Wearing khaki cargo pants and a light blue t-shirt, his brown hair cut short, he hands his ticket to the security guard and strides through the barrier. Walking outside the concert venue, he scans the crowd, looking for his friend. Wandering the past the concession stands, the t-shirt vendors, and the various teenagers getting stymied by security trying to sneak in alcohol, he pauses when he hears his phone ring. Glancing down, he sees a text from his buddy, "apologies for the late notice, I had something come up, I had to sell my ticket. Sorry man." Disappointed, but not about to let that hinder his experience, he gets a beer, walks through the curtains of his section, and sets about finding his seat. He sighs upon noticing that his seat was not as good as he thought, and he heads up past the mezzanine and into the nose bleeds, then smiles slightly at noticing that he at least has seats on the main concourse and can stretch his legs out.
Looking down at the stage, his spirits lift a bit upon realizing that he actually has a better view of the stage and crowd. With the lights still on, he lets his eyes wander over the mass of people, picking out characters and drunks, obvious moshers and rabble-rousers. He sips his beer, enjoying the taste and the feeling of relaxation that washes over him as he finally has no other worries for the day. Slouching down in his seat, his legs extend in front of him and he lets out a deep breath.
He glances to his right and quickly does a double-take as she catches his eye. Looking her up and down, he admires her trim figure, walking in black flats, wearing hip-hugging jeans and a loose red blouse that hangs off her shoulders but doesn't give much away. Her wavy hair is free, a dark-brown cascade flowing over her shoulder as she walks down the aisle with her head towards the sound stage, enjoying the view. As she gets closer, he turns away, not wanting to get caught staring. Keeping his eyes locked forward, his palms get a bit clammy as he realizes that she has come to a stop right near him. His heart starts racing as he turns toward her nervously. She timidly says "I think you're in my seat." He looks at his ticket, and quickly realizes that she must have bought the ticket from his friend. "I'm sorry, I'm just the next seat over," he replies, as he shifts one to his left.
She sits down next to him, crossing her legs, and he sits up a little straighter, more conscious of his posture in front of the beautiful girl. She turns her head as she blushes upon noticing his jaw line, muscled shoulders, and biceps. Despite the obvious nervousness of both parties, they manage to start small talk and exchange some pleasantries to pass the time. He smiles constantly, trying to hide the fact that he is instantly attracted to this beautiful woman sitting next to him. She herself is struggling to not stare at the classically handsome face and disarming smile that is actively engaging her. Laughter is flowing freely between the young acquaintances as the time passes.
Having finished his beer, he offers to get her a beverage as well, and she takes him up on the offer. She sits anxiously in his absence, wondering whether it is normal to be this excited about someone she has just met. As she goes back and forth in her head, the lights dim and the crowd starts to cheer. Muse comes out on stage, opening up with the song Hysteria, and she joins in as everyone stands up. Her new friend scurries back just in time for the end of the opening riff, drinks in hand. As he hands her the drink, their hands touch and they both freeze for the quickest of moments, both electrified at the unexpected contact. His heart races, anxiously hoping that she felt the same thing he did, that she didn't shy away. She pauses upon accepting the cup, letting her hand linger for a fleeting instant, enjoying the feeling that shouldn't have been.
They each turn away nervously, forgetting everything that has been going on around them, instead consumed with determining the meaning of what just happened. He listens to the music, trying to forget the anxiousness that briefly took over his body, letting his muscles relax and trying to regain his composure. She blushes and smiles to herself as she lets the beat wash over her, calming her nerves and subconsciously shifting her body back towards the man beside her. They gradually come closer together as the set list plays through, until their arms graze each other. Neither wants to be the first to move from the precarious position, enjoying the physical contact that each has been craving all night. Settling into a comfortable spot, each makes subtle movements to keep in touch with the other, causing more and more overlap of the arms.
Emboldened by the fact that she hasn't pulled away, he lets his right hand drift over towards hers, his fingers crawling over her thumb and into her palm. She tilts her head to the side and away, hiding a shy smile as she intertwines her fingers with his, their hands clasped together in a loose grip. Unable to hide his satisfaction that his advances were not rebuffed, he gently squeezes her hand and turns to smile at her. She grins in return and pulls his body closer to hers.
He is astonished at how comfortable he feels around this relative stranger, and with how comfortable she seems to be with him as well. His intimations are confirmed as she lets her head come to rest on his right shoulder. He withdraws his hand from hers and instead wraps it around her back, coming to rest on her hip, keeping her body close to his.
She brings her right arm across her body, snaking its way up across his chest until it pauses at his shoulder, just below her chin. She can feel his heart beat underneath her palm, and cannot help but wonder whether that is due to the loud music or from her. Based on her own feelings and heartbeat, she guesses that it is because of the physical contact and nature of the situation. Unable to help herself, an infections grin takes over her face, enjoying the serendipitous nature of it all. She thinks how fortunate the circumstances were, that she was able to buy the last-minute ticket, that she got to sit next to this handsome man, and that she feels safe with him, despite the raucous atmosphere around them.
As a piano rises out of the stage, he stands up straighter. He turns and brushes aside her hair, whispering in her ear "this is my favorite song, they're about to play Starlight." Sure enough, the opening piano sequence that is the life of the song rings throughout the arena.