"Why do we have to come here?" I asked my best friend, Sarah, as we crossed an overly crowded parking lot.

Seriously, why DID I have to come? There was no logical reason to why I was evening bothering to do so.

"Because, it's my first day working here, and I don't wanna be alone!" Sarah pouted, glancing at me as she slid between to fancy cars that obviously had alarms on them. They were parked way too close together.

"You sound like my dad," I said, rolling my eyes. "He can't do anything by himself."

Really, he can't.

He's scared of going grocery shopping alone. And just generally being alone.

"Then him and I are soul-siblings!" She said, giggling as we both skipped across the road.

"But he's a fan of Queen, and I thought you hated them-"

"To Hell with him, then!"

I laughed, my eyes widening. "Sarah! He's my dad."

"Oh, right."

We were both silent as we graciously made our way to the entrance of Hip-Hop Hippos, the teen club that Sarah was working at.

"After you," I said, nudging her towards the tall and bulky man that was standing in front of the door, ready to kick anyone's ass if necessary.

"Sarah Wane," She said, flashing her badge that she had gotten a couple days before. "I'm a new employee."

The guy shook his head thoughtfully. "Chuck said we got new meat tonight. Nice to meet you, Sarah, you can go right in."

"Thanks," she said, tugging my arm.

He stopped her. "Your friend has to stay outside until seven, unless she's new meat, too."

I wonder if this dude liked meat.

He seemed to be more of a French fry guy, but who knows?

"Oh," Sarah frowned. "Sorry, Mel," She said, tilting her head.

I shrugged. What else could I do? "It's fine, Sar."

"Well, I'll see you later, alright? Sooner than you think. You only have to wait out here for half an hour, or so." She smiled hopefully then went inside.

I glowered.

In Sarah Time, half an hour was an hour.

I reached for something bulky in my pocket. The guy tensed a bit.

"Relax," I muttered. "It's just my cell phone."

He nodded approvingly.

I flipped it open and glanced at the time. French-Fry-Guy looked at me oddly. I guess he was expecting I was gonna make a call?

5:45 PM

Oh, you've got to be kidding me.

…

I might as well do something non-boring.

I spun around and left the entrance. I could walk around, or something.

Not that I really knew what I was doing. The club was in Boston, and Sarah and I lived in a town quite a ways away. I knew Boston, but I didn't know it well, especially this part of it. If I wondered too far, I'd most likely get lost.

My teeth uncontrollably chattered as the cold March air rushed through my flat blonde hair. Neither Sarah nor I chose to wear jackets. All I did wear was a lavender faux satin halter-top, pair of jeans, and a few pieces of jewelry here and there.

Jeans don't endure cold weather.

Seriously, I mean-

Something dripped on my head.

I glanced up, and another something dripped onto my cheek. Then another. And another. And another.

Great. It was raining.

This is REALLY what I needed.

I crossed my arms over my chest and ran across the street, to a fortunately close comic book store. I could just kill the hour by reading some Bleach.

---

"I.D." French-Fry-Guy said to me, as it became my turn to be checked out. I pulled my driver's license out of my pocket and handed it to him. He looked it over and glanced at me, checking if the fugly picture and I were the same.

"Go on in," he said, handing it back to me.

I sighed. By the time I was done reading a volume of Bleach, people started to show up- LOTS of people. Kids, obviously. It took me ten minutes to get to the front of the line.

I went through the hall that was at the doorway, hearing The Birthday Massacre blasting through the speaker's. People were scattered about, shoving their coats and such against the wall before heading into the actual club.

The first thing I automatically noticed was how dark it was. Fluorescent lights flashed on and off on the ceiling, heating up the atmosphere. Everywhere, groups of people were cluttered together in cliques, chatting away recklessly.

On the sides there were "bars" at which many employees worked at, hurrying to get people their orders.

I saw Sarah in the corner, with a redhead girl who was looking bored. She was obviously her trainer, to show her the ropes. Sarah hastily took a group of five guys' order and hurried to receive them. She was gonna be busy all evening.

Wow, so much for dragging me here.

I'm going to kill her.

