Disclaimer: I do not own American Idiot.

I stuff my hands into my coat pockets, continuing down the busy city sidewalk. It's so cold I can see fog each time I exhale. I guess that's what I get for being too cheap to take a cab or something.

But I don't exactly know where I'm going anyway. I mean, I've got this job interview…somewhere around here, but I think I was too high to comprehend where when they gave me the directions over the phone. Hell, I'm surprised I even maintained an intelligent enough conversation for them not to hang up on me.

It's not like I'm really serious about getting the job, anyway. Or any job here. I only came to the city to blow off some steam since Heather left with her stupid boyfriend again without any warning, taking our son with them. When she called me the next day, she said that it's what comes with being a rock star; Alex has to pick up and leave whenever the gig is good.

I think that's bull shit, though. Heather is a mom, and she can't just pull our son around to keep her stupid boyfriend happy. It's not like I could talk any sense into her though. Better than me have tried and failed. Johnny and Tunny and Tunny's new girlfriend and I try to tell her he's bad news, but she doesn't care. Not even the two kids he fathered and abandoned before he met her will change her mind. She thinks she's fucking changed him, but we all know better.

So, I came here. I left, and I'm not coming back until she's back too. And hopefully when she is, Alex won't be there too. A man can dream.

And I need to pay rent. I'm staying with my friend Matt, and so far he's been pretty cool, but after the first two weeks he sent me out to earn my keep. It doesn't compare to smoking pot all day and feeling sorry for myself, but I guess I'll have to survive somehow. And this job seems pretty easy. People bus tables in high school, and I'm an adult. I can do this.

I close my eyes for a second, smiling. I'm going to get shit together, and Heather will see what she's been fucking missing and it will all feel great. I can tell. And I can't fucking wait for it.

Suddenly, I collide into something – someone – I'm not sure. My eyes pop open, and I'm staring down at the most beautiful girl I think I've ever seen. Her brown eyes pull me in so far for a second I forget what's happening and where we are.

"Shit. I'm sorry." I say.

She's bending over to pick up some bright pink flyers, so I get on my knees and help her.

"I mean, I'm really sorry. I'm a fucking idiot. Are you okay?" I ask, handing her a pile of papers once they're all off the ground.

"Really, it's okay." She says, reaching to tuck a few strands of hot pink hair behind her ear. God, she's beautiful. "We were obviously both off in space."

I stand up and reach to help her, but she ignores my hand, smiling slightly.

"So, what were you thinking about?" She asks, straightening out the stack of papers.

"My shitty life," I say with a grin. "And you?"

"Well, I'm putting up flyers for my friend's band. They're playing tonight and they asked if I could spread the word or something." She replies, looking into my eyes. "It starts at nine. But I don't know, there might be a party afterwards. It could go all night."

"That's really cool." I say, stuffing my hands back into my pockets. "I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun."
"I was inviting you, dipshit." She grins, handing me a flyer. "I can see you're as smart as you are graceful."

I take it, swallowing hard. This girl is really fucking pretty; she's really fucking funny; and I really fucking want to see her again.

"Will you be there?" I ask, probably too quickly.

"Yeah. I'll look for you," She pauses. "So you better come. They're actually not bad, you know."

"I'll be there." I grin, folding the flyer and putting it in my pocket.

She turns to walk away.

"Wait!" I say, and she turns back to me. "I didn't get your name."

"It's not like I give it out to complete strangers." She says, but her tone is light and playful.

"…I guess that makes sense."

"Tonight," She promises, then turns to walk away again. She hesitates. "I like your hair, by the way."

And with that, she's gone.


I anxiously awaited nine o'clock all day. My interview went great, though, once I found out where it was. And I even made the very responsible decision to not smoke pot. I was a fucking trooper all day, all for the promise to see an amazing girl that might end up not even like me. Or she could be a total psychopath. The possibilities are really endless. And for once, I don't give a shit.

I study the address on the flyer, ingraining that shit into my brain, and then I take off walking. I'm probably going to be late, but it's better that way. It might make me seem a little less desperate.

It's still cold, but I don't even think about it. I just think about the beautiful girl with the streak of pink hair and gorgeous brown eyes that didn't look at me like I was a kicked puppy. Literally fucking every girl back home looks at me like the world's saddest kicked puppy, like I've been fucking shat on, and that's all there is to me. It really takes a lot out of dating for a guy.

And this girl knows nothing about all of that crap. And maybe I will end up telling her, but it will be on my terms, and she won't just automatically side with Heather or pity me. Hopefully she'll understand. I really want her to. I really need this.

