I Will See You Again (AshleyxReader)

  You were so excited. Black Veil Brides was coming to your town, and you were finally able to see them at a concert that featured exclusively them. Not only that, luck was on your side, and you managed to get to the concert especially early. Standing only fifth in the long line of people waiting, you could feel your heart beating in your chest.

  You checked your phone religiously. After what felt like ages (which was really only a few hours) you saw it was only a few minutes until seven, when the doors would open and you could walk in, hand a man your ticket, and head in to the concert hall. It took everything out of you just to not be bouncing up and down; however, a grin did manage to spread wide across your face.

  You spent the next few minutes thinking of the guys: Andy, Ashley, Jake, Jinxx, and Christian. You knew they had to be playing their new music – which you adored – and you absolutely couldn’t wait to see Mr. Purdy on stage. A friend who couldn’t make it joked and told you to throw your bra on stage at him. You chuckled to yourself at the thought, and almost seriously considered doing it.

  Finally, the doors swung open, and the line began moving forward as the man who opened the door began taking tickets and directing people inside. As he got to you, you felt short of breath. This is really happening, now, you thought. I’m really getting in.

  You zoned out as you walked in to the empty venue. The stage was set with CC’s drums center stage, amps and decorated cabinets on either side of the stage, and a large Wretched & Divine poster that matched the cd cover behind the stage. You took a spot – amazingly – right against the front of the stage. A little further to the left than you wanted, but you were up front, and that excited you.

  You put in your headphones, and began listening to all the albums on shuffle. The concert didn’t start until eight, so you knew you’d have plenty of time to listen to their music. You used your phone as a mirror to check your war paint: It still looked like Ashley’s from the Set The World On Fire album, minus the white paint beneath the black lines.

  As you rocked out to the music, ignoring most everyone piling in behind you, you noticed the lights in the venue were dimming. You checked the time: Eight o’ five. Pulling out your headphones, you heard the chant of “Black Veil Brides” echoing through the building.

  Wow, my music was loud, and then you joined in on the chant.

  Christian was the first to walk out on the stage. As he settled himself behind his set, all the CC fans began screaming and shouting “we love you, CC!” Next to follow were Jake, Jinxx, Ashley – at whom you screamed your own fangirl scream, and wondered why the Hell he was wearing a shirt, for once – and Andy holding up the end. Jake took the end of the stage furthest from you on your right, with Jinxx standing near him, and Ashley decided he’d stand only feet in front of you.

  Andy took the mic and, in his deep, raspy voice, said, “Well, BVB Army, let’s not make you wait any longer, huh?” He nodded to your right at Jake, and they began playing I Am Bulletproof.

  As they were going through their set, the boys were switching places, moving all about the stage. You thought you were thinking selfishly, but you could’ve sworn Ashley was keeping close to you and your side of the stage most of the show. You sang along with his harmony notes, rather than the regular melodious notes Andy had.

  Close to the end, Andy paused for another drink of water. After swallowing, he said, “You know, it’s fuckin’ hot in here.” He laughed and stripped his shirt off for the third time this show. You wondered why he even bothered putting it back on. His fangirls screamed as he threw this shirt into the crowd.

  “Yeah, tell me about it.” You heard the higher-pitched voice and blushed. You looked up and saw Ashley stripping his own shirt off. You screamed when you saw him shirtless. He looked down – was he looking right at you? – and threw the shirt in your section. Hoping with every bit of your soul, you raised your hand, and felt cloth hit it.

  I…I caught it!

  His shirt was in your hand. You stared at it for a moment before pulling it close to you. Purdy Gurls nearby glared at you in jealousy. Quickly, you pulled it on over your BVB shirt, realizing someone might try to take it, otherwise.

  You spent the rest of the concert with a red face – and not from the heat of the crowd – and an increasingly sore throat.

  When it finally ended around eleven, you decided to wait right where you were. After all, when you looked around at all the people, you knew you weren’t leaving anytime soon. Everyone screamed one last time as the guys came out to play one encore song – Coffin. The venue grew increasingly quiet as fans began filing out. Everyone except you, of course.

  You put your headphones in to drown out the noise. Soon, you felt someone push you from behind, yanking the headphones out and making your ears ring from the action.

  “Come on, move it!” he shouted at you.

  “Sorry, I figured-”

  “I don’t care; move!” He pushed you forward again and you stumbled. Just before you thought you’d hit the ground, you felt someone else catch you.
 
  “Come on. Don’t be a dick at our concert. We got plenty-a-fuckers who’ll get at you, besides me.”

  You recognized that voice.

  Looking up, you saw him. Ashley Purdy’s arms were the only things between you and the hard floor. As he helped you to your feet, the miscreant grumbled and walked off.

  Surprisingly, no one else seemed to notice Ashley was out, and he pulled you to the side of the stage, out of the way from what was left of the crowd.

  “Are you alright?” he asked you. You blushed and nodded. “Hey, you caught my shirt!” He smiled and you couldn’t help but smile back.

  “I didn’t even really try,” you managed to squeak.

