Oh boy and so it begins. I hope you guys are ready! Let's get right to it, shall we? Fun little fact you'll learn from this chapter: Carissa is white / latina mix! Most people (her friends) are always surprised because she has pale skin, but now you know. Her father is from Mexico. Anyway, enjoy chapter 6!

"So, did she manage to find any of her Aries on Fire shirts?" Joy is too busy being extra focused on the main screen to be certain that Riley is getting her smokey eye makeup just right for tonight's events.

"Well we managed to find the one she cut the sleeves off of and cut the sides of a little, the black one with the bleached style logo they did a like a year ago- I think it'll look totally hot." Disgust doesn't doubt for a second it'll look great, "Especially with those black skinnies with the rips all down the front and her low-top converse. And I'm thinkin' we put the I'm with the drummer pin Carissa made us in ninth grade onto the side of our beanie."

"Oh, that sounds cute! I like it! A little extra accessory without over doing it. it's perfect!"

But Fear is remaining silent. He's hardly said a word as he watches Riley take selfies before placing her beanie on, completing her outfit, "I don't know why, but I think...I just really have a bad feeling about today."

"Do you want us to call for Motivation?" Joy doesn't want anything spoiling today's events.

But Anger is already brushing that idea out the window before it can even be considered, "The guy's always got a 'bad feeling' about something- leave Motivation outta' this. Look, nothing's gonna' happen tonight. You're just freaking yourself out!"

"Listen, Anger, I know I worry about everything, but I swear to you this time is different!"

"How is it any different from the plethora of other times you've had bad feelings? I swear this is just you every minute of every day!"

"Okay, everyone shut the hell up, you guys are driving me nuts!" Green hair will be pushed back with an aggravated eye roll, "Nothing is gonna' happen except possibly getting high and enjoying some music and I'm really tired of everyone being so damn paranoid lately. You're acting like children."

"I mean technically she isn't completely finished with the hormonal aspect of puberty so you can argue we are still kids in some ways." Why does Sadness bother to even say this? Everyone is going to completely ignore the comment. Children, indeed.

By this point the vision of Riley high fiving Jordan appears on the screen, the two are boarding their way to the pier for tonight's festival. Joy is grinning ear to ear, "I still say it's going to be a great night."

"You said that three years ago and then she got cyber-bullied into a suicide attempt." Ouch, Anger. Guess he isn't on anybody's side today.

"Well that was then, this is now! Can't we all just enjoy ourselves?" That was a harsh blow and it'll send a deep pang of guilt through her.

"I agree with Joy." Disgust will raise a single hand, "You guys are seriously harshing the vibe, so let's just relax and enjoy the bands and the perks of getting to be back stage. We'll do what Joy said a few days ago and prepare ourselves for every possibility- but we won't need to be on our toes because everything is going to be fine."

Another gorgeous day, and luckily it's not too breezy. Rest assured, Riley's hair won't be blowing around her face and her beanie will remain atop her head, "Bro, it's so crowded, way more than last year! Carissa must be freaking out."

"She is, she texted me before I left to get you." Just as Jordan is whipping out his phone to check it one more time, "All she said was, please tell me you're bringing weed because I need to calm the fuck down. I wasn't supposed to tell you, but it's funny, so."

She has to laugh. Jordan, the very typical high school stoner kid, with the kindest heart to offer. She's proud to be able to refer to him as her brother from another mother, "Well the small theater dressing room building by the stage is where the bands are hanging out- think she said the password to get in is Will Buyers is in The Upside Down."

"Sweet, so you wanna take a quick hit before we head inside and help your girlfriend calm down?"

Like Riley has to think about that. She'll give a crooked smile, rest her skateboard under her left arm, "Yeah- let's go behind the dumpster by the bathroom, I brought my grinder."

"See? So far so good, everyone!" Joy is careful in rubbing her hands against the skirt of her dress to fix any creases she finds, "Carissa mentioned going all out with her outfit tonight, I can't wait to see her. I bet she looks to die for."

"Oh you know she does!" Disgust can feel her mouth watering.

"And thank god she's about to take a hit. It'll put my over-thinking head at ease." That may have been a passive aggressive comment coming from Fear. But he's irritated with the others in not trusting his genuine worry today. In truth, it really does feel different from the other times. It worries him. Deep down, he wants to push that button that hasn't been pressed in years. But he knows he can't. The others are too confident in all of this. And as for Sadness? Well, everyone is too busy ignoring her, so she says nothing. Or at least, she's already taking a pledge to not say anything unless something actually does happen.

'Will Buyers is in the Upside Down.'

