Through the Lens

Around 6pm, we headed to the venue. Trista came along with us since Mike invited her. Even Kellin tagged along. It was outdoor on a large stage with lights all around. It reminded me of Warped Tour which I was required to go to every year by John, my boss. Speaking of which...

"John?" I asked as I saw my boss standing by one of the merchandise tents, probably flirting with one of the girls at the cashier.

He turned around to see me standing there and his face lit up. "Raxella!" he walked towards me, completely ditching the girl he was talking to. She actually looked relieved more than upset. John gave me a big hug. "The shots you sent me so far were amazing!"

I chuckled and hugged him back. Whoever thought I'd miss him this much. "I'm glad you liked them."

We separated from one another. "How was your trip? Jet lagged at all?" he asked.

"Jet lagged and hung over. Not a very good combo." I sighed a bit.

I felt a pair of arms wrap around my waist from behind me and I blushed as I realized it was Tony, seeing all the familiar tattoos on his skin. He rested his chin on my shoulder and kissed my cheek softly. "Hey, baby. Hey, John."

John quirked an eyebrow at me as he saw how close Tony and I were. Suddenly his look of confusion turned into a huge grin as it finally clicked in his head. "Congrats, you two." he gave me a thumbs up and gave Tony a light fist bump which he was already prepared for. Boys and their damn 'boy code'.

"We're going to go start setting up and do sound check, alright?" Tony said as he let go of me and pet my head lightly. "Your camera and everything is in the trunk of your car."

I nodded with a smile on my face. "Alright, Tone. See you on stage."

Tony winked in my direction and ran off to help finish moving the gear that I could see the rest of the guys moving to the back stage of the venue. I started off dreamily after him and came back to reality as John snapped his fingers in my face.

I blinked and looked to him. "Huh?"

"So, you and Tony, eh? I mean, you did tell me you wanted to fall in love in Europe, but damn." John chuckled. He honestly looked happy for me.

I couldn't help but to blush again and shrug, not really knowing what to say. "Yeah, well... we're attracted to each other."

"Obviously." John chuckled.

I then realized something. "Why are you even here, John?" I asked. It was odd for him to show up to concerts I was photographing for, but this was so last minute. I didn't even know about this concert until a few days ago because Vic told me.

"The guys invited me. Thought I'd have fun." John answered, crossing his arms over his chest. I sensed no lies.

"You? Have fun?" I poked fun at him.

"Hey, now. I was your age once. I used to get into all kinds of trouble and hang out with cool bands too. How do you think I got to where I am today?" He tried to brag.

"You're like 5 years older than me." I scoffed.

"Point proven!" he said matter-of-factly as he began to walk off back towards the merchandise booth to flirt with the cashier again.

I stood there for a moment looking confused. "What?" John was definitely a weirdo, but he was still my friend... and my boss.

I made my way back to my car which wasn't too far away in the parking lot. I unlocked the trunk of my car and dug through the back which held my camera and its accessories. I put my camera around my neck. I took the lens cap off as I brought a small cloth up to clean the glass gently. I made sure everything was charged and I switched to a new memory card. I closed the trunk of my car and began to walk back to the venue.

I stood at the entrance for a moment and saw a perfect photo opportunity. There was a Pierce the Veil banner on the gate with the stage being set up in the background. I raised the camera to my face, looking through it, focusing and taking the picture. I looked at the screen at the photo I had just taken and smiled in approval.

"Heya, Rax!" Kellin ran up out of nowhere, nearly making me jump.

"Uh, hey, Kellin." I said as I turned to see him.

"Come here! We're taking a selfie together!" He had his phone ready and everything.

I chuckled a bit at how excited he was. "Sure."

He stood next to me and rested his arm on my shoulder and took a cute picture of us together.

"This is going straight to Instagram!" he cheered.

"I don't need my phone blowing up when I should be taking pictures, Kellin." I laughed.

"Just turn your notifications off." he said as his face was buried in his phone, typing up a post on Instagram. "Besides, it's too cute not to post! Bye, Rax!" And with that, he ran off again. It was hard to keep track of him. Just a couple of hours ago we were all extremely hungover. How did he have so much energy today?

I was by the front of the stage by the time fans started to come in through the entrance of the venue and began to fill up the open area. The line had pretty much wrapped around the block. There were lots of people here today. Considering it was in their home town, it would have sold out pretty quickly.

At 8pm, the show started. By now I was used to being in front by the screaming crowd and directly in front of the loud speakers. Basically stuck in a limbo of noise.

They started off with 'Dive In'. The notes rang in my ears and my eyes focused on the darkened stage which finally lit up blue with all of them standing there, focused on their music.

Dive in, take a breath
Blow the smoke through the hole in my chest
Still choking on the bed
Found your waste while the ember red
Keeps falling down and burning holes
Until the pillow and the mattress glow
Now I wanna be the tattoo ink
That swims down through the needle in your skin

And I wish I was poisonous
Like a bottomless sound, like a violent drug
Do you remember the knife I kept?
The sharper it got, the more you wanted me to use it
I was lying to you, but you were lying too
So what's left to do? What's left to say?
Stop making friends, just us
I'll decompose with you

So light the fuse inside your brain and we...
We will detonate!

Smoke came up from the sides of the stage and the crowd went even more wild. I snapped a few pictures of Vic, Jaime, Mike and Tony... oh, Tony. I still couldn't help but to feel my heart begin to fly out of my chest as I saw him playing guitar and smiling, singing the lyrics to himself.

You threw your drink at the wall
It started raining wine and glass so
Stay and warm me with the Gentlemen Jack
Gold locks on the cage, turn your diamond keys
Open the door you'll see me digging out my getaway
Away, away, away...
Hang the stars who pulled the pin out of my heart

And just because you're screaming for my-a-ay attention
Does not mean I will waste my time
So hold your breath and swim under the ice

Jaime jumped around the stage and was also singing to himself. I still don't know how they managed this kind of energy after drinking like last night. I took some photos of him spinning around in circles and having the time of his life.

And modern anxiety
That motherfucker never rests
Our adrenaline is kickin' in so play the beat faster
Head for the streets, we're the puke and decay
We're only dreaming, what's your problem baby?
Don't mean to break your heart
I'm the new fragrance in fermented jars
In area code 6,6,6

Oh!
And just because you're screaming for my-a-ay attention
Does not mean I will waste my time
So hold your breath and learn how to swim underneath the ice

I felt a tap on my shoulder from above me and Tony had leaned down quickly to kiss me and bite my lower lip, which also made the crowd that was near me squeal and make all sorts of high pitched noises. I blushed bright red and watched Tony as he smirked and backed up, continuing with the rest of the song. He was slick. I liked it.

They're everywhere, nothing can stop them, nothing!

Kill me if I end up like you!

Vic threw himself into the crowd to the left of me. Hundreds of girls swarmed and started grabbing at him and his clothing, pretty sure that his red shirt he was wearing was now ripped. I chuckled and took some pictures of him singing the lyrics to a fan who was pretty much melting where she stood and almost crying.

And just because you're screaming for my-a-ay attention
Does not mean I will waste my time
So hold your breath and swim under the ice

I know that it's not safe here
You did this to yourself but have no fear
Just hold your breath and swim under!

Notes

One more chapter guys! Please vote and subscribe to stay tuned for the finale! <3