By the time they got to Club A, there was nothing but awkwardness between Kathy and Donnie. A part of her wished she'd never left home and just told him to go to the dumb concert by himself.

But as they entered the venue, which was packed, the feeling ebbed away the tiniest bit. The guitar solo playing sent the crowd into a frenzy and Kathy found herself grinning and craning her neck to catch a glimpse of the band.

Donnie's grip on her hand tightened and he pulled her further away from the stage, towards the bar at the back of the club. Since everyone was trying to be as close as possible to the stage, the bar was fairly empty, so it was easy to spot Pete and Jackson waiting there.

The unease returned as her eyes fell on them. She didn't know they'd be here as well and she most certainly didn't want to spend her time with them. Especially when Donnie claimed he wanted this to be couple time.

"What?" he asked, noticing her hesitance to follow.

"You said this is for our anniversary. Do you really want to celebrate that with Pete and Jackson?"

He shot her a skeptical look. "You're telling me you didn't want to come here with Kelly?"

"I changed my plans when you mentioned you wanted to spend time with me."

Donnie didn't seem to have heard her, just continued pulling her along.

"They're our friends. We'll have fun."

Correction. They were his friends. But she sucked it up and tried to at least look excited to be there. She didn't need more snide comments from those two.

"Hey there," Jackson greeted them, a disgusting leer on his face. "So, should I pop out the cherry soda?"

Kathy's insides froze. She glared from him to Donnie, but he pretended not to take notice.

"Nah, I want something stronger," he mumbled. "Chug out the whiskey!"

"That bad, huh?" Jackson laughed, flashing his fake ID and ordering Donnie a drink.

Kathy took in a deep breath and answered Pete's wave with one of her own. She didn't want to believe what was going through her mind right now.

That Donnie had bragged to his friends that he was finally going to sleep with her and now they were discussing it, joking about it. Her fingers curled and uncurled. She knew Donnie, and even if he'd been going a bit haywire lately, he wasn't an insensitive monster. He wouldn't have gone that far.

And yet, she wanted to claw his eyes out. Don't make a scene. Not when you can't be sure.

Trying to distract herself from screaming bloody murder, she looked towards the stage again. Kelly must be right in the front row, cheering her crush on. For a moment, Kathy wished she could join her, but this was supposed to be her evening with Donnie. They could still have fun, make it romantic.

So she forced a smile on her face and turned to the boys. "Donnie, how about we--"

"Guess who I saw lurking around, asking for you?" Jackson cut her off, handing Donnie his second glass of whiskey.

"Who?" Donnie asked, swinging it back and draining it all.

"Donnie, we're driving home, remember?" Kathy yanked the third glass from Jackson's hand. How was he even getting them so fast?

"Gees, Kathy, why do you have to be such a killjoy?" Jackson said, rolling his eyes. "Unless you're planning to drink that up and dance on the bar for us, I suggest you give it back and leave Donnie alone. The man needs some fun." The words felt like poison, like blame for not giving Donnie what he wanted.

A bitter taste settled in her mouth and she wanted to scream.

"Hey," Donnie said, pointing a finger at his friend. "Don't be mean."

Jackson just blinked at Donnie, his rat-like face impassible. "Anyway. Darla's been asking for you."

Kathy froze from her plans to murder Jackson, her fists clenching involuntarily.

"Really?" Donnie asked, seeming interested rather than annoyed as he should be.

"You promised me you'd never talk to her again," Kathy said between her teeth.

"Of course, sugar, of course." He wrapped and arm around her shoulders and gave her a quick kiss on the temple. "Why don't you go get yourself a drink?"

Why don't you get me one? The anger inside her only grew, so maybe it was better to be as far away from Jackson at the moment. She moved towards the bartender who was pouring tequila shots a few stools away. A minute later, the woman with short cropped hair turned to her, a lenient smile on her face.

"What will it be, love?" she asked with a heavy drawl.

"Soda, please," Kathy said, searching her purse for some cash.

"Cherry soda?"

Ugh, she was never drinking cherry soda again in her life! "No, just give me a Pepsi Twist."

The woman smiled and reached under the bar for the drink. She popped the bottle open and poured it in a heavy glass. "You sure you don't want me to pour you some rum in here?"

Kathy blinked. If it were a guy, she'd sort of understand why he might want to spike her drink, but this was a woman. Why on earth was she insisting that Kathy have alcohol, especially when she didn't even try to give her a fake ID? "No, thank you."

The bartender shrugged. "Just thought you might need it."

This was getting creepy. "Why?"

The woman nodded behind Kathy. "Because, if I'm not mistaken, that's your man back there."

Kathy whipped around, almost sloshing the entire drink down her front. Donnie sat on a barstool, and touching his arm, throwing her head back and laughing annoyingly was Darla Hansen. Kathy's grip on the glass tightened as she tried to control the wave of rage. He'd promised.

