The Concert and an Unexpected Invitation

The moment they stepped out of the coffee shop, reality hit Jess like a truck. She had agreed to go to a concert. A real concert. With real people. And she had nothing to wear.

"Oh my God," she muttered. "What the hell am I supposed to wear to a concert?"

Leanna, walking beside her, barely suppressed a laugh. "Relax, it's not like you have to wear a ball gown."

"Yeah," Kevin added with a smirk. "Just go in your usual 'I-just-rolled-out-of-bed' look. I'm sure Ryan will find it charming."

Jess shot him a glare. "You're not helping."

Hannah, on the other hand, practically glowed with excitement. "This is perfect! We’re taking you shopping."

"No, we're not," Jess said quickly.

"Yes, we are," Olivia said. "You’re not showing up to a gig in sneakers and a hoodie. We have standards."

Jess groaned, but when all four of them turned expectant eyes on her, she knew she was outnumbered.

An hour later, she found herself trapped in a boutique, subjected to a full-scale fashion intervention. Hannah and Olivia held up outfit after outfit while Leanna stood off to the side, clearly enjoying Jess’s misery.

"Too flashy. Too tight. Too weird," Jess muttered, rejecting clothes left and right. "I'm going to die in here."

"No, you’re going to look amazing," Olivia corrected. "Now shut up and try this on."

By the time they left the store, Jess had a new black top, ripped jeans, and ankle boots that, according to Hannah, "screamed cool without trying too hard."

Then came the next horror: makeup.

"I don’t need makeup," Jess insisted, as Olivia sat her down in front of a mirror.

"You don’t need it, but it’ll help," Olivia countered, already dabbing foundation on her face. "Trust me."

Jess squirmed through the process, but by the end, she had to admit—she looked good. Different, but good.

—------------------------------------

The venue, The Echo, was a dimly lit bar packed with college students and indie music lovers. Midnight Vinyl had just taken the stage, and the music pulsed through the room. The sound was raw and electric, and Jess found herself swaying to the rhythm before she even realized it.

Between sets, Ryan found her near the bar. "Hey, you made it."

Jess grinned. "Of course. Wouldn’t miss it."

Ryan leaned on the counter, running a hand through his slightly sweaty hair. "So, what do you think? Be honest."

Jess pretended to consider. "It’s not the worst thing I’ve ever heard."

He laughed. "High praise. I’ll take it."

They fell into easy conversation, talking about music, school, and the weirdness of college life. Jess found herself relaxing in his presence, her usual nervous energy fading.

Then, out of nowhere, Ryan sighed. "Man, I have a favor to ask, but it’s kind of a big one."

Jess tilted her head. "Oh?"

"My brother’s wedding is next weekend in New York. I need a date, and my ex was supposed to go, but… well, she’s my ex now." He gave her a hopeful smile. "You in?"

Jess froze. "Wait… what?"

"It’s just for the weekend. Plus, you’d get to meet my crazy family. Hotel's covered. It'll be fun."

Jess’s brain short-circuited. A wedding? In New York? An overnight stay? What the hell had she just walked into?

But before she could stop herself, the words slipped out. "Yeah, okay."

Ryan’s face lit up. "Really? Awesome. I owe you big time."

Jess nodded, but internally, she was screaming. She had no idea what she had just agreed to.