I’m 15 years old, living out my punk-rock dream standing in the pit while the stage is being set for Fall Out Boy. The whole crowd is energized from seeing Paramore during the first half of the show. It’s that period between sets where you try to weasel your way closer to the barricade in front. Suddenly, the crowd starts shifting as people are shoving for a closer spot and folks are leaning into me from all sides. Mutual apologies are exchanged because we all know that pushing someone in a tight crowd causes a ripple effect. The crowd carries me into a blonde girl and we’re instantly chest-to-chest, nowhere to move. She beams at me and says “We might as well get to know each other! Hi, my name’s Danielle, I’m a Leo!” I tell her my name is Erin and that I’m an Aries. The crowd is still writhing in anticipation. It pulls us apart and we cry our goodbyes as we’re torn in different directions, one moment closer to seeing our favorite band.
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Erin Bloom can be found on Instagram @erinbloom_