I don't know why I was still hanging out with Katherine. We'd known each other since middle school and she was that person you grew up with so you automatically became friends.

The thing was that she was an overall shitty friend, she teased me about things that I really did feel insecure about and later got offended because I was being "such a piss about shit". She changed to fit the crowd, and she just overall didn't care about anybody that wasn't of any use to her.

And she also hung around a bad crowd. I'm not talking about the cool rebels that listen to punk music and cut class. I'm talking about actual lowlifes who stole cars and dealt things and weren't afraid to get their hands dirty because they just didn't give a shit if they actually hurt someone.

So yeah, I don't know how Katherine still called herself my friend after high school and even through University, but she did and I let her because she was a familiar face.

When she dragged me to a party going on at some stranger's house I was weary. I'm an avid watcher of crime dramas and all that, so I was mentally preparing myself to not accept any drinks from shady guys or follow some guy into a room alone.

I cursed myself when we actually stepped foot inside the house, because Katherine did what she'd always done. She saw some cute guy, or her version of cute that is, and then left me with the promise to bring back some drinks that she never fulfilled.

Oh god I hated being forced to socialize with a group of strangers this big. I was definitely not antisocial, but I also wasn't someone who could easily keep a conversation flowing.

I wandered over to the first lone person I saw that I figured would be harmless. It was a tall brunette girl standing against the wall, looking at the people crowded on the two couches and just mingling in the middle of the living room. Some remixed song by Britney Spears was playing and there were people grinding like there was no tomorrow.

She had beautiful eyes. They were the lightest brown and the way she leaned against the wall and tucked her hair behind her ear made it seem like she was just as weary of these people as I was.

I hadn't intended to really get a conversation going with her, but as I stood next to her and looked over at the people, I couldn't help but voice my thoughts. "God, I wanna get out of here."

"You read my mind. What brings you to this place?"

"A friend."

"Where is she?"

"She went off with some guy a couple of minutes ago."

"And left you alone? Sounds shitty. I'm Talia by the way."

"Carmen."

She nodded, growing quiet again.

"What about you? What brings you here?"

She shrugged, looking at the people. "A friend of a friend told me to come. I guess that's what happens when you can't say no."

I smiled, agreeing silently.

We were quiet and she spoke again. "You wanna get out of here?"

"And go where?"

"Some friends of a friend are playing at a bar. Downtown on Fairfax. I couldn't say no. But they're starting in ten so I guess I should get going soon. I don't know you seem cool. I don't usually invite some stranger though, so don't try anything on me."

I looked at the people again. They were still dancing and Katherine was still gone. I looked at Talia again. She was checking her phone and straightening up. "Coming?"

I would've never said yes. But the strobe lighting and the smell of sweat and vodka made my stomach turn and I needed to get out.

"Sure."

-------------------------------------

So I ditched the party and ended up getting into some stranger's 1999 Toyota Corolla. And with the windows lowered and the wind cooling down my warmed skin, we made it to some shady bar right where Talia had said.

Catfish and the Bottlemen. The small sign was barely noticeable at the front door. Some bouncer was checking ID's and I hope he wouldn't tell me anything about the fact that it'd expired a month ago. He didn't.

The place was dim and there were only a couple of people throughout the tables. A red spotlight was focused on a makeshift stage in the center of the room. Talia led me to a table where there were two other girls waiting. They seemed nice but you never could tell.

"This is Stacey and this is Angie. She's the one know's got connections to the band." Talia smiled teasingly.

"Cause she's shagging the drummer!" Stacey threw her head back in laughter. Angie swatted her on the arm. Talia sat on the stool while I looked at the stage.

"Carmen, sit. So where's the band? They chicken out?"

"Nope, Van just had to stop for a bathroom break. He literally said sorry mates, I gotta use the loo."

"Oh god. Is this the same guy who always leaves your car smelling like bananas?"

"The one and only." Angie rolled her eyes. "I don't get how Stacey's going to deal with it if she wants to snatch him up."

"He's so sexy. You just don't want to admit it cause you're dating his friend."

I felt awkward. All three girls were getting on just fine and I was just looking towards the stage. The lights suddenly dimmed again and there was a small spattering of applause. Four guys walked on and I could barely make out the face of the one who grabbed the microphone.

"Hi everyone. Sorry again, but when ya gotta go, ya gotta go. Thanks again to my mate Wally for letting us play. Class people really. This song is a little tune I've been working on. Hope you enjoy."

"Let's get closer." Stacey whispered. They stood up and I followed.

"Sorry, I know it's kind of awkward. You're fine though, Stacey talks enough for the whole group." Talia touched my arm as we got closer to the stage. Someone fixed the lighting and I finally got to see everyone. There were four of them. The drummer looked older, sporting glasses and a mop of curly hair. The one playing bass also had a bit of a 'fro, and he smiled at the guitar player to his right, who had a toothpick in between his teeth as he pulled his cap down.

The singer was the one who'd been talking. He drank from a bottle of water, looking out into the small crowd. He looked genuinely so pleased to see everyone and he grinned. He seemed to be looking straight at our table, probably recognizing his friends. I locked eyes with him and he winked, pushing his hair back.

Who was I kidding, it wasn't anything flirtatious. It was probably just a casual gesture. He pulled down his striped sweater, bringing the microphone to his mouth. They froze for a second, and then just like a bomb the band launched into a tune filled with such a raw and eclectic melody I felt it vibrate through my bones.

Give me some madness I can get off on

He held on to the microphone like a lifesaver, his lips practically melting around it. I found myself moving my head to the music and the lyrics were very catchy. The three friends were cheering of course, and the Stacey girl was swinging her arms, shaking her hips to the music. I felt transfixed to the stage, their energy was amazing, especially the singer's.

