head, this
time with an evil look in his eye as he waved someone over.
“Oh my god, hey mate, I didn’t even realize you were here!” I heard an australian voice speak
out from behind me. I moved to the side next to kyle to see a very tall Ashton standing in front of
him. A chorus of “kyles” and “jakes” then rang out from behind him as the other three boys
followed. They all “bro–hugged” and said how good it was to see each other.
“Hey so these are the people I told you I was bringing,” Kyle explained, and i felt the nerves
growing. “This is Julia,” he gestured, as she gave a shy wave and a smile, “and this is Emma!”
he teased as he pushed me with his shoulder.
“Hi guys, it’s nice to meet you!” I said confidently, thank god for alcohol or else i’d probably be
out cold on the floor.
“Well hello there, i’m Ashton,” I reached my hand out for a handshake, but was pulled in for a
massive hug.
That’s it, I must be dead.
“This is Luke, Michael, and that’s Calum,” he pointed as he pulled away. They all waved, not
being as affectionate as Ashton, unfortunately. But in their defense, Ashton was already drunk.
“Oh-ho-ho, she knows who you guys are,” kyle taunted, “Biiiiig 5sos girl right here.” I knocked
him over the back of the head, feeling my cheeks beginning to burn. Why did he have to blow
my damn cover like that, he always pulls shit like this. I looked back over at them, hoping they
wouldn’t immediately be turned off and walk away.
“Dude, no way that’s awesome!” Luke chimed in, easing my anxiousness. “All of the people
here are usually just groupies and people who just come along for the booze, so it’s nice to have
you guys here!”
