A/N – Sorry for the delayed update, will explain at the bottom of the chapter :)
Dm’s from Zack written in italics, Sadie in bold

“Wow, Zacky. Look at us, sitting opposite each other, it's like we're on a date.” Rhi squealed.

Zack gave an awkward smile and squeezed Jacks leg under the table - an action they did to each other which translated into a 'help me'. Jack turned from his conversation with the girls opposite him and faced Rhi, before engaging her in a conversation.

Making a mental note to thank Jack later, he picked up a slice of pizza and turned to Sadie.

“So, you excited for tonight?” He asked.

“Yeah,” she smiled but it didn't quite scream excitement. “I've just never been to a gig on my own before and my friend and I had been looking forward to this since January... I mean you, pierce the veil, mayday parade AND you me at six, not exactly a regular occurrence.” She laughed awkwardly. “I guess I figured we'd share the experience, so it feels a bit weird to not have anyone to share it with.” She confessed.

Zack looked at her sadly. He could tell she was excited she was, yet almost lonely at the same time. She looked at her plate awkwardly and picked at her pizza.

“Tell you what. There will be a small cross made out of red tape on the right side of the stage, stand in front of it, and ill share the gig with you, okay?” He told her, trying to cheer her up.

“Oh I wouldn't want to distract you, there's thousands coming tonight.”

He smiled at her shyness, “No please, I'd like it if you did… If you want to that is.”

She nodded her agreement before taking a hearty bite into her pizza slice; Zack grinned and mimicked her actions.

“So how old are you Sadie?” Zack asked after making sure he'd spoken with all the other fans at the table.
“I'm eighteen today actually.” She told him, a smile gracing her face once more.

Zack looked at her in shock. “Wow, you should've said.” He turned to Jack on his right.

“Oh I didn't want to make a big f-” Zack cut her off.

“Hey Jack, it's Sadie's birthday!”

Jack leaned back to see Sadie next to Zack hiding her blush. “HEY DOUCHE BAG!” Jack called to Alex at
the other side of the table, who looked up immediately to his best friend. “We have a birthday girl here.” He said, motioning to Sadie.

Alex and Jack grinned goofily at each other before getting out of their chairs and running to either side of Sadie. Alex bent down and whispered something to Zack and Rian who had joined them around Sadie.
Zack and Rian grinned and plucked Sadie from her seat and raised her in the air onto their shoulders.
Meanwhile Alex and Jack had begun singing Happy Birthday to her in a very off key tune. Her face furiously grew red as she was bounced on the drummer and bassists shoulders.

As the singing ended Jack and Alex bent down and kissed her sloppily on each cheek.

She quietly thanked them and returned to her seat to face the other meet and greet fans, half who looked thoroughly entertained and the other half looking insanely jealous. Rhi among the worst of the latter.

Zack sat back down and want to talk to Sadie before Rhi beat him to it. “Wow Zacky you're super strong being able to lift someone like her up like that.”

Zack fought back a glare at the obvious insult she'd just thrown at Sadie. “Not really, she's tiny.” He said, smiling down at the pretty brunette to his left.

Rhi huffed almost inaudibly and reached for the pepper flakes in the centre of the table, tactically knocking Sadie's coke all over her pizza and clothes. Rhi snorted as Sadie jumped back in astonishment, revealing her now wet crotch.

“Oh my gosh!” Rhi stated between laughed. “You look like you've pissed yourself!” Zack's heart sank at the embarrassed look on Sadie's face. On impulse, he stood up, grabbed his own drink, and threw it over his own crotch. Smiling gently as Sadie tried not to grin.

“Hey why did no one tell me about this new game?” Jack whined before copying the action Zack had just performed.

The three laughed at each other before settling back down into their seats. Rhi looked on horrified that her plan had backfired.

“Thank you for doing that.” Sadie whispered as she tried to savour a piece of pizza that wasn't soaked.

“No problem,” his heart was fluttering slightly at her even speaking to him. He berated himself for letting someone affect him as much as she did. She probably had a thing for Alex or Jack, like most girls. There was Alex, the deep one or Jack, the goofy, funny one. Rian used to get a lot of the attention too, but now he was with Cassadee most girls respected that and loved her as much as Rian did. Not many went for Zack, the quiet reserved one.

She sighed and pushed her plate away as she realised her pizza couldn't be salvaged. Zack grabbed an empty plate, previously containing garlic and handed it to her, adding half of his meal onto her plate.

She thanked him gratefully and took a bite out of the pepperoni pizza. They chatted between themselves fluently. Zack found out about her love for photography and how she was a few weeks away from finishing her course; he also found out that although she was at the New York Date, she was actually from Long Branch in New Jersey. She had come to this date due to the New Jersey tickets selling out too quickly.

As the meal was finished up Zack took Sadie over to meet the rest of the band and get photos with them. Matt then entered the room, telling everyone they were to make their way over to the venue. He gave Jack and Zack a questionable look concerning their still damp pants, but didn't say anything.

They entered the building via the back entrance, to avoid the fans already queuing. The band said goodbye to the fans and left them to Matt to organise; Zack stopped and whispered something to Matt, before winking to Sadie and walking off.

“Guys, so basically, the merch is through there, take your pick and then you can go to the bathroom or whatever before coming back in here. Oh and remember, Vinny has no fucking idea which 'that one' is." Matt told them. Everyone laughed before heading to the merch.

Sadie suddenly felt very alone again. Zack had been keeping her company during the meal and she felt lost without him by her side. Lagging slightly she followed the rest of the group, just as Matt popped up next to her.

“Zack told me about the incident with your friend, then what that other girl did to you.” He grinned at her.

