Where Have You Been All My Life?

Ch. 1- Just One Look

*~*Kamalei**’s POV*~*

“I never thought it would be this hard to find the band I wanted to see…” I said to Kelly as we walked the grounds of the major music fest.

Just a glimpse in person would be all I really need.

“Well it is a major concert Lei. You couldn't think it would be too easy did you? There’s like 3 different stages and 20 something bands. Can’t we just go check out this one here for now?” Kelly replied as we walked by a stage.

She doesn't get it. She doesn't know how much I need this.

We stopped in front of the stage and watched a band I didn't recognize play their heart out. I could only keep thinking of one thing, the one thing that I came here for. After the band had finished their set, we moved on to the next stage. All I wanted to do was find them.

I loved Kelly to death, hell she was my best friend in the world, but I couldn't tell her my real motives. It was just too much to dump on my best friend. I figured if I could get to do what I needed to, then I would tell her. She would understand my relentless passion to drag her almost 3,000 miles from our homes in Maui to a damn concert. I know she thought I was crazy, but it would all make sense to her then.

We stayed at the next stage for a good hour listening to ‘Of Mice and Men’. Secretly I hoped I could catch a glimpse of him backstage or maybe a spontaneous collaboration. Unfortunately, nothing.

“Are you even paying attention Lei? HELLO! EARTH TO KAMALEI?!” Kelly yelled over the music waving her hands in my face. I must have been zoning.

“Yeah I am. I just really missed big concerts like this. It’s been like 7 years since I have been to one.” I said lying through my teeth. I was definitely one track minded right now. Sure being in a big concert scene was great, more than anything we ever saw back home and I did miss it a lot, but my focus was on what I needed to do.

“So… like I was saying, do you think Avenged is up yet? They have got to be up on the main stage soon…” Kelly said as she grabbed my hand and we headed over to the main stage.

Another band’s crew was taking down their stage set when we got there. We stood and waited watching for about 10 minutes before I realized I needed a beer to beat this heat and to kill my nerves.

“Let’s go get a beer. I’m thirsty for something. “I told Kelly as she nodded in agreement.
We walked towards the concession stands to grab beers and passed an Avenged Sevenfold band merchandise stand.

“Ooo…Let’s get a T-shirt as a souvenir. We’ll be the only ones back home with ones like these.” Kelly said as she was holding up one of the shirts displayed on the table.

“Good idea. I’m sick of the slim pickings from Hot Topic back home. I wish we had more of a selection. Lucky we live Maui right?”

“Island Life!” We sarcastically said in unison to each other before bursting with laughter as people stared.

Upon looking up I noticed a pretty blonde woman behind the curtain backdrop of the stand staring at us for a second. As my gaze reached hers, she looked away. I recognized her from some online photos as Valary DiBenedetto.

“Hey look. Isn't that Valary back there?” Kelly whispered to me while looking at the merchandise.

“Yeah, I think so. She must be helping out. I didn't think she did this kind of stuff anymore.” I replied.

We bought a few items from the girl sitting at the table and walked down to the beer stand nearby. Standing in line, I could feel someone watching us. Although slightly bothersome, I ignored it and chocked it up as being paranoid of nothing. We grabbed our beers and headed back to the vicinity of the main stage to wait. Sitting out in the open grass, all I could do was think, while Kelly babbled on about Avenged Sevenfold being her favorite band and what she hoped they played on stage.

Poor girl has never been to a REAL rock concert. She’s in for a treat. This is nothing like the islands.

I was already half way through my beer and was going to need another. Looking over Kelly was at the same pace as I was. I downed the rest, before Kelly took my cup and ran off to grab more before the show really started. I just sat there letting my thoughts take over once more.

I’m going to have to wait. I've waited this long, what’s another half an hour? Maybe this is my chance to tell Kelly when she gets back. Should I? She’s going to think I’m out of my mind. I have to wait. I have to confirm this with my own eyes. I have to be sure…

*~*Val’s POV *~*

I was trying to make sure that all the girls at the merchandise booth had everything they needed before the usual rush of fans was about to come down upon them after the boys’ set. That’s how it always is. Its calm before they play and an all-out chaotic rush after they leave the stage. I've been doing this for years and always the same.