"Hey, baby," A voice slurred behind me.

I turned around and saw that the voice was talking to me. The owner of it looked my up and down, smirking crazily.

I'll have to kill Sarah even more, later. She was the one who told me to wear this outfit.

"Hey, jackass," I replied tonelessly.

I needed a drink.

Yawning, I walked over to one of the bar members that didn't have any customers.

"Coke, please." I said to the employee behind one of the bars.

"Coming up," the guy replied.

I got my coca-cola, paid, and slurped it down.

Just act cool, Mel, act cool…

I kept saying this in my head until-

"Locked up, they won't let me out-"

The music got cut off and a dark skinned guy, about thirty, or so, stood on the stage of the club and said, "Attention, please!"

Everyone hushed up and starred at him.

"Y'all know dis club rocks, right?"-He paused and people screamed and cheered-"But we need sum live 'tertainment! We got it weekly! Dis week, Y'all, is a sick rock band tha' I know y'all luv! So! Give it fooooor… The Drained!"

The crowed screamed, as if they knew who The Drained was.

Maybe they've played here, before?

The curtains behind the guy on stage opened up to reveal four guys. A guy with red hair that went to his shoulders and hung in his face gripped a red bass guitar. A guy with a buzz cut and blonde mustache sitting at set of blue drums. A rather tall guy with black hair that hung in his eyes clung onto guitar. And a guy with dyed green hair was at the microphone.

The dude with the bass was cute. The dude at the drums looked kickass (I totally loved the mustache). The dude with the guitar was pretty hot. And the dude with the green hair…

THAT GUY WAS HOT!

"How are all doing out there?" The hot guy asked.

Quite a few 'Goods' were yelled back.

"Well, hey, you guys are gonna love us, I promise."

A few people laughed and giggled.

"So, lets get this started, shall we?' He yelled, raising the microphone he was holding in the air.

People cheered, and the music started up.

I finished my coke and started heading toward the stage.

I had to see this guy up close.

"Well, it's Saturday night,

Right now, baby,

If I scream,

Will you hear me?

The angels are coming,

And I'm already running away."

Oh.

My.

God.

He had the voice of an angel.

I moved closer.

"When I'm gone,

Will you ever bother to come and save me?

Well it's on,

This twisted and misgiving advice is at stake

And if I'm wrong,

I won't ever forget you,

Oh no, not today."

I was no more than five feet away from the stage by the time the guitarists and drummer started slamming their hearts into the music.

"Well fuck now,

It's already Sunday morning,

And I'm running, running, running, running,

Oh how far apart we are,

But does it matter, anyway?"

I took my eyes off the singer for a second and scanned the rest of the band.

The guitarist was staring at me.

---

Guitarist's POV

I scanned the crowed slowly.

Most of the guys stood in back, and a bunch of girls who were, erm, lets just say hyperactive were standing in the front.

One was jumping up and down so rapidly it was like she was on a pogo stick.

My eyes rested on one girl though, who wasn't that far from the stage, but she wasn't like the other girls, whom were dancing along to the music with their friends playfully, giggling, non-stop.

She was just standing there, like a zombie… Staring at Dillon.

She was pretty hot, too.

I mean… Her hair was almost white, and extremely straight. But considering how frizzy it was, it was obvious she didn't do anything to make it that way. It was natural.

I jumped as Dillion started singing the hook and realized we were still on stage.

Keep playing…

The girl took her eyes off Dillon and looked at the rest of us. Then she raised an eyebrow when she caught me staring at her.

Crap… I bent my head down to my guitar, and acted like I was really into playing…

…Until the song ended five seconds later.

"We hope you enjoyed that song. It's called 'Runner'. Now for another song…"

---

Melissa's POV

"So, how do you like it here?" Sarah asked me.

I finally was able to get to her after The Drained were finished singing some of their songs. Currently, the DJ was back on stage, playing some rap song by Tupac.

"It's okay," I said seriously, before smiling, thinking of the green-haired guy.

I wonder what his natural hair color is.

He probably writes all the songs, too.

"That singer from the band is hot." I stated randomly.