"Woaaaah, it looks so fancy in here! Dressing rooms and everything!" Disgust is really impressed, "Okay, they have band names on them, lets look for the one that says Aries on Fi- oh wait down there, I see it!"

And inside that dressing room Claire is lightly strumming on her guitar, tuning it carefully. John, the bassist, is looking through his song book and Carissa, is fixing her hair in the mirror, clearly looking nervous.

'Oh my god...she looks gorgeous.'

The perfect punk is dressed in dark wash skinny jeans, a black v-neck t shirt, and her jean vest that is covered in patches and buttons. She has a bandanna tied around her waist, red and black in color- the print is that of a punked out version of the Spongebob characters. Her eye makeup is smokey, but not nearly as dramatic as Riley's. She'll turn around, "Babe." She smiles. Seeing Riley immediately calms her nerves. She takes both of her hands, kisses her slow, "Glad you could come."

The kiss leaves her knees weak. How does she always manage to melt her soul in its entirety?

'Screw the concert, let's ditch and fuck!'

'We're not letting her ditch on her band! They might make some really good connections tonight!'

"Y'know I'd never miss a show of yours when it's as important as this. You look hot." And Riley will wink.

"So do you." This prompts Carissa's hands to grab for her girlfriend's waist, "I love this shirt on you best of all our band t-shirts. I get a great view, and it's easy to take off of you."

Yes, since a week ago, they've gone at it three more times. Well, three and a half, if you count the incident during lunch period in Carissa's car. But it only makes Riley draw in for another kiss. That only continues the cycle. It's a full on make out in front of everyone.

Claire is completely un-phased, currently answering a phone call from her own girlfriend who's requesting directions to the pier. John, at this point, has left the room to check the band in with the coordinators. And oh, poor Jordan who's awkwardly standing in the doorway quickly utters, "So, I'll just leave the joint on the vanity...?" He'll sneak past the two girls who are all play. Hands roaming around each others bodies, eyes closed, and only pulling away to eye one another, half-lidded and thirsty, "...Okay guys, well, Amanda just texted that she's here, so I'll catch you guys in a bit. Enjoy...each other?"

'Ugh, can't we just fuck here? I'm so thirsty. Let's go four for four.'

'God, we need to go for it after the concert, she drove here we just gotta go in the back of her jeep it's fine.'

'You're all suddenly so horny all the time, it's so tiring.'

'Shut up, Sadness, the sex is great and you know it!'

However, there's a really loud sound of a throat being cleared in the dressing room doorway which immediately causes both girls to stop and look for the source. Jensen.

'What the fuck is she doing back here? This invitation was only reserved for Carissa's friends!'

'I'm gonna be sick, I'm so fucking done.'

Carissa is already reaching behind her and towards the vanity, discreetly grabbing for the joint. Just the girls arrival makes her anxious, "Well, I'll be right back, I'm gonna go see if John needs help, he's taking a while." She leaves, but not without giving Riley's cheek a kiss.

Claire, at this point, is quickly stepping past the two remaining girls, "I'll be right back, Shannon's lost by the pier entrance, I'm gonna' go meet her."

Riley, weak smile and arms folded, "No problem, tell her hi for me." She'll wait for her to be out of the room entirely.

'No one's here, I'm finally fucking standing up for us!'

"What are you doing back here?"

'This is for CARISSA'S friends, asshole!'

Jensen, with a very bitter smile, "Carissa invited me."

'...What?'

'No.' Joy is shaking her head, refusing to believe it, 'there's no way Carissa invited her.'

'I told you guys I had a bad feeling.'

"...N-No she didn't."

"Uh, yeah she did. Said the code to get in was Will Buyers is in the Upside Down." She raises both eyebrows, "She invited me."

This leaves Riley speechless and...incredibly on edge. That can't be true.

But Jensen on the other hand dares to shoot yet another innocent look, just as always, fingers running through straight long hair to pull it back into a loose ponytail, "Well! I need to go freshen up. Gotta' look good for my favorite drummer, so if you'll just excuse me." She's out the door.

"I cannot fucking BELIEVE this!" Oh, Anger's head is on fire, a comfortable two hundred degrees and climbing, "How the fuck could she invite that twat!?"

"Relax! There's no way. No way that Carissa extended an invitation." Joy continues to refuse belief, "I-It just doesn't make any sense! There's no way."

"Obviously not!" Anger interjects, "Because she was just fucking standing here!"

But no, to Fear, now it's time to be all about him, "See? How do you feel now, Anger? I hope stupid, because the next time I tell you my worries are different this time, maybe you won't be so quick to act like I'm crazy and worrying for nothing!"

