Category : Stories

Sub Category : Romance

"I don't know if I can do this." Autumn peered out her window nervously. She just recently cut her hair, ear length. Her bangs were swept to the side. She was very small.
She had light brown hair, bright blue eyes, and pale skin. Unlike most the girls here, she wasnt dressed like a hooker. She was in a black hoodie, gray joggers, and had a pair of hightops on. She didn't wear make up like these girls either.(Just chapstick.)
It was nearing sunset, and it was cool outside. The clearing in the woods, where battle of the bands was held, was crowded with people. They were all strangers. It was loud, and music was playing.
"I believe in you." River looked over and smiled at her. "You are going to do great." 
River was your typical teenage guy. He was average height, with short blonde hair, gray eyes, and a sweet smile. He also was the type of guy, who didn't care about matching. Which drove Autumn crazy.
He shoved his keys in his pocket, and waited. He knew she was going to need a pep talk. She was performing tonight, and this was her first time. 
He knew her, and she was going to focus on what if scenarios. She always worried, way to much. 
"What if I freeze, or fall, or drop the mic, or-" She started to panic. 
"Stop it." River shook his head. "You have such a great voice, and you are beautiful. You are going to nail this." 
River was her best friend. They met through a group of friends in highschool, freshman year. They graduated a few months ago, and were currently applying to the same college. 
She took a deep breath and glanced in his rear view mirror. She ran a hand through her hair, and then opened the truck door. She looked terrified.
They were in a sea of parked cars. This place was packed. She looked down at her shaking hands, and internally scolded herself.
Why are you shaking? You got this! Stop being afraid! You are overthinking this! Just calm down!
They walked past the sea of cars, to a stage that was set up a few yards away. There were booths set up, for food, drinks, band merch, and other stuff. It was like a music festival, but battle of the bands, was the main attraction. She could smell weed, coming from somewhere. It was legalized where she lived now.
"We need to sign in." River looked around. "There is a table backstage." 
The clearing, was in the middle of the woods. There were a few bon fires going, a good while away from the stage. People were setting up tents, and roasting hot dogs and marshmallows. 
Battle of the bands lasted a week. People normally camped out, the whole time.
They past a few groups of people. All 
Of them were bands mostly.
As they walked up the stairs on the side of the stage, someone was blaring "Voices" By motionless in white. It sounded like one of those small portable speakers.
Autumn caught the eyes of a guy standing a few feet away. She stood in front of a sign in table, where she was supposed to show her ID and sign her name. 
She felt herself blush.
He was wearing a black shirt, that said Chase Atlantic, sweat pants, and red shoes. She didnt know what kind they were, but they looked cool. He had long dark hair, and a nice body. A pair of glasses hung on his shirt collar. She wondered if maybe he couldn't really see her, and he was just checking the place out.
The corners of his lips curved into a small smile. She felt butterflies. He winked at her. He must be looking at someone else.
She could tell he was in a band, because he was wearing the number sticker things they were giving out to each performer.
"Autumn?" River must have said her name a few times now. He looked bothered, but she was to distracted to notice. The anxiety caused by her performance was gone, now she was a little preoccupied. 
"Oh-uh sorry." She realized the guy giving out stickers and signing them in, looked like he was waiting for her. They were both looking at her. 
He was a fat bald man, with a poptart cat shirt. 
She was alittle embarrassed, but she shrugged it off. 
"Do you know him?" River looked back at the guy. His look was more of a glare. "He looks sketchy." 
Autumn signed what she needed to, and showed him her ID. He gave her a sticker, with the number ten on it.
"No I dont know him, and no he doesnt." She gave him a questioning look. She was wondering why he was being so judgemental, about a stranger. 
Her eyes found the guys again, when River checked his phone. This time the two guys with him, noticed her to. The looked at their friend, and caught on to what was happening. One of them bumped shoulders, with the guy looking at her. As if he were playing around.
One of the guys had long curly brown hair and had a little more meat on his bones. The other one had long dirty blonde hair, and a childish grin on his face. He was the shortest one. 
Autumn got to shy and dropped her gaze. Her face was probably red. She hated her blush. She couldn't control it. 
I wonder if he will try to talk to me? She wondered.
"Okay everyone the battle begins in five minutes! Make sure you sign in, and keep up with your numbers!" Some guy with a microphone said. 
It was probably the stage director.
Autumn was singing with River's band. She was taking River's spot tonight, because he wanted her to have this oppurtunity. They were called The Mechanicals. 
Autumn didn't really like the name, but it wasnt her band. 
"Are you nervous?" Autumn jumped when Johnnie touched her shoulder. He was their bands lead guitarist. She turned around, to see the rest of the band. Johnnie and the other three guys, were ready to go. Johnnie's red and black hair, was spikey. He liked wearing stage makeup. He was small and skinny, but pretty tall.
The other two were Matthew, their drummer, and James their bass player. 
"Shes got this." Matthew's long blonde hair was in a bun, and he filled out his black shirt. He was very muscular. 
"She can sing better then River." James joked. He had curly blue hair and was alittle over weight. He was very sarcastic and sometimes a bit of a jerk.
"Well I feel loved." River joked. He said it half heartedly. He seemed a little down about something.
"You ok?" Autumn whispered. She furrowed her brows and touched his arm, to get his attention. He looked like he was debating something with himself.
"Yeah, I'm fine." He looked like he was lying. 
"Lier." She looked him in the eyes. She knew him to well. That and she was a empath, she could feel him.
The truth was he liked her. He was afraid someone else would get her, before he found the perfect way to tell her. He couldn't tell her that, because well obviously it would ruin his plan. He wanted to make it sweet. Like a big romantic gesture, she would never forget.
So he lied to her.
"I'm just worried about a exam. I just realized I forgot to study." He said. 
He was taking college courses online already. He always liked being ahead of everyone else. She decided to believe him, but still felt unsure.
"Number one, please get your equipment together, and make your way to the stage!" The stage director said.
"Looks like it's starting." Matthew said. 
The first band started grabbing their instruments, and made their way through the crowd.
"Hey Mat?" Autumn tried to get Mathews attention.
He raised his eyebrows. It was his way of saying yes? I'm listening.
"Where's the bathroom?" She asked. 
He looked over his shoulder and pointed to a sign behind him. It was weathered and nearly unregonizable. A bathroom sign.
Author's note:
That was the end of chapter one!
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