Just Get Back Up

The first time Eric Halvorsen saw her was outside the venue. He watched in confusion as the girl slammed her bag and her phone down on a nearby table as she cursed to herself. He listened carefully as her phone rang out and she angrily answered it.
"Where the fuck are you?" she seethed. "You left?!...Come the fuck back!...Seriously? You just left? Did it even cross your mind to tell me?...Of course it didn't...You know what? We're done. I'm staying here tonight, and when I get back tomorrow I want my shit back at my house...No, you're a douche, I'm done putting up with your bullshit." The girl tossed her phone down. She leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes as a tear leaked out. He noticed she was breathtakingly beautiful, even when she was crying. He instantly felt the need to help her, but couldn't bring himself to move from where he was standing.
"Eric!" Nick Santino exclaimed, seeming to come out of nowhere. "Help us unload."
Eric tore his eyes away from the girl, looked at Nick, then looked back at the girl. Nick followed his friend's gaze and chuckled to himself before walking away.
Eric watched the girl for a few more minutes, before he started to feel as though he were stalking her. He decided to leave her in peace, and help his bandmates.
"So," Nick said to Eric. "Who was that girl you were stalking?"
"I wasn't stalking her," Eric defended.
"Whatever. Who was she?"
"I don't know. I just know that she got left here or something, and she dumped her boyfriend over the phone!"
"You didn't talk to her?" Nick seemed taken back.
"No," Eric said, wishing he had talked to her.
"Guys, it's time to go," Justin said.
Eric walked out on stage and the first thing he saw was the girl. She managed to get in the front row. It was as if luck was on his side tonight because she was casually leaning against his side of the stage with a distant look in her eyes. Her wavy blonde hair cascaded over her shoulders. Eric noticed her eyes were a striking blue-green color and that her fair skin looked soft. He stole glances at her every chance he got, and a few times she was looking back. He would smile at her, and she would smile back. Throughout their set, Eric's anticipation grew. He had to talk to this girl. He had to know who she was, what her story was.

After the last song, Eric put his bass away and went down into the crowd to watch his friends in The Maine perform. Coincidentally, he ended up next to the girl he had been watching earlier.
She sensed someone standing next to her, so she turned to look at them. Her eyes met Eric's and she couldn't help smiling. She took in his features: his shaggy, brown hair, his baby face and his tall, lanky figure. Eric smiled at her, as well, before surprising himself by talking.
"Hey," he said. "I'm Eric."
She laughed lightly, "I know." Her cheeks turned a faint shade of red. "I mean, I'm Stella."
"Stella," Eric smiled, thinking of the song by All Time Low.
As if she could read his mind, Stella smiled and said, "Like the All Time Low song."
Just then, The Maine began their set and Eric and Stella's conversation was cut short. Stella turned back towards the stage, while Everything I Ask For played. Between songs, Eric got Stella's attention.
"Do you uh, maybe want to go like, outside with me or something?"
Stella smiled. She nodded and followed Eric. She could use someone to talk to right now.

Once outside, Stella sat down on the sidewalk. Eric followed suit and took a seat next to her.
"Stella," he said hesitantly. She looked at him. "Um, this might sound weird, but before the show I saw you out here and you were um, crying," his voice trailed off.
"Oh," Stella said. "Y-yeah."
"Are you okay?"
"I will be soon enough."
Eric wanted to believe her, but he still felt bad. "Can I ask what happened?"
"My boyfriend bought us tickets because he knew I love you guys and The Maine," Stella explained. "We live a couple hours away, so we made a roadtrip out of it and we got here early. Then he met up with some of his friends and fucking left me!" She felt like crying again. But she didn't want Eric to see her cry, nor did she want to cry over her stupid ex-boyfriend anymore.
Eric looked shocked. "That...that," he stuttered.
Stella gave him a small smile. "It sucks. Go ahead and say it, I know."
"How could someone do that to you?!" he rose his voice a little. "Y-you look like you could do no wrong!"
"W-what?" Stella asked, confused. She couldn't believe that after someone just left her in an unfamiliar town, someone else could come along and tell her she would be fine.
"Stella, this guy must be crazy to do that to you. You're beautiful, and I've only known you for twenty minutes and I think you're the nicest person I've ever met, besides Justin. That dick doesn't know what he just lost," Eric rambled. He couldn't stop himself; it was like word vomit. He didn't know why his deepest thoughts were now spilling out of his mouth.
Stella giggled as Eric's eyes widened, realizing how awkward he must have sounded.
"I-I mean, um...you know," he stammered. Stella found Eric adorable, and his nervousness made her laugh out loud.
"Come on," she said, grabbing his hand and getting up from the table. "What time is your bus call?"
"Twelve," he answered.
Stella looked at her phone. It was only 8:30.
"What are we doing?" Eric asked.
"I don't know," she said as she dragged him down the street. "I need to walk, you know? Think about stuff."
"Oh," he answered. "I-I can go back if you want. I mean, if you wanted to be alone."
"Being alone is the last thing I want. I dragged you with me, didn't I?" she smiled.
Eric smiled back and nodded. The two walked hand-in-hand until they had no idea where they were.
"You don't happen to know where we are, do you?" she asked Eric sheepishly.
"Uh, no," he answered. "It doesn't matter, though. I like being here with you."
"You have to be back in fifteen minutes," Stella said, slightly worried.
"I don't care." Stella looked at him confused. She became mesmerized by his eyes, and held his gaze for what seemed like forever.
Stella didn't know what came over her, but she found herself gradually moving closer to Eric. Their lips met, and both felt the cliche fireworks that most only dream about. Eric pulled away, his heartbeat speeding up and his stomach fluttering. He pressed his forehead to Stella's. He sighed heavily as his phone started ringing.
"What?" he answered. "Uh, I don't know...We'll walk back the way we came...We as in I'm with the girl from earlier, Nick...Shut up, man...Shut up! We'll be there soon...Dude, you're so gay. BYE."
Stella giggled as Eric rolled his eyes. "The kid can be a huge douche sometimes."
"So," she said with a hint a sadness. "Ready to head back?"
"I guess," Eric replied.
"Hey, thanks for listening to me bitch all night, Eric," Stella said. "You don't know how much it meant."
"It was no problem. You looked really sad earlier, I just wanted to make you smile." Stella beamed at his comment. She laced her hand with his and began walking back.
"Wait!" Eric said. "One more thing before we go."
"What's wro-" Stella was cut off, and surprised, by Eric's lips on hers again. It was a passionate kiss, deeper than the previous peck. He brought one hand to her cheek and ran the other through her hair. Stella wrapped her arms around his neck, moving closer to him ever so slightly. She left small kisses on his lips, each one leaving a warm, tingling sensation that Eric never wanted to go away. He moved his lips to her ear and whispered softly, "Sometimes love comes around and it knocks you down. Just get back up when it knocks you down." He left a kiss under her ear, then pulled away. He intertwined his fingers with hers, as they began the trek back to the venue.

---

the lyrics are from one of the few rap songs I actually like.
comment if you like...or if you don't like. i like constructive criticism.

ah, and sorry for the man one-shots. i've just been having random ideas lately, that aren't good enough for stories, you know?

:] <3