“Wait until everyone's bought their merch, then tell Vinnie you're Sadie okay? Oh, and happy birthday!” He left before letting her reply.

Doing as Matt asked, she waited behind after everyone had gone to secure a place at the barrier and introduced herself to Vinny.

“Happy Birthday!” He said to her. “Right so Mickey had stern orders off Zack to give you something to change into, so here you go, on the house.” He thrust an All Time Low tour T-shirt and a pair or blue 'get low' booty shorts to her.

"Oh, thank you but I couldn't just take them.” She exclaimed, trying to hand them back. Vinny pushed them back towards her, “Hey, I'm just doing my job, Zack’s orders.”

Sadie thanked him once more before excusing herself to the restroom to change. Her heart fluttered furiously as she thought about how considerate Zack was. 'He's probably like this to everyone. Plus he's got hundreds if girls after him, why would he like you any more than them?' She told herself.

Sadie made her way towards the barrier in front of the stage and headed towards the right side, keeping her eyes peeled for the little red 'x'. A majority of the meet and greet group were standing where they presumed Alex and Jack would be, however Rhi and her friends were stood where they thought Zack would be.

She could see why she would choose to stand there - Zack always stood on the right, and there was a mic set up, however that was ready for Max Heyler of You Me At Six to sing into.

She glanced at her watch then to the stage in front of her, she couldn't wait for this evening to start.
Meanwhile, backstage Zack and Jack were changing out of their damp pants into a fresh pair, while Rian skyped with Cassadee and Alex did his hair.

“So you and that girl looked rather cosy eating pizza together.”

“Hmm.” Replied Zack, busy daydreaming of the girl Jack had mentioned.

“You and... Sadie wasn't it?” Zack nodded his agreement. “You were looking rather cosy at the meal.”

Zack smiled to himself as he remembered their conversation. “Yeah, she was nice.”

Jack and Alex gave each other a knowing smile and continued getting ready.

Sadie pulled out her iPhone and typed a text to keep herself busy.

Message to: Jeannine
Hey, hope you're feeling okay! I'm gutted you're not here, will tell you all about it when you're home! X

Sending the message, she decided to tweet Zack thanking him for the clothes, even though he probably wouldn't see it.

@zackalltimelow thank you for the shorts and shirt! - Sadie X

Her phone buzzed with a message from Jeannine moments later.

Message from: Jeannine
Ugh, tell me about it! Wish I was there with you, have an amazing time without me :'( ;) X

Just as she was about to reply to Jeannine her phone vibrated with a Twitter notification.

'Zachary Merrick @zackalltimelow is now following you'

A DM followed the notification immediately.

“Vinny followed my orders for once I see x”

“Haha, thank you for the clothes, that was very generous of you :)x”

“It was the least I could do :) Have you found my spot? x”

“Yepp, right in front of it. I’ll see you on stage in a bit :)x”

“Yes you will. Be careful tonight, it can get rough out there x”

“Don’t worry, I’m a pro at gigs. Besides, a few bruises are part of the experience. X”

“Good to know, I’ve got to help sort everything out back here now though, have a fun night! X”

“You too! Thanks again x”

Sadie smiled as she locked her phone and put it in her pocket. Just as she did she heard a small rumble of footsteps behind her. She turned to see fans wearing a variety of band tops all rushing to get the best view possible.

About 15 minutes later You Me At Six graced the stage, all grinning ear to ear, throwing all their energy into the performance. Sadie bounced along to every song, singing loudly as she did so. She didn’t however notice the bassist of the headliner band watching her from a secluded corner of the stage.

He stayed watching the bands and Sadie from the side of stage, one by one the bands entered, performed, and then left, right up until it was their turn. He was right about the crowd, people had been breaking open pits and crowd surfing the whole night; he hadn’t seen any casualties though, and that was always a relief.

He met his band and crew backstage, all psyching each other up ready for their performance. Chants of ‘All Time Low’ echoed around the building, bringing a smile to all their faces. Zack watched as the lights dipped and Rian snuck onstage and began playing a basic rhythm, the rest of their band followed and the lights went up. Screams and cheers filled the room and a smile spread across all four boy’s faces.

Zack’s eyes drifted straight to the brunette in front of him, looking straight back at him, sweaty but pretty. The sound of instruments began as the band began playing Somewhere In Neverland. He caught glimpses of ecstatic faces as the lights flashed over them; bras were already being thrown on stage and he smiled at the already growing collection on Jack’s stand. Turning to face Rian, he smiled at one of his best friends as they played in unison, before turning to face the crowd once more.

Searching for Sadie’s face amongst the arms he looked just in time to see the security guards pull a lanky teenage boy over Sadie’s head, not missing the boy’s boot hit Sadie in the face and blood pour out of her nose. Panicked, he noticed that the guards hadn’t seen what had happened as they were too busy retrieving a number of crowd surfers from other sides of the crowd. Without thinking, he took his bass off, jumped down from the staged and plucked Sadie out of the crowd, and carrying her to the medics by the side of the stage.

He looked down as she was shaking and holding her nose in pain. He sat her down in a chair with the medics and bent down to her level.

“Sadie lovely, I’ve gotta go back on stage but please wait until the end of the show for me if you can okay? You don’t have to but it would be great if you could.”

She looked up through blurry eyes and gave him a small nod. He hesitated a moment before kissing her head and heading back towards the stage, praying she’d still be there in an hour.

A/N ugh okay I’m so so so sorry about the late update. I had the whole thing ready to update, but I’d forgotten to renew my anti-virus programme after Christmas and what do you know, my laptop got a virus and I had to send it off. - _- I got it back a week ago and after all the work I’d missed this has been my first chance to update. I’ll get the next chapter up when I can. :) Thank you for being patient with me :)