October 25th, 2010

Dear Jimmy,

I'm extremely tired but I have to write all of this down while the memories are still fresh. I've only gotten about three hours of sleep last night (more like this morning).

Yesterday morning

My phone buzzes on my night table right next to my head. Groaning, I look at the clock. 8 AM? Who is texting me at this time? I rub my eyes and grab my phone, Ethan. Confused, I open the text and read.

Time to wake up! We need to leave in an hour if we want to make it to barrier tonight! Don't worry about the shirts, I have something special for you…. –E

Realization strikes me as I slowly read the text. Tonight's the night I'm seeing Muse! I hurriedly jump out of bed and start getting ready. As I'm brushing my teeth, my mom sleepily shuffles into the bathroom.

"I can't believe you guys want to wait hours in line just for a concert", she yawns, watching me get ready.

"This isn't just some show Mom", I reply, "This is a MUSE concert! I'm sure there are people already waiting in line as we speak!"

Mom just shrugs and walks back into her bedroom. I go to my closet, wondering what Ethan plans on giving me. I hear excited knocking on the front door. Still in my PJs, I run over to answer the door. Ethan is standing in front of me with a wide grin on his face while holding up a black t-shirt. On the front is this impressive drawing of Muse's three tower stage set-up with the band logo cutting across the middle. He flips the shirt around and on the back it reads in big white letters.

Muse

Prudential Center

Newark, NJ

10/24/10

"Do you like it?" he asks sheepishly, trying to read my reaction. I'm absolutely shocked. I've never seen a more amazing shirt!

I reach out to touch the shirt and say, "Have I told you lately that you're the greatest boyfriend ever!"

Ethan grins and hands me the shirt. I notice that he is wearing the same shirt, only in red.

"I was worried that the design would not come out well on the shirt", he comments as we walk into the house.

I look at the shirt again. "Did you make this yourself?" I ask, shocked at how quickly he was able to make these.

"I had the design saved onto my computer for months", Ethan answers, "I've been meaning to put it on a shirt and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to use it. It is my girlfriend's first Muse concert!"

I smile as he wraps his arms around me. "If you keep trying to smooch me, we will never make it to the barrier!" I laugh, pushing him away. "Let me get dressed and hope that my mom is almost done."

"Don't worry, I'm ready", my mom says, entering the room. "I know I will never hear the end of it if I was the reason you guys were not as close to the band as possible." She goes into the kitchen and starts packing treats inside a bag. "So you guys don't get hungry while in line", she explains, trying to fit an entire bottle of Dr. Pepper into the bag.

I quickly dress and gather up my belongings. Ticket? Check. Camera? Check. Muse Cds to listen in the car while we drive to the venue? Check. Ready to go.

"That was quick", Ethan comments as I stand next to the front door, itching to leave. "I just want to go already!" I whine. I have never been so excited in my life. These next 11 hours are going to go by so slowly!

The three of us pile into the car and head towards Newark. As we get on the highway, I decide to put on The Resistance, Uprising's bass shaking the windows as we drive. Ethan air-guitars in the backseat while I tap the drum beat with my hands on my lap. My mom just decides to bob her head along to the chorus. As Guiding Light comes on, Ethan starts to belt out the lyrics loudly, causing me to break down in a fit of giggles.

After what seems like endless driving, we finally reach the exit for the Prudential Center.
As we go through the neighborhoods, I begin to get a bit nervous. "Why would Muse want to perform here?" I ask, noticing a man glaring at our car from the sidewalk.

"It has been a while since they've been in Jersey" Ethan explains, "Although Newark would not be my first choice in a city to perform in."

We turn a corner and notice a very large and impressive building in the distance. "That has to be the venue!" I cry out. As we get closer, I notice a small line of people waiting by a set of doors.

"That must be for the pit" ,Ethan says, "We'll definitely make barrier tonight!"

The car pulls up on the sidewalk next to the venue. "Have a nice time kids!" my mom says happily, "I'm going to rest a bit at the hotel, but I promise I will stop by a few times to make sure you are okay."

Ethan and I quickly jump out of the car and run over to the line of Musers. There are about 15 people in front of us.

"Hey there!" a girl greets us as we take our places in line, "Excited for tonight?"

"You bet!" Ethan says, looking at the giant building.

A boy farther up the line shouts, "Only ten more hours until the show starts!" Everyone cheers loudly. As I finish clapping, I realize. Ten more hours?

Yesterday afternoon

As the hours crawl by, more and more people begin waiting in line. I have never seen so many Musers gathered together in one place! Everywhere I turn; I see a Muse logo on a shirt or hear "Plug in Baby" blasting from someone's headphones. We talk with the groups of people next to us in line about the upcoming show. A few people comment on how much Ethan looks like Matt. Ethan simply laughs and thanks them.

My mom runs over to us around three to see how we are doing. "How come you haven't been eating any of the snacks I packed?" she asks, looking through the bag and making a big fuss over us.

"Mom", I say, embarrassed, "It's okay. We promise we'll eat something before they let us inside!"

As she opens a bag of chips, Musers around us turn their heads in our direction. "Would you like some Doritos?" she asks. A few eagerly nod and hold their hands out. Mom moves up and down the line, feeding hungry Musers.

"One word of advice", Ehan chuckles, "At a concert line, everyone is your friend and it's always nice to share." A few nearby Musers agree with him. Smiling, I take out the rest of the snacks and announce, "Who's hungry?"

Two hours before the show

Security guards come out to give us wristbands. "It's so no one can sneak into the pit if they're not allowed to", Ethan explains, pointing out a number on the band, "Since we're one of the first ones here, we'll be able to go inside first."

Ethan's phone suddenly rings. "Excuse me", he replies before picking it up, moving slightly away from the line to talk.

I pretend to be busy studying my shoelaces while listening to his conversation. He looks really excited talking to whoever is on the other line.

"How have you been? Yeah, I'm excited about tonight. She's right next to me!" Ethan grins, looking at me. He then rolls his eyes and says, "No you cannot talk to her. She'll get a chance to see you soon. I hope Muse plays Citizen Erased tonight." He says that last sentence with a teasing tone. His eyes go wide with shock.

"Wanker", he giggles to himself, shutting off his phone.

"Who was that?" I ask nonchalantly.

"My friend Mark from the message boards, he's here tonight. We'll probably see him after the show really quick", Ethan answers.

One hour before the show

"WE'RE GOING INSIDE!" I shout, seeing the doors opening. Musers around us begin to cheer. We move closer to the building, Ethan whispers, "As soon as they check our tickets and bags, RUN! The race to barrier is almost as fun as the concert." I nod; suddenly glad I can run so well in my Converses. The second we are checked out, Ethan and I sprint like mad into the giant room. I see the three towers on the other side of the room, almost stumbling at the sight. I can't believe I'm actually here!

"Quick Sam! They're catching up to us!" Ethan cries out, looking behind him. I speed up and together we run straight in to the barrier, knocking the breath out of me. "We did it!" I say, smiling widely. I look up and notice we are right in between where Matt and Dom's towers stand. "Nice spot too!" I remark.

Eventually, the arena begins to fill up with excited fans. I look up and am surprised to see how high some of the seats go, and how those areas are getting filled as well. When you're a Muse fan and you have a chance to go to a gig, I suppose it doesn't matter if the boys look like ants from where you're standing.

I check my watch. 7:28. "Only two more minutes left!" I say. Ethan grins and asks, "You ready?"

I'm about to answer him when suddenly, all the lights have gone out and people begin to scream.

It has begun.