Love-Struck by Rachael Wing Page A

bubbling up inside of me, and I couldn’t stay looking at myself for ever, so I took one last glance at the petite brunette with dark-lined green eyes and ripped black T-shirt, and went out into the crowd.
    The place was at least half full already, some people on stage, fiddling with the amps and guitars, and some milling around and greeting each other, the air starting to buzz with expectancy – or maybe that was just me. I couldn’t see Wes anywhere. The crowd was pretty thick, so I just decided to make my way over to the bar. I looked at my watch as I walked, trying to keep my feet from doing a jig to release the tension. It was just a few minutes later than we said, so I was casually late, which was good, but when I looked over to the bar I couldn’t see him. My pulse picked up a fraction, but I calmed it down. He’s a boy, and what is the one thing we can count on all boys being?
    Late.
    So I strutted with more confidence than I felt over to the bar, which I leaned on, so that I could see the door but also the crowd. After all, he might have walked in, not seen me at the bar and gone to talk to a few people.
    Maybe.
    I was lost in my own thoughts for a bit, and then I decided to crowd-scan. I still couldn’t see Wes and Emily, but the roadies had subtly come on to the stage and started to do a final tuning. That’s one of the good things about The Venue: they always make sure that their acts start promptly.
    I flicked my hair a bit for something to do, put on a bit more lip gloss, and then pretended to text someone, like I was a bit cool and, like, had friends, they just weren’t here. Then the door opened and I jumped out of my skin and my head snapped up, but it was just a large group of kids from the year above filing in and filling up most of the extra space. The place was getting full and loud, and it made me aware that everyone was talking to someone else whilst I was stood at the bar, alone, feeling like a right gooseberry. I looked at my watch. I’d been standing there for ten minutes! It had felt like twenty. Where was he? I couldn’t have missed him, surely?
    â€œExcuse me, can I help?”
    I turned around. The guy behind the bar was very cute. He had dark, messy blond hair, really toned arms and a friendly smile with a lip piercing.
    Hmm, lip ring!
    I pouted. “Not really.”
    He put down the glass he was holding and leaned forward. “Waiting for someone?”
    â€œHmmm,” I said, not meeting his eyes.
    Time check: ten to. The band were starting to play a bit, finishing off their tuning. Any minute they would start to play. Where was he? Was he not even coming?
    I willed myself not to blurt out that I’d been stood up. I was not about to—
    â€œGot stood up?”
    Damn, was I that obvious?
    â€œNo!” I snapped, far too quickly. The blond boy laughed.
    â€œNo,” I said, in calmer tones. “He’s just a little bit late, is all. He’ll be here soon.”
    â€œWhat’s your name?” he asked, with a half smile that gave him a dimple in one cheek.
    â€œHolly,” I answered, surprised.
    â€œWell, Holly, if your friend doesn’t show up in the next ten minutes, how about I buy you a drink?”
    Inside I was nearly crying. I must have looked really, really good or else the cute boy with a lip ring (hmm, lip ring!) wouldn’t be asking me if I wanted a drink, and Jonah wasn’t there to see me looking so great! I felt so stupid for making an effort for someone who couldn’t even make the effort to show up.
    TK, a part owner of The Venue, walked out on to the stage. The room had totally filled up now, and everyone cheered as he walked on.
    â€œHey, everybody! Let’s get on with it. Here’s the first part of the line-up for MSR! Let’s hear it for The Dandys!”
    The entire room erupted as the band strutted on, claimed their instruments and started their first song. The bass line