The Text Message

                My freshman year of college was the first time since high school that I was bullied.

                I was placed on the eighth floor of what I considered, at the time, the worst dormitory to be placed in. I had two neighbors: one to my left and across the hall. Instantly, I made a friend with my neighbor across the hall. Vicki was confident and fearless, everything I thought I wanted to be. She always talked about all the guy friends she had back home, rubbing it in my face that she could talk to guys, when my face goes up in flames when a guy is mentioned. She was everything I wanted to be . . . or so I thought.

                It got to the point in our friendship that I trusted her. It was late September when I told her about the guy I liked. He attended BSU, and I had learned about him through Facebook. At this same time, she went off, making new friends and integrating them into our little circle. Let’s just say, I didn’t like one of her new friends that stuck around. Why, you ask? Because my Vicki changed when the other Tina was around, ditching me to go take selfies with her in the bathroom, while I waited by myself in a crowded place. But all that fails in comparison to what she did to me later in the month.

                His name was Tommy. He had gorgeous blue eyes that made me feel like I was on a beach. His smile was the definition of perfection. And I was infatuated with him. Vicki knew. Tina knew. And they used it against me. One night, while we were all enjoying dinner, Vicki and Tina went to the bathroom. 15 minutes later, they came trotting back with smiles on their faces. “We gave Tommy your number.” Vicki told me. “Yeah, he said he would text you after his basketball game.” Tina smiled. I felt sick to my stomach. I feel sick to my stomach as I write this. I didn’t think anything of it. They were my friends after all, right? WRONG.

                9:00 p.m. rolled around and I got a text. My stomach dropped. I had been hoping that he would forget and not text me. I didn’t know what to do or say, so I gave Vicki my phone. “You need to flirt, Caroline!” She told me, but ended up doing the flirting for me. Text after text, flirt after flirt, I started to get the feeling that it wasn’t all that it was cracked up to be. I walked over to Vicki’s dorm, “Hey, I don’t feel right about this. Something’s not right. It’s probably a bet or something.” I shut the door and turned around only to hear Tina yell “Caroline, wait!” I walked back over and I knew I was right.

                “Before you get mad, listen to me.” Vicki said.

                “What?” I asked.

                “It’s not really Tommy texting you. We gave your number to my friend Logan, and he’s the one that’s been texting you.” Tina laughed.

                The rest of the night was a blur. Vicki and Tina came over to apologize, not quite understanding why I was so upset. Vicki was actually mad at me for being upset with her. HA. I cried myself to sleep that night, wondering what I could have possibly done to deserve such terrible treatment from two people I thought were my friends. I couldn't get their laughing at me out of my mind. It was torture. After that, I saw Tommy everywhere. Even after it was over, it wasn't over. 

               Please don't allow yourself, or a friend, to go through something like this. If you know of someone being bullied, tell someone. Don't be a bystander. Thank you. 

**names were changed to protect identities**

One Direction in Indianapolis

            After five longs years of waiting for something magical to happen in Indianapolis, Friday, July, 31^st, 2015, all my dreams came true. My four favorite boys in the world, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, and Louis Tomlinson, finally made their appearance in my city, and boy did they leave an impression.

            I got to Lucas Oil Stadium around 4:30 pm, and immediately got in line at the gates. People were scattered everywhere, waiting in line at the gates, waiting in line at the merchandise tent, and, the very lucky fans that got floor seats, waiting in line to get a wrist band. The gates opened at 4:45 pm, but no entry was allowed.  I was lucky enough to stand in line at gate 3, where the guard started the crowd singing that took place up until we were allowed entry at 5:30. The crowd busted into songs by the artist we were all there to see: One Direction. “Steal My Girl,” “No Control,” “What Makes You Beautiful,” “Midnight Memories,” “Stockholm Syndrome,” and “Best Song Ever” were the songs we belted out. The workers truly got a kick out of it.

            5:30 pm, the crowd went crazy, pushing and running to get inside of the stadium. When I was finally inside (which didn’t take long. I was one of the first ones in), I made a beeline for the merchandise table, where I purchased two concert t-shirts, and dropped $80. I immediately made my way towards my seat, stopping to get a bottle of water and changing into one of my new shirts. Section 343 was no floor seats, but I was able to see the whole stage and the big screens. They were the perfect seats.

            Two hours. I waited two hours, impatiently, might I add, just for Icona Pop to make their appearance. I will not lie, I wasn’t thrilled to hear that they were the openers, but they sure as hell brought it. I don’t think anyone else would have gotten the crowd as hyped as they did. The two girls killed every song they performed, as well as thanking the boys, and praising us on being the best fans. They were done by 7:45 pm, leaving the whole stadium of 60,000 screaming fans in suspense.

            For an hour. AN HOUR, we waited. But the boys made up for that hour once the Introduction Video started playing. My heart was pounding; butterflies erupted in my stomach as the suspense grew. I was finally going to see my favorite boys, and I couldn’t have been happier. The video had ended and the beginning of “Clouds” started. Fireworks went off.  Niall was the first one out, his red guitar strapped around his body, with the boys right behind him. They talked, they gushed out about how amazing the fans are, they thanked everyone, and they went on and on about their new single “Drag Me Down.”

            After singing hit after hit and stealing every single person’s heart, they decided to give Indianapolis a little surprise. Louis went on, talking about “Drag Me Down,” only to make the crowd speechless by saying “so here it is.” Only seventeen hours after they released the song, the entire stadium sang the song back, beautifully. After the song was over, the fans screamed and cheered for minutes after they were finished. The look on their faces, the smiles, the happy faces, was well-worth the sore throat and no voice the next morning. Niall even gushed, “Hear that boys? I think they like it.”

            The rest of the concert consisted of things being thrown on stage, Harry making fun of a Colts football player for being so tall and making the crowd moan, Liam, with the help of Louis, dressing up in Batman pajama’s, Louis pouring water and Powerade all over Liam, and Niall being sassy towards people throwing things at him on stage.  

            The concert ended with a BANG, with “Best Song Ever,” and more fireworks. The boys walked around the stage waving good-bye, blowing kisses, and repeating how much they loved everyone. That was probably the worst part of the concert. I had waited so long for the opportunity to see my favorite boys. The feeling of seeing them walk off stage was the most heartbreaking thing I’ve ever endured.  But looking back to two days ago, I don’t think I’ve ever been happier. Everywhere the boys go, they bring sunshine and happiness, leaving the fans happy and appreciative. I don’t think I could have picked better role models.

            Thank you, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne, Niall Horan, and Harry Styles for making July 31^st, 2015, the best night of my life. I will be forever grateful.