The excitement buzzed through you as you stepped out of the car, your heart racing with a mix of anticipation and nerves. The sun was setting, casting a warm orange glow over the concert venue, and the energy in the air was electric. You couldn’t believe you were actually here, about to see one of your favorite bands live.

“Alright, everyone got their tickets?” Charlie, your older brother, called out, already a head taller than most people in the crowd. He was always the responsible one, making sure everything was in order, especially since you were the youngest in the group.

“Yep,” Ted, your brother's best friend, replied, patting his back pocket. “Got ‘em right here.”

You nodded, holding up your ticket, trying to play it cool. But then, there was Schlatt—Ted’s best friend, and the real reason your stomach was doing flips. He stood a little off to the side, fiddling with his phone, looking completely relaxed. His messy hair and casual confidence made him stand out, and you couldn’t help but steal a glance his way whenever you thought no one was looking.

“You ready for this?” Ted asked, nudging you with his elbow, a grin spreading across his face. He was just a few years older than you, and he loved teasing you, but it was all in good fun.

“Totally,” you replied, forcing your voice to sound steady. You weren’t about to let him know how nervous you were—not about the concert, but about spending the evening with Schlatt so close by.

Schlatt finally looked up from his phone, slipping it into his pocket as he walked over to join you. “You guys talking about the setlist? I checked it out earlier. It’s gonna be insane.”

His voice sent a shiver down your spine, and you quickly focused on the ground, hoping your cheeks weren’t as red as they felt. “Yeah, can’t wait,” you mumbled, trying to sound casual.

Charlie glanced at the time on his watch. “We should head in before the line gets too crazy.”