The Night Before the Music Changed

The sun was merciless, hanging high in the June sky like a fiery spotlight. But I didn’t care—I was about to see my all-time favorite band live! The excitement bubbling inside me made the heat, the sweat, and even the exhaustion of the day worth it.

Before heading to the venue, I made a game-time decision: food first. Who knew what awaited me inside? The last thing I wanted was to battle hunger while screaming my lungs out. So, I went for the healthiest option (note the sarcasm)—a burger, fries, onion rings, and soda from a fast-food place nearby.

Then, right in the middle of my blissful carb-fest, my phone buzzed.

"Where are you? Your ticket includes a photo op—you paid for it!"

Wait… WHAT?!

My heart nearly stopped. A photo op? How did I not know this? Did I forget? Or was I just too focused on snagging the best seat possible? Either way, I had just wasted precious time. I shoved the last onion ring in my mouth, grabbed my stuff, and bolted toward the convention center, dodging slow walkers like I was in an obstacle course.

But my luck? Absolutely rotten.

I missed the photo op.

And to make things worse, when I finally got inside, the usher couldn’t even find my seat. Just as I braced myself for a disaster of a night, she miraculously found me a spot—three rows from the stage. Not too shabby. At least I wasn’t in the nosebleeds.

As I settled in, I scanned the crowd for my photographer friends, hoping to get a cool pre-show pic. No luck—they were all swamped. So, I gave in to the endless temptation of social media scrolling, my fingers mindlessly swiping through my feed.

Then, I felt it.

The restless energy beside me. A guy, one seat away, shifting, fidgeting, unable to sit still. He whispered something to the couple on his right, then adjusted his position again—as if he just couldn’t get comfortable.

I ignored him at first, too absorbed in my screen. But then, out of nowhere, he turned toward me.

And with a nervous smile, he asked—

"Hi, are you alone, too?"

I froze.

Something about his tone, his body language… it sent a tiny shiver down my spine.

This night was about to take a turn.

A turn I never saw coming.