Finding Fate

The small club in Haiuki, a suburb in Ninjago City, was the liveliest on Saturday nights. A dimly lit room filled with a bunch of sweaty sixteen-year-olds, it was the place everyone wanted to be.

Except for me and my friends. We were solely here for the music. And Oren.

"Did they really have to choose this gig?" I asked Grace, yelling over the loud music and chatter. She shrugged,

"It was the only one Chase could get."

"Now, remind me Gracie, who is who?" Amelia squinted at the band.

"That's not them, they're not on for another couple of minutes. Chase is the oldest, twenty-six, hot as fuck, and literally every straight girl's dream. Plus he can sing and is lead guitar. Then it's the guys, Oren, Brad and Jason-"

"I don't even remember what your boyfriend looks like."

"Okay, okay, Oren hasn't been at school lately."

"I haven't met Brad." I crossed my arms and Grace sighed.

"He's in our music class. If you had taken the elective, you'd know him." I rolled my eyes. I wasn't going to argue. "Oren is semi-tall, fluffy, dirty blonde hair, drums. Brad, however, is probably more my height, so roughly five foot two, short brunette hair and super cute. He's on the keyboard." Gracie turned to me and raised her eyebrows. "And guess which tall, blonde guy is playing the other guitar."

"Jason," I deadpanned, "Yeah, you'd think I'd know."

"When are you guys going to make it official?" Amelia whined.

"When he gets a grip."

"Not on good terms?" Grace asked softly and I shook my head. "We're going to come back to this conversation."

"Give it up for... The Foursome!"

"Ugh, they really need to change that."

"Yeah," I replied in agreement, glancing up at Amelia. We huddled together more, hoping to avoid being squished by others. The band stepped onto the stage and called out the name of their first song. I watched Jason intently as the song began to play.

"Hey guys," a voice boomed from behind us. "I didn't expect you three to be here."

Amelia grinned widely, "Lucy! Good to see you." Lucy returned the smile and flicked her hair over her shoulder.

"Yeah? How's school?"

"Not too bad, just assignments and stuff. You?"

"Oh my God, circus is literally so crazy. We've started all these new Acro acts and," Lucy grabbed at her hair playfully, sounding frustrated and crossed her eyes, shaking slightly. "Grrrrrr."

"Fun," I replied sarcastically and turned my gaze to Lucy.

"How's dance?"

I paused, my heart sinking. Does she not know? When was the last time we spoke?

"I, uh, quit." Her eyebrows arched in surprise. "Yeah, Sky left for Uni a few months ago and losing the extra support was too much for Mom."

Lucy frowned and turned to the band.

They were good, I had to admit. Chase was a great singer and they played well together, but I felt out of my element.

The gig was short, only lasting forty-five minutes. Lucy went off to find some of her other friends who she had come with tonight and when the last song finished, the band met us at an empty booth.