I was standing near the opening of the backdrop curtain asking Carmen, the cute little brunette with amazing organization skills that I hired to manage the booth, if there was anything else we had but wasn't being showcased out front, when I heard 2 girls laughing out in the front of the booth. There was something I heard that caught my attention. That laughter sounded all too familiar; that was a Sanders’ laugh. I peeked out from the curtain and saw the 2 girls just as they finalized their purchase.

One was just a little shorter than the other with long brown hair down to her waist and wearing a pair of sunglasses with a black NOFX shirt, skinny jeans and a pair of purple converse. She looked like she could have been Hispanic with her tanned skin that wasn't just from the sun. The other girl had something about her I recognized, but didn't. She had slightly tanned skin, not as dark as the other girl, but I could tell she wasn't just a Caucasian girl, and they certainly weren't sisters. She had black and purple hair tied up in a high ponytail and also was wearing sunglasses. She had a Misfits tank, which made me instantly think of Zack, black skinny jeans, and a pair of black converse. She had a beautiful half sleeve of tattoos going up her left arm that was so bright and colorful in the summer sun that they instantly caught my attention. Both of them looked so young, they couldn't have been a day over 21.

I watched as the two girls walked over to the beer stand close by and waited in line. The girl with the purple hair kept looking around as she waited her turn.

She can probably feel me watching her. Why do I feel like I know this girl from somewhere? Maybe a show in the past? What is it that makes her so familiar?

As the girl turned around to talk to her friend, she lifted her sunglasses and I could see her
eyes. Hazel green.

Oh my God! She looks like Matt. Those eyes, that smile, the laughter that sounded like his sister, Amy’s. The only thing different is her nose.

It’s amazing what sunglasses can cover up on a person’s face. I stood there in shock as Carmen stopped talking and was just watching me.

“Val? Is something wrong? You look like you just saw a ghost.” Carmen said

Snapping back to reality, I closed my mouth and turned back to her, “No, everything’s fine. If you’re all set here I have to get back to the guys. They’re on soon and I have to make sure they get where they need to be.”

It took all I had to not sprint back to the bus. When I got past the security gates to the bus, I couldn't hold it anymore and ran threw the sea of buses to find ours.

“Where’s Matt?” I yelled jumping 2 stairs to get in.

“He’s getting ready…” Johnny said pointing to the bathroom.

I walked to the door of the bathroom and was about to knock when I heard him doing his normal pre-show gargling rituals.

Maybe this isn't the time to tell him what I saw. He’s getting ready. This could be nothing. It
probably is nothing. Forget it Val. What would I possibly say anyway? ‘Hey babe, I saw this girl from far away and she looked like you.’ Then what? I didn’t even talk to her. You will just sound crazy and mess up his show.

As I stood there with my hand hovering over the door, he yanked it open.

“Hey babe. Coming to wish me good luck?” He smiled, dimples blaring.

“Uh, yeah! I had to make sure you guys were getting ready. You’re on soon.” I replied nervously before planting a kiss on his lips.

“Aren’t you the mother hen?” Zacky joked jumping down from his bunk and walking to the front area before plopping down next to Johnny on a couch.

“Shut up Baker.” I said before sticking my tongue out at him.

Matt took the opportunity to tilt my head up to him again and kissed me again, this time more passionate.

“Cut it out you two! We all see you. Ew.” Jimmy said from the couch in the back.

“Let’s go down there already.” Brian chimed in, squeezing past us and down the stairs of the front of the bus, the others following him out.

We headed over to the stage, hearing the screaming fans chanting, and the boys did their usual huddle, before I received one last kiss and sent him out on stage to entertain the masses. Standing off to the side backstage, I watched as he and his bandmates, more like brothers, did what they had always dreamed of. Their show was exceptional, even earning an encore, and by the end, I had forgotten all about the girl with the purple hair…

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Notes: **Kamalei: (Kah-Mah-Lay)