SOMETHING GREATER THAN HIMSELF

The air was heavy with the scent of sweat as Lo observed the crowds of people rushing towards the concert venue entrance. He couldn't shake the feeling of unease. The lively atmosphere, the booming bass vibrating through the ground, the mass of bodies packed tightly together - it all seemed chaotic, almost wild.

"Hey Lo, you good?" Mae's voice was like a warm hug in the middle of chaos. She stood out in her bright dress, a burst of colour in the crowd, her smile infectious.

"I just... I don't get it," Lo admitted, barely audible over the noise.

"Don't get what?" Mae asked, genuinely confused.

"All of this," he gestured to the crowd, "the noise, the energy, the whole vibe."

Mae chuckled, a sound that seemed out of place in the chaos. "It's just a concert, Lo. People come here to have a good time, let loose."

"But why like this?" Lo couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. "It just feels so... over the top. Like everyone's losing control."

Mae took a sip of her drink, amusement dancing in her eyes. "Lo, have you ever been to a football game?"

He blinked, caught off guard. "No, not really. I'm not really into sports."

"Well, it's kind of like that," Mae explained. "The excitement of watching your team score, the energy of the crowd, the sense of belonging. It's all about being part of something bigger than yourself."

Lo pondered the idea, imagining the excitement of football games he had watched on TV - the cheers, the emotions, the sense of togetherness. He could see the similarities - the shared experience, the release of inhibitions, the feeling of unity.

"I suppose," he admitted, still feeling a bit uneasy. "But at concerts, the music... it just seems to make people go crazy."

Mae shook her head, her smile never faltering. "No, Lo, it's not about going crazy. It's about letting loose, allowing yourself to get swept up in the music, in the energy of the crowd."

She gestured towards the stage, where the band was starting to play, the music filling the air and vibrating through their bodies. "Look at how everyone is moving together, singing along, getting lost in the moment. It's all about connection, finding happiness, and sharing that joy with others."

As Lo observed the crowd swaying and dancing, he felt himself getting caught up in the music's energy. His initial nervousness began to fade, replaced by a sense of curiosity. He noticed the genuine smiles on people's faces, their bodies moving in sync with the beat, the pure joy emanating from them.

He couldn't help but wonder if there was some truth to it. Maybe, just maybe, this was a whole new level of freedom, connection, and happiness.

With a nervous heart, he took a step towards the dance floor. The music flowed through him, and a grin slowly crept onto his face. He didn't fully grasp it all, but he was open to giving it a shot, to letting loose, to embracing the joy, and getting carried away by the crowd's energy, if only for one night.

Perhaps, just perhaps, he would discover his groove, get lost in the collective excitement, and share in the concert experience. Maybe, even if just for a moment, he would feel a part of something greater than himself.