When I get there, I hear loud guitars and voices screaming what might be song lyrics. That's how I know I'm at the right place. It's what you'd expect from a band called Brain Fries, I guess.

They're on a small stage outside, in a park, and it's pretty dark. My heart drops, thinking I might not be able to find the girl. Maybe I won't even recognize her. My brain could be turning her into someone a lot prettier than she actually is just because I'm so lonely. Or she could look different at night.

I scan the crowd without any luck. So, I stand near the back, just watching everyone. It isn't so bad. I might feel better if I had a beer in my hand, but I'm trying to hold out for this girl, and the night isn't over yet.

Just when all seems lost, I feel a tap on my shoulder.

"Hey," She says, smiling at me. "Sorry I took so long. I almost couldn't recognize you without bumping into you first."

I laugh. It's a nervous laugh, and I'm not proud of it.

"So, have I earned your name yet?" I ask after a moment, keeping my eyes trained on hers.

"I don't know. I mean, you're here. But you could still murder me." She sits down on the ground, crossing her legs.

I sit beside her, laying my arms over my knees.

"Shit, you're onto me." I say lightly, and then I turn to face her. "What if I tell you my name?"

"That's a start." She says, picking at the grass between her legs.

"My name's Will." I tell her, watching her closely.

"I like that." She says, plucking some grass from the ground. "It's simple. What do you do?"

"I'm between jobs right now, I guess. Now do I get your name?" I plead, running a thumb over her hand.

"Why do you want it so badly?" She asks, watching my hands.

"It's hard to think about someone so much and not even know their name." I reply, reaching to take her hand. "I'm not going to steal it or anything. And I wouldn't murder you. Prison doesn't sound too inviting."

She watches our hands. There's a beautifully confused look on her face, and she laces our fingers.

"Krys." She starts as she stands up, pulling me with her. "Krystina. That's my name. It's kind of hard to forget."

I grin, letting her pull me.


Somehow, we end up at her apartment. At first we just talk, mostly about her. I ask her everything about herself and I love everything she tells me. I know she's not lying or anything, and I know that she's probably perfect for me.

"So…" I start after we've been silent for a while. "Do you always invite the guys you bump into in the street up to your apartment?"

"Only the cute ones," She whispers, and I freeze, letting my thumb slowly move to caress her cheekbone.

"You think I'm cute?" I ask softly, but she doesn't say anything.

It feels like a game. We're staring into each other's eyes, hopefully both feeling overwhelmed with how much we like each other, and waiting to see who'll lose and crack first.

I don't care if it's me, I think, as I lean forward and brush my lips to hers. She returns the kiss almost immediately, pulling me against her. I kiss her intensely, letting a moan slip from my lips. I've never felt anything like this before.

I pull her onto my lap, letting my hands graze her thighs. She nibbles on my lower lip and tugs on my hair and I moan again. I keep moaning and moaning and she keeps being more and more amazing. That's really the only way to describe it.

And I don't know what to do with my hands. What did I do with my hands when I made out with Heather? I mean, I touched her legs a lot. I think she liked that. But we were both virgins and we liked anything. I don't know how hard it will be to please Krys.

I hesitate, sliding my hands under her shirt, and she stops kissing me. Shit. I guess that wasn't what I was supposed to do with my hands.

"I'm sorry. It's just been a while since I've-"

"No, it's not you." She reassures me, pecking my lips. "This is really great. But the last guy I was with… He fucked me up. I don't want to just jump into nothing, you know?"

"Neither do I." I say quickly, laying my hands on her waist. "I can't do that. I mean, I… I have a son. He's almost one and his name is Elton. I want to be a really good dad, you know? I don't want to mess around with girls."

"…You do? Where is he now? Oh my God, you're not cheating on your wife or something with me, are you?" She quickly gets off of my lap, straightening her clothes.

"No, no! He's with his mom, and I don't know where they are. She's off with her boyfriend. He's going on some fucking tour thing and they took off last minute. She didn't even tell me until she was gone, so I came to the city to get away for a while."

She studies me, moving back to me. "So you're a dad." She starts, laying her head on my shoulder. "No wife, no girlfriend… Any boyfriends?"

I laugh, nuzzling my face against the top of her head.

"So you don't just want to make out with me or something?" She asks, taking one of my hands. I squeeze hers.

"Well, I do want to make out with you." I tell her, grinning. "But I also want to, like, date you. If you're okay with that. I know the whole kid thing really freaks some people out and I don't want to be with you if that's the case."

"No." She says quickly, looking up at me. "I don't care. You seem really nice. You seem worth it."

I pull her onto my lap as I feel my heart soar.

A beautiful, funny, caring girl thinks I'm worth it. Things might just be turning around.