  “Well that makes me feel unloved.” He faked a pout at you.

  “That’s not what I meant…”

  He laughed. “I threw it right to you cuz I think you’re cute. Come backstage with me?”

  Before you could answer, he grabbed your hand and pulled you up the stage’s steps and through the doors that led backstage. After leading you up a flight of stairs and down a hallway, he opened a door and invited you inside. Andy, Jinxx, Jake, and CC were already there.

  “Hey, who’s the lady this time, Ashes~?” Christian joked at him.

  “Shutup, you.” Ashley shot back. Nervously, he looked to you and whispered. “I never really got to ask.”

  You told the guys your name and, when Christian asked, how old you were.

  After a while of talking, it seemed like everyone but Ashley was just about ignoring you. Not that you really minded. You were happy just to be backstage.

  Ashley nudged your shoulder, then nodded back to the door. You shrugged, and he grabbed your hand and led you out of the room. He only took you into the hallway, but it sounded volumes quieter out here than in the room.

  “You probably have to go soon, don’t you?” he asked.

  You shrugged. “Kinda, but it really doesn’t matter.”

  He smiled. “Yeah. I mean, come on, you’re backstage with Ashley Motherfuckin’ Purdy; I think you’ve got a pretty good excuse for staying late.”

  You laughed and blushed.

  “I like the war paint,” he said, smiling bigger. “A bit outdated, though, huh?”

  “Well, you didn’t wear much for the new album,” you said, voice cracking slightly.

  He raised an eyebrow at you.

  “I think I screamed a bit too much,” you said as you rubbed your throat.

  “Hold up, then.” He walked back into the room. A minute later, he came out with a bottle of water. “The only thing that’s not alcohol in there,” he said. You took it and took a drink immediately, feeling much better already.

  “Thanks, Ashley.”

  He smiled.

  “But it is late…”

  Now, he frowned. You giggled, and his smile came right back.

  “Did you drive here or were you brought here?” he asked.

  “I drove.”

  “Can I walk you to your car?”

  “What if someone sees you and stops us?”

  He went back in the room one more time, and came back out wearing a black hoodie. He flipped the hood up so it covered his face. “Plus it’s dark out,” he said when he saw your slightly confused face. “It’ll be alright.”

  You looked down and blushed lightly. Ashley Purdy, walking me to my car…

  “Can I hold your hand?”

  “Huh?” You jumped slightly at the sudden request.

  He blushed. God, it was so cute when he blushed. “Well, since you don’t know your way around in here, I figured that would help keep you from getting lost.”

  You heard Ashley was a manwhore, a womanizer, a sex god. You didn’t hear Ashley had a sweet side. Giggling, you took his hand. He walked you slowly down the stairs, through a hallway, and out the back door.

  As you walked towards the parking lot, you looked over at him. You couldn’t see much – the hoodie worked better than you expected – but you could still see the edge of his profile. Instantly, the fangirl part of you began thinking he was Purfect, and…well…just damn Purdy.

  He chuckled.

  “What are you laughing at?” you asked.

  “You just called me Purdy.” He looked over at you, a wide grin spread across his face.

  You blushed hard and ripped your hand away from his to cover your mouth. He doubled over laughing. You blushed harder, realizing how much you loved his laugh.

  When he finally stopped laughing, he shoved his hands in the hoodie’s pockets, and you led him to where you parked. As you got your keys out, he grabbed your arm gently.

  “I was wondering if I got to kiss the princess before she left me?” He smiled and pulled his hood down. You blushed hard and nodded. He leaned in and kissed your cheek gently, then laughed.

  “What’s so funny now?” You blushed harder.

  “You just made the cutest pouty-face!” He brushed a hand lightly against your cheek. “That’s obviously not what you wanted.” He leaned in and kissed your lips. You hesitated for only a moment before returning the kiss.

  You felt his lips bend into a smirk, then you felt something wet hit your lips. By God, that’s- instinct kicked in and interrupted your thinking. You parted your lips and he slipped his tongue into your mouth. As your tongues moved together, he ran his hands lightly down your sides to rest on your waist. Blushing hard and breathing staggered, you ran your own hands through his hair. It was surprisingly soft, since he was moving around the stage so much.

  Eventually, he pulled back, and you caught yourself following him. He chuckled. “I shouldn’t’ve kept you this long,” he said. He opened your car door and helped you in. “It was nice getting to meet you.”

  “Will I get to see you again?” You blushed when you caught yourself ask that.

  He smirked, tapped a finger to his pants-pocket, then to his lips, and laughed. “You tell me, Purdy Gurl.”

  He waved, then walked away. You almost ran after him, but remembered what he just did. You checked your pocket: His number was on a slip of paper in it.

  “Okay,” you said to yourself, “one: When the Hell did he have time to write that? And two: When the Hell did he put it there???”

  You stared at the number for a few minutes, then remembered his shirt, and then the feeling of his lips against yours.

  You spent the drive home in a daze, your face red and covered in Ashley’s war paint. And your heart racing with the thought of the first call.

***

  "I will see you again."