I ripped the shirt I was wearing off and tossed it into a growing pile of clothes, I had spent the whole day getting ready for this concert and only realized fifteen minutes ago that I hate every article of clothing in my closet. I glanced at the clock on my bedside table and started to panic, Amanda would be here soon and I had no idea what I was going to wear. Another three shirts later I noticed a bag from a store I didn't recognize stuffed into the back of my closet. I took it out and peaked inside and remembered when I bought the dress inside, it was on sale and, in a rare fleeting moment, I 'had' to have it, only to never look at it again. The dress was nothing like my regular style, typically I wear jeans and t-shirts. This dress was short, low cut, and skin tight. I was going to toss it back in the closet, when I looked up and realized that I had tried on every shirt I owned and tossed them in my 'no' pile.
I shimmied out of my jeans and worked my way into the dress. It hugged my curves and showed off my chest, something I never do. I had to take my bra off so it wouldn't show, but the dress was tight enough that I didn't need the bra anyways. I liked the look, even if i didn't recognize myself, but it was missing something. I heard the honk outside indicating that Amanda was here and too impatient to come inside, where I would have normally hesitated and switched back into jeans and a t-shirt I made a split decision and knocked on my roommates door, there was no answer and when I peaked in she wasn't home. I walked slowly into her room at first but a second honk made me jump, and grab the first necklace i saw on her desk, it was a black lace choker.
I slipped on my converse and hurried out the door, as I sat down in Amanda's passenger seat she did a double take, "Jesus, who are you and what have you done with Katie?"
I looked at my best friend, in her crop top and tight jeans, and down at myself, sheepishly I asked, "Is it too much?"
Amanda tore out of the driveway, as if i might change my mind and get out of the car. "Too much? Those converse are too much. The rest of you looks like you're ready for the real world! Dave wont be able to take his eyes off you tonight!"
I felt a shiver run down my spine, one of fear and not lust. I didn't have the heart to tell Amanda that her boyfriend's best friend had forced himself on me last week. I had gotten out of there before too much happened, but he definitely had his hands in places that he didn't have any right to. Biting my lip to stop myself from crying I tried my best to sound nonchalant "I didn't realized you invited Ryan and Dave to the concert tonight."
Laughing, Amanda shrugged, "Ryan is a huge fan of Papa Roast, and when Dave found out you were going well he wanted to too."
I cringed, "It's Papa Roach, like the bug, not roast."
"Whatever," Amanda said, shrugging again, as she turned into Ryan's driveway, "You know I'm only going so you're not there alone. There's tons of creepers at concerts."
I didn't bother telling her that one of those creepers happened to be crawling into her back seat with her boyfriend. I nodded stiffly at them and kept my eyes forward as Ryan leaned over the seat to kiss Amanda. I didn't hear much of the conversation on the drive and jumped when I felt a hand on my shoulder, swinging around in my seat to see Dave's dark eyes searching my own, with a tilt of his head towards Ryan and Amanda, who were standing outside the car kissing again. "Are you getting out? Amanda had said this was your favourite band, I didn't think you would want to spend the night in the car."
He said it in such a light way that I wondered if he even remembered feeling me up last weekend. I got out of the car, and went to join Amanda in the line up of people waiting to get into the venue. Dave's arm wrapped around my shoulder, causing me to shudder as he whispered, "You look amazing tonight."
I stepped out of his embrace and mumbled a quick thanks, I tried watching the people around us but kept getting distracted by Dave's presence. Just as I was starting to resent Amanda for inviting the guys, the line up started to slowly make its way towards the door, and eventually we were greeted by a big burly bouncer. He checked our tickets then ran an electric scanner over us to make sure we weren't bringing any weapons into the show.
I turned to Amanda to see her tongue down Ryan's throat, yet again. I cleared my throat, "I'm going to the bar, I need a couple drinks before the show starts."
Neither Amanda or Ryan even seemed to hear me. Dave was looking pretty uncomfortable himself and out of place so I rolled my eyes and grabbed his elbow steering him to the bar with me. Once we had our drinks, him a beer and two double gin and tonics for myself, we turned back around and realized we lost Amanda and Ryan in the growing crowd. Trying to make the best of the situation I took a long sip and looked up at Dave, time to make small talk I suppose, "So do you like Papa Roach too or are you just here with Ryan?"
Dave nodded, "Yeah! I totally used to listen to them back in high school all the time. I didn't realize that they're still around though."
I had to stop myself from rolling my eyes before saying, "Not only are they still around they're still putting out new music too. Don't worry though they tend to play their past hits as well, so you shouldn't be too out of the loop."
The venue filled to capacity and the local warm up band came on stage, they were drunk already and played a mediocre set. By their third song I was on my fourth drink. I didn't recognize the second band either, but I would have been disappointed if I had, whoever was in charge of the vocal mic needed to turn it up because I couldn't make out any of the words. I turned to the bartender and handed him my glass and a twenty, he passed me another gin and tonic in return.
Dave decided to wander off in search for Ryan and Amanda. A few minutes, and yet another drink later, I spotted him leading them back to where I stood. Amanda waved and pointed to the bathroom, so I met her halfway and we went to join the line up. She leaned in close and in a loudly exaggerated whisper she asked, "So, whats up with you and Dave?"
I choked on my drink, "Absolutely nothing. Gross."
Amanda laughed and stole my drink, downing it before winking at me, "That's not what he said. Relax babe I already know you guys hooked up last week. Plus you guys totally took off together as soon as we got inside."
Rolling my eyes I shuffled further up the line towards the bathroom, "I didn't hook up with him Amanda, he forced himself on me and I stopped him, distinct difference. And you and Ryan were attached at the face as soon as we got in, no one wants to stand around and watch your public displays of affection."
We made it through the doorway and I took the first stall, fuming inside that he would go and tell her we hooked up, a small knot formed in my stomach wondering if he told anyone else. I was washing my hands when Amanda finished her turn in the stall, she sauntered over and leaned into me while getting her hands wet, "I don't see the big deal, Katie. He was drunk, its not like he actually raped you or anything, and besides he said you were kissing him back."