23.

                                    

                                          
(Song: Runaway~ OneRepublic)
The sun was already setting low.
The sky now seemed to be a rainbow—if you looked up, dark blue colors covered it, but the lower you looked, the more orange-yellowish it got. Right where the ocean touched the sky, a deep red line covered the horizon. 
Aresu was astonished looking at it. 
And her lips curled upwards unintentionally.
And then it begun.
All band members walked up on the stage, the people screamed in excitement and euphoria. 
Well, most of this euphoric reaction was probably caused by the alcohol in their blood. But nevertheless, the people cheered happily as if the small and only recent debuted university-band was the most popular boy band ever.
And Aresu screamed as well, holding up her hand and waving at Rafe happily. 
And Rafe waved back at her, smiling brightly. 
Oh my gosh he was so hot! He wore a white tank-top, and green washed-out trousers, already the drum sticks in his hands. 
And Aresu felt utterly proud when all the girls around her giggled in excitement, thinking the waving was meant for them. 
But Grisu knew better, that greeting was hers. And hers alone.
He was proud. Proud to show to everyone that she was part of his life...
"We're happy to perform to such a wonderful crowd today!" The main-singer announced and raised his muscular arm to show the microphone. 
"Are you excited?" He screamed and the crowd once again jumped in unity, giggling, screaming. 
"Then let's fucking goooo—" he said and the jukeboxes began to shiver with the beat that now filled the whole beach. 
Shivers ran down Aresu's spine, looking at how Rafe went back to his setup, looking at the singer, nodded in a silent agreement and began to play. 
And Aresu only heard the drums, only saw Rafe and was the only one to stand very still at first. 
Oh my holy—ahhhhh—
The singer began to sing and Grisu, just as all the other girls, whipped in the rhythm, sang along and raised their hands in excitement. 
But she simply looked at Rafe. 
That was all that mattered. 
And Rafe gifted her the most precious smile ever.

                            

                                
                            
                              
                                  
                              
                              
                                
                                  
                                  
                                
                              
                             
                            
                            
                          
                          
Aresu looked so hot, he thought, seeing in the crowd only his girl alone. 
Looking at the way the lights reflected on her deep red curls. 
She moved to the beat, danced and raised her hands in excitement, being squished by those other teenage girls around her.
But her eyes only laid on him, and his heart fluttered excitedly. 
Almost hard enough for him to forget the next beat-drop. 
And he felt amazing on the stage, it felt amazing to sweat while all the lights shone upon him, while everyone sang along their cover, while everyone cheered, while a special pair of eyes looked at him. 
And with her being here, he wanted to be extra-good. 
The song continued, and then the next, and the next. And Rafe's arms steadily grew tired, but still motivated from all the attention he got on stage. 
Yes, he wanted to continue being on stage, if it meant seeing his girl looking up at him like that, eagerly, happily. 
And he wanted to make sure that he only had eyes for her. 
Sure thing, he looked at the singers often, turned his head in the rhythm, head banged, hell—even looked around the crowd, but when fixating on people in the crowd, his eyes always searched hers. 
And the tension was very obvious the one thing the crowd realized at some point after their cover ended.
And suddenly a strong hand grabbed Grisu from behind and spun her around. 
"Look who's here. The bitch is back," the voice said and Aresu froze. 
Her blood froze, her limbs froze, her heart squeezed tightly. 
"Says the right one," she hissed back but her voice quivered. 
Ava stood before her looking like a goddess. 
"Well, who took my man?" She asked Aresu.
"Well, who had an affair with my boyfriend?" The crowd looked at them, some whispered excitedly, some looked worried that a fight would break out. 
"You were a mistake. Rafe is just too weak to admit it," Ava hissed and looked down to Aresu in her demon-like posture. 
"Well, as we both can see, the mistake was you. I love him and he loves me. There's nothing standing between us now."
"Too bad that he loves me, too."
"Too bad that he told you otherwise."
"Aresu...I pity you. I pity you and your naive trust."
"Well... aren't you the one who isn't able to loose just now? Maybe try growing up." Aresu said smiled back at her, arms crossed before her chest.
"The concert's over, girl. Let's go somewhere and talk where it's less crowded."
"No. I actually don't wanna talk. I don't want to ever see you again, Ava. Please leave me alone!"
"You stupid b—" Ava raised her arm and right before the palm hit der face, something blocked the hit. 
Aresu was taken aback. 
A strong back faced her, the sound of the hit on pure skin still echoing in her ears. 
Rafe had taken the hit... like she had taken it from JJ in school so many weeks ago. 
"Rafe—" she sighed, happy to not having to face her alone. 
"Rafe! I'm—I'm so sorry. My love! Oh please I wanted to hit that stupid bitch."
"Don't talk about my girlfriend that way, Avarine. Go fuck off! I told you I don't want to be with you, see you, or have any kind of contact with you again."
"B-But we love each other..."
"That's bullshit, Avarine! You know it as much as I do. I was never yours. I am hers! And hers only."
His hand grabbed Aresu's and he intertwined their fingers. 
"Now if you'd excuse us, please. I promised my girl to have a wonderful night. And you're not included."
And after saying that, the crowd screamed in excitement and giggled in response. 
Ava was left alone, standing in the judging crowd that supported Rafe's and Aresu's statement and relationship.
And Grisu... well she felt wonderful and finally relieved to be able to believe in his honest. 
And Rafe... well— Rafe was proud walking by her side in public and protecting his girl from that mistake.
"Off to Barry's bar we go..."