Page 53 of The Last Dance

13

Dangerous

Ambri

‘Isn’t this so exciting?’ Karmen giggles.

She met Noah and me at one of the Coliseum entrances, handing each of us a VIP/backstage pass to hang around our necks.

I loop the lanyard around my neck, staring down at the pass slipped into a plastic sleeve. This is my first ever VIP and backstage pass. It makes me feel way more important than I thought it would. Like a true journalist. But I’m so nervous. And not just about interviewing the band. It’s Henry. I saw a change in him at the food booth the other day. Something’s different. For both of us. I’ve been thinking about it constantly. Trying to read between the lines of everything he’s said to me since he’s been back. All the feelings I thought I’d successfully suppressed over the last couple years have slowly started leaking out and my head is a mess.

‘I’m nervous,’ I say with a forced laugh as Noah takes my hand in his. Even my hands are sweating.

‘Is Henry already inside?’ Noah asks about him first.

Karmen shakes her head with a frown. ‘He’s not coming. When I got home from work the other night, I asked him about the whole next step thing.’

‘Oh yeah?’ I ask, a little relieved he won’t be here. I glance at Noah, who clenches his jaw.

Noah and I had the conversation the other night too, thanks to Karmen’s little question. Not aboutusgetting married, but about if moving in together means a proposal should be imminent. We both agreed that it shouldn’t be. I was relieved to know he wasn’t planning a big proposal. So relieved that he was upset knowing that if he was to ask, I’d say no. Now he’s questioning our entire relationship. I don’t blame him. Where does that even leave us? I’m not sure yet.

‘Things didn’t go very well, and he left.’

‘He left?’ Noah and I say together.

‘Not like for good or anything. He says he needed a few days to clear his head.’

Her words hit me like a dagger to the heart. Without so many words that’s pretty much what he said to me too. I don’t have the heart to tell her that he’s never coming back. He’s let grief run his life. As much as I wanted to believe him when he said he was going to change things the other day, I don’t think he ever will.

‘Sometimes guys just need to blow off some steam. I wouldn’t worry too much about it. He’ll probably be back by the time you get home tonight.’

‘Right.’ I agree with Noah even though I’m not as positive as he seems. ‘Don’t worry. Definitely don’t let it ruin the night.’

I mean, him leaving to think only ruined my life for a while but, yeah, don’t let it ruin your night, Karmen. It’s no big deal when the guy you fall in love with takes off to think. Ugh. I feel terrible for her.

‘Are you kidding me? Nothing could ruin this night. I haven’t been this excited since I saw Justin Bieber when I was fourteen.’

I bite my lips together, forcing away the sudden laugh creeping up on me. Another notch in her nearly perfect record. She’s a Belieber. I should have known.

‘Ready? We’re right up front so you can get some good photos and video to use for your story. It’s gonna be epic.’ She grins.

Uh-oh. Another mark off her score card. She used the word epic. I hate that word. I hate that people use it to describe everything. What an epic coffee. I had an epic adventure. I took an epic shit. (That last one was Ben, in case you couldn’t guess). Just no. Not everything can be epic.

The place is packed all the way to the nosebleed section.

‘Wow…’ Noah says as we walk through the aisles.

‘I know!’ I yell over the noise around us.

I’ve only ever been to a few shows at the Coliseum. I prefer the smaller venues. Not only are they cheaper, but it’s a much more personal experience. Like you were invited by the band themselves as opposed to packing twenty thousand people into a place where the band is only visible to half of them via the giant video screens behind them.

We walk into the gated-off area that is the VIP section. Front row. Right in front of the stage. I’ve never stood this close to the stage here. I could reach up and touch him if I wanted to. I won’t, but I could.

‘This is so amazing, Karmen!’ I squeal over at her. I can’t contain it anymore.

‘Right?’ she squeals back as the lights dim.

The opening band takes the stage only moments after we’re here. Leaving the three of us mesmerized.

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