My shift at the coffee shop ended around 1pm and I had a class at 2pm which lasted for an hour and a half, luckily allowing me to get home and shower before the show tonight.
Sally came over to get ready with me as she wanted to, in her words "Sexify" my look.
She was a little pissed with me that Kurt even showed me any attention and her none at all, but that was a week of her not speaking to me and I was perfectly okay with that.
Now, a year on, she's dating the drummer Chad. Not really a surprise, since he was the first one she flirted with that night and he made goo goo eyes over her.
I step out of the shower and grab a couple of towels. One for my body and one I have fashioned into a turban for my hair. I splash my face with cold water at the sink to wake me up a little, as today has been quite long and tiring. Once I emerge from the bathroom, I go to my room and see clothes laid out on the bed.
Sally saunters in with a glass of pinot.
"You are gonna look fine." She says, sitting on the end of the bed, sipping from her wine.
I look at her with slight disgust and slight confusion at the hodge podge of clothing scattered around.
"There is no way I'm wearing that." I say, pointing to a leather mini skirt that might as well be a belt.
"Oh come on! Groupie 101, mini skirts and no panties! Kurt will be captivated by you." She says.
"What do you mean? I'm not trying to attract attention." I reply, feeling awkward about this conversation.
"Oh come on. The only reason you're going tonight is because of him. I've seen you picking up all the magazines in the store that mention Kurt or Nirvana. I'm with his drummer and even I don't buy those things." Sally says, going through the clothes on the bed.
"For the record, I'm going so I can add to my portfolio." I reply simply.
Kurt had become a little more famous now, his picture along with the band was becoming a regular fixture on and in local magazines as well as a few bigger ones in the "Bands to watch" sections. I guess Sally is right. I have been collecting these magazines, but I wouldn't have if it weren't for the band, and Kurt.
"Girl, that camera stays here. That bulky thing is enough to scare off anyone." She states.
"If it stays then so do I. I'm serious about photography, I'm working hard so one day I can do it in a professional capacity." My tone changes as I say this. More serious.
"Ooo this!" Sally continues, holding up a dress, completely skipping past my last comment.
I roll my eyes, knowing she hasn't been listening to me.
It's a black leather mini dress, with spaghetti straps which leaves nothing to the imagination.
"This will get him riled up." Sally states.
"Sally, like I said I'm not looking for attention. That thing is not me." I reply.
"Exactly! That's part of me 'sexifying' your look. If you wear this with some knee high black boots, he will wanna sweep you off of your feet." She adds.
"Can I go for something a little more colourful at least?" I suggest, taking my hair out of the turban, my long blonde locks flow down my back.
"Eh yeah I guess." She says, placing the leather monstrosity down. Her eyes dart to another dress and she smiles.
She takes it and holds it up.
"Now THIS."
It's actually quite cute. Who am I and what the fuck am I saying regarding a fashion piece from Sally's wardrobe?
"I literally only wore this once for a Bay City Rollers costume party." She says.
It's a tartan fitted mini dress with safety pins lined down a slit in the skirt. It has long sleeves which I love.
"It's not bad." I reply. "As long as I can wear my Doc Martens."
"I guess I can compromise with this one." Sally smirks.
Sally is slimmer than me, and although I'm slim, my boobs and my hips are more voluptuous. How this dress will fit over my curves is going to be interesting.
"Try it on. I'm gonna go and put some make up on." She says heading to the bathroom.
I put on some underwear and throw the dress on over my head, pulling it over my body.
I check myself out in the mirror. It's definitely not my style, but I'll go with it. It's darn uncomfortable that's for sure and the skirt keeps riding up. How do groupies do it? Give me my overalls or my jeans and I will be happy.
I dry my hair and then put on some make-up. I go with a bright red lip which is unusual for me as my go to lip is a brown colour.
I style my hair with loose curls that cascade down my back and around my shoulders.
Once me and Sally have finished getting ready, we meet in the kitchen where she is on her 6th glass of wine.
"Girrrrrl...you look fucking hot." She says.
"Thanks, so do you." I reply.
I grab my Doc Martens and put them on, where Sally has some 6inch stilettos.
Sally persuaded me not to bring my camera and I'm kicking myself for it.
We head out of the apartment and hail a cab to The Neptune Theater.
Once inside the venue, we get stares from some guys, however we walk on by and head to the bar.
I hate this, I really hate this.
I really don't like big crowds and I feel so uncomfortable.
Sally is in her element and gets us two cocktails, mine is a blue liquid with a mini umbrella and some pineapple floating on the beverage. It looks radioactive. If I die tonight, it's because of whatever the hell this is.
I sip on it and grimace. It has a fruity tone but overwhelmed with strong vodka.
"Good right?!" Sally says, practically downing the drink.
"If you're a car engine...bleh." I reply.
"Chad! Over here!" Sally calls, seeing him in the crowd.
As soon as they meet they are playing tonsil hockey. I'm not sure if I should look away or take notes.
Once they've finished their welcome, Chad and Sally head off somewhere. Probably to screw in the bathroom or backstage. All I know is that I'm on my own now and I would rather be playing my bass guitar along to my favourite records at home, not stuck in a crowd of complete strangers.
I sit at the bar and ignore any unwanted attention, finishing my drink, before heading to the rest room.
I only have a small bag and Sally was against me taking my camera out tonight, so this is extremely odd to me. I usually have a backpack or my camera bag.
I look in the mirror and reapply a fresh coat of lipstick as I hear moans coming from one of the stalls. A woman and a man.
That's where Sally and Chad ended up.
Christ, I might just vomit out my cocktail.
"Just like that..." and "fuck my pussy." Were just some of the sentences out of Sally's mouth.
I roll my eyes and leave before I die from cringe.
Suddenly as I walk out of the rest room, I see the bass player for Nirvana walking down the corridor, with a bottle of beer.
I smile, and he stops in front of me. I think he remembers me from when Sally tried flirting with him. He has to do a double take as I'm dressed up tonight.
"Hi...do I know you?" He asks, slurring his words a little.
"Uh yeah, my friend Sally is dating your drummer." I reply, aware that I look awkward as hell.
"Yes! Alana right?" He says.
How the hell does he remember my name? I don't think I ever gave it to him. We didn't even talk that night I met Kurt.
Wait. Kurt.
Kurt probably told him...maybe? I'm getting myself in over my head.
"That's my name." I say.
"I'm Krist...I don't think we spoke to each other at that dive bar we played in, but Kurt remembered you." He replies.
It was Kurt. He remembered me...
"Nice to meet you Krist." I say.
"And you." He says swigging his beer.
"Where is Kurt?" I ask him.
"Oh he's out backstage. He doesn't really like the crowds and he finds the attention hard to deal with." Krist informs me.
I nod.
"I get that." God do I.
"Wanna see him? It'd make his fucking night if you did." He asks.
"Really? Why would it make his night?" I wonder.
"Because he didn't stop talking about you that whole evening. You even come up in conversation now. He calls you 'The One that got away'." He grins.
My heart feels like it's gonna beat out of chest. I feel anxious, but not in a bad way. The way when you get butterflies in your stomach when you're excited. The way it makes you smile at the thought.
"Well I guess I'd better say hi." I smile.