Chapter 1

They had planned for this to happen… Why today?

…

March 28, 2013

It was the eve of Kate's birthday, her last day of being considered a minor in America. She was extremely excited because she was about to go to her favorite band's concert: Black Veil Brides. Her boyfriend, who was as a dedicated fan as she, had bought the tickets for her present. They were in her bathroom putting on war paint.

"I'm so excited! I'm glad you were able to get these. And VIP passes! Dude you're the best."

"No problem. Thanks to work and everything I was able to buy them. How does my war paint look?"

Matt was an artist in all the styles, but his specialties were drawing and painting. He had this beautiful design on his face going down his neck, and the stitching on right side of his mouth.

"It looks beautiful," I responded with a smile. "My turn?"

He painted on me the same design on the opposite side of her face and the stitching on the left of her mouth. They were now ready to go, but her friend Yasmin told them she was going to pick them up. They waited for about an hour and then heard her pull up. They grabbed the tickets and VIP passes and ran outside and got into her car.

"Dude," Kate started. "Were gonna be so late, where were you?"

"Busy." She replied.

"Coulda told us ahead of time…" Matt started but then suddenly they noticed there was someone riding shotgun.

Kate couldn't believe who she saw.

"SEXY DEZIRAE!" Kate shouted.

Dezi was Kate's best friend since freshmen year. She had left their school because of money issues and couldn't continue. She was working on her GED and doing an awesome job at it. They planned on going to the same college together.

"Surprise! Happy birthday Kate!" Dezi said as she presented me with a gift.

"Oh my god, you didn't have to."

"Yes, I did. Since the day I found out I couldn't go to school with you and you and DD treated me out to lunch and bought me early Christmas gifts, I had to give you something for your birthday. Now open it, I wanna see your reaction!"

Kate opened up the bag and saw a card and a little box. The box contained earrings that had the letter's K on them and the card contained $50.

"For the tattoo we're getting you at midnight. We already booked you an appointment," said Dezi.

"No way you guys, this is all too much… I don't even know what to get."

"Well we got VIP tix, you're gonna get their signatures. Get them on your arm or something and get them tattooed!" Yasmin stated.

Kate thought that was a good idea and she was so excited to do so.

They arrived at the concert venue. Yasmin dropped them off and went to go park.

"Save my spot in line!" She yelled at us.

They were an hour early. Matt wanted to be there two hours early because he wanted to do people's war paint if concert goers had no time to do theirs or had no ability to purchase war paint. They were watching him paint random beautiful designs on people that asked him, then Yasmin showed up and security let them in.

"Great timing," Dezi said.

"I'm usually lucky with that," she replied.

They all gathered at the front of the stage. It was the best area because for them because they were right next to the band when they played. They waited for about fifteen minutes. Then the lights went down and everyone screamed. Black Veil Brides came out and started their set, starting off with "New Religion". It was amazing. Kate and all her friends knew every lyric to every song. They head banged, crowd surfed and Dezi touched Andy's hand. Kate and Matt kissed when the "Morticians Daughter" played and "Rebel Love Song", since that was the song represented their relationship. The band ended their set with "In the End."

"Thanks for coming out tonight everybody!" Andy said, and he walked off stage.

At the end of the concert, Yasmin caught one of CC's drum sticks and Dezi, thanks to her height, caught Jake's pick. They were so excited to meet them all and get their stuff signed. Kate was excited and couldn't wait to meet her role models.

They entered the backstage area where all the band members were. They were lined up ready to sign whatever was handed to them and to chat with their fans. Kate and Matt were up next and Matt told them all it was Kate's birthday.

"Oh sweet, Happy birthday!" said Ashley

"How old are you?" asked Jinxx

"18. Finally." Kate sighed.

"18 was a fun year for me," started CC, with his huge grin. "I got all my first tattoos and stuff."

"Awesome!" replied Kate. "I'm getting my first ones tonight."

"What you gonna get?" He asked.

"Well, I was hoping you guys would sign on random areas of my body and I would get those tattooed."

"Great idea! I call your upper arm!" said CC

"I want your stomach, like my Outlaw tattoo." Ashley chimed in.

"I'll sign the side of your torso," Jinxx said.

"Dibs on your upper leg!" shouted Jake.

"Thanks guys! You're so fucking awesome," Kate said, with a huge smile on her face.

They signed their autographs where they said they would. After, Kate started walking to Andy. He was surrounded by girls so Kate had to wait for a while. When he was finally free, Kate approached him.

"Hey there, how you doin?" He asked, with that gorgeous smile that makes you melt inside.

"I'm okay thanks," Kate replied. "You were amazing up there. I always love your performances."

"Thanks, you're sweet. So what can I do for you?"

"Uhm, can you sign my arm please? I'm gonna get it tattooed later tonight. It's my 18th birthday."

"Oh sweet, happy birthday!" He gave Kate a hug which made her feel amazing. He took out his sharpie and prepared to sign his autograph.

His eyes widened when he saw her wrist.

"Are these…?" He started to question.

"Yeah, I've had a rough life. It all stopped when I started listening to BVB but, still the damage shows…"

"Well, I'm glad you stopped, and I'm glad we could help. It's people like you that make us feel like we're doing something right. "

He signed her arm and drew a BVB pentagram on her shoulder and wrote "Never Give In" on the right wrist and "A Savior Will Be There" on her left.

"Wow, this is more than I expected. Thank you so much!"

"Anything for the birthday girl." He winked at her which frightened but excited her. "Have fun and stay safe."

"Thank you, so much Andy! I'll be at your next concert for sure."

"Awesome, and again happy birthday! By the way, what's your name?"

"It's Kate. Short for Katerina, based off the character from Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew."

"Interesting. I like your name."

"Thanks. I'll see you next concert! If not before, by some luck."

"Definitely. Night." He waved and she waved back. She had never been so nervous and happy in her life.

On the car ride to the tattoo shop, her friends and boyfriend were all talking about the things that were signed by all the band members. Kate just looked out the window thinking of Andy and their conversation.

They arrived at the tattoo parlor and Kate told them she wanted the signatures, drawings and quotes permanent on her skin. They agreed and she sat down in the chair. She was nervous as they prepared the tattoo needle, wondering if it was going to hurt or not. Then the artist sat down and began to start. It didn't hurt as much as she thought it would, just annoying pricks after annoying pricks. After all of the signatures and Andy's drawing and quote were finished, she paid the guy and showed her boyfriend. He told her they looked as beautiful as she was. He then kissed her as the clock stroke 12:01, the time she was born, and said "Happy Birthday Kate." It was the best birthday she had ever had. But little did she know that when she'd wake up in the morning, her entire world would change.