Sarah grinned. "They all are really nice."

I smirked. "Oh? You've met them?"

"I met them."

"Lucky. I gotta start working here."

Sarah rolled her brown eyes. "Only to meet bands? You're so obsessed with music, Mel, even if it's a garage band that isn't even famous." She smiled. "Anyway, though, the members of The Drained are all really nice. The guitarist is really sweet, too."

I shrugged. "He seems okay."

"He also has a nice sense of humor."

"Oh my god," I laughed. "Are you falling for the guitarist?"

"No!" Sarah burst. "I have a boyfriend, remember?"

"Oh, right."

Sarah did have a boyfriend. But they weren't exactly a great couple. They never talked, nor did they do anything together outside of school.

"Hey, here's a chance to say hi to your man, lover girl. AND your future in-laws." Sarah smirked.

"What?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Look."

I spun around to see the band walking around the second floor, chatting with random people.

"I don't get it…"

"They're coming this way."

"WHAT!?"

It was true. They were. Coming right up to Sarah and I.

Oh god.

"C'mon, go give him a kiss." Sarah said, making kissing noises.

"Shut up!" I said, grinning.

They were coming closer, and closer, and closer, and-

Maybe they will walk past us…

"Hey, Sarah!" The bassist said.

Damn.

"Hey, Jared" She replied. "Can I get you anything?"

"This girl on a platter would be nice." A guy said behind me.

I turned around and saw it was…

Ood Mo Gy. It was the singer.

"Hey," he said, looking down at me.

"Hello…" I blushed.

Blushed.

"You already picked your whore for the night, Dillon?" An icy voice said. I peered past and saw it was the guitarist, Mr. O-M-G-He's-Sweet.

So much for that.

The singer, known as Dillon, rolled his eyes, but didn't say anything.

It was silent until…

"I'll have a root beer, Sarah," Jared said, throwing money onto the counter.

Probably only so the awkward silence would stop.

"Make that two." The drummer said.

"Three." Dillon grinned at me. "Want anything?" He winked. "It's on the house."

"No, I'm good." I muttered.

"Coke." I heard the guitarist say.

At least he's got good taste in soda.

"Mel, forget what I said before," Sarah said as she got the guys their drinks. "You gotta work here."

Guitar Boy smirked. "Mel?"

"It is short for Melissa, dumbass."

"That's not my name, idiot." Charlie said, glaring at me.

"Well, sorry, bastard."

Charlie continued to glare at me.

"I think it's love," I heard Sarah whisper to Jared.

"Shut up, Sarah," I said, giving her a skeptical look and leaning against the bar counter.

"Bitchy slut." I heard Charlie mutter.

"WHAT'D YOU JUST CALL ME!?"

"Ignore him," Dillon said, putting his arm around my neck.

"Sarah!" A voice called.

We all turned to see it was the owner, the guy that was onstage.

"Yeah, Chuck?" Sarah asked.

It was obvious he tried to sound "gansta" on stage. Because he was talking in such a normal voice right now it was almost TOO normal.

"You've been working hard most of the evening. You can get a break right now." He said.

"What?" She glanced at her watch. "But I already had my-"

"Greg is here, and he said he would take over for half an hour or so." He winked.

"Aw, thanks!" Sarah said, whipping off her apron.

With that, all six of us walked away from the bar.

And a slow song came on.

Chasing Cars, by Snow Patrol.

"Wanna dance?" Jared asked Sarah seductively.

No.

Sarah has a boyfriend.

She wouldn't.

SARAH SAYS NO, JARED.

IT IS ILLEGAL IN THE NAME OF LOVE FOR HER TO DANCE WITH YOU.

YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW HER.

"Sure." She said, and with that, she left.

WHAT!?

Not only did she say yes, but she LEFT ME.

Left me with three guys I barely know.

But there was one that I trusted, which was good.

"Mel?" Dillon asked.

"Yeah?" I asked, looking at him.

"Wanna dance?"

My eyes widened slightly. Was he serious?

"…Sure."

And I left with Dillon.

Behind me I heard Charlie asking a random girl to dance, himself.