"You shut your pathetic little mouth right now! I've had it up to here with you!"

"Will everyone stop fighting?!" Ironically, it's Disgust who's attempting to bring the energy down, "I'm fucking pissed beyond belief. But we're gonna' talk to Carissa when she get's back and if she really did extend this invitation, we're gonna' be honest with how we feel. We can't do that until you all fucking chill. So chill."

She's standing completely alone in silence for the longest ten minutes in existence before Carissa is returning along with John, "Hey, babe, where's Claire?"

"Looking for Shannon." She won't beat around the bush, "Jensen just told me you invited her back here?" Excuse the utter disgust in her voice.

"I didn't invite her, she's fuckin' lying! Probably trying to start shit."

"Then how did she know the password to get in?"

'Carissa, I swear to god if you're lying right to our face, I'll walk the fuck out right now.'

'She's cheating. Isn't she?'

"Probably because the bitch stalks my twitter."

'See? Now can everyone be rational for five minutes please?!'

"What?"

'I told you guy Riley should sign up for twitter! This wouldn't have happened!'

"I have a lot of followers on twitter who go to shows like this all the time and wanted to meet up, so I tweeted last night that anyone who was interested in meeting up to come here before 7:30 and then told them what the password was. So she's embellishing the truth. Because yeah, technically she can argue I invited her, but I didn't personally invite her- and if I remembered she followed me there, I wouldn't have posted it, or would have straight up told the coordinators not to let her in." Carissa can't help the sharp tone of voice, but she's already nervous about the show, she doesn't have time for negative vibes. She's in no mood for an argument, "So I didn't invite her. She stalked my page and invited herself."

Okay, so she'll sigh with a shake of her head, "It's okay, I believe you." God damn that jealousy she swears it's going to be the reason they don't last (heaven forbid), "I'm sorry."

But Carissa will sigh as well, smile a little before placing a hand to her girlfriend's cheek, "I probably would have reacted the same way in your shoes, but no negative vibes tonight, alright? We'll have a good night."

That's enough to calm all nerves and make Riley laugh just a little.

"And...maybe after the show." Once again, hungry hands are grabbing for prominent hips, "We can drive by the golden gate and finish what we started yesterday at lunch."

"...Abso-fucking-lutely."

"...I still have a bad feeling." And this time he hopes to god his feelings won't just be tossed in the trash to be forgotten, "I just...think we need to be on high alert.

"I just think we all need to calm down. This relationship is solid." Disgust doesn't want to deal with any of this anymore, "If we keep this overthinking up she will end up leaving us because we can't keep out jealousy in check. We gotta' stop this!"

"I didn't like that look in Jensen's eyes! She's calculated." Okay, Fear has a point.

But Anger is ready for the rebuttal, "And we can be calculated too. Anything she throws at us, we can throw right back. She's been throwing shade in our direction for years and we dodge it with flying colors. You've got to give Riley more damn credit, Fear!"

"And I think everyone needs to stop with the arguing, Carissa's band is up next and we don't want to miss her performance!" Joy is only half paying attention to anyone anyway. God, the bickering never stops. Are teenage emotions always this unstable? It's kind of irritating, "So let's just stay focused on the show and have a good time. We'll even take another hit just to get the vibe back, okay? Work with me, guys!"

And what a performance it is. Likely the strongest they've done in a while. Riley's eyes are fixated on her drummer the entire time. God, she's so passionate when she's in the moment. You can feel the energy- she loves what she's doing. Riley will be standing on the side of the stage behind the curtains, head banging and cheering between songs. She's chilled out and in a daze. It's perfect. The band preforms four songs. And it seems like it's all over in the blink of an eye before they're being replaced by the next local band. She'll high five each member. And though she intends to do the same to Carissa? Oh, no.

Carissa will wrap a single arm around her girlfriend's waist, lift her right off of her feet and kiss her hard, spinning her- the adrenaline making her feel unstoppable.

'My god, that's so romantic!'

Riley will yelp with a laugh, "Put me down, asshole!"

"No way, you're gorgeous, I'm lucky you're mine and we fuckin' killed it out there! Did you hear them cheering encore!?"

"Fuck yeah I did, your energy was nuts! You guys did amazing!"

Finally Carissa will carefully drop Riley back onto her feet, "But fuck, I'm sweating balls." She'll pull a ten dollar bill out of her pocket, "Can you get me a coke from the stand at the end of the venue? You can get yourself something too, we gotta' stay back to talk to the PR guys. And something tells me you've probably got cotton mouth anyway." A wink will follow that statement.

'Yeah and we got it bad so we're getting, like, three waters.'

