Post-Paris(1): discovering stage-flirting

After my adventure in Paris I kept in touch with L. Neither of us made a big deal out of what had happened and I continued my summer doing a number of other crazy things. After all I was a single girl again after what had felt like several long years. Plus, I had just graduated so there's no need to tell you that that summer was like a revelation to me.

Together with the end of a beautiful summer a whole new life was about to begin for me. I started studying at university and living on my own. This was the moment I had been dreaming of since...well since before I even hit puberty. I have to admit it didn't even took one month before I got involved with someone again. But this time it would be different. We started off as friends with benefits and we both treasured our freedom. After a while we couldn't ignore the fact that we became more than just friends. But still we didn't want the relationship to limit our personal aspirations and development as such, so we decided that a sort of open relationship would be more our thing. When L's band was back on tour in Europe this would mean I'd have the freedom to go and do my thing. Blessed me.

The first time I saw him again was at a show on the other side of the country. I went alone and enjoyed the solitude which accompanied the train ride. When arriving at the venue I texted L to inform him I was there. After proudly saying my name to the guy managing the guestlist I started my search for a friendly ride home. When that was taken care of I got a text back from L, saying that he had just finished his dinner and we could meet up at the bus. We did a bit of catching up but I wanted to see some of the support act so he escorted me to the backstage, hung a backstage pass around my neck and showed me the way to the concert hall. I bumped into the other guitarist who seemed happy to see me - I was happy he even recognised me in the first place. He gave me a beer and we watched the rest of the support act together.

When S left to get ready I made my way to the front of the stage. I actually didn't like the beer much so I gave it to some guy who was very happy to receive a beer I got from S. Some more surrounding people asked about how I knew the band and I proudly showed my AAA-pass. The band put on a pretty good show and once again I enjoyed the eye contact with L and S. This resulted in even more -and slightly jealous- reactions from the people around me, which may have made me feel too good for my own good... But there was something different this time... For the first time I noticed the keyboard player -who had always been kind of stuck in the back. He was actually really cute and my eyes were drawn to this energetic musician.

After the concert I talked to L for a few minutes but then I left him with some fans. I saw the cute keyboard player sitting alone by the stage so I got up to him and introduced myself. We had a short talk and I found out he really was a nice guy. Unfortunately the ride I fixed earlier was about to leave so I had to say goodbye to the guys. As I was walking away L suddenly pulled me back and gave me one last hug while saying it was a shame I had to leave so quickly -Aaahh! How I wished I could've stayed longer!

... A few months later ...

I was at the same festival where I had caught the guitar pick three years earlier. Only this time I was on the guestlist ánd had access to the VIP area. It seemed like a lot had happened during those three years... I managed to get on the first row again when L's band performed and I had such an amazing time! My eye-contact had switched an enormous amount from L to V -the keyboard player. There was a lot of "stage-flirting" going on between the two of us throughout the entire show though I don't think he remembered me from the last time we met. (I guess I started to use the term stage-flirting from then on -oh, and yes I'd like that patented please.) I caught his attention and flirty, naughty looks were exchanged throughout the show. When they finished and came to the front of the stage to take a communal bow he signed to me I could meet him right after. But there was no clear way to the backstage and L didn't answer his cell phone. This really bummed me out, so I kept an eye out for both of them and went to look for them in the VIP-lounge. Unfortunately I only found the bassist who didn't know where the others were. Eventually I gave up and -again- tried to enjoy the rest of the festival with a feeling of disappointment floating in the background.

... several months went by ...

One day L started chatting with me and the longing for another show started to take over again. The band was touring around the rest of Europe and I checked for a doable venue and date -without much success 'cause I didn't have lots of money to spend on a trip. A few days went by and I had sort of given up when I stumbled on a cheap ticket to Cologne where they would be playing the very next day. The all-time impulsive me decided to skip work, skip classes and just GO! I even had to borrow money from one of my housemates to be able to pay for the train ticket.

Less than 12hrs later I was on my way! I felt so free, almost manic and I set my clock to Rock 'n' Roll-time! After having practically force-fed myself out of nervousness at Burger King I walked the streets of Cologne. I passed a funfair on the way to the venue and thought to myself "Maybe I could stay with these people for the night..." I didn't text L when I got there, instead I went straight to the stage to make sure I had the best spot. Well...that and the fact that this time we would have plenty of time to catch up afterwards! Plus, ever since my eye had caught V my interest in L had vastly decreased... As I was surrounded by some sixteen-year-olds who were trying to -far too obviously- catch every bandmember's attention, including V's, I thought I'd better focus on enjoying the concert and leave the 'mingling' for later.

After all, when I want something I'll make sure I get it, you just wait and see...