Archive of Our Own ^beta

“You know better, Rae Earl. Behind the tape.” Rae scowled at the shopping center bodyguard, but knew when she was defeated and followed Chloe to the edge of the car park.

“Did you think it would work? You’re always at the mall buying CDs, they know your face,” Chloe said.

“Yeah, but I’ve never been allowed to go to a show before, how was I supposed to know we weren’t allowed on the property before 6?” Rae shivered in the late night chill. It wouldn’t be time for three more hours and Linda had dropped them off, muttering how no band was worth an outdoor pajama party.

Honestly, Rae wasn’t that fussed about the Beastie Boys, but they were one of the bigger bands to actually play near Stamford, and everyone at school was talking about it. She knew her classmates were there somewhere, hiding behind hedges, slid down in cars in the lot. Rae was dammed if she was going to miss out, and be the only 16-year-old in town that knew about music but couldn’t actually go.

“Just let me think,” Rae said, as she and Chloe settled on the curb. “Tickets go so fast, and I’m getting them.” At least they weren’t the only ones. A group of boys were further down, halfheartedly playing hacky sack. She recognized Chop from school, nice enough but always starting trouble with the teachers, but didn’t recognize the boy with the glasses, or…

“Oh my god, Rae, look. That guy is so cute, like there’s no way he’s even from Stamford. I’d have seen him,” Chloe gasped. “He’s looking, he’s totally looking at me!”

He was, every guy looked at Chloe. It was unfair, Chloe was basically nice if a little clueless and spoiled, but Rae always felt jealousy that burned her up. No guys ever checked Rae out, they never went to her video store job just to chat her up, no one ever took her to the pub in a sports car. Rae lived vicariously through Chloe’s tales of kisses, and finding the last skirt in size 00, and the guys at the pizza shop always covering the bill, wasn’t that so cool?

Yeah. I guess. Rae wondered if anything worth sharing would ever happen to her. The guy really was shockingly hot, with an arse that made her want to bite like a violent dog. Out of my league for sure, she thought. Most every boy was, Rae knew it and kept moving, so why did she suddenly feel an ache of disappointment in her stomach?

“Hey, I like your shoes!” the boy called. Rae looked around in confusion; she only had her usual Converse. Chloe flicked her hair in anticipation, Rae guessed he liked those Candies wedge thingies. Only Chloe would wear those to stand in a ticket line for hours. To her shock, the boy strode over, stretching out next to Rae. “I could paint ‘em if you want.”

What the FUCK is happening?! Boys didn’t just stride over to Rae like they didn’t have a care in the world, acting like they didn’t see how meh she looked, and they definitely didn’t smile like that. Rae felt a bit overwhelmed, dizzy if she was being honest, but was sharp enough to notice Chloe’s stunned look.

Christ, Clo, at least close your mouth a bit. Rae knew a boy talking to her was abnormal, but jeez. The boy gave Chloe a brief smile, but turned back to Rae.

“Finn’s pretty good!”’Chop shouted. “A regular Van Gogh, but both ears!” Rae shook her head. Chop was a goof, but a decent enough guy.

“It’s true, see?” Finn laughed and pushed his hair back to give her a look. Even his ears are sexy,  Rae thought, flushing. I’m so weird.

“You want some swirls or flowers or something?” he asked, pulling pens and fabric paints out of his messenger bag. Chloe shook her head. He’s talking to ME, Rae thought petulantly. Fuck knows why, but he is. “Figured it’d be a good way to make a few bucks, whole town is here. People like custom stuff.”

Oh. He’s just broke. Rae thought. Of course he didn’t want to chat with her. “Nah, my mom just got me these, she’ll freak out.” It was true, but Rae hoped she didn’t sound too rude. “I think it’s so cool you’re like, a working artist,” Chloe piped up. Great, here we go, Rae thought sourly. “Are you thinking of going to art college?”

“Probably not,” Finn replied. “I left college, wasn’t really for me.” Rae wasn’t sure what she thought about someone that hadn’t finished school, but she knew it knocked Chloe out of the competition. She disdained that kind of guy. Not that it was a competition, Rae knew she would never win anyway.

“Finn, how much longer until we’re actually in line. You know I hate this stuff.” The boy with the glasses looked uncomfortable and tired. “Couple hours at least, Archie,” Finn admitted. “But I’m thinking of something.”

The group passed time talking about music, and what the show would look like. Rae could pinch herself. Finn was funny and nice, with mint music taste. He really was a decent artist, too, earning a small but growing pile of cash as other teenagers began trickling in. Most importantly, he wasn’t leaving her side. “I’ll be right back,” he announced, going over to whisper to Archie and Chop.

“Ok, right, follow me,” he told the girls with a sly grin. All three boys wandered over to the boundary tape, and slid under like it was nothing.

“Hey, back on the other side!” the guards yelled, but Chop began arguing toe to toe with them. “Quick!” Finn whispered, pulling Rae and Chloe into a corner, hidden by the stock truck of a nearby department store. “This is always here,” Finn informed them. “We’ll definitely get tickets now, but we have to hide.” Finn motioned them beneath the truck, but Chloe didn’t move.

“I’m not laying on the ground,” Chloe sniffed. Finn just shrugged. “Suit yourself, sit on that ledge, then. But if you get caught, we don’t know you.” Chloe rolled her eyes, but settled in the corner. Chloe’s definitely not impressed, but I am, Rae thought, as she slid herself under the truck, with Finn following.

What kind of day is this?! I’m laying under a truck, it’s dark as hell, and the cutest boy I’ve seen in ages is curling up next to me ! “You alright?” We only have another hour and a half,” Finn said.