A playful eye roll, "Whatever, babe." Of course she does, "But yeah, of course, I'll be back in ten, okay, babe?"

'See? the night is just about over and everything went just great! You guys had nothing to worry about!'

Nothing at all to worry about. Carissa is on cloud nine. Her band mates are busy speaking with the coordinators when she returns to her dressing room, grabs for a tissue to wipe down her sweating forehead. But in the mirror's reflection and standing in the doorway. God damn that stupid girl, "What do you want Jensen?" Irritated tone of voice, she doesn't bother turning around as she proceeds to mess with her hair.

Jensen looks strangely...apologetic, "My phone is dead and I don't have a ride home. I need to text my dad. Can I please just use your phone really quick to let him know?" She sighs, "I swear I'm lying, you can check my phone if you want. I couldn't find Jordan, but I saw you come in here."

She has her doubts, but again, Carissa is in no mood for any bad vibes. She'll pull her phone from her pocket and hand it off, "Make it quick, alright?" It's innocent enough.

"Ugh, thank you so much!" her fingers are quick, typing away and she stares waiting for a response. She'll smile, "Oh- he's calling hang on-"

Carissa is still messing with her hair, completely ignoring the other girl as she slowly approaches from behind, "Yeah, my phone died, I'm so sorry...okay great! So I'll see you in half an hour, I'll wait by the pier entrance." The plot is ready to be thickened. Jensen is standing right next to Carissa, staring right into the mirror...at her.

She'll finally stop, turn to Jensen with a sigh, "What? You called your dad, now get outta' here."

"Does it ever bother you that she gets so jealous?"

"No because I'd be just as jealous and antsy if some girl was throwing herself at my girlfriend. Now would you please fucking leave?"

She'll feign defeat, drop Carissa's phone on the table, "...Okay, you're right. Riley's my friend." she'll turn around, lean against the ruddy furniture, "I'm sorry I act like an ass, okay? When we were younger I liked you a lot- guess I still do." She'll turn to Carissa, who is stupidly giving her the time of day. Exactly what she wants, "She used to tell me you'd never go for a girl like me when she was going through...things. And I guess I never really got over it. Guess...deep down I'm weirdly trying to prove her wrong. But that's a really shitty thing to do so I'll back off okay?"

She hesitates, but she'll nod, "...Well, good. I'm sorry she said that, but you had to know it was being said by a distorted mind because she was made to feel like garbage. That wasn't the real Riley. So just remember that. But I'm glad you're gonna' back off."

"...Can I ask one request?" She'll turn to Carissa, her face as innocent as ever, "One kiss. One kiss on the mouth and I'll never bother you again."

"Absolutely not!" Carissa doesn't hesitate for a minute, "Un-fucking-believable! I just fell for that bullshit. Get the fuck outta' here-"

"I swear! One kiss, between me and you in this room, we never speak of it, she never knows, and I back the fuck off."

"I'm not kissing you, Jensen. I don't want you, I don't like you, I'm with Riley- get it through that thick fucking skull."

Time for the devil to up the game. That's what this is. She'll hold her undead phone to her ear, suddenly looking frantic, breathing heavy, "H-Hello-h? 911-h? I-I was just raped-h...I-I do- I know who the man was-h. His name is Mario Rodriguez...h-he's my friend Carissa Smith's dad- please don't tell her what he did-h it would kill her-h, I-I'm so scared."

Carissa stands in astonishment, completely appalled, "Are you fucking threatening my fucking father if I don't give you a damn kiss?"

She'll smirk, "Yes I am, darling."

"You're fucking sick, I'm calling the police." She's already headed for the door.

But Jensen will grab her arm, "You won't."

"Try me, cunt!"

"Does your dad not have a criminal record?"

Carissa pauses. Oh, that one makes her skin crawl.

"...Felony tax evasion? Jailed for three years? Is that not why he works as security at music venues now instead of running one like he used to?"

"...How did you find that out?"

"He has a record, they'll believe me Carissa." She'll never reveal her secret.

Now she's in a tough spot. She can't even look at the girl.

"One kiss. Kept between us."

She loves her father more than anything. He's her whole world, "Swear to me you won't tell Riley."

"I won't tell Riley. If you put your hands on my waist. And close your eyes for it. And it has to last at least six seconds."

"Ugh where's Amanda? She promised to meet after the show!" Joy is searching the crowd for that familiar bubbly face and that adorable messy bun, "Think she got busy with Carl again?"

"I don't even get why she keeps sleeping with him if he doesn't deliver, I'd have kicked him out of my bed ages ago." Disgust is staring at her cuticles, only half paying attention to the screen.

