"Where are you guys? I'm already there?"
"just a few minutes, still on the way"
"Is there any way to change my ticket into a front seat? Willing to pay more!"
The discussion in the group was booming. He silently read them and placed the mobile inside the trouser pocket.
The cool wind from the night blew to the corner he was sitting, bringing a quiet and serene atmosphere. But it wasn't long before a group of strangers seeking seats sqeezed next to him from both sides, disrupting the cool breeze that was brushing past him.
The venue was also gradually getting livelier with with suppressed excitement and chatter springing up from time to time. He held the standard ticket in his hands that were starting to warm up and gazed attentively toward the stage waiting for the musical to start.
Him buying this ticket was an impulsive decision. There was no one who knew him here, and no means of transportation to head back after the night has descended. But he was here, even though he knew the chance of that person being here is slim. And that nothing might happen even if that person was here.
Suddenly, a series of excited screams erupted out of nowhere and he knew the performers had entered the stage. Those were supposed to be renowed performers , but unfortunately he recognised none of them. Then again, considering how he never paid attention to anything going around him, it was pretty normal.
The music flowed all around gradually, with rhythmic clapping mixed in from time to time. The genre varied from classical to pop and to rock, slowly shifting the atmosphere to a lively one. Though most of the songs were unfamiliar to him, he still managed to catch some lyrics here and there that he had heard before, slightly vibing to the music, trying to peek at the stage that was partially visible from the heads infront.
As time went on and the night got darker, the crowd started to rise from their seats and move to the music, swaying joyfully. He was debating whether to stand up when the people that had been sitting next to him also rose up, almost stepping on a corner of his baggy shirt. Although it did relive the stuffy feeling, but now he looked more and more out of place here, sticking out like a sore thumb, stuck to the seat among the standing crowd.
As the stepping on his got more frequent with the crowd dancing in the dimlit environment, he slowly moved to a corner. The environment was joyful, with lots of couples swaying romantically to the music, that even Zane found it a bit endearing.
Although these joys did not belong to him, but seeing them still made hits heart a bit warmer on this night.
Suddenly, a small round of cheers erupted nearby as a guy, features almost melted to the darkness, performed a bow, inviting his partner to dance. His partner was just about to take that extended hand when that person suddenly lost his footing, almost falling backwards. Just at this moment, the guy caught embraced his partner in a secure hug, catching him perfectly, amidst the cheers.
Without realizing it himself, Zane had a little smirk etched on his face, gazing teasingly at their encounter. "…youth is indeed beautiful" he wisphered to himself when the disco lights faintly illuminated their faces, brimming with emotions.
Zane suddenly stilled for a moment, looking at them with shock. It…. was him. The one he had been looking for, the reason he came here.
His feelings of amusement suddenly cooled down. 'oh…so he's here, dancing…quite romantically..'
He suddenly felt bored. Right, he didn't belong here in the first place, what was he doing here alone, watching other couples dance… he slowly clenched up the standard ticket in his hand. Now that he thinks about it, it seems quite pathetic, being here like this.
He slowly got up and walked through the crowd towards the exit, why was he here? It's not like he was going to dance the night away in any case… coming here tonight was a wrong choice.