Winter had hit the city of Aberdeen with its most viscous storm in years. Though the weather was often wet and windy, this year had seen an unprecedented amount of snowfall before December. It was the first time in years that people were praying that they didn't get a white Christmas.

Aside from the obvious low temperatures and traffic chaos, the snow had wreaked havoc on the social lives of Michael Ashford, Joe McDonald and Evelyn Harper. They'd barely been out, barely seen each other and had even had to cancel their proposed trip to Edinburgh because all of the trains had been cancelled. And they absolutely weren't going to let one of the trio stay sober enough to drive them. However, despite all the madness, Mike and Joe were now standing in line, waiting to get into the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre, locally known as the AECC.

"You know, I'm kinda glad this isn't cancelled, kinda not," Joe said between chattering teeth.

"I know what you mean. I always complain its roasting in here but fucking hell, it's like Arctic Circle out here," agreed Mike. "This better be worth it!"

"Of course it's going to be worth it! It's Hayley fucking Williams. My future wife!"

Hayley Williams was the lead singer of the band Paramore, who were set to play the venue that night. Despite the fear that the snow would affect the show, the much anticipated event was going ahead. There had always been a longstanding disgruntlement that "big bands" never played in Aberdeen, always opting for Glasgow instead. Unless it was Rod Stewart or something and Michael really didn't want to put himself and his friends through that.

So for once, there was a rare sell out and the duo considered themselves lucky to have even got tickets. Thankfully, a fortuitous day off meant that Mike could buy them for him and his two friends, one of which had still not arrived.

"Evie got her ticket from you before, right? Joe asked. "Like, we won't have to wait for her?". Though the line was moving, it wasn't going fast enough.

"Yeah she picked up last night. Can't believe that shitty little fiesta made it up my street. She did say she'd be a bit late but I'm kinda worried now," Though he was only joking at the time he said, he now genuinely worried about her driving in this weather.

Once they finally got in the building, shed their layers of jackets, hats and gloves and purchased the obligatory tour t-shirt, they made their way into the main hall, standing away from most other people so that Evie could spot them better if she ever showed up.

Which, finally she did.

"Here she is!" Mike breathed a sigh of relief before hugging his apologetic friend. As she released him and hugged Joe, he smiled when he saw that she too was wearing a brand new t-shirt from the show on top of whatever she already had on.

"What took you so long? We were starting to think Santa had bundled you into his sleigh!" Joe joked.

"Sorry guys, I was waiting for someone. Guys, I want you to meet Richard!" Evie grinned from ear to ear as she moved her arms to reveal a tall man that had somehow gone unnoticed until now.

"Hey guys, nice to meet you," he said with a smile, shaking both of the boys' hands. He was still wearing his huge coat but his hands were still freezing and his mousy hair was so windswept that it looked like he'd been snowboarding without a helmet.

"This is my new boyfriend, these are my best friends, Michael and Joe," she introduced them each individually and Richard said hi to them both again.

It was weird because Michael had only seen this man for approximately thirty seconds but he was already getting a strange vibe off him. He definitely wasn't Adonis by any means but if there was a Greek god of intelligence or up-tightness then this was it before him.

Evelyn had first told the boys about Richard a month prior when she'd met him on a night out with her friends from work. It wasn't common for Evie to talk to them about boys so instantly they knew it was somewhat serious. He was a few years older than her and worked as an accountant. She'd had boyfriends before but never any that lasted particularly long. This was new territory for all of them and suddenly the guys felt a little bad for always burdening her with their talking about girls.

They engaged in random small talk before the supporting band, Fun, took to the stage. They stood in silence while they watched the band, not really getting into their set until it was almost over.

When the performance did end, they began talking again.

"They were pretty good, weren't they?" Richard asked Mike and Joe, clearly struggling for topics just as much as they were.

"It was ok I guess," shrugged Joe.

Evie excused herself to quickly go to the bathroom before the main show started, leaving the three guys standing there not saying a word.

For an eternity.

"The weather's pretty fucking wild huh?" Mike finally broke the silence that was somehow blaring over the chatter of thousands of people.

Both Joe and Richard nodded and muttered their agreement just in time for Evie to return and ask what she missed.

"Nothing much, we're all just chatting, right?" Richard asked his new acquaintances.

"Of course," Joe agreed in a hurry.

Before Evelyn could pick up on the awkwardness, the lights in the arena went out and before they knew it, the band were on stage and performing their latest hit, Ignorance.

Throughout the show, it was impossible for Mike not to enjoy it, this was one of his favourite bands from his teenage years, but he still couldn't stop himself from glancing over at Evie and Richard every now and again. Especially during the slower songs.

Richard was stood behind Evie for the whole show because obviously, he was taller, but also so that he could wrap his arms around her waist and rock her from side to side. Of course Joe didn't notice any of this because he was too busy watching his "future wife".

*

Once the show was over and everyone was now attempting to make their way home, Michael and Joe were wading through the snow like Alaskan hikers. Though it was Saturday night, absolutely no one was going to be out partying in this weather.

"I can't believe Evie is staying at Richards tonight. That's messed up," Mike grunted, watching the air of his breath gathering in front of him.

"I can. They're going out. It's what people do," Joe would most likely have shrugged if his jacket wasn't restricting his shoulder movements.

"Do you not think there's something dodgy about him?"

"Not really. He's a little weird . . . in that . . . rich, wanker-y way. I don't think he was really keen on the gig but I guess he got a last minute ticket," mused Joe.

"He looks like an asshole."

"You say that about every guy that Evie goes out with. It's the laws of nature. That guy from Twilight looks like an asshole and chicks love him. Same with that guy from Thirty Seconds to Mars. You know Evie says all the famous people we crush on look like Babylonian whores? Same deal."

"Except Hayley Williams," Mike reminded him.

"Of course. Look, what's the real reason you hate this guy already?"

"Nothing. I don't hate him!" Mike lied. He didn't know why he hated Richard, he just did.

Of course, he wasn't ever going to tell Evie that. Unless they broke up. But what were the chances of that?

Girls and perfect guys never broke up, at least not that Mike ever saw.

He was almost jealous of Richard.

Almost.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Brrr. Just getting chills thinking about the winter of 2010. It was very real people! Even though Scotland is prone to bad weather, there always seems to be this huge shock when the snow hits. And don't get me started with the drivers!

Anyway, this scene was actually one of the very first I thought of once I was setting my story here in Aberdeen. This gig was awesome! And just like Mike, I was lucky to get a day off for the day the tickets went on sale. I remember it all too well.

Anyway, as can happen with writing, I went down a rabbit hole and lost track of time and had to post this literally minutes before I had to leave the house so any errors or shitty bits, let me know!