Don't make a scene. Don't make a scene. She strode towards them, trying to keep her steps even and not fly over there like a screeching harpy. To his credit, Donnie looked a little uncomfortable and was doing his best to pull himself out of her reach while also remaining seated in his chair. Darla wouldn't have it. She leaned closer to him, spilling her boobs in his face, talking on as if she couldn't notice he wanted to flee. His useless friends had turned away, giving them privacy.

Donnie glanced over the bimbo's shoulder and his eyes widened as he caught sight of Kathy marching towards them. He raised his hands in an apologetic gesture, but Kathy had made up her mind.

"Hey, Darla!" she called.

With a flip of curly dark hair and an eye roll, Darla turned to face Kathy just to receive a glassful of Pepsi Twist in her face. Kathy should've let the bartender add the rum. It would've burned her eyes much worse than the fizzy drink.

Darla screamed and backed away from Donnie, finally. "You crazy bitch!" she yelled.

"Stay away from Donnie," Kathy fired back. "Can't you see he doesn't want to talk to you?"

Darla bared her teeth. "Talk? Who said anything about talking, sugar? He wants other things."

"Darla, that's enough," Donnie said, his tone somber. "I told you it's not a good idea to see each other anymore. Now please, leave."

Darla's mouth fell open, as if her tiny brain couldn't process Donnie's refusal. She locked her jaw, flipped her hair back again and stalked away, her nose high in the air. Seeing the back of her was the best part of Kathy's day.

"Now, why did you have to go and do that?" Donnie asked, his tone laced with annoyance.

Kathy turned to him, unable to believe her ears. "What?"

"Why did you have to go make a scene? I thought we were above petty jealousy," he continued, folding his arms across his chest.

Above petty-- He was the one who exploded every time she came near any other guy and scoffed when she wore anything remotely sexy. And she wasn't the one who'd slept with someone else.

Kathy's cheeks burned with embarrassment and anger. "Yeah, well, I thought you were above talking to people like her."

"Darla's cool. You don't have to be a bitch."

"Cool? She slept with you when she knew you were my boyfriend!" she yelled, slamming her empty glass on the bar.

"Keep it down. You're making a scene again."

"Making a scene?" Kathy clenched her fists. "You know what? You're right. She is cool. I should've thrown that drink in your face, because you're the cheating asshole." She whipped around and walked away from him.

Donnie called after her, but she didn't turn around and he didn't follow her. It took only seconds for the sound of his voice and his presence to get lost in the crowd.

With each step, some of the anger left her and tears flooded her eyes. They'd never fought like this. She'd never called him an asshole before. This was turning out to be the worst day ever. First the stunt with the moped, then his attempt to sleep with her and now this?

I will not cry. What was the point? It didn't make Donnie any more sensitive. But it hurt. Him standing up for Darla hurt.

Why did he need that bimbo fawning over him? Sure, she insisted that they waited until marriage to make love, but that didn't mean they didn't do other things. Maybe she was being stupid.

Maybe she should just give in and have sex with Donnie already. It wasn't like she had anything against premarital sex. But their relationship had been so sweet, so innocent, that she felt the perfect resolution would be to wait it out until marriage. It would feel forced and weird any other way.

She could do it and she had needs, too. Why couldn't he just keep it in his pants for another two years or so? Was it so much to ask for him to respect her wishes, respect their relationship?

She couldn't keep thinking about it. It would break her.

So instead, she'd just look for Kelly and spend the rest of the evening with her best friend, watching the awesome band and listening to her gush over Joey Wilkes.

Her mind made up, Kathy swallowed her tears and made her way through the crowd towards the stage. As she did, she finally focused on the music properly. The instrumental part was complex and soothing, and the lead singer had a strong, deep, sensual sort of voice. No wonder girls were bobbing up and down and screaming.

The current song ended, and Kathy managed to elbow her way to the stage, just as a new one started. She looked up at the band and froze, her eyes widening. Holy hell!

The singer towered over everyone, his hair jet black and stylishly messy, his dark blue eyes so vivid she could actually make out their color from where she stood. He was built like an athlete with broad shoulders, slim waist and well defined biceps. He was the most gorgeous guy she'd ever seen.

And his voice. Oh, that heavenly voice. She couldn't take her gaze off him and, crazily enough, after a few moments, his eyes focused on hers. Kathy's heart jumped into her throat. She knew she should do something, anything. Smile, look away, scowl, not just stare like a deer caught in the headlights.

He didn't look away, but kept playing without missing a beat. His gaze was so intense, it warmed her entire body. And he seemed to be singing for her. It felt like it was just the two of them in a bubble, the rest of the world forgotten, the words of the song hanging between them.

Kathy had no idea when the song ended, but all of a sudden, everyone around her was cheering and he broke eye contact and grinned at the crowd. His smile seemed to light up the room.

"There you are!" Kelly yelled in her ear, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

Kathy shook her head and it finally cleared, leaving her feeling ashamed. There was more to a person than looks. She'd been silly to stare like that in the first place.

"Wasn't it just the best concert ever?" Kelly was saying.

