Alexis

They start with some voice-over thing about running free and living strong and loving wild... or something like that. Honestly, I'm not listening to anything but the sound of their accents. Because Aussie accents are just freaking awesome.

"But love, Denver, love will always remain."

Sure it will.

The first song seems to be about basically the same thing. Except it's "Run Wild, Live Free, Love Strong". Like I care, but anyway.

They flow into some more, but I mostly just enjoy the sound of the music and their accents as they sing. Because what words I pick up are way too redemption-themed. That word should never have been created, because it isn't possible. And all this stuff about dreamers, the "young at heart", whatever that's supposed to mean, and "it's not over yet" all point to a lie. But they still make good music.

And from my second-row position, I honestly do have a really good view of how much fun they seem to be having up there. Not just fun, though. They're just so passionate about their music. It's kinda cool to see, I have to admit.

Finally, they stop, and Normal Hair starts talking.

"Now, if you've been with the band for a while, you may be familiar with something we call the Priceless Movement."

The entire crowd screams. So apparently I'm the only one who isn't familiar with it. I don't even care.

"Yes," he says with a smile, "and that starts with telling all of the ladies out there, young and old, hey, don't let any man disrespect you in relationships. Don't ever settle for second-best."

They scream again.

I don't honestly see why. Why would I deserve anything more than second-best? I'd be lucky to get second-best. Whatever. They can keep living in Neverland if they feel like it.

"Now, ladies, you have been taught a lie," he continues.

Like the one I can feel you preparing to feed us?

"You've been taught to dress, and act, and think like you are cheap. But we don't believe that. We believe that there is a God in Heaven that says you are priceless."

Priceless. That's just... hilarious. I think he's confusing the meanings of priceless and worthless.

More screaming. Because apparently they believe this junk.

This junk that's making me feel like I'm about to cry.

Why? What is freaking wrong with me? Why am I so stupid tonight? Why can't I just ****** get a grip?

"We wear these necklaces..." He pulls his from around his neck to display. "That are a framed Australian two-cent coin, as sort-of a nod to our homeland..."

More yelling. I do like Australia.

"But they are to remind us... men and women... that every woman is worth more than all the money in the world."

He pulls back his sleeve to reveal a white-lettered black wristband.

"We also wear these bracelets, that say respect and honor, because that is how ladies should be treated."

He looks down at the crowd, and his eyes lock with mine before I can look away. It's only an agonizing second before I tear them away, but it was enough, and he strides to the edge of the stage on my side. I see him take off the bracelet out of the corner of my eye as he holds it out, over the heads of the people in the first row.

"In fact, Darling, I'd like to give this to you tonight."

He's still looking at me. I don't reach out. I'm shaking too badly. So I don't look up either.

Still out of the corner of my eye, I see a gentle smile on his face, and his eyes flit to Annie.

"Annie, my dear, could you please give this to her?"

She reaches out and takes it, and he turns to walk back to the middle of the stage.

And I vaguely hear him giving the men some charge about respect and honor like women like me are actually worth anything at all.

Annie turns to me, a worried, confused light to her smile.

"You okay, Alexis?" she asks, holding the bracelet out to me.

I nod hurriedly, swallowing tears. "I'm fine. Just..." I hesitate. "Star struck, I guess." And I change the subject. "How did he know your name?"

"Oh..." she smiles slightly. "I'll tell you after the concert."

And she looks back up at the stage. I take the chance to shove the bracelet onto my wrist without risk that she'll see my scars. I can feel myself shaking all over. What is wrong with me?

I try to distract myself by tuning back into the dude's little speech.

"We recently released a film called Priceless... I acted in it, and Luke produced it..."

Well, now I know Curly Hair's name.

"It was an action, drama, love story that took a look at the human trafficking sex trade, which is the absolute opposite of how we believe ladies should be treated, and I encourage you to get a hold of that if you haven't yet."

Wow. He just said "sex". I thought that word was banned for these people... unless they're giving one of their stupid "waiting until marriage" speeches.

"But we were also so passionate for this movement that we wrote a song about it, also by the name of "Priceless"."

To take a line from Star Wars, I have a bad feeling about this.

The lights dim, and slow, dramatic music begins as the crowd quiets.

I see you dressed in white,

Every wrong made right.

Every wrong, huh? There's nothing in the world that could cover my every wrong.

I see a rose in bloom

At the sight of you.

I would punch a dude who said that to me, because I would know he was lying to me.

You're irreplaceable,

Well, I doubt you could find someone as messed up and broken as I am.

Unmistakable,

I'm ugly enough to be unmistakable, I guess.

Incomparable,

Darling, it's beautiful.

Lies. They're all lies.

And my eyes are squeezing shut against the tear that's so thoroughly threatening me.

I could seriously kill myself tonight.

I see it all in you.

No you don't you, ******!

I feel a small amount of relief course through me as the mood of the song changes, the music jumping to the ringing of a xylophone. Please get better.

Mirror, mirror,

Mirror on the wall,

Tellin' those lies,

Pointing out your flaws.

If there are really flaws to point out, why are they lies?

That isn't who you are.

That isn't who you are.

Then who exactly would you suggest that makes me?

It might be hard to hear,

But let me tell you, Dear,

Did he just call us "Dear"? I guess he did call me "Darling" and Annie "my dear" earlier.

That's usually so annoying. Why does it cut so close to my heart when he says it?

Because I'm a ****** idiot who's desperate enough to fall for it.

No, I'm not. I will never fall for all of this junk.

If you could see what I could see,

I know you would believe,

That isn't who you are.

There's more to who you are.

If there is, the more doesn't exactly make it better. Like, when I look into the mirror, my scars are usually covered. So, yes, there is more. But is that supposed to be a ****** good thing?

But I still find tears pushing at the back of my eyes.

So when it's late,

You're wide awake,

The story of my life.

Too much to take,

Life is too much to take.

Don't you dare forget that

In the pain,

You can be brave.

Hear me say...

And they're doing this lie again, just faster. That's just... ***** amazing, now isn't it?

My fists are clenched so tightly that I can feel slight moisture on my palms, and my head is throbbing. What is wrong with me? It's just a ******* song!

But the next thing I know, I'm swaying on my feet, and everything goes black.