"How is Seattle doing today?"

An echo of screams follow Mark's voice, including Pete and I, his hand in mine as we laugh, my eyes wide and a smile right on my lips.

"That's great!" Mark smiles and looks to Matt, then to Travis, "Okay guys, we're gonna start off here pretty easy, sing along if you're feeling it."

He backs up, pulling the mic to his chin and looking across the crowd as the three start it off with their instruments, Mark coming in a little while after.

"I'm like a cat in a cage, locked up and battered and bruised

I am the prodigal son, a shameful prodigy too

I am the love of your life, battering ram and confusedI turn each day into night, I stand there waiting for youThere is desire to fight, but I have nothing to proveWith the crowd and some lights, I start to feel things moveDo you have something to hide? 'Cause I think that we all doI am a child inside, back up and give me some room."I watch a Matt joins in, singing the lead while Mark sings background."I'm just a bastard child, don't let it go to your headI'm just a waste of your time, maybe I'm better off deadYou turn us loose in the night, I'm fucking Jekyll and HydeWe'll have the time of our lives although we're dying inside."

"So let me go, go
So let me go, go
Just let me go, go
I'd rather go in alone
So let me go, go
So let me go, go
Just let me go, go
I'm never coming home."

"Don't start to panic for me, 'cause I have nothing to loseI am as bright as the sun, I burn up all that I chooseUpon the side of a field I see a city with lightsI touch her face and I kneel, she tells me she's not aliveI am too nervous to run, like kids who scatter and hideTo reach and grab for someone, but end up buried aliveA world is waiting for me, a road that I rarely useI start to feel my feet, they kick down walls as they move.""I'm just a bastard child, don't let it go to your headI'm just a waste of your time, maybe I'm better off deadYou turn us loose in the night, I'm fucking Jekyll and HydeWe'll have the time of our lives although we're dying inside."
"So let me go, goSo let me go, goJust let me go, goI'd rather go in aloneSo let me go, goSo let me go, goJust let me go, goI'm never coming home."
"I'm just a bastard child, don't let it go to your headI'm just a waste of your time, maybe I'm better off deadYou turn us loose in the night, I'm fucking Jekyll and HydeWe'll have the time of our lives although we're dying inside."

"So let me go, go

So let me go, goJust let me go, goI'd rather go in aloneSo let me go, goSo let me go, goJust let me go, goI'm never coming home."

***

It's about halfway through the concert when the band finally starts to slow and as soon as the next song starts, my heart begins to race in my chest and a wide grin spreads on my lips.

"This is it!" I say to Pete over the people around us.

He chuckles and kisses my cheek before pulling his camera from his neck and taking a quick picture, dark blue lights surrounding us.

I kiss him hard on the lips, squeezing my eyes shut before the piano comes in softly, Mark there and Matt and Travis at their own instruments. I pull away as soon as Mark comes in, smiling brightly at the stage.

"I swear that I can go on forever againPlease let me know that my one bad day will endI will go down as your lover, your friendGive me your lips and with one kiss we begin." Pete kisses me gently and turns me so we're facing before he hugs me close and buries his face in my shoulder."Are you afraid of being alone?Cause I am, I'm lost without youAre you afraid of leaving tonight?Cause I am, I'm lost without you." I swear I've never felt so close to the lyrics. The piano and the drums and Mark's voice loud and plain.
"I'll leave my room open till sunrise for youI'll keep my eyes patiently focused on youWhere are you now I can hear footsteps I'm dreaming?And if you will, keep me from waking to believe this"Are you afraid of being alone?Cause I am, I'm lost without youAre you afraid of leaving tonight?Cause I am, I'm lost without you."

The intermission is long and I feel tears slowly rising to my eyes as my thoughts fill with Pete. It's only been two days but I know damn well it's been so much longer. So, so much longer.

"Are you afraid of being alone?Cause I am, I'm lost without youAre you afraid of leaving tonight?Cause I am, I'm lost without you."
"I'll never leave you, I promise."
"Are you afraid of being aloneCause I am, I'm lost without youAre you afraid of leaving tonightCause I am, I'm lost without you."
"I promise, too."
"I'm lost without youI'm lost without you."

Pete looks down at me with a gentle smile, laughing the slightest and I hear his voice in my ear.

"Is there any reason as to why that song is still your favorite even after you have me?"

I chuckle, "Because it reminds me of the relationship I already have. I don't need any more than you.

"I love you."

***

6. Go to a Blink-182 concert