Already have them. I've got multiple packs, a pack for each of us.
Marnie
What if tonight's the night she does the supreme stick technique?
Ravita
ALL of them are supreme stick techniques!
I laugh at my desk. Susan in the next cubicle glances over. I pretend to be working. The bonus: Jani won't clock me from the stage. Years of this—going to shows, seeing my sister play on stage while my friends scream and I record.
The venue fills up around six forty-five. Ravita's already claimed our spot—four rows back, dead centre, phone charged, mask already tied in place. She's adjusting the ribbon for the third time since I arrived.
"It looks good Ravita."
"Its not symmetrical. What if she looks up and sees three of us with lopsided ribbons?"
"You're right." I look at my pocket mirror to make it balanced.
"I saw your post is going viral again." Ravita asks. "I saw there was like three hundred comments the last time I checked."
"It was the power of Riley. I just analysed what I saw, it's no big deal. "
"It is a big deal! They even sent you these limited edition masks!"
"I admit that's the best thing about having a fan account."
"Lena." She looks at me. "You're now professional music journalist."
"No way." I laugh. "I'm an accountant."
Marnie shows up two minutes later with a tote bag dumped full of snacks. She threw her arms around both of us without hesitation. All three of us jump up and down in excitement.
"I can't believe this day has come!"
"Get your mask on!" Ravita announced.
We adjust our ribbons in synchrony.
The scales catch the stage wash and send flecks across my cheekbones. I catch my reflection in my phone screen—the mask makes my jawline sharper, my eyes bigger.
"Okay before they start," Marnie says, turning to us, "I need to say something."
"No," Ravita says. "Not today."
"I haven't said anything yet!"
"You're going to talk about the Belladonnas again and I've decided to deny you that platform."
"I'm just saying their bassist is?—"
"No," Ravita repeats.
"Don't be rude, I haven't finished talking, Ravita."
"I'm protecting you from yourself. Tonight is The Sirens, Riley Puth energy. Not Belladonna energy."
Marnie crosses her arms and rolls her eyes.