I felt weird asking Talia for the singer's name so I just kept watching the set. They played two more songs and a cover and then the lights came on and there was a livelier round of applause than before. I wanted to get a drink but I felt weird just going off alone.

Talia seemed to read my mind. "You wanna head to the bar while we wait for the guys?"

"We're gonna meet them?"

"Well, yeah. Angie has to slobber on her boyfriend for a little and Stacey has this fantasy that she's going to get Van to fall in love with her."

"A fantasy?"

Talia shrugged. "From what I've heard. Van wants to launch the band before anything. And Stacey's not really the patient girlfriend either."

Talia leaned over the bar. "Two of the special."

I didn't even check to see what the special was. "So how do you guys know each other?"

"I've known Angie since I was like ten. Our mom's worked in the same company together. Stacey is a friend of Angie's from college. I don't really know these guys well, imagine how cool I thought it was when Angie told me she was dating a band member. And from Wales! Bob is cool, and his band mates are too. Do you like that type of music?"

"Alternative? Oh yeah, they're really good actually. Do they have anything out?"

"Yeah, you should ask Van, he carries a box of their EPs everywhere he goes from what I've heard."

I took the glass she offered and followed her back to the table. Angie was laughing with the drummer from the band, his arm around her waist.

"Talia!"

"Hey Bob. You guys were great. This is my new friend Carmen, I'm converting her to your guys' music."

"Hi Carmen, nice to meet you." Bob had a bit of an accent.

"Hi." I grinned.

Stacey cut in quickly. "Bob, when is Van coming out?"

"The lads are coming out in a few. I got to come out cause my girl is here."

Stacey pouted, resting her shoulders on the table.

My phone vibrated with a text.

Katherine: Hey where r you? Brb this guy says he can hook me up w/some pot. Unless you want to come?

I responded and told Katherine I'd ditched the party, hopefully she wouldn't elaborate on that. I took a sip from the drink Talia had ordered, choking slightly on the strong bitter taste.

"Not much of a drinker sweetie?" Stacey laughed.

"Do you want some water?" Talia looked genuinely concerned.

"I'll get some. Be right back." With watery eyes I fled the table. I was embarrassed, trying to make a good first impression on these people and all I could prove was that I couldn't handle my alcohol.

"Could I get some water please?" I leaned over the counter, taking a breath.

I heard laughter behind me, followed by someone's boots tapping on the floor as they got closer.

"Hi."

I turned around and came face to face with a pair of bright blue eyes under a mess of brown hair. He grinned, showing a lot of teeth. But it worked for him.

"Hi."

"Here's your water." The bartender set down a cup of water.

"Water at a bar huh? That's a twist of irony."

"I mean, I drink, but there was an incident. I mean, wow, sorry didn't mean to say that. Your band just played."

"That's correct. And you were with Angie and her friends."

"Yes. I'm Carmen."

"Ryan. Well that's my birth name I guess. Call me Van though, it's more class. And I rather like the uniqueness of it."

"Nice to meet you. You were great. Onstage."

He grinned, crossing his arms. "Thanks. I fancy playing a more crowded venue in the near future but gotta start somewhere first huh?"

"Oh yeah definitely." His eyes were disarming. He pulled his sweater down and stood next to me to order. "I'll get a whiskey." He turned to look at me. "Sure on that water?" Even when he wasn't smiling he had a ghost of a smile in his eyes.

"I'll get a rum."

"Atta girl." He accepted the two tumblers and handed me mine. He raised his and we clinked together. I drank it quickly, letting it burn my throat.

"Van!" Someone screeched behind me. It was that Stacey girl.

"There he is, thought we'd lost him on the way to the table." The other two missing band members were there. "Who's this?"

Talia broke in. "This is my friend Carmen. Carmen this is Bondy and Benji."

"Nice to meet ya. See you've met the little bugger Van."

"Mate I'll fight you in this bar I don't care." Van laughed easily, looking at me. I smiled at him, feeling pleasantly warmed with his attention.

"Van be an old sport and get us a pitcher for round 1."

"I need someone to come with me cause the buddy system. Carmen, fancy joining me?" I looked up, meeting his eye.

"Sure." I stood up, catching sight of Stacey's face. She looked livid.

"What the hell Talia, why'd you bring this random girl? Now she's gonna try and get cozy with Van." It was way too loud and I know everyone else heard it too.

Van didn't say anything as we walked to the bar, stopping to talk to some of the patrons. We got to the bar and he chatted with the bartender while ordering.

"So how'd you meet Talia?"

"We met an hour ago. At some lame party."

"Must've not been that lame if you were there." Was he flirting with me?

"Nah, it was lame."

He laughed. "If you say it then it must be true." He brushed his hair back again. He grabbed the pitcher and I followed him back. He seemed so open and comfortable with everything he did.

"Heyo." Van called out as he set the pitcher down.

I looked at my phone, it was almost 11. I looked around the bar. There were some people but not a lot. I looked around the table. All the guys and girls were joking around. And I was just an observer. I mean honestly, I didn't know any of these people. I panicked a little. I didn't want to get drunk with these people if I didn't even know them.

"Talia?"

"What's up?" She grinned at me.

"I'm sorry, I have to go."

"What's the rush?" Van cut in.

"I've got work tomorrow. Really, it was nice meeting you guys."

"How are you getting home? Let me drive you." Van stood up. "I got the keys to the van anyways. You lads won't mind if I drop Carmen off and be back in a few will you?"

"Just call her a taxi." Stacey rolled her eyes.

Van looked at her and then looked at me. "You ready?" I stood up, following him towards the exit. Here I was about to get into a van with some guy I'd just met.

Great.