Our story began at a dive bar named Darcy’s . While I generally spent every Sunday there to watch the open mic , on this particular Sunday I almost didn’t go. Work ran late and I promised to go on a date with someone after my shift had ended . However I was tired and just wanted to be at my usual bar , with the same 10 regulars that were always there . I was so tired that I almost showed up in my Applebees uniform, but I decided to put a cute outfit on anyway. I walk through the doors and the place is packed. After looking around in confusion, I go up to one of the regulars and ask him what is going on . “There’s no open mic tonight, they are letting some people from NYC who were touring for Riverside Fest, play tonight .” After expressing how lame I thought it was that they were letting a bunch of presumably pretentious NYC performers go on, I decided I would stick around and see if they were any good . So after I watch everyone’s set, I head back upstairs to grab a drink . The bar was packed and I was annoyed that my usual seat was taken so I had to sit at the end of the bar next to this man who proceeded to tell me about his granddaughter and then also insist that I go on a date with him in the woods . Thankfully a seat opened up right next to the guy, Dave, who stole my usual seat so I could escape that horrid interaction. I complimented Dave’s set, and told him I came over to escape some creepy guy . He assured me that he’ll make sure that guy leaves me alone . He ordered us both a Jack and Coke , ( after being made fun of all night for drinking Budlight , he refrained from ordering his usual Jack and diet) We talked briefly about how he usually plays with a drummer but she left earlier that afternoon and he decided to stick around for a few more hours and that he was not even suppose to be at Darcy’s . I began unloading all my current drama, I figured who better to do that to than someone I would never see again. He decided to do the same, and now as strangers we have began to know more about each other than even some of our closest friends . Once the trauma dumping stopped , the flirting began . Despite multiple attempts by his band manager , Kipp, to get Dave to leave because they had to get the van back by a certain time , Dave refused to leave me . We figured Kipp had finally gotten the hint since it had been awhile since he had interrupted us. We would later find out that some how we were so invested in our conversation, that even in that tiny dive bar, we didn’t notice that there was a big fight that ended up escalating to the parking lot and someone pulled out a gun so the whole bar was in lock down . No one got shot, and this gave Dave and I a few more hours to spend together . The night was finally coming to an end and all the bands were packing up and heading towards the van . I followed Dave outside with a , “be careful” , warning from the bartender . As we begrudgingly said our goodbyes , Dave said , “ well I guess I will see you next year !” “But you won’t like me next year” I replied . “Why’s that?” “Because no one likes you when you’re twenty-three” “Did you just quote a blink182 song??” “Yes” “ I think I’m in love with you”