Joy will face her companion, "Maybe they love each other. It's the only thing I can imagine in that sort of scenario because, I mean, come on!"

Disgust will laugh, "Right?!"

But suddenly there will be three different screams almost instantaneously. A scream of absolute terror, of utter dismay, complete heartache.

The two emotions turn, "What?!"

on the main screen is Riley's phone screen.

[text: Carissa]: Nah Riley just left so the coast is clear for you to come by for a little something ;) get here I'm thirsty

The phone is shoved into her pocket. She doesn't need to think. The moment the message is received, she's making a run for the dressing room. There's no way. She couldn't be, She would never. Running, running, running. The hallway seems so bright. Finally. The dressing room. And much to her

K

Carissa's hands are pressed to Jensen's hips. Her head is tilted, their lips are latched tightly.

It physically pains her. Physically sickens her.

Three years.

Three long years of disaster, confidence, laughter, petty arguments, lovesick gazes.

"...I can't believe you."

The kiss is broken instantly. Carissa is in a panic, "This isn't what you think-" It's only then she realizes how idiotic that argument sounds. And so she'll turn to Jensen, rage in her eyes, "You set me up."

Jensen will raise her hands cautiously, "I-I don't know what you're trying to pull here. You've been hiding this for two months swearing you'd tell her. You had to know this would happen. She has a right to know."

'I'm gonna' be sick.'

'I'm going to kill her!'

'I'm going to kill myself.'

'No. This...this can't...this can't be!'

Riley knows one thing for certain. She's going to turn right around, slam that door shut and leave. She'll head outside into the unforgiving California heat, pushing through the dispersing crowd. She is absolutely sick to her stomach. And she's replaying that ugly, ugly image over and over in her mind.

That voice, "Riley- RILEY!"

'Does she really have the fucking nerve to run after us?!'

That girl, she grabs hold of Riley's wrist to turn her around.

But no. Riley won't turn around. She will shake right out of that girl's grip, "You've been lying to me this whole time."

"I'm swearing to you, she fucking set me up!"

"Oh yeah? She just kissed you?! And instead of pulling away, you put you hands on her hips?! Makes sense!" She still won't face her.

"it wasn't like that!" She's almost screaming, "She threatened my dad!"

'Oh, that's a good one!'

'I'm gonna' throw up.'

"She came in there and asked me for a kiss, promising to lay off. I said no." She's making that fact perfectly clear, "Then she told me she'd call the cops and tell them my dad assaulted her or some shit because somehow she found out my dad has a criminal record."

'She never told us that!'

'Because she's fucking LYING, Joy. She's a fucking cheating liar!'

'I'm sick. I'm gonna puke.'

"She said one kiss, hands on my waist, six seconds, I won't bother you again!"

Riley is appalled. She can't believe that Carissa has the audacity to make up such an insane sounding story. She doesn't believe it for a second. She certainly is awful at covering up lies isn't she? This is too much, "I can't believe I thought you actually wanted me for life."

"It's the truth, Riley!"

"Then explain the the text! The fucking nah she isn't here! You can come right now I'm so thirsty!"

Now Carissa knows well and truly just how planned this girl's scheme had been. It sounds ridiculous because she wanted it to sound that way, "...I don't believe this. She fucking took my phone claiming to text her dad for a ride and must've texted you instead!"

Finally, Riley will turn to face that girl, "Shut the fuck up."

Carissa is silent. Is this real life?

"I don't wanna' hear it, Carissa. I don't wanna hear bullshit." She wants to break down right then and there, but she needs to stay strong, "Don't call me. Don't text me."

But now there are tears in Carissa's eyes, "Babe please-h!"

"I don't wanna' hear it."

"I love you so much-h-!"

"I don't wanna' fucking hear it anymore! You played me!"

"I DIDN'T! PLEASE BELIEVE ME!"

"YOU PLAYED ME AND I'M DONE!"

She won't stay any longer. She'll turn right around, prepared to leave. The tears pouring down her face with such a heart breaking intensity. She feels as though she's been kicked right in the stomach. Her heart has been D to shreds.

Perfect timing, Amanda, "There you are, gorgeous, your girlfriend was so good on-" Her face from excited to worry, "...Riley...what's wrong?!"

She'll put her hand over her mouth in attempts to calm down, it helps nothing. She can't even say it. Oh god, she can't say it.

'...Shit.'

'What's wrong, Anger?!'

'...Every single Island. They're all offline.'

'Oh god, please no. I can't go through that again.'

"Riley, what happened?"

"...Puh-Puhlease-h walk me home-h-h-"

The way those tears are falling? Amanda know's exactly what happened.