Author's Note: For those who are reading, I hope you'll enjoy the next part of my story. I have more in the works, I'm just swamped with school (college graduation next month!). In the meantime, enjoy! Best, Anne

November 1987

eleanor

Months ago, Eleanor asked Uncle Geoff to drive her to the DMV to take her permit test. After some discussion, he drove her downtown for the test last March. She surprised herself and passed on the first try. After much practicing, Eleanor took her driving test that September. She wrote about it in a letter to her mom. The shiny new license felt empowering in her hands but she hated the picture, her eyes were huge and her facial expression was blank. She looked like a deer in the headlights.

park

His parents knew he was taking the Impala to school and knew he would be spending time with Cal and Kim afterward. Park reassured them the tank would be filled upon his return. He told them he was probably coming home late and that Cal had wanted to see some super long film that came out a few weeks ago.

Park meticulously marked the road map to ensure they didn't get lost. He didn't want any problems getting there, this was too big of a night to mess up.

eleanor

There was a long pause in the darkness before she could hear anything. The sound was approaching like an oncoming train, she heard it before she could see it. The faintest sound of the opening chords surrounded them in the arena, then she heard the guitars, and the lights rose to meet each band member one by one. By this point, everyone was screaming and the train was arriving and Eleanor felt the rush in her blood stream when Bono began to sing.

I want to feel, sunlight on my face

See that dust cloud disappear without a trace

I want to take shelter from the poison rain

Where the streets have no name

Eleanor didn't want to miss anything but she found herself closing her eyes. With her eyes closed, her ears could pick out the layers in the music, the riffs and the harmonies she had already come to love. Bono's voice had a rawness and vulnerability to it that was new to her. She loved it.

You, I'm waiting for you

You, you set my desire

I trip through your wires

Eleanor couldn't get over how big the stadium was. She had never stepped foot in a concert before today or an arena and every so often she'd catch herself drawing her eyes away from the stage to soak in her surroundings. The dome high above her was dark, but the audience lit up the balcony with glow sticks. The people up there looked like bugs they were so tiny from where she stood. When her eyes scanned the rows of fold-out chairs around her she saw people singing along, teenagers dancing and couples kissing. She could see the excitement on their faces and then she needed to look again.

I try to sing this song

I...I try to stand up

But I can't find my feet

I try, I try to speak up

But only in you I'm complete

She counted seven. Seven rows back there was a familiar face. She recognized the dark hair and the beautiful face with its magic eyes of green. No way, that can't be him, she thought. I am certainly imagining this. She knew he knew the words and she saw his lips move to sing along. His hair had grown and fell more in his face. He held his hands in his pockets and swayed ever so slightly to Gloria. Eleanor was numb, she tried to wiggle her toes in her Vans but couldn't feel the canvas. She turned back to the stage before anyone noticed but could feel the back of her neck grow hotter by the second. Just to be sure, she pinched herself before glancing back those seven rows but there he was. She reached to pull at her skin another time before the people accompanying him came into view, there was Cal and a familiar girl but she couldn't remember her name.

park

Park closed his eyes, his body slightly swayed to the music, and he quietly sang along to Spanish Eyes. The vibrant colors of the stage lights washed over him and as the song progressed, Park's singing became more expressive. Cal brushed his arm against his and the two looked at each other just in time to sing together the final verse in unison. Cal laughed and strummed an air guitar.

Wey, hey, hey, baby hang on

Wey, hey, hey, baby hang on

'Cause I love the way you talk to me

And I mean the things you mean to me

I need you

He laughed along with Cal, who then wrapped his arm around Kim and they danced together. Park then took a moment to take in the space. The speakers were piled high and the sound reverberated off every inch of the vaulted dome. The opening, energetic chords to In God's Country seemed to echo all around and through him.

Desert sky

Dream beneath a desert sky

The rivers run but soon run dry

We need new dreams tonight

As much as this trip was supposed to be a day away from being sad about Eleanor, Park couldn't help thinking just how much she would love this show. Everything about this was screaming Eleanor to him; the lights, the volume, the way the band members circled around each other on stage, and how everyone here tonight was here for the music, all gathered and blended together. Unconsciously, Park's eyes began to weave through the crowd. What he was hoping for was impossible, he knew he wouldn't find her, but part him just wanted to check. There was no way Eleanor could miss a concert like this one, and when he checked the maps, this arena wasn't extremely far away from the house he had left her at months ago.

Set me alight, we'll punch a hole right through the night.

Every day the dreamers die to see what's on the other side.

She is liberty, and she comes to rescue me.

Hope, faith, her vanity

The greatest gift is gold.