One Year Ago

The music pounds in my ears as a wade through the mosh pit, hoping to get as close to the stage as I could. Technically I was here in a professional capacity and was allowed to watch the concert from backstage, but I had been pinning to cover Jay-Z's concert for R&B Weekly's article and I wasn't going to miss the chance to be close enough to touch his hand.

I stand in the hot heavy crowd, feeling the sweat beat down my face. Hopefully my makeup will survive and I won't look like a soaked cat during the interview.

I squeeze through the people, muttering apologies as I push my tiny frame past everyone, narrowly avoiding knocking people down.

That is, until I catch someone's foot and I'm the one falling.

I catch myself by falling against someone close by, clearly they're too crowded to be knocked over so I can finally stabilize myself and stand.

"Are you alright?" I hear a deep voice shout over the voices surrounding me.

I look up from my adjustments to see the person I fell on. I'm speechless. He stands before me and I feel my stomach fill with butterflies. He's clearing got a good half foot or more on me and his shoulders are almost three times as broad as mine. My tiny body and frame probably look like a twig to him.

"Are you alright?" He asked again, a little louder. I'm probably gawking like an idiot.

"Oh, yeah," I chuckle, "I'm great. I'm sorry I didn't mean to fall over on you."

"It's all good, I'd rather get bumped on the shoulder than see that pretty face hit the floor. I'm Marcus," he holds out his hand.

Accepting the invitation I see how easily the size of his hand conceals the entirety of mine.

"I'm Joanna, friends call me Jo."

He spreads a small grin, flashing bright white teeth and exposing a small dimple on his left cheek near his broad cheekbones.

"Big Jay-Z fan Joanna?"

"Yeah, I'm technically here for work but seriously who wouldn't want to see Jay-Z?"

He laughs a deep, strong laugh that makes my knees weak. We carry a light conversation until the concert begins and Jay-Z comes out to perform. That is when I come to realize, I'm a little too short to watch a concert in the mosh pit. I jump up and down to get a good view of him, only to see more of strangers' heads.

"Hey," Marcus gets down to my level, "I could put you up on my shoulders, get you a better view!"

I laugh, "I think I have a better idea," I pull out my backstage passes, his eyes grow wide.

To thank him for his kindness, I bring him out of the mosh pit and up to the backstage entrance. Brushing away sweat and hair, I try to look presentable when flashing my passes.

"He's with me," I hold up the extra pass when security tries to stop Marcus.

"You're really hooked up aren't you?" Marcus' voice is full of excitement, he talks fast, "I don't even want to know how much passes like these cost normally!"

"I see concerts every couple weeks, it's my job to review live performances, the choreography, help pick the top ten song list at the end of the year. It's a perk of the job, plus I get to write."

"I'll have to get a subscription to your magazine," he smiles, I think I might faint; his lips curl more on the left side than the right, and his teeth seem perfect. His eyes bore into me and I almost forget I'm here for the concert.

I listen to the music and sway lightly. I don't even realize how much time is passed until Jay-Z is thanking everyone for coming and saying goodnight. I watch him leave the stage as the crowd thunders in applause.

Marcus is still next to me, clapping and whistling. His energy makes me smile, even after all the energy spent during the event he's still going with a huge grin on his face.

I have to go do my interview, so I turn to say goodbye.

"Aw you can't go, come on, this was the best concert I've ever seen and that's because of you!" He takes my hand in his, "Let me get your number, take you out to dinner. I won't take no for an answer."

I put my best flirty smile and write my number on his arm. I walk him out of the building and wave goodbye before he goes to find to find his car.

I go into the bathroom to touch up my makeup and make myself presentable for the interview. Maybe if I'm lucky I can get an autograph on the cd I recently bought, get a souvenir and a possible photo for the article!

As I'm making my way to Jay-Z's dressing room I can feel my phone buzzing in my pocket. I elect to try to ignore it and continue making my way down the hall.

Curiosity gets the best of me, causing me to halt in front of his dressing room door. Digging into my pocket I pull out my phone, smiling at the notification on the screen. A text from a number not in my contacts.

C u next Friday, 8 pm! We'll talk bout where later

He's very assertive, in a way I'm enjoying it, I just sit back and let him take the reins. I feel my smile grow and my cheeks get warm as I put the number in my contacts and reply.

It's a d8, I can't w8! Gotta go, ttyl.

I put my phone away an make my way into the dressing room. Tonight has definitely been one for the memories.