"What? It's over already?" Kathy asked surprised. She was just starting to enjoy herself.

"They've been playing for two hours. I think it's over." Kelly laughed.

Her giddiness rubbed off on Kathy and she grinned, too. The lights turned off. The crowd cheered again.

"Ladies and gentlemen," said a voice in the darkness. "Please give it up for Uncaged!"

The crowd went wild, screaming, whistling and clapping and Kathy found herself clapping along. If only for that one song, they deserved a standing ovation.

"Sonia Martinez, drums!"

A light turned on right over the drum player, a girl with short brown hair and her ears heavily pierced. She did a demonstration by playing a short drum solo.

"Dustin Berk, keyboard!"

Another light shone on the keyboard player, a blonde guy with a round boyish face and goofy grin. He graced the crowd with a short demonstration as well.

"Vincent Pratt, rhythm guitar!"

A new light on a new member of the band: a tall, skinny brunet with his long hair falling over his eyes who went on to play for the crowd.

"Joey Wilkes, bass."

The light fell on the middle of the stage where Joey stood, his arms stretched out, and it became obvious that he'd been the one introducing the band. Kelly had a point. He was hot. His dark brown hair was long enough to curl a little at the back of his head, his dark eyes seemed to sparkle, and he was tall, lean and muscular.

Next to Kathy, Kelly yelled so loudly, she could be heard over the rest of the crowd.

"And, ladies and gentlemen," Joey said, a huge grin on his face. "Give it up for Kyle Grant!"

The crowd went wild as the last light shone on Kyle. He launched into a complicated guitar solo. The rest of the band pitched it, making it their final instrumental number. It ended with one last flourish of Kyle's electric guitar and he waved at the crowd and bowed. The lights went out.

"I'm going backstage," Kelly yelled in Kathy's ear as the crowd started to shift. "Coming?"

The idea was so appealing. Being part of this electrified crowd, going with Kelly and having fun with the band. But she couldn't. She actually had a curfew and, like it or not, she had to check on Donnie. As angry as she was, she couldn't abandon him there. And he was her ride home anyway.

"No, thanks. It's late. I'll just find Donnie and go."

"Oh, he's here too?" But she didn't wait for an answer before she said, "Suit yourself," and started elbowing her way through the crowd.

Wishing she could actually join Kelly, Kathy sighed and headed back towards the bar. Most of the people were heading for the exits, so she managed to find Donnie fast enough. Pete was gone while Jackson had some floozy in his lap and they were making out and groping as if they weren't in a public place. Donnie sat alone, his head resting on the bar.

Her heart tightened. He'd obviously had a crappy day, too. Maybe they could talk on the way home and make up before the night was over. Not that this hadn't been a disaster, but she didn't see the point in going to bed mad. A light feeling of guilt overwhelmed her at how she'd considered going to meet the band with Kelly, at how she'd basically drooled over another guy, even if from a distance. She wasn't perfect either and she and Donnie both had to work for their relationship to return to the safe haven it used to be.

"Donnie, are you ready to go?" she asked, touching his shoulder.

He raised his eyes and looked at her beadily. "There you are!" he slurred. "Where've you been? Some way to celebrate our anniversary, with you ditching me."

Her eyes widened.  He wasn't sad. "Donnie, you're drunk!" How? She'd only been gone for maybe twenty minutes.

He huffed and a strong whiff of whiskey reached her nose. "It's the only fun I can get around here, since I'm not allowed to do that." He pointed with his thumb towards Jackson and let his head slump back on the bar.

Kathy noticed the lipstick marks on his neck. Apparently he thought he was. "What are those?" she asked poking them and trying her best not to claw his throat out.

"Don't worry," he said spitefully. "I didn't fuck anyone. I'm too drunk for that anyway."

Kathy's eyes stung with unshed tears again, but it wasn't anger anymore. It was a sense of loss as she watched the wreck her boyfriend had become. When had this happened? What could she do to fix it? How could she not notice that Donnie was slowly but surely sliding down towards a gutter? Fear, guilt and pain battled inside her, until all that was left was exhaustion.

"You promised to take me home," she whispered.

Donnie only huffed and plunked his head back on the bar. "Get yourself home, you strong, independent woman."

Her jaw was clenched so tightly, she was sure her teeth would crack. But she reached out her hand and said, "Then give me the keys and I'll take us both home."

He waved her away, his hand almost catching her across the face. "I gave them to Pete."

Something inside her cracked as everything came crashing down on her.

"Then have Pete take you home."

And just like that, Kathy whipped around and walked away. She had no idea where she was going or how she would get home. All she knew was that she couldn't wait for this day to be over.

🧩🧩🧩

So, we finally got to see Kyle, our real MC (hope you didn't think it was Donnie). What's your first impression of him? How do you feel about Kathy at this point?

Song: something close as style, lyrics and voice.

Thanks for reading and, if you liked it, please consider leaving a vote and comment. I love to hear your thoughts!