“Yeah, but,” Rae knew she was going to sound like a complete nerd, but she plunged ahead. “What if someone tries to drive it away? We’ll die! And what about Archie and Chop?”

“They’re fine, just got pushed back over the line. They took the fall. Don’t worry, this thing never moves. I won’t let you get hurt anyway.” With that, he patted her shoulder and Rae froze. “We’ve been here all night, try and get some sleep. Want my jacket?” Finn was already wriggling out of his plaid coat without waiting for Rae’s answer, bunching it into a pillow.

Rae took it gratefully, still confused. Why’s he being dead nice ? She found she was too tired to care. Rae didn’t know why she trusted him, but she did, letting sleep overtake her there on the pavement.

Oh, this has to be a dream. But it was a good one, it wasn’t every morning a broad-shouldered floppy haired god leaned over her to shake her awake.

“Come ON, Rae!” Chloe, definitely not reading the room (or pavement as it were). Finn helped Rae up as she wriggled out from under the truck. “Go ahead, I’m getting the guys,” he said, jogging away while Rae followed Chloe to the front of the line. He returned with Archie and Chop to the mild protests of people behind them, but most were in a party mood now that things were actually moving.

“Right, I’ll be back,” Finn told them. But don’t leave til I get back!”

“But you’ll lose your spot!” Rae protested. He shrugged. “I just came to hang out, I’m not going to the show. Beasties are just ok.”

Rae was dumbfounded as Finn took off through the car park. Not going? How will I see him again? And he spent all that time..for what? For me? It simply wasn’t possible.

In short order, the group had their tickets and had dispersed. Chloe rolled her eyes, but Rae wasn’t going anywhere. Finn said he’d come back. Suddenly she saw a figure running towards her, plastic bag looped over his shoulder and holding something in front of him.

“Sorry, almost got busted,” Finn told her with a heart-melting grin. “Hungry?” He thrust a paper plate in front of her, with a bagel, fruit, and the surprise of her life: a phone number written neatly in ketchup at the bottom.

“What..how..” Rae trailed off before she could ask the big question, WHY? Why her?

“There’s a hotel across the street with free breakfast.” Finn laughed. “But I gotta go before they find out I snuck in!” To Rae’s shock, he gathered her in a quick hug. “Call!” he shouted, already in motion.

———————

“Are you going to?” Chloe asked, as they headed towards Linda’s car. “Kinda weird, honestly.” Rae held onto the paper plate like it was china. Yes to both, Rae thought, and she couldn’t wait.

“Oh, Rae!” Linda exclaimed! “I just cleaned the car out, don’t bring your garbage in here!” And with one swift motion, it was too late, the plate folded in Linda’s hand. “NO, Mom, oh my god! No!” Rae yanked it back, but it was too late, the digits nothing but a smear before Rae could commit them to memory. For once, even chatty Chloe had nothing to say, squeezing Rae’s hand in sympathy.

———————

“I said I was sorry Rae! You didn’t tell me!” Linda protested. She softened seeing the distress on Rae’s face. “You’ll see him again, Stamford isn’t that big. Just go back to the mall.” But Rae didn’t see him.

She went back countless times, even though it felt embarrassing to hang around waiting, for what, exactly? A guy that had probably forgotten all about her. She tried to find Chop both in school and at the show that summer, but his nickname in class wasn’t Casper for nothing. Chop only appeared when you least expected him, and Rae told herself after spending half the concert searching in vain, enough was enough. It wouldn’t have worked anyway, get on with it. She gave up on her visits and got back to boring normal life.

———

Summer faded into Fall, then Winter. Rae had settled in with the latest NME when Linda’s voice broke the calm.

“Shit, it’s going to be late! Rae, I need you!”

“For what?” Rae injected a bit of a sulk in her tone; if she was honest, she hadn’t forgiven Linda one bloody bit.

“Rae, my Penney’s bill is going to be late! Just go down and pay it!” she ordered as Rae began to grumble.

“Fine, but I want money for another magazine while I’m out!”

Rae scanned the covers at the shop, but most of them she’d already read. Suddenly she could sense a presence beside her. “Alright, truck girl?” It was impossible. “Ketchup boy?” Rae hoped she sounded cooler than that pathetic greeting, but the excitement had already begun bubbling up. “Where have you been? Not that I was looking for you?” she finished lamely.

Finn shrugged. “Around. Why didn’t you call me?” Rae blushed. “I kind of lost it.” Finn raised his eyebrows, but only said, “Well, I’ve got a phone now.” It’s happening, oh my god! Is he actually going to call? Rae thought. They both shyly smiled as Finn took her number. “I’ll call you in an hour?” Rae nodded, but she knew how boys worked. Three days later. Maybe. If he called at all. But all she could do was rush home and try to wait…until exactly 62 minutes later.

“Hello?” and Rae could feel something unfolding, a whole new chapter of her life as she started talking. Of course, it wasn’t a romance without an obstacle. “RAE!” Oh shit, I’ve been on the phone..TWO HOURS?!

Linda grabbed the receiver. “Rae has to go, she says goodbye. Tying up the damn phone!” And with a click, that was that, but Rae didn’t care. They were going to the chippy Friday, she wondered what it’d be like to kiss him. A little messy, it turned out, he accidentally banged her head into the shop glass in his haste, and she left behind a bit of her Lancôme Juicy Tubes (as far as Rae was concerned, it suited him). But the kiss was perfect all the same, and Rae vowed to never complain about standing in queue